28 Pranks Later
Pony's Log Number 615: Some jokes are funny, but Rainbow has crossed the line! Time to teach her how dangerous "rainbows" can be...
It was a dark and spooky night in the woods as Fluttershy was walking with some animals back home, which included Angel and her bear friend Harry.
"I'm so sorry I lost track of time at our picnic," said Fluttershy to the animals, "I didn't mean for us to get out here after dark. But there's really nothing to be afraid of. The forest at night is the same as the forest during the day." It was at that moment a strong gust of wind blew past followed by some howling in the distance. Fluttershy looked behind her as she surveyed the ominous surroundings.
"Only...darker," Fluttershy added with a very nervous smile on her face and then added through her teeth, "Why didn't I bother inviting Shenran to come with us?" Fluttershy knew the answer. Shenran had stayed home to take care of some housecleaning she had fallen behind on. So he was safe at home...and probably worried sick why she was heading home so late. Fluttershy was then startled when Harry got underneath the yellow Pegasus as Angel and the other animals ducked under the large bear as well, trembling fearfully. Harry was so afraid that his teeth were also chattering.
"Still, maybe we should hurry back to the cottage," said Fluttershy when something whooshed across the foreground and Harry grabbed the yellow Pegasus to hold her for comfort. Fluttershy then got out of Harry's arms and they started to search. She then noticed that Harry still looked frightened and gently patted his shoulder with a fore-hoof.
"Nothing to worry about," said Fluttershy, "No reason to-"
WHOOSH!
Fluttershy was then startled as the shadow zoomed across the background. It was then a strange looking monster groaned from behind them and also had glowing purple eyes. Harry was the first to see the monster, followed by Fluttershy.
"Ruuuun!" Fluttershy screamed and the group did just that. Fluttershy panted as she and the animals ran for their lives. But the monster managed to cut them off and hovered before them. It gave another eerie sounding moan and lightning stuck behind it to make it look even scarier. Fluttershy just looked at the monster fearfully when...
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAR!
The monster roared loudly at her.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!" Fluttershy screamed loudly and rushed into Harry's arms and whimpered fearfully. It was then the monster flew closer to reveal...that it was Rainbow wearing a hoof-made monster costume. Rainbow began to laugh as Fluttershy opened an eye that was brimming with tears.
"Gotcha!" Rainbow called out and laughed harder as she landed on her back. Poor Fluttershy was still hyperventilating.
"That wasn't funny!" Fluttershy said with a very out of breath voice and watery eyes, "You really scared me! I hope you're happy!" Harry growled in agreement and shook his head in disapproval. Rainbow had gotten back on all fours.
"Nope. You're too easy," said Rainbow, "You're scared of everything!"
"That's not true," Fluttershy protested bitterly. Then Shenran arrived.
"Honey! Honey!" Shenran called out, "I heard you scream and rushed over here as fast as I could. Are you okay?"
"No, I'm not okay!" Fluttershy snapped, "Rainbow thought it was funny to scare the living daylights out of me! All because she considers me an easy target!"
"Oh really?!" Shenran said sternly as he glared at her. Rainbow just smiled smugly.
"Boo," said Rainbow to Fluttershy's face.
"AAH!" Fluttershy yelped and zipped up to a tree branch upside down and her teeth chattered fearfully. Rainbow just waved a fore leg to say "Told ya so". Harry grunted at her and Shenran growled at the blue Pegasus.
"Why you!" Shenran snarled and lunged at her. Rainbow dodged at the last minute.
"Miss me! Miss me! Now you gotta kiss me!" Rainbow taunted and gave Shenran a raspberry.
"I'd never kiss your lips ya little-"
BONK!
Shenran lunged at Rainbow angrily again, but then time Rainbow set herself up so Shenran slammed headfirst into a tree trunk, leaving the Pegasus stallion dizzy.
"Gotcha!" Rainbow shouted, laughed at Shenran, and then zoomed away. Fluttershy then recovered as she hovered over to her still woozy husband.
"Ugh..." Shenran groaned as he put a fore-hoof to his head, but winced when he touched something that made his head hurt more.
"Oh no!" said Fluttershy as she noticed a patch of purple on his fore-head, "You got a nasty bruise!"
"Thanks to Rainbow," Shenran remarked. Fluttershy grunted angrily.
"She's not gonna get away with this!" Fluttershy told her husband.
Shenran silently agreed with her.
(main theme)
Fluttershy wasted no time calling for an intervention with the rest of the Mane Eight. While Fluttershy and Shenran, whom the latter had a bandage on his fore-head, had explained what had happened, Rainbow seemed unapologetic. In fact, the blue Pegasus was boasting over what had happened.
"I mean," Rainbow bragged, "how could you not appreciate that?" Twilight was standing between Rainbow and Fluttershy's thrones. Mario was sitting in his own throne looking very angry. Fluttershy and Shenran looked upset as well and both has their fore-legs crossed.
"Because I don't think being scared is very fun!" said Fluttershy huffily, "And I don't appreciate that you made my husband slam head first into a tree trunk!"
"He's the one who charged at me!" Rainbow protested.
"Only because you called my wife an easy target!" Shenran shot back.
"Rainbow Ashleigh Dash!" Mario scolded sternly, "You know how hurtful that comment is for me and Fluttershy!"
"For the last time, my middle name isn't Ashleigh!" Rainbow protested, "Besides, it was all in good fun. I'm sure you could get that!"
"I do!" Pinkie replied, "Your hearts gets all racy, your hooves get all tingly, your mouth gets all dry-ie! Actually, I don't like that part. But the rest if great!" Pinkie made her heart pump out of her chest, her fore-legs wiggle, and her mouth to...stick out, but fixed it a couple of seconds later.
"Only for you!" Mario and Shenran said together as Fluttershy just kept glaring at Rainbow.
"See? Everypony likes a good prank!" said Rainbow, "They're just jokes! Not my fault the only boys in our group can't take a joke!"
"Some jokes are funny, but not this one, Dashie," said Mario firmly, "You're taking advantage of Fluttershy's issues for your own selfish need for laughs and that isn't right!"
"Yeah, and she told me you have a bad habit of doing that to her ever since you two were fillies!" Shenran added. Rainbow just snorted and rolled her eyes.
"Now, Rainbow Dash," said Rarity, "I don't think Fluttershy would have called us all here to talk about this if she thought it was funny. Everypony has things they like and things they don't."
"And scarin' Fluttershy is just lazy," said Applejack sternly.
"Lazy?!" Rainbow scoffed.
"A prank isn't very good if you're the only pony laughing," Twilight added.
"Well said dear," said Mario in agreement.
"But what if it's really, really, really, really, really funny?" Pinkie asked as she bounced over to Twilight.
"And I can do funny," Rainbow bragged. Mario and Shenran shook their heads and rolled their eyes.
"I know you can," said Twilight as she walked behind Rainbow's throne, "I guess the trick is making sure your idea of funny matches the pony you're pranking." Twilight didn't seem to notice that Rainbow was hiding her giggles. Mario was just giving her a death glare as his wife went to take a seat.
"That way-"
Pfffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff!
The moment Twilight sat down, a loud prolonged fart was heard that echoed throughout the room. Mario was taken aback by the sound.
"O-kay...I think we might need to reconsider Taco Tuesdays," said Mario wearily as he leaned away from Twilight's throne.
"Honey!" Twilight snapped as she pulled out a whoopee cushion with her magic.
"Oh," said Mario as Twilight glared as Rainbow laughed and then Pinkie was also cracking up. The others just gave Rainbow and Pinkie annoyed, unamused, and disturbed looks. Pinkie then zipped between Rainbow and Twilight as she and Rainbow burst out laughing. Then they shared a hoof-bump with each other as Twilight continued to glare at them while holding the whoopee cushion in her magic.
"Good one, Rainbow!" said Pinkie, "Ha-ha! You have to admit! That was funny!"
"Not really!" said Twilight indignantly as she tossed the whoopee cushion away from herself.
"Yeah, it was funnier when Luna made Mom sit on one," said Mario and then snickered, "but that was because it took Mom a good fifteen minutes to stop shifting and get off her chair." Mario then started laughing to himself.
"Seriously?" Twilight asked annoyingly.
"Well, a whoopee cushion is a cheap way to get a laugh," said Mario as he calmed down.
"What?!" Rainbow and Pinkie exclaimed.
"Yeah," said Applejack, "A whoopee cushion is like a joke shortcut."
"What?!" Rainbow and Pinkie exclaimed again.
"Honestly, Rainbow Dash," said Rarity indignantly, "if you are not willing to put forth the effort requested to pull a prank that everypony can enjoy, you may as well not pull one at all." Rainbow looked stunned as she turned to Pinkie, who shrugged a fore-leg in reply.
"Fine!" said Rainbow angrily as she hovered into the air, "If you ponies want effort, then that's just what you'll get." With that Rainbow flew out of an open castle window.
"Rainbow get back here!" Mario shouted but Rainbow didn't listen.
"I'm sure she understood what we meant," said Twilight.
"Great," Mario said wearily, "Now Rainbow is gonna be worse than ever!"
"Not if I can help it," said Shenran as he pulled out his swords, "With these, she'll get the message quick!"
"Shenran, put those away at once!" said Fluttershy sternly.
"Spoil my fun why don't you?" Shenran muttered under her breath as he put his swords away.
"Say something, dear?" Fluttershy asked in a dangerously sweet tone as she got into his face.
"Just that I love you very much," Shenran replied quickly and gave a squeaky smile.
"I thought so," Fluttershy said smugly and pecked his lips. Mario just rolled his eyes and began making plans to leave Ponyville for the rest of the day to avoid any pranks.
Later that day at the Carousel Boutique, Rarity was with Sweetie Belle.
"I know you're excited about the Filly Guide Cookie Drive," Rarity told her little sister, "but I still have to do a few finishing touches on your uniform." They both entered Rarity's workroom and blinked in surprise. The mannequin with Sweetie Belle's Filly Guide outfit was now perched on top of a giant cake. Sweetie Belle excitedly walked up to the cake and took a big bite out of it.
"Hmm, not bad," said Sweetie Belle. Rarity just looked at the cake skeptically. She then found a note sitting before the mannequin and went to read it.
"Huh," said Rarity as she read the note aloud, ""You asked for it"."
"What does it mean?" Sweetie Belle asked curiously.
"Hmm. I assume this is Dash's idea of a prank," Rarity answered, "which can only mean she's rigged some kind of booby trap to your Filly Guide uniform up there."
"So how do we get it down?" Sweetie Belle asked, "Should we ask if Mario can spring the trap? He's pretty good at springing traps and getting out of them." Rarity chuckled.
"How true," said Rarity, "But Mario went to spend the day at Canterlot to get away from Dash's pranks. So what are we gonna do you ask? We don't. If Dash thinks I'm going to fall for whatever she's got in mind, she's got another thing coming. There's more uniforms where that one came from!" Rarity then grabbed some fabric and went to work. But as she went to use the sewing machine.
SPLAT!
The sewing machine fell apart...and was actually another cake. Sweetie Belle leaned in and took a huge bite out it.
"Hmm. The sewing machine cake is actually better then the cake cake," said Sweetie Belle. Rarity couldn't contain her temper after that.
"RAINBOW DASH!" Rarity screamed angrily. She and Sweetie Belle then heard laughter. There was Rainbow Dash outside of the window, laughing at them.
"Gotcha! Ha-ha!" said Rainbow, "How's that for effort?" Rainbow then flew away as Rarity watched her fly off. Rarity then glared at Sweetie Belle who was just innocently stuffing her face with more cake.
Later that day, Diamond Tiara was busy shunting some freight cars in the yard when Rainbow arrived. A little note of interest was that the little filly hadn't been at the intervention that morning and didn't know that the blue Pegasus was on a pranking spree. Rainbow snickered to herself as Diamond Tiara came up quietly and gave the freight cars a push. Then she stopped and the silly freight cars went bump into each other.
"Oh!" the freight cars cried, "Whatever is happening?!" Diamond Tiara giggled to herself as Rainbow made her presence known.
"Hey, Di," said Rainbow, "Stay in the yard today. Mario is supposed to come and see you. Something about a surprise."
"Oh wow!" said Diamond Tiara excitedly, "Master knows that I work very hard in the yard and on my branch line. Maybe he wants me to pull a special train!" Rainbow was already flying off and snickering to herself.
A few hours later, Twilight was walking around town when she noticed that several ponies were grumbling dreadfully.
"What's going on everypony?" Twilight asked.
"Diamond Tiara is late with our deliveries," said Lilly Valley.
"I'm still waiting for my delivery!" said Bon Bon.
"She never brought mine either!" added Savior Faire, "And I'm losing customers because we don't have our spice delivery!" He pointed toward the cafe were ponies were angrily grumbling about there not being any food and some of them were leaving huffily. Twilight hummed to herself as a stern look appeared on her face. It wasn't long before she found Diamond Tiara just reclining against the front of a freight car. She had finished rearranging all the freight cars a couple of hours ago. She had her eyes closed until a dark shadow hovered over her.
"Huh?" said Diamond Tiara as she opened her eyes and saw Twilight looking very stern at her.
"Just what do you think you're doing, young lady!" Twilight scolded, "You're customers are complaining about their deliveries being late! Yet here you are lounging around in the yard!" Diamond Tiara was taken aback by Twilight's tone.
"I...I'm s-s-sorry," said Diamond Tiara nervously, "Master told me to stay here for a surprise. Rainbow Dash sent me the message this morning!" Twilight blinked and then she groaned and face-hooved herself.
"Sweetie," said Twilight in a gentle and firm tone, "Mario didn't sent any messages. How could he? He's away in Canterlot for the day." Diamond Tiara blinked and then her face scrunched up in pure rage.
"RAINBOW DASH!" Diamond Tiara screamed at the top of her lungs, making the surrounding landscape shake. Rainbow then flew past the front of the castle laughing at Diamond Tiara's expense. While Diamond Tiara was able to make her deliveries, the other ponies were less sympathetic despite the fact she apologized and tried to explain what had happened. Diamond Tiara had to make the deliveries free of charge to compensate for being late, which was big deal since that was her income ever since Spoiled Rich cut off her allowance.
Back in Fluttershy's cottage, Shenran was giving various animals their dinner. Things were pretty quiet at first, but then some squirrels started snickering, followed by a few raccoons, then Harry, and then Angel and some of his bunny friends. Shenran tried to ignore the snickering at first, but then he started to get annoyed as all the animals were now snickering behind his back.
"Alright, what's so funny?" Shenran demanded as he hovered before him. The animals then started laughing. Shenran glared as Fluttershy hovered into the room.
"I don't know what's so funny," said Fluttershy firmly, "but that's no way to treat my..." Fluttershy then noticed a sheet of paper was taped onto her husband's tail and pulled it off.
"Uh...honey," said Fluttershy as she handed Shenran the sheet of paper, "I think this is why their snickering." Shenran blinked when he saw what was on the sheet of paper.
My name is Stinky!
And below it was a rainbow on it.
It was then he heard a familiar blue Pegasus laughing from a window. Rainbow then blew a raspberry at him.
"You're gonna get it!" Shenran remarked as he headed toward the front door. But when he opened.
KER-SPLAT!
Shenran got a bucket of shaved onions dumped on him. And I mean the strong smelly kind!
"Gotcha!" Rainbow taunted, "See ya later, Stinky!" Shenran growled angrily.
"Rainbow Dash!" Shenran yelled. Behind him, Fluttershy and the rest of the animals all held their noses since Shenran really did smell terrible due to the strong smelling onions. Fluttershy didn't waste time preparing her husband a bath. Unfortunately, it took a full hour before she managed to help him get the smell of onion out of his mane, tail, and fur. And yes, Fluttershy did use her perfume scented shampoo and soaps too!
Late that night, Applejack was busy setting up various ropes, bells, and frying pans around her bedroom. Apple Bloom then peeked inside the room.
"What's all this, Applejack?" Apple Bloom asked, "I thought you were gonna help me get ready for the Filly Guide Cookie Drive."
"Uh, yeah, sorry about that," said Applejack, "But Rainbow Dash has been on a prankin' tear, and you can never be too careful. You're friend Diamond Tiara learned that the hard way."
"I heard," said Apple Bloom, "So unfair that she had to give her deliveries for free. Those delays weren't even her fault!"
"I agree," said Applejack, "Rainbow will pick just 'bout anypony for her pranks. And I'm gonna be ready for her!"
"Do you really think Dash is gonna try and prank you in your sleep?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Not if I have anythin' to say about it," said Applejack as she turned her lamp off and went to sleep. Apple Bloom just said nothing and turned the hall light off as she headed to her bedroom.
"See ya in the mornin', sugarcube," said Applejack as she went to sleep.
The next morning, Applejack woke up with a start to find a pig sleeping in her bed beside her.
"Huh?!" Applejack exclaimed when she noticed that her bed, side table, and lamp were now outside in the middle of the pig pen as the rooster crowed.
"Whoa!" Applejack yelped as she tried to climb out of bed, but tripped and fell face first into some mud. Rainbow laughed at her from above.
"Ha! Still think I'm lazy?" Rainbow remarked, "Gotcha! Pigpen..." Rainbow laughed harder and flew off.
"Ugh! Rainbow Dash!" Applejack grunted as the pig jumped off her bed and splashed into the mud beside her. Applejack, now coated from head to hoof in mud, just sulked.
As some polka music played in the background, it was clear that nopony was safe from Rainbow's pranks. Cranky was in his and Matilda's bedroom admiring himself in the mirror. It was then Rainbow thought it funny to swap Cranky's toupee with a skunk! Cranky didn't even notice the swap until the skunk was on his head. Rainbow watched outside as the skunk raised its tail and sprayed Cranky with its foul stench.
"Gotcha!" Rainbow shouted, laughed, and then flew away.
At the castle, Spike was writing up a scroll. When he was finished, he then blew fire to send the scroll away. Just a second after, another scroll that look just like it landed on his head and onto the table. Spike looked at the scroll before he sent it off. Then another scroll landed on his head and onto the floor that looked just like it. Instead of checking to see if the scroll was the one he was trying to send like a smart dragon (rolls eyes), Spike sent the scroll off with his dragon breath. Then another scroll appeared and Spike that one away. This repeated again and again with Spike never realizing until too late that Rainbow was above him dropping the fake scrolls to Spike to be sent off.
At the Canterlot Castle throne room, Celestia was just doing some paperwork as Mario snuggled her side quietly. It was then he noticed the first scroll arrive.
"Message from Ponyville, Mom," said Mario as he used his magic to hand her the scroll. Then the second scroll appeared.
"Make that two-" Mario was then cut off when a third scroll landed on his head and onto the floor.
"Wha-" Mario said puzzled and then looked up, "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
Mario and Celestia were then buried alive as hundreds of scroll appeared from above. Celestia was the first to surface from the sea of scrolls, followed by Mario. Mario didn't need long to figure out what had happened.
"DASHIE!" Mario shouted angrily.
Back at Sweet Apple Acres, Big Mac was busy pulling a cart of the hill. Suddenly a loud thud was heard and Big Mac looked back to see a huge boulder inside his cart. This made the red stallion slide down the hill he had finished climbing. He had barely recovered when some apples were tossed before him and he looked up to see Rainbow smirking at him.
"Gotcha!" Rainbow yelled and flew off.
Later, Mr. Cake was about to eat his lunch, which was a sub sandwich. He went to take a large bite when...
CLANG!
Mr. Cake bit down on something hard and rubbed a now sore tooth. He opened up his sandwich to find somepony had put a red brick inside of it. He then heard snickering behind him and looked back to see Rainbow smirking at him.
"Gotcha!" Rainbow shouted.
At the Schoolhouse, Cheerilee was walked up to her mobile backboard to get ready for the afternoon lecture. She spun the backboard around to find somepony had drawn a picture of her looking stupid. The other students began to laugh. Cheerilee was most annoyed and re-rotated the blackboard to find Rainbow squeezed into the frame with a large smile on her face.
"Gotcha!" Rainbow called out as Cheerilee glared and chased the blue Pegasus out of the schoolhouse.
That afternoon, Mario had returned and landed just outside the outskirts of Ponyville where there was a big hill.
"I sure hope Rainbow's gotten her pranking spree out of her system," said Mario with a bitter look on his face. It was then he noticed Diamond Tiara was struggling to pull a freight train up the hill.
"Need a hoof, Di?" Mario asked.
"Yes, please, master," said Diamond Tiara in a straining tone. Mario then made his harness appear in front of him and began to push the train up the hill, but not before waving hello to Silver Spoon, who was riding the caboose as Diamond Tiara's conductor.
"I heard about what happened yesterday," said Mario as he helped push the train up the hill.
"I'm so sorry, master," said Diamond Tiara, "I was tricked!"
"I understand, Di," said Mario, "Next time, just double check with Twilight if you hear from somepony else about any messages from me."
"Yes master," said Diamond Tiara as they reached the top of the hill, "And thanks for the help."
"Anytime," said Mario, "You and Silvie have fun and I'll see you later." Diamond Tiara nodded as Silver giggled. She always blushed when Mario used the new nickname she asked the prince to call her. Mario then decided to do a light sprint down the hill. He loved coasting down steep hills, running easily with the wind whistling past. He had barely gone a short distance when...
TWEEEEEEET!
Mario heard a conductor's warning whistle. He looked back to see that Diamond Tiara's train was rolling right after him.
"Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!" laughed the cars as they headed toward Mario.
"We've broken away! We've broken away! Chase him! Bump him! THROW HIM OFF THE RAILS!" they yelled.
A normal pony would have just jumped out of the way to avoid the train crashing into them. But Mario knew that a runaway train that heavy could cause serious damage if it wasn't put under control quickly.
"Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!" Mario chanted to himself as he raced to the outer limits of town, but the cars were quickly catching up.
"Gotta move as fast as I can! Then they'll catch me gradually," said Mario and slowly but surely began to start gaining control once the train was behind him, "Another clear half-mile and I'll do it!" Mario then looked ahead.
"SWEET CELESTIA! LOOK AT THAT!" Mario shouted. There in front of him was Mrs. Cake. She was pulling away with a wagon from Sugarcube Corner and was waiting patiently for some ponies to pass. Any minute there could be a crash!
"It's all or nothing now!" Mario shouted as he put every ounce of weight and strength against the cars.
But...it wasn't enough!
"It's too late!" Mario groaned and shut his eyes. But surprisingly, he didn't crash into Mrs. Cake. He had ended up veering into a siding where a barber pony, named Shaving Cream, had set up shop. He was shaving a customer when the sound of Mario's brakes could be heard from inside, but wasn't noticed. Mario tried to make the train stop since there wasn't any buffers at the end of the track.
CRASH!
Mario couldn't stop the train and smashed through a large window at the side of the front door, surprising Shaving Cream and his customer. Back outside, many might be wondering if Silver Spoon was alright since she was the conductor of the runaway train. The silly freight cars had knocked Silver Spoon out of the caboose and had left her far behind after she had whistled the warning. But the freight cars didn't care, they were laughing and feeling very pleased with themselves. Mario panted heavily from shell shock.
"Beg pardon, sir," Mario gasped in a pained tone, "Excuse my intrusion."
"No I won't!" said Shaving Cream as he pointed to his passed out customer, "You frightened my customer! I'll teach you!" He then took some shaving cream and smeared Mario's face with it. It was then the alicorn prince heard laughing in the background. Mario stared at her in shock when he realized that this was Rainbow's idea for a prank.
"Enjoy your free shave, sweetie!" Rainbow taunted and flew off laughing. Mario was now hurting not just physically, but emotionally as well.
A few minutes later, Diamond Tiara had come to pull the cars away. Nurse Redheart had arrived to check up on and treat Mario's injuries. She still couldn't believe that Mario had suffered no broken bones from the crash. Just some scrapes, cuts, and some very sore muscles. Then Twilight, with a slightly battered Silver Spoon that Nurse Redheart had already checked up on, entered the damaged barber shop together. Shaving Cream wasted no time speaking up.
"Your highness! I don't like your husband popping through my walls!" Shaving Cream fumed.
"I appreciate your feelings," said Twilight in a firm and professional tone, "But you must know that Mario was actually trying to prevent a very serious accident. You could say it was a very close...umm...shave..." Shaving Cream didn't need long to realize what Twilight had met.
"Oh!" said Shaving Cream, "Oh! Excuse me!" He quickly filled a basin of water and tossed it at Mario's face. Cleaning his face of the shaving cream and getting him and Nurse Redheart soaked at the same time. Nurse Redheart glared but it went unnoticed.
"I'm so sorry, Mario," said Shaving Cream, "I didn't know you were being a brave pony."
"It's alright," said Mario as Nurse Redheart continued to tend to his wounds, "I didn't know that either."
"You were very brave indeed," said Twilight as she lightly nuzzled his cheek, "I'm proud of you." Once Nurse Redheart has finished examining Mario, the three ponies, along with Silver Spoon headed out of the Barber Shop. The little filly burst into tears right after.
"Silvie?" Mario asked.
"This wasn't Diamond Tiara's fault!" Silver Spoon sobbed, "After you left, Rainbow Dash appeared and started encouraging the freight cars to play tricks. They started to hold back so Rainbow could swoop down and make the coupling snap and...you know the rest."
"I kind of figured she was the reason Di's train ran away," said Mario, "Rainbow actually had the nerve to laugh at me when I had all the shaving cream on my face. She thought me crashing like that was funny..." Mario then began to tear up, "That's not cool girl...not cool at all..." Mario began to cry. Twilight gently held him for a hug since Mario was still feeling very sore from his minor injuries. Silver Spoon snorted.
"Rainbow Dash needs to be stopped!" said Silver Spoon angrily, "If she willing to go this far, who knows what she'll do next!" Twilight narrowed her eyes sternly and silently nodded in agreement.
The next day, Pinkie was just busy putting some sprinkles on some cupcakes, closed the box to make a delivery when she was stopped by Twilight, Mario, Applejack, Spike, Rarity, Fluttershy, Shenran, and several other ponies who had all been victims of Rainbow's pranks. While their pranks were nothing as extreme or severe as Mario's, they all agreed that none of Rainbow's pranks were funny.
"Pinkie!" said Twilight, "We need your help."
"Okay!" said Pinkie before asking, "For what?"
"Are you honestly going to stand there and tell us you know nothing about all the pranking Rainbow Dash has been doing?" Rarity asked impatiently.
"Oh, no!" Pinkie replied, "She's been pranking up a storm!"
"Did she get you, too?" Fluttershy asked. Pinkie laughed.
"Oh, yeah!" said Pinkie cheerfully, "She and Gummy both!"
Flashback
Just earlier that morning, Pinkie had gone to get something from her closet. When she opened the door, she found Rainbow and Gummy hanging upside down by their tails inside.
"Boo!" Rainbow shouted.
"AAAAAAAAH!" Pinkie screamed and then giggled to herself.
End Flashback
"They got me good," said Pinkie in a cool tone.
"Well, she needs to stop," Applejack snapped.
"Stop?" said Pinkie, "But pranks are so much fun!"
"Not for everypony," said Twilight, "Look at my husband." Pinkie turned her head and then gasped when she saw Mario wearing several bandages on his body.
"What happened to you?" Pinkie asked worriedly.
"Rainbow thought it was funny to send a runaway freight train at me," said Mario, "I nearly crashed into Mrs. Cake, but I ended up smashing into a barber shop and getting shaving cream all over my face!" Pinkie giggled, which caused Mario's face to scrunch up with fury.
"You think it's so funny!?" Mario screamed, making several ponies back away from him, "You think it's so funny that Dashie sent a runaway train at me and made me nearly crash into Mrs. Cake and sent smashing through a building?! Do you?! Do..." Mario broke down in tears as Pinkie bit her lip and looked at him sadly.
"N-n-n-no, of course not, Mario," said Pinkie as she pulled him into a hug, "That's horrible! I was only giggling at the idea of your face covered in shaving cream, not your accident. I can't believe Dashie went that far for a prank!"
"And it doesn't seem like Dash is taking the time to find out who enjoys them and who doesn't," Twilight added sternly. The other ponies all grumbled in agreement. Rarity then approached Pinkie, who was still holding Mario.
"Uh, since you and Dash share an, uh, affinity for pranking," said Rarity, "we thought you might be able to get her to, um, uh...quit it!" Rarity didn't resist getting in Pinkie' face to emphasize her point. Pinkie then looked at the others, while her closest friends were giving her worried and concerned looks. The other ponies were giving her glares. Pinkie began to sweat and rubbed the back of her head nervously with her free fore-leg. Mario could sense her hesitation and sternly pulled away.
"Let me put it this way," said Mario sternly with un-wiped cheeks, "You tell Dashie to knock it off or we'll find ourselves somepony else to throw us parties!" Pinkie's mane deflated considerably, but not enough to make it straight.
"Okay, okay!" Pinkie pleaded, "I'll talk to her!"
"Thank you," said Mario as he and the rest of the group left Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie just sighed and waited quietly for the others to leave before she set off to find Rainbow. The first place she decided to check out was the blue Pegasus's cloudominium.
"Hey, Rainbow Dash!" Pinkie called out from below, "I have something very important to tell you!"
"Pinkie, hey!" Rainbow called out from a window, "I actually have something totally important to tell you!" Rainbow then hovered down below to the pink pony.
"You do?" Pinkie answered, "Ooh! You go first!" Rainbow then looked from side to side before speaking.
"Okay, you know how I've been pranking everypony?" Rainbow asked with a huge goofy smile on her face.
"Yeah," Pinkie giggled, "It's been pretty funny!" Pinkie then stopped herself when she remembered Mario crying, "I-I-I mean, actually, that's what I have to talk to you about." Pinkie rubbed the dirt nervously.
"Here. Have a cookie," said Rainbow as she tossed it toward Pinkie.
"Ooh! Thanks!" said Pinkie as she caught it in her mouth and ate it.
"So, I got to thinking," Rainbow explained as she held a box of cookies with a fore-hoof, "why waste my time pranking everypony one at a time when I could prank everypony at once?"
"Mmm, wow!" said Pinkie, "Everypony at once?! That sounds amazing!" Pinkie then jumped excitedly into the air and froze when a record scratch was heard. Pinkie then remembered what Mario had said.
You tell Dashie to knock it off or we'll find ourselves somepony else to throw us parties!
"Gah, wait!" said Pinkie as she landed on the ground, "I mean, it's not."
"You don't even know what it is yet!" Rainbow protested as she looked from side to side, "Pinkie, this is gonna be the best prank ever! I special ordered these joke cookies so the colors would match my mane."
"And?" Pinkie asked, not understanding the prank.
"And I'm gonna switch them with the Filly Guide cookies," Rainbow explained as she shoved another cookies into Pinkie's mouth, "When Scootaloo and her friends sell them, everypony in town's gonna get a rainbow mouth courtesy of Rainbow Dash! Ha-ha! It's gonna be awesome!" Pinkie looked into a nearby puddle of water and saw that her mouth was rainbow colored as Rainbow pulled her close while she was boasting.
"Uh, I don't know," said Pinkie, "I mean, it doesn't really seem all that funny."
"WHAT?!" Rainbow gasped.
"Maybe this is a good time to stop pranking for a while," said Pinkie, "The other ponies in town really-"
"Stop?!" Rainbow interjected, "No way!"
"Dashie, you hurt Mario pretty badly when you made him crash into that Barber Salon!" Pinkie interjected, "and the other ponies said they'll find themselves another party pony if you don't stop!"
"Mario's just a big baby and needs to stop being so sensitive!" Rainbow snapped as she shoved the box of cookies into Pinkie's fore-legs, "As for everypony else, if they can't take a joke, then they don't deserve having you as their party pony. This prank is happening, Pinkie! And it's gonna be hilarious!" Rainbow then zoomed away. Pinkie just watched the blue Pegasus disappear.
"You've already crossed the line with everypony else, Dashie," said Pinkie, "Now you've crossed the line with me." Pinkie snorted as she held the box of joke cookies and ate another. She was at least glad the joke cookies tasted good despite the rainbow filling.
She might even say they tasted...too good...
The next day was Filly Guide Cookie Drive. Rainbow quickly made her way inside of Sugarcube Corner.
"Pinkie, what's the deal?" Rainbow called out as she headed inside, "I told you I needed your help switching out all the Filly Guide Scout cookies for the joke cookies. But when you didn't show, I had to do it all by myself!" Rainbow then headed upstairs and saw that Pinkie was still in bed. Her coat was sickly shade of pink and her nose was still rainbow colored.
"Uh Pinkie?" Rainbow asked as Pinkie coughed in reply. Rainbow chuckled as she walked up to the bed, "Wow, your face is still pretty rainbowed."
"Yeah," said Pinkie weakly, "I haven't really...(Cough)...been feeling well. And these joke cookies are the only thing make me feel better." Pinkie then reached for another cookies, but found her box was empty.
"You don't have any more, do you?!" Pinkie asked as she lunged into Rainbow's face in desperation.
"Uh, no," Rainbow asked, feeling rather disturbed and pushed Pinkie back, "I just told you. I used them all for the prank."
"Oh," said Pinkie, looking disappointed.
"Pretty soon, the CMCs will start selling them to everypony in town," Rainbow gloated as she walked away from Pinkie's bed, "Ponies will open up their boxes and start eating, then all of their teeth will turn rainbow-colored, and they'll know it was me! It's gonna be so awesome! C'mon, you don't wanna miss it!" Rainbow didn't resist hugging the ice cream stair post before she hovered over to Pinkie and pulled her blanket. Did she already forget Pinkie said she was feeling sick?
"Actually," Pinkie coughed, "I don't think I can even...stand up..." Pinkie then lunged into Rainbow's face.
"UNLESS YOU'VE GOT MORE COOKIES!" Pinkie said in a raspy voice.
"Aah!" Rainbow yelped, "On second thought, maybe you better stay here and rest."
"Yeah," Pinkie sighed as she turned away, "You're right. Sorry to miss out. I'm sure it's gonna be hilarious and Mario won't kill you for it." Rainbow just looked worried, but it was more over Pinkie's condition rather than Mario possibly retaliating.
Back at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack, Rarity, Diamond Tiara, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom were working together to load up the cookies onto a single wagon. The fillies were all wearing their Filly Guide Uniforms. Apple Bloom hopped down a now very tall stack of cookie boxes once they were finished loading up.
"Excuse me for asking," said Rarity, "but why aren't we using the more convenient freight cars instead of this single cart?"
"The railway tracks don't reach everypony's house in town," Diamond Tiara explained, "Plus with Miss prankster around. I don't want to leave the freight cars unattended when we have to leave the train behind and travel back and forth picking up the boxes.
"Good point," said Applejack. It was then Rainbow arrived.
"All right, who's ready to sell some cookies?" Rainbow asked.
"ME!" said the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Diamond Tiara. Rainbow blinked.
"Since when are you a Filly Scout?" Rainbow asked Diamond Tiara, who snorted.
"Since I asked Mario if I could be one," said Diamond Tiara, "I'd rather not discuss how my mother feels about it or talk to you for that matter! Besides, somepony needs to handle the accounting part of the sales after all!"
"Accounting?" Rainbow asked with a raised eyebrow.
"It's important that we write down how many cookies ponies purchase in case something happens and other legal stuff that I don't understand," said Sweetie Belle innocently.
"O-kay then," Rainbow replied wearily.
"Look here, Rainbow Dash," said Applejack sternly with Rarity standing beside her, "I know you promised Scootaloo you'd help out, but I don't want none of your pranks ruinin' these fillies' night."
"Yeah, you already ruined my day...twice!" Diamond Tiara added bitterly.
"Easy Di," said Apple Bloom, "Let's just let bygones be bygones and have fun with your friends okay?" Diamond Tiara sighed.
"It's just a shame Silver Spoon is missing out," Diamond Tiara replied, "The muscle she pulled in her hind leg from jumping off the train was still hurting her this morning. I hope she enjoys the box of cookies I bought for her."
"I'm sure she'll will, sugarcube," said Applejack before shooting Rainbow the stink eye, "Assuming somepony doesn't plan on pulling a prank when you give it to her!"
"Look, I'll be with you the whole night so you can totally keep on eye on me," said Rainbow.
"Come on, Applejack!" said Apple Bloom excitedly, "Let's get started!" The four fillies then hooked themselves up to the wagon.
"Yeah!" Scootaloo added, "We've got a lot of ground to cover!" Applejack and Rarity were still worried.
"Come on!" said Rainbow enthusiastically, "You heard her! Every house in Ponyville!" She then chuckled deviously under her breath. Rarity and Applejack just shared skeptical looks with each other before following after Rainbow and the four fillies.
Their first stop was Fluttershy and Shenran's cottage. The four fillies knocked on the front door together. Harry was the one to open the door.
"ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAR!" he growled loudly.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" The four fillies screamed and even Rainbow flinched back a bit. Harry just glared until Fluttershy and Shenran tapped his shoulder to stand down. They each handed Sweetie Belle a single bit to purchase two boxes of cookies. Diamond Tiara then wrote down their sale into a small book. Rainbow just looked a little uneasy as Harry give her a death glare and made an "I'm watching you" gesture with his claw.
The next stop was Twilight and Mario's castle. Like before, the four fillies all knocked on the door together, Twilight opened the doors to show Mario and Spike, whom the purple dragon was looking very excited, were with her. Each filly held out a box each, with Rainbow holding out a box as well. Twilight grabbed her money pouch and handed a single bit for one box of cookies. Then Spike nudged her side and gave her a big smile. Twilight rolled her eyes and pulled out five more bits to purchase six boxes of cookies. Mario then pulled out two bits of his own to get his own two boxes. But Diamond Tiara shook her head and showed that his purchase was already covered in her book. Mario was touched that his friendship student had purchased his boxes of cookies and gave her a warm hug as he held the boxes with his magic. Rainbow, on the other hand, was fighting to contain her excitement.
After, they headed to Cranky and Matilda's house. The donkey couple purchased three boxes of cookies. Cranky gave the fillies three bits and Diamond Tiara wrote down the purchase in her book. Then Cranky smiled and waved them goodbye as the four fillies headed off to make their next cookie delivery.
Sugarcube Corner was their next step, Mr. and Mrs. Cake smiled once they saw the four fillies. Then they made deliveries to Big Mac, followed by Cheerilee. Each pony gave their bits, were given their boxes of cookies, and Diamond Tiara wrote down the sales into her book.
As the group walked about town, none of them noticed that Rainbow was snickering to herself and was soon laughing heartily by the time the sun had set. In addition, as time passed, the cookie boxes inside the wagon began to disappear.
At last, the day's work was done and the Cutie Mark Crusaders were counting how many unsold boxes were left. Diamond Tiara had the lantern next to her as she went over the sale notes for any mistakes.
"I think you four should be real proud," said Applejack as she rubbed Apple Bloom's head, "Y'all did a mighty impressive job for your first go-'round."
"You took the words right out of my mouth, Applejack," said Rarity.
"I didn't know selling cookies could be so much fun!" said Diamond Tiara, "If this is how Father feels at his store, no wonder he's always working all time. Aside from getting away from mother..." Applejack and Rarity chuckled.
"As I said before, y'all did a great job," said Applejack.
"Isn't that right, Rainbow Dash?" Rarity asked, but then noticed that Rainbow was behind them. She was smirking deviously as she rubbed her fore-hooves together.
"Any minute now," said Rainbow in a hushed tone.
"Uh..."any minute now" what?" Applejack asked skeptically since she heard the blue Pegasus. She and Rarity gave Rainbow funny looks.
"Huh? Oh, uh, nothing!" said Rainbow, "Have you guys noticed how quiet it's gotten? I mean, it's still early right?"
"Of course it's quiet," said Rarity, "Ponies can't talk while they're eating those fabulous cookies, heh."
"You think?" Rainbow asked.
"Of course," Rarity answered, "They're probably all in a cookie coma right now."
"The next best thing to an ice cream coma," said Diamond Tiara with a happy sigh.
"What about a chocolate candy coma?" Sweetie Belle suggested.
"Milk or dark?" Diamond Tiara asked.
"Why choose?" Sweetie Belle remarked.
"Right on, girl!" Diamond Tiara replied as they shared a hoof-bump. Rarity and Applejack giggled as Rainbow had a rather clueless look on her face.
"Huh...maybe you're right," said Rainbow, "I'll go check." Rainbow then zoomed away as the others shared curious looks with each other.
Meanwhile, Rainbow was hovering about town.
"What is going on...?" Rainbow asked herself since it was way too quiet for her tastes. She then peeked into a window and found the room had empty boxes and cookies scattered everywhere.
"Okay, definite cookie-eating happening," said Rainbow, "But...where is everypony? They must have seen their rainbow mouths by now...They should all be running out into the streets! Unless everypony went to bed early..." Rainbow had turned away from the window as she talked to herself. If she had kept looking, she would have seen a pony walk across the window with a rainbow colored nose and looking very zoned out. Rainbow then flew off to Sugarcube Corner and headed into Pinkie's bedroom.
"Pinkie?" Rainbow called out, but there was no reply and that the pink pony was nowhere to be found. She then entered the room and stepped on something. She lifted her fore-hoof to find an empty cookie box that had a smear of rainbow goo inside of it. She also noticed the room was dark and covered in empty cookie boxes.
"The whole town got the cookies," said Rainbow to herself, "and now everypony is shut up in their houses! You don't think there's something wrong with the joke cookies, do you?" Rainbow then startled as a loud clatter was heard down below on the ground floor. Rainbow quickly headed downstairs and found Mrs. Cake in the kitchen with her back against the blue Pegasus. The munching sounds made it clear the baker mare was eating something.
"Mrs. Cake!" said Rainbow Dash, "Have you seen Pinkie? I was thinking I might have something to do with her not feeling great." Mrs. Cake didn't answer and continued munching and doing some husky breathing.
"Uh...Mrs. ...Cake...?" Rainbow asked nervously as she walked up to the baking mare and tapped her shoulder. Mrs. Cake turned around and showed that her nose was rainbow colored and her eyes looked zoned out.
"Cookies...!" Mrs. Cake said in a droned out tone, "Cookies!" Rainbow whimpered.
"Uh, I can see you're busy!" said Rainbow quickly, "I'll come back!" Rainbow then walked backward, stepped into an empty cookie box, tripped and fell onto her back.
"Uhh!" said Rainbow as the cabinet opened and Pinkie appeared looking just as zoned out.
"Cookies...!" said Pinkie in a droned out tone.
"AAAAAAAHHH!" Rainbow screamed.
"More...Cookies...!" Mrs. Cake said. Rainbow then saw, to her horror, the Cake Twins crawling toward her, burbling as they also had rainbow colored mouths and looked zoned out as well.
"Cookies...!" Mrs. Cake repeated as the four ponies surrounded Rainbow, who was looking very disturbed.
"Cookies...cooooooooooooookiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeees..." Mrs. Cake and Pinkie chanted as they and the Cake Twins got inched toward Rainbow, burbling that they wanted cookies in baby talk. Rainbow quickly hovered upward to escape.
"Moooooore cooooookies..." Mrs. Cake and Pinkie called out as Rainbow flew out of Sugarcube Corner.
"More cookies..." Pinkie chanted as the four ponies started following Rainbow at a very slow pace. Rainbow then whimpered as she flew away. Suddenly...
"No! No! Stop! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"
"Mario!" Rainbow exclaimed she flew where the shout had come from and found two hind legs sticking out of a bush. She also noticed cookie crumbs all over the ground.
"Oh no!" said Rainbow worriedly as she walked up to Mario, "Mario! Mario? Big brother, are you okay?" Rainbow pulled Mario up. But when Mario looked at her...
"Coooooooooooookiiiiiieeeesss...!" Mario shouted in a droned out tone and his nose all rainbow colored. Rainbow back away fearfully.
"Sweet Celestia!" Rainbow said in horror as she flew away as Mario started following after her. Rainbow whimpered again as she headed down an alleyway. She then gasped when Twinkleshine and Lyra appeared with rainbow colored noses and moaning at her. Rainbow quickly flew over them, passing Dr. Hooves, who also had a rainbow colored nose. Once she was at the water fountain, she landed to catch her breath. It was then she heard more munching and saw Twilight and Spike nearby.
"Twilight...You gotta come with me to Sugarcube Corner," Rainbow panted and was also sweating heavily, "Something's going on with the Cakes! Well, not something exactly. I mean, it may have something to do with these joke cookies..." Rainbow was struggling to explain that she was to blame for what was going on. She didn't know how to tell Twilight that Mario had been infected as well. Then Twilight and Spike turned around with rainbow colored mouths and zoned out faces.
"Coooooookies..." Twilight said in a droned out tone and Spike just groaned at the blue Pegasus.
"Oh, no!" Rainbow exclaimed and flew away.
"Coooooookies..." Twilight repeated as Spike groaned again an started walking after Rainbow. Rainbow headed straight for Fluttershy and Shenran's cottage, looking very scared. Before she could knock on the door, she saw Fluttershy and Shenran sitting nearby with some animals friends. They all had their backs against the blue Pegasus.
"Fluttershy, Shenran-" Rainbow whimpered as she tapped each of their shoulders.
"Coooooookies..." Fluttershy and Shenran said in a droned out tone with rainbow colored noses. Harry then gave a low growl at her, but also looked zoned out as he and the other animals had rainbow noses as well. Rainbow cringed and then flew away as they started coming after her.
Rainbow then raced over to Applejack's barn. She quickly rushed inside and barricaded the door. She was panting for dear life once she had finished.
"Cooooooookiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeees..." groaned a familiar voice. Rainbow saw both Granny Smith and Big Mac approaching her looking zoned out and with rainbow noses. Rainbow winced before she smashed her way out of the door.
"Cookies..." Granny Smith repeated as they came after her as well.
Outside the Carousel Boutique, Rarity was putting her key in to unlock the front door.
"You sure you don't mind us all comin' over?" Applejack asked.
"Oh, of course not," said Rarity as she gave Sweetie Belle a hug, "I think the girls have earned a little celebration for all of their hard work. And I have plenty of sewing machine cake left over. Unless anypony wants a cookie?" She used her magic to hold up a box loaded with cookies.
"Don't touch those!" Rainbow shouted as she swatted the box away.
"Oh! There is certainly no call for that!" Rarity scolded as she and Sweetie Belle glared at her, "There's plenty for everypony."
"Yeah, you should be able to afford your own box with what the Wonderbolts pay you," Diamond Tiara remarked.
"Come on!" Rainbow said frantically and not listening to anypony, "We gotta get outta here!"
"What in tarnation are you goin' on about?" Applejack asked.
"There's no time!" said Rainbow, "You have to follow me!"
"Oh, Rainbow Dash, if you want all of those cookies," Rarity added firmly as Diamond Tiara glared at the blue Pegasus, "you will have to buy them, just like everypony else."
"I don't want the cookies-!" Rainbow snapped. Then she blinked when she saw various ponies approaching with rainbow colored noses and groaning as they approached.
"But they do!" said Rainbow as she pointed to the approaching ponies. The others looked worried and disturbed.
"Wh-wh-what...What's happening?" Rarity asked. Diamond Tiara gasped when she saw two familiar ponies moaning in the crowd.
"Master?! Silver Spoon?!" Diamond Tiara exclaimed.
"I'll explain later," said Rainbow as she put Sweetie Belle and Diamond Tiara onto the wagon, "Come on!" Scootaloo wasted no time jumping onto the wagon as Applejack put Apple Bloom on board and they ran off as the zombie ponies drew near. They were soon out of town and heading toward Sweet Apple Acres. Rainbow was panting once again.
"We need to find somewhere to hide!" Sweetie Belle cried out.
"How about my mansion?" Diamond Tiara suggested, but as they passed the front gate.
"Coooooooookies...!" said Filthy Rich and Randolph in a drone out tone and rainbow colored noses as they exited the main gate. Diamond Tiara blinked.
"Nevermind!" Diamond Tiara said quickly as they ran around the two zombie ponies without stopping. They headed toward the barn when Granny Smith appeared to cut them off.
"Cookies! Cookies!" Granny Smith called out. Rainbow winced as she made a hard right turn to avoid crashing into the experienced mare. Granny Smith followed after them at a slow pace.
"This way!" said Applejack as they passed the main gate to the farm, but were shocked the see the rest of the now zombie pony army had caught up with them. They groaned as the group rushed through the entrance gate and straight for the supply barn. The group had accidentally dropped a few boxes of cookies on the ground and leaving a trail for the zombie ponies to follow them.
Once they were inside the barn, Rainbow used a hammer to board up the windows and Applejack bucked the main doors shut and made sure everything was secure.
"Did we lose them?" Rainbow asked as she spit out a spare nail from her mouth.
"Why are we running from the ponies of Ponyville?" Scootaloo panted as she looked out from one of the boarded windows.
"What happened to all of our friends?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Even Mario wasn't strong enough to avoid being infected by...whatever caused this!" said Diamond Tiara fearfully, "Mario and Twilight have been infected, my family, my best friend...I'm all alone...all alone..." Diamond Tiara curled up into a ball and shivered. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle helped her up and hugged her.
"You're not alone, Di," said Sweetie Belle, "You've still got us."
"And we're not gonna leave you!" said Apple Bloom, "you're an honorary Crusader now."
"And our best friend," said Sweetie Belle, "You can have more than one after all." Diamond Tiara wiped her watery eyes and smiled.
"Thanks," said Diamond Tiara, "I'd like that. But I would like to know what turned everypony else into rainbow nosed zombies!" Rainbow sighed, knowing she needed to come clean.
"I think it's something in the cookies," Rainbow admitted as she hovered over to a cookies box.
"That's ridiculous!" said Applejack, "Filly Guide cookies haven't changed for years! It's not like there's a new ingredient that's turin' the whole town into cookie-cravin' zombies."
"Uh, unless there...is..." said Rainbow slowly.
"What are you saying?" Rarity asked.
"What did you do?" Applejack demanded. Rainbow just smiled sheepishly when...
SMASH!
"Cooooooookiiiiiiiieeeee...cooooooookiiiiiiiiieeeee..." the zombie ponies chanted as they broke through some of the wooden boards and stuck their fore-legs inside the cracks to try and reach inside. Then the zombie ponies started bashing at the barn doors.
"Cover the windows!" Rainbow called out as she pushed over a stack of hay bales over one window.
"Coooook..." the zombie ponies chanted as Rarity and Applejack pushed the wagon over the door before the zombie ponies could break though. Rainbow then added a few more wooden boards on the window to keep the zombie ponies from getting inside.
" Cooooooookiiiiiiiieeeee... Cooooooookiiiiiiiieeeee..." the zombie ponies moaned as they began to surround the barn.
"Okay!" Rainbow panted as she sealed up another hole, "So I may have switched all the Filly Guide Cookies for joke cookies that were supposed to make ponies' mouths rainbow but somehow turned everypony into mindless cookie-eating zombies instead!" She then grabbed a lantern.
"I figure we just hide here until the effects wear off," Rainbow told the others, "and as long as nopony eats the cookies, we'll be fine!"
"That's lovely, darling, except for one thing," said Rarity in a very ominous tone, and then added in a droned out voice as she appeared in the light...with a rainbow colored nose, "We've already eaten theeeeeeeeeeeeeeeemmmm..." Rainbow cringed as she turned and her light showed that Applejack had now become a zombie as well.
"Look like your prank up and backfiiiirrrrrrreeeeeed..." Applejack told the blue Pegasus.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Rainbow screamed as she dropped the lantern. It rolled over to the four fillies, who were now zombies as well.
"Cooooooookiiiieeeeees..." they chanted together as they and Rarity surrounded Rainbow. Applejack then bucked the cart away from the door. Rainbow then gasped as the other zombie ponies broke through the barn door and started marching inside. Rainbow knew she couldn't get away as she landed near the remaining piles of cookie boxes.
"No, no! Stay away!" Rainbow pleaded and held a cookie box, "They're making you sick! You don't want these!"
"But we dooooooo..." Pinkie moaned, "We want cookiiiiiiiieeeeeess...!"
"Nngh!" Rainbow whimpered as she pushed her back against the stack of cookie boxes. Then turned to see zombie Mario had her tail in his mouth.
"Nom, nom, nom, nom," Mario munched.
"What are doing?!" Rainbow exclaimed as she pulled her tail away and hugged it. Mario gave her a very zoned out and creepy stare.
"Everypony stop!" Mario called out in a moaning tone and there was two seconds of silence, "We don't want these cookies!" Rainbow sighed with relief.
"Rainbow Dash is a BIG cooooooookiiiiieeee..." Mario moaned as drool leaked from his mouth. Rainbow's eyes shrunk as she felt her heart drop all the way down to her hind legs.
"Let's eat BIG...cooooooookiiiiiieeee...!" Shenran moaned.
"Biiiiig...cooooooooookiiiiieeeeee...!" the other zombie ponies chanted in agreement as they started to drool as well.
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKK!"
Rainbow shrieked loudly.
"Please! Stop! Don't eat me!" she pleaded for dear life as she shut her eyes, "I never meant for this to happen! It was just a harmless prank! It was supposed to be funny! But this isn't funny at all!"
"Exactly!" said Pinkie in a normal voice. Rainbow opened a single eye as everypony smiled at her and wiped their rainbow goo off their mouths.
"What?" said Rainbow in shock and confusion, "Wait...What's happening?"
"Just delighting in pranking the prankster," said Rarity as she used a comb to smooth out her curly mane.
"Yeah," Applejack chuckled, "How does it feel to get some of your own medicine?"
"So...you're...not sick?" Rainbow stuttered, "None of you are? None of you were about to eat me cause you thought I was a giant cookie?!"
"Of course not, silly!" said Pinkie.
"You'd be too greasy to eat!" Mario added and made a face of disgust.
"Gotacha!" everypony else shouted at once.
"This...was all...a prank?!" Rainbow said slowly, trying to process what had happened.
"Yep!" said Applejack, "And you can thank Pinkie Pie. After you told her about your plan to prank the whole town, she got everypony together and came up with a way to turn the tables on you."
"Aw, shucks, it was nothing!" said Pinkie modestly, "Just a little something I threw together! But I can't take all the credit. Mario and Shenran were the ones who came up with the idea of us turning into cookie-craving zombie ponies. That little joke of us eating you because you were a giant cookie was a nice touch!"
"Hoo-hooooooooooooooooo!" Mario and Shenran chanted likes dorks and then shared a hoof-bumped together. Their spouses just smirked and rolled their eyes at them from the background. Rainbow was just left dumbfounded.
"Uh..." said Rainbow with her jaw hanging slightly open.
"Wow! You should see your face!" said Scootaloo.
"I never thought Rainbow Dash could shriek like that," Diamond Tiara giggled.
"Talk about funny!" Apple Bloom laughed. Rainbow scoffed.
"Well, I don't think it's very funny!" Rainbow scoffed, "And I'm the one that got pranked! I was really scared! I thought I made everypony sick! I thought you were all going to eat me! You can't just go around-"
"-pranking whoever you feel like?" Twilight finished.
"Without thinking about how it might make them feel?" Fluttershy added.
"Or if they'd even enjoy it?" Rarity added.
"Or think it's funny?" Applejack added in a stern tone.
"Doesn't feel good to be ganged up on and pranked at your own expense is it?" Mario asked as he and Shenran stood between her and smirked.
"Yeah!" Rainbow said in agreement and then blinked when she realized what they were saying, "Ohhh...I see what you did there."
"Pranks can be alot of fun when everypony has a good time," said Pinkie, "I thought you just needed to see what it's like when they don't. And...that you should never chose a good laugh over your friends." Rainbow opened her mouth to protest, but then remembered what Pinkie had told her about Mario and what she said about finding new friends just because they didn't like her jokes.
"I guess I did. Both on a not funny pranks and for seeking a good laugh at the expense of my friends," said Rainbow, "I'm sorry, everypony. I haven't really been thinking about how other ponies feel."
"Well, I hope you learned your lesson," said Fluttershy.
"Totally!" Rainbow replied, "You ponies pulled off an amazing prank! I'll have to work extra hard to top it!" The sound of crickets chirping could be heard as everypony stared at her while the blue Pegasus rubbed her fore-hooves together deviously.
"Rainbow..." Shenran and Mario warned sternly.
"Gotcha!" Rainbow called out. Everypony laughed. Mario then wrapped a fore-leg around her shoulder.
"Glad to know you weren't serious," said Mario before giving her a devious smirk, "But that fact you were still considering revenge means you haven't fully learned your lesson..."
"What?!" Rainbow exclaimed, "B-b-b-but I have..."
"I believe you," said Mario, still smirking as Diamond Tiara walked up to her with her book in her mouth, "It's just...while those prank cookies never caused us to get sick...all these ponies, myself included, did pay for some Filly Guide cookies and never received them. It be a real shame to have to make these four hard working fillies have to refund everypony now wouldn't it?" Rainbow gulped. She how understood that despite her apology.
She was still in deep trouble.
The next day, Rainbow was grumbling as she got to work in Mario's train yard. Under some heavy persuasion, she had been assigned to help out with Mario and Diamond Tiara's trains and keeping the yard organized for the next three months. While Rainbow was able to give everypony the real Filly Guide cookies thanks to Diamond Tiara's accounting book. She still had to pay for the losses Diamond Tiara suffered for those late deliveries, the damaged freight cars and additional delivery losses, as well as the repairs to Shaving Cream's barber shop.
"I can't believe this," Rainbow muttered to herself as she cranked the turntable, "I gave everypony their cookies, I said I was sorry, and now I'm stuck here doing all this heavy work when I could be having my regular cloud nap." Rainbow had been so eager to get the yard organizing done that she hadn't asked Mario on how to handle all the freight cars. As said in a previous chapter, freight cars loved to play tricks on ponies who aren't used to handling them. Once Rainbow had pushed some freight cars from the turntable onto a siding. She then went to move some more freight cars to another sideline. They were also old and empty. And they hadn't been touched for a long time. Rainbow found them hard to move.
Pull! Push! Backwards! Forwards!
"Oooooweeee! Oooooweee!" the cars groaned, "We can't. We won't." It was then Mario and Diamond Tiara had arrived in the train yard. Neither pony was surprised one bit that Rainbow was struggling since she hadn't asked Mario or the tiara-wearing filly for help on managing freight cars. They just sat close by and watched the scene with interest. Rainbow then began to lose patience.
"Will you MOVE YOU STUPID FRIEGHT CARS!" Rainbow roared and gave a hard tug. The cars jerked forward.
"Ooo-oooh, ooo-oooh!" they screamed, "We can't! We won't!" Suddenly, some of their breaks snapped and a gear jammed in the sleepers.
"Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...RRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAH!" Rainbow screamed in pure frustration.
"HO! HO! HO!" Mario chuckled. But he wasn't laughing cause he found the scene funny. Rainbow recovered and tried to push the cars back, but they won't move. Diamond Tiara just headed around the mess to collect some other freight cars.
"Thanks for arranging these, Dashie," said Diamond Tiara in a cheerful demeanor, "I must go now."
"Don't you want these ones?" Rainbow asked.
"No thank you," said Diamond Tiara, "Master never takes these cars out of the yard." Rainbow's jaw dropped.
"But...but...I went through all this trouble!" Rainbow protested, "Why didn't you tell me?"
"You never asked me," Diamond Tiara answered, "besides, I thought you learned your lesson about doing things without using your brain. Good-bye!" Then Diamond Tiara puffed away. Rainbow gritted her teeth as she seethed with fury.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Rainbow screamed before she had to help Mario load the damaged cars into a flat bed for repair and then he left Rainbow alone to clean up the mess left on the tracks. Rainbow hated it, especially when all the cars started laughing and singing at her.
[Freight cars]
Cars waiting in the yard
Tacking them with ease'll
"Show the world what I can do,"
Greatly boasts the Rainbow
In and out she creeps about
Like a big dumb pony
When she pulls the wrong cars out -
Pop goes the Rainbow!
The freight cars laughed and kept singing over and over rudely at her. Rainbow felt her temper boil before she finally just sat down in defeat, looking very defeated. When Mario returned, he heard the singing and laughing as well as Rainbow's distraught face. He was horrified.
"BE QUIET!" he yelled and bucked them hard to make them stop before speaking to Rainbow, "I'm sorry the cars have been so rude to you, Dashie. They seem to have a bad habit of pulling pranks on ponies at their own expense. You might have known that if you had waited to me to show you what to do instead of trying to handle things yourself." Rainbow glared but then her expression went back to looking depressed.
"I feel so stupid right now," Rainbow sadly, "Once again, I hurt those I care about and I made a fool of myself..." Rainbow felt her eyes water.
"Dashie..." said Mario gently, seeing it wasn't just the freight car teasing that had left her upset.
"I can't believe I made ponies feel this awful," said Rainbow, "Pinkie told me that you were crying after that accident. To think I actually brushed it off...and now I got humiliated...I understand how you all felt when I did it to you! It's awful!" A few tears left Rainbow's eyes as Mario looked at her sympathetically.
"I know it is," said Mario, "I didn't intend for this to happen to you, but I hope now you understand how hurtful insensitive pranks can be."
"Yes...I get it," said Rainbow sadly, "It will be a long time before I ever try pulling pranks again. I'll need that long to learn how to be considerate of others. Since I'm flat out no good at it no matter how hard I try."
"You're getting better, Dashie," said Mario, "You just took a few steps backwards recently. It can happen to anypony!"
"Yeah, but you didn't nearly cause a zombie apocalypse!" Rainbow remarked.
"I did nearly cause Twilight to nearly commit total annihilation of all her books," said Mario, "All because I didn't want to be honest with her or myself."
"Good point," said Rainbow, "Guess I still feel bad about everything."
"Hey, you learned your lesson, you apologized, and we've forgiven you," said Mario, "You know for next time to think about whether the pony you're pranking will find the joke funny."
"I don't know about that," said Rainbow, "My interest in pranking has sort of run its course."
"I see," said Mario, knowing deep down Rainbow wouldn't give up pranking entirely, "Now how about I show you what to do around here so you can do your job around here properly." Rainbow chuckled sheepishly.
"Yes, please," said Rainbow with an embarrassed look on her face. Rainbow soon learned what he had to do and they both had a happy afternoon.
Once the day's work as done, Rainbow and Mario entered the castle living room where Diamond Tiara was waiting for them.
"Just in time for a before dinner snack," said Diamond Tiara, "Mom should be here any minute."
"Spoiled Rich is making us a snack?!" Rainbow said in shock as Diamond Tiara blinked and blushed sheepishly.
"She was referring to Twilight," Mario said simply, "I'll explain about that later. My sweetie is here."
"Snack time everypony," said Twilight with Spike walking beside her as she walked into the room with a plate that had a metal dome on it.
"Awesome!" said Rainbow, "All that work has made me hungry!" Twilight then placed the plate on the table and then removed the dome. Rainbow felt her heart drop to her hind hooves. Under the dome was a large mountain of Filly Guide Scout cookies. The others just gave general comments of how delicious the cookies looked.
"YAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Rainbow screamed as she flew out of the room and out of the castle as fast as she could. The other just looked at each other with puzzled looks on their faces.
"What's her deal?" Diamond Tiara asked, "These are the real Filly Guide Scout cookies." Twilight chuckled.
"I think it's gonna be a long time before Rainbow Dash can eat or even look at cookies again," Twilight smirked.
"Cooooookies...!" Spike said droned out tone with a cookie in his mouth. Then they all laughed.
While there are certainly better ways to deal with pranksters...
...revenge can still be oh so sweet.
And have lots of cookies!
First of all, I wanted to apologize once again for all the confusion I caused for many of those reading this story while I was working on this chapter. Let me just confirm one more time that I will be continuing my story and I appreciate all the encouragement and moral support you've all been giving me.
I hope you all enjoyed the three additional pranks I added to the story. I hope nopony thinks the prank dealing with the runaway train and Mario crashing into a barber shop was too extreme. I just honestly felt like when the ponies went to confront Pinkie, the fact Rainbow mocking Cheerilee was the final straw felt rather weak. At least with the runaway train and crash, it makes more sense that they would want Pinkie to tell Rainbow to knock it off. Plus you got not one, but THREE railways series parodies in this chapter too!
Kudos if you caught the Regular Show joke!
I also hope you enjoyed the alternate ending. Mario wanted to make sure Rainbow learned her lesson. And, not so surprisingly, Rainbow's impulsive nature landed her at the receiving end of another prank, which in term helped to ensure she learned her lesson. Plus I'm sure Rainbow would have a minor cookie-phobia after what happened too!
Mmmm...coooookieeeees...
Relax! I'm not zombie pony! I just like cookies, especially chocolate chips!
Next Time: Since season two, ponies have learned that changelings can change their physical appearance. But can they change their hearts? Spike and Diamond Tiara are going to find out.
Peace Pony Fans!