The Cutie Map Chronicles

The Land Where a Fortune Once Lived (Part 1)

Rarity was inspecting her newest collection when her flank began to flash brightly.

"Oh!" She exclaimed, examining the vibrating sensation on her rear where her cutie mark is glowing, "The map is calling me. I must hurry back to Ponyville!"

Rarity rushed back and forth in her boutique, looking for essentials to bring on her mysterious mission. As much as she wanted to bring everything she owned, Rarity knew that packing lightly would be crucial when entering an unknown territory.

Her flank flashed brighter, signaling its time for her to go and rush to Twilight's Castle.

"I'll return as soon as I can!" Rarity shouted as she hurried herself out of the backrooms.

"Sequins and bobbins, Rarity," Sassy Saddles, Rarity's manager, sighed, "Go and do not worry. I can handle everything here. Good luck on your mission!"

"Thank you!" Rarity shouted as she exited the boutique. Before she had the chance to slam the door behind her, she quickly rushed back into her shop.

"What is it now?" Sassy sarcastically asked.

Rarity had no more time to spare as her flank began to vibrate, hard. "I need my outfits!" Rarity panted. Sassy rolled her eyes, smiling, and used her magic to quickly grab all of the outfits from Rarity's new collection and packed it into a shopping bag for Rarity to carry.

Sassy shooed one last time, "Hurry off!"

Rarity, finally obtaining everything she needed, even her clothes that were dearly considered her essentials, rushed out of the door and turned around the corner. She was making good time, she thought, when a spark appeared out of nowhere and knocked her down, as if somepony bumped into her.

Twilight held out her hoof to help Rarity up. "Rarity! I'm so sorry. I tried to teleport to you as close as possible. Perhaps that was too close."

Rarity stood up and gathered her belongings with her magic. "It's alright, darling. I was just on my way to the station."

"Perfect! I was thinking I could save some time and teleport you back, so here I am. Let's go. Fluttershy is getting her things packed now."

Before Rarity could say another world, Twilight teleported the both of them right into the throne room where the map was kept.

"Oh Rarity, I'm so glad you're here!" Fluttershy exclaimed. "Twilight helped us pack some essentials." Fluttershy looked over towards Rarity and Twilight, and noticed the bag Rarity is holding with her magic. "Oh, I see you already have some things."

"Yes, only the necessary items of course." Rarity hesitated, "... and some of the outfits from my latest collection."

Rarity used her magic and displayed the outfits above their heads. "I was inspired by Shadow Spade's new adventure. Isn't it dashing?"

"Oh, it's lovely." Fluttershy blushed. "They remind me of your gala dress from our first attendance."

"You're absolutely right. I can't wait to try them out at our mission." Rarity paused. "Speaking of, do you know where we are headed?"

Fluttershy walked over to the giant crystal map in the middle of the throne room. "Yes, it looks like we are going to Vanhoover."

The expansive map of Equestria glimmered in the light. Crystal models of Ponyville, Canterlot, and Cloudsdale all looked stunning with their miniature towns and cities. Fluttershy's and Rarity's cutie marks hovered over Vanhoover, a location Northwest of Equestria almost below where Yakyakistan lived. Vanhoover, a location neither have been to.

"No time like the present." Twilight stated, killing the silence. She looked towards her friends. "Do you two have everything you need?"

"I think so." Rarity said. Fluttershy nodded in agreement.

The two ponies, Rarity and Fluttershy, made their way to the train station, where they boarded the Friendship Express West towards the Crystal Empire. On the train, Rarity changed into one of her new outfits. Channeling her inner Shadow Spade, she elegantly showed off the ivory silk she made from hoof, which she turned into a mini dress accented with gold. Everypony, including Fluttershy, was admiring the way the silk flowed with Rarity's royal purple mane.

"Next stop, Vanhoover!" The conductor announced in the cart the ponies were in.

"Darling, this is us. Do we have everything?" Rarity asked.

Fluttershy nodded and grabbed her bags with her mouth.

Right as the train halted to a stop, Fluttershy and Rarity walked over to the exit and made their way off and out of the train station. When they arrived at the edge of the city, they admired the view. Fluttershy noticed the Smokey Mountains in the distance, and recalled her previous mission with Twilight. The sight must be magnificent after all the improvements the residents made thanks to Fluttershy's and Twilight's help. She wished she could visit them along with the woodland creatures she made friends with there. Just as she was thinking about the creatures, something moved in her bag. Rarity let out a quick scream and brought over a fainting couch to faint on. Fluttershy got startled, but noticed two familiar ears poking out of her bag.

"Angel?" Fluttershy carefully questioned as she opened her bag. A little white bunny hopped out onto the ground and looked towards the city. "Angel! What are you doing here? We're on a mission, this is no place for a bunny!"

Angel sniffed at Fluttershy. He made hand gestures and grunted noises at her. Rarity, previously fainted on her couch but is now standing fine, walked over to Angel and crouched down. "How did you get in there?" She asked.

"What do you mean you wanted to come along for the ride?" Angel continued to wave hand gestures as Fluttershy questioned, "You want to help out but knew I'd say no if you asked? Well of course I would've said no. You're a bunny!" Fluttershy was getting frustrated at her pet, and almost considered turning back towards Ponyville when Rarity said, "he may be small, but if he wants to help how could we refuse?"

Angel smiled. He was satisfied with Rarity's approval and Fluttershy's reluctant approval, and hopped into Fluttershy's bag. "I guess some help might be useful. Just be careful, okay?" Fluttershy warned, " We don't know what we're getting into." Angel grabbed a small carrot he snuck in and slowly munched on it as Fluttershy and Rarity walked into the city.

As they were touring the silent city of Vanhoover, Fluttershy noticed a pole in the city with signs stapled on it: Warning: Keep an eye on your fillies. 4 young ones are missing. Help! If you see anything, notify VPD immediately.

Next to the pole was the Vanhoover Police Department--coincidentally--and so the ponies decided to step into the building to look for answers about the missing fillies poster. Perhaps that's why the map brought them there.