‘Jeez, I didn’t think that would work.’

Rainbow Dash, recently ‘escaping’ from Applejack and Rarity, was confused at how she’d convinced Applejack, of all ponies, to let her go. And better, she’d said loyal to Lunar. I guess she was the element of loyalty for a reason. A thin smile expanded into a smug look of self-satisfaction as her ego inflated.

‘Perhaps I should be the element of persuasion too.’ She chuckled to herself. As arrogant as she was she knew that it was long shot. She went on her way to find what she needed most. She turned the corner into the always busy Ponyville market, although it was especially busy today, for tomorrow would be Hearts and Hooves day. Some ponies though about it more than others. Rainbow however just thought it was another attempt by the world to slow her down.

She always went out with friends on Hearts and Hooves day, to place away from the lovey-dovey sentiments that would be shared between special some ponies. It was also five years from the day that she had met one of her friends in particular.

Fluttershy. The yellow pegasus was always caught up in her home, knowing that lovers would be crowding out the markets and restaurants. And as always, she did her best to stay away, much like Rainbow herself. That’s why they always spent it together. It was why today Rainbow kept rethinking what she would have to do with Lunar tonight so she could leave him alone tomorrow. It was why Rainbow, however smug she was from her previous victory, looked so concerned.

She walked through the door to sugar cube corner and saw a familiar pink mare manning the counter, smiling at her and pushing a few cupcakes forward.

‘Hiya, Pinkie.’ Rainbow smiled; Pinkie wasn’t usually the cashier for the business, but with all the cakes and sweets that would probably be asked for tomorrow, she could understand why, ‘Can I get some cupcakes? ’ She looked at the Pinkie mare who was gesturing to the cupcake that had sat next to her. Two of them were among Dash’s favourite cupcakes; the Rainbow Spectrum, invented by Pinkie for Dash’s birthday, and the Rareté, made by Pinkie when Rarity herself came around to help bake with her. She wondered how in Equestria Pinkie could have known that she’d be here…

‘Here you go, Rainbow. Enjoy it.’ Pinkie winked, leaving a stunned and confused expression on the face of Rainbow. She wanted to ask how the hay she knew she was coming over, but like Twilight, she had realised not to question her actions and let Pinkie Pie be Pinkie Pie. She nodded her head in thanks, hooved over her seven bits for payment and left. What she didn’t realise was that Applejack and Rarity were sitting at a nearby table, nonchalant and waiting to follow her.

‘Come on AJ. She’s on the move.’ Rarity whispered, nudging her friend who was making a face of disgust, and finishing her Rareté cupcake.

‘Ugh, Pinkie sure knows how to make ‘em sweet.’ Applejack looked up from her own Rareté cupcake. It was very sweet and fairly expensive at five bits. Although Rarity and Applejack got super-duper-best-friend-forever discounts of 50% or more, something Pinkie thought should be 100%. Applejack pushed her cupcake away and stood up. She headed for the door with Rarity close behind her.

.....     .....     .....     .....     .....

‘Hey, Rainbow Dash.’ Twilight shouted from across the street. Rainbow looked over to see her friend and smiled. It wasn’t until she was halfway across that she realised why she sounded confused.

‘Where were you this morning? Fluttershy and I were waiting at her cottage like we agreed but you didn’t turn up…’ Twilight asked, concerned that her friend wasn’t paying attention, ‘Are you listening to me?’

‘Yeah, yeah, Twilight. I got tied up with something,’ Tied up. Heh. Good pun. I’ll have to use it if I see AJ or Rarity again. ‘I wanted to ask if you’ve got any books that might help with a problem I’ve got. It’s kind of personal.’

‘Oh… Oh! Ummm… I guess I have books on that. Didn’t you learn about it at School or something?’ Twilight slurred, making the wrong conclusion at Rainbow Dash immediately realised.

‘No! No! Not that type of problem. Pinkie just wanted to know what type of foods Canines can eat, so she can make a something for Winona’s birthday.’ Rainbow lied, avoiding an awkward conversation. Really, she wanted to know what Lunar could eat whilst she was with Fluttershy tomorrow. She was still concerned whether or not to tell Fluttershy about her ‘problem’. She’d have to remember to ask Lunar about it.

‘Oh. Don’t worry. They can eat nearly anything except cocoa and dairy.’ Twilight blushed. I really must stop jumping to the wrong conclusions. It’s starting to make some ponies uncomfortable. ‘Tell Pinkie that and she’ll be fine. Okay?’

‘Thanks Twilight.’ Rainbow Dash smiled. She’d escaped too much conversation and had a reasonable excuse for asking her. She walked off, leaving Twilight behind her so they could continue on their ways. That was until Rarity appeared to talk to Twilight, with Applejack just behind.

‘Hello, Darling. Have you seen either Scootaloo or Rainbow Dash?' Rarity asked, calmly and with a soft friendly smile. She knew Twilight couldn't resist answering a question, even if it was about something she couldn't study. She even got annoyed when she couldn’t answer it. It was typical Twilight.

‘Yeah, you just missed Rainbow. She went off towards Sweet Apple Acres. Strange, she was asking about food for Winona’s party, but didn’t Pinkie throw him a party a month or two ago?’ Twilight questioned, looking at Applejack for reassurance.

‘Yep, so ah don’t think that foods gonna be for Winona. But it could be for another dog…’ Applejack chuckled, but received no reply from either Twilight or Rarity. Rarity just sighed and Twilight tilted her head in confusion. She looked specifically at Rarity for a reply.

‘He’s a canine. But I know what you mean.’ She sighed, wanting to correct her friend’s mistake. Twilight just looked at them and backed off a step or two. Her jaw moved up and down but no sound came out for a while. She took a breath and collected her thoughts.

'What the hay is going on here?' Twilight screamed, feeling as though she had been left out of some big group discussion, 'What other dogs in Ponyville are there? I don't even think Fluttershy has a canine pet at the moment...so again, who the hay are we talking about?!'

Both Rarity and Applejack took quick look at the frantic lavender unicorn and looked at each other. The white unicorn sighed. She looked to her lavender friend, a smile upon her face.

'It's Lunar. Rainbow Dash found him.’

.....     .....     .....     .....     .....

'Have you seen Scootaloo, girls?'

'Ah think she went that way-'

'-she said she was looking for a friend.'

Rainbow Dash sighed. Of course, where else would she be? She turned around, leaving the two school fillies in her dust at the entrance to Sweet Apple Acres. They were honestly wondering if it was just them that didn't run off after a conversation.

She dashed off through the gate and past the barn. It was almost a blue blur that was flashing past when an apple hit her square in the head, knocking her into the ground after losing control of her flight. She was dazed, confused and had a slight cut below her eye, from where she had face planted into the muddy floor. She turned to look back at what had hit her and standing there was only a large red stallion, left almost speechless by the spectacular crash that he had just seen.

'Umm. Hi Big Mac' she groaned, holding her head, 'Applejack's not her is she?'

'Nnnope.'

'Have you seen Rarity at all?'

'Nnnope.'

'Okay then. Bye.'

She dashed off once again, leaving another pony confused in her wake. She hadn't wanted this to be so difficult and for so many ponies to have seen her. No pony should have known where she was going. All she had to do was find Scootaloo and Lunar and then she could plan what would happen next, but after all her effort, she had succeeded in finding either the orange filly or orange fox. This really was not shaping up to be a very good day.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Originally going to be longer. Will make sure this isn't the case with the next few.