Immortality: Pinkie Pie's Searchby Tennis Match FanChaptersPinkie Pie's SuspicionsMeetingThe First FlightDodge JunctionDeparture6 Moons Later- A Death AnnouncementThe TruthThe LetterPinkie Pie's SuspicionsPinkie Pie opened her eyes to see sunlight streaming through her window. Next to her, Lucky Clover was still snoring softly. Pinkie was tempted to shout, Rise and shine, sleepyhead! or Wakey wakey, eggs and cakey! in his ear, but she decided against it. Pinkie quietly slipped out of the room and into the hall. She paused outside Buttercream Pie's door. She could hear sounds coming from inside. "But Princess Celestia! Sparkleshine Twinklefairy isn't ready to go to the fancy ball!" Pinkie heard her daughter exclaim quietly. Pinkie opened the door. "Are you playing with your dolls, Buttercream?" She asked. Buttercream jumped. "I didn't see you, mom!" She replied, running up. Pinkie hugged her. "Your dad's still sleeping," Pinkie told her. "Do you want to go downstairs and eat some breakfast?" Buttercream nodded eagerly. Pinkie picked her up and carried her down the stairs to the kitchen. Buttercream sat down on her small chair at the table. "Want pancakes?" Pinkie asked, fishing around in the cupboard for a pan. "Sure," Buttercream replied. Pinkie grinned. "Watch and learn, sweet heart." Pinkie whipped the ingredients up in an instant. On the pan, she poured it into two hearts, two stars, and two horseshoes. "That was so fast!" Buttercream exclaimed. "Thank you," Pinkie replied with a bow. They sat in silence for a little bit while the pancakes cooked. The popping of bubbles inside the cake reminded Pinkie of her adventure in Froggy Bottom Bog, many many years ago. Her Pinkie Sense had warned her that something big was going to happen at the Bog. After the Hyrda, Twilight finally believed in the Pinkie Sense. The Pinkie Sense doesn't happen anymore, Pinkie thought with a sad smile. Well, rarely, anyway. It was a fact she accepted. Knock Knock Knock! Pinkie snapped back to the present when somepony knocked on the door. "Let me get that," she told Buttercream, rising from her seat and trotting to the door. "Hi, Vinyl!" She greeted the caller cheerily. "You're looking young today!" For a fleeting moment, Pinkie thought she saw fear fleet across Vinyl's face, but it was gone when Vinyl replied, "Hey, Pinkie." "What can I do for you?" Pinkie asked. Vinyl scratched her blue mane. "Actually, I'm here to sell slushies. Want one?" Vinyl held up a cup of crushed blue ice. "Of course!" Pinkie exclaimed. "I'll take three! But why do you need to sell slushies?" Pinkie asked as she gave Vinyl some bits. "Oh, you know, I'm just looking to earn some extra bits," Vinyl replied. Pinkie nodded. "I understand! And thanks for the slushies!" She added. Vinyl nodded and backed off. Pinkie waved and then shut the door. "Buttercream, we're having slushies too!" She called. When Lucky Clover came down, Pinkie and Buttercream were sitting at the table eating their pancakes and drinking their slushies. "Pinkie, this isn't the healthiest meal," he pointed out as he sat down at the table. Pinkie smiled. "I couldn't turn down Vinyl Scratch! She was going door to door selling slushies!" Pinkie pushed a slushy towards Lucky Clover. He smiled. "Oh, Pinkie." They all laughed. ~ "Lucky, I'm going out to the market to get some more peaches!" Pinkie called. "Alright!" Lucky Clover shouted back. Pinkie headed out the door and down the street to the market. "Howdy, Pinkie!" Applejack called from an apple stand. "Hi, Applejack!" Pinkie exclaimed, hugging her friend. "Wanna buy some apples?" Applejack asked. Pinkie shook her head. "Super duper sorry, Applejack!" She told her orange friend. "I came to pick up some peaches." Applejack nodded. "S'okay, Pinkie," she replied, tilting her hat back. "See you later." "Yeah! See you!" Pinkie waved as she walked down the street. After buying the peaches she came for, Pinkie decided to look around the market. "Do you want to receive mailman about news in the tomato market?" One pony asked Lyra Heartstrings. Pinkie tuned in to the conversation. "Sure," Lyra replied. "Alrighty! Now, we first need your address." After Lyra gave her address, the pony added, "Now your birth date." Lyra hesitated. "March 23, 977." Pinkie gasped. Lyra had told her that her birthday was in 990, not 977! Pinkie turned to look at Lyra. When they made eye contact, Pinkie knew something was up. Lyra mumbled something to the salespony and rushed off. Pinkie scrunched her forehead in confusion. "Bon Bon!" She called across the marketplace. Bon Bon looked up from her stall. "Yes, Pinkie?" She asked. "What year was Lyra born?" Pinkie asked. Bon Bon frowned. "I think she said 986. Why?" But Pinkie was already galloping away to her house. Author's Note When Nightmare Moon returned, it was the year 1000. This story takes place roughly around 1025 AD (After Defeat), so Pinkie would be about 35. Also, I'm not sure what to tag this. It's nostalgic in a sense, but I wouldn't call it Sad. It's not a world-changing Adventure, but it isn't a normal Slice-of-Life either. MeetingWhy would Lyra lie about her age? Pinkie wondered as she ran home. What could be so important about her age that she'd have to lie multiple times? Her thoughts to Vinyl Scratch. Pinkie had remarked she had looked young, and Vinyl had looked- scared. Pinkie instantly had a theory- a crazy, insane, incredible theory. There was a possibility that Lyra and Vinyl were- "Immortal," Pinkie stated aloud. "They're immortal." Pinkie's friends had changed over time. Rarity's hair was a paler shade of white, Applejack had circles under her eyes all the time, and Fluttershy's hair grew out really long. But now, thinking about it, Pinkie realized Lyra and Vinyl had always looked the same. They didn't look a day over twenty. "Gummy!" She called to her pet alligator, who was lying in a water trough outside the house. "I need you to call Angel, Owliscious, and all the other pets! I need to tell the girls something important. It can't wait! And I need to tell them all at once!" She pulled Gummy out of the trough. Gummy began walking away, to the library. Pinkie smiled after him. "Buttercream! Lucky Clover!" She called, opening the door. "Does anypony want peaches?" ~ That night, when Pinkie left to the library, the sky was dark. Despite the humid air, Pinkie shivered in the gloom. "Twilight!" She called softly, knocking on the library door. The door's handle turned, and Pinkie was let in by her friend. "Hi, Pinkie!" Twilight greeted her from her loft. "Fluttershy's in the gardening section. How's life?" "Awesome!" Pinkie exclaimed. "I have something really important to tell you guys." "Ah," Twilight replied knowingly. "When's the due date?" Pinkie giggled. "No, silly! I'm not going to have another foal!" She answered. Twilight looked disappointed. "Well, I could've foalsat while Glimmer Wave was staying with Comet Tail's parents," she replied. "They left this morning." "Really?" Fluttershy asked from the next room. "I thought they weren't going for another week." She entered into the main room. Twilight shook her head. "Comet's parents are distant royalty, and they wanted to introduce her to royal life." "She's a princess, though, isn't she? And you too, right?" Pinkie asked. "I'm only a princess by marriage. Glimmer is the princess by birth. Still, it's not like she'd inherit the throne or anything." "Such a pity," Rarity remarked from the doorway. "Glimmer Wave would make excellent royalty." "Rarity!" Pinkie exclaimed, running up to hug her. Rarity hugged her back. "It's been too long," she remarked. "Anyway, I hope this doesn't run on too long. I left Rising and Brilliance at the boutique, and it just might be in shambles when I return." The four girls laughed. Knock! Knock! Knock! Twilight opened the door with her magic, and into the room stepped Applejack. "Howdy, Twi, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie," she greeted them. "Hello, Applejack," Fluttershy replied. "Hi!" Pinkie exclaimed. Thunder rumbled, and Rainbow Dash flew into the room, wearing her Wonderbolt Flight Suit. "Hi, Dashie!" Pinkie exclaimed. She and Rainbow Dash high-hoofed. "What's on the agenda, Pinkie?" Rainbow asked. "Yeah, I'm curious," Twilight admitted. "Me too," Fluttershy added quietly. Pinkie looked around the room. "Weeeeeeeeell," she began, taking a deep breath. "I think Vinyl Scratch and Lyra Heartstrings are immortal." The room went dead silent. Even Rainbow Dash's wings stopped beating. "Guys, we need to call the doctor," Rainbow Dash joked. "Pinkie Pie has officially lost her mind. And there's no getting it back." She laughed. Rarity and Applejack joined in. "Pinkie, be reasonable," Twilight told her logically. "The only immortals are alicorns like Princess Celestia." Pinkie stomped her hoof. "It's possible!" She exclaimed. "And I'm gonna prove it!" That made Rainbow Dash laugh even harder. "I have to tell Northern Spark that Auntie Pinkie's gone 20% nuttier," she exclaimed, then flew out. Her laughs echoed behind, like past memories fading away. "Quite a theory," Applejack commented. "What's next, Mystery Mint is secretly Rose?" She laughed again and trotted out. Rarity left, muttering to herself about too much cake. "Why won't you give me a chance?" Pinkie asked, following Rarity and Applejack out of the library. "Wait!" "I believe you, Pinkie," Fluttershy said quietly, coming out behind her. Pinkie swiveled around. "Really?" She asked hopefully. "Well, nothing impossible," Fluttershy remarked, fiddling with a strand of her long hair. "So, why not?" Pinkie hugged her. "Oh, thank you!" She exclaimed. "We'll prove it tomorrow morning!" "T-tomorrow morning?" Fluttershy squeaked. "Oh my..." Pinkie waved and skipped away. The rain began to fall, but Pinkie didn't mind. She was excited at the prospect of a mystery. Mystery isn't the word for it, Pinkie decided. Maybe, challenge is better? "Yeah," she agreed with herself. "Much better." Author's Note I have now decided this is an AU. The First FlightPinkie woke up extra early that morning, ready to go out and prove to the world that Vinyl and Lyra were immortal. With Fluttershy, of course. Pinkie crept downstairs and grabbed a waffle. "Mom? What are you doing?" Pinkie turned around to see Buttercream standing at the base of the stairs. "Hi, Buttercream! I'm just having an early breakfast," Pinkie replied, chewing the waffle. "Are you going to run off with another stallion?" Buttercream asked. Pinkie was surprised. "Of course not, Buttercream! I love your father, and we have you!" Pinkie enveloped her daughter in a hug. "Fluttershy and I are going out to talk with Lyra and Vinyl Scratch. And it's super duper important, okay?" "Okay!" Buttercream replied. "Wait a minute! Why are you up?" Pinkie asked. Buttercream looked at her hooves. "I was gonna make myself a cupcake," she admitted. Pinkie ruffled Buttercream's fluffy blonde mane. "When your dad gets up, ask him if you can have a cupcake," Pinkie told her. "Alright?" When Buttercream nodded, Pinkie continued, "I have to leave now, sweetie. See you later!" "Bye!" Buttercream responded. Pinkie waved as she pushed the door open and stepped outside into the cool morning air. Pinkie bounced to Fluttershy's house, like she did all those many years ago. For a moment, Pinkie was caught up in a memory. Pinkie remembered foalsitting Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake. She hadn't done any bouncing then, because it had been such a hassle chasing those foals around! Well, maybe she had done some bouncing when Pound Cake refused to come down from the ceiling! They're all grown up now, Pinkie thought wistfully. Didn't Pumpkin go on her first date a couple weeks ago? Pinkie suddenly snapped back to the present as she narrowly avoided a collision with a tree. By now, Fluttershy's cottage was almost in sight. "Fluttershy!" She called loudly. "Wakey wakey, eggs and cakey!" Several birds chirped at their tranquil morning being disrupted. "Sorry!" Pinkie called to them in a quieter tone. "Pinkie?" Fluttershy came to the door. Her hair stuck up in all directions. She yawned. "What are you doing here this morning?" "We're going to reveal the truth about Vinyl and Lyra! Don't you remember last night?" Fluttershy rubbed her eyes. "Pinkie, why are you- that is, if you don't mind me asking- why do you want to prove this so bad?" Pinkie thought for a moment. "Don't you think everypony deserves truth?" She asked. Fluttershy averted her eyes. "Sometimes the truth can hurt," she whispered. "Aw, come on, Fluttershy! We have to find them! But first, you really should get a manecut." "What? What's wrong with my mane?" Fluttershy asked defensively, putting her hooves up and feeling her mane. "Nothing!" Pinkie assured her. "It's just, really long, and that might get in the way when we investigate." "Investigate?" "Whatever it's called that we're doing. Revealing immortals." Pinkie grinned. Fluttershy sighed. "If this all means that much to you, then of course I'll cut my mane," she replied. "Let me go get my scissors." ~ About half an hour later, Pinkie and Fluttershy were strolling through town. Fluttershy looked almost like she did twenty five years ago. Her mane was cut just below her wings, and her tail only dragged a few inches on the ground. "Uh-oh. Why is Bon Bon crying?" Pinkie asked when they arrived at Lyra's house. Fluttershy shook her head. "What's wrong, Bon Bon?" Pinkie asked. "It's Lyra!" Bon Bon wailed. "When I knocked on her bedroom door this morning there was no response! When I looked in, most of her stuff was gone! She's been my housemate for over twenty years, and she just up and leaves!" Bon Bon blew her nose into a hanky. "Not even a goodbye note." "LYRA LEFT?" Pinkie asked in shock. Bon Bon glared at her. "Weren't you listening? Yes!" Pinkie led Fluttershy away from Bon Bon. "She knows we're on to her," Pinkie told Fluttershy in a low voice. "She must have taken the train." Fluttershy squeaked in nervousness. "Hey, Bon Bon!" Pinkie called over to the sobbing mare. "What time last night did you last see her? And what time did you realize she was gone?" "I dunno, maybe 8 o'clock last night. This morning, I discovered at, maybe 9 o'clock?" "Thanks!" Pinkie shouted. Turning to Fluttershy, she commented, "Trains don't run that often in that time frame. Go find out what trains ran between 8 and 9; I'll check at Vinyl's house." Fluttershy nodded and tried to flap her wings. When she couldn't, she blushed. "I couldn't fly with all that hair. Now I'm rusty." Pinkie giggled. "See ya!" She waved and gallopped away to Vinyl Scratch's place. "Octavia! Where's Vinyl?" She yelled up. Octavia pulled open a window. "She left on the train to Dodge Junction last night!" Octavia yelled. "Said she needed to move on with her life! That she wasn't returning!" Octavia slammed the window shut. "Peculiar!" Pinkie exclaimed. "I wonder if Fluttershy's found anything yet." Pinkie flew through town as fast as she could. For a fleeting second, Pinkie felt as if she had become the persona of Fili-second again, faster than the fastest Pegasus! But the memory passed, and Pinkie was just galloping at top speed. "Fluttershy!" She called when she reached the train station. She spotted Fluttershy talking to the ticket salespony. "Thank you," Pinkie heard Fluttershy say. Fluttershy turned and flittered over to Pinkie. "There were three trains that Lyra could've taken," she informed Pinkie softly. "Canterlot, Dodge Junction, and-" "Dodge Junction is where Vinyl was headed!" Pinkie exclaimed. "We have to go there!" "But wait!" Fluttershy protested. "What about Lucky Clover and Buttercream? And my cottage?" Pinkie waved a hoof. "This is so important! I feel it! Now come on, we can send a letter when we get there!" Pinkie dragged Fluttershy to the ticket booth. "Two tickets to Dodge Junction, please." Dodge Junction"Pinkie, I need to send a letter home," Fluttershy whispered as they stepped down onto the train station's platform. Pinkie nodded. "That's fine, Fluttershy!" She exclaimed. "You go write, and I'll sniff around." Pinkie narrowed her eyes and trotted up to a nearby stallion. "Excuse me, sir," she said politely, tapping on his shoulder. "Have you seen a white mare with a blue mane and sunglasses?" The stallion thought for a moment. "Nah," he replied. "I saw a white mare come into town this morning, though. Don't remember nothing about her mane or eyes. Did she happen to be a unicorn?" Pinkie nodded excitedly. "Well, then, you'll surely find her. Dodge Junction isn't the biggest town, you know. Maybe you should check Cherry Bling's orchard. Likely she came looking for work." "Cherry Bling? Don't you mean Cherry Jubilee?" Pinkie asked, confused. "I worked for her years and years ago." The stallion shook his head. "Cherry Jubilee passed on five years ago," he explained with a tug to his black mustache. "Cherry Bling is her daughter." "Oh." Pinkie was surprised that things had changed so much. It had been such a long time ago when she had babbled on and on about chimi-cherries and cherry-chongas in the cherry orchards. "Well, thanks," she told the stallion. He tipped his hat. "Anytime, miss." "Are you finished?" Pinkie asked when she returned to her friend. "Almost," Fluttershy replied softly. "Guess what? Cherry Jubilee's daughter is running the cherry orchard now," Pinkie revealed. "A pony told me we should check there. He said he saw a white unicorn." "Pinkie, I really don't think this is a good idea," Fluttershy murmured before sealing her letter. Pinkie rolled her eyes. "Sometimes you just have to trust your gut. Even if you and your gut are insane. If your gut told you that you could fly through a blizzard and be totally fine afterwards, it might seem suicidal, but really, it's possible. I rely on my gut. My Pinkie sense can- could- tell me if an anvil was going to fall on your head. Does that sound insane? Yes it do-" "Pinkie!" Fluttershy interrupted. "I understand. You rely on your instinct, uh, gut. Okay. I'll drop it." Pinkie blinked. "What? I-" "It's fine, Pinkie," Fluttershy interrupted again. "Now, are we going to Cherry Bling's orchard?" "Okay," Pinkie replied. "Let's get going!" Pinkie and Fluttershy walked through town. Once, they saw a small filly that looked a lot like Lyra. The only difference was the lack of horn. "Do you think Lyra knows age spells?" Fluttershy asked as they passed the filly. "Maaaaaaaaaybe," Pinkie answered slowly, twisting her neck to gaze after the filly. "But for now, let's just find Vinyl." When they arrived, they were greeted by Cherry Bling herself. "Hello, darlings," Cherry Bling greeted them with an accent similar to Rarity's. "Looking for work? We could always use some new volunteers." "No, we're looking for a white unicorn with blue hair. Her cutie Mark is a music note," Pinkie explained. Cherry looked unimpressed. "Oh. Well, she did come by a while ago, but her daughter came in just a few minutes ago. They left." Cherry looked at Pinkie suspiciously. "Wait, are you part of the police force?" "No, we're just friends with her-" Pinkie began, but Cherry cut her off. "Oh really? Then what's her name?" "Vinyl Scratch," Pinkie answered confidently. Cherry smirked. "Her name was Harmonica Note. Ha! I could have you arrested for snooping around, you know." "No you couldn't," Fluttershy piped up. "We aren't doing anything wrong. Where did they go?" Cherry Bling looked at her with a unimpressed expression. "I'll have you know Harmonica paid me a lot of bits to keep you away from her." She waved a hoof. A net came flying out of nowhere, covering Pinkie and Fluttershy entirely. "No! Please! We're friends, honest! She was roommates with Octavia! Believe me! I was Vinyl's friend! She sold me a slushie!" Cherry stared at them. "I have no idea how they got these bits, but I'm sticking to my word. You two are staying with me a while longer." "Noooo!" Pinkie yelled dramatically. "Pinkie, calm down," Fluttershy murmured. "When will you let us go?" "Ah, maybe in a week," Cherry responded. "Get comfortable. Harmonica, or Vinyl or whatever, will be long gone by then." DeparturePinkie stared at the sturdy wooden walls surrounding her. They were all she had seen the last six days. Or, at least, what she thought was six days. She wasn't sure. Pinkie and Fluttershy turned as a panel drew back to reveal Cherry Bling. "I think it's time to let you go," she commented. Fluttershy stared at her. "We could report you for doing this to us, you know," she replied. "Nah, Fluttershy, we don't have time," Pinkie interjected. "We have to find Vinyl and Lyra!" She hopped past Cherry Bling without a second thought. Fluttershy hesitated a moment longer, then followed Pinkie out. As it turned out, Pinkie and Fluttershy had been trapped in a large wooden box right outside the orchard. Pinkie gave it a dirty look and started to walk away. "Alright, now where do we go?" Fluttershy asked. "Vinyl probably left. And Lyra, if she was here in the first place." Pinkie stopped walking. "Even my Pinkie sense couldn't have told me that," she admitted. "So we can go home?" Fluttershy asked hopefully. Pinkie shook her head. "Let's go to Appleloosa!" Pinkie exclaimed. The hopeful expression on Fluttershy's face was wiped away. "Why Appleloosa?" She asked. "It's so random." Pinkie shrugged. "It's not too far away, and it's just as likely a place as any." Pinkie began walking again. "Pinkie, what about your family?" Fluttershy protested. "You can't leave them like this! You need to tell them everything you're doing, so they don't get worried!" "They and the rest of Equestria need to know the truth- there are immortal ponies living among us!" Pinkie answered firmly. She turned around to face Fluttershy. "How many times do I have to repeat myself?" She asked. Fluttershy didn't wither under Pinkie's gaze. "I think your priorities are mixed up," Fluttershy answered. Pinkie narrowed her eyes. "Come on, Fluttershy, I know we can find them!" Pinkie looked hard at her. Fluttershy sighed. "Fine." They walked to the train station, only to realize that they had no bits to pay for a ride. "We'll just have to ride on the roofs," Pinkie decided, looking around. "Pinkie!" Fluttershy exclaimed. "You'll stoop to riding illegally on a train, without paying, just to find two ponies who might not even be immortal?" "It's for a good cause," Pinkie insisted. Fluttershy hesitated, then shook her head. "No, Pinkie. I quit. If this is how obsessed you've become-" "Go, then," Pinkie interrupted. "If you don't believe me, leave. I'll prove you wrong, though." Fluttershy stepped back, as if not expecting that response. "Alright," she replied. Picking up her wings, Fluttershy flew away. Pinkie watched her leave. For an instant, Pinkie felt a pang of guilt. "She didn't support me," Pinkie told herself. "She wouldn't help." Pinkie stared at the train again. She slowly turned and walked up to the ticket salespony. "Listen," she began, "I left all my bits back in Ponyville. I really need to get to Appleloosa. Is there any way I could earn a ride?" The salespony looked at her. "Sure, sugar," she agreed. "See those cherry crates over there? Load them into a freight car, and you have a ticket to Appleloosa. Deal?" "Deal!" Pinkie agreed, and the two mares shook hooves. ~ Hauling crates wasn't the funnest thing in the world. Pinkie wondered if she could throw a crate-hauling party, but then decided that nopony would go. "There!" She exclaimed in satisfaction. "All loaded." Pinkie waved to the sleeping, and she waved back, signaling it was alright for Pinkie to board. Pinkie hopped in the nearest car to her, then settled down for the ride. Author's Note Does Pinkie seem OOC to you? 6 Moons Later- A Death AnnouncementPinkie opened her eyes one morning six moons later. She had had only bits of luck; sometimes she would talk to ponies that had glimpsed Vinyl or Lyra. But for the past six moons, Pinkie hadn't physically seen either of them. "Manehattan!" she exclaimed, sitting up. "I'm sure I'll find them here!" She hopped off the sugar bag she had been sleeping on and walked into the busy streets. "Did you hear?" One pony asked her friend as they trotted past Pinkie. "I know!" Her friend replied. "I can't believe she's dead!" Pinkie was interested now. She felt sorry for the friends of the pony that had passed on. "Excuse me-" she began, but then cut herself off. She didn't have time to chat when she could find an immortal pony! "Oh my gosh," a stallion nearby exclaimed as he read a newspaper. "How could she be dead? She was so young!" "And lively," the newspaper pony added. He lowered his hat to his chest. "I'll miss her, and her music." Pinkie cocked her head to the side. "Who died?" She asked. "Vinyl Scratch," the stallion replied. "You know," he added, "she was my celebrity marefriend." Pinkie didn't listen to the last part. She snatched up the newspaper and held it close. "'Vinyl Scratch, perhaps the icon for rock music, passed away last Tuesday,'" Pinkie read. "'Vinyl was upbeat, and she landed some of the most incredible jobs, like being DJ at the marriage of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining Armor. She will be missed by all her fans. The cause of her death is not clear, but Vinyl's body was found in Rainbow Falls, and police say she was definitely not murdered. May the musician rest in peace.'" Pinkie only believed it for a split second. Then she said aloud, "It's a ruse." The stallion glared at her and grabbed the paper back. "They would never print lies about Vinyl! We just have to accept the fact," he snapped. Pinkie turned away. "Rainbow Falls, huh?" She murmured to herself. "Well, it's time I revisited that old place." The ferry rides between Manehattan and mainland Equestria were free, so it was easy to get through that. From there, it was a day's treck to Rainbow Falls. Or half a day by train. "Excuse me!" Pinkie called to a pale yellow stallion selling train tickets. He looked up, surprised. "What do you want?" He asked, but not in a hostile way. "I need to get to Rainbow Falls, as soon as possible," Pinkie exclaimed. "But I don't have any money, so could you please help me out and give me a ticket? Please?" The stallion tapped his hoof on his chin. "I can't just give it to you," -Pinkie's tail drooped- "but I can give one to you as a gift." Pinkie lifted her tail. The stallion pulled a ticket out and hoofed it to Pinkie. "Thank you! Thank you!" Pinkie exclaimed, giving him a hug. "You're the nicest stallion I've ever known- except for my husband, of course." "No problem," he replied with a small blush. "The next train to Rainbow Falls leaves in ten minutes. My name's Fourteen. What's yours?" "I'm Pinkie Pie," Pinkie replied. She and Fourteen talked until Pinkie's train pulled in. "Thanks again for the ticket, Fourteen," Pinkie said. "Anytime," Fourteen replied. Pinkie smiled. "Bye!" She called as she boarded the train. "Bye!" Fourteen shouted in response. From the window, Pinkie watched Fourteen fade into the distance. "He's nice," Pinkie told herself. "Don't be silly, Pinkie!" She added. "You're married- you're married." Pinkie's pupils dilated. She hadn't seen her husband or daughter in over six months. "I'll see them soon." Pinkie tried to reassure herself. "I'm so close to finding them." But as Pinkie looked at the landscape moving around her, she felt alone. ~ When the train reached Rainbow Falls, Pinkie was the first one out. "Now, where to start?" She asked herself. Pinkie trotted through the small town, admiring the scenery. In the corner of her eye, she was watching everything. Except for a group of fillies and colts. "Watch out!" A young blue colt shouted, running from a group of friends. He pushed past Pinkie. "Whoa!" Pinkie cried as she fell back into a trashcan. The contents spilled out, and a piece of paper fluttered onto Pinkie Pie's muzzle. Pinkie picked it up. "3446 Sparkle Road, Neighgra Falls," she read. "Lyra Heartstrings." The TruthPinkie quietly walked down Sparkle Road, looking for the house that supposedly belonged to Lyra. Pinkie felt her tail twitching in excitement. When she reached 3446 Sparkle Road, Pinkie inhaled a deep breath. "This is it," Pinkie told herself. "They have no escape." Pinkie knocked on the door. She watched it open with a golden glow. "Hello, who is- Sweet Celestia, Pinkie Pie!" Lyra yelped. She attempted to close the door, but Pinkie wedged herself in the doorway. "Why did you leave Bon Bon all alone?" Pinkie asked. "Why did you lie about your birth year? Tell me!" "Vinyl!" Lyra called desperately. "Help me!" "Are you immortal?" Pinkie asked. Lyra's eyes widened. She backed away and bumped into Vinyl Scratch. "Yes," Vinyl answered. Pinkie gasped. "I knew it! I knew it!" Pinkie cheered. Lyra glared at her. "It's not all fun and games, Pinkie," she said. Pinkie stopped. "Tell me about it," she replied. "What is it like?" Vinyl sighed. "Come into the living room, Pinkie. There's a lot to talk about." ~ "Now first, how long were you trailing us?" Vinyl asked when they were seated comfortably. "About 6 moons," Pinkie replied. "I spent the first week with Fluttershy. Hey, Vinyl, why'd you have Cherry Bling lock us up?" Vinyl blushed. "I didn't know what else to do, so I paid her to keep you out of commission for a week," Vinyl answered sheepishly. "So, Pinkie, what do you want to know?" Lyra asked. "Are you two related to Celestia or something? Is that why you're immortal? How old are you really?" Before Pinkie could ask another question, Lyra held up a hoof. "Hold on, Pinkie! My real age- I'm a centuries older than Vinyl. As for being related to Celestia-" "We aren't," Vinyl explained. "The princesses aren't even immortal." "They-they aren't?" Pinkie asked. Lyra shook her head. "Natural born alicorns have a much longer lifespan than regular ponies, up to 2,000 years," Lyra explained. "But they aren't immortal." "Then, how are you immortal?" Pinkie asked. Vinyl shook her head. "We have no idea," she admitted. "It's hard, though." "How do you know that you're immortal?" Pinkie questioned. "You could just have a long lifespan, like Celestia and Luna." "Lyra's done some research on immortality," Vinyl answered. "She won't tell me what she found, but she says that we are immortal. And, I actually tried to kill myself once," Vinyl added, "Just to see if it was true. It didn't work." Before Pinkie could respond, a tingling sensation spread through her body. It started in her tail, then went up to the tip of her muzzle. "What was that?" She gasped. Lyra stared at her. "Pinkie, has it ever occurred to you that you look the same as you did twenty years ago?" She asked. Pinkie widened her eyes. "Lyra, I- you couldn't be suggesting that-" "I just cast a spell on you," Lyra murmured. "that would sense if you were immortal. And, it seems that you are." Pinkie stared straight ahead. "But, how?" She whispered. Vinyl put a hoof on Pinkie's shoulder. "It's a shock, I know." "What about my friends? My family? What am I supposed to tell them?" Vinyl and Lyra exchanged glances. "There's a reason we don't stay in one place for so long, a reason we fake our deaths. How would the public react if they knew there were immortals among them?" "Is your name even Vinyl Scratch?" Pinkie asked. Vinyl cracked a smile and nodded. "So, Pinkie, you can return to your friends and family in Ponyville, if you'd like, or you can stay with Vinyl and I," Lyra commented. "Immortality isn't all it's cracked up to be, especially if you're all alone." Pinkie stared at them. Maybe she would never see Lucky Clover again. Or Buttercream. Or any of her friends. "I, I think I need to write a letter," Pinkie decided. The LetterNot a day went by without Fluttershy missing Pinkie Pie. They all missed her. Fluttershy remembered the night she had come home, and discovered Buttercream was crying herself to sleep. Fluttershy went to pick up her mail that morning. When she saw the name on the top letter, she gasped. "Pinkie Pie!" She cried. Dropping all her other mail, Fluttershy flew as fast as she could to show the others. ~ Dear Fluttershy, Lucky Clover, Buttercream, Applejack, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity, I discovered something about myself and I feel like I couldn't live with you all anymore. I was right about Vinyl and Lyra. Lucky, I love you but I couldn't bear the pain and nostalgia I would face if I was still with you. Don't try looking for me. I hope you all have a wonderful life. Especially you, Buttercream. Fluttershy, thanks for believing in me, at least for a little while. Love, Pinkie Pie Author's Note I hope you enjoyed this! I have ideas for a sequel/prequel if you want me to explore more on this.
Pinkie Pie's SuspicionsPinkie Pie opened her eyes to see sunlight streaming through her window. Next to her, Lucky Clover was still snoring softly. Pinkie was tempted to shout, Rise and shine, sleepyhead! or Wakey wakey, eggs and cakey! in his ear, but she decided against it. Pinkie quietly slipped out of the room and into the hall. She paused outside Buttercream Pie's door. She could hear sounds coming from inside. "But Princess Celestia! Sparkleshine Twinklefairy isn't ready to go to the fancy ball!" Pinkie heard her daughter exclaim quietly. Pinkie opened the door. "Are you playing with your dolls, Buttercream?" She asked. Buttercream jumped. "I didn't see you, mom!" She replied, running up. Pinkie hugged her. "Your dad's still sleeping," Pinkie told her. "Do you want to go downstairs and eat some breakfast?" Buttercream nodded eagerly. Pinkie picked her up and carried her down the stairs to the kitchen. Buttercream sat down on her small chair at the table. "Want pancakes?" Pinkie asked, fishing around in the cupboard for a pan. "Sure," Buttercream replied. Pinkie grinned. "Watch and learn, sweet heart." Pinkie whipped the ingredients up in an instant. On the pan, she poured it into two hearts, two stars, and two horseshoes. "That was so fast!" Buttercream exclaimed. "Thank you," Pinkie replied with a bow. They sat in silence for a little bit while the pancakes cooked. The popping of bubbles inside the cake reminded Pinkie of her adventure in Froggy Bottom Bog, many many years ago. Her Pinkie Sense had warned her that something big was going to happen at the Bog. After the Hyrda, Twilight finally believed in the Pinkie Sense. The Pinkie Sense doesn't happen anymore, Pinkie thought with a sad smile. Well, rarely, anyway. It was a fact she accepted. Knock Knock Knock! Pinkie snapped back to the present when somepony knocked on the door. "Let me get that," she told Buttercream, rising from her seat and trotting to the door. "Hi, Vinyl!" She greeted the caller cheerily. "You're looking young today!" For a fleeting moment, Pinkie thought she saw fear fleet across Vinyl's face, but it was gone when Vinyl replied, "Hey, Pinkie." "What can I do for you?" Pinkie asked. Vinyl scratched her blue mane. "Actually, I'm here to sell slushies. Want one?" Vinyl held up a cup of crushed blue ice. "Of course!" Pinkie exclaimed. "I'll take three! But why do you need to sell slushies?" Pinkie asked as she gave Vinyl some bits. "Oh, you know, I'm just looking to earn some extra bits," Vinyl replied. Pinkie nodded. "I understand! And thanks for the slushies!" She added. Vinyl nodded and backed off. Pinkie waved and then shut the door. "Buttercream, we're having slushies too!" She called. When Lucky Clover came down, Pinkie and Buttercream were sitting at the table eating their pancakes and drinking their slushies. "Pinkie, this isn't the healthiest meal," he pointed out as he sat down at the table. Pinkie smiled. "I couldn't turn down Vinyl Scratch! She was going door to door selling slushies!" Pinkie pushed a slushy towards Lucky Clover. He smiled. "Oh, Pinkie." They all laughed. ~ "Lucky, I'm going out to the market to get some more peaches!" Pinkie called. "Alright!" Lucky Clover shouted back. Pinkie headed out the door and down the street to the market. "Howdy, Pinkie!" Applejack called from an apple stand. "Hi, Applejack!" Pinkie exclaimed, hugging her friend. "Wanna buy some apples?" Applejack asked. Pinkie shook her head. "Super duper sorry, Applejack!" She told her orange friend. "I came to pick up some peaches." Applejack nodded. "S'okay, Pinkie," she replied, tilting her hat back. "See you later." "Yeah! See you!" Pinkie waved as she walked down the street. After buying the peaches she came for, Pinkie decided to look around the market. "Do you want to receive mailman about news in the tomato market?" One pony asked Lyra Heartstrings. Pinkie tuned in to the conversation. "Sure," Lyra replied. "Alrighty! Now, we first need your address." After Lyra gave her address, the pony added, "Now your birth date." Lyra hesitated. "March 23, 977." Pinkie gasped. Lyra had told her that her birthday was in 990, not 977! Pinkie turned to look at Lyra. When they made eye contact, Pinkie knew something was up. Lyra mumbled something to the salespony and rushed off. Pinkie scrunched her forehead in confusion. "Bon Bon!" She called across the marketplace. Bon Bon looked up from her stall. "Yes, Pinkie?" She asked. "What year was Lyra born?" Pinkie asked. Bon Bon frowned. "I think she said 986. Why?" But Pinkie was already galloping away to her house. Author's Note When Nightmare Moon returned, it was the year 1000. This story takes place roughly around 1025 AD (After Defeat), so Pinkie would be about 35. Also, I'm not sure what to tag this. It's nostalgic in a sense, but I wouldn't call it Sad. It's not a world-changing Adventure, but it isn't a normal Slice-of-Life either.
MeetingWhy would Lyra lie about her age? Pinkie wondered as she ran home. What could be so important about her age that she'd have to lie multiple times? Her thoughts to Vinyl Scratch. Pinkie had remarked she had looked young, and Vinyl had looked- scared. Pinkie instantly had a theory- a crazy, insane, incredible theory. There was a possibility that Lyra and Vinyl were- "Immortal," Pinkie stated aloud. "They're immortal." Pinkie's friends had changed over time. Rarity's hair was a paler shade of white, Applejack had circles under her eyes all the time, and Fluttershy's hair grew out really long. But now, thinking about it, Pinkie realized Lyra and Vinyl had always looked the same. They didn't look a day over twenty. "Gummy!" She called to her pet alligator, who was lying in a water trough outside the house. "I need you to call Angel, Owliscious, and all the other pets! I need to tell the girls something important. It can't wait! And I need to tell them all at once!" She pulled Gummy out of the trough. Gummy began walking away, to the library. Pinkie smiled after him. "Buttercream! Lucky Clover!" She called, opening the door. "Does anypony want peaches?" ~ That night, when Pinkie left to the library, the sky was dark. Despite the humid air, Pinkie shivered in the gloom. "Twilight!" She called softly, knocking on the library door. The door's handle turned, and Pinkie was let in by her friend. "Hi, Pinkie!" Twilight greeted her from her loft. "Fluttershy's in the gardening section. How's life?" "Awesome!" Pinkie exclaimed. "I have something really important to tell you guys." "Ah," Twilight replied knowingly. "When's the due date?" Pinkie giggled. "No, silly! I'm not going to have another foal!" She answered. Twilight looked disappointed. "Well, I could've foalsat while Glimmer Wave was staying with Comet Tail's parents," she replied. "They left this morning." "Really?" Fluttershy asked from the next room. "I thought they weren't going for another week." She entered into the main room. Twilight shook her head. "Comet's parents are distant royalty, and they wanted to introduce her to royal life." "She's a princess, though, isn't she? And you too, right?" Pinkie asked. "I'm only a princess by marriage. Glimmer is the princess by birth. Still, it's not like she'd inherit the throne or anything." "Such a pity," Rarity remarked from the doorway. "Glimmer Wave would make excellent royalty." "Rarity!" Pinkie exclaimed, running up to hug her. Rarity hugged her back. "It's been too long," she remarked. "Anyway, I hope this doesn't run on too long. I left Rising and Brilliance at the boutique, and it just might be in shambles when I return." The four girls laughed. Knock! Knock! Knock! Twilight opened the door with her magic, and into the room stepped Applejack. "Howdy, Twi, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie," she greeted them. "Hello, Applejack," Fluttershy replied. "Hi!" Pinkie exclaimed. Thunder rumbled, and Rainbow Dash flew into the room, wearing her Wonderbolt Flight Suit. "Hi, Dashie!" Pinkie exclaimed. She and Rainbow Dash high-hoofed. "What's on the agenda, Pinkie?" Rainbow asked. "Yeah, I'm curious," Twilight admitted. "Me too," Fluttershy added quietly. Pinkie looked around the room. "Weeeeeeeeell," she began, taking a deep breath. "I think Vinyl Scratch and Lyra Heartstrings are immortal." The room went dead silent. Even Rainbow Dash's wings stopped beating. "Guys, we need to call the doctor," Rainbow Dash joked. "Pinkie Pie has officially lost her mind. And there's no getting it back." She laughed. Rarity and Applejack joined in. "Pinkie, be reasonable," Twilight told her logically. "The only immortals are alicorns like Princess Celestia." Pinkie stomped her hoof. "It's possible!" She exclaimed. "And I'm gonna prove it!" That made Rainbow Dash laugh even harder. "I have to tell Northern Spark that Auntie Pinkie's gone 20% nuttier," she exclaimed, then flew out. Her laughs echoed behind, like past memories fading away. "Quite a theory," Applejack commented. "What's next, Mystery Mint is secretly Rose?" She laughed again and trotted out. Rarity left, muttering to herself about too much cake. "Why won't you give me a chance?" Pinkie asked, following Rarity and Applejack out of the library. "Wait!" "I believe you, Pinkie," Fluttershy said quietly, coming out behind her. Pinkie swiveled around. "Really?" She asked hopefully. "Well, nothing impossible," Fluttershy remarked, fiddling with a strand of her long hair. "So, why not?" Pinkie hugged her. "Oh, thank you!" She exclaimed. "We'll prove it tomorrow morning!" "T-tomorrow morning?" Fluttershy squeaked. "Oh my..." Pinkie waved and skipped away. The rain began to fall, but Pinkie didn't mind. She was excited at the prospect of a mystery. Mystery isn't the word for it, Pinkie decided. Maybe, challenge is better? "Yeah," she agreed with herself. "Much better." Author's Note I have now decided this is an AU.
The First FlightPinkie woke up extra early that morning, ready to go out and prove to the world that Vinyl and Lyra were immortal. With Fluttershy, of course. Pinkie crept downstairs and grabbed a waffle. "Mom? What are you doing?" Pinkie turned around to see Buttercream standing at the base of the stairs. "Hi, Buttercream! I'm just having an early breakfast," Pinkie replied, chewing the waffle. "Are you going to run off with another stallion?" Buttercream asked. Pinkie was surprised. "Of course not, Buttercream! I love your father, and we have you!" Pinkie enveloped her daughter in a hug. "Fluttershy and I are going out to talk with Lyra and Vinyl Scratch. And it's super duper important, okay?" "Okay!" Buttercream replied. "Wait a minute! Why are you up?" Pinkie asked. Buttercream looked at her hooves. "I was gonna make myself a cupcake," she admitted. Pinkie ruffled Buttercream's fluffy blonde mane. "When your dad gets up, ask him if you can have a cupcake," Pinkie told her. "Alright?" When Buttercream nodded, Pinkie continued, "I have to leave now, sweetie. See you later!" "Bye!" Buttercream responded. Pinkie waved as she pushed the door open and stepped outside into the cool morning air. Pinkie bounced to Fluttershy's house, like she did all those many years ago. For a moment, Pinkie was caught up in a memory. Pinkie remembered foalsitting Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake. She hadn't done any bouncing then, because it had been such a hassle chasing those foals around! Well, maybe she had done some bouncing when Pound Cake refused to come down from the ceiling! They're all grown up now, Pinkie thought wistfully. Didn't Pumpkin go on her first date a couple weeks ago? Pinkie suddenly snapped back to the present as she narrowly avoided a collision with a tree. By now, Fluttershy's cottage was almost in sight. "Fluttershy!" She called loudly. "Wakey wakey, eggs and cakey!" Several birds chirped at their tranquil morning being disrupted. "Sorry!" Pinkie called to them in a quieter tone. "Pinkie?" Fluttershy came to the door. Her hair stuck up in all directions. She yawned. "What are you doing here this morning?" "We're going to reveal the truth about Vinyl and Lyra! Don't you remember last night?" Fluttershy rubbed her eyes. "Pinkie, why are you- that is, if you don't mind me asking- why do you want to prove this so bad?" Pinkie thought for a moment. "Don't you think everypony deserves truth?" She asked. Fluttershy averted her eyes. "Sometimes the truth can hurt," she whispered. "Aw, come on, Fluttershy! We have to find them! But first, you really should get a manecut." "What? What's wrong with my mane?" Fluttershy asked defensively, putting her hooves up and feeling her mane. "Nothing!" Pinkie assured her. "It's just, really long, and that might get in the way when we investigate." "Investigate?" "Whatever it's called that we're doing. Revealing immortals." Pinkie grinned. Fluttershy sighed. "If this all means that much to you, then of course I'll cut my mane," she replied. "Let me go get my scissors." ~ About half an hour later, Pinkie and Fluttershy were strolling through town. Fluttershy looked almost like she did twenty five years ago. Her mane was cut just below her wings, and her tail only dragged a few inches on the ground. "Uh-oh. Why is Bon Bon crying?" Pinkie asked when they arrived at Lyra's house. Fluttershy shook her head. "What's wrong, Bon Bon?" Pinkie asked. "It's Lyra!" Bon Bon wailed. "When I knocked on her bedroom door this morning there was no response! When I looked in, most of her stuff was gone! She's been my housemate for over twenty years, and she just up and leaves!" Bon Bon blew her nose into a hanky. "Not even a goodbye note." "LYRA LEFT?" Pinkie asked in shock. Bon Bon glared at her. "Weren't you listening? Yes!" Pinkie led Fluttershy away from Bon Bon. "She knows we're on to her," Pinkie told Fluttershy in a low voice. "She must have taken the train." Fluttershy squeaked in nervousness. "Hey, Bon Bon!" Pinkie called over to the sobbing mare. "What time last night did you last see her? And what time did you realize she was gone?" "I dunno, maybe 8 o'clock last night. This morning, I discovered at, maybe 9 o'clock?" "Thanks!" Pinkie shouted. Turning to Fluttershy, she commented, "Trains don't run that often in that time frame. Go find out what trains ran between 8 and 9; I'll check at Vinyl's house." Fluttershy nodded and tried to flap her wings. When she couldn't, she blushed. "I couldn't fly with all that hair. Now I'm rusty." Pinkie giggled. "See ya!" She waved and gallopped away to Vinyl Scratch's place. "Octavia! Where's Vinyl?" She yelled up. Octavia pulled open a window. "She left on the train to Dodge Junction last night!" Octavia yelled. "Said she needed to move on with her life! That she wasn't returning!" Octavia slammed the window shut. "Peculiar!" Pinkie exclaimed. "I wonder if Fluttershy's found anything yet." Pinkie flew through town as fast as she could. For a fleeting second, Pinkie felt as if she had become the persona of Fili-second again, faster than the fastest Pegasus! But the memory passed, and Pinkie was just galloping at top speed. "Fluttershy!" She called when she reached the train station. She spotted Fluttershy talking to the ticket salespony. "Thank you," Pinkie heard Fluttershy say. Fluttershy turned and flittered over to Pinkie. "There were three trains that Lyra could've taken," she informed Pinkie softly. "Canterlot, Dodge Junction, and-" "Dodge Junction is where Vinyl was headed!" Pinkie exclaimed. "We have to go there!" "But wait!" Fluttershy protested. "What about Lucky Clover and Buttercream? And my cottage?" Pinkie waved a hoof. "This is so important! I feel it! Now come on, we can send a letter when we get there!" Pinkie dragged Fluttershy to the ticket booth. "Two tickets to Dodge Junction, please."
Dodge Junction"Pinkie, I need to send a letter home," Fluttershy whispered as they stepped down onto the train station's platform. Pinkie nodded. "That's fine, Fluttershy!" She exclaimed. "You go write, and I'll sniff around." Pinkie narrowed her eyes and trotted up to a nearby stallion. "Excuse me, sir," she said politely, tapping on his shoulder. "Have you seen a white mare with a blue mane and sunglasses?" The stallion thought for a moment. "Nah," he replied. "I saw a white mare come into town this morning, though. Don't remember nothing about her mane or eyes. Did she happen to be a unicorn?" Pinkie nodded excitedly. "Well, then, you'll surely find her. Dodge Junction isn't the biggest town, you know. Maybe you should check Cherry Bling's orchard. Likely she came looking for work." "Cherry Bling? Don't you mean Cherry Jubilee?" Pinkie asked, confused. "I worked for her years and years ago." The stallion shook his head. "Cherry Jubilee passed on five years ago," he explained with a tug to his black mustache. "Cherry Bling is her daughter." "Oh." Pinkie was surprised that things had changed so much. It had been such a long time ago when she had babbled on and on about chimi-cherries and cherry-chongas in the cherry orchards. "Well, thanks," she told the stallion. He tipped his hat. "Anytime, miss." "Are you finished?" Pinkie asked when she returned to her friend. "Almost," Fluttershy replied softly. "Guess what? Cherry Jubilee's daughter is running the cherry orchard now," Pinkie revealed. "A pony told me we should check there. He said he saw a white unicorn." "Pinkie, I really don't think this is a good idea," Fluttershy murmured before sealing her letter. Pinkie rolled her eyes. "Sometimes you just have to trust your gut. Even if you and your gut are insane. If your gut told you that you could fly through a blizzard and be totally fine afterwards, it might seem suicidal, but really, it's possible. I rely on my gut. My Pinkie sense can- could- tell me if an anvil was going to fall on your head. Does that sound insane? Yes it do-" "Pinkie!" Fluttershy interrupted. "I understand. You rely on your instinct, uh, gut. Okay. I'll drop it." Pinkie blinked. "What? I-" "It's fine, Pinkie," Fluttershy interrupted again. "Now, are we going to Cherry Bling's orchard?" "Okay," Pinkie replied. "Let's get going!" Pinkie and Fluttershy walked through town. Once, they saw a small filly that looked a lot like Lyra. The only difference was the lack of horn. "Do you think Lyra knows age spells?" Fluttershy asked as they passed the filly. "Maaaaaaaaaybe," Pinkie answered slowly, twisting her neck to gaze after the filly. "But for now, let's just find Vinyl." When they arrived, they were greeted by Cherry Bling herself. "Hello, darlings," Cherry Bling greeted them with an accent similar to Rarity's. "Looking for work? We could always use some new volunteers." "No, we're looking for a white unicorn with blue hair. Her cutie Mark is a music note," Pinkie explained. Cherry looked unimpressed. "Oh. Well, she did come by a while ago, but her daughter came in just a few minutes ago. They left." Cherry looked at Pinkie suspiciously. "Wait, are you part of the police force?" "No, we're just friends with her-" Pinkie began, but Cherry cut her off. "Oh really? Then what's her name?" "Vinyl Scratch," Pinkie answered confidently. Cherry smirked. "Her name was Harmonica Note. Ha! I could have you arrested for snooping around, you know." "No you couldn't," Fluttershy piped up. "We aren't doing anything wrong. Where did they go?" Cherry Bling looked at her with a unimpressed expression. "I'll have you know Harmonica paid me a lot of bits to keep you away from her." She waved a hoof. A net came flying out of nowhere, covering Pinkie and Fluttershy entirely. "No! Please! We're friends, honest! She was roommates with Octavia! Believe me! I was Vinyl's friend! She sold me a slushie!" Cherry stared at them. "I have no idea how they got these bits, but I'm sticking to my word. You two are staying with me a while longer." "Noooo!" Pinkie yelled dramatically. "Pinkie, calm down," Fluttershy murmured. "When will you let us go?" "Ah, maybe in a week," Cherry responded. "Get comfortable. Harmonica, or Vinyl or whatever, will be long gone by then."
DeparturePinkie stared at the sturdy wooden walls surrounding her. They were all she had seen the last six days. Or, at least, what she thought was six days. She wasn't sure. Pinkie and Fluttershy turned as a panel drew back to reveal Cherry Bling. "I think it's time to let you go," she commented. Fluttershy stared at her. "We could report you for doing this to us, you know," she replied. "Nah, Fluttershy, we don't have time," Pinkie interjected. "We have to find Vinyl and Lyra!" She hopped past Cherry Bling without a second thought. Fluttershy hesitated a moment longer, then followed Pinkie out. As it turned out, Pinkie and Fluttershy had been trapped in a large wooden box right outside the orchard. Pinkie gave it a dirty look and started to walk away. "Alright, now where do we go?" Fluttershy asked. "Vinyl probably left. And Lyra, if she was here in the first place." Pinkie stopped walking. "Even my Pinkie sense couldn't have told me that," she admitted. "So we can go home?" Fluttershy asked hopefully. Pinkie shook her head. "Let's go to Appleloosa!" Pinkie exclaimed. The hopeful expression on Fluttershy's face was wiped away. "Why Appleloosa?" She asked. "It's so random." Pinkie shrugged. "It's not too far away, and it's just as likely a place as any." Pinkie began walking again. "Pinkie, what about your family?" Fluttershy protested. "You can't leave them like this! You need to tell them everything you're doing, so they don't get worried!" "They and the rest of Equestria need to know the truth- there are immortal ponies living among us!" Pinkie answered firmly. She turned around to face Fluttershy. "How many times do I have to repeat myself?" She asked. Fluttershy didn't wither under Pinkie's gaze. "I think your priorities are mixed up," Fluttershy answered. Pinkie narrowed her eyes. "Come on, Fluttershy, I know we can find them!" Pinkie looked hard at her. Fluttershy sighed. "Fine." They walked to the train station, only to realize that they had no bits to pay for a ride. "We'll just have to ride on the roofs," Pinkie decided, looking around. "Pinkie!" Fluttershy exclaimed. "You'll stoop to riding illegally on a train, without paying, just to find two ponies who might not even be immortal?" "It's for a good cause," Pinkie insisted. Fluttershy hesitated, then shook her head. "No, Pinkie. I quit. If this is how obsessed you've become-" "Go, then," Pinkie interrupted. "If you don't believe me, leave. I'll prove you wrong, though." Fluttershy stepped back, as if not expecting that response. "Alright," she replied. Picking up her wings, Fluttershy flew away. Pinkie watched her leave. For an instant, Pinkie felt a pang of guilt. "She didn't support me," Pinkie told herself. "She wouldn't help." Pinkie stared at the train again. She slowly turned and walked up to the ticket salespony. "Listen," she began, "I left all my bits back in Ponyville. I really need to get to Appleloosa. Is there any way I could earn a ride?" The salespony looked at her. "Sure, sugar," she agreed. "See those cherry crates over there? Load them into a freight car, and you have a ticket to Appleloosa. Deal?" "Deal!" Pinkie agreed, and the two mares shook hooves. ~ Hauling crates wasn't the funnest thing in the world. Pinkie wondered if she could throw a crate-hauling party, but then decided that nopony would go. "There!" She exclaimed in satisfaction. "All loaded." Pinkie waved to the sleeping, and she waved back, signaling it was alright for Pinkie to board. Pinkie hopped in the nearest car to her, then settled down for the ride. Author's Note Does Pinkie seem OOC to you?
6 Moons Later- A Death AnnouncementPinkie opened her eyes one morning six moons later. She had had only bits of luck; sometimes she would talk to ponies that had glimpsed Vinyl or Lyra. But for the past six moons, Pinkie hadn't physically seen either of them. "Manehattan!" she exclaimed, sitting up. "I'm sure I'll find them here!" She hopped off the sugar bag she had been sleeping on and walked into the busy streets. "Did you hear?" One pony asked her friend as they trotted past Pinkie. "I know!" Her friend replied. "I can't believe she's dead!" Pinkie was interested now. She felt sorry for the friends of the pony that had passed on. "Excuse me-" she began, but then cut herself off. She didn't have time to chat when she could find an immortal pony! "Oh my gosh," a stallion nearby exclaimed as he read a newspaper. "How could she be dead? She was so young!" "And lively," the newspaper pony added. He lowered his hat to his chest. "I'll miss her, and her music." Pinkie cocked her head to the side. "Who died?" She asked. "Vinyl Scratch," the stallion replied. "You know," he added, "she was my celebrity marefriend." Pinkie didn't listen to the last part. She snatched up the newspaper and held it close. "'Vinyl Scratch, perhaps the icon for rock music, passed away last Tuesday,'" Pinkie read. "'Vinyl was upbeat, and she landed some of the most incredible jobs, like being DJ at the marriage of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining Armor. She will be missed by all her fans. The cause of her death is not clear, but Vinyl's body was found in Rainbow Falls, and police say she was definitely not murdered. May the musician rest in peace.'" Pinkie only believed it for a split second. Then she said aloud, "It's a ruse." The stallion glared at her and grabbed the paper back. "They would never print lies about Vinyl! We just have to accept the fact," he snapped. Pinkie turned away. "Rainbow Falls, huh?" She murmured to herself. "Well, it's time I revisited that old place." The ferry rides between Manehattan and mainland Equestria were free, so it was easy to get through that. From there, it was a day's treck to Rainbow Falls. Or half a day by train. "Excuse me!" Pinkie called to a pale yellow stallion selling train tickets. He looked up, surprised. "What do you want?" He asked, but not in a hostile way. "I need to get to Rainbow Falls, as soon as possible," Pinkie exclaimed. "But I don't have any money, so could you please help me out and give me a ticket? Please?" The stallion tapped his hoof on his chin. "I can't just give it to you," -Pinkie's tail drooped- "but I can give one to you as a gift." Pinkie lifted her tail. The stallion pulled a ticket out and hoofed it to Pinkie. "Thank you! Thank you!" Pinkie exclaimed, giving him a hug. "You're the nicest stallion I've ever known- except for my husband, of course." "No problem," he replied with a small blush. "The next train to Rainbow Falls leaves in ten minutes. My name's Fourteen. What's yours?" "I'm Pinkie Pie," Pinkie replied. She and Fourteen talked until Pinkie's train pulled in. "Thanks again for the ticket, Fourteen," Pinkie said. "Anytime," Fourteen replied. Pinkie smiled. "Bye!" She called as she boarded the train. "Bye!" Fourteen shouted in response. From the window, Pinkie watched Fourteen fade into the distance. "He's nice," Pinkie told herself. "Don't be silly, Pinkie!" She added. "You're married- you're married." Pinkie's pupils dilated. She hadn't seen her husband or daughter in over six months. "I'll see them soon." Pinkie tried to reassure herself. "I'm so close to finding them." But as Pinkie looked at the landscape moving around her, she felt alone. ~ When the train reached Rainbow Falls, Pinkie was the first one out. "Now, where to start?" She asked herself. Pinkie trotted through the small town, admiring the scenery. In the corner of her eye, she was watching everything. Except for a group of fillies and colts. "Watch out!" A young blue colt shouted, running from a group of friends. He pushed past Pinkie. "Whoa!" Pinkie cried as she fell back into a trashcan. The contents spilled out, and a piece of paper fluttered onto Pinkie Pie's muzzle. Pinkie picked it up. "3446 Sparkle Road, Neighgra Falls," she read. "Lyra Heartstrings."
The TruthPinkie quietly walked down Sparkle Road, looking for the house that supposedly belonged to Lyra. Pinkie felt her tail twitching in excitement. When she reached 3446 Sparkle Road, Pinkie inhaled a deep breath. "This is it," Pinkie told herself. "They have no escape." Pinkie knocked on the door. She watched it open with a golden glow. "Hello, who is- Sweet Celestia, Pinkie Pie!" Lyra yelped. She attempted to close the door, but Pinkie wedged herself in the doorway. "Why did you leave Bon Bon all alone?" Pinkie asked. "Why did you lie about your birth year? Tell me!" "Vinyl!" Lyra called desperately. "Help me!" "Are you immortal?" Pinkie asked. Lyra's eyes widened. She backed away and bumped into Vinyl Scratch. "Yes," Vinyl answered. Pinkie gasped. "I knew it! I knew it!" Pinkie cheered. Lyra glared at her. "It's not all fun and games, Pinkie," she said. Pinkie stopped. "Tell me about it," she replied. "What is it like?" Vinyl sighed. "Come into the living room, Pinkie. There's a lot to talk about." ~ "Now first, how long were you trailing us?" Vinyl asked when they were seated comfortably. "About 6 moons," Pinkie replied. "I spent the first week with Fluttershy. Hey, Vinyl, why'd you have Cherry Bling lock us up?" Vinyl blushed. "I didn't know what else to do, so I paid her to keep you out of commission for a week," Vinyl answered sheepishly. "So, Pinkie, what do you want to know?" Lyra asked. "Are you two related to Celestia or something? Is that why you're immortal? How old are you really?" Before Pinkie could ask another question, Lyra held up a hoof. "Hold on, Pinkie! My real age- I'm a centuries older than Vinyl. As for being related to Celestia-" "We aren't," Vinyl explained. "The princesses aren't even immortal." "They-they aren't?" Pinkie asked. Lyra shook her head. "Natural born alicorns have a much longer lifespan than regular ponies, up to 2,000 years," Lyra explained. "But they aren't immortal." "Then, how are you immortal?" Pinkie asked. Vinyl shook her head. "We have no idea," she admitted. "It's hard, though." "How do you know that you're immortal?" Pinkie questioned. "You could just have a long lifespan, like Celestia and Luna." "Lyra's done some research on immortality," Vinyl answered. "She won't tell me what she found, but she says that we are immortal. And, I actually tried to kill myself once," Vinyl added, "Just to see if it was true. It didn't work." Before Pinkie could respond, a tingling sensation spread through her body. It started in her tail, then went up to the tip of her muzzle. "What was that?" She gasped. Lyra stared at her. "Pinkie, has it ever occurred to you that you look the same as you did twenty years ago?" She asked. Pinkie widened her eyes. "Lyra, I- you couldn't be suggesting that-" "I just cast a spell on you," Lyra murmured. "that would sense if you were immortal. And, it seems that you are." Pinkie stared straight ahead. "But, how?" She whispered. Vinyl put a hoof on Pinkie's shoulder. "It's a shock, I know." "What about my friends? My family? What am I supposed to tell them?" Vinyl and Lyra exchanged glances. "There's a reason we don't stay in one place for so long, a reason we fake our deaths. How would the public react if they knew there were immortals among them?" "Is your name even Vinyl Scratch?" Pinkie asked. Vinyl cracked a smile and nodded. "So, Pinkie, you can return to your friends and family in Ponyville, if you'd like, or you can stay with Vinyl and I," Lyra commented. "Immortality isn't all it's cracked up to be, especially if you're all alone." Pinkie stared at them. Maybe she would never see Lucky Clover again. Or Buttercream. Or any of her friends. "I, I think I need to write a letter," Pinkie decided.
The LetterNot a day went by without Fluttershy missing Pinkie Pie. They all missed her. Fluttershy remembered the night she had come home, and discovered Buttercream was crying herself to sleep. Fluttershy went to pick up her mail that morning. When she saw the name on the top letter, she gasped. "Pinkie Pie!" She cried. Dropping all her other mail, Fluttershy flew as fast as she could to show the others. ~ Dear Fluttershy, Lucky Clover, Buttercream, Applejack, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity, I discovered something about myself and I feel like I couldn't live with you all anymore. I was right about Vinyl and Lyra. Lucky, I love you but I couldn't bear the pain and nostalgia I would face if I was still with you. Don't try looking for me. I hope you all have a wonderful life. Especially you, Buttercream. Fluttershy, thanks for believing in me, at least for a little while. Love, Pinkie Pie Author's Note I hope you enjoyed this! I have ideas for a sequel/prequel if you want me to explore more on this.
