Chapter 6: A doozy
Rainbow Dash knew from the start that she wanted to show up Roseluck, big time, and win Pinkie Pie over in the most spectacular & impressive way possible.
She just didn't know how.
But Applejack had some ideas. In fact, some of them were actually really good ones. One of them, in particular, was the concept that Rainbow Dash could shape the cumulus clouds in the sky into words as a message to Pinkie Pie.
Something as simple and straightforward as that shouldn't be too hard.
Applejack had been pleased that Rainbow Dash had actually chosen one of her ideas and assured her that she would have lured Pinkie Pie over to bear witness to their designated patch of sky. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash was to make sure the clouds stayed put for as long as possible and line them up perfectly.
Unfortunately, it didn't go according to plan.
Oh horseapples, they're gonna be here any second, Rainbow Dash fretted in her head. She was currently trying to keep cloud number four in shape but it refused to be condensed into the letter "k" for longer than ten seconds.
This is such disaster! Not to mention embarrassing…
Rainbow Dash, the faster flier in Equestria, hadn't even finished writing out the sentence! And now she was expecting Pinkie Pie and Applejack to come out and see her message. Only there wouldn't be a message because the clouds wouldn't stay in shape!
"Why-" she pounded her hoof into the cushiony cloud as hard as she could, "won't-" again "you-" and again "stay" and yet again "still?"
Rainbow Dash howled & whaled out her frustrations at this unexpected predicament into the innocent cloud.
She had been all riled up to win Pinkie Pie back that she obviously overlooked the possibility that the clouds would not conform to any shape or size she wanted; they did whatever the hay they wanted. Or maybe they were just being difficult in an act of revenge for all those years of snoozing on them; perhaps they found it insulting?
Oh great, now I'm talking as if clouds have feelings…
"Ugh," she sighed, crossing her forelegs and absently kicking the cloud, as if it could feel any pain.
"Applejack, why won't you just tell me?" Rainbow Dash suddenly heard Pinkie Pie's excited voice that was bordering on irritated impatience from down below so she took that as her cue to hide.
She quickly examined the potential hiding places…which were all clouds. She groaned inwardly but, unless she wanted to risk hiding behind the lone tree below, it was the safest bet.
She dug her way into a cloud like a dog and then patted around it to conceal herself away from curious, wandering eyes. Specifically the curious, wandering eyes of the two ponies below...
"Just ya wait, Pinkie Pie. Now, what do ya see?" She could hear Applejack's muffled voice through the cloud and she tried her hoof at telepathy by sending Applejack an urgent "Abandon ship!" or something else to that effect.
But, of course, Applejack did not receive her message because she was too busy searching across the sky for the message to Pinkie Pie.
"Uh?" That was Pinkie Pie sounding very confused.
"Oh…" And that was Applejack realizing there was nothing to see but scattered clouds with no hidden meaning or message.
"Applejack, all I see are clouds…mmmm, they remind me of marshmallows, I love marshmallows. Don't you? Ooh, I know- let's go get us some!" There was the sound of hooves scraping across the dirt as Applejack was dragged away by Pinkie Pie to Sugarcube Corner; her fate sealed to endure pounds and pounds of marshmallow consumption.
~Pounds & pounds of marshmallow consumption later~
Applejack burped for the third time, her breath permeated with the unusual scent of marshmallows. "Pardon; boy, ah never knew ah had such a sweet tooth!"
Rainbow Dash looked over at her friend's slightly protruding tummy guiltily, "I'm sorry, AJ. I didn't know it wouldn't work and-"
"Oh, hush now." Applejack interrupted her bluntly, "Ah was treated to the best hospitality. An' your apologizin' for THAT?"
"Um…yes." Rainbow Dash mumbled an answer, quelling her jealous thoughts concerning the pink and orange pony feasting together on the white, gooey, and puffy treats.
Applejack sighed through a smile, "Neva'mind; now, what's the plan, Stan?"
Rainbow was still floating in mid-air beside her friend, as it was her much preferred means of travel, when an idea hatched in her head. As if all it needed was for Applejack to pop that one question and ding.
But that means…
"AJ! I know what I have to do!" she exclaimed in an outburst, making Applejack cower in defense.
"What, already?"
"Your Square Dance Party is coming up, right?" Rainbow Dash checked for affirmation from the source.
"Sure is, in only two days! Can ya believe it?"
Rainbow Dash's mind blanked out when she interpreted Applejack's words.
Two. Days.
She groaned in self-pity, "Can't you postpone it?" she pleaded.
Applejack was taken aback by this request, "Now, why in Equestria would ah wanna do that?" she asked, cautiously curious.
"So your best friend could knock your other best friend's socks off with a rockin' performance?" Rainbow Dash suggested uncertainly, twiddling her hooves while she stared off into the distance as if she hadn't said a word.
Applejack smirked at the image the words conjured up in her mind's eye, "Now, that would be a sight to see, for sure." She mused aloud.
"So, does that mean you will postpone?" Rainbow Dash pried hopefully.
Applejack looked up at the pegasus whose shadow was keeping her relatively cool, "It means... ah will help."
.
"So, you want me to what now?"
Applejack chortled at the incredulous pegasus, "Oh, c'mon. If Pinkie Pie can do it, why can't the amazin' Rainbow Dash?"
Rainbow Dash looked down at Applejack like "Seriously, you're pulling that card?"
"But, singing isn't my thing; it's hers." Rainbow Dash pointed out and then sighed when Applejack raised a brow that said otherwise.
Okay, so there was that one time during Winter Wrap-Up…and the Grand Galloping Gala…
"Look," Rainbow Dash's voice took on a commanding tone as she decided to go for a different approach to this disagreement, "when I said performance, I was thinking more along the lines of like, me doing some cool aerial tricks, ya know? And there would be like, a spotlight on me & fireworks would be going off in the background, and then when I saw Pinkie Pie I'd…uh…I'd…um…" Rainbow Dash had started out fine but when she got to the part about their hyperactive pink friend she started tripping over her words and blushing hard.
Applejack swallowed a chuckle at her friend's discomfort, "Rainbow Dash, ya do these fancy "aerial tricks" all the time. The point is to take Pinkie by surprise an' show her what you're willin' to do for her affections."
Rainbow Dash noticeably blushed even harder at the word "affections" and Applejack had to try even harder to hold in a laugh.
"I dunno, AJ." Rainbow Dash murmured; her wings drooping as she touched down on the ground next to her companion.
Applejack persisted, "Ah know she'll love it-singing is the surefire way to Pinkie Pie's heart."
Rainbow Dash couldn't argue with that; after all, Pinkie Pie was prone to randomly bursting out into songs at any given time.
And so it would seem the pale cyan coated pony looked to be considering…or maybe she was about to take off.
Applejack knew she needed more leverage to sway her more, "Ya can even make your own sooooong…?" she coaxed enticingly.
And then a slow, but definite, smile graced Rainbow Dash's face, "Now we're talkin'."
And now Applejack did laugh.
~Meanwhile at Sugarcube Corner~
Just after Applejack had left, with a full, satisfied stomach thanks to the confectionery's delectable treats, Roseluck immediately came in to take her place.
Pinkie Pie smiled affably at the new customer, "Hiya! Did you come for the marshmallows?"
Roseluck paused in front of a colorful display of large lollipops, "What marshmallows?" she asked, arching her brows in bewilderment.
Pinkie Pie rolled her eyes to the ceiling, "Oh, like you don't know!"
Roseluck still was confused but then mentally drew the conclusion that it was just Pinkie Pie being random again; one of her many charms.
"I came here to see how you were doing, actually," Roseluck said plain and simple. "You know, between being attacked by an overgrown cat and falling off a high cliff, I think you've earned yourself the occasional checkup."
Pinkie Pie merely giggled at the mention of the past events, "I wonder what's in store for me today…" she wondered, tapping a hoof against her chin in thought.
Roseluck perked up at this, eager as a pup for fetch. "Wanna go do something?"
"Like…?" Pinkie Pie waited for the other pony to fill in.
"Anything!" Roseluck decided helpfully, gazing at her expectantly while smiling widely with starstruck eyes.
Pinkie Pie stared back at the pony, analyzing her expression curiously. Wow…if I didn't know any better I'd think she had a crush on me or something!
Pinkie Pie laughed to herself, "We'll go feed the turtles!" With that said, she swiped up a bag of marshmallows resting on the counter that Roseluck didn't take notice of before. And now her green, wandering eyes were exploring the whole counter; an ordering form for the various cakes the confectionery provided, a bag of sugar, an eggbeater, a light bulb, and …what was that?
"What's that?" Roseluck vocalized her thought, pointing at a glass jar where a single pale cyan feather had made its home at the bottom.
Pinkie Pie turned her head to see what Roseluck was indicating and paled as a frown took hold of her face that had been smiling only seconds earlier, "O-oh, that's nothing!" she stuttered, faking a nonchalant smile.
"Doesn't look like nothing…" Roseluck crept closer for a better inspection but then Pinkie Pie was suddenly in front of her, blocking view of the jar with her hooves outspread defensively.
"Nothing to see here!" she insisted, sweat visible on her forehead.
Roseluck tried to peer around her but eventually gave up when Pinkie Pie parried all her attempts.
"Okay, Pinkie…" Roseluck said, her ears wilting to show that she had clearly given up.
Pinkie Pie's face burst into a relieved smile, "Great! I mean…let's go."
Roseluck nodded, secretly hurt that Pinkie Pie was obviously hiding something from her.
And she had a sneaking suspicious of what it was.
~And back~
"How's that comin' along?"
Applejack's inquisitive voice broke Rainbow Dash out of her intense concentration, "Gah! AJ, I can't do this." she burst out, her pencil falling from her mouth as she did. She had been staring at a blank piece of paper on the picnic table for the past fifteen minutes, willing words to write themselves.
She was stuck; she couldn't find the right words that explained what she felt for Pinkie Pie. And the fact that was she trying (read: failing) to write a song that expressed her feelings made her gag.
Sure, earlier it had seemed like a fun idea but now…she knew she couldn't do it.
"Sure ya can, ya just gotta-"
"No, everything I come up with sounds dumb…" Rainbow Dash cut in glumly.
Applejack sighed in barely repressed exasperation, "Rainbow, ya can't expect a one-hit wonder so soon. Maybe ya need some inspiration." she suggested calmly.
"Oh…like?" Rainbow Dash wanted to know.
Applejack was just about to respond when they heard a wet splash off in the distance, catching them off guard.
The aqueous disruption had sparked both of their curiosities' and Applejack gestured for RD to follow her toward where the noise had come from.
They had already figured out for themselves that the disturbance had come from the local lake and they made their way in that direction. Then, after a negligible time of walking, they could catch a glimpse of it, if they strained their neck enough that is. And even though Rainbow Dash had access to a bird's eye view, she stayed grounded with Applejack.
Once they knew they'd walked far enough, they both silently agreed to spy in the bushes clumped together on the sidelines where they could observe whatever it was that was occupying the lake, without unintentionally scaring it off.
Applejack was first to poke her head out from the cluster of leaves and take stock of the small basin.
"Oh…" she realized.
"What?" Rainbow Dash whispered, still groping around the bushes for an opening.
Applejack swallowed, "Oh, uh…it's nothing-we should go." Applejack was glad Rainbow Dash couldn't see her face; she'd see through her lie immediately.
"Aw, come on, we came all this way just to-"
"Looks like we did," Applejack finished for her and shifted around so that they could head back to the picnic table.
But Rainbow Dash didn't budge, "What is it?"
Applejack tried shoving her out, "C'mon! Ah'd say sneakin' 'round these bushes has been real inspirin', best get it all down on paper lickety split."
But Rainbow Dash still wasn't having any of it, "AJ, are you hiding something?"
"Nope." Seeing Applejack's attempt at a poker face finally convinced Rainbow Dash to see what it was and she slithered past her.
"No, Rainbow!" Applejack hissed in a whisper and then hooked onto the rainbow striped tail with her mouth to start tugging her back.
Rainbow Dash felt her tail being pulled, a most unpleasant feeling, by the way, and struggled to edge towards the crack in the bushes where sunlight banished the darkness of the secluded bushes.
"Please…AJ…let go." she labored, noting to herself how much she hated when Applejack resorted to this method.
Applejack, of course, did not respond because that would mean she would have to release her hold on the pegasus's tail.
Which, turned out, didn't matter when their state of equilibrium eventually was broken when Applejack's teeth accidentally slipped through Rainbow Dash's tail's fine hairs and all the tension came crashing back at her as she flew backwards through the bush.
Rainbow Dash merely made an unsteady step forward and almost dunked her whole head into the bushes bristly leaves, but she caught herself with her wings before she did.
And since being crammed in the bushes wasn't Rainbow Dash's style, she decided to burst out of them, careless whether or not anypony would hear her. At least from up there, Applejack couldn't stop her.
She breathed in the sweet air as she flew up and then just floated there for a while, reveling in the change of scenery.
Eventually, she gazed down from her vantage point to see what the big deal was.
She was startled to find out that the two dots down below were Pinkie Pie…and that stupid pony, Roseluck.
And they were, she squinted, playing in the water? With marshmallows?
Rainbow Dash decided she needed to clear up a few things so she angled her wings back down to the dreaded ground where she would land softly beside a tree.
Pinkie Pie's bubbly voice was heard not five seconds after her descent, "Come on, little turtles! We have some yummy treats for you!" Pinkie Pie giggled, tossing more marshmallows at the edge of the water. And they weren't even mini marshmallows.
Roseluck giggled right along with the pink pony, throwing in her own spare marshmallow "I don't even think turtles can eat marshmallows…" she remarked thoughtfully, even as she threw three more into the marshmallow infested lake.
Pinkie Pie gasped, looking over at her partner in crime, "Really? That's turtally sad!"
Roseluck laughed at Pinkie Pie's cheesy pun and Rainbow Dash now knew why Applejack didn't want her to see them. Together. Happy and laughing. Having fun. Feeding turtles marshmallows.
Why does Pinkie Pie even hang out with Roseluck, I mean, seriously, all that pony has going for her is a stinkin' rose garden. Laaaaame.
And yet, they seemed to be having a good ole jolly time together...and as Rainbow Dash's gaze lingered, she slowly came to the realization that this was the very same lake that Pinkie Pie and herself had attempted to prank Fluttershy with a phony-turtle. She felt a pang at the memory, reflecting how her life was seriously lacking in the pranks department as of late. And to see Pinkie Pie now...to see those two ponies...it was all too much to bear and, just as Rainbow Dash had told herself to take off and leave, she heard another splash.
Only this splash was way louder; she could practically hear the water spilling over in enormous waves. And then somepony screamed…
Rainbow Dash swiftly changed direction, ready for action as she leaped into the air and dashed over to the scene.
And there was Roseluck, looking over the edge of the lake frantically where large ripples were still visible.
But where was Pinkie Pie?
"Where is she?" Rainbow Dash demanded of the hysterical earth pony that now looked over at her in surprise.
"Rainbo-" she started, her eyes welling up with tears.
"Where is she, Roseluck?" Rainbow Dash asked again impatiently. She could only guess where and she didn't like it, not one bit. And, if Roseluck took too long to cough up an answer, you bet your bits she would go down there and find out for herself.
Roseluck sniffled and pointed with a shaking hoof into the water that had soggy marshmallows spread about in small groups, "S-s-she …and there was a-a-a...huge turtle; oh, the horror!"
Rainbow Dash's eyes widened; wait, did she just say a turtle?
"Please, save her!" Roseluck sobbed, imploring her with big, glistening, and green eyes.
Don't need to tell me twice.
Since there was no time to get any scuba gear, not when there was a chance Pinkie Pie could be hurt, she took a deep gulp full of air, knowing it might be awhile before she could surface for more oxygen.
And then Rainbow Dash, who was still unsure on what she was dealing with exactly-a mutant ninja turtle?-tucked in her wings securely and plunged herself into the lake's lukewarm waters with only one thought in mind.
Save Pinkie Pie.
~On land~
Roseluck stared into the lake's depths, as if she could see anything past two hooves.
She sighed pitifully, feeling helpless as she stayed behind to wait for their return.
That is, if they ever did return.
"Uh, 'scuse me, miss?"
Roseluck turned toward the owner of the voice, vaguely recognizing it as Ponyville's most capable and dependable pony, Applejack.
"Uh, h-hi, Applejack," she greeted, surprised to see her here. Even though she found the idea of being surprised at this point ludicrous, considering a giant reptile had stolen away Pinkie Pie right from under her snout seconds ago. In fact, the only thing she truly was surprised of was her remarkable feat for having not fainted from the horrific turn this outing had taken.
"Ah was just wonderin' if ya happened to see Rainbow?" Applejack asked, looking around in case she might have overlooked the variegated pegasus.
Roseluck didn't respond right away.
"And hey, as long as we're on the topic of missin' ponies, where is Pinkie Pie?" Applejack had finally noticed Pinkie Pie wasn't with Roseluck anymore like she was earlier.
Roseluck stifled a sniffle at the mention of Pinkie Pie, "S-s-she was taken away…it was the d-d-doozy." she sputtered.
"What?" Applejack gaped, staring at Roseluck in disbelief.
Is she pullin' my tail?
But then Applejack reminded herself that Roseluck wasn't prone to pulling practical jokes; though she was melodramatic sometimes.
And her face…it was devastated.
"What doozy? What was it?" Applejack asked, suddenly urgent as the muddy Hydra from Froggy Bottom Bog flashed through her mind.
Roseluck glanced up from beneath her forelock, "A monster."
~Underwater~
You'd think that a huge turtle would be easier to find.
Rainbow Dash's nose-dive had earned her a place among the, oh so lovely seaweed that lay reign over the entire seabed. The muddy sediment that had been stirred from her landing also laid out the welcome mat by floating up into her eyes so that she was temporarily blinded.
Rainbow Dash felt like coughing but she knew that was against the rules down here. Unless you wanted to choke and die.
Her vision also wasn't as good down here but she still did the routine back-and-forth onceover anyway.
And there was nothing but murky water and disappointment.
Wow, everything seemed so much clearer up above.
Probably because she didn't belong down here; she belonged up above. But Pinkie Pie didn't belong down here either, and, as long as she was here being held against her will by some turtle, Rainbow Dash would abandon all the things she held near and dear in order to save her.
Including air.
Rainbow Dash's eyes strained & squinted against the dirty lake water and she paddled herself around with her front hooves while her hind legs pushed against the water, leaving a trail of bubbles in their wake. She wasn't moving as fast as she'd liked but at least she was moving. And there was one good side to floating around underwater; everything was muted. The only sounds were bubbles as she trended through the water. It was actually quite peaceful.
Hey, this isn't so bad…
And then, too soon, her lungs were now starting to burn and yelled at her to surface for more air; which she would have gladly done. After all, she wouldn't be much help for Pinkie Pie if she was dead, and she couldn't even find said pony…
A pink blur.
She could see a pink blur.
Yes, it was a blur, but it was pink nonetheless!
It had to be Pinkie Pie; there was no other explanation for the vibrant bright pink blot that was thrashing around.
Ignoring her lung's protests, she lunged through the water in a sudden burst of energy and, defying the water's pressure, zipped towards the distinguishable pink blur in seconds.
And as she swam closer, she could determine that it was, in fact, Pinkie Pie.
She could also determine that the unconscious Pinkie Pie was, of all things, being fondled by the biggest, baddest turtle Rainbow Dash ever lived to see.
Seriously, what are they putting into these waters? Toxic chemical waste?
And then imagine the brown, scaly monstrosity's surprise & fury when a rainbow blur swept past to snatch up its latest toy from its webbed claws.
Rainbow Dash felt like cackling back at the ignoramus turtle's expense.
And then she felt like screaming when the turtle started after her in a high-speed underwater chase.
Like I don't have enough competition, now this fatty wants my girl, too?
Rainbow Dash cranked up her speed as much as she could while the turtle practically nipped at her tail, it was so close.
And she was running out of air…
She could feel herself start to shut down and the turtle was still right there, trimming down seaweed and agitating more of the muck on the seafloor as it closed in on them.
Her eyes squeezed shut as she thought, I'm sorry, Pinkie Pie. I failed you.
And then, since she still felt slightly numb from the adrenaline, she didn't feel the enchanted lasso slip over her head and start tugging her to the surface.
All she knew was that she was holding Pinkie Pie as tightly as she could, and even then she couldn't feel a warm presence or anything.
And when her face broke the surface?
She thought she had died and gone to heaven.
"Rainbow Dash!"
Somepony was screaming but she couldn't put a name to the voice.
But she could put a name to the delicious gas that was now filling her lungs: oxygen.
She started coughing up the grainy water and gagged.
When she finally could open her eyes again, she saw Applejack leaning over her racking, soaked form with one of her hooves resting on her shoulder in support.
Rainbow Dash had never been so grateful for that stupid lasso.
"Where's Pinkie Pie?" Rainbow Dash rasped out since a "thank you" apparently never came to mind.
Applejack bit her lip and looked over her shoulder, "Twi is doin' all she can…" she tried to reassure her.
It didn't even faze her that Twilight Sparkle was here; she just knew that it wasn't good enough when somepony said "they're doing all they can"
Rainbow Dash sat up, too fast, and she felt a bit dizzy for a while. But then she saw her…
Rainbow Dash stopped breathing when her eyes found Pinkie Pie lying there, drenched and limp as a fish out of water. And she could feel all the adrenaline-fueled aplomb from earlier draining out of her as helpless despair filled her instead.
Why is she so still?
After she practiced opening and closing her mouth, Rainbow Dash finally managed to ask the question that meant life or death "Is she breathing?"
Applejack looked down, her hat's brim hooding her eyes as she occupied herself by removing the rope clasped around Rainbow Dash's withers; avoiding the question.
Rainbow Dash's eyes narrowed, "She is going to be alright."
It wasn't a question; it was a statement. She had to be alright. This was Pinkie Pie they were talking about.
Applejack finally spoke up in a gentle tone, so as not to upset her friend, "Sugarcube, ah know ya prob don't wanna listen to anypony right now, but she was down there for a mighty long time an'-"
"No, you're right; I don't wanna listen." Rainbow Dash interrupted her; she already knew where she was going with that conversation. But it wasn't true. Twilight Sparkle would fix Pinkie Pie, simple as that.
And so, Rainbow Dash and Applejack watched Twilight Sparkle hover over Pinkie Pie's body as she worked painstakingly hard to muster all her magic to do some miracle work. But, if Rainbow Dash was being honest with herself, she knew she was mostly watching Pinkie Pie, hoping for any sign of hope.
Her normally bouncy, unkempt hair had gone plain & flat in the water, her whole coat had become a darker pink, and Rainbow Dash found herself marveling at how un-Pinkie Pie she seemed from the one she'd seen before with Roseluck.
And then, after all that tense & perilous silence, the moment finally came where Pinkie Pie's chest started to rapidly rise and fall again and, as if that wasn't enough reason to celebrate, she gasped, like she would waking from a nightmare, and proceeded to spurt water out of her system and into Twilight Sparkle's startled face.
There was a chorus of joyous "Pinkie Pie!", though Twilight Sparkle said it with irritation, but the girl just had nasty, digested water blasted into her face, so nopony could blame her.
"Turtles!" was Pinkie Pie's first word as she jerked up to pay immediate attention to her surroundings, her mane & tail springing up into her normal hairdo as she did.
She couldn't have gotten a good enough look around though because she was then promptly enclosed into a fierce hug by the earth pony with a flower as her cutie mark.
"You're okay!" Roseluck cried out in relief, stating the obvious.
Rainbow Dash had completely forgotten about that pony and she now glared at her with such hatred that she felt she would explode. Twice.
"Dagnabbit, Pinkie Pie! Are ya darn set on gettin' yourself killed?" Applejack said frowning, though her eyes held a different story for what she was feeling right now.
"What happened?" Twilight Sparkle asked simply, still wiping her face clean of Pinkie Pie-germs. "Roseluck was vague about the details…"
Rainbow Dash was still trying to burn a hole through Roseluck with her imaginary, laser eyes but took it upon herself to answer Twilight Sparkle's question, "I saved Pinkie Pie from a big-flank, ugly, mutant turtle."
Pinkie Pie's eyes widened, since she was unconscious through the whole ordeal and was unclear on what exactly happened, "You did?"
Rainbow Dash briefly tore her gaze from Roseluck and met Pinkie Pie's sky blue eyes, "Yes." And then she looked back at Roseluck, daring her to deny it. But Roseluck was silent, just staring at the ground in thought while still gripping Pinkie Pie to her possessively.
"Wait, a mutant? What makes you think the turtle was a mutant?" Twilight Sparkle asked, curious yet cautiously skeptic.
"Well, for one thing, it was huge, probably as big as your treehouse, and it wanted to eat Pinkie Pie." Rainbow Dash explained as if it were obvious.
Twilight Sparkle made some noncommittal sounds and Applejack looked to Rainbow Dash inquisitively, "Hey, ah'm no expert on turtles or nothin', but ah'm pretty sure they ain't carnivores."
Twilight Sparkle smiled at Applejack appreciatively, "Applejack's right. Turtles wouldn't try and consume a pony and, even if they wanted to, they couldn't."
Rainbow Dash sighed in frustration, "Didn't I mention it was huge? And if it wasn't going to eat Pinkie Pie, what did it want with her?" To Rainbow Dash personally, she didn't care what it wanted from Pinkie Pie; Pinkie Pie was hers.
And hers alone.
And then the subject of their conversation suggested lightly, "Maybe reptiles can sense other reptiles; I have Gummy and he is a reptile. Maybe the turtle was lonely and wanted a friend."
"Pinkie Pie, that's ridiculous," Twilight Sparkle scoffed.
"Now hold on there, she might be right," Applejack said and Twilight Sparkle looked over at her in disbelief, as if she felt betrayed.
Applejack continued, "Ah know whenever Rarity comes an' visits the farm, which is hardly ever, she carries her pet cat's scent an' Winona goes nuts."
"Yeah, but that's with cats and dogs. Turtles and alligators are different." Twilight Sparkle said, though with an undertone of uncertainty.
"Well, what other explanation is there?" Applejack pointed out.
Twilight Sparkle did not reply and instead asked, "How are you feeling, Pinkie Pie? That must have been quite a traumatic experience."
"Welllll, my nose is burning and my foreleg is a little achy," Pinkie Pie admitted, poking her own snout lightly, "but other than that, I feel okie doki loki!"
Then just when Rainbow Dash was going to say something to add to that, Roseluck beat her to it, "We should have listened to your Pinkie Sense!"
Twilight Sparkle looked over at Roseluck sharply at her outburst, now filled with dread. "Wait, are you saying her 'Pinkie Sense' predicted something again?" she asked, as if Pinkie Pie wasn't right there to answer for her; which she did, anyway.
"Yeah, I started shaking and shivering uncontrollably, so I knew a doozy was underway!" Pinkie Pie confirmed, smiling proudly.
"I think you mean 'impending', Pinkie." Twilight Sparkle corrected her calmly, "The term "underway" refers to som-"
Applejack spoke up again over Twilight Sparkle's voice to salvage a conversation that was starting to sound like a lecture about lessons on vocabulary and the proper ways to use them. "An' yet ya still-uh, what the hay were y'all doin' anyway?" She was, of course, referring to whatever activity Pinkie Pie and Roseluck were engaging in prior to Pinkie Pie being ravished by the monster.
"Just feeding the turtles some leftover marshmallows," Pinkie Pie replied, batting her eyelashes innocently.
Twilight Sparkle was not amused, "Well, that explains it then. The reason you were ponynapped by this supposed turtle was because you were dumping garbage into its environment, its habitat, its-"
Applejack coughed in a manner not unlike one does when they want somepony to 'get on with it'.
At this, Twilight Sparkle threw a glance over at Applejack, taking the hint, "Essentially its home." she finished.
Pinkie Pie's mouth went slack in shock, "GARBAGE? Are you kidding me? Marshmallows are like, the best things since sliced bread!"
"That shouldn't matter; marshmallows don't belong in a turtles diet so you shouldn't have done it," Twilight Sparkle preached, eyes narrowed in indignation for the poor turtles. "They could choke on them."
Pinkie Pie stared at Twilight Sparkle for a while, slowly recognizing her own wrongdoing, and then looked down over at the lake in shame, "Sorry turtles…" she murmured apologetically.
"Twilight, are you seriously defending the thing that almost killed Pinkie Pie?" Rainbow Dash raved, hating how guilty Pinkie Pie looked.
"No, I am just saying that what she did was probably what set it off," Twilight Sparkle refuted calmly.
"I'm a bad pony," Pinkie Pie suddenly whimpered, and Roseluck offered a comforting hoof to her shoulder.
"No, you're not," she told her softly before Rainbow Dash could.
Why didn't Roseluck just admit she was in on it, too?
"Welp, it's over now." Applejack said with a sigh, grimacing as she rolled her stiff shoulders.
And so, after that, everypony started to leave the scene; Twilight Sparkle said she would look into the matter with the 'lake monster', Applejack left for Sweet Apple Acres, but not before telling Pinkie Pie to "stay outta trouble, ya hear?", and Pinkie Pie said she wanted to be left alone for a while and cantered off to Sugarcube Corner.
And now there was only Rainbow Dash and Roseluck left.
Rainbow Dash had every intention not to speak with Roseluck but, just as she was about to take to the air, Roseluck said, "Thank you for saving Pinkie Pie."
Rainbow Dash's wings lowered slightly and she turned toward the other mare, "I didn't do it for you." and then, with that said, she took off without looking back.
And as the exhilarating wind dried her off during her escapee flight, she realized she knew exactly what to write for a song.
~Dreaming Again~
Where am I?
Pinkie Pie took stock of her surroundings and gathered that everypony she saw were dressed up like cowponies, but she didn't see her friends among the bustling crowd.
There were mares in hats, stallions wearing chaps. There was also the unmistakable smell of apples; apple pies, apple crisp, apple cider, apple fritters, ect.
And the music…was that a fiddle?
So, was she at the Square Dance Party?
Pinkie Pie looked down, finally recognizing the feeling of soft fabric against her skin, and gasped in wonder.
Her dress!
It was a shocking pink dress, just like she wanted, that resembled damask with a pattern of candy apples, lining up all across her body in equal proportions to one another. It was certainly appropriate enough for this occasion, she liked to think. She'd also added a white clown squirt flower to the collar as her final touch, though she didn't tell Rarity this because she would haven't seen it for what it was: harmless fun.
Well, since this was the Square Dance Party, where was Roseluck? Wasn't she supposed to be here with her?
Or…
Or was Rainbow Dash supposed to be here with her?
Pinkie Pie didn't deny the feeling of warmth that spread throughout her entire body, in the most pleasant way possible, as her thoughts steered toward the pegasus.
The feeling only intensified when Rainbow Dash suddenly popped into view, grinning.
"Pinkie Pie!" the pegasus said, still wearing a dopey grin on her muzzle.
Pinkie Pie looked behind her, as if there was somepony else she shared names with that Rainbow Dash could be referring to.
"Pinkie Pie!" Rainbow Dash said again, giggling now as she pointed one hoof at her. "I meant you, silly filly!"
Pinkie Pie let a smile slowly spread across her face when she realized she had somehow caught the attention of commendable Rainbow Dash. In fact, the only thing she could do was smile. It was like she was reliving every moment she ever experienced with Rainbow Dash, all over again, until it all blurred into one feeling.
Love.
She was about to say something somewhat intelligent when Applejack's voice took command of the crowd: "Hey, y'all! Look over there, it's the Wonderbolts!"
Everypony gasped and the din of conversations ceased, even the fiddle. The party was still and silent for just one moment, an uneasy moment that left a feeling of dread in Pinkie's stomach. Then the moment was over and all noise was replaced with hooves pounding on the ground as everypony was dropping whatever they were doing to start racing toward a blue tent that had "The Wonderbolts!" written across on a starry banner and promised autographs for everypony.
And the tent happened to be right behind Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash…
"Uh, Dashie…there is a stampede of ponies about to trample us…I think we should move." Pinkie Pie said; panic setting in as the mob drew closer.
"The Wonderbolts!" Rainbow Dash cried in excitement, Pinkie Pie's words unheeded.
Oh, no…
"Dashie?" Pinkie Pie peeped, reaching out a hoof to bring the starstruck Rainbow Dash back to their situation. "Dashie, look at me." she pleaded.
But Rainbow Dash didn't look at her. And she didn't look back when she flew off to the tent, leaving Pinkie Pie at the mercy of the onslaught of ponies that ran right through her like a herd of wannabe tanks.
She was knocked to the ground like she was nothing, her beautiful dress tainted & torn, and she feebly covered her head to avoid further injury from the rampant horde of ponies that couldn't be stopped with reason. And when a hoof slapped her in the face, she felt her mind slip away...
~Dream Blacks Out~
Pinkie Pie woke up, shivering, with her hooves extended above her head, just like she had been doing in her dream.
But she was safe in bed and there wasn't any incoming stampede about to smash her into oblivion.
Pinkie Pie sighed and tucked herself tighter into her bed, her eyes only slightly watering now. But she forbade the tears to escape; she didn't want to cry herself to sleep again like last time.
Last time...but that was a while ago. Why were the nightmares starting up again? Well, at least it didn't include any premonitory promontories. But then again, there was still one consistency...
Why does Rainbow Dash always have to be involved? Why can't my nightmares be normal, like evil snowponies chasing me with snowballs or something...actually, that would be fun.
And to think, she had been excited for the Square Dance Party.
Now she wasn't so sure…