He wasn't supposed to be dangerous. That was the good thing about him having no teeth. If he bit down on a pony's leg here and there, they wouldn't have to worry about owwies from all those sharp, pointy teeth, because there were no sharp, pointy teeth to cause any owwies. That made sense, right? Nopony liked getting bitten because teeth hurt. Especially sharp teeth like alligators usually had. But Gummy didn't have any of those. So why was there a problem?
Twilight tried explaining something to her about pressure per square inch or something. It didn't make any sense. Gummy's mouth wasn't square-shaped. It was...well, mouth-shaped. And it was certainly bigger than an inch, so that was right out. Even though what Twilight said made no sense, though, Pinkie couldn't argue the fact that ever since Gummy had gotten bigger, things were tougher at home. He didn't fit in his old bed anymore. It was harder to keep him in one place. The Cakes definitely didn't like it when he ate large amounts of their stock, and they really definitely didn't like it when he bit one of the legs off of the dinner table. It was a hard decision for them to make, but in the end, it was what had to be done. Even Pinkie knew they were right, as much as she wanted them to be wrong.
The twins had asked to go with her. The Cakes were reluctant, but consented. Gummy was always good with them. It had been a long walk to Froggy Bottom Bog for the three ponies and the alligator, and despite the attempts to be cheerful by talking about their favorite memories of Gummy, it was a somber one. The twins had no idea if Gummy even knew what was going on. His stare was as blank as ever as they traveled. Pinkie, on the other hoof, could tell exactly how he felt. She didn't let Pound and Pumpkin know, though. It would just make them sadder, and she didn't like making ponies sad.
The ponies and alligator finally arrived at the bog, after what felt like an eternity of walking. Pinkie sat down on a nearby log, exhausted both physically and mentally. The twins asked her if they could play with Gummy one last time, and she nodded quietly. She watched from her resting point as the two young ponies began to roll around with her little buddy, who wasn't quite so little anymore. Watching him in that moment, nopony would have even thought of using the word "dangerous" to describe him. The way he rolled around in the mud, being gentle with the two smaller ponies as they wrestled with him...dangerous was the last word she could have used to describe him as she watched. In her heart, though, she knew that the Cakes and Twilight were right when they said that it wasn't safe for him to stay around. Part of her wanted to just get it over with. Doing it quickly would lessen the pain some. As she watched Pound and Pumpkin play with him, though, she couldn't just make them stop. She sat back and let them play a bit longer, mentally preparing herself for the moment she'd been dreading all day.
After a good ten minutes, the pink pony finally stood, stepping towards the group. Pound and Pumpkin looked up at her, then hugged her front legs, starting to tear up. She gave them each a little nuzzle and whispered that everything would be okay. They sniffled and nodded, then sat on either side of her. Pinkie sat down as well, gesturing for Gummy to come closer. He did so, staring at Pinkie with the blank expression she'd come to know so well over the years.
"The Cakes and Twilight say this is for the best, Gummy," Pinkie said quietly, her serene smile defying her current mindset. "They say that Ponyville is no place for a grown alligator."
Gummy stared at her. He blinked, one eye at a time.
"I know, Gummy," Pinkie responded. "It doesn't sound like it makes sense when you first hear it. And the Cakes and Twilight can probably explain it better than I can. They are smarter and stuff, after all."
Gummy continued to stare, tilting his head.
"Thanks, Gummy," Pinkie said, her smile cracking slightly. "I know I'm smart too. But it's nice to hear it once in a while."
Gummy blinked again, raising his tail into the air.
"I'll miss you, Gummy," Pinkie said. "We'll all miss you. I'll try to come and visit when I can, alright? Maybe we'll see each other again sometime."
Gummy tilted his head in the other direction.
"I love you, Gummy," Pinkie said softly. "And I always will." She put one front hoof out towards the alligator. There was a moment of stillness, before Gummy leaned forward and gently bit her hoof.
"You always know just what to say," Pinkie said, her voice cracking. She waited for him to let go, then stood up, the twins sticking close by her sides. She and Gummy stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, the alligator turned around. He took a step into the bog, his step making a dull splashing noise. He took a couple of steps forward, until he was about halfway in the bog. Then he turned his head back, looking at the three ponies. Pinkie bit her lip, forcing a betraying smile across her face, and nodded to him, giving a little wave. Gummy blinked one more time, then turned back. He stepped the rest of the way into the bog, then began to paddle. He drifted further into the bog, his tail swaying back and forth as if to give one final wave. After about 30 seconds, he was out of sight.
The twins were used to a happy, bouncing Pinkie Pie. They hadn't seen her cry since they were infants. They hugged her tightly as she laid down in the mud and sobbed quietly.
"He'll be okay, Pinkie," Pound offered.
"He'll meet a whole bunch of alligators and make lots of friends," Pumpkin added.
Pinkie sniffled and hugged the both of them close. She didn't answer them, but they didn't need an answer.
