It was nearing lunchtime, and Pinkie Pie was walking towards the cafe where she and Fluttershy agreed to meet. Upon arriving, Pinkie could see that Fluttershy had already gotten there and was seated at a table. The two greeted each other as they normally would, but Fluttershy realized there was something different about Pinkie. The normally happy and gleeful pony seemed a bit troubled.
“Are you okay, Pinkie?” asked Fluttershy. “You don’t seem to be acting very normal today.”
“Well, it hasn’t been the greatest morning. Earlier this morning, my stomach hurt, and I ended up throwing up just a bit after I woke up.” Pinkie replied.
“Oh my! Was there a party last night?”
“That’s just it! Sometimes I get a little carried away at a party and pay for it in the morning, but I didn’t do anything last night. I’m not sure why I’m feeling sick”
“Maybe you should see a doctor after lunch. If you have the flu or something, it’s best to know about it.” Fluttershy advised Pinkie. Pinkie Pie acknowledged that it was a good idea by nodding. The two ponies carried on having their lunch, and the waiter came by.
“Could I interest you two in a dessert?” the waiter inquired. Normally, ponies didn’t have dessert after lunch, but it was still the waiter’s job to ask.
“No thanks,” said Fluttershy. Just as the waiter started walking away, Pinkie Pie exclaimed, “Wait! I’m in the mood for some ice cream. Actually! Could I get some ice cream and a plate of pickles? Lots of pickles!” Both the waiter and Fluttershy shot Pinkie Pie a confused look, and after several seconds, the waiter acknowledged the strange request. After a few minutes, Pinkie’s strange desert arrived and she wolfed it down. Meanwhile, Fluttershy was looking on in awe, but didn’t mention to Pinkie how strange the desert really was. After the two left the café, they split ways. Fluttershy surely had to attend to her animals, and Pinkie Pie decided to heed Fluttershy’s advice and head toward the hospital for a quick checkup.
Pinkie arrived at the hospital in short order, and was asked to wait in the waiting room. Pinkie was no stranger to the hospital, especially after she was diagnosed with diabetes. Unfortunately for her, she didn’t have an appointment for the day, so was forced to wait the better part of an hour before Nurse Redheart came out of the back and called her name. Pinkie followed the nurse, where they performed routine measurements of blood pressure and temperature. “So, what brings you into the hospital today?” the nurse inquired.
“It’s my stomach. It hurt a lot this morning, and I even threw up even though I didn’t even go to a party last night!”
“I see. Well, why don’t we get some tests done and see what’s going on.” Nurse Redheart drew two vials of blood, and disappeared into the hallway. Pinkie Pie’s stomach wasn’t hurting anymore, and she was starting to wonder if going to the hospital was really necessary. Maybe it was just a temporary bug that would work itself out. Just when Pinkie was thinking that, the Nurse stepped back into the room. “Hello again, Pinkie. I have some rather good news for you! You’re three weeks pregnant, congratulations! There’s nothing wrong with you, but I’d like to see you back here in two weeks for a routine checkup.”
Pinkie was speechless! How could this have happened to her?!? Whatever the case, the accepted the news and was very excited. After thanking the nurse profusely, Pinkie Pie left the hospital elated. Even though she didn’t plan on it, she loved foals and couldn’t wait to have a little filly of her own.
Later that night, the other five elements gathered in Pinkie’s room in Sugar Cube Corner. They had all been wondering why Pinkie had summoned them there. When they were all finally gathered, Pinkie broke out the big news. “Attention! Attention everyone! Can I have your attention please!” Pinkie said excitedly.
“Pinkie, would you just like to tell us why we’re here?” Twilight said, in a frustrated tone.
“I’m pregnant! I’m going to have a little filly of my own! Can I believe it? I’m so excited!”
After a group hug, Fluttershy said, “Wow, Pinkie, congratulations!”
Applejack joined in too, saying, “Well congratulations Pinkie! I’m sure you’ll make a fine mother!”
Rainbow dash was clearly not as excited as the rest of the ponies. “Wait a minute…who’s the father?”
“Well, I’m not entirely sure….” Said Pinkie in a slightly saddened tone.
“But…how can you not be sure who the father is?” Fluttershy asked.
“Well, I'm not exactly sure. All I know is I'm about three weeks pregnant.”
Twilight was slightly horrified by the implication. Twilight herself hasn’t even had her first kiss yet, and here Pinkie was telling her she didn’t even know who the father was. “Pinkie, how could you not know his name!”
An awkward silence filled the air as Pinkie couldn't articulate an answer. “I guess it doesn’t really matter, I’m going to be a mother soon, and that’s all that matters!” The group of ponies partied and talked for the rest of the evening.
A few weeks later, Pinkie revisited the hospital for her prenatal checkup. Shortly after being seated into an exam room, Nurse Redheart appeared. “Hello Mrs. Pie, how are you feeling today?”
Pinkie replied, “Great, doctor! I’m so excited to become a mom!”
The nurse replied, “That’s terrific! Why don’t you lie town on your back, and I can do a quick ultrasound and make sure everything is okay?”
Pinkie laid down on the table and relaxed, as the nurse spread ultrasonic jelly on Pinkie’s belly. Nurse Redheart thought it was funny that Pinkie kept giggling throughout this process. Finally, the ultrasound began, as the nurse was viewing the monitor. Pinkie couldn’t see the monitor from where she was laying, but she could see the nurse’s face. The atmosphere in the room quickly evaporated when the nurse’s smile turned into a frown, and a panicked expression was clearly visible in her eyes.
“What’s wrong, nurse? Is…Is everything okay?
“Well, the foal is healthy…”
Pinkie was sure there was more to that answer. “But what?”
The nurse took her eyes off the monitor and looked Pinkie Pie in the eyes. “It’s a colt, Mrs. Pie.”
Pinkie's eyes were widened immediately as her hair already started deflating. “Are you sure? Are you sure it’s not a filly instead?!?” Pinkie asked the nursed in a panicked tone.
“I’m afraid I’m sure, Pinkie. I’m so sorry!”
Pinkie Pie acknowledged the answer by frowning and dropping her eyelids half-way.
Immediately after the visit to the hospital, Pinkie went directly to the public library, where she would surely find Twilight. “Pinkie Pie! How are you? What’s wrong…is everything alright?” Twilight asked.
“I’m not so great actually…I just learned my foal is going to be a colt.”
Twilight didn’t understand what the problem was, so she decided to press Pinkie on the topic. “Pinkie, that’s great! What’s wrong?”
“Everything, Twilight! Everything! I don’t want a lousy colt, I wanted a cute little filly!” Pinkie was clearly very upset due to her voice cracking. Twilight tried her best calm Pinkie down.
“Pinkie Pie, what’s important is that you have a healthy filly, not what gender it is!”
Pinkie Pie starting thinking she was going to have to spell out exactly why she was visiting Twilight that day. “Twilight, I actually didn’t come here for advice. I came to ask for your help!” Twilight understood immediately what Pinkie Pie meant.
“But Pinkie, I don’t think I can perform a gender changing spell! Only the highest level alicorns are able to perform that type of magic.”
Pinkie Pie was a bit annoyed that Twilight still did not understand. “Twilight, I’m not asking you to change it’s gender. I’m asking you to stop it.” Twilight raised an eyebrow.
“What do you mean, ‘stop it’?” A few seconds passed before Twilight understood what her friend was asking her to do. Twilight’s eyes immediately widened.
“You mean….stop it, stop it?!? Oh Pinkie, I’m not so sure that’s such a good idea. You should cherish what’s growing inside you, not try to stop it! I can’t end your pregnancy for you, I’m sorry, Pinkie”
Pinkie Pie was a bit confused as to why Twilight wasn’t helping her. “Why not, Twilight? I’m sure it can’t be that difficult of a spell!” Roles had been reversed, as Twilight now had to spell out exactly what she meant to Pinkie.
“Pinkie, it’s not the difficulty of the spell. I can’t do it because it’s the wrong thing to do, I refuse to do it!” Twilight noticed Pinkie looked very disappointed.
“Look, Pinkie. If you want to do this, I can’t stop you, but I certainly won’t help you. You’ll have to get it done at the hospital, I guess.”
Pinkie was saddened. “But I can’t afford that, and my policy only covers that once a year. I’d have to pay all on my own for any after that. Thanks anyway, Twilight.” Pinkie did not wait for a response, and immediately walked out of the library. Instead of giving up, Pinkie Pie figured that Rarity was a unicorn, perhaps she would be able to perform a spell. She was very good with scissors and needles, her talents would be perfect! Pinkie Pie walked into Rarity’s boutique. As the bells on the door range, Rarity made a prompt appearance.
“Welcome to Carousel Boutique! Oh! Hello Pinkie! Are you okay? You look sad.”
“Hi Rarity. I’ve had a rough day. I found out that my foal is going to be a colt” Pinkie frowned.
Rarity gasped for air. “Pinkie, that’s terrible! Out of all the things that could’ve happened to you, this is probably the…worst…possible….thing! I’m so sorry Pinkie! Is there anything I can do for you? Maybe we could walk over to the library together and have Twilight get rid of that disgusting thing for you. What do you say?” Rarity was very eager to help her friend.
“Actually, I just came from the library. Twilight refused to help me.”
Rarity gave a surprised look, “What do you mean, darling? How could she not help you?”
“That’s just it, Rarity, I don’t know! She mentioned that it would be the wrong thing to do or something, and that she refused to help me. Can you believe it?”
“Hmm”, Rarity thought out loud. “I suppose Canterlot needs colts to become guards for the castle and city. Maybe Twilight just doesn’t understand how things are done here in Ponyville.”
Pinkie interrupted Rarity’s thinking out loud, “I was wondering if you’d be able to help me out. I know you’re extra good a magic and scissors!”
“I don’t know, Pinkie. I’ve never done a medical procedure before. Sewing dresses is one thing, but I’m not sure I’m skilled enough to work inside of another pony. I’m afraid I would end up hurting you, darling.”
“Hmmmm…” Pinkie hummed while looking around the room! “I know!” Pinkie got ran over to one of the store’s racks of dresses. Pinkie was flipping through them rapidly.
“What ever are you looking for, Pinkie?”
“Hey, Rarity, do you have any of those hangers made out of wire? All these dresses have a plastic hangers, but I need one that’s made of wire!”
“Rarity put her hoof to her chin as she thought. “Those went out of style a few years ago, I’m afraid I’ve thrown all of mine out long ago. I’m sorry, sweetheart. I wouldn’t be surprised if Applejack had some at her place, though.” Rarity laughed a little at the expense of her less fashionable friend.
Unlike Twilight’s answer, Pinkie at least understood why Rarity couldn’t help her. “Oh, it’s okay. I’m sure something will work out. See ya, Rarity.” Pinkie said sadly. Instead of further seeking help, Pinkie returned to her room in Sugar Cube Corner to think about her situation.
It wasn’t long before Pinkie arrived at Sweet Apple Acres. She saw Applejack bucking trees in the field, so Pinkie walked over to her friend. “Hey Applejack!”
“Well hey there, Pinkie! What bring you over?”
“I was wondering if I could ask you for some help. Do you have any of those old wire clothes hangers I could borrow?” Pinkie asked.
“Hangers? Nah, all my clothes are in drawers and such. What do you need a hanger for anyway, sugarcube?”
“Well, I found out that my foal is going to be a colt.” Pinkie said sadly.
“Oh Pinkie, I’m so sorry to hear that. I wish I could help you. What about insurance, don’t they cover that sort of thing?”
“I’m maxed out for the year.” Pinkie said.
“Well, what about Twilight? A unicorn with that much talent could definitely help you.”
“That’s just it! Twilight won’t help me, and I don’t know why!” Pinkie explained. After a moment Pinkie gasped and smiled. “I know!” Pinkie ran over to the tree that Applejack was bucking, and pinkie stood up on her hind legs, with her back towards the tree.
“Go on, give it a good kick!” Pinkie said.
Applejack paused for a moment. “Listen, sugarcube. I’d love to help you, I would. It’s just that, I’d have to kick just hard enough to get the job done, but not hard enough to hurt you. I don’t want to risk hurting my friend. You understand, right?”
Pinkie sighed. “Alright, thanks anyway, Applejack.” Pinkie walked out of the orchard and back towards the town.
Oh her way home, she looked at the shops around her. She noticed the Quills and Sofas store, and she walked inside.
“Good afternoon! May I help you?” The store owner said.
“Yes! I’m looking for the longest, sturdiest quill you have!”
The store clerk frowned. “Sorry miss, I’m all out of quills.”
“What do you mean you’re out of quills?!?” Pinkie exclaimed. “I know you’re just a stallion and all, but you only sell two things! How hard can it be to keep an inventory?!?”
The store owner didn’t know how to respond, and from the look on his face, Pinkie could tell this was far from the first time he’s heard this from a customer.
“Alright, if I order the longest, most sturdy quill you have, how fast can you get it?” Pinkie asked.
“That would be the most deluxe model. It’s by far my most popular model, though I’m not sure why. I can put you on the waiting list, but it’ll take about a month to get to you.” The store owner said.
“That’s way too long to wait!” Pinkie said, as she turned around and started to exit the store.
Before Pinkie reached the door, the owner spoke again, trying his hardest to make a sale. “Need a sofa?”
Without turning around, Pinkie replied as she walked out of the store. “This all started on a sofa, I just need something to finish it.”
The next day, Pinkie decided to return to the library to talk to Twilight.
“Oh, hi Twilight! Listen, I thought about what you said, and it really made sense to me.” Pinkie told Twilight upon seeing her. Twilight was extremely relieved.
“That’s great, Pinkie! I’m so glad you saw it my way. Don’t worry, everything will work out just fine.”
“Absolutely! Say, Twilight, could I maybe borrow a book about prenatal care? I want my foal to be as healthy as can be.” Twilight gladly complied with Pinkie’s request by levitating a book, Prenatal care, a practical guide. Twilight levitated the book into Pinkie’s saddle bag. Here you go! I haven’t read this one myself, but it looks like it might be helpful. Pinkie Pie accepted the book.
“Thanks! I’ve got to get going, though. I have a very busy day ahead of me!” Pinkie was clearly excited about something, but Twilight couldn’t figure out what it was. After leaving the library, Pinkie visited the Quills and Sofas show, followed by a bookmaking store to buy supplies. She would likely be up all night working on her plan.
The next morning, Pinkie visited the library again. “Oh, hi Pinkie! Was that book I lent you helpful?”
“It sure was! Say, I found a really cool spell that’ll help my colt stay nice and healthy. I was wondering if you could perform it for me.” Pinkie took the book out of her saddle bag with her teeth, and opened the book to a page she already had bookmarked. Twilight took hold of the book with her magic and looked over the complex magic spell. It wasn’t immediately clear how the spell worked, but the directions were there, and a book had never steered her wrong.
“Okay, Pinkie. Stand perfectly still while I perform this health spell.” Twilight’s horn started to glow, as did Pinkie’s stomach. Pinkie did her best to stop from laughing at the tickling sensation. After a few moments the spell was over and the two ponies could relax.
“Thanks Twilight! You’ve really helped me today!”
“No problem, Pinkie. I’m glad I could help, and I’m very glad you’ll be keeping your foal. I’m sure everything will work out fine for you. Here, why don’t you hold onto this book for a while, maybe it’ll have some more information you can use during the rest of your pregnancy.
“Oh, no thanks, I won’t be needing that book anymore. You’re so silly, Twilight! I’ll see you around, thanks again! I’ve gotta get ready for a party tonight!” Pinkie patted Twilight on the head and happily bounced out of the library. Twilight wondered why Pinkie refused to take the book. Before closing the book, Twilight had a closer look at the spell. The page wasn’t quite the same color as the other pages in the book. Upon further inspection, the page wasn’t numbered, was in a different writing style compared to all the other pages, and the margins were decorated with balloons, which was especially strange.
“Hmm” Twilight wondered aloud. She decided to flip through the rest of the book and see if anything else was out of the ordinary. In the advanced medical procedures section, she noticed the exact same spell that she had just performed. But why would the same spell be in the same book twice? She read what the spell was for, text which had been omitted on the page Pinkie opened the book to.
“Oh no.” Twilight said aloud, even though no one was there to hear it. Twilight realized what she had just done.
