Inner Demon

Pinkie Pie's PoV:

I bounced all around Sugarcube Corner. I was worried about that new pony I met in town earlier, but Twilight told me not to worry. I ended up forgetting all about him when I came in. Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake were in their rooms, so there wasn't any worry of them getting hurt in the crowd. The store was packed today, I guess all the ponies really wanted some of my tasty pastries! I think it was about a half hour later that I heard the door open. I saw Twilight standing there, and it looked like she was holding the door open for somepony. Aww, did she have a date? I couldn't quite see who she was talking to, some other ponies were in the way. I made my way through the dense crowd of ponies, and stopped when I saw who it was. It was that unicorn. And gosh, his jacket was sooo dirty! Rarity would go crazy if she saw him like that! I had to hide him, quick. I quickly reached out and grabbed him by the shoulders, pulling him inside the shop. I don't think he looked too happy about that, but that's because he didn't know I was rescuing him from Rarity and her need to be all clean and fancy and stuff!

"...Hi," he said. I don't know why he was so quiet about it. Maybe he was like that all the time? He'd sure get along with Fluttershy, she talked really quiet too. Except that one time when that mean minotaur came and gave her 'assertiveness techniques'. That was scary. I gave him my biggest, bestest smile I could muster.

"Well hi! I'm glad to see you're okay, and boy your jacket is really dirty! You better hope Rarity doesn't see you like that, she'll have a fit! And oh, now we can have your super duper Welcome to Ponyville Party!" I shouted. Maybe I was a bit too loud. Everypony started looking at us. The unicorn didn't look very comfortable about it either. Oh yes, he and Fluttershy would be bestie best friends. I began to bounce around him in a circle. I was so excited today. Especially since I would be able to throw another super spectacular party-

"Look, Pinkie," he started. "I'm sorry about running off earlier. It was pretty rude of me, even if my head felt like it was about to explode."

I stopped, blinking a couple times. I noticed Twilight nudge him and give him a disapproving glance, but he just shrugged it off. I don't think anypony would like their head exploding, that sounded like it hurt a lot! I started to bounce around again. Soon enough, I was rambling on about all kinds of stuff. From my pet alligator, Gummy, to the Cakes and their twins, and then the kinds of sweets I baked, and all my friends. Though, I don't know if he was listening. He seemed really spacey. I stopped after a few moments. He was totally zoned out. I looked at Twilight, and she just shrugged. Then I remembered I still had orders to fill. Uh-oh! I raced back into the kitchen and continued my baking frenzy!

"Well, I'd love to stick around and chat, Twilight Sparkle, but I have uh...stuff to do. Yeah."

I stopped. That was the new pony talking. I really needed to learn his name. There was a bright flash, and I heard Twilight groan. She sounded upset, so I went to talk to her.

"What happened, Twilight?" I asked.

She sighed. "Rion teleported somewhere. He's avoiding my question. I have to figure out what's bothering him so much, he's always zoning out."

"Oh, do you want me to help look for him? Maybe he's just playing hide-and-seek or something!" I loved hide-and-seek! I wondered if he was good at hiding. Probably, he's a unicorn so he could use magic to turn invisible or something.

"I don't think he's playing hide-and-seek, Pinkie," Twilight replied.

"Aww, but hide-and-seek is really fun," I said. Well that's no good, that's like, one of my favoritest games!

"But I'd really appreciate your help in looking for him," Twilight said, smiling. She probably didn't really need my help, but I agreed anyways. Twilight's really smart, she probably already knew where he was! Soon after, she used her magic to teleport too. I'm not sure where she went, but I think she mentioned something about Sweet Apple Acres. He probably went there. I guess he likes apples. I ran out of Sugarcube Corner, skipping the whole way to the Acres. It wasn't too far from Sugarcube Corner, so I got there pretty quick. That's about when I saw them. The new pony, er, Rion, had just managed to trip over one of the bordering fences when Twilight and Applejack came walking up. Wow, that really didn't take very long. And Rion was a terrible hider! Everypony knows you don't go and trip over a fence, you get caught real easy that way!

"Having fun?" I heard Twilight say.

I peeked out from behind the tree I was at. I don't know why I didn't just go over there. Maybe I didn't want to interrupt? Yeah, that was definitely it. Rion didn't look too happy. Then again, if I tripped over a big fence in front of my friends, I would be pretty embarrassed.

"This the pony you been tellin' me 'bout, Twi?" Applejack asked. She looked down at Rion, I think I saw a bit of suspicion in her eyes...I don't know why, Rion seemed nice. I mean, he totally spaced out a lot, but he wasn't bad. Right?

"Yes, Applejack, his name is Rion, and..." Twilight looked nervous now for some reason. And what? Maybe it was a guessing game? Or was she drawing suspense? It's no t like it was a story or anything, so there really wasn't any need to get dramatic. I thought Rarity was the drama queen.

"He's...He's a survivor from Peaksedan," Twilight finally said.

Peaksedan? I've never heard of that place before. Was it in Equestria? Wait a minute, survivor? I didn't exactly know what that was supposed to mean, but I guess it must have been bad, since AJ got all wide-eyed.

"From Peaksedan? Ya sure about that Twilight?" Applejack asked. Twilight just nodded. Okay, seriously, what is up with this Peaksedan place? Sometimes I feel like nopony tells me anything! Well, maybe they forgot, or they were planning to later. I figured it was best to not question my friends or doubt them, especially with what happened with my surprise party and all...

Rion started talking again. I shook my head and kept listening.

""Actually, I think I'm the only survivor. I remember waking up once, I didn't see a single pony around. I don't know how long I was awake after that, but I passed out on the street and woke up again laying on grass. I then proceeded to pass out once more, and that's when I woke up in your library, Twilight," I said, looking up at them.

Alright, I didn't understand what happened with Peaksedan at all, but the only survivor? I still didn't know what that meant exactly, but it sure sounded lonely. I think he needed a hug. Maybe then he'd smile.

Twilight and Applejack both looked at each other. They seemed worried. Really, I think I should just throw a party. Everypony's been so down in the dumps lately!

"Why don't you tell us what you remember?" Twilight asked, sitting down. Applejack did the same thing, and Rion sighed. I guess that means storytime! Woohoo!