• Chapter Nine: Fail's No Option •
…
"Then Canterlot is where we should go!" The orange colt bounced into the air, a big, goofy grin in his face, as he descended to the ground.
Pinkie cringed slightly in fear. "But do you really think Chrysalis would appreciate a party?"
Cheese Sandwich hesitated. "I have never met one pony who hasn't enjoyed our blissful and annoying personality! Have you?"
"Well... I once met this one pony- or shall I say donkey-"
"Come on Pinkie! If your senses tell us to go to Canterlot, you must not deny them! Otherwise... it would be like breaking the law!" Cheese Sandwich gave her a serious look, and Pinkie knew there was no denying. She bit her lip, before sighing and drooping her head to the colt in defeat.
"Ok! Let's get a party started!" The two party-ponies trotted along the path towards the direction of Canterlot. A journey like that would take at least two days to accomplish. Although Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich never packed light, they still had confusing and nifty ways of storing their equipment. The fact that they were currently in Fillydelphia didn't help the matters because Fillydelphia was quite a lengthy distance from Canterlot. Thank Equestria that the filly and colt were such great friends. Otherwise they would be sick of each other by a simple hour.
"Many parties thrown lately?" Pinkie Pie questioned, breaking a forming awkward silence.
"Oh, there was a real great one in Appeloosa! The ponies and buffalo really enjoyed it!" Cheese Sandwich grinned, "and you?"
Pinkie Pie sighed, "I haven't received much Pinkie Senses to throwing parties lately, considering I usually restrict my parties to just Ponyville, at it takes ages to learn how to use your senses for great distances. I got all excited to go to Fillydelphia, only to find out it was nopony's birthday. I'm glad I went there to see you though!" She smiled ecstatically and hopped up and down. "And now we're going to Canterlot! I am so nervous! The changelings are sort of a teeny tiny bit frightening- no hard feelings on them!"
Cheese shrugged. "Everypony is unsure about Chrysalis and her changelings. You are no different from anypony!"
Darkness was nearing, as well as Chrysalis's mortifying curfew. Celestia began to lower her sun, and the first glimmers of Luna's moon began to shimmer their way across the sky.
"Guess it's time for shuteye," Cheese Sandwich murmured, and out of nowhere, he summoned a tiny tent. It unfolded out, and began to expand, until it formed into a massive caravan which would be good enough to be a five star hotel.
"Wow!" Pinkie cried, trotting up to the gazebo at the front, and peering through the vail. Cheese Sandwich butted passed her, and hopped up to the door.
"Where can I sleep?" The pink filly with the darker pink, curly mane tilted her head.
"I'll find a room for you," Cheese Sandwich grinned, before trotting through the door with Pinkie Pie at his tail. He bounced down the corridor, until he reached one specific door, and opened it up to receive a neat looking bedroom.
"This is your room," he beckoned her to enter, which Pinkie Pie didn't need to be asked twice to do. She peered around the room in excitement, admiring all the aspects of the it. The walls were pink, which suited her perfectly, and the bed was shaped like a flower. There was her own bathroom, and a balcony, which currently wouldn't have such a great view. But overall, it was astonishing room, and Pinkie Pie was thrilled about it.
"Thank you so much Cheese!" She squealed.
The lanky colt just shrugged. "See ya Pinkie! I will see you tomorrow!"
"You bet!" She shrilled. Once he had left, she hopped onto the bed and stared at the roof in bliss. "Oh my Chrysalis I am so nervecited!" She sighed, before grinning, "the feeling where you could just jump with excitement, but then you feel like cuddling into a small, afraid ball; nervecited!" She squealed, before putting the bed covers over herself and closing her eyes. "I can't believe Cheese Sandwich is being so nice," she mumbled under her breathe, before the pink filly fell into a sleep.
…
Pinkie Pie woke up to the loud trumpet of a horn, screaming her awake. She let out a small squeal of surprise, and leapt out of bed, so high she reached the roof, and was clinging to it with her hooves like a cat.
"Out of all the most unpleasant ways to wake up, I now have a new number one!" She cried, peering down at Cheese Sandwich on the ground below her, who was chuckling in amusement. She unpeeled herself from the roof, and went tumbling down from the roof, landing on her back.
"Uh!" She cried, before giggling when Cheese Sandwich pounced on her.
"Tickle war!" He shrilled, and she suddenly began to cry in laughter, as the tall colt attacked her with tickles.
"Stop! I am allergic to tickles!" She cried, writhing around, trying to break free from his grasp, but he had her firmly in her grip. He gave a smug grin, as he tickled Pinkie Pie to mercy, and she lay on the ground, giggling slightly. He sat back, watching her in amusement. She peered up, smirking, before pouncing from the ground onto the colt, bowling him over, and returning the attack. He screeched in surprise, and onto his back, as she; 'the master of tickles,' fought with full strength for revenge. He laughed, and wriggled around, trying to break free from the pink wrath but she was even worse than he was at tickling, and finally stopped.
"Truce?" She looked at him innocently, through her crystal blue eyes.
"Truce," he panted, getting back onto his hooves, catching his breathe, but still had the big grin on his face. They waited for a few seconds, but Pinkie Pie grew impatient.
"Let's go!" Pinkie cried, grasping onto his hooves, and pulling him out of the tent. Eventually they were out of the structure, and Cheese Sandwich easily was able to pack the house up again. The two party ponies began to trot down the road again, excited as they neared Canterlot.
The two travelled along a train track, and they were nearing Foal Mountains. When they reached them, they stopped and admired the amazing mountains, before they continued their way to Canterelot, which was getting nearer by each second. Eventually they reached the huge city, guarded by a force field. Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich stopped at the entrance, where some Royal Changeling Guards eyed them suspiciously. The creatures amazed Pinkie Pie. With their jet black bodies, masked with insect-like wings, which flapped ever so gently, and reflected the sunlight, casting rainbow beams over the earth. Their holed legs, which looked like a million bullets had been shot through them and their icy blue narrowed eyes. The creatures crowded around the entrance, blocking Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich from passing.
"What now?" Cheese whispered to Pinkie Pie worriedly.
"Talk to them," Pinkie Pie whispered back, pushing the colt forwards. He nervously stepped forward, and replaced his fear with a shaky smile, before addressing them.
"Hello changelings! We come in pieces- I mean peace! We come in peace!" Cheese Sandwich said each word slowly, hoping the insect-like creatures would understand his language.
"Speak normally, we're not idiots!" One of the changelings snapped, causing Cheese Sandwich to jump back in surprise, before regaining his posture and stepping forward again.
More confidently, he spoke, "sorry! I thought that you would speak a different language or something, but oh well! Anyway, me and Pinkie Pie- that pony over there, are travelling party ponies! You see, we were sent a sign to throw a party here, in Canterlot for you changelings and-"
"We don't do parties, now get lost before we decide to have pony for breakfast!" The changelings snarled, makings Pinkie Pie's mane deflate, as she peered at the ground solemnly. Cheese backed away, putting his hoof over her shoulder, pulling her close and trying to comfort her.
"Please let us in! It means so much to us," she sobbed, peering up at the guards, her eyes glistening hopefully, but all the changelings did was snarl.
"Oh, let the infants in," snarled a voice. All the changelings peered around, before gaping and bowing down. A form appeared before Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich. The two ponies gasped just as the changelings had, and bowed to the leader of Equestria- none other than Queen Chrysalis. The majestic creature examined the two creatures, before she breathed in, as if she was sniffing at a freshly baked cake, taken out of the oven.
"I scent love. Coming off both of you." The changeling queen smirked, and both Cheese Sandwich and Pinkie Pie blushed, before getting up and politely shaking hooves with the changeling queen. For some reason, she seemed slightly more intrigued by Pinkie Pie than Cheese Sandwich.
"It was a party you wanted to throw?" Chrysalis questioned.
"Yes! It's your birthday!" Pinkie shilled, bouncing up and down.
"My... birthday?" Chrysalis gave a shocked expression, as Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich gave a vigorous nod. The changeling queen's vision clouded for a second, before it went back to normal. "It is!" Chrysalis gaped at the two ponies, before beckoning them to follow. "Well you two better get planning! This had better be the best party in all of Equestria!"
"That's the spirit!" Cheese Sandwich grinned, as he and Pinkie Pie followed her to her castle, flanked by several Royal Changeling Guards, glaring at the two ponies poisonously, hostility in their spiteful blue eyes.
…
The rest of the day, Cheese Sandwich and Pinkie Pie spent planning. Pinkie Pie was working on all of the food and games, whilst Cheese Sandwich was organising the music and decorations, which included the whole structure of the room in which the party was being held. The word had been let loose that Chrysalis was having a birthday party. All the changelings in the kingdom were welcome, which scared Pinkie Pie slightly. She wasn't being racist or anything... but changelings were overall, traumatic and vicious creatures. The insect-like critters had made it clear that they didn't like ponies, and Pinkie Pie felt that being in a room full of them, would make her slightly uncomfortable. No matter what, however, she was going to try really hard on this party and no matter how much blood and sweat she bore into this, she was determined and she had the wits to know that her dreams would be reality. Making the food was difficult... changelings were very fussy, and everything had to be perfect. Chrysalis had made it clear, that Pinkie Pie had to put love into every single bit of food she made- not literally, but she had to try very hard and with all her heart, make sure that it was perfect. The games were easier... Chrysalis had provided Pinkie Pie with the games changelings enjoyed to play. Not all of them Pinkie Pie agreed with, but she needed to make sure that the party reached Chrysalis's expectations. Cheese Sandwich wasn't finding matters any easier. The music Chrysalis chose wasn't the usual happy, buzzy music they usually played at parties, but depressing and vulgar songs, with language indescribable. The decorations weren't like any usual blissful decorations, which Cheese Sandwich usually used in parties. The streamers for example- instead of being bright reds, blues and yellows, they were various dark greens and blacks, greys and dark blues. The lighting for the party was slightly dark, and the tables were set up in peculiar orders.
"Hmm," Chrysalis stepped into the room, and Pinkie Pie looked up from what she was doing, and nervously eyed the queen, as she inspected the room.
"Perfect, but can you make the disco ball shine light grey light instead of yellow?" Chrysalis narrowed her eyes, and the Cheese Sandwich quickly nodded.
"Right on it, your majesty." He dipped his head, and Chrysalis gave an approving nod. She then trotted over to Pinkie Pie and her food. Pinkie Pie quickly got up and trotted to the queen, as she checked the foods.
"Does this meet your likings, my queen?" Pinkie Pie asked nervously, scuffing the ground with her hooves.
"No!" Chrysalis snapped, and Pinkie Pie cowered down. "The icing is too bright a shade! Make it a darker shade!"
"Yes ma'am!" Pinkie Pie gulped, before rushing over and adding black dye to the icing, making the gooey mixture sizzle and begin to recolour.
After Chrysalis had left, Pinkie Pie turned to Cheese Sandwich who was changing the lighting to make the disco ball glimmer a different colour.
"Bossy, much?" Pinkie Pie muttered.
"Please! It's the queen's birthday! She has every right to be picky," Cheese intoned, before he rushed back to his piñata.
Pinkie Pie sighed. "I guess you're right. She's way nicer than I thought she would be!"
Cheese Sandwich laughed at this, and began to hum a small tune. Pinkie pricked her ears, listening to it, before she began to sing along.
"It's time to start a party-
for the best day of her life!
We have got to impress her
We cannot begin a strife!
This is very important,
Otherwise we could die.
Come on, we need this party
I refuse to say goodbye!"
Cheese Sandwich looked up from what he was doing, and smiled at Pinkie Pie, and began to sing his own verse.
"How could we not succeed,
If there's both Pinkie and Cheese?
We're going to do this party
And we will do it with ease!
Come on, Pinkie Pie my friend,
do not let doubt bring you down!
Chrysalis will enjoy this,
There'll be a smile above her frown!"
They both nodded to each other, going on with their own things but now singing in unison.
"Yes, we can do this,
We will do this, the two of us!
Pinkie Pie and Cheese- what a team
There's no need to fuss!
Loss is not a word we know,
We are going to win!
Pinkie Pie and Cheese!
No doubt we are just like kin!"
Pinkie Pie trotted down the room, whilst Cheese did as well. Eventually, their paths intersected, and Pinkie Pie bumped into Cheese, their noses touching. They stared at each other for a few seconds, before they both blushed and peered away.
"What was that?" Cheese Sandwich asked slyly, making Pinkie Pie's bright pink blush increase, appearing over her pink fur.
She turned to him shyly, before grinning. "We're just like kin, hey?" She batted him playfully, before trotting away, Cheese's gaze following her.
…
"Is this to your liking, your majesty?" Pinkie Pie questioned. She and Cheese Sandwich had finished with their jobs, and they were now presenting the whole room to Chrysalis. The filly and the colt watched nervously as Chrysalis scaled across the room, examining every little detail. Pinkie Pie was so nervous, she could hear her teeth chattering. Cheese Sandwich seemed to notice, as his hoof weaved it's way over hers, and the two clung onto each other anxiously. Chrysalis approached the two again, after what seemed like a millennium, and she looked at the two blankly.
"No, I don't like it."
Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich droopily peered at the ground.
"I love it!" Chrysalis screamed, hopping up and down, before she went serious. "Now I just need to visit my daughter, and then the party can begin!"
"You have a daughter? Can I see her? I am really good with foals!" Pinkie Pie gave an angelic smile, but Chrysalis glared at her furiously.
"No! You cannot visit my daughter! Nopony can..! I mean... no, she's asleep... bye!" Chrysalis stormed out of the room.
Cheese Sandwich and Pinkie Pie stared after her in astonishment, before they peered at each other.
"We did it!" Cheese screamed.
"We did it!" Pinkie Pie shrilled back, before she threw herself into her friend's arms.
"We did it! We're the best party ponies in the world! If we can impress Queen Chrysalis, we can impress anypony!" Pinkie Pie declared, and Cheese Sandwhich ecstatically returned her hug, before throwing her up into he air. Pinkie Pie spun around in excitement, before she landed on the ground.
"Now we have a party to prepare for!" She whizzed out of the room, a trail of dust following her. Cheese Sandwich, left in the room smiled to himself.
"That Pinkie Pie sure is something!"
…
Babs Seed watched her fellow Cutie Mark Crusaders as they were up to their daily business. It had been a few days since the wolves incident, and they were going perfectly fine. Scootaloo's burnt hoof had recovered unbelievably well, now was just a scab which was gradually fading away. Now that they could live in the brick house, with no fear of timberwolves whatsoever, they could start some real crusading. Unfortunately, none of them had received their Cutie Marks yet, but trying to get them had been fun regardless.
"So where are we going anyway?" Sweetie Belle questioned Apple Bloom, who was leading them through the Everfree Forest.
"To the well. Ah saw it earlier when ah was picking berries! Ah think we should all check it out... it might even have some fresh water for us to drink!" Apple Bloom licked her jowls thirstily. The four of them had struggled to find water... Sweetie Belle's magic to summon objects was weakening- she had explained that spells like that were very difficult to accomplish, and for a filly like her, were exhausting. Now they had to ration out all the food and water they found. Usually they could just seep it out of moss, but the weather right now was very unpredictable, and they never knew if they were going to get rainy weather or not. This well that Apple Bloom had seen, might just be the pathway to make their lives so much easier. Babs Seed felt uncomfortable as she saw the trees looming above her, grasping for her hooves. She backed away, but went bumping into Scootaloo.
"Sorry," Babs Seed lowered her head slightly, but Scootaloo just gave her an empathetic glance.
"The trees are creeping me out too, don't worry!" Scootaloo winked at her, before turning her attention to Apple Bloom, who was now leading them a completely different direction.
"Are you sure you know where we're going?" Sweetie Belle questioned the cream-yellow foal with the red-pink mane.
"Of course! It's right there! See?" Apple Bloom angled her ears to the direction on which she was demonstrating.
Babs Seed squinted, and sure enough, there was an old well sitting on the grass a few pony-lengths ahead.
"Wow! I can't believe our luck!" Scootaloo cried, galloping up to the well. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom followed her, but Babs Seed was more hesitant. For some reason, the well just sat there... none of the trees seemed to grow anywhere near it, as it had it's on space. It was made out of stone- it almost looked like it was a bunch of rocks stacked on top of each other. It looked so old... almost ancient, which made Babs Seed shiver slightly. She trotted up behind the other foals, who were already towing the rope up. The handle they were spinning was made of rotted wood, and it looked like it would snap any second. The rope seemed dodgy too. Some parts of it were thin, and Babs Seed was surprised it hadn't snapped yet. She trotted up, and helped the three crusaders weal it up, until finally an old bucket full of water was visible.
"Score!" Scootaloo cried. The other three nodded excitedly, and Sweetie Belle levitated four bits of wood in which curved upwards like a bowl to them all. Babs Seed held hers, knowing the purpose of this wood was to serve as a cup.
"Wait- how do we know the water is safe?" Babs Seed questioned, shivering slightly as she dipped the wood into the water, taking it out, full of some fresh looking water.
"Ah just know... Ah feel it in mah guts!" Apple Bloom concluded.
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo seemed to accept this judgement, as they looked down at their waters greedily.
"To the Cutie Mark Crusaders! Best friends in the whole world!" Apple Bloom held her cup forward, and the other three crusaders brought theirs forward as well, clanging the wooden cups together.
"To the crusaders!"
All four of them sipped their water up at the same time. Babs Seed wasn't going to deny it- the water tasted delicious. It was the best water she had tasted ever.
"This is the best drink ever!" Scootaloo screamed. Babs Seed perked her ears, and turned to Scootaloo, before gaping in surprise. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle seemed shocked too, as their mouths were both mirroring a perfect 'o.'
"What is it? Does my breathe stink or something? You could have just said so," Scootaloo muttered.
"No- Scootaloo... it's not that... you're glowing!" Sweetie Belle quivered. Sure enough, the little orange foal had a bright yellow light enveloping around her, surging into her skin, changing her fur and mane to a bright gold.
"Holy Chrysalis!" Scootaloo cursed, before looking at the other three. "Oh my Chrysalis! You three are glowing too!"
"What?" Babs Seed cried, before peering at herself, and sure enough, there was a golden light working it's way up her. She turned to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, and sure enough, they were glowing as well. Babs Seed quivered, as it worked it's way into her eyes, before everything went white and a piercing light took everything over.
…
"Where am I?" Babs Seed muttered, opening her eyes, and looking up, before gaping. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were with her, peering around nervously.
"Ah really don't know what's going on..." Apple Bloom choked, before looking at her three fellow crusaders. "But what ah do know, is that we have to stick together!"
The four of them huddled close, waiting for something to happen. The room they were in was half white, half black. Both sides seemed to go on forever.
"Hello?" Sweetie Belle called.
"There's no need to be afraid, young ones." The voice echoed through the room. All four of them jumped, before looking towards the one responsible for the voice. There stood a bright white alicorn. She was majestic, with a flowing mane of blue, pink and green. She had the Cutie Mark of a sun, which stood regally on her flank. Her eyes were soft, showing she didn't mean any harm. Babs Seed stared at her, before turning to another pony. This one was shorter than the other pony, but she looked just as noble. She was a mysterious, dark blue, and had a flowing mane just like the other pony, but this one was completely blue, with white specks representing stars. As a Cutie Mark, she had a pure white moon, which was curved slightly, and was perplexing. This pony's eyes were calm like the other one's.
"What's going on? Who are you two?" Scootaloo questioned.
Sorrow crossed the two pony's faces.
"I am Celestia, and this is my sister Luna," the white one explained.
"Celestia..? Luna..? You two! I have heard of you two! You used to be princesses!" Babs Seed cried, realisation hitting her.
"Smart foal," Luna dipped her head.
"Why are we here?" Apple Bloom questioned, stepping forward.
The two sisters didn't flinch, but Celestia slowly sighed.
"We have been waiting an eternity for this day. You four are the hope of Equestria."
Luna nodded to Celestia, before turning to the foals. "We have given you a power from that well- a power to grant a wish."
"One wish for each of you," Celestia nodded.
"Oh- so we can grant a wish for ourselves? Cool! I wish to fly-" Scootaloo began, but Luna stopped her.
"There is a catch," the night princess explained, and Scootaloo stopped, nervously looking up, waiting to hear what it was.
"There is a balance between night and day which is called twilight. You must grant the balance your wishes for it to keep the sun to shine and the moon to glow," Celestia explained, before she and her sister began to fade away.
"Wait! What was that supposed to mean?" Babs Seed cried, leaping forwards trying to grasp for the princesses, but they had vanished. Then the room they were in vanished as well, peeling down like wallpaper- shrivelling like a plant. They found themselves back at the well, just in the very places they had been left in.
"Oh," Scootaloo began.
"My," Sweetie Belle continued.
"Equestria," Apple Bloom finished.
Babs Seed shuffled on her hooves, before looking at the water they had drank. "Hey! Now we have a good supply of drinkable water!"