The night was still young as Twilight Sparkle, who had just recently been crowned Princess, sat in front of her dresser in her modest, tree home. Outside, the sun had just begun to set, leaving a purple and orange tint over the horizon as the stars began to sparkle in the soft darkness overhead.
The lavender alicorn hummed happily as she straightened her mane. On the counter beside her, sat, among other things, an open letter, which bore a seal upon its face. The letter’s handwriting was elegant, and amusingly large, showing the enthusiasm with which it was written.
It was an invitation from Mayor Mare to join the town's annual Spring Ball. Her presence, the letter concluded, was graciously requested.
Twilight put some of the final touches on her face, adding some mascara for an added flair and topping it off with luxury brand of lilac perfume which Rarity had given her.
“There,” Twilight said, eying herself in the mirror. “Not the best in the world, but it will do.”
Twilight, despite being a rather modest pony, had always harbored a secret love of parties. It was the nature of the events – the ability to cut loose and be free from all restraint – that appealed most to the young prodigy.
This desire, however, though perfectly reasonable to most standards, conflicted with another part of Twilight's personality – which was her undying devotion to duty.
When she was young, her parents had often reminded her, whenever the matter arose in conversation, that proper fillies were not to be seen participating in such base debaucheries. Those were strictly for commoners, she had been told, and not for somepony of her station.
Twilight, never the one to upset her parents, had therefore always restrained herself from such indecencies. It was not until she had moved out that she had been given a free-choice in the matter, but by then, the years of stifling repression had taken their effect on the young filly.
Even in the presence of her tutor, Princess Celestia, Twilight felt no more at ease than she had with her parents. At royal banquets and celebrations, she often found herself a stranger in a sea of familiar faces– unable to join them in the same spirit of enjoyment.
Over the years, though, she had gradually found her.
It first began at the behest of her peers at the magical academy who forced her to attend social gatherings. There she would mingle and make idle-talk, getting to know other ponies, but never quite letting herself go completely. It had not been until she had moved to Ponyville that she truly had come out of her shell, thanks in no small part, to the friends she had made there, who had taught her to be more open with herself.
Now she was on her own, though, and she could truly finally do what she always wished to.
And what better event to do this than at the Spring Ball? This event was supposed to be the liveliest of the year. It promised to be a night of wild escapades and adventures, and Twilight had no intention of missing out on it.
Rising from her dresser, Twilight slid on her nightgown, which discreetly hid her wings from sight.
“There,” Twilight said, looking herself over in the mirror. “Now I look like any other pony.”
She reexamined herself, to see if anything was out of order. When she was suitably happy with herself, she made her way to the door.
“Spike!” she called out as she trotted down the stairs.
The baby dragon, who sat idly reading a book in the parlor, sprang to his feet. “Yes?”
He startled a moment as the Princess descended the steps. “Whoa, Twilight! You look awesome!”
“Do you like it?” Twilight asked, curtseying.
“Love it,” Spike replied.
“Good,” Twilight said. “Now Spike, I'm going to be gone all night and won't be home until morning. I expect you to go to wash up and go to bed early, is that understood?”
“Oh, absolutely,” Spike said, with more than a hint of facetiousness in his voice.
“If there's an emergency, go and fetch Applejack. I'll know she'll be at home. But I don't think that should be necessary. Just do what you normally do, alright?”
“Got it,” Spike said, nodding.
“Good.”
There was a knock at the door.
“Who could that be?” Spike asked.
"Oh, it's Pinkie," Twilight replied, smiling.
"Pinkie?"
"Yeah, I invited here to come with me tonight."
"Why did you do that?" Spike asked.
"Well, she is the party pony, isn't she?"
Twilight opened the door, to be greeted by her familiar voice.
“Hiya Twilight!”
In the dim of the evening, Twilight could make out her attire; which was suitably Pinkie. She was dressed from head to hoof in a jester’s motley, with an ornate, feathered mask to boot.
“Hello, Pinkie,” Twilight greeted her warmly. “Won't you come in?”
“Don't mind if I do!” she exclaimed, bouncing inside. “You ready for the party tonight?”
Twilight chuckled nervously. “Hopefully...”
“Aww, don't be nervous Twi,” the pink pony reassured her. “We're gonna have a great time tonight! Just you and me. It's gonna be a blast! We'll eat cake, and play games, and dance, and...”
"Yes, I'm sure we'll have a blast," Twilight chuckled.
It was no accident that she had chosen the hyperactive pink pony as her companion for the evening. It was deliberate. She decided that, if at any time during the night, her tenacious spirit began to wavier, she could always fall back on Pinkie, who, being a natural party animal, could cover for her.
It was also a matter of reassurance. As long as she did as Pinkie did, she would keep herself from falling back into her old, anti-social habits. At least, this is what she hoped.
“Then what are we waiting for?” Pinkie asked excitedly. “Let's go!”
“Okay, one second,” she said, “I was just telling Spike what to do.”
She turned back to the baby dragon, who stood leaning against the wall. “You got all that, Spike?”
“Yeah, yeah, don't run with scissors; don't play with matches, and anything else that's fun. Got it. Now you go off and have a good time,” he said, waving.
“Are you sure you don't need anything?” she asked, willing to entertain any last-minute question he might conceive.
“Nope, I think I got it,” Spike said.
“Alright then...”
“Hurry up, Twilight! Let's go!” Pinkie said, practically tugging on her seams.
“Slow down, Pinkie,” she said, reassuringly. “We've got all night. No rush.”
“A whole night of partying! I'm so excited!” the pink pony exclaimed.
“I can tell,” Twilight said, giggling.
“Alright, we're off then Spike. Remember what I said about staying up late!”
The two of them exited through the front door, leaving Spike all alone in the library.
“Thank Celestia,” he said, lying on the couch. “I thought they'd never leave. Now I have the whole evening to myself...but what to do?”
~
Outside, the brisk evening breeze brushed through Twilight's hair, sending a shiver down her spine. She jumped slightly as they made their way down the dirt street to the center of town, where the Ball was to be held.
“So, whatcha wanna do first, Twi?” Pinkie asked her.
“I don't know,” Twilight said, shrugging. “What do you want to do?”
“I was thinking bobbing for apples! Or maybe getting some cotton-candy!”
Twilight turned away slightly. “That sounds nice.”
“What's wrong, Twi?” Pinkie asked. “Something got you down?”
“Well,” Twilight said, “I really don't know what to do at a party, to be completely honest.”
“You have fun, silly!” Pinkie said, bouncing ahead.
Twilight rolled her eyes. “That's a given – but how?”
“What a silly question to ask!” Pinkie said, snorting as she laughed. “The same as you do anything else, Twi!”
Pinkie bounced ahead, but when she turned back and saw that Twilight was in earnest, she paused.
“You're serious? Aren't you?” Pinkie asked, in a deflated sense of realization.
Twilight blushed as she pawed the ground with her hoofs. “I was sorta hoping you'd show me...”
“Well, gee Twi, I'm sorry. I guess I never knew. You seemed pretty loose at your birthday party...”
Twilight waved her hoof. “It was all for show. Besides, that was with you and all our friends. I can't party around strangers...”
Pinkie smiled. “Sure you can! It's easy! All you gotta do is...well, here, let me show you.”
Pinkie grabbed Twilight by the hoof and began to drag her down the street, the bells on her motley hat as she went.
“Pinkie, where are we going?” Twilight asked reluctantly.
“To the party, of course!” Pinkie exclaimed.
“But the center of town is that way!”
“Oh, it's a different sort of party, Twilight. I'm going to help you build up your courage, Pinkie Pie style!”
“Help me...what?” Twilight asked.
“Don't worry your pretty little head, Twi. Just trust me. Do you trust me?”
Twilight hesitated. “Yes...I trust you.”
“Great!” Pinkie Pie said, bouncing into the air. “Don't worry Twilight! We're gonna have so much fun! I promise!”
“If you say so...”
They wound through a maze of back-alleys and dark city streets, navigating by the light of the gas-lamps which illuminated the way. Further and further they went, until they came a part of Ponyville that Twilight wasn't familiar with.
In front of them, at an intersection of many roads, was a small square where there was a great gathering of musicians and other revelling ponies, dancing and singing to the sound of fiddles and drums.
“Pinkie, what is this?” Twilight asked, trying to see over the heads of the spectators.
“You'll see,” Pinkie replied.
They brushed their way through crowd, until they reached the other end of the square, where there was a crowded pub.
“Alright,” Pinkie said, trotting to the entrance. “Let's go inside.”
“Pinkie...drinking?” Twilight asked, a little despondent.
“Come on, Twi, I thought you said you wanted to party?”
“I don't know about this,” Twilight said, looking over the outside of the tavern.
“Pssh,” Pinkie said, waving it off. “You worry too much. What's the worst that could happen?”
Twilight pondered over those words. She had often heard stories of intoxicated ponies going on drunken rampages and committing all sorts of public indecencies. Twilight secretly feared what effect the potent power of alcohol might have on her, which is why she had be hesitant to try it, even when she had come of age.
“Well? You coming?” Pinkie asked.
Twilight sighed. Do as Pinkie Pie does, she thought to herself, and climbed up the stairs after Pinkie.
“Attamare, Twilight!” the pink pony said patting her on the back.
They both walked into the establishment together, one right behind the other. Inside, it was a sordid scene; thick clouds of smoke hung in the air, obscuring the room, which was filled with an assortment of regulars and new-comers, alike.
The two approached the bar, where a gruff looking pony with a scar across his cheek stood wiping a glass.
“Whataya have?” he asked indifferently.
“Two hard ciders,” Pinkie said. “For my friend and I.”
“Coming right up,” he replied, and turned to retrieve the mugs from the counter.
“Hard cider?” Twilight asked.
“Like regular cider, Twi,” Pinkie said, “Only...you know...”
“Ah, okay. Does it taste different?”
“A little,” Pinkie smiled.
The barkeep turned around with two mugs filled to the brim with cider.
“Two hard ciders, that'll be eight bits.”
Pinkie tossed eight gold coins on the counter.
“There you are, my good colt.”
The barkeep's eyes suddenly sparkled when he saw the money cast before him.
“Thank you very much,” he said, gathering them up. “Enjoy your drinks.”
“Well,” Pinkie said, turning to Twilight. “A toast.”
Pinkie held her mug high as Twilight gazed into the fizzing liquid.
“To what?” Twilight asked.
“To friendship!” Pinkie exclaimed.
“To friendship.”
They knocked their mugs together and drank.
Twilight felt a warmth rise up inside as she downed the sweet liquid. In the pit of her stomach, a strong, bubbling sensation, radiated like a smoldering fire, and heated every inch of her body. All at once, she began to feel herself unwind she sat the bar.
Pinkie finished drinking her cup and slammed it on the counter.
“Now that's some good cider,” Pinkie said. “How you feel Twi?”
“Strange...” Twilight said. “But oddly...good.”
“That's natural,” Pinkie Pie said. “Barkeep, another round!”
“Coming right up!”
The gruff pony refilled the mugs and laid them before the two compatriots.
“Drink up!” Pinkie said.
Twilight didn't argue this time. She pressed the edge to her lips and drank, letting the cider go down easy.
As she finished of the glass, the lavender alicorn began to feel a sense of euphoria. All her cares suddenly drifted away and she felt confident and cheery.
“Boy, this really is some strong!” she said, finishing it off.
Pinkie laughed.
“That strong? Please, Twi, that ain't nothing.”
“Oh?” Twilight asked.
“Yeah,” Pinkie said, “I've had much harder stuff.”
Twilight felt adventurous.
“May I try one?”
“Oh, no, no, no,” Pinkie said, waving her hoof. “Those proofs would knock you down. I don't think you'd like them, Twi.”
Twilight didn't hesitate.
“Let me try one – just one.”
Pinkie shook her head.
“I know I'm gonna regret this...” she said, turning to the counter. “Barkeep, a shot of scotch for my friend.”
“Single or double?” the barkeep asked.
“Single.”
He went to work and deposited the glass in front of Twilight.
“Wow,” Twilight said, picking it up. “You really know this, don't you?”
“Eh, I get around,” Pinkie said, shrugging. “Now careful with that Twilight – it's got a kick to it.”
“No guts, not glory,” Twilight remarked, and downed the entire shot in one go. She placed the glass down and licked her lips, leaving a stunned Pinkie Pie gawking.
“Holy cow!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Does that not bother you?”
Twilight didn't reply, but her cheeks suddenly turned crimson red.
"Hot, hot, hot, HOT, HOT, HOT!" Twilight screamed as she desperately looked around for releif.
"Bartender," Pinkie casually said, "A water, please."
The bartender gave the water to Twilight who downed it eagerly.
Pinkie chuckled.
“I like this side of you, Twi. Are you sure you've never partied before?”
“Pretty sure,” Twilight hoarsely replied.
“Well, I like it,” Pinkie smiled. “You should hang out with me more, Twi. We could have loads of fun.”
“I might do it,” Twilight said, smiling slightly. “You know, Pinkie, I misjudged you...”
“Oh?” Pinkie asked with a smack of curiosity. “Why's that?”
“You're not at all like I thought you were,” Twilight said. “You really know how to have a good time.”
“Well, I'm the party pony, after all,” Pinkie said smiling.
“Barkeep!” Twilight said, leaning on her friend. “Another round of drinks for us over here.”
“I think you might want to go easy on the drinks, Twilight. Take the party a little at a time, ya know?”
“Eh, what's the worst that could happen?” Twilight asked, echoing Pinkie's remark from earlier.
“Well, I guess you're right,” Pinkie said. “But how about something lighter?”
“Suits me,” Twilight said.
“What'll it be?” the barkeep asked.
“Two sherries,” Pinkie Pie replied.
Two stout glasses filled with a yellowish liquid were placed in front of the friends.
“Promise me though this will be your last drink, okay, Twi? I don't want you overdoing it.”
“No promises,” Twilight said, sipping on the rim.
After a few minutes, the lavender alicorn had finished off her drink, while Pinkie's glass was still half-full.
“Geez, Twi, you sure are going hard,” Pinkie said, impressed by her friend's tenacity. “You feel alright?”
“Never better,” Twilight slurred. “Just peachy.”
“Well, that's good. You feel like really partying now?”
Twilight sniggered. “Party? Heh, you know it.”
She leaned against Pinkie, resting her hoof on her shoulder.
“You know something, Pinkie? You're my best friend...”
Pinikie giggled.
“What are about all our other friends?”
“I like them too but...you're my favorite.”
“Come on now, Twi,” Pinkie said. “I think that's the drinks talking.”
“No, no,” Twilight said, swaying slightly. “I mean it. I like you more than any pony, I really do. I just...never had the courage to say it to you.”
Pinkie blushed.
“Well, gee, thanks Twi. I've always liked you, too.”
“Hey, Pinkie, you like to sing right?” Twilight said, grinning.
“Yeah,” Pinkie replied. “I love to sing! Why?”
“Why don't you sing a song? Won't that be nice? Come on, sing a song, for me.”
Pinkie looked around the tavern, which was still filled with some rather tough looking figures standing around.
“I don't know, Twi. I don't think some ponies would appreciate a song.”
“Eh, don't mind em',” Twilight assured her. “You have such a pretty voice. Go on. Sing.”
Pinkie sighed.
“Only for you, Twilight...”
Pinkie cleared her throat and, in a low, but clear voice, began to sing:
“The warmth of the summer is fading away,
The leaves of the autumn are blown in the sway,
The bite of winter won't tarry I pray,
But the spring-time, I long, to stay.”
A silence came over the tavern. The patrons hushed their conversations as the pink pony continued her verse; her clear, dulcet voice, modestly soft, floating melodiously through the air.
“The birds in the tree-tops are singing today,
Their blithe song is joyous and gay!
The young of the nest are hoping to play
The spring-time, I long to stay!”
Pinkie was beginning to start another verse until a voice in the back cried: “Hey, someone tell that clown to shut up!”
Pinkie stopped, and the whole assembly gasped as Twilight arose from her seat.
“Who said that!?” Twilight yelled.
“Please, Twi,” Pinkie said, trying to stop her. “Ignore it.”
Twilight paid no heed to her.
“Which one of you said that?”
A light gray colt in the back stood up.
“I did! I told your friend to shut up! I’m trying to enjoy a drink and I can't over her crap singing!”
“You don't talk to my friends that way!” Twilight roared.
“And what are you going to do about?” the colt said, stepping forward.
“You and me buddy! Right here, right now!” Twilight said, getting up.
“Twilight, please...” Pinkie pleaded. “You don't have to do this.”
“Bring it on!” the colt replied, motioning, as if tempting her to attack him.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” the bartender said, moving between them. “No fighting in my bar. If you have a dispute, you settle it outside.”
The gray colt didn't take any heed, and proceeded to push the barkeep off to one side with a forceful swing of his hoof. All of a sudden, the entire bar erupted into violence as others tried to intervene to stop the assault, only to be pummeled by other on-lookers waiting in the sides, ready to start trouble. Individual hoof-fights between ponies evolved into bouts of unmitigated fighting as patrons swung here and there, trying to attack perceived foes in the fray, only to hit other, uninvolved individuals, who in turn, also joined in, out of self-defense.
In this chaos, Twilight staggered about, pushing ponies aside as she cleared a route for her and Pinkie's escape. When at last the exit lay open, she took Pinkie by the hoof, and pulled her as she led the way.
“Come on,” she said, “Let's get out of here.”
Pinkie didn't have to be asked twice. With uncanny speed the two hurried out of the tavern into the cool night air, happy to have escaped the fray.
Pinkie Pie breathed a sigh of relief. “That was close...What were you thinking, Twilight!?”
Twilight staggered slightly.
“He didn't have a right, ” Twilight said. “Nopony talks to you that way.”
“You didn't have to start a fight on my behalf...”
“I wasn't starting a fight. He was! We're friends Pinkie, and I would never let anypony hurt you. Ever. You mean the world to me.”
Pinkie Pie looked down, as if contemplating. Then, in a low and serious voice, she asked: “What are you thinking, Twi?”
“I think I'm gonna be sick...” Twilight replied, bending her head to the ground.
“Ugh, me and my bright idea,” Pinkie murmured under her breath. “Here, Twi,” she said, taking her by her fore-hoof. “Let me take you home.”
“Home?” Twilight asked, as if just awaking from a dream. “But Spike...I told him...”
“I know, I remember,” Pinkie replied. “But I think your party is done for tonight.”
“No,” Twilight groaned. “It's just begun...”
At that moment, the alicorn Princess leaned over and wretched all in the street.
“Yeah...let's get you on home,” Pinkie said, producing a hoofkerchief.
Twilight moaned as she took it from her and wiped her mouth.
“Yes,” Twilight said, not resisting as Pinkie wrapped her hoof around her. “Yes, I'll go. Ugh...I just...I just thought I'd last longer...”
“It's okay, Twi,” Pinkie reassured her. “This was your first time partying, after all. You did good.”
“You think so?” Twilight mumbled.
“I know so,” Pinkie replied, beginning to amble down the street, supporting Twilight. “Shoot, the first time I drank, I was leaning over the toilet for hours the next morning. Not fun.”
Twilight groaned.
“I wish I could cut loose like you,” she said. “You make it look so easy.”
Pinkie looked down. “It's not always easy to let go, Twi,” she whispered. “Sometimes means giving up a part of yourself...”
“Huh? What do you mean?” Twilight asked.
Before Pinkie could reply, they heard yell behind them.
The two friends turned to see a darkened figure approaching them.
“And where do you think you two are going?”
As the figure moved closer, his features became clearer – it was the light gray colt from the bar.
“Think you can just run away like that? Start all that and just walk away?” he asked. “Stand and fight!”
“Please, sir,” Pinkie pleaded, “My friend had too much to drink. I'm taking her home.”
“Oh no, I just lost my tooth because of you – you owe me!”
Pinkie tried to continue, but was cut off by Twilight.
“If you've lost anything, it's because of you're a twit who can't enjoy good singing. Now why don't you scurry along, I think your mother's calling.”
“Twilight, please, stop. You're going to make him angry.”
“He can go buck himself, for all I care.”
The gray colt was now red with rage.
“Come on!” he yelled. “Right here, right now!”
Twilight turned to face him as Pinkie stood by her side.
“Please Twi,” she said, “Just let it go. He’s not worth it.”
“Are you scared, or what?” the colt goaded. “Not pony enough to face me?”
“Don’t listen to him,” Pinkie whispered. “He wants you to fight. Just ignore him.”
Twilight made no response. At last, though, she turned towards him, and stared straight into his eyes. With a dead seriousness, she stood, unmoving, until several moments had passed.
“No,” she said sharply. “My friend is right…you’re not worth it.”
Without another word, Twilight turned back to Pinkie, and began to walk away.
A moment passed before a cry of wrath and indignation erupted from the gray colt. In a fury, he raced across the street, just as Pinkie was turning back to look
“Twilight, look out!”
There was a sudden flash, a blur, and a crack, and the colt went toppling to the ground. Twilight, with keen precision, managed to deliver a blow to his face, which sent the colt reeling to the ground. Without hesitating, she fell upon him, pulling back his forehoof, causing him to shout in pain.
“Please, please,” he begged. “I give, I give.”
“You give what?” Twilight asked, pressing her own hoof into his shoulders.
“I give up!” he cried, squealing in pain. “I'm sorry, please, don't hurt me.”
“I think you owe my friend here an apology,” Twilight said, pulling his mane so he was looking up at Pinkie. “Apologize!”
“I'm sorry, sorry, please, stop,” he yelled.
“Sorry for what?” Twilight growled.
“I'm sorry I called your singing bad. Now please let me go.”
“There, now was that so bad?”
Twilight hauled him to his hoofs and released him, just as she was kicking him in the rear.
“Now, run on home!” Twilight yelled. “The nerve of some...”
Before Twilight had a chance to continue, she was knocked to the ground.
In the a vengeful fury, the colt unleashed himself upon the lavender alicorn. The blows descended in a whirlwind, one right after another. The sting of the colt's hoofs and the fowl obscenities that spewed from his mouth cut like a thousand knives into Twilight; who could do nothing to resist it. It was like drowning, and the only thing she could do is scream.
Out of the corner of her eye, Twilight could see as Pinkie tried to stop her attacker by pulling his arm, yelling: "“For Celestia’s sake! Stop! Please, stop!” The colt responded by slapping Pinkie across her face, sending her reeling to the ground as he continued his onslaught
When Twilight thought she couldn't take anymore, the colt gradually began to tire and the frequency of his blows grew less and less, until he had stopped completely, leaving a disheveled mass of blood and bruises before him.
Pinkie immediately rushed to Twilight’s side, looking over her wounds as she moaned in agony, just barely conscious.
Pinkie wept as held her friend’s head in her arms.
“Pinkie,” Twilight groaned, her voice barely audible. “Go get help...”
“There!” Pinkie screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Are you happy? You’ve got your revenge! Now go! Just go! You monster!”
A moment of silence passed as the colt stood eyeing the pink pony tending to his battered victim.
“Go!” Pinkie yelled again.
A crooked smile slinked across the colt’s face.
“What are you waiting for? Go!”
“No,” he replied, smirking. “I don’t think I will.”
“B-but why?” Pinkie stammered. “You have what you want!”
“Yes,” the colt replied. “And now I think I want more.”
Twilight suddenly felt her heart fall into the bottom of her chest.
With all the energy she had left, Twilight desperately called out.
“Pinkie....run!”
Pinkie tried to to flee, but was soon apprehend by the colt.
“Please…” she said silently, her voice cracking. “What more do you want? Have you not had enough already?”
The colt shoved her to the ground and pinned her down; the barely conscious Twilight beside her.
“I think…I’ll take what I want…”
Pinkie tried to screamed, but she was soon silenced as the colt pressed his lips to hers and forced his tongue into her mouth.
Pinkie tried desperately to free herself from his grasp, wriggling and writhing as he forced himself on her.
“Such a pretty clown,” he said, petting her head. “Let’s see how well you sing now.”
Pinkie let the tears roll as she turned to see Twilight.
Breathing irregularly, Twilight watched helplessly at the sight she was witnessing.
Pinkie, I'm sorry...
“Please…don’t…” she pleaded.
Sorry...
“Keep begging,” he said, smiling. “I like that.”
Had I only known...
Pinkie winced in pain as he squeezed her hoofs down harder, powerless to stop his advanced.
I never meant for this to happen…
“Now, you scream,” he whispered, retrieving his knife. “And I’ll slit your pretty pink throat from ear to ear. You understand?”
I failed you...
Pinkie nodded as she stared up in terror at the glistening blade.
When the colt saw the fear and sorrow in his victim’s face, he laughed.
Be strong, Pinkie...
“Yeah, you’ll do nicely…”
Twilight's vision faded to black, the image of Pinkie's pleading eyes fading into the oblivion as the veil of unconsciousness grasped her. All became still, and all notion of time ceased to be, yet she could still think.
The feelings of guilt, the sorrow of her helpless, and the bottomless pit of despair played again and again in her mind. Yet in this flood of thoughts, there was only statement that rang clearer than all the others.
Pinkie, forgive me...forgive me.
She pleaded for absolution from her friend, only to be met with silence. Dead silence. Silence.