Chapter 5: An Apple and a Wolf's Suspicion

Still at the ring toss, Falling Star and Twilight are still trying to win the prize. They toss so many rings at the bottles, but none are able to get into the ring

Unenthusiastic, Flim says, "Ugh. Wow."

"So close," Flam adds, feeling the same way.

Twilight and Falling Star groan and have their back lean against the stand as she sit on the ground

"I can't feel my fingers anymore," Falling Star, as she looks at her fingers all bandaged up.

Twilight flips over the page to see her notes.

"It all looks the same! Is this real life? How long have we been here?" Twilight says, feeling so defeated.

Seeing the two girls warning each other out, they decide to give them a break. They bring the giant stuffed parakeet to them

"Um, hey, listen, lady," Flim says

Then Flam calmly says, "Uh, how about you just take a parakeet and go home?"

"It's not about the parakeet!" Falling Star screams in anger, and Waco the toy away.

The toy parakeet lands in the little boys hands

The boy happily says, "Awwww," to his new toy.

Falling Star grits her teeth, and grabs the ring to throw it again.

But Twilight stops her, and calmly says, "You said it yourself. It's rigged. How about we get some ice cream?"

Falling Star sighs, and says, "You're right. Why didn't I listen to myself? We never even had a chance."

Before the girls can leave, someone calls out, "Twilight! Falling Star! Over here!"

Both of the girls turn to see Sun and Wire Wolf walking towards them.

"Uh, hi Sun," Twilight tiredly says.

"Hi Wire Wolf," Falling Star adds, feeling tired.

Noticing the tired expression, Sun asks, "Are you guys… Alright?"

"We tried to win a prize from this game, but no matter how much we calculate, we just… Can't… Seem… To… Win!" Falling Star explains, showing off her frustration.

"Yeah. You two do look a little stressed," Sun replies in concern.

"You don't like to lose, don't you?" Wire Wolf asks.

"No I do not," Falling Star answers with fire in her eyes.

Sun looks at her phone, "Well, we should start heading back to the building. Rarity and Adagio said that it's time for us to practice our music before the show."

"Um sure. But we like to get some ice cream first," Twilight replies.

Sun nods her head, and says, "Of course."

Then Wire Wolf asks, "Mind if I have a go at the ring toss?"

"Why not. This game is rigged anyway," Falling Star answers.

Falling Star passes the ring to Wire Wolf.

Wire Wolf turns to the girls, and says, "I'll make it quick."

Wire Wolf tosses the ring to the bottle, and lands on the rim of the bottle. What's surprising is that the ring has stayed in the bottle this time.

Film shouts, "We have a WINNER!"

"No Way!" Falling Star exclaims in shock.

Flam hands the stuffed parakeet to Wire Wolf, "And here's your prize!"

"Thanks. I think Sugar Plum will love the parakeet," Wire Wolf says, taking the stuffed bird.

"Well, would you look at that brother," Flim says.

Then Flam shouts, "Winner every time!"

Hearing that, many people come to the stand to play the game. Falling Star and Twilight jaw go down in shock. Then falls on the floor with their eyes closed.

Seeing this, Sun kneel down to the girl, "Falling Star? Twilight? Are you both okay? Guys? Guys?"

Sitting on the bench by herself, Applejack has been down a little. She is worried about Fluttershy, and is having trouble about her suspicions towards Vignette.

Applejack asks herself, "...Or maybe I want her to be my prime suspect because she's Rarity's new best friend at the park. Am I goin' crazy over a whole lot o' nothin'?"

Suddenly, she hears someone shouting, "What's that badge ya got there?!"

Applejack quickly turns her head to see a security guard standing in front of her

Applejack being to get scared, and stammers, "I, uh… Y-Y-You see, it-it's just…"

Before she can continue, the guard says, "It's a crime to fake security badges, you know. I'm a fake cop, but I can send ya to real jail!"

"Uh, if you'll just let me explain. I'm lookin' for my friend, and…" Applejack explains as she hands the guard her badge.

But the guard interrupts, "Shhh! Hands on your head! No sudden moves! Got that?"

Applejack puts on her head, and not move a muscle. The guard then looks a the badge Applejack has.

But he becomes excited, "Huh! Why didn't ya tell me you were a Deputy Fun Inspector?!"

Applejack looks at the guard with a confused look on her face.

The security guard leads Applejack to the security room, and opens the door.

"I am so sorry about that, ma'am. Uh, here's my workstation. It hasn't been fun-inspected in years," The guard says.

Applejack shakes her head, and says, "I'm tryin' to tell you my friend made this badge. It ain't real."

Oh. An undercover Fun Inspector. I get it. Anyway, have fun "not inspecting" my workstation," The guard act.

He winks his eye as he says. "Wink, wink."

Then walks past her to the door.

Annoyed by this, Applejack says, "How many times do I have to say it?"

But the security guard closes the door. Applejack is feeling ignored today, but decides to focus on finding Fluttershy. She looks over the security camera to see if she can find Fluttershy. But something else catches her attention. She can see Rainbow and Vignette walking together.

At the very location, Vignette and Rainbow are having a discussion

"Rarity told me you're the coolest, smartest friend who knows what's the opposite of down. What's up!" Vignette says.

"Heh. True," Rainbow agrees.

Then Vignette says to Rainbow, "I have a bold new vision for the Rainbooms that you are going to love!"

Rainbow looks at her with. Confuse

"The Throwbacks! Capital T, #TBT, Throwback Today. Or for short, T.C.T.H.T.B.T.[T.B.T.], pronounced "ta-ca-ta-ca-ba-ta"! You are going to represent the touchstones of cool throughout the ages!"

"I like it so far, and I assume I'll like what you say next," Rainbow replies, interested by Vignette's idea

Vignette continues, "'Rainbow Dash: '50s Sockhop Sweetheart!' Poodle skirt, adorable blonde hair. How do you feel about shaving your head? I only ask 'cause you'll definitely have to do it for the wig."

Rainbow is anything but interested about the new look, especially having her shave her head.

"Uhhh... there is no way anyone is shaving my head." Rainbow says.

Vignette is not pleased that Rainbow is not taking her suggestion,

Then she says, "B.Y.B.B."

"B.I.A.A.T.B. But I already am the best," Rainbow replies.

Vignette is still not willing to let this go.

So she says, "Well, if you insist on just, ugh, being yourself or whatever, then at least let me take a picture of the real you."

Vignette uses her enchanted phone to take a picture of Rainbow and sucks her into the phone. She is unaware that Applejack has been watching from the security system

Applejack gasp in shock, "Is Vignette zappin' my friends with a magical phone?!"

She slams her fist on the table, and says, "I knew she was up to somethin'! Just wasn't expectin' somethin' so magic and evil. She makes 'em disappear, but where do they go?"

The next moment, Rainbow finds herself digitized into a white space. She looks to see Fluttershy, Aria, and Sonata sitting by a bowl of salad.

Aria suspects, "Let me guys, Vignette got you too?"

"That depends, are we really trapped in a magical cellphone?" Rainbow replies.

The three nod their heads in reply.

"Typical," Rainbow bluntly replies.

Then she asks, "Is anyone going to eat that stress salad."

In the building where the floats are, Sun and the others arrive to see Rarity hard at work. Since Rarity is busy, Adagio has to bring the girls to the float. Everyone are amazed to see the float that Rarity and Adagio have designed. The float is like clouds, and there are rainbows that represents the girls colors. On the sides are their emblems.

"It looks amazing," Twilight says.

"Yeah. And it got all of our colors," Falling Star adds.

"You and Rarity did a great job," Pinkie happily says.

Then Adagio says, "It is great. I say Rarity and I did a fantastic job on it. We even got our emblems to light up."

"That's actually kind of cool," Wire Wolf replies.

Adagio looks around, and notices some people are missing, "Where's Aria and Sonata… And where's Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy?"

"We don't know?" Twilight asks.

"We looked all over," Wire Wolf adds.

"We even tried calling their phones, but they went straight to voicemail," Pinkie adds.

Adagio takes out her phone, "That's strange, I tried calling them yourselves and they didn't answer. Sonata I get because she has a habit of leaving her phone on mute. But Aria, she always answer my phone or at least a text."

"That is so strange. I wonder if Applejack has an idea about what happen," Falling Star says, thinking about the situation.

"I guess so. Applejack has been looking for Fluttershy for a while, and none of have seen her. And now, Aria, Sonata, and Rainbow Dash have gone missing. I'm starting to think that Applejack is right, and something might have happened to them. The question is… what?" Sun says.

"I'm sure we'll figure something out. Until then, we'll start getting things ready for the parade try to keep an eye for them," Adagio says.

"And Vignette," Wire Wolf adds.

The others look at Wire Wolf with confused looks.

Wire Wolf explains, "I just remember seeing Vignette with Aria and Sonata sometime after Applejack talk to me and Sun. I look to notice Falling Star and Twilight playing the booth. But when I look back, Vignette was still there and the girls were gone. Not only that, I saw Vignette and Rainbow walking close to this building outside. But after having my head turned, Rainbow was gone and Vignette was still around."

"Uh, what are you saying?" Twilight asks.

"Call me crazy, but is it possible Vignette is the reason why they're gone," Wire Wolf wonders.

Sun bluntly says, "You're crazy."

"Look, it doesn't hit me until now, but Vignette has been acting strange since we got here. Not to mention she didn't seem pleased at me for not following her B.Y.B.B. She's hiding something," Wire Wolf explains.

Sun begins to think about this, "Hmm, maybe this is a coincidence, but I did notice her not being happy about you denying her new image for you. And you say Vignette was with the others and only they disappear. The question is, if Vignette is responsible for this… then how she do it?"

"That's something we need to find out," Falling Star adds.

Suddenly, Rarity walks up to them, "Girls, and Wire Wolf of course. The parade will begin in an hour and we need to have a soundcheck before getting on. Sun, Adagio and I have finished your dress, and we really want you to try it on."

"Sure," Sun happily replies.

Vignette walks over, and says, "Good, your costume is in the sewing room. And I'll have someone to bring some make up for you to wear."

"No need. I'll take care of her make up, and help with her dress," Adagio says.

"Okay. Now I need you all to stay on the float while I help get everything else ready," Rarity says.

Everyone nod their heads in reply.

Then Wire Wolf asks, "What about me?"

"You can stay with the others until the parade about ready to start," Rarity says.

"Sure," Wire Wolf replies.

Rarity runs off to check on the other floats to see if they're ready for the show. Vignette leaves the scene as well. Wire Wolf and the others are starting to grow concern about the social media star. Of course, Rarity seems to like Vignette a lot, it will be hard to tell her about their doubts about her. They decide to wait, and see if what the suspicions are true.

As the others get on the float, Rarity is hard at work to get the costume designs done for the parade in time.

"One hour until wheels up, everyone! The light parade waits for no one! Tick-tock! Tick-tock!" Rarity calls out to the employes who are running around. Rarity also signs a signature, and clap her hands.
"Big night tonight, Rare. Perhaps the biggest of all time. Definitely the biggest of your life. I'm excited for you," Vignette happily says.
"You're not worried? Not that I'm worried. Unless you're worried, in which case, I'm very, very worried!" Rarity says, acting like there is nothing to worry about
"There's no room for self-doubt. You've gotta get rid of it faster than a pleated cargo skort," Vignette says.

The two shiver in reply about the cargo skort comment.
"So I love everything you've done here. One thought – do we want the costumes to have lights on them? You've got time. I think we should start from scratch," Vignette says, looking at the dress
"Huh?" Rarity reacts, and comes to a stand still
"B-T-Dubs, every amazing fashion vlogger and SnapGab celeb's gonna be here tonight! No presh," Vignette says, and ruffles Rarity's hair a bit.

Then leaves the scene
Rarity begins to shake and quietly says in fright, "Really? 'Cause I'm feeling presh."

Then notices something, and angrily says, "Why am I seeing neon pink and yellow on that dragon's tail?! Is this a beast of legend or a safety vest?!"

In the sewing room, Adagio is helping Sun adjust to her dress and putting on some makeup.

"I wonder how the others are doing," Sun replies.

"I'm sure they're doing fine," Adagio says.

"I hope so. I think this whole parade thing is putting a lot of pressure on Rarity, and our friends have gone missing. I wonder if Applejack and Wire Wolf are right about this," Sun says.

Adagio thinks about it as she apply the makeup, "I know what you mean. My sisters and the others are missing. I asked Vignette about it, and she doesn't seem to… think anything's wrong. And Rarity… I'm starting to think this whole parade thing is going to her head."

"I feel the same way too. Also, I think Applejack is really jealous about Rarity liking Vignette. She's been a sour apple about her like all day," Adagio says.

"Yeah. And from the looks of it, she doesn't want to admit it," Sun adds.

Sun sighs in sadness, "This parade is supposed to be fun, but my friends are missing, Rarity is pressured, Applejack is upset, and now… I'm worried that Vignette is responsible for the others disappearances."

"The question is: how is she able to pulls this off? And why? Does Vignette have some kind of magic that we weren't aware of. Cause I didn't sense any magic around her," Adagio explains.

"Me too. Which is strange because, I have been able to sense magic, but I can't seem to figure out where it's coming from," Sun adds.

After applying the makeup, Adagio happily says, "There, you're all finish."

Adagio puts the makeup away, and brings out the mirror.

Suddenly, they hear someone shouting, "Sun! Adagio!"

Just then, Wire Wolf burst into the room as he explains, "We got a problem. Vignette is…"

Before he can continue, he can see Sun in her princess outfit. Sun is wearing a red gown that has orange and yellow flames on the right side. The sleeve are down from the shoulders, and has long sleeves. There is a lace around the waist, and in front if Sun's emblem. Her hair is in a bun with a small ponytail sticking out from the middle. She is wearing a gold tiara with red gems on it, and wearing red slip on shoes.

Wire Wolf begins to blush to see Sun in her dress.

"So what do you think?" Sun asks.

"Uh," Wire Wolf replies in a stand still.

Adagio chuckles, "I think he likes it."

Wire Wolf shakes his head, and says, "We got a problem."

"A problem?" Sun questions.

"Applejack came by saying Vignette phone is magic, and pixelated the others. Rarity didn't believe her and those two got into an argument. And the worst part is, Applejack is telling the truth. She used her phone to suck, Rainbow, Aria, Sonata, and fluttershy into her phone. She did the same thing to Falling Star, Twilight, and Pinkie Pie just now. I was able to slip away while she wasn't looking," Wire Wolf explains.

"What?!" Sun and Adagio explain in shock.