At an intersection in Ponyville, Twilight was ready to give the bad news.

“Did you hear in the newselectricity?” Twilight said.

“You know what would be great?” Rainbow Dash said.

“What?”

“If you waited for everypony to show up first.”

Twenty minutes later, the other four showed up.

“Did you hear in the newselectricity?”

“What?” the others said.

“Magnalarge want to build a new store—right across from our Big Stopmart!”

“Oh no!” said everyone except Rarity.

“Rarity? Why aren’t you acting surprised with us?” Pinkie Pie said.

“I’m not surprised with your behaviour,” Rarity said.

“What? No, about Magnalarge.”

“Well, I work part-time for them.”

“What?!” everyone said.

“How could you support them?!” Pinkie said. “You seem to be fed just fine at the moment. Not even making my long-lost twin sister appear could make me like you again.” Pinkie sighed and looked towards the sky. “Where are you in the world, Surprise?”

“I am not ‘fed just fine’, I’ve had to beg from Applejack enough times.”

“Well, I think you’re evil. In fact, let’s take a vote. Rainbow Dash!”

“I vote no.”

“No?! Oh, you mean it’s not okay.”

“It is okay.”

“Fine. The vote’s a tie so far, I’m sure good will prevail. Twilight!”

“It’s not bad.”

“Fine. Fluttershy!”

“It’s not bad.”

“What is wrong with you ponies? Applejack?”

“Ah don’ agree with you either.”

“What, is, wrong?!”

“Not that I’d mind if Rarity died,” Twilight said, “But there’s nothing wrong with working for somepony you hate if it’s the only way to live.”

“But she likes them!”

“Let me rephrase that to better express my feelings: somepony I hate.”

“Well, I guess I’ll just have to not buy anything from Magnalarge or Rarity.”

“You weren’t doing that already?”

“I just wish I could do more.”

“Holy crap,” a pony walking by said, “All the world-saviours in one place!”

Twilight took them all to the front room in her treehouse.

“So what Magnalarge do you work at?” Pinkie said. “And how long has this been going on?”

“For a few months, and the one in Nepeta. So you can see how this would be convenient for me.”

“How many other ponies have you put out of work with that decision?”

“One.”

“I see. Hey, Twilight.”

“Yeah?”

“You know we have computers and shit now.”

“Yeah. Sometimes I get nostalgic.”

“It’s just, is that one sentence all you wanted to tell us in physical space?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I guess there’s nothing any of us can do about the damage now.” Silence ensued, and no one knew what to do. “I’m taking Rainbow Dash.”

“I want her,” Twilight said.

“I need her for testing,” Rarity said.

Everyone looked at Rainbow.

“Do I have to be with any of you?”

“I gave an actual rea—” Rarity said.

“Yeah, nopony cares. Look, I wanna be alone, so I’m leavin’.”

“Bu—” said the rest bar Fluttershy.

“I don’t care. You can’t force me to hang out with you.” She went outside and flew away.

“Then I’ll just... um...” Pinkie said. “I don’t know. Be lonely.”

“Yep,” Twilight said.

“Maybe Rarity can give us some tips on dealin’ with loneliness,” Applejack said.

“Yes, very funny. But I do need a pony.”

“I could do it,” Pinkie said.

“Will you act more mature than... last time?”

“I swear on my front legs.”

“Good. I’ll see you at noon.”

“Ah’m goin’ home to be lonely,” Applejack said.

They all left, not counting Twilight. Next Chapter: Chapter 33: It Is Demonstrated Estimated time remaining: 16 Hours, 49 Minutes