Today was the worst day ever! Except for that time...no. This is it. The worst possible thing that could ever happen to our beloved party pony.
Today was the day that Pinkie Pie had to let Gummy go.
Pinkie and her friends were at the banks of Froggy Bottom Bog along with her baby alligator Gummy. Okay so he wasn’t exactly a baby, especially since he was two meters long and weighed nearly half a ton. But he was still Pinkie’s baby, and had been so for nearly a decade. But every baby has to grow up and when you come right down to it, Ponyville is no place for a full grown alligator to spend its life.
As expected, Pinkie was being very difficult with the situation. It had taken Twilight several days of constant persuasion to finally convince her that Gummy just couldn’t stay at the bakery anymore. Even then, Pinkie was still having a hard time accepting the truth. She had her forelegs wrapped around Gummy’s neck, hugging him tightly as she looked up to her friends.
“Do I really have to let him go girls?” Pinkie asked. She had fighting to hold back her tears all day. “I love him! He’s my little Gummy Wummy! I’ve had him since he was an itty bitty little egg!”
Twilight sighed. It was rare seeing Pinkie Pie this upset and it tore her up inside trying to convince her that this had to be done. But she also knew that they she had no other choice. Gummy was still young in terms of alligator years and had a long way to adult hood. It was possible for him to grow over twice his current size. There was no way that Pinkie could keep such a huge pet in Sugarcube Corner. He wouldn’t have enough room. He barely had enough now.
Froggy Bottom Bog was the perfect place to let him loose. He would have plenty of room to swim around in the murky waters and there would also be plenty of fish for him to eat. That was another concern of Twilight’s, his survival. She knew that he would have to learn to adapt to living in the wild, and the sooner he was exposed to it, the better.
Twilight walked up to distraught pony. She was still clinging onto to Gummy,burying her head in his scales and refusing to let go. Twilight sighed.
“Pinkie listen to me. I know Gummy means a great deal to you. But if you really do care for him, then you need to do what’s best for him. He’s not going to make it if he has to live in a constricted bakery his entire life. He’s too big for it.” She gently stroked Pinkie’s mane in an attempt to comfort her as she continued. “I know this is a hard thing to do, but it’s also the best thing.”
At first she didn’t get a response, but then the pink mare slowly nodded her head before pulling away from her beloved pet.
“Your right Twilight. I just...I just wish it didn’t come so quickly.” She wiped the tears out of her eyes. “I can do this. I know I can.”
Twilight gave her friend a warm smile. “I knew you could do it Pinkie. Don’t worry, he’ll be just fine.”
Pinkie nodded in agreement and a small smile crept across her face. “I believe you Twilight.”
Over the next five minutes each pony bid their farewells to Gummy, patting is hard scales and wishing the big lizard the best of luck in his new home.
Pinkie was the last one to say goodbye. She hugged her pet, holding on tightly and stroking his scales tenderly.
“Gummy, I just want you to know that you have been the greatest most super-duper pet I’ve ever had.” She looked him in the eyes which just stared blankly back at her. A small giggle emitted from Pinkie’s lips. “I know you’ve never been a talkative guy, but I know you’ve always been able to understand me.”
Gummy...” She narrowed her eyes assertively. “I want to Pinkie Promise me that you will be careful out there. The world is nothing like Sugarcube Corner boy. You won’t have a warm bed to curl up in every night. You won’t have the Cake’s treats and goodies. And... “ She clenched her eyes shut as her tears threatened to break through. “Y... you won’t have me to take care of you.”
Pinkie couldn’t take it anymore. The flood gates opened and a stream of tears flowed down her face. The others could only watch as she wept. All those years of faith and dedication to her pet, those years of love and devotion; they were among the most cherished moments of the pink pony’s life. Now, they were coming to a close.
After a few minutes Pinkie managed to pull herself together. The fur on her face was soaked and matted. She looked back at Gummy. She knew she had to be strong, for Gummy, and also for herself. She forced a smile on her face.
“But the thing is boy... This is where you belong. Here you’re free to do whatever you want, there is a lot more room for you here than back in Ponyville. I still remember days when I would fill the bathtub up for you so you could swim around. ” She chuckled at the memory. “You use to love those days, and I knew you were upset when you finally grew too big for the tub. But here... “She looked out at the swamp. “You can swim as much as you want, whenever you want and wherever you want. You can sleep where you please, eat when you please,anything. Whatever you want to do, you can do it here.”
Pinkie sniffed. “And you just can’t do that back at home Gummy, because you’re not meant to be my pet forever. The Cake’s have been complaining about you taking up too much room and I knew they would force me to let you go eventually. Plus, your big old tail did break a few of their belongings. I don’t think they were too happy about that.”
She giggled. “But that’s not your fault. It’s my fault. I should have told myself it was time. I... I just never wanted to lose you and I kept telling myself that this day would never come.”
She sighed. “But that’s my fault. I was a misses mc greedy, selfishy pants for trying to keep you for so long. I can’t do that. You’re my pet, and I will do what is right, no matter how hard it hurts.”
It was getting late in the day. The sun was beginning to set, its golden rays peeking through the canopy of the woods, throwing shiny patches of light along the forest floor. The waters of Froggy Bottom Bog reflected them, creating a spectacular picture of glittering sunlight along the water’s surface. Pinkie looked out upon the beautiful scene, the new home of her beloved pet. It was time.
She hugged her one last time around the neck, closing her eyes at the same time. In her mind she remembered the first time she ever saw Gummy, his little scaly green head as it poked out of the egg, the curiosity in its face as it looked around the room, the joy she had felt when she looked at her little friend for the first time. It had been a wonderful several years, but just like every story, it had to come to an end eventually.
She pulled away. “Go on boy. Have fun in your new home, and... please take care of yourself okay?”
She looked him right in the eyes, and for one of the few moments of their lives, Pinkie’s friends saw the emotionless gator nod in response to her now former master. Then without another sound, Gummy turned towards the bog and slowly waddled into the waters head first, disappearing under the murky surface. The only traces of the alligator were the air bubbles that reached the surface of the swamp.
Pinkie sat at the shoreline, staring out at the swamp for several seconds. She sighed and closed her eyes, her head sagging towards the ground like a puppy dog. In a way she was relieved. This was a day she had been dreading for years now and she was happy to finally let him go, to finally take the load off of her chest, to finally see him where he belongs. But deep down she could feel her chest tighten and her heart get torn in half as she looked out into the bog.
Twilight walked up to Pinkie and placed a comforting hoof on her shoulder. “You did the right thing Pinkie. He’ll be happier than ever here.”
Pinkie nodded slowly. “I... I already miss him. It won’t be the same without him around.”
Twilight continued to stroke Pinkie’s shoulder. “I know you do Pinkie.” She stepped in front of her and placed a gentle hoof on her friends chin, raising it up till she was looking at Pinkie straight in the eyes.
“But you’re going to have to move on. Just because Gummy’s gone doesn’t mean things are over for you. You have a whole life ahead of you full of possibilities.” She smiled warmly. “Who knows; maybe someday you will find another pet to keep for yourself. Does that sound like an idea?”
Pinkie sniffed. “I...I guess so. But, what if they’re not like Gummy?” She sighed. “No pet could ever be like Gummy.”
No pet could ever be like Gummy? What type of a pet was Gummy anyways? Twilight contemplated to herself. Everytime she saw the gator she saw a giant green lizard with a blank emotionless expression on its face. What made Gummy so special? Still, she knew better than to argue with Pinkie Pie about the ordeal. She was already distraught today, and asking about what made Gummy special would only make things worse.
“Pinkie, every pet out there is unique in their own way. You may never find another pet like Gummy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find one that loves you just as much as you loved him.” She smiled. “Just have faith Pinkie. Faith, and the courage to push forward. Do you think you can do it?”
Pinkie nodded. “Yes. I think so Twilight.” She sighed. “I’m sorry I dragged you and the others out here today.”
“Twilight shook her head. “Pinkie you have nothing to be sorry about. We have all been through a moment like this and we all know that it’s very painful.” The others nodded in agreement, especially Fluttershy who in her life has let dozens of animals free.
Everypony noticed the sun beginning to set in the distance and Applejack spoke up. “Girls. Ah think we better get back to Ponyville now. I don’t know bout ya’ll, but I don’t want to be out here when it gets dark.” Everypony else nodded in agreement.
Pinkie finally stood up from the shore and walked back to her friends with Twilight. After embracing each of her friends they prepared to head for home. Pinkie took one last look at the bog. At a distance she swore she could see a green head poking out of the water, looking at her. She smiled and waved her hoof at it.
“Goodbye Gummy. I’ll never forget you.”
Be safe.
