Life is a Party

Five Days Later

Twilight Sparkle was having the time of her life. Already, Cheese Sandwich had thrown five spectacular parties, though they had all been eclipsed by Rainbow Dash's Birthaversary. She would daresay that it had been the party of the century, complete with giant party cannons, blow-up castles, huge Rainbow Dash piñatas, Dash lanterns, and even Dash cupcakes, courtesy of Sugarcube Corner. Twilight would have to remember to tell Celestia about it when she next visited Canterlot; she was certain that the sun princess would love to have Cheese Sandwich as the next soiree planner. It would probably be for the best, too; Cheese Sandwich would eventually have to move on, and when he did, he would need a place with welcome hooves.

For now, though, he was staying in Ponyville, and the whole town was rejoicing. Maybe all the ponies needed was a change of party. Pinkie's parties were great and all, but Cheese's parties had that extra oomph to it, whether they be less childish or just a different experience.

Twilight, however, felt like she was missing something. These parties just weren't as fun. She couldn't understand why; there was a special something, a balloon here or a streamer there, that just seemed like Cheese Sandwich was trying too hard. The youngest alicorn princess tried to shake it off, looking for somepony to talk to and snap her out of her strange mood. She scanned the huge room, which was currently hosting Angel's half-birthday party, for her friends. There was Dash, munching on her third round of cloud cake and positively rocketing away from the sugar rush. Fluttershy hovered over the guest of honor, making sure the picky bunny's needs were all satisfied. Twilight thought it best not to disturb either of them.

Applejack was proudly serving flasks of the Apple family's signature apple cider to thirsty guests, both equine and animal. Twilight made her way towards the huge barrels propped against the wall, ready to lend a helping hoof. As she approached, she saw Rarity moving towards Applejack at the same time, clearly with the same thought on her mind. Applejack grinned at her friends and waved them over.

"Howdy, Twilight! Rarity! Mind lending a helping hoof?" she asked, looking just a little flustered.

"Of course, Applejack!" Twilight responded with a smile. "Anything for a friend in need."

The two ponies moved to Applejack's side, helping her hand out more and more flasks of cider.

"It's strange," Rarity said, filling a dish for Fluttershy's mice friends. "I'm missing something here. Maybe it's the attire?"

She looked down at her immaculately sewed party dress, then back up at Applejack. The earth pony shook her head.

"Nah, that ain't it. You're right though... There's no cider without a Pinkie Pie. She hasn't been by to taste even a drop, and she's been begging me to bring Cider Season earlier this year."

"Pinkie Pie?" Twilight repeated. She scanned the room, looking for the familiar pouf of wild pink hair, but Pinkie Pie was nowhere to be found. "You're right. She's not here."

Understanding dawned in Rarity's eyes as she looked to her friends, then back out at the mass of excited ponies. Cheese Sandwich was dancing with the wall-eyed Derpy Hooves, but that was the only sign of anypony with Pinkie's signature updo.

"I've never known Pinkie to miss a party in her life!" the white unicorn exclaimed. "Oh, there really must be something wrong with her."

Twilight felt a knot forming in her chest, as if to confirm the truth of Rarity's statement. Thinking back, she couldn't remember seeing Pinkie at any of Cheese Sandwich's parties. She hadn't seen Pinkie... anywhere.

"Speaking of missing parties, when was the last time you saw Pinkie?" she asked, her elated party mood sinking.

Both ponies thought for a moment, and their expressions sobered.

"The day Cheese arrived in town," Rarity said. "Oh, the poor darling. She must be so upset, having her job taken from her like this! Why, I haven't spoken to her in days."

Twilight's worry appeared almost instantly. She couldn't imagine how Pinkie was feeling. There was no way of knowing her reaction to this sudden series of events without consulting her, and she doubted that either Rainbow Dash or Fluttershy had been in contact, what with the amount of partying going on.

"I'm going to go find her," the alicorn told her friends. "We've been horrible to her, to ignore her like this. The least I can do is apologize and offer her my company."

"I'll come with you," Applejack said, closing the tap. "It's my duty as her friend."

"And mine," Rarity agreed. "I'm sure Fluttershy has her hooves full with Angel and his friends, and..." she snuck a glance towards Rainbow Dash, who was on her fifth slice of cake, "... Dash seems busy."

The three ponies turned towards the door and galloped away, leaving the pulsing lights and the epic party to find their friend.

***

Twilight lead the trio through town, determination in their hearts and Pinkie on their minds. Ponyville was eerily quiet, having been distracted by the seemingly endless stream of parties, which made it that much easier to get to Sugarcube Corner. Twilight burst into the shop, where a tired-looking Mrs. Cake was bottle feeding Pumpkin and Pound.

"Hello, you three," she said in greeting, giving a half-hearted wave. "What can I do for you?"

"Actually, we've come to see Pinkie Pie," Twilight said nervously, looking up the stairs. "Is she home?"

Mrs. Cake's expression changed. It wilted like a dehydrated flower as she gently set down both bottles on the counter. With a great sigh, she nodded.

"Good of you to come," she said quietly. "She hasn't come out of her room since Cheese Sandwich's parties started, and... well, you'll see. She won't open the door for us."

Twilight shot a worried glance at her friends before heading up the stairs. She noted that all of Pinkie's party pictures had been removed from the wall, leaving only hooks and wires where there were once smiling faces. As they got closer, the ponies started to hear a quiet sobbing emanating from the direction of Pinkie's room, and they slowed.

There was a large puddle forming under the crack of Pinkie's door. It was tinged pink, and it slowly soaked into the carpet, spreading towards where the three ponies stood.

"Pinkie?" Twilight called. "Pinkie, it's us. Are you okay?"

This resulted in more sobbing, and the puddle started to spread faster. Twilight realized with horror that the water was made of Pinkie's tears, and she immediately stepped forwards, banging on the door with her hoof.

"Pinkie Pie! Let us in!" she cried, banging harder. When there was no response, she looked back to her two frozen companions, who were staring in shock at the spreading puddle.

"What do I do?" she asked them, panicking. Applejack snapped out of it, splashing through the sopping wet carpet to reach the door.

"Now, Pinkie, if you don't let us in, I'm gonna have to kick this door down!" she barked. "I'm serious!"

There was nothing but the steady stream of sobs from the other side of the door.

Steeling herself, Applejack turned around and lifted a leg. With an encouraging nod from her company, she thrashed out as hard as she could. The door splintered and flew open, slamming into the opposite wall with a bang.

Twilight couldn't believe what she saw. The room was almost completely flooded with tears, which, coming from Pinkie's previous impressive display of waterworks, was not so much of a surprise. The surprise was the puddle of red in the center, mixing with the salty water and spreading in tendrils of sorrow. And in the center, with tears streaming down her cheeks and blood seeping from deep cuts along her flank, was Pinkie Pie.