Pinkie stopped growling and looked up at her friends, who were glaring at her. “What? Did I do something wrong?”

Twilight looked at her. “Pinkie, you're not a dog.”

“Bark!”

“Yes, that's great, dear.” Rarity turned to Applejack and Dash, a relieved smile lighting up her face. “And oh my good gracious, you will not believe how worried we've been about you two!”

Fluttershy walked over and whispered, “Um, we're really really glad you're both alright...”

Rainbow Dash's face was a mix of confusion, frustration, and relief. “Hey, wait, how did you even find us?”

“We couldn't find you in Ponyville,” Twilight explained, “so we asked around. We heard a few weird stories – ninjas, and cults, and a train robbery? What in the world were you guys doing?”

Applejack blinked. Then she thought back over the events of the last twenty-four hours. Then she looked at Rainbow Dash.

“Yeah, this might take a while.”

“Oh. Well, you can tell us all about it on the train back to Ponyville!” Twilight said, with a joyful smile.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash, however, were not joyful nor smiling. “Oh,” they said simultaneously, wilting like weathered old flowers.

“Oh, did you think we'd be walking all the way back?" Twilight giggled. “You sillies! No, we'll be taking an overnight train back. We'll all be reunited again!”

“Oh.”

“You guys look kinda *ruff*!” Pinkie barked. “But don't worry, Fluttershy'll give you both makeovers!”

“Oh.”

“Yay,” Fluttershy yay'd.

“Oh.” AJ and Rainbow Dash looked at each other. “Mind if we just have a little chat in private?” They didn't wait for an answer, instead choosing to turn around and walk quickly away.

“Hey, Dash? “ AJ whispered.

“Yeah?” Rainbow said.

“I'm thinkin' that we should have a little...”

“Private time?”

“Yeah. You know, just to share one another's 'excellent company.'”

“Sounds cool to me.”

“Yep. Just wait until we get around this corner aaaaand RUN.”