Laughterby Derpyx0ChaptersChapter OneChapter TwoPLEASE READChapter Three (Part One)Chapter Three (Part Two)What's Next...Chapter OneIllusions By Derpyx2 The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and the pink party pony was arising from her slumber, ready to take on a new day. This party pony, Pinkie Pie, yawned as she trotted towards her bright pink bathroom. She turned on the shower and when the water was just right, she hopped right on in. She let out a sigh as the warm water rushed over her bright pink coat and mane. After taking the shower, Pinkie happily hummed a song as she dried herself off. Continuing her morning routine, Pinkie grabbed her purple brush from her drawer. Pinkie's cheerful smile was minimized with each glance at the brush. Pinkie shivered, knowing what she would have to do with it. Although she was acting as if she were going to war, a faint, playful smile was on Pinkie's face as the brush got closer to her mane. She took deep breaths, trying to calm herself as the brush approached her mane. Every morning, Pinkie had to fight a battle. A battle she normally won. A rough, excruciating task. She had to brush her rats nest of a mane. Pinkie slowly applied the brush to her mane, dragging it through the knots. She winced as the brush ripped apart her pieces of hair, making them separate. Finally, after ten minutes of pain and torture, Pinkie was finished with her mane. "Phew! That was a hassle!" Pinkie exclaimed as she gratefully put her brush away. Pinkie giggled at herself. She loved exaggerating things and making stuff up, and having a "fight" with her hair was no simple task! It's not like that was a real battle and real pain! Pinkie suddenly felt a pain in her chest, but it wasn't like the pain she felt while wrangling with her hair. It was a heavy pain, a pain of burden. Pinkie quickly shook it off. There was no time to be unhappy! Especially if there wasn't a reason to be unhappy. Although she had shook the feeling off, Pinkie still felt as if a bit of that heavy pain was still clinging on, like the few knots she couldn't get rid of, no matter how hard she brushed. Pinkie shook her head in response to her thoughts. She would just ignore it, as always. Still, for some reason, Pinkie found this unknown pain to cling on as hard as possible to her mind, making it hard to forget. Pinkie could usually just shake off this feeling, but today she couldn't. She didn't know what made the feeling so strong today, but she was determined to ignore it and not let it bring her down. Pinkie focused on other things for the rest of the day, like her job and her friends. Pinkie worked at Sugarcube Corner, the local bakery in Ponyville. Pinkie worked there in return for housing and food, as the shop was a home as well as a bakery. The shop belonged to the Cakes. The Cakes were middle-aged bakers with two wonderful children whom Pinkie adored. Pinkie was an employee, apprentice, and even family to the Cakes. Pinkie Pie didn't get to see her real family often. Her family lived on the edges of Equestria on a rock farm. Although she loved her family, Pinkie couldn't throw parties and make ponies happy there, so she moved away at sixteen. Not that her family didn't make her happy! Pinkie loved her family, it was just the atmosphere they lived in that made her sad. Pinkie flinched. There was that pang of sadness and pain again. Pinkie almost let out a groan. No matter what she did, what she thought of, Pinkie Pie couldn't seem to shake off this feeling of pain and sorrow! For the next hour, Pinkie served customers and baked delicious goodies at Sugarcube Corner. But Pinkie wasn't paying attention to anything around her, and this showed when she almost let a batch of cupcakes burn. She was getting Derpy's order of muffins ready when she smelled smoke. She dropped the muffins on the counter and ran into the kitchen. Pinkie knew that was no way to treat a customer, but this was an emergency! Plus, with her recent thoughts, Pinkie was feeling a bit discombobulated. When she reached the oven, the beeping had stopped, and the smoke was clearing up. Mrs. Cake was holding a batch of slightly burnt cupcakes with a mad look on her face. Seeing her expression, Pinkie's eyes darted away, and her ears flattened against her skull. Pinkie hung her head, ashamed. Mrs. Cake''s expression softened when she saw the distressed look on her apprentice's face. "Oh Pinkie. Are you okay? I'm not mad! I'm just... surprised! That's all!" Mrs. Cake tried to reassure Pinkie, but Pinkie felt the shame building up. Her face was bright red and hot, and she could not believe what she had just done. "I- I'm sorry Mrs. Cake. I don't know what I was doing! The cupcakes just slipped my mind, and I was helping Derpy, and then the alarm went off, and-" "Oh, Pinkie, it's okay. It was only twelve cupcakes! You do seem a little... off today though. You know what? How about taking the rest of the day off." Mrs. Cake offered with a smile. "Oh, no Mrs. Cake! I couldn't! I wouldn't be fulfilling my duties, and-" Pinkie tried to protest, but her boss shushed her. "Oh, no no no Pinkie. I shall have none of that. You will take the rest of the day off, alright? You just need a little time to gather yourself!" Seconds of silence seemed like hours, before the silence was broken by a reluctant, pent up sigh. "Oh, alright. Fine. I'll take the day off. But only because you're making me! Promise me- no Pinkie promise me that you'll let me work an extra shift when I'm done "gathering myself". It is only fair!" Pinkie insisted until her boss agreed. Satisfied, Pinkie trotted out of Sugarcube Corner. After helping out a frazzled, shocked Derpy, of course! Five helpful minutes later, Pinkie was on her way. To help herself relax, Pinkie decided to take a dip in the lake. It was about a mile long walk to the lake, and Pinkie's walks were normally uneventful. Pinkie's mind began to wonder, and she started thinking about her life as a filly. Pinkie grew up with her mother, father, and her three sisters. Her mother, Cloudy Quartz, was strict, but that was just because she was always worried and she cared for her family. Her father was like that too, but he loved fun, and he wasn't afraid to get his hooves dirty. Pinkie's sisters were always willing to play with her and cheer her up. Well, until the day. Pinkie shivered. When she was a filly, her sister Maud Pie died in a rock climbing accident. Around then, nopony was there to cheer Pinkie up. Nopony had cheer to share. Everypony was sad and depressed. She remembered when her mom was moping around the house, and Pinkie had asked her if she wanted to play a game. Her mom looked at her, and had opened her mouth as if she were about to scold her. Then she shook her head. "No, Pinkie," she said with a flat voice. Pinkie had asked everypony in the house, and they all replied with a sad, dejected "No, Pinkie". To Pinkie, it seemed as if she didn't have her family as her friends and playmates anymore, so she invented some. Pinkie had many imaginary friends, and she even remembered a few. Pinkie remembered Grey Rock, who was always causing trouble. She also remembered Red Tail, who was the peacemaker of the group. Something nagged at the back of Pinkie's mind. There was another friend, but she couldn't seem to remember it. Pinkie realized that the heavy feeling was back. She quickly averted her thoughts. Thinking about her past was not helping. Pinkie decided to think about the awesome party for Diamond Tiara she had recently thrown. Soon, Pinkie was at the lake, and the heavy feeling wasn't as strong. Pinkie approached the water, and stuck a hoof in. "Agh!" she screamed. The water was cold! Pinkie quickly pulled back her hoof. She looked back down at the water that was rippling. Pinkie giggled, her reflection in the water looked funny! She started making funny faces and funny gestures with her hoof. When the water stopped rippling, Pinkie looked down at her reflection once more. Pinkie's eyes widened, and she fell backwards into the sand. Her reflection in the water... wasn't her reflection. ~~~~~~ When Pinkie got up, she looked into the water. Her... other reflection was gone. When she stared into the shimmering pool of clear liquid, all Pinkie saw was her own smiling face looking up at her with its big, ocean blue eyes. Now, the pain was back, and much heavier than before. Pinkie shivered at the thought of the reflection. Something about it was just creepy. The reflection scared her. But what scared Pinkie the most was the feeling of recognition. Pinkie recognized the reflection. The reflection looked just like her, but the reflection's hair was straight, not poofy. The reflection also had dark bags under her eyes, and she looked sad. The reflection's eyes were blue, just like hers. However, the reflection lacked the gleam in her eyes that Pinkie had. It was if her eyes were just a covering, and there was nothing behind them. They looked empty, alone. Pinkie Pie squeezed her eyes shut, trying to shove the memory towards the back of her mind. During this fight inside her mind, Pinkie Pie yawned, realizing how tired she was. She stretched out on the sand, and fell asleep. ~~~~~~ "H-hello?" Pinkie asked nervously. She was in a white room, with nothing but a door and a metal table to keep her company. "Is anyone here?" Pinkie's voice echoed in the empty room, falling on deaf ears. Pinkie Pie felt a growing sense of dread in her stomach. The heavy feeling appeared once more, but this time, it was different. The feeling wasn't a pain anymore. It felt more like she was anxious, waiting for something. Although she felt scared, Pinkie felt a tad bit of longing thrown into this feeling soup. She didn't know why she was longing for whatever was coming, but she was. Suddenly, the door opened without a sound. Pinkie was startled, since she hadn't heard the clip-clop of anypony's hooves approaching. Through the door, came the reflection. But this time, it wasn't one dimensional. The reflection had been turned into a pony; a pony who was beckoning Pinkie. Despite the dread weighing her down, that feeling of longing made Pinkie trot towards the reflection. The reflection left the room and trotted down a dark hall. Pinkie followed her through what seemed to be a maze of hallways and doors. After they walked around what seemed like the millionth corner, the reflection stopped abruptly. Pinkie followed in suit, halting quickly. The reflection's dead eyes were focused on a spot in the hall. Pinkie peered at the spot as well, seeing nothing. She looked away, then looked back. Standing there was Grey Rock. Pinkie gasped, but she made no sound. He was just like she imagined when she was a filly! Short, spiky grey mane, and a grey coat with three pieces of coal as a cutie mark. At that instant, another one of her imaginary friends appeared, this time it was Red Tail. Just like Grey Rock, Red Tail looked exactly like she imagined him as a filly. Red Tail's mane and tail was bright red with a black streak down the center. His coat was charcoal grey, and his cutie mark features a small blaze. More and more of her imaginary friends appeared. And one by one, Pinkie recognized them all. Throughout the whole ordeal, the reflection stood in one spot, still looking at the same spot as it was before. However, the spot was now filled to the brim with all of Pinkie's imaginary friends from her past. When it seemed that no more would appear, the reflection shuffled over to the crowd. It stood between Red Tail and Fallen Leaf. As it walked over, it had been staring at the ground. When it found its spot, it looked up, locking eyes with Pinkie. In an instant, nothing else existed. The imaginary friends may as well have disappeared. All that remained were Pinkie and the reflection. Fear coursed through Pinkie's body, making it so that she was unable to move. Eyes wide in shock, Pinkie Pie was stuck to the ground. It was as if somepony had taken glue and glued Pinkie's hooves to the concrete flooring. The reflection's dead eyes stared at Pinkie. Though they seemed hollow, it was as if they were a drill, full of evil as they tried to dig up everything in Pinkie's mind. Pinkie felt that feeling of recognition again, but she couldn't place exactly what she recognized the reflection from. She didn't know what had caused her to conjure it up. As its eyes bored into her, Pinkie felt her strength slipping away. The reflection was eating all the strength out of her like she was a cherry pie. Pinkie felt herself slipping away into nothingness. She was almost gone. She was falling, falling into a black hole of nothingness. A hole that never ended. The once silent reflection was laughing quietly. Its laugh sent shivers down Pinkie's spine. Although it had jumped into the hole much later then Pinkie, the reflection was getting closer and closer, until Pinkie could feel its hot breath upon her cheek. The reflection grabbed her with its hooves and started squeezing her neck. "No!" Pinkie screamed, but she didn't make a sound. She couldn't talk. She couldn't scream. She couldn't breath. The reflection squeezed harder as its mane and coat got darker. It had soon turned into a shadow, and it almost had Pinkie Pie. Pinkie screamed and screamed, but nopony could hear her. She went limp, accepting her fate. When it seemed as if she would pass out, Pinkie looked down and saw the ground. It was approaching faster and faster, and Pinkie braced herself for impact. She couldn't get the image of her body hitting the ground out of her head. She could hear her bones splintering into tiny, tiny pieces. The blood would gush out from her head. And the monster reflection would stand over her triumphantly, proud to have killed its prey. Its blood-stained mane would sway in the wind, and it would laugh that evil laugh, knowing Pinkie would be gone. Nopony would be able to help Pinkie, just like when her sister died. Pinkie and the reflection were about to hit the ground, when suddenly- ~~~~~~ Pinkie woke up. Chapter TwoIllusions By Derpyx2 Pinkie heavily breathed in and out as she lay on her beach towel. Her dream had seemed so... real. So vivid. Yet, it was just a dream. Nothing more, nothing less. Besides, it wasn't as if this wasn't common for Pinkie. Her imagination would run so wild, it could come up with all sorts of scary things! Pinkie would constantly have nightmares about things like the Boogie Mare and creepy ghosts. But this time it was different. Pinkie didn't feel as if she were the one making this up. This dream wasn't just inside her head. She wasn't in control anymore. And although she tried to convince herself that everything was a dream, Pinkie still felt that sharp stab of fear she had previously felt while falling in the dream. Pinkie had felt as if she had an icicle piercing her coat. It felt as if its cold and sharpness was running throughout her entire body. It seemed as if the icicle was in her blood, coursing through her veins, through her entire being. This feeling had only happened once before, back when she was living on the farm as a filly. ~~~~~~ It started when she had first created her imaginary friends. Not only did Pinkie create those friends for company, Pinkie liked to pretend that she put all her sorrows into them when she created them. Although it did help her rid some of her sadness, there was still some sadness that clung on, like the few pieces of her mane that refused to be brushed down with the rest of her mane. Neither wanted to move. Thinking of this past pain, something struck Pinkie. She felt it in the back of her mind. And she could remember the day like it was yesterday. After the death of her sister, it seemed as if Pinkie was getting more and more depressed by the minute. One sad, depressing morning, she had looked in a mirror to brush her mane, when she saw a reflection of herself. The reflection scared her at first, as it was a twisted reflection of Pinkie herself. The reflection constantly chased Pinkie, and it always muttered about "control, control". But eventually, the reflection caught up to Pinkie and explained that she wanted to control Pinkie's sadness, and make her feel better. Now that everything was explained, Pinkie slowly warmed up to the reflection, although she always felt a bit uneasy around her. But Pinkie shook that feeling off, since the reflection told her that it could "take the pain away". What happened next was hazy, and Pinkie couldn't remember what had happened. All she remembered now was that she woke up, and she had felt as though a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She felt free for the first time in what seemed like months! It was as if chains had been lifted off her hooves, and thrown away forever! Then, to top her happiness off, she had gotten her cutie mark that day! As a sign of her happiness, her mane went from a limp, clump of hair to a poofy, lively bundle of mane! Whatever had been dragging her (and her hair) down was gone! She felt carefree, so carefree and happy that she didn't even put up a fight that night when she went to sleep at eight. She was about to go to sleep, when she heard faint crying coming from her mirror. And there she was, her reflection, her savior, her friend... crying. Pinkie remembered rushing over to her reflection, asking what was wrong. Pinkie once again shook off the uneasy feeling that was churning in her gut. After shaking off that feeling, the reflection had replied with "Everything!" in answer to her question. The reflection said that it was happy that it had taken Pinkie's weight off her, but now, all she consisted of was sadness. Pinkie felt so responsible, yet she didn't know what to do. After some thinking, the reflection had requested a deal. She would continue to be Pinkie's sadness, if Pinkie agreed to give up her happiness at night. Pinkie agreed, thinking nothing could go wrong. The only downside to the deal was the constant nightmares about her reflection, which resembled the nightmare Pinkie had had today. Pinkie remembered when she moved to Ponyville, she was still having these nightmares, as she was still giving up her happiness at night. She was growing tired of the constant sweat on her face, and terror in her mind. Since she didn't want to visit any therapists or psychologists, Pinkie Pie decided to talk to her good friend Applejack about her nightmares. Since Applejack was a "practical pony", she didn't believe Pinkie when she said the dreams were real. Applejack had said that Pinkie was just imagining this reflection, and, no matter how real everything seemed, the reflection could never hurt or get to her. The reflection was probably just the aftermath of one of Pinkie's fears, anyways. Applejack had offered some great advice about not feeding the nightmare or her fear, and Pinkie put the idea into action. She ignored the sobs or the soft whispers at night, and they eventually disappeared. After they disappeared, Pinkie woke up with a sudden weight on her chest, and she figured that since the contract was broken, she had to be sad now. Since it had been so long, Pinkie didn't know how to deal with these negative feelings. She would hold in her sadness and anger until she burst. Pinkie was always like a piece of glass. At one little nudge, she would fall to the ground and break. When she was nudged, Pinkie would lose all of the happiness that she once had, and she would either become depressed, extremely angry, or crazy. She only snapped out of it when somepony was there to remind her that she had beaten the reflection. That she could gain herself, gain her happiness, and have control once more. ~~~~~~ The reflection Pinkie saw as a filly had to be the same reflection she saw today! It couldn't be just a coincidence! Pinkie had felt the same as before, and she had seen the same things too! But why would she come now? Revenge? Was she mad Pinkie hadn't been nudged at all in a long time? Did she want her happiness back? Pinkie didn't know if she could live with that! All these thoughts were worrying Pinkie, and she had no idea how to get rid of them. It was as if they were controlling her mind, and she couldn't stop them. The only thing Pinkie could think to do at the moment was go to her friend who had been there for her. The one who understood. The only one who didn't say to "get professional help". The one who helped her during the times when the reflection was controlling her. With that decided, Pinkie Pie headed over towards Sweet Apple Acres. ~~~~~~ Pinkie quickly galloped towards the shelter of the Apple's barn. The sun that had earlier shone that day was now hidden away by clouds, and little droplets of rain had soaked Pinkie's shivering backside and mane. She knocked on the barn door with all her might, desperate to gain the attention of one of the country folk so she could be let in, into a dry place. Luckily, Applejack came to her aid. After glancing at her soaking, freezing friend, Applejack rushed Pinkie inside and got her a nice, fluffy towel from another room. "Why, Pinkie, y'all are absolutely soaked! Why'd ya go outside 'durin a doozy like this?" Pinkie shivered in response, and Applejack brought her a warm cup of cocoa. When she was warmed up, Pinkie gazed fearfully into Applejack's eyes. "A- Applejack? I.. uh... I had a nightmare. I haven't had one in a long time but itseemstohavecomebackandIdon'tknowwhattodobecauseitscaresmealotandI-" Applejack cut Pinkie off with a curt stomp of her hoof. "Pinkie! Slow down, would ya? I can't keep up with yer fast 'talkin Pinkie language!" Pinkie blinked, then realized that she had slipped into "fast mode" with her voice. It happened whenever she was scared or nervous. Really scared or nervous. "S- sorry, Applejack. I- I'll slow down, so you see..." Pinkie told Applejack all about the nightmare, and how it resembled the nightmares she used to talk to her friend about. Throughout the story, Applejack nodded her head, or, at rare times, shook her head as if it were all nonsense. When she had finished, Applejack looked Pinkie straight in her bright blue eye. It was the most serious gaze Applejack had ever given Pinkie. Normally, her "serious" gazes held a twinkle beneath the gaze itself. But this gaze, this serious gaze, was hollow. Nothing but an honest, sober look met Pinkie's gaze. Applejack sighed, and opened her mouth. She closed it shortly after, as if struggling to find the words. For a short while, Applejack struggled to find words for Pinkie's dilemma. It was as if she could open the book of words, but she could read not a single one. Finally, Applejack let out another exasperated sigh and opened her mouth. "Pinkie, y'all know this isn't real. They're just dreams is all. Maybe... I dunno. 'Somethin happened. 'Somethin made this nightmare come back. But I know y'all can make this nightmare go away.. You've done it before. Pinkie, 'jus try ta forget about it. It'll all go away eventually. Just use that happiness you have to counter its negativity. But for now, since it's 'rainin hard, why don'tcha stay for dinner. Trust me. No nightmare'll dare enter this house! Not while I'm around!" Applejack declared. Pinkie looked at her for any hint of laughter or humor, but she found none. All of Applejack's words were honest sincerity. "Thanks, Applejack. I appreciate it. A lot. Like, really a lot! I mean, this is the nicest, bestest, awesomest thing you've ever done for me! It's so great, hey! maybe we can throw a party!" Applejack laughed and shook her head. "That's alright, Pinkie. This is just what friends do for each other. Now, would y'all like to help out with dinner?" Applejack asked, her eyes and mouth still smiling. "Of course! Why wouldn't I?! This is going to be so much fun!" Pinkie went on and on as she and Applejack trotted over to the kitchen. ~~~~~~ After making and eating dinner with the Apples, Pinkie was exhausted. Fun could be tiring! Pinkie said her goodbyes, gave her hugs, gave more hugs (even with the protests from Applejack), and then trotted home. Mrs. Cake said she was so happy to see Pinkie smiling and being herself again, and Pinkie promised to work super duper hard the next day. After making Mrs. Cake Pinkie Promise that she wouldn't pay Pinkie extra for getting up early for work, she trotted up to her room, satisfied. Pinkie threw on her pajamas and hopped into her bright pink bed. She closed her eyes, and started counting out Gummys (her pet alligator) in her head to help her go to sleep. Pinkie was drifting off, when a soft sound pierced the dead quiet in the room. It was sniffling. Soft, faint, sniffling. Though the sound sent a shiver through her spine, Pinkie didn't like to see, or hear, anypony unhappy. Pinkie trotted closer and closer towards the sound, the fear in her gut growing. Though she knew she should turn away and go to sleep, something, some invisible force, pulled Pinkie nearer and nearer to the sound. When the sound got louder, Pinkie suddenly turned towards the mirror. Standing there, in the mirror, crying, was Pinkie's twisted reflection. The reflection looked at Pinkie, sorrow and anger in its eyes. Studying it, Pinkie knew there was else in the reflections eyes. But she couldn't place her hoof on it. Suddenly, the reflection locked eyes with the bright pink, trembling mare. In a voice as cold as ice, as breakable as glass, the reflection said, "You broke our promise, Pinkie, and now you must pay." At that announcement, all the happiness drained from Pinkie's body. She was nothing, falling into that deep, dark pit once more. The only thing she felt was stabbing, cold pain. "Help," Pinkie whispered desperately. But the reflection just stared down at her sadly. "No." PLEASE READSorry I haven't posted in a while! I've been on an eight day camping trip! I should have some chapters out soon! -Derpy 2 Chapter Three (Part One)Illusions By Derpyx2 "Wake up. Pinkie, wake up!" an unknown voice whispered. Pinkie groaned. Why was Mrs. Cake waking her up this early? It was only two in the morning. Pinkie rolled over, and her eyes fluttered open, like butterflies flapping their wings for the first time. Like an unfocused camera, Pinkie's vision was not clear. When she finally wiped the sleep out of her eyes, Pinkie saw a horrifyingly familiar face in front of her. Pinkie quickly shut her eyes, then opened them once more. The face was still there. "Hi," her reflection said. Pinkie was about to scream, but her reflection covered her mouth with a hoof. "Mmf mmf mff mmm!" Pinkie mumbled. She struggled to get out words, as her reflection's hoof was clamping her mouth shut. Her reflection finally let go, and Pinkie breathed heavily. After she calmed herself, she faced her reflection angrily. "Why would you do that, Pinkamina? What's your problem?" The reflection just shook her head and sighed deeply, as if Pinkie weren't understanding the obvious. "Pinkie, you don't know? Really?" Pinkie shook her head, her expression slowly morphing into one of confusion. "Pinkie, I, well, I'll just explain it from the beginning, since you obviously don't understand. Alright, here it goes. Oh, and no interrupting! I'm trying to help you here!" Pinkamina exclaimed. Pinkie Pie hesitantly nodded. She didn't know what to think now. She was still confused, and a tad bit angry at her reflection. She also was mistrusting of Pinkamina. This was the same reflection that stole away her happiness, after all. On top of all these emotions, Pinkie was scared of her reflection. Her fear took over her brain, so she complied to Pinkamina's demands. "Okay, so, as you know, when you were a filly, you got very depressed. As a pony, you have some magic inside you. All ponies have magic, and it can be channeled through their wings, their horns, or even the earth. But you have a very special way of creating magic. Through your emotions. You were so depressed, your emotions created a... form for your depression. Kind of like how a glow is cast when a unicorn uses magic. Your glow was in the form of a pony. I, this pony, am all of your depression. I am very much real, even if I am made of magic, and I didn't like the feeling of depression. At the time you could have done whatever you wanted with me. You could have cast away your depression forever! But, since you were so upset and naive, you didn't try to do anything about me. Realizing that I had power in your mind, I persuaded you to take all this depression at night, so that I could have some time to be happy." Forgetting their agreement, Pinkie angrily growled, "So, you tricked me! You manipulated me! That's not nice, you know!" Pinkamina just sighed and shook her head again. "Pinkie, you aren't understanding. You manipulated yourself. I am all in your head." "But I thought you said you were real?" "I am mentally real, not physically real. Nopony but you can see me. That fact, however, does not make me any less real. I am only real to you. Therefor, I am real, yet you still control me. Now, may I continue?" "Sure." "Great. So, as I was saying. I am mentally real. I am in your head, but magic is created in your head! You created me out of your emotions and your brain. Now, at the time, you were so broken, you couldn't control me if you knew how. Therefor, I made you a deal. Since I was still a part of you, you still had all your depression, and something in the back of your mind told you that was dangerous. You then created this deal with yourself, so you wouldn't be as dangerous. But as time went on, you regretted this decision. You were also gaining more power to think over yourself. Using your thoughts, and some persuasion from your friend, you battled this part of your conscious, until it completely shut itself down. It did, however, break through at points, and that's when you would have your episodes. "But you see, this part of your mind has been gaining power, and it now has muddled into your thinking. I am here as a medium. I help guide these thoughts to you. I am the magic that created these thoughts and me. This is not your magic anymore. For when you shut us down, you shut away the magic as well. We have used that magic to gain power, control, and you now have a choice. We don't want to be locked away anymore. You can either give us you, or, you can give us your happiness. We are tired of your prancing around while we suffer. You now have to pay for all those years of pain. Pinkie, we will give you time to decide. Give us your body, or your happiness. Just remember, it is all about power." Pinkamina stared Pinkie in the eye. Pinkie trembled under her glare of ice, slashing through her soul. She had a tough decision to make. And try as she might, she couldn't control herself to think away this magic. It was too powerful. It was dark magic. And Pinkie hated it. She tried to struggle away, but she was trapped. Chained. She had to make a decision. "I shall give you until next Sunday. At sundown, you must give me your final decision, or we will make it for you." Pinkie could tell her reflection was about to leave. "Wait!" she shouted. "Wait. I have a question." "Well, spit it out! It is almost sunrise! I must go." "Alright. A- are you really real?" Pinkie asked, her voice shaking. The reflection stared at her. Her eyes were no longer ice. They were dull and unblinking. Suddenly, they changed. Fire was in Pinkamina's eyes. A devilish grin spread across her face. She turned towards Pinkie, spitting every word. But underneath the fire in her voice, was the sweet, refreshing sound of sympathy. "Pinkie, I explained this to you. I am as real as you think I am." With that, Pinkamina was gone. Chapter Three (Part Two)She was visiting her every night, now. But each night, her eyes grew less and less scary, her tone less and less sharp. She was turning into a friend, not a monster. The two talked, and Pinkamina comforted her. However, the cozier the two got, the more Pinkie wished for the night to come. The more she wished to see her friend. And she didn't even realize what was happening. Pinkamina was reeling her in, like a fish on a hook, and Pinkie was taking the bait. She was becoming more and more distant, but she didn't notice. She wasn't talking to anypony, and only one friend had an idea why. Applejack had called Pinkie and told her to come over. She obliged, oblivious to Applejack's intentions. When she got there, Applejack tried to weasel some information out of her. "Hey there, Sugarcube! I've noticed you've seemed kind of... distant lately. Is there 'anythin you'd like to talk about?" Pinkie's conscious realized the farm pony's ploy, so it instructed Pinkie to shake her head. "Nope! I'm perfectly fine! Super happy! Happy as a Pinkie on a birthday!" Pinkie even forced a half smile onto her face. However, she was lying straight to Applejack's honest face. She was feeling more and more depressed, and with her depression came the power of the dark magic. It was taking control of more and more of her mind, and Pinkie let it. All she wanted was to be happy, and if ignoring AJ helped, so be it. "We'll, if, uh, you wanna talk about 'anythin, just come on by the farm!" "Alright. Bye, AJ." "Bye, Pinkie!" With that, Pinkie Pie trotted away. Lets go home. Tomorrow is the big day Pinkamina said. Pinkie just nodded and trotted on home. Applejack, watching from the barn, just shook her head. "Ah hope she's okay. Ah couldn't tell if she was 'lyin or not." Applejack yawned. "Oh well. Ah can try again in the morning." ~~~~~~ "Goodnight, Pinkie!" Mrs. Cake said. Pinkie only nodded in response, to deep in conversation with Pinkamina. But... I want to be happy! I don't know what to do! I want to be happy, but... But then I'll never talk to my friends again! Pinkie exclaimed. She was right. If she allowed the dark magic to take over her body, and not just her brain, then her entire being would belong to the magic. What she didn't know was that either way, the dark magic would take over her entire being. If it took away her happiness, she would be depressed enough for the magic to convince her to give up her body, as there was no point in being alive anymore. Pinkie was wondering if she should let it take over her, but what she didn't know was that it had already taken over her. It had taken over her mind and body long ago. The magic had been chipping away at her conscious, and at sundown on Sunday, she would finally fall apart. The dark magic would finally have defeated Laughter. The dark magic would make a chip in harmony. But really, it was dark magic that defeated Laughter. It was Laughter that defeated Laughter. The dark magic just played Pinkie. It muddled with her thoughts, making her believe that there was no other way to save her happiness then to give it up. So, really, Pinkie was just chipping away at herself. Breaking herself down. The dark magic was just helping. "Well, goodnight, Pinkamina. We have a big day tomorrow." Pinkie then fell asleep. Yes, she had a very, very big day tomorrow. For tomorrow, she would be gone. Forever. ~~~~~~ "I... I just can't deal with this anymore!" Pinkie Pie wailed. She had had the worst day of her life today. All her friends had avoided her, and now she was depressed as ever. "Shh, it's okay. Pinkie, you know I know how to make the sadness stop. I can do it. You just have to help me out in return," her conscious said. "Y- you can do that? P- please, make it stop!" "Okay, Pinkie. I can make everything stop. Just calm down. I can make the bad go away. Forever. And in return, you just have to let me snap my fingers." But Pinkie wasn't listening anymore. She was wailing and shouting "Make it stop!" If it could, the dark magic would have sighed and rolled its non-existent eyes. "Pinkie, I can make. It. Stop." When the word "stop" was said, a loud snap was heard. Suddenly, Pinkie felt an immense pain in her stomach. "W- what is that? It hurts so bad!" Pinkie screamed. It was as if somepony were twisting a knife around in her stomach, and they seemed intent on not stopping. "Shh, Pinkie. It will all stop hurting in a minute," a voice said. If she weren't in so much pain, Pinkie Pie would have noticed that the voice was not the voice of her conscious. It was the voice of somepony else. Of something else. As soon as it started, the pain stopped. Pinkie dropped to the floor, her eyes glazed over. She was glowing a pale blue, and that pale blue was shooting straight out of her heart, into a glass bottle. When the last of the pale blue aura was collected, the bottle was sealed shut, and Pinkie got up. Her mane was hanging limply, and her coat and mane were a sickly, almost grey pink color. Pinkie's head swiveled around, and she gazed at her cutie mark. It was grey as the sky on a rainy day. Pinkie blinked her pale blue eyes and sighed. All she could feel was the weight of sadness in her stomach. The pain and the sadness was hers to bear, now. She had been tricked. ~~~~~~ "Finally, Laughter is mine! If everything keeps going on like this, Night, then chaos shall rule very, very soon! Come, you need to regain your strength." A lion paw gestured for the glowing mist to follow. It obeyed, its yellow eyes gleaming in the darkness. On the way to their cave, the creature looked at the jar again. Small in his lion paw, yet so, so powerful. His yellow and red eyes narrowed. He smiled a devious smile, his gleaming snaggle tooth showing. "One down, five to go." The End What's Next...Hey, guys! Derpy 2 here! The reason I didn't mark this complete is because I wanted to tell you what comes next. Oh, and sorry for the name change! It fits with the series more. Yes. I said series. I am going to make this a series! Here is the order: Laughter Honesty Generosity Loyalty Kindness Magic I hope you'll stay tuned for Honesty!
Chapter OneIllusions By Derpyx2 The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and the pink party pony was arising from her slumber, ready to take on a new day. This party pony, Pinkie Pie, yawned as she trotted towards her bright pink bathroom. She turned on the shower and when the water was just right, she hopped right on in. She let out a sigh as the warm water rushed over her bright pink coat and mane. After taking the shower, Pinkie happily hummed a song as she dried herself off. Continuing her morning routine, Pinkie grabbed her purple brush from her drawer. Pinkie's cheerful smile was minimized with each glance at the brush. Pinkie shivered, knowing what she would have to do with it. Although she was acting as if she were going to war, a faint, playful smile was on Pinkie's face as the brush got closer to her mane. She took deep breaths, trying to calm herself as the brush approached her mane. Every morning, Pinkie had to fight a battle. A battle she normally won. A rough, excruciating task. She had to brush her rats nest of a mane. Pinkie slowly applied the brush to her mane, dragging it through the knots. She winced as the brush ripped apart her pieces of hair, making them separate. Finally, after ten minutes of pain and torture, Pinkie was finished with her mane. "Phew! That was a hassle!" Pinkie exclaimed as she gratefully put her brush away. Pinkie giggled at herself. She loved exaggerating things and making stuff up, and having a "fight" with her hair was no simple task! It's not like that was a real battle and real pain! Pinkie suddenly felt a pain in her chest, but it wasn't like the pain she felt while wrangling with her hair. It was a heavy pain, a pain of burden. Pinkie quickly shook it off. There was no time to be unhappy! Especially if there wasn't a reason to be unhappy. Although she had shook the feeling off, Pinkie still felt as if a bit of that heavy pain was still clinging on, like the few knots she couldn't get rid of, no matter how hard she brushed. Pinkie shook her head in response to her thoughts. She would just ignore it, as always. Still, for some reason, Pinkie found this unknown pain to cling on as hard as possible to her mind, making it hard to forget. Pinkie could usually just shake off this feeling, but today she couldn't. She didn't know what made the feeling so strong today, but she was determined to ignore it and not let it bring her down. Pinkie focused on other things for the rest of the day, like her job and her friends. Pinkie worked at Sugarcube Corner, the local bakery in Ponyville. Pinkie worked there in return for housing and food, as the shop was a home as well as a bakery. The shop belonged to the Cakes. The Cakes were middle-aged bakers with two wonderful children whom Pinkie adored. Pinkie was an employee, apprentice, and even family to the Cakes. Pinkie Pie didn't get to see her real family often. Her family lived on the edges of Equestria on a rock farm. Although she loved her family, Pinkie couldn't throw parties and make ponies happy there, so she moved away at sixteen. Not that her family didn't make her happy! Pinkie loved her family, it was just the atmosphere they lived in that made her sad. Pinkie flinched. There was that pang of sadness and pain again. Pinkie almost let out a groan. No matter what she did, what she thought of, Pinkie Pie couldn't seem to shake off this feeling of pain and sorrow! For the next hour, Pinkie served customers and baked delicious goodies at Sugarcube Corner. But Pinkie wasn't paying attention to anything around her, and this showed when she almost let a batch of cupcakes burn. She was getting Derpy's order of muffins ready when she smelled smoke. She dropped the muffins on the counter and ran into the kitchen. Pinkie knew that was no way to treat a customer, but this was an emergency! Plus, with her recent thoughts, Pinkie was feeling a bit discombobulated. When she reached the oven, the beeping had stopped, and the smoke was clearing up. Mrs. Cake was holding a batch of slightly burnt cupcakes with a mad look on her face. Seeing her expression, Pinkie's eyes darted away, and her ears flattened against her skull. Pinkie hung her head, ashamed. Mrs. Cake''s expression softened when she saw the distressed look on her apprentice's face. "Oh Pinkie. Are you okay? I'm not mad! I'm just... surprised! That's all!" Mrs. Cake tried to reassure Pinkie, but Pinkie felt the shame building up. Her face was bright red and hot, and she could not believe what she had just done. "I- I'm sorry Mrs. Cake. I don't know what I was doing! The cupcakes just slipped my mind, and I was helping Derpy, and then the alarm went off, and-" "Oh, Pinkie, it's okay. It was only twelve cupcakes! You do seem a little... off today though. You know what? How about taking the rest of the day off." Mrs. Cake offered with a smile. "Oh, no Mrs. Cake! I couldn't! I wouldn't be fulfilling my duties, and-" Pinkie tried to protest, but her boss shushed her. "Oh, no no no Pinkie. I shall have none of that. You will take the rest of the day off, alright? You just need a little time to gather yourself!" Seconds of silence seemed like hours, before the silence was broken by a reluctant, pent up sigh. "Oh, alright. Fine. I'll take the day off. But only because you're making me! Promise me- no Pinkie promise me that you'll let me work an extra shift when I'm done "gathering myself". It is only fair!" Pinkie insisted until her boss agreed. Satisfied, Pinkie trotted out of Sugarcube Corner. After helping out a frazzled, shocked Derpy, of course! Five helpful minutes later, Pinkie was on her way. To help herself relax, Pinkie decided to take a dip in the lake. It was about a mile long walk to the lake, and Pinkie's walks were normally uneventful. Pinkie's mind began to wonder, and she started thinking about her life as a filly. Pinkie grew up with her mother, father, and her three sisters. Her mother, Cloudy Quartz, was strict, but that was just because she was always worried and she cared for her family. Her father was like that too, but he loved fun, and he wasn't afraid to get his hooves dirty. Pinkie's sisters were always willing to play with her and cheer her up. Well, until the day. Pinkie shivered. When she was a filly, her sister Maud Pie died in a rock climbing accident. Around then, nopony was there to cheer Pinkie up. Nopony had cheer to share. Everypony was sad and depressed. She remembered when her mom was moping around the house, and Pinkie had asked her if she wanted to play a game. Her mom looked at her, and had opened her mouth as if she were about to scold her. Then she shook her head. "No, Pinkie," she said with a flat voice. Pinkie had asked everypony in the house, and they all replied with a sad, dejected "No, Pinkie". To Pinkie, it seemed as if she didn't have her family as her friends and playmates anymore, so she invented some. Pinkie had many imaginary friends, and she even remembered a few. Pinkie remembered Grey Rock, who was always causing trouble. She also remembered Red Tail, who was the peacemaker of the group. Something nagged at the back of Pinkie's mind. There was another friend, but she couldn't seem to remember it. Pinkie realized that the heavy feeling was back. She quickly averted her thoughts. Thinking about her past was not helping. Pinkie decided to think about the awesome party for Diamond Tiara she had recently thrown. Soon, Pinkie was at the lake, and the heavy feeling wasn't as strong. Pinkie approached the water, and stuck a hoof in. "Agh!" she screamed. The water was cold! Pinkie quickly pulled back her hoof. She looked back down at the water that was rippling. Pinkie giggled, her reflection in the water looked funny! She started making funny faces and funny gestures with her hoof. When the water stopped rippling, Pinkie looked down at her reflection once more. Pinkie's eyes widened, and she fell backwards into the sand. Her reflection in the water... wasn't her reflection. ~~~~~~ When Pinkie got up, she looked into the water. Her... other reflection was gone. When she stared into the shimmering pool of clear liquid, all Pinkie saw was her own smiling face looking up at her with its big, ocean blue eyes. Now, the pain was back, and much heavier than before. Pinkie shivered at the thought of the reflection. Something about it was just creepy. The reflection scared her. But what scared Pinkie the most was the feeling of recognition. Pinkie recognized the reflection. The reflection looked just like her, but the reflection's hair was straight, not poofy. The reflection also had dark bags under her eyes, and she looked sad. The reflection's eyes were blue, just like hers. However, the reflection lacked the gleam in her eyes that Pinkie had. It was if her eyes were just a covering, and there was nothing behind them. They looked empty, alone. Pinkie Pie squeezed her eyes shut, trying to shove the memory towards the back of her mind. During this fight inside her mind, Pinkie Pie yawned, realizing how tired she was. She stretched out on the sand, and fell asleep. ~~~~~~ "H-hello?" Pinkie asked nervously. She was in a white room, with nothing but a door and a metal table to keep her company. "Is anyone here?" Pinkie's voice echoed in the empty room, falling on deaf ears. Pinkie Pie felt a growing sense of dread in her stomach. The heavy feeling appeared once more, but this time, it was different. The feeling wasn't a pain anymore. It felt more like she was anxious, waiting for something. Although she felt scared, Pinkie felt a tad bit of longing thrown into this feeling soup. She didn't know why she was longing for whatever was coming, but she was. Suddenly, the door opened without a sound. Pinkie was startled, since she hadn't heard the clip-clop of anypony's hooves approaching. Through the door, came the reflection. But this time, it wasn't one dimensional. The reflection had been turned into a pony; a pony who was beckoning Pinkie. Despite the dread weighing her down, that feeling of longing made Pinkie trot towards the reflection. The reflection left the room and trotted down a dark hall. Pinkie followed her through what seemed to be a maze of hallways and doors. After they walked around what seemed like the millionth corner, the reflection stopped abruptly. Pinkie followed in suit, halting quickly. The reflection's dead eyes were focused on a spot in the hall. Pinkie peered at the spot as well, seeing nothing. She looked away, then looked back. Standing there was Grey Rock. Pinkie gasped, but she made no sound. He was just like she imagined when she was a filly! Short, spiky grey mane, and a grey coat with three pieces of coal as a cutie mark. At that instant, another one of her imaginary friends appeared, this time it was Red Tail. Just like Grey Rock, Red Tail looked exactly like she imagined him as a filly. Red Tail's mane and tail was bright red with a black streak down the center. His coat was charcoal grey, and his cutie mark features a small blaze. More and more of her imaginary friends appeared. And one by one, Pinkie recognized them all. Throughout the whole ordeal, the reflection stood in one spot, still looking at the same spot as it was before. However, the spot was now filled to the brim with all of Pinkie's imaginary friends from her past. When it seemed that no more would appear, the reflection shuffled over to the crowd. It stood between Red Tail and Fallen Leaf. As it walked over, it had been staring at the ground. When it found its spot, it looked up, locking eyes with Pinkie. In an instant, nothing else existed. The imaginary friends may as well have disappeared. All that remained were Pinkie and the reflection. Fear coursed through Pinkie's body, making it so that she was unable to move. Eyes wide in shock, Pinkie Pie was stuck to the ground. It was as if somepony had taken glue and glued Pinkie's hooves to the concrete flooring. The reflection's dead eyes stared at Pinkie. Though they seemed hollow, it was as if they were a drill, full of evil as they tried to dig up everything in Pinkie's mind. Pinkie felt that feeling of recognition again, but she couldn't place exactly what she recognized the reflection from. She didn't know what had caused her to conjure it up. As its eyes bored into her, Pinkie felt her strength slipping away. The reflection was eating all the strength out of her like she was a cherry pie. Pinkie felt herself slipping away into nothingness. She was almost gone. She was falling, falling into a black hole of nothingness. A hole that never ended. The once silent reflection was laughing quietly. Its laugh sent shivers down Pinkie's spine. Although it had jumped into the hole much later then Pinkie, the reflection was getting closer and closer, until Pinkie could feel its hot breath upon her cheek. The reflection grabbed her with its hooves and started squeezing her neck. "No!" Pinkie screamed, but she didn't make a sound. She couldn't talk. She couldn't scream. She couldn't breath. The reflection squeezed harder as its mane and coat got darker. It had soon turned into a shadow, and it almost had Pinkie Pie. Pinkie screamed and screamed, but nopony could hear her. She went limp, accepting her fate. When it seemed as if she would pass out, Pinkie looked down and saw the ground. It was approaching faster and faster, and Pinkie braced herself for impact. She couldn't get the image of her body hitting the ground out of her head. She could hear her bones splintering into tiny, tiny pieces. The blood would gush out from her head. And the monster reflection would stand over her triumphantly, proud to have killed its prey. Its blood-stained mane would sway in the wind, and it would laugh that evil laugh, knowing Pinkie would be gone. Nopony would be able to help Pinkie, just like when her sister died. Pinkie and the reflection were about to hit the ground, when suddenly- ~~~~~~ Pinkie woke up.
Chapter TwoIllusions By Derpyx2 Pinkie heavily breathed in and out as she lay on her beach towel. Her dream had seemed so... real. So vivid. Yet, it was just a dream. Nothing more, nothing less. Besides, it wasn't as if this wasn't common for Pinkie. Her imagination would run so wild, it could come up with all sorts of scary things! Pinkie would constantly have nightmares about things like the Boogie Mare and creepy ghosts. But this time it was different. Pinkie didn't feel as if she were the one making this up. This dream wasn't just inside her head. She wasn't in control anymore. And although she tried to convince herself that everything was a dream, Pinkie still felt that sharp stab of fear she had previously felt while falling in the dream. Pinkie had felt as if she had an icicle piercing her coat. It felt as if its cold and sharpness was running throughout her entire body. It seemed as if the icicle was in her blood, coursing through her veins, through her entire being. This feeling had only happened once before, back when she was living on the farm as a filly. ~~~~~~ It started when she had first created her imaginary friends. Not only did Pinkie create those friends for company, Pinkie liked to pretend that she put all her sorrows into them when she created them. Although it did help her rid some of her sadness, there was still some sadness that clung on, like the few pieces of her mane that refused to be brushed down with the rest of her mane. Neither wanted to move. Thinking of this past pain, something struck Pinkie. She felt it in the back of her mind. And she could remember the day like it was yesterday. After the death of her sister, it seemed as if Pinkie was getting more and more depressed by the minute. One sad, depressing morning, she had looked in a mirror to brush her mane, when she saw a reflection of herself. The reflection scared her at first, as it was a twisted reflection of Pinkie herself. The reflection constantly chased Pinkie, and it always muttered about "control, control". But eventually, the reflection caught up to Pinkie and explained that she wanted to control Pinkie's sadness, and make her feel better. Now that everything was explained, Pinkie slowly warmed up to the reflection, although she always felt a bit uneasy around her. But Pinkie shook that feeling off, since the reflection told her that it could "take the pain away". What happened next was hazy, and Pinkie couldn't remember what had happened. All she remembered now was that she woke up, and she had felt as though a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She felt free for the first time in what seemed like months! It was as if chains had been lifted off her hooves, and thrown away forever! Then, to top her happiness off, she had gotten her cutie mark that day! As a sign of her happiness, her mane went from a limp, clump of hair to a poofy, lively bundle of mane! Whatever had been dragging her (and her hair) down was gone! She felt carefree, so carefree and happy that she didn't even put up a fight that night when she went to sleep at eight. She was about to go to sleep, when she heard faint crying coming from her mirror. And there she was, her reflection, her savior, her friend... crying. Pinkie remembered rushing over to her reflection, asking what was wrong. Pinkie once again shook off the uneasy feeling that was churning in her gut. After shaking off that feeling, the reflection had replied with "Everything!" in answer to her question. The reflection said that it was happy that it had taken Pinkie's weight off her, but now, all she consisted of was sadness. Pinkie felt so responsible, yet she didn't know what to do. After some thinking, the reflection had requested a deal. She would continue to be Pinkie's sadness, if Pinkie agreed to give up her happiness at night. Pinkie agreed, thinking nothing could go wrong. The only downside to the deal was the constant nightmares about her reflection, which resembled the nightmare Pinkie had had today. Pinkie remembered when she moved to Ponyville, she was still having these nightmares, as she was still giving up her happiness at night. She was growing tired of the constant sweat on her face, and terror in her mind. Since she didn't want to visit any therapists or psychologists, Pinkie Pie decided to talk to her good friend Applejack about her nightmares. Since Applejack was a "practical pony", she didn't believe Pinkie when she said the dreams were real. Applejack had said that Pinkie was just imagining this reflection, and, no matter how real everything seemed, the reflection could never hurt or get to her. The reflection was probably just the aftermath of one of Pinkie's fears, anyways. Applejack had offered some great advice about not feeding the nightmare or her fear, and Pinkie put the idea into action. She ignored the sobs or the soft whispers at night, and they eventually disappeared. After they disappeared, Pinkie woke up with a sudden weight on her chest, and she figured that since the contract was broken, she had to be sad now. Since it had been so long, Pinkie didn't know how to deal with these negative feelings. She would hold in her sadness and anger until she burst. Pinkie was always like a piece of glass. At one little nudge, she would fall to the ground and break. When she was nudged, Pinkie would lose all of the happiness that she once had, and she would either become depressed, extremely angry, or crazy. She only snapped out of it when somepony was there to remind her that she had beaten the reflection. That she could gain herself, gain her happiness, and have control once more. ~~~~~~ The reflection Pinkie saw as a filly had to be the same reflection she saw today! It couldn't be just a coincidence! Pinkie had felt the same as before, and she had seen the same things too! But why would she come now? Revenge? Was she mad Pinkie hadn't been nudged at all in a long time? Did she want her happiness back? Pinkie didn't know if she could live with that! All these thoughts were worrying Pinkie, and she had no idea how to get rid of them. It was as if they were controlling her mind, and she couldn't stop them. The only thing Pinkie could think to do at the moment was go to her friend who had been there for her. The one who understood. The only one who didn't say to "get professional help". The one who helped her during the times when the reflection was controlling her. With that decided, Pinkie Pie headed over towards Sweet Apple Acres. ~~~~~~ Pinkie quickly galloped towards the shelter of the Apple's barn. The sun that had earlier shone that day was now hidden away by clouds, and little droplets of rain had soaked Pinkie's shivering backside and mane. She knocked on the barn door with all her might, desperate to gain the attention of one of the country folk so she could be let in, into a dry place. Luckily, Applejack came to her aid. After glancing at her soaking, freezing friend, Applejack rushed Pinkie inside and got her a nice, fluffy towel from another room. "Why, Pinkie, y'all are absolutely soaked! Why'd ya go outside 'durin a doozy like this?" Pinkie shivered in response, and Applejack brought her a warm cup of cocoa. When she was warmed up, Pinkie gazed fearfully into Applejack's eyes. "A- Applejack? I.. uh... I had a nightmare. I haven't had one in a long time but itseemstohavecomebackandIdon'tknowwhattodobecauseitscaresmealotandI-" Applejack cut Pinkie off with a curt stomp of her hoof. "Pinkie! Slow down, would ya? I can't keep up with yer fast 'talkin Pinkie language!" Pinkie blinked, then realized that she had slipped into "fast mode" with her voice. It happened whenever she was scared or nervous. Really scared or nervous. "S- sorry, Applejack. I- I'll slow down, so you see..." Pinkie told Applejack all about the nightmare, and how it resembled the nightmares she used to talk to her friend about. Throughout the story, Applejack nodded her head, or, at rare times, shook her head as if it were all nonsense. When she had finished, Applejack looked Pinkie straight in her bright blue eye. It was the most serious gaze Applejack had ever given Pinkie. Normally, her "serious" gazes held a twinkle beneath the gaze itself. But this gaze, this serious gaze, was hollow. Nothing but an honest, sober look met Pinkie's gaze. Applejack sighed, and opened her mouth. She closed it shortly after, as if struggling to find the words. For a short while, Applejack struggled to find words for Pinkie's dilemma. It was as if she could open the book of words, but she could read not a single one. Finally, Applejack let out another exasperated sigh and opened her mouth. "Pinkie, y'all know this isn't real. They're just dreams is all. Maybe... I dunno. 'Somethin happened. 'Somethin made this nightmare come back. But I know y'all can make this nightmare go away.. You've done it before. Pinkie, 'jus try ta forget about it. It'll all go away eventually. Just use that happiness you have to counter its negativity. But for now, since it's 'rainin hard, why don'tcha stay for dinner. Trust me. No nightmare'll dare enter this house! Not while I'm around!" Applejack declared. Pinkie looked at her for any hint of laughter or humor, but she found none. All of Applejack's words were honest sincerity. "Thanks, Applejack. I appreciate it. A lot. Like, really a lot! I mean, this is the nicest, bestest, awesomest thing you've ever done for me! It's so great, hey! maybe we can throw a party!" Applejack laughed and shook her head. "That's alright, Pinkie. This is just what friends do for each other. Now, would y'all like to help out with dinner?" Applejack asked, her eyes and mouth still smiling. "Of course! Why wouldn't I?! This is going to be so much fun!" Pinkie went on and on as she and Applejack trotted over to the kitchen. ~~~~~~ After making and eating dinner with the Apples, Pinkie was exhausted. Fun could be tiring! Pinkie said her goodbyes, gave her hugs, gave more hugs (even with the protests from Applejack), and then trotted home. Mrs. Cake said she was so happy to see Pinkie smiling and being herself again, and Pinkie promised to work super duper hard the next day. After making Mrs. Cake Pinkie Promise that she wouldn't pay Pinkie extra for getting up early for work, she trotted up to her room, satisfied. Pinkie threw on her pajamas and hopped into her bright pink bed. She closed her eyes, and started counting out Gummys (her pet alligator) in her head to help her go to sleep. Pinkie was drifting off, when a soft sound pierced the dead quiet in the room. It was sniffling. Soft, faint, sniffling. Though the sound sent a shiver through her spine, Pinkie didn't like to see, or hear, anypony unhappy. Pinkie trotted closer and closer towards the sound, the fear in her gut growing. Though she knew she should turn away and go to sleep, something, some invisible force, pulled Pinkie nearer and nearer to the sound. When the sound got louder, Pinkie suddenly turned towards the mirror. Standing there, in the mirror, crying, was Pinkie's twisted reflection. The reflection looked at Pinkie, sorrow and anger in its eyes. Studying it, Pinkie knew there was else in the reflections eyes. But she couldn't place her hoof on it. Suddenly, the reflection locked eyes with the bright pink, trembling mare. In a voice as cold as ice, as breakable as glass, the reflection said, "You broke our promise, Pinkie, and now you must pay." At that announcement, all the happiness drained from Pinkie's body. She was nothing, falling into that deep, dark pit once more. The only thing she felt was stabbing, cold pain. "Help," Pinkie whispered desperately. But the reflection just stared down at her sadly. "No."
PLEASE READSorry I haven't posted in a while! I've been on an eight day camping trip! I should have some chapters out soon! -Derpy 2
Chapter Three (Part One)Illusions By Derpyx2 "Wake up. Pinkie, wake up!" an unknown voice whispered. Pinkie groaned. Why was Mrs. Cake waking her up this early? It was only two in the morning. Pinkie rolled over, and her eyes fluttered open, like butterflies flapping their wings for the first time. Like an unfocused camera, Pinkie's vision was not clear. When she finally wiped the sleep out of her eyes, Pinkie saw a horrifyingly familiar face in front of her. Pinkie quickly shut her eyes, then opened them once more. The face was still there. "Hi," her reflection said. Pinkie was about to scream, but her reflection covered her mouth with a hoof. "Mmf mmf mff mmm!" Pinkie mumbled. She struggled to get out words, as her reflection's hoof was clamping her mouth shut. Her reflection finally let go, and Pinkie breathed heavily. After she calmed herself, she faced her reflection angrily. "Why would you do that, Pinkamina? What's your problem?" The reflection just shook her head and sighed deeply, as if Pinkie weren't understanding the obvious. "Pinkie, you don't know? Really?" Pinkie shook her head, her expression slowly morphing into one of confusion. "Pinkie, I, well, I'll just explain it from the beginning, since you obviously don't understand. Alright, here it goes. Oh, and no interrupting! I'm trying to help you here!" Pinkamina exclaimed. Pinkie Pie hesitantly nodded. She didn't know what to think now. She was still confused, and a tad bit angry at her reflection. She also was mistrusting of Pinkamina. This was the same reflection that stole away her happiness, after all. On top of all these emotions, Pinkie was scared of her reflection. Her fear took over her brain, so she complied to Pinkamina's demands. "Okay, so, as you know, when you were a filly, you got very depressed. As a pony, you have some magic inside you. All ponies have magic, and it can be channeled through their wings, their horns, or even the earth. But you have a very special way of creating magic. Through your emotions. You were so depressed, your emotions created a... form for your depression. Kind of like how a glow is cast when a unicorn uses magic. Your glow was in the form of a pony. I, this pony, am all of your depression. I am very much real, even if I am made of magic, and I didn't like the feeling of depression. At the time you could have done whatever you wanted with me. You could have cast away your depression forever! But, since you were so upset and naive, you didn't try to do anything about me. Realizing that I had power in your mind, I persuaded you to take all this depression at night, so that I could have some time to be happy." Forgetting their agreement, Pinkie angrily growled, "So, you tricked me! You manipulated me! That's not nice, you know!" Pinkamina just sighed and shook her head again. "Pinkie, you aren't understanding. You manipulated yourself. I am all in your head." "But I thought you said you were real?" "I am mentally real, not physically real. Nopony but you can see me. That fact, however, does not make me any less real. I am only real to you. Therefor, I am real, yet you still control me. Now, may I continue?" "Sure." "Great. So, as I was saying. I am mentally real. I am in your head, but magic is created in your head! You created me out of your emotions and your brain. Now, at the time, you were so broken, you couldn't control me if you knew how. Therefor, I made you a deal. Since I was still a part of you, you still had all your depression, and something in the back of your mind told you that was dangerous. You then created this deal with yourself, so you wouldn't be as dangerous. But as time went on, you regretted this decision. You were also gaining more power to think over yourself. Using your thoughts, and some persuasion from your friend, you battled this part of your conscious, until it completely shut itself down. It did, however, break through at points, and that's when you would have your episodes. "But you see, this part of your mind has been gaining power, and it now has muddled into your thinking. I am here as a medium. I help guide these thoughts to you. I am the magic that created these thoughts and me. This is not your magic anymore. For when you shut us down, you shut away the magic as well. We have used that magic to gain power, control, and you now have a choice. We don't want to be locked away anymore. You can either give us you, or, you can give us your happiness. We are tired of your prancing around while we suffer. You now have to pay for all those years of pain. Pinkie, we will give you time to decide. Give us your body, or your happiness. Just remember, it is all about power." Pinkamina stared Pinkie in the eye. Pinkie trembled under her glare of ice, slashing through her soul. She had a tough decision to make. And try as she might, she couldn't control herself to think away this magic. It was too powerful. It was dark magic. And Pinkie hated it. She tried to struggle away, but she was trapped. Chained. She had to make a decision. "I shall give you until next Sunday. At sundown, you must give me your final decision, or we will make it for you." Pinkie could tell her reflection was about to leave. "Wait!" she shouted. "Wait. I have a question." "Well, spit it out! It is almost sunrise! I must go." "Alright. A- are you really real?" Pinkie asked, her voice shaking. The reflection stared at her. Her eyes were no longer ice. They were dull and unblinking. Suddenly, they changed. Fire was in Pinkamina's eyes. A devilish grin spread across her face. She turned towards Pinkie, spitting every word. But underneath the fire in her voice, was the sweet, refreshing sound of sympathy. "Pinkie, I explained this to you. I am as real as you think I am." With that, Pinkamina was gone.
Chapter Three (Part Two)She was visiting her every night, now. But each night, her eyes grew less and less scary, her tone less and less sharp. She was turning into a friend, not a monster. The two talked, and Pinkamina comforted her. However, the cozier the two got, the more Pinkie wished for the night to come. The more she wished to see her friend. And she didn't even realize what was happening. Pinkamina was reeling her in, like a fish on a hook, and Pinkie was taking the bait. She was becoming more and more distant, but she didn't notice. She wasn't talking to anypony, and only one friend had an idea why. Applejack had called Pinkie and told her to come over. She obliged, oblivious to Applejack's intentions. When she got there, Applejack tried to weasel some information out of her. "Hey there, Sugarcube! I've noticed you've seemed kind of... distant lately. Is there 'anythin you'd like to talk about?" Pinkie's conscious realized the farm pony's ploy, so it instructed Pinkie to shake her head. "Nope! I'm perfectly fine! Super happy! Happy as a Pinkie on a birthday!" Pinkie even forced a half smile onto her face. However, she was lying straight to Applejack's honest face. She was feeling more and more depressed, and with her depression came the power of the dark magic. It was taking control of more and more of her mind, and Pinkie let it. All she wanted was to be happy, and if ignoring AJ helped, so be it. "We'll, if, uh, you wanna talk about 'anythin, just come on by the farm!" "Alright. Bye, AJ." "Bye, Pinkie!" With that, Pinkie Pie trotted away. Lets go home. Tomorrow is the big day Pinkamina said. Pinkie just nodded and trotted on home. Applejack, watching from the barn, just shook her head. "Ah hope she's okay. Ah couldn't tell if she was 'lyin or not." Applejack yawned. "Oh well. Ah can try again in the morning." ~~~~~~ "Goodnight, Pinkie!" Mrs. Cake said. Pinkie only nodded in response, to deep in conversation with Pinkamina. But... I want to be happy! I don't know what to do! I want to be happy, but... But then I'll never talk to my friends again! Pinkie exclaimed. She was right. If she allowed the dark magic to take over her body, and not just her brain, then her entire being would belong to the magic. What she didn't know was that either way, the dark magic would take over her entire being. If it took away her happiness, she would be depressed enough for the magic to convince her to give up her body, as there was no point in being alive anymore. Pinkie was wondering if she should let it take over her, but what she didn't know was that it had already taken over her. It had taken over her mind and body long ago. The magic had been chipping away at her conscious, and at sundown on Sunday, she would finally fall apart. The dark magic would finally have defeated Laughter. The dark magic would make a chip in harmony. But really, it was dark magic that defeated Laughter. It was Laughter that defeated Laughter. The dark magic just played Pinkie. It muddled with her thoughts, making her believe that there was no other way to save her happiness then to give it up. So, really, Pinkie was just chipping away at herself. Breaking herself down. The dark magic was just helping. "Well, goodnight, Pinkamina. We have a big day tomorrow." Pinkie then fell asleep. Yes, she had a very, very big day tomorrow. For tomorrow, she would be gone. Forever. ~~~~~~ "I... I just can't deal with this anymore!" Pinkie Pie wailed. She had had the worst day of her life today. All her friends had avoided her, and now she was depressed as ever. "Shh, it's okay. Pinkie, you know I know how to make the sadness stop. I can do it. You just have to help me out in return," her conscious said. "Y- you can do that? P- please, make it stop!" "Okay, Pinkie. I can make everything stop. Just calm down. I can make the bad go away. Forever. And in return, you just have to let me snap my fingers." But Pinkie wasn't listening anymore. She was wailing and shouting "Make it stop!" If it could, the dark magic would have sighed and rolled its non-existent eyes. "Pinkie, I can make. It. Stop." When the word "stop" was said, a loud snap was heard. Suddenly, Pinkie felt an immense pain in her stomach. "W- what is that? It hurts so bad!" Pinkie screamed. It was as if somepony were twisting a knife around in her stomach, and they seemed intent on not stopping. "Shh, Pinkie. It will all stop hurting in a minute," a voice said. If she weren't in so much pain, Pinkie Pie would have noticed that the voice was not the voice of her conscious. It was the voice of somepony else. Of something else. As soon as it started, the pain stopped. Pinkie dropped to the floor, her eyes glazed over. She was glowing a pale blue, and that pale blue was shooting straight out of her heart, into a glass bottle. When the last of the pale blue aura was collected, the bottle was sealed shut, and Pinkie got up. Her mane was hanging limply, and her coat and mane were a sickly, almost grey pink color. Pinkie's head swiveled around, and she gazed at her cutie mark. It was grey as the sky on a rainy day. Pinkie blinked her pale blue eyes and sighed. All she could feel was the weight of sadness in her stomach. The pain and the sadness was hers to bear, now. She had been tricked. ~~~~~~ "Finally, Laughter is mine! If everything keeps going on like this, Night, then chaos shall rule very, very soon! Come, you need to regain your strength." A lion paw gestured for the glowing mist to follow. It obeyed, its yellow eyes gleaming in the darkness. On the way to their cave, the creature looked at the jar again. Small in his lion paw, yet so, so powerful. His yellow and red eyes narrowed. He smiled a devious smile, his gleaming snaggle tooth showing. "One down, five to go." The End
What's Next...Hey, guys! Derpy 2 here! The reason I didn't mark this complete is because I wanted to tell you what comes next. Oh, and sorry for the name change! It fits with the series more. Yes. I said series. I am going to make this a series! Here is the order: Laughter Honesty Generosity Loyalty Kindness Magic I hope you'll stay tuned for Honesty!
