"Girls! Calm down!" Applejack shouted, her voice cutting through the squabble. This immediately silenced Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, the latter of whom had been making feeble attempts to break up the conflict. They all looked up, their attention drawn to the battered-but-still-imposing pony. "There are more important things to talk about than who's to blame. We need a plan."
"And where do you propose we start, darling? She could be anywhere in Equestria by now. You know how fast that pony can travel when she wants to."
"Well," piped up Twilight Sparkle, "we could ask around. I imagine somepony must have seen her; she's not exactly inconspicuous." Rarity smirked.
"That's for sure. I recommend we start with Mrs. Cake." She's the only other pony who may know what's going on; even if she hasn't seen Pinkie, visiting her may still be useful.
The gaggle of ponies outside the town library began to move toward Sugarcube Corner, arguments breaking out within it but quickly being hushed. Rainbow Dash flew above them, orbiting the cluster of friends frustratedly. Fluttershy stood in the middle of the group, following along after Twilight Sparkle, who took the lead. Rarity lagged behind, lost in thought. Applejack walked next to them, keeping a close eye on Rainbow, who looked like she would snap and dash off without them at any moment.
"So, Fluttershy," Twilight said after a few moments of silence. "What happened to your leg? Did Pinkie attack you, too?" For some reason, Fluttershy glanced up at Rainbow, Rainbow pursed her lips, raised her eyebrows and gave a non-committal shrug. Fluttershy looked back at Twilight, seemingly having received her instructions. As she opened her mouth to speak, Rarity held her breath, listening closely. Well, this is interesting. Looking back, I suppose that a sudden burst of fashion sense wasn't a particularly likely explanation. It seems that there was another reason for her to be wearing dresses around town.
"Well, a few months back, I was attacked. It wasn't Pinkie, it was somepony I'd never met before." Rarity was thinking hard. So, am I about to hear the story of Jane Pie's mental breakdown first-hand? "It was outside a hospital. I was there because I was feeling sick, and I didn't know how to cure myself. So, I walked up the hospital doors, and they opened, and grey pony walked out. She was holding a knife." By now, Applejack and Rainbow Dash were also listening, transfixed. "Well, I tried to run away, but she jumped at me, and slashed my leg." Fluttershy waggled her leg for emphasis. "I was so scared, that I flew away, and... and..." here, she hesitated. But Rarity wasn't listening anymore. So, it was Fluttershy. I wonder if I should tell her the real identity of her attacker. I suppose it's rather important. But, then again, at this point all it would do is scare them. I think I'll just keep it to myself until it becomes relevant. But, there is one thing I wonder: why didn't she tell us earlier? After zoning back into the conversation, she found that this very question was being answered.
"Because... I didn't want to worry you. After all, it's no big deal. All I have to do is apply the antidote every two nights."
Really? Well, I suppose that does sound like Fluttershy. Considerate to a fault, that one is. Rarity looked at the others, noting their reactions. Applejack seemed to believe it. Twilight looked confused, and Rainbow looked mildly surprised. However, nobody displayed any intention of contradicting her.
Despite walking much too slow for Rainbow's taste, they arrived at Pinkie's place of residence within a few minutes. The unmistakable sound of two unicorns, two pegasi and a pony walking through a bakery door made Mrs. Cake look up.
"Oh, it's you five! I was hoping you'd stop by."
"Why's that?" asked Twilight, as an excited ripple shot through the group.
"Well, yesterday night, Pinkie ran into the Everfree forest, and she didn't tell me why. She hasn't come back since. I was wondering if any of you might know what she was doing." Twilight glanced around significantly at the group, which nodded as a whole.
"Uh, no. We don't know what she was doing. I'm sorry." They turned to leave.
"But, aren't you worried?" Mrs. Cake called, furrowing her brow. This took all of them by surprise. Rarity spoke first.
"Of course we are! We're on our way to the forest right now to find her."
"You can't just go running off into the Everfree forest! It's much too dangerous." They all glanced at each other, aghast.
"We don't have time for this," Rainbow whispered into Rarity's ear. Nodding in acknowledgement, she spoke to the worried Mrs. Cake in as soothing a voice as she could muster.
"We've all been in the forest before. Many times, in fact. There's nothing in there that we can't handle."
"But... why can't you call the police? If Pinkie's gone missing, surely they can help." The other ponies once again turned to Rarity to answer the question, as none of them were quite sure why they didn't just call the police either. She had an answer ready.
"You can only call the police if it's been twenty-four hours. And if we wait until tonight, it may be too late." Mrs. Cake opened her mouth to argue the point further, but Rarity shot her down. "We'll be fine, trust me."
Once again, the ponies turned to leave. They filed out one by one, first Rainbow, then Twilight, then Fluttershy and Applejack next. Rarity was about to follow suit, when she felt a hoof on her shoulder. She looked around. Mrs. Cake, who had moved surprisingly fast from behind the counter, was standing right behind her.
"Wait a moment," she said softly. Rarity looked out at the others, who were looking at her expectantly.
"I'll be out in a moment! Just wait for me." Rarity and Mrs. Cake walked further into the shop, out of anybody else's earshot.
"Don't think," she whispered, "that I don't know what's going on."
"What do you mean, darling?" Rarity was genuinely confused, but something in her tone must have sounded mocking.
"Don't play games with me," Mrs. Cake hissed with a ferocity that Rarity never would have guessed could come from the sweet, plump little bakery shop owner. "I know what's happened to Pinkie. She's gone, and she's never coming back. You five are the only ones I've got, now. I won't let you throw yourselves away." Rarity was stunned; this was much more interesting than she had expected.
"What do you mean, 'she's never coming back?'"
"Because I've seen this happen before. I suppose you know that Pinkie had two sisters. They were named Jane and Octavia. They were never the barrel of laughs that Pinkie was, but Jane would stop by from time to time to visit us. Not Octavia, though – she was too good for us. She went and made a name for herself as a musician in Canterlot. Never bothered to find out what became of her little sisters. But one day, a few months back, she came along with Jane on one of her visits. They didn't stay long, but I remember it very clearly. Jane was acting odd – talking to ponies who weren't there, and… things. Octavia just, 'Stopped by to say hello', as she put it. But now I know that she was really stopping by to say goodbye. Jane was taken to the hospital the next day, and…"
"Yes." Rarity interrupted her speech. "I know what happened then. She attacked Octavia." Mrs. Cake nodded vigorously.
"Octavia was kept in the hospital for a month or two, and then returned to her home in Canterlot. Didn't bother to visit me, naturally. Jane was thrown into the loony bin, and she's still there to this day. When Pinkie started acting odd as well, I knew what was coming. I hoped that maybe it was just a false alarm, but no – a few days later, she runs off, and doesn't come back. Any day now, I'm expecting Octavia to come knocking at my door, saying she's hearing voices in her head; and it'd serve her right."
Rarity stared for a moment, piecing together the meaning behind this story. When she spoke, it was slowly and carefully.
"So… that's it? You're just giving up on her? Oops, Pinkie's gone, time to get a new daughter?" Mrs. Cake shook her head sadly.
"You didn't see what Jane was like, that night. It was scary. Even if you find Pinkie, she won't want to come back and you won't want her back."
"But if we can get her on her medication…"
"Jane was put on medication, and she's still being locked up."
"But…"
"Look!" Mrs. Cake cut across her angrily. "I knew Jane. She was a sweet girl; quiet, sensitive, never one to pick a fight. But that didn't matter. After what she did, nopony cared that she wasn't in her right mind. By the time you find Pinkie, she'll probably have killed somepony."
"Hey!" Both Rarity and Mrs. Cake looked around. Rainbow Dash was standing in the doorway, looking impatient. "I'm sorry, but we're kind of in a hurry."
"Coming!" Rarity called. She turned back, and whispered fiercely to Mrs. Cake. "I don't care if you've given up, but I'm finding her. I will find a way to make it work, somehow. Because Pinkamina Pie is my friend, and I'm willing to do anything it takes to get her back." Once again, Mrs. Cake just shook her head sadly.
"You go ahead and try, but I'm going to distance myself from the whole affair as much as possible. I've lost a lot over the years, and I'm not going to get my hopes up just so they can be lost too." Rarity turned away, disgusted.
Back outside, the ponies were discussing the journey to come.
"So, we'll need to pack some supplies. Who knows how long it'll take to find her?" Twilight Sparkle spoke to the group in a commanding tone once Rarity had returned. "We'll need food, for one thing."
"I'll handle that," said Applejack. "I'll bring some food from the farm."
"Um, excuse me," cut in Rarity, raising a hoof in protest. "Perhaps it would be better if we all just packed food for ourselves. I'm sorry Applejack, but some of us need to eat more than just apples all day." Applejack opened her mouth to retort, but Twilight shut down the argument before it could begin.
"Right! So, that's settled. We'll all pack food for ourselves. We'll also need a tent."
"I have one we could use," said Fluttershy.
"Excellent! Now,"
"But one tent won't be big enough for all of us, will it?" interrupted Rainbow.
"Well, I suppose not," said Twilight, now getting rather irritated. She's right, of course, but can't we get anything done without a conflict emerging? "I think I have one lying around. Two tents will be fine." There was a general nod of agreement. "And, I guess we can all pack something to keep ourselves entertained. I figure it should take about a week to find her."
"And where are you getting that number from, darling? For all we know, she could be miles and miles away. Or maybe she's just having a cup of tea with Zecora."
"Well, I don't know, Rarity," she said through gritted teeth. "Do you have a better idea?" Rarity just gave a non-committal shrug. "Well then, I say we pack for a week-long trip, and if it takes any longer than that, we'll stop at a nearby town and get some supplies there. I'll bring a map, so we won't get too lost."
"Well, we'd better get moving then," said Applejack encouragingly. "Let's meet up back here in half an hour. Then we can head into the forest together."
"Yes, thank you Applejack," said Twilight, relieved that they were moving forward. "I'll see you all then." And before anybody could say anything else, she turned and galloped toward home.
Rainbow Dash was in a pugnacious mood when she arrived at her doorstep, but she restrained herself as she replied to the cheerful "Hello" of the mail pony standing outside her house.
"Hi Ditzy," she said, opening her door.
"Hi Rainbow Dash!" Ditzy chirped. She had been a mail pony for several years now, and had developed a knowledge of Ponyville's residents to rival Pinkie Pie's. "I brought you a letter!" Ditzy struggled for a moment to open her saddlebag, and struggled again to find the right letter, while Rainbow stood in her doorway. What she wanted to do more than anything else right now was be alone, and think; this delay was doing nothing to improve her mood, which was already being strained to the breaking point. Keep it together, Rainbow. She can't help it.
Eventually, Ditzy managed to extract the letter, and spat it at Rainbow's feet. At that moment, as she stood looking up at Rainbow and flicking her tail, she appeared so dog-like that Rainbow was seized by a sudden urge to pat her head. Shaking herself mentally, Rainbow thanked Ditzy, picked up the letter and walked inside. The was still fuming. The greatest opportunity of my life. The one event I wouldn't miss for anything, and Pinkie goes bonkers the same week. And of course, nopony bothers to mention it. What, did they think I forgot? Or maybe they forgot. I suppose it's too much to ask. After all, it's only my lifelong dream. Nothing my best friends should bother to learn.
Rainbow bitterly spat the letter onto the floor, and was about to walk away when something caught her eye. Slowly, she looked back at the envelope. She bent over it, staring at the orange wax seal. It was a lightning bolt.
Dear aspiring flyer,
We regret to inform you that this year's Wonderbolts Initiation Camp will be postponed due to inclement weather. A task force of weather pegasi has been dispatched to solve the problem, but until it is resolved, the Wonderbolts Initiation Camp will be unable to begin. As a result, the Wonderbolts Initiation Camp will begin a week later than previously scheduled. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Sincerely, Starchy, manager of The Wonderbolts™
Rainbow stared at the letter, and as she reread it for the third time, a grin spread across her face.
"Fluttershy, you can tell me anything. I hope you understand that."
"Of course I do," replied Fluttershy, a ball of guilt squirming in her stomach. "But I don't have time right now. I have to go. You'd agree if you knew what I was doing." Big Macintosh stared dolefully into her imploring face. He sighed, and spoke in his slow, thoughtful voice.
"No matter what it is, you don't have to. It's your decision. It's a choice."
"Well, I've made my choice. And I think it's the right one."
"I trust you. If your gut's tellin' you to go, then you should go. But I want you to know – you don't have to be a hero all the time. Celestia knows you've done enough for this town already. How many monsters have you protected your friends from now? Three?"
"I'm not trying to be a hero. I'm being a good friend. Please, don't argue with me, Big Mac. This is hard enough as it is." Big Mac nodded, unsmiling.
"Well, go ahead then. But please, take care of yourself."
"I will. I promise."
"Pleeeeaaaaase?"
"For the last time, no! You need to stay here and watch over the library."
"Can't Owlowicious do it?"
"He can't talk, Spike. He has no hooves."
"But… but…"
"That's enough. Don't worry about me, I'll be back soon." Twilight dropped the saddlebags loaded with supplies onto her back. She took one final look around the room, making sure she'd brought everything she needed. Looks good. Well, off I go. She walked toward the door, leaving a disappointed Spike standing in the middle of the room. As she pulled the door open, a thought hit her. Ooh! I almost forgot. Come on, Twilight, focus!
"Oh, and Spike? You're going to have to look after Angel again."
"There we go! That should last you a week or two. Don't worry, Mommy won't be gone for long." Opalescence let out a disgusted hiss at the enormous pile of cat food that had been deposited in her bowl. With a casual flick of her horn, she sent a dishrag swooping in to wipe up the spilled particles around the base of the mountain. Bowls of water had been stationed around the house, and the litter box had been completely emptied. She had also removed the horrendously ugly boards from her bedroom window, as they no longer served a purpose.
Excellent! Everything seems to be in order. No loose ends. I suppose I'd best be off, then. "Good-bye, Opal! Mommy's going to miss you!" And with those final words echoing around the boutique, she walked out the door.
Applejack gasped in pain as she fell onto her broken leg. Maybe it's a good thing I ain't workin' the farm. This is gettin' a mite bit tiring. Mustering her resolve, she brought her in-tact leg into the air, and slammed it into the tree again. A an apple tumbled sadly onto the ground. She scooped it into her saddlebag, and felt it add to the weight pressing on her back. That should be enough; if I get sick of apples, I'm sure somepony else'll share their food with me.
Applejack began to trot towards Ponyville. She had wondered whether she would run into Big Mac, who would surely wonder why she had run off from her hospital bed. However, he was nowhere to be seen. This worked in her favor - she didn't feel like explaining anything at the moment. It does feel a lot like lying, though, not tellin' him something this important. I suppose he'll be worried if he hears that I've run off from the hospital. I hope I don't give him too big a fright. She shook her head as she mounted a hill, and saw Ponyville in the distance. Truth is important. Keeping information to yourself never makes thing better. But, I guess when he sees that the others are gone too, he'll figure out that we're together. And after all, we get into crazy adventures all the time. We've learned a few tricks. If he has an ounce of sense about him, he'll know we're safe. I hope.
Twilight was the first to return to Sugarcube corner. Her efficient organization coupled with her lack of a social life made preparing for the journey a brief process. Rarity was next, and Applejack followed. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash came flying in from, oddly enough, Sweet Apple Acres a good ten minutes late.
"Fluttershy! Rainbow!" Twilight called. "What took you so long?"
"Oh... I, um, had a lot of packing to do," was Fluttershy's response. Rainbow opened her mouth, but was spared the necessity to explain her lateness, as Twilight interrupted.
"Did you, by any chance, find somepony to look after your animals while you're gone?" Fluttershy stared at her blankly for a moment, then gasped.
"Oh my goodness! I forgot! I need to find somepony to watch them! Oh my goodness!"
"Fluttershy!" Twilight said, raising her voice slightly in order to be heard over Fluttershy's hyperventilation. "It's okay. Spike's taking care of it."
"Oh..." Fluttershy stared for a moment longer. "Thank you very much, Twilight. I can't believe I forgot about that!"
Twilight looked her over, interested. Huh, that's very out of character. I mean... that's not like Fluttershy. I wonder what was distracting enough to make her forget about her animals? Well, I suppose it's none of my business. Although, I can't help but notice that she and Rainbow Dash flew in from the orchard together. Rainbow lives above there, but I suppose it's rather telling that Fluttershy was over there as well. Well, I have no objections. I'm happy if they're happy. Nevertheless, there was the faintest hint of bitterness in her voice as she assured Fluttershy that, 'it was nothing'.
Rarity, completely oblivious to the unfolding drama beside her, chose this moment to speak up.
"Shall we be going, then? I say the quicker we get back, the better for all concerned." Applejack nodded her agreement.
"Now girls, since the sun's nearly down already, I say we set up camp near Zecora's place. Then, we can visit her in the morning - she may have seen Pinkie."
"That's sounds good - now, can we please get going? I need to be back home within a week," said Rainbow Dash. She looked around expectantly, but nobody asked her why.
"Sure thing," said Twilight. "I trust you brought your tent, Fluttershy?" She nodded silently. "Well then, we should be good to go. Are you all ready?"
"Let's do this!"
"Yee-haw!"
"Always ready, darling."
"Um... okay."
"Then... onward!"