Pinkamena: The Dark Descent

Chapters

Detective Quill - The Prolouge
Chapter 1 - The Omen
Chapter 2 - The Body
Chapter 3 - The Escape
Chapter 4 - The Town
Chapter 5 - The Epiphany
Chapter 6 - The Baking
Chapter 7 - The Return
One Year Later - The Epilouge
(Second Fic, for those Tracking!)

Detective Quill - The Prolouge

Pinkamena: The Dark Descent
Based off of “Ask Pinkamena Diane Pie’s Tumblr” and “Sweeny Todd” Happy Nightmare Night!

I remember…it was many, many years ago…that I last came by this way, to Ponyville. It was raining lightly when my carriage dropped me off down Mane Street, several ponies walking this way and that, either trying to get out of the rain or to finish their errands quickly so they could get home quickly. I had already gotten permission from the Town Mayor to do a small investigation of a now condemned building that lay on this street. I shook my mane, getting much of the thick wetness out of my coat. I trudged down the muddy streets, the rain beginning to patter harder amongst the streets and roofs of the dark, menacing buildings that lined the sides of the street. A few ponies glanced my way but none made eye-contact, and if they did their eyes shifted away immediately after. It was this time of year, I told myself, which accounted for the odd behavior of the Pony-Folk here. It was another anniversary, I believed, and I didn’t want to have to stay here longer then I had to. I had paper-work to file and another case already on my hands, so time was of the essence. I walked for another five minutes before coming across the building of my interest…an old bakery and sweets shop. The windows were boarded up, the door as well. All over the shop hung sopping wet signs of ‘KEEP OUT’ and ‘CONDEMNED’, the roof in tatters and much of the flora around the shop dead or dying. I gently trotted up to the building and put a hoof against the door’s surface, rubbing it gently where the doorknob used to be. I could feel the pain in this place…the anger…the cries of anguish…the sadness that echoed here…the pain of a Pink Mare. A sudden shout had me jumping a few feet off the ground in fright, my head snapping towards another elderly colt that had come up to me. He was aging badly…his legs looking weak and unstable, his coat graying quickly with a cutie-mark of a small gardening rake. He rasped loudly “What’s you WANT!” at this I simply cleared my throat and recited professionally

“I’m Detective Quill from Canterlot Investigative Services and Inquiry, in direct command of the Princess Celestia and by the permissions of Mayor Mare of Ponyville to hereby investigate the ‘late’ Sugar Cube Corner.” After I uttered this I reached into my saddlebags and produced a small leather wallet of sorts, my grimacing picture and a badge that read

“Det.W.Quill – C.I.S.I.” The elderly colt simply spat and wheezed

“I don’t care who ye be! I’m the caretaker for these haunted grounds, and you’re a trespassing! Now GET!” He was rather rude, and I couldn’t help but furrow my brow and frown. I opened my mouth to retort when another voice, much younger, echoed out first

“Grandpa, don’t be so rude to the man! He doesn’t know about this place! Go on back to the house Grandpa; I’ll get rid of this varmint!” The voice had belonged to a mare of blue color, her mane a bit of a mess and the cutie-mark of a potted-plant on her flank. The Caretaker simply grumbled and turned away, walking back towards a house just a small distance away from Sugar Cube Corner. The mare gave an apologetic smile and sighed “Sorry about that…he’s touchy when it comes to this shop…” I nodded a little and muttered

“I can understand…I only read initial reports of what had actually transpired here, but was unable to investigate it in detail because of the condemning. What…did happen here…fully?” The mare’s eyes widened as she whispered frantically

“You…don’t know The Ballad of Pinkie Pie, the Party Pony of Ponyville?” I shook my head, and suddenly my eyes shot to her left. Other ponies were starting to gather, glaring at me with eyes that weren’t angry…but afraid, frightened, and mystified. I was about to ask what all this was about when a voice from the crowd started to sing…

“Attend the tale of Pinkie Pie...” More voices joined as the song continued

“A Mare who was forced to live a lie...

They took from her what made her smile

Who could do something so evil and vile...

To Pinkie....To Pinkie Pie…

The Party Pony of Ponyville...”

I had begun to back up, towards the door of Sugar Cube Corner, my rump hitting the boards of the door as the Pony-Folk gathered in greater in greater numbers. I turned my head sharply to the blue Mare and whispered “Pinkie Pie, she’s the one who used to own Sugar Cube Corner, yes?” The Mare nodded sadly, sighing

“She was running the place when The Cakes retired, but it was only recently that a rival chain of bakery and sweet shops was sweeping across of Equestria. Once a shop had been built in Ponyville…it wasn’t soon after that a body was found in Sugar Cube Corner’s basement”. I nodded a little, muttering as the Pony-Folk grew larger in numbers

“She was blamed for the murder…correct?” The Mare didn’t answer, but instead the chorus of the Pony-Folk did, singing in an eerie tone

“She ran away from ponyville.

Blamed a murderer even still.

To Hoofington she quickly fled

Everypony believing her dead

Dear Pinkie, Dear Pinkie Pie...

The Baker Pony of Hoofington...”

I gulped, my breath becoming shallow as I squeaked “What…what happened then?” I was met with only the singing cries of the town…they told me a voice called out to her…it screamed…

“HOLD YOUR KNIFE UP HIGH, PINKIE, PONIES THEY MUST DIE!!! INTO OVENS THEY MUST GO TONIIGGHT!!!”

I fell back on my haunches and shivered as the blue mare approached me, putting a hoof on my shoulder and whispering

“Let me tell you the story, of Pinkamena Diane Pie…

…and the beginning of her Dark Descent”

Chapter 1 - The Omen

Chapter 1…The Omen

“It started when I was just a young filly, when I still lived on the rock farm. It was right before Dashie’s awesome, super spectacular, amazing Sonic Rainboom! Anyway, I was moving rocks from the East Field over to the West Field, when I heard this awful saddy-waddy crying coming from one of the bushes on the edge of the forest. I went over and saw this poor, innocent little bunny in a bush, bleeding all over the place!” Pinkie Pie said with a sad tone in her voice. Her and her yellow Pegasus friend, Fluttershy, were seated outside a small restaurant down the street from Sugar Cube Corner. They sat on their stools comfortably, a pink and white umbrella over there head to shield them from Celestia’s burning sun. The Weather Team had brought about a furious storm a few days ago, and it needed drying fast, thus, the heated day. As Pinkie Pie told her story, Fluttershy let out a tiny squeak of fright and sadness, muttering

“Oh…oh my! Not the poor wittle bunny rabbit…what happened next?” When she asked what happened next Pinkie Pie hesitated to answer, simply taking a small sip out of her milkshake that was sitting in front of her. Fluttershy put a hoof on hers, smiling a little and whispering “It’s ok Pinkie Pie, I won’t judge you at all, you can tell me what happened.” Pinkie smiled at her words, always being comforted by her timid friend. She sighed and stared at her shake for a moment before looking up and mumbling

“I felt so bad about not being able to do anything…we didn’t have any fancy medicine or anything, and the bunny was bleeding too much. I had to do something though…so I found the nearest rock…” At this Fluttershy threw her hooves up to her mouth, her pupils contracting in horror as Pinkie Pie felt tears brimming in her eyes. She choked out a sob before finishing quickly “And I bashed his little head in…I hit him and I hit him, over and over until he didn’t squeak anymore…” Fluttershy hopped off her stool and quickly trotted over to Pinkie, grasping her in a tight hug and shushing her, trying to sooth her crying. The poof of Pinkie’s hair had begun to flatten slightly as she hugged her friend back, and together they just sat there, holding one another. It was Fluttershy who broke the silence first, whispering

“There, there Pinkie, It’s ok. There’s nothing else you could have done, he was in pain and it couldn’t be helped…” Pinkie could only let out another sob and push her hooves against her eyes, crying into them and saying

“But I…I…” Liked it, she thought. The crying of the bunny had gotten so annoying and had made her unable to think. She felt so horrible about the bunny but at the same time she just wanted it to SHUT UP! So much stupid noise, so much crying! It wasn’t happy, and she HATED not being happy! Pinkie Pie had never felt that way ever again since that day, and she was happy to have Fluttershy telling her that she understood her woes. Pinkie sniffled and wiped her eyes, smiling a little “Thank you Fluttershy…for today.” Fluttershy only winked and said

“Today’s not over yet Pinkie dear, we still have the party to throw, don’t we?” At this statement Pinkie’s hair re-poofed as she jumped from the stool in joy and shouted

“I TOTALLY FORGOT ABOUT MY OFFICIAL FIRST DAY OF OWNING SUGAR CUBE CORNER PARTY!!!” Fluttershy smiled as together they both trotted back towards Sugar Cube Corner. They giggled, told jokes and admired the local flora of Ponyville that had begun to come out and shine since the rain’s end. Pinkie Pie bounced with every step, smiling widely and getting herself psyched for the upcoming party, which was sure to be the most awesome, super-duperest party of all parties EVER!!! The Cakes were retiring from a long, loving life of baking goods and teaching their apprentice, Pinkie Pie, the fundamentals of baking and even some business when it came to financing the store. For their final act of kindness, they entitled the entire business and building of Sugar Cube Corner to their dear pupil, Pinkie Pie. She was of course, so overjoyed that she cracked a smile for days that was even wider than the one she had on when the Sonic Rainboom had been performed near her Rock Farm. But today was the day of the party, and it was going to be GRAND! Upon approaching the shop, the two mares were all smiles, but suddenly they stopped. Standing in front of the shop door was a rather big Colt, hammering a piece of paper into the door. His coat was a dark green color, like the trees of the Everfree Forest, and his mane a lighter brown. His cutie mark was that of a donut over a red cross, and at this Pinkie Pie could only gulp. She knew who this colt was...he had visited the Cakes loads of times before. He was always so rude, asking questions about the business and state of the shop. The colt turned his head, done with his hammering and nearly ran into Fluttershy who squeaked with fright and dove behind Pinkie Pie. He blinked in surprise for a moment and instantly cleared his throat, looking down at Pinkie Pie with a venomous look. His voice was guttural and low as he rumbled to Pinkie

“Good…evening Ms. Pie…” Pinkie Pie tried not to let her nervousness show, simply giving a happy swing of her hoof into the air and shouted

“Well hi there Health Inspector Trottington! What brings you all the way out here to Ponyville?” Inspector Trottington seemed to scowl at the Pink Mare’s silly, careless attitude and simply growled

“Your, INSPECTION, Ms. Pie…is coming up, and I do hope things are not going to utter rot now that the Cakes have left” Pinkie Pie frowned at this, and simply muttered

“The shop’s just fine…I clean it every…” She was suddenly cut off by the Inspector’s loud cough as he grumbled

“Yes, yes, very good, see to it this establishment is spotless and all health issues in order by this time in three days, or you know the consequences!” He didn’t give Pinkie Pie a chance to say anything else as he was already trotting away, a graceful clop in his step. Pinkie Pie watched him go, eyes partially narrowed and frown deeply set. Fluttershy came out from behind Pinkie, gently poking her shoulder. When Pinkie’s face softened to look at Fluttershy, not wanting to scare her, the yellow mare asked

“W…who was that?” Pinkie Pie simply sighed and looked down, muttering

“That…is Chief Health Inspector Trottington of Manhattan’s Sugar Drop Incorporated, a fancy chain of sweet shops and bakeries that are starting to open up across Equestria.” Fluttershy nodded and tapped the Pink Mare, smiling

“Well, don’t let him get you down Pinkie; you still have your wonderful party to throw.” Pinkie Pie nodded, smiling a little and together they both went inside. Fluttershy stopped a moment before she had entered the shop fully, and reared up gently on her back legs, gripping the notice on the door in her mouth and ripping it down. She gave a slight nod and went inside, the door closing gently behind her with a light ‘click’ and the jingle of the shop’s bell. Cold winds suddenly began to blow through the streets, causing several Ponies passing by to shiver, even in the heat of Celestia’s sun! From inside Sugar Cube Corner, ingredients had been laid out amongst the counter, ready to be mixed into specialty goods. The wind however, pushed open one of the windows and began blowing about the kitchen, making pots hanging over head sway. One gave way and fell to the counter, crashing into a bottle of Ketchup and small knives. The bottle fell first, a knife quickly after it, plunging into the bottle with a loud ‘TWHACK!’ Ketchup began to seep from the wound of the knife, as the contents created a dark puddle of red under the bottle. If anypony had seen this occur, they would think it simply an accident…but it was dear Fluttershy who had backed up quickly and hit the counters behind her with fright, and had seen this terrifying event occur. She watched the red ooze seep out everywhere, and trembled with fear. She didn’t know why she was so scared…but she took this as a very bad omen. A very bad omen indeed…

Chapter 2 - The Body

Chapter 2…The Body

“WOOHOO!” is all that was heard above the bouncing melodies of the record player that sat upon a lone nightstand in the middle of the room. All around Pinkie Pie jumped, bouncing about with glee as the room crowded with more and more ponies. Pinkie Bounced over to the refreshments table, pouring herself a cup of punch and sipping it happily. She received a tap on her shoulder and she turned her head, smiling wide and immediately hugging the coat of the Lavender Mare, Twilight Sparkle. She hugged her friend tight, squee-ing with delight as Twilight gasped “P…Pinkie!!! AIR, please!!!” Pinkie let her down, giggling as she gave a little bounce

“Oh Twilight, I’m just so happy today!!! Just think, now you guys will be able to come over all the time and enjoy so many sweets that I’ll bake for you all! Won’t that be great?!” Twilight simply smiled and nodded, saying

“I must admit it was kind of sad to see the Cakes leave for Manehattan, but they made a good choice leaving everything in your name.” Pinkie nodded vigorously and added with a bright, happy tone

“Oh you bet, and now I’m going to have twice as many parties, and twice as many goods!!! The next few years are going to be great!” their conversation went on for a little more until Pinkie turned her head, and saw poor Fluttershy heading towards her, covered in flour. Pinkie frowned, holding a hoof up “Are you ok Fluttershy? Why are you covered in flour?” Fluttershy simply smiled and poked her own two hooves together shyly, mumbling

“Um…well, I didn’t want you to be distracted from your party…so I went to make some sweets, and I think I accidently ran out of flour…” At this Pinkie Pie laughed, gently rubbing some flour off her yellow friend and saying

“Oh Fluttershy, why didn’t you just tell me you were baking? I could have helped you out and we could have been done by now! Come on silly, let’s go get you cleaned up and get us some more flour. Twilight, you keep this party going ok?” Twilight stuttered for a moment, watching them go

“W…wait! I don’t know how to run a party Pinkie!!! PINKIE!!!” But the Party Pony had already descended the stairs with Fluttershy, heading down to the empty, main floor of the shop. They went to the sink, with Pinkie grabbing a small dish towel and wetting it in the water that still lied inside the small metal tub. Fluttershy gently settled on her haunches, letting Pinkie Pie move around her in circles, wiping off the Flour with the rag. Fluttershy couldn’t help but blush, being cleaned by one of her best friends. After a thorough cleaning, Pinkie Pie went over to a small wooden indention in the shape of a square behind the counter and on the floor. She used her hoof to pop up a metal loop on the trapdoor, which she took in her mouth and tugged upwards, opening the door with a semi-loud creak. Fluttershy looked down the dark hole and let out a low ‘Meep!’ Pinkie Pie understood of course, Fluttershy was a bit shy. She made a move to go down the trapdoor when Fluttershy stopped her, shaking her head and mumbling

“Oh no, it’s…um…it’s ok Pinkie Pie…I’m trying to be more assertive, and I think I’m getting better at being brave…so…um…I’d like to go down and get the spare flour…if that’s ok with you…that is…” Pinkie Pie smiled and tilted her head, smiling her wide and shouting with glee

“Okie-Dokie-Lokie! Be careful down there, it’s pretty dark. I’ll be in the kitchen getting the pans for the cupcakes ready!” They went their separate ways, Pinkie heading to the kitchen and Fluttershy heading down into the deep darkness. She took it easy, one step at a time, the darkness enveloping her more and more. She started to get really scared, meeping and squeaking with fright at every small creak and groaning of wood. She finally hit the bottom of the basement and squinted her eyes, looking for the lantern that was usually set up on a small table in the basement. She went forward slowly, being careful not to bump into anything. She suddenly squeaked with fright as her hoof hit something wet on the ground. She backed up a few steps, trying to shake the wetness off her hoof. She bumped into the nightstand which of course caused her to yelp and jump in fright, the lantern she was looking for falling to the ground with a loud crash. Pinkie Pie shouted from above “Fluttershy? Everything ok down there?” Fluttershy coughed from some dust that had been kicked up by the lantern and called back

“Oh, um…yes. Sorry, I just stepped in something…and I dropped your lantern, I’m sorry!” Pinkie Pie’s laugh carried from upstairs and she shouted back down

“Don’t worry about it silly filly! Get the flour and come on back up!” Fluttershy nodded to herself, searching around with her hoof for the fallen lantern. She bumped it, the lantern making a slight metallic scratching sound as it rolled along the cold stone floor. The Yellow Mare picked up the lantern in her mouth, pushing the small button on the side of the lantern. It didn’t turn on and she made a low groaning noise through the metal between her teeth. She tapped it a few more times and finally just bumped it against a box lightly. It finally flickered on as she sighed, mumbling through the metal bar as she looked up and said “Pffhinaly, now, wherssh that phhlour, I know ish here some….some…SOME…!” She couldn’t finish her sentence as the light filled up the basement. Her pupils contracted to small pinpoints, her breath becoming erratic fast, the lantern falling from her mouth and crashing yet again on the ground. It rolled away from her to fully illuminate a pony’s body hanging from the rafters by a rope around one of its legs. It was a mare, reddish in color, with its cutie mark cut off and throat cut, with the front legs and one back leg missing. Fluttershy’s eyes slowly traveled down, her breath coming out in terrified heaves as she saw a massive pool of blood underneath the body. She looked down at her hoof, soaked with red, having stepped in the reddish goo. That was all it took.

“AAAAAH!!! AUGH, AHHH!!!!!”

Fluttershy’s scream echoed through the entire Sugar Cube Corner, and even stopped ponies outside in their tracks. A moment later there was a thunderous commotion heard above on the main and second floors of the shop, Pinkie Pie flying down the stairs with her apron already splotched with frosting and bits of cupcake mix. She ran to Fluttershy, crying out

“Fluttershy!!! Fluttershy what happened!? Did you fall, are you…EEEEK!” Pinkie Pie stopped short of the illuminated body, her hooves flying up to her mouth. In the next moment Fluttershy had run into Pinkie, sobbing uncontrollably. Pinkie couldn’t take her eyes off the corpse that hung still in her basement, blood dried and eyes fixed in an open stare, mouth open in a soundless scream. Twilight had rushed down next to see what happened when she too stopped to gasp. A sudden shout from the top of the stairs made them all jump, a familiar, rough voice

“WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!?” Shouted Inspector Trottington, who now himself came down the steps. “I was on my way to deliver the checklist for your Inspection Ms. Pie and I must say I won’t stand for people in here partying and disturbing the pe- BY CELESTIA WHAT IN THE HAY!?” The Inspector reared back in horror, coming across the body. The next thing that came out of the Inspector’s mouth was a scream of rage and a furious retort “YOU, SICK, BASTARD OF A MARE!!! Is THIS your idea of a clean, healthy bakery!? FEEDING THE TOWNSFOLK THEIR OWN TOWNSFOLK!?” Pinkie Pie turned her head and shoot it frantically, trying to control Fluttershy’s screams of fright and sobbing. The Pink Mare shouted

“NO! Fluttershy found this down here; I didn’t know this was here!!! I haven’t been down into the basement since yesterday, and there was nopony here!!!” This didn’t sway the Inspector at all, who simply yelled at the top of his lungs

“MURDERER! Canterlot will surely hear about this!!! Quick!!! Someone upstairs call the authorities! Look at this place! Fouled and condemned the ingredients are, bathed in blood! You and the Yellow one, what have you both done!? Quick! Somepony stop the food being passed around up there, it’s HERETICAL!”

Pinkie Pie looked around frantically, hair slightly deflating as she thought of something she could say. There was NO WAY she was a murderer!!! She was with Fluttershy throughout the last two days, spending a lot of time with her and planning today’s super duper party! How could she find the time, WHY would she find the time!? And now, above all things, the Inspector was blaming this on Fluttershy of all ponies!? She looked at Twilight, who was still horrified at the sight of the body, but had now caught Pinkie’s eye. With quivering lips, Twilight stuttered

“P…Pinkie…did…did you…?” At this Pinkie Pie shouted with an intense volume

“NO!!!” The Inspector turned his head sharply at Pinkie and snarled

“Damn you, DAMN you Ms. Pinkamena Diane Pie! Your antics down here may have very well poisoned the ponies of Ponyville, who knows how long this has been going on!? WHERE ARE THOSE GUARDS!?” At this point Pinkie’s mind was going forty miles a minute, her options narrowing down rapidly. She had a body of a mare in her basement, a very powerful and influential Health Inspector staring right at it, and who was openly blaming her and poor Fluttershy for this horrid crime, and for even the worse thought of them actually FEEDING the body to the TOWN! Her alibi was solid, but even then with just an alibi it couldn’t place her AWAY from the crime! She had the only key to the shop, given to her by the Cakes, which meant…that no matter what they would link the crime to them. That left one option…
RUN! Pinkie threw Fluttershy over her back and jumped behind a crate, bucking it with full force and barreling it towards the Inspector and Twilight. They both shouted in surprised and jumped out of the way, allowing Pinkie to dash up the stairs towards the top, only looking back momentarily to the shouts of the Inspector who cried

“STOP HER!!! SHE’S ESCAPING!!!” Pinkie Pie only shouted back, in a voice so menacing and cold

“LIAR AND VILLAIN! I have been framed, along with one of my best friends! If justice be found, let it be found quickly here, for the truth will surface soon enough! TO HELL with you Inspector!” With that she bounded into the main floor, several ponies already coming down the stairs to find out what all the commotion was about. She made for the front door but skidded to a halt as the door crashed down in front of her, Royal Guard Ponies rushing through and the Inspector poking his head out of the trapdoor. He pointed a hoof at Pinkie Pie and shouted

“THERE, GET HER!!! SIEZE HER!!!” Pinkie Pie dove out of the way of the guards who launched themselves at her, nearly dropping Fluttershy. She shifted her on her back, getting her stable quickly before bounding up the stairs, pushing by confused and surprised ponies. The Guards were hot on her hooves, trotting up the stairs hurriedly. Pinkie Pie ascended to the second floor, catching sight of her balcony with the window closed. She brushed her front right hoof against the ground and launched herself forward, screaming at the top of her lungs. A moment later, Pinkie Pie found herself crashing through the window and over the balcony, landing in a clump of bushes below in the street. She didn’t waste any time in gathering up Fluttershy who had nearly fallen off, and bolting down the street. She weaved in and out of the buildings, darting for the one place she knew she could be safe, if only for a few hours, and that was at the Cutie-Mark Crusaders’ club house near Sweet Apple Acres. The hour of twilight was at hand, and the hunt was on.

Chapter 3 - The Escape

Chapter 3…The Escape

Scootaloo was zooming down the street with blinding speed, weaving in and out of crowds of Ponies with a fit of giggling laughter. It was her turn today to tidy up the clubhouse for the Crusaders, and if she didn’t hurry, she’d miss the party at Sugar Cube Corner by the time the cleaning had been done. She turned onto the road towards Sweet Apple Acres but suddenly skidded to a stop, eyes slightly wide at the sight in front of her. Pinkie Pie was running with a speed she never knew an Earth Pony could possess, with an unconscious, red hoofed Fluttershy on her back, bouncing along in time with Pinkie’s galloping. The tiny orange filly took a few glances back towards the far side of Ponyville, and blinked in surprise when she saw several Royal Guards taking to the skies, searching high and low for something. There was definitely something fishy going on, and Scootaloo decided it would be best to follow Pinkie to see what was going on. She flared her tiny wings and beat them fast, the scooter quickly picking up speed and propelling her forward rapidly.

Pinkie Pie had found the clubhouse easily enough, as she had a tea party with the girls here not too long ago, just for fun. She burst into the door, looking around frantically for her saddlebags. She had left them here for Sweetie Belle to play with and examine, saying she wanted to study the stitching so she could help Rarity in the boutique (Because apparently saddlebags were in this season). She found them laying in a nearby corner and she quickly rushed over to them, checking their contents. She found them empty and sighed, looking around for a pencil and paper. The Crusaders had a few arts and crafts supplies strewn about, and she quickly picked up a crayon and rushed over to the table, forgetting the paper and simply writing on the wood. She started to sob as she wrote, her writing streaks frantic and rushed. It was during this time that Scootaloo poked her head in the front window, observing Pinkie Pie in her panicked state. She silently crept into the clubhouse, heading for the saddlebags. She didn’t know what Pinkie Pie was up to, but whatever it was, she wanted to figure it out. Maybe she could investigate Pinkie Pie’s distress, and see if she could do anything to help! This could even be her chance for a Cutie Mark!

“Cutie Mark Crusader Investigators, YEAH!” She thought with glee, gently and quietly slipping into the saddlebags. Pinkie Pie finished her scrawl, hastily picking up the saddlebags, not even noticing the change of weight. She heaved them on and bolted back out the front door as she heard Royal Guards shouting the distance, coming closer and closer.

Meanwhile, at Sweet Apple Acres, the Royal Guards shouted at the big, Red Stallion, Big Macintosh, who looked just as pissed as the Royal Guard, probably because of their manners.

“You’re SURE you didn’t see a Pink Mare pass by here? The Party Pony?” shouted one Royal Guard, receiving only a shake of the work horse’s head and a neutral toned

“Eee…nope” Beside him, Applebloom stood, scratching her noggin and mumbling up at her big brother

“Um…Macintosh, are they talking bout’ Pinkie Pie? She had a tea party with us at the clubhouse a few days ago, right? Why do the guards want to talk…”

But at hearing this, the Royal Guards’ wings flared and one shouted

“The clubhouse! Where is it located!?” Big Macintosh simply pointed a hoof in its direction and watched with wonder as they blasted off without another word. Applejack trotted up, tipping her hat back with a stunned expression and a loud shout

“Well what in the hay was that all about? Ya’ll done stirred up trouble again?” Big Macintosh simply shook his head and looked in the direction of the clubhouse and sighed “Eee…nope. I don’t reckon’ it’s us the guards are ah lookin’ for…” The Guards burst through the trees, coming across the clubhouse, a lone scooter and matching helmet parked by the tree the house rested on. The door was bucked in and moments later the two guards rushed inside, looking about but finding nopony. One of the guards swore loudly but suddenly looked over to his companion who shouted

“SIR! Over here, the table!” The guard walked over and blinked in surprise, reading the red letters etched with crayon on the table.

I am innocent, oh please believe me I am innocent!!! Please let Fluttershy go, she didn’t do anything! Please, Twilight, find the truth!!! BELIEVE ME!!! – Pinkie Pie

Moments later, Inspector Trottington came rushing in as well, a very confused Applejack and more guards following. Applejack panted, shouting loudly

“Now just what in TARNATION are ya’ll doing on Apple Family Property! We done already been inspected this month Trottington, so if you think you’re going to condemn my little sister’s clubhouse then you’re buckin’ up the wrong tree!” at this Trottington snarled and rounded on Applejack

“SHUT UP you hic’! I’m hunting a MURDERER and your silly talk is not helping at all!” Applejack glared at Trottington and muttered darkly

“Aww HAY no! You did not just call me…” She was cut off as Trottington shouted to the guards

“Where did she go!? Where is she!?” He read the message on the table quickly as no one had answered him and turned only when a guard called out from outside. The ponies inside rushed to the windows and peered their heads outside, seeing a guard examining a scooter and helmet. Applejack gasped and shouted

“That’s SCOOTALOO’S scooter! What in the hay is that doing here!?” The color seemed to drain from Trottington’s face as she practically shrieked

“Good heavens alert the entire guard!!! She’s PONYNAPPED A FILLY! Inform Canterlot at once, we need everypony to help search for them!” the ponies all darted out of the clubhouse except Applejack, who could only sit on her haunches, dumbfounded. Someone ponynapped Scootaloo? Who in the sam hell would want to ponynap a poor little filly…it was unheard of in Equestria! She needed to get to Twilight and find out just what in the world was going on.

Meanwhile, in the Everfree Forest, Pinkie Pie’s straight, smooth hair had been pelted with twigs and loose leaves from trees. She refused to stop, even with her body on fire from so much exertion and adrenaline. She couldn’t stop, she couldn’t STOP! Fluttershy was in serious danger and there was no telling what the Guards would do if they caught up to them. At the very thought of her name, Fluttershy let out a tiny squeak and began to wake up. Pinkie stopped suddenly and knelt, turning her head to her friend and panting heavily, shouting frantically

“Fluttershy…Fluttershy! Wake up, please wake up it’s an emergency!” Fluttershy groaned and opened her eyes, mumbling

“What…huh?” Pinkie Pie gently slid her off her back and turned to face her friend, crying frantically

“Fluttershy we have to go, please stand up, hurry!” Fluttershy’s eyes shot open and she looked up at Pinkie Pie with fear, suddenly overcome with the memories of earlier. Pinkie Pie saw this and quickly took Fluttershy’s face in her hooves, shouting “Don’t you DARE, don’t you dare believe it!!! I’m Pinkie Pie, your best friend, you know I wouldn’t, couldn’t, do this…not to anypony!” Fluttershy nodded slowly, whispering quietly

“I…I know…but…Pinkie Pie they blamed me too, what are we going to do?” Pinkie Pie looked about the Everfree Forest, tears brimming her eyes as she pawed at her own straight hair, panicked and whimpering

“I don’t know, I don’t know!” is all she could squeak, rocking back and forth on her haunches and sobbing. It was then that she suddenly stopped, as Fluttershy had pushed her muzzle against Pinkie’s cheek and was now hushing her gently.

“Shhh…hush now…quiet now…its ok Pinkie Pie…it’s going to be ok.” For some reason, Pinkie Pie was suddenly without worry, and without doubt, and simply sighed contently. She nodded slowly, taking a deep breath of air and exhaling, turning her head to Fluttershy

“Now what…?” Fluttershy looked around the forest, a look of recognition on her face as she said in her timid voice

“Well…I know of a river nearby that I have a raft waiting on, it’s one I used to use to help the baby ducklings get across the scary water.” Pinkie Pie looked in the direction of the river, she too knowing of its location.

“Where does the river go?” Pinkie Pie asked, getting up on her hooves and running alongside Fluttershy towards the river. The sudden shouts of Guards were heard somewhere in the forest which doubled the mares’ speed. Fluttershy spoke as they galloped, dashing through trees and leaping over logs

“It goes for a long, long while. It may even go all the way to Hoofington.” Pinkie Pie nodded and soon enough they had arrived at the river, going down its watery edge to find the raft. Fluttershy pointed it out to Pinkie, and she herself saw it floating idly on the river, tied to a tree near the water. They both rushed up to the raft, Pinkie reaching it first and gnawing on the rope, trying to get it free. She spoke, muffled, as she tried to tear through the rope

“Alright Fluttershy, we’ll go to Hoofington, and we’ll hide out awhile. We were framed but that’s ok, Twilight is smarty-hearty pony, she can help us, she’ll find out the truth.” Fluttershy only looked down, and stole a glance towards the forest, hearing the voices of Guards come closer and closer. She watched Pinkie Pie gnawing the rope and walked quietly out of her sight towards a nearby tree, dead and leafless. She reached down and picked up a thick branch in her mouth, walking back quietly to Pinkie Pie. Pinkie continued to speak, nearly getting through the rope “Ok, almost there Fluttershy, we’ll be fine, we’re going to… -‘TWHACK’”. Pinkie felt pain explode in the back of her head and she fell, twitching a little as she felt her tail being tugged and her body dragged. In a few moments she felt as if she was floating, and it was hard to hold onto her consciousness. She looked up with half-closed, dreary eyes as she saw Fluttershy gnawing through the last strands of rope and moving to push the raft away. Pinkie held a hoof out to Fluttershy and whimpered “W…why?” Fluttershy herself had started to cry, looking at Pinkie Pie with such sorrow, such anguish. She held the raft with her hooves, nuzzling Pinkie Pie hard and crying loudly

“They’ll search the river, they’ll follow it to Hoofington and find us Pinkie, and you know we won’t make it. I’ll lead them away, you’ll be ok, you’ll come back a free mare, I promise!” The raft was starting to slip from Fluttershy’s grasp as Pinkie Pie put a hoof on Fluttershy’s face, gently rubbing her with tears of her own flowing. She cried

“Don’t, don’t leave me Fluttershy! Come with me, we can make it!” Fluttershy simply shook her head and nuzzled her harder, sobbing

“No! You and the others are always telling me to be brave…I won’t let them hurt my friends anymore. Twilight will find the truth, she’ll free us both, now go! Go Pinkie Pie, and don’t come back!” With this, Fluttershy let go of the raft and the current quickly caught it, pushing it down the river faster and faster. Pinkie Pie leaned her head back to look at Fluttershy, who was staring back, tears flowing from her eyes. She saw her mouth the words ‘Goodbye…my best friend’ and turn on her hooves, galloping back into the forest. It was not long after this that the guards had frantically begun to shout

“THERE!!! THE YELLOW ONE!!! GET HER!!! AFTER HER!!!” Pinkie Pie could do nothing except lay there, dazed badly by Fluttershy’s strike, and hold out a hoof towards the spot where Fluttershy had stood only moments before. She called out weakly

“Fluttershy…Fluttershy!!!” The shouts of the guards grew quiet over time, and Pinkie did nothing but whimper her friend’s name as she floated along. She then felt it, the cold wave of distress and fear wash over her that she had always dreaded. It was her Pinkie Sense…telling her that her friends were hurt…and it was enough for the Pink Mare to shout at the top of her lungs as she rapidly floated down the river…one name…one sorrowful…pain-riddled name of utter anguish

“FLUTTERSHY!!!!!!!”

Chapter 4 - The Town

Chapter 4…The Town

Pinkie Pie floated down the raft soundlessly, sitting on her haunches. Her head was down, her straight hair flowing out around her. A small puddle of tears had formed in front of her, only adding to the moisture in the air. She sniffed; rubbing her eyes with her hooves for what could only be the hundredth time. The raft had floated out of the forest and was currently making its way swiftly across a wide plain, with nothing but a few mountains in the distance and a small town. She looked up briefly to see Hoofington coming closer and closer, her lips quivering and her eyes wide but sad. She didn’t know what she was going to do, or how she was even going to hide out here. Trottington would most likely search the outlying towns, and Hoofington was no exception. She lay down, tucking her hooves under her and setting her head down on the cold, hard wood. Her eyes drooped and she was so close to falling asleep when she heard a loud thump behind her and a muffled “ow!” She jumped up and turned towards her saddlebags, which were sitting on one corner of the raft. Walking over quietly she gently placed her mouth over the center strap and with a quick movement, heaved them up and opened both bags. Scootaloo let out a terrified squeak as she fell out of the bags and onto the hard raft. She looked up with a look at terror at Pinkie Pie, who shared the exact same expression. They both pointed their hooves at each other and shouted “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?” Pinkie shouted next

“I asked you first!” And to this Scootaloo shouted back

“Nuh uh, I asked YOU first!” Pinkie Pie only stared at Scootaloo with narrowed eyes and a small grimace. Scootaloo got up, brushing herself off and looking around, muttering “Where are we anyway?” Pinkie Pie sat down on her haunches and groaned loudly, pointing at Scootaloo

“What the hay are you doing here Scootaloo; this is NO place for a filly! DAMN Scootaloo, they’re going to think I ponynapped you! What were you thinking!? Why did you come with me!?” Scootaloo gently trotted over to Pinkie Pie, looking up at her and saying

“Well you looked upset, so I wanted to investigate and maybe see if I could help you…but then I heard guards shouting, you and Fluttershy screaming about them catching you. What happened Pinkie Pie? Did you do something bad?” Pinkie Pie simply looked away slowly, lips quivering and tears reforming in her eyes. Scootaloo noticed and gently patted her leg, whispering “H…hey, why are you crying? What’s going on Pinkie Pie?” Pinkie Pie merely shook her head and looked downwards, sniffling and mumbling

“Go home Scootaloo…there’s nothing more you can do here…just go home…” Scootaloo frowned angrily and lightly pushed Pinkie against her cheek, causing her to look up. Scootaloo sat on her haunches and pointed a hoof at Pinkie Pie, shouting

“Hey! I went through all this trouble to come see you and make sure you were ok and you’re just telling me to go away?! If you didn’t notice, Pinkie, I don’t have a home to go to…I just switch off living with Applebloom and Sweetie Belle, and another thing, I don’t KNOW where I am! How the hay do I get back to Ponyville if I have no idea which direction to go? Now quit being such a Saddie Pie and tell me what happened!” Pinkie Pie smiled a little and looked up at Scootaloo, admiring the loyalty she had for herself…a true admirer of Rainbow Dash indeed. Pinkie Pie looked to her left, the town of Hoofington in sight, the curve of the river that would take them straight there approaching quickly. She opened her mouth and a low tune echoed out…singing quietly

“There was a baker and her friend…her name Fluttershhyyyy…
Just a…baker and her friend…who in the end had saved her liiiife…
Her name was Fluttershhyyyy!!! And she was Innocent!!! And I…was…accused…

Pinkie looked back towards the Everfree Forest, far on the distant horizon. A dark, venomous look splayed over across her face, eyes glaring daggers towards the town of Ponyville, where one colt stood triumphant over her. She stared for a moment before her expression softened and she looked down at Scootaloo, singing

“An Inspector in the town…took my Fluttershhyyyy!!!!
A, ‘Healthy’, protector of the town…who tried his best to hunt me down…
Who took the baker from her friend!!! I could do nothing in the ennnnd!
And she would cry, my dear, my timid, my darling friend FLUTTERSHHYYY!!!

Scootaloo felt like she was going to cry, hearing this song of woe from Pinkie Pie. She looked up to her and sniffed, whimpering “So…what are you going to do now?” Pinkie Pie smiled a little, wiping Scootaloo’s tears away with a gentle brush of her hoof and singing in a whisper

“Oh we will…many months from now…we’ll go back sometime somehow…”

Scootaloo crawled up next to Pinkie Pie, curling up against her coat and hugging her gently. Pinkie Pie hugged her back, nuzzling her and whispering “Somehow…Scootaloo…we’ll make it. We just have to…stick together…” They floated along, quietly, together, Mare and Filly. An hour later they had jumped from the raft and stealthily approached the town for the last stretch of distance, hoping not to be seen by anypony outside Hoofington. They walked in the backyards of several buildings, Pinkie Pie on the hunt for something and Scootaloo simply tagging along. The orange filly walked up next to Pinkie Pie, whispering

“What are we looking for?” Pinkie Pie cautiously looked over a fence and into the next yard, whispering back

“A basement, or any kind of storage shed that would have industrial tools or something.” At this point Scootaloo would have asked why, but for right now, questions would probably bother the Pink Mare. Thinking this, Scootaloo simply shrugged and looked around for anything that fit the description. She suddenly gasped and pointed

“Pinkie, over there!” Pinkie Pie turned her head to where Scootaloo had pointed, seeing a hanging sign on a building that was visible down an alleyway they were passing in front of to get into the next yard. It read ‘Hoofington Carpenter’s Inc.’ Pinkie smiled and winked at Scootaloo, the two of them rushing for the back yard. Two slanted, doubled doors rested behind the large building, indicating the entrance to the basement was here. Pinkie quietly opened up one side and ushered Scootaloo inside, quickly heading in herself and shutting the door behind them. Scootaloo shivered at the damp coolness of the basement and looked up at Pinkie Pie, faintly making out her outline in the darkness. She whispered “What are we looking for in here?” Pinkie Pie started to trek down the stairs carefully, Scootaloo keeping up with her and also treading quietly. Pinkie Pie leaned out and whispered quickly

“Paint, coat-safe and washable, that we can use to disguise ourselves. There’s going to be a lot of ponies looking for a Pink Mare and an Orange Filly. Look for near matching colors, like blue and light blue, or green and dark green.” Scootaloo nodded and they both split up, searching the many shelves and cabinets that lined the walls. Scootaloo poked her head in a box, finding nothing. She pushed it aside and blinked in surprise, finding a wide assortment of brightly colored cans on the other side. She turned and whispered sharply

“Psst, Pinkie!” Pinkie Pie looked over from a box of wrenches she was looking in and nodded, coming over quickly. She scanned and looked over the cans, peering closely at the labels and nodding. She looked at Scootaloo

“Alright…these will do, go ahead and pick a color” Scootaloo looked at the cans, scratching the top of her head in concentration. After a minute she smiled and pointed to a Cyan Colored can, her eyes sparkling. Pinkie smiled, shaking her head. Of course she’d want to be the color of her hero, Rainbow Dash, at least mostly the same color. She gently picked up the cyan can and placed it by Scootaloo, picking out herself a darker shade of blue for her mane. She herself picked out a dark emerald can and a blood colored can of red. She found a few brushes on the shelves above and quickly popped the tops of the cans with a small can opener sitting near the rest of the paint. She looked over at Scootaloo and said “Don’t move, and keep ABSOLUTELY still!” Scootaloo nodded and fanned her tiny wings out, standing straight and still, a blank, determined look on her face. Pinkie Pie set to work immediately, panting over Scootaloo with cyan and dark blue for the mane. After about ten minutes of quick strokes and even coloring, Scootaloo was transformed into a cyan filly with a dark blue mane. Scootaloo looked herself over, smiling widely

“Oh WOW Pinkie! How’d you get it to look so real?!” Pinkie Pie smiled a little, her eye twitching a little as she muttered

“I was always good at coloring and frosting cupcakes at Sugar Cube Corner…it’s a skill I mastered quickly…I’m glad I haven’t gotten rusty.” She looked about and found herself a mirror, going over to it with the other two colored cans. She did her hair up in smooth pigtails, taking two small hair-ties from her saddlebags. After her hair settled she carefully dipped fresh brushes into the green paint and held out her hooves, painting herself very carefully. Scootaloo watched her for awhile, observing her master craft in action. She tilted her head and asked suddenly

“Pinkie Pie, what happens when we run out of paint?” Pinkie Pie was stroking the bloody color into her hair as she mumbled

“Well, all shops need to resupply, and if the owners of the store keep their supply checked and stocked, we’ll never have any shortages. We’ll have to be very conservative about using it, which means we may have to go without…bathing for a little bit, maybe a few days at a time.” Scootaloo nodded, not really minding much about the bath issue. After a little while, Pinkie Pie stood up tall and did a full turn, observing herself carefully. She was fully green, her pigtailed hair a murderous, smooth, and silky shade of blood red. She smiled, looking down at her cyan friend, who smiled back. “A new beginning…Scootaloo…we’ll start over…” Scootaloo hugged her leg, checking to see if it was dry (which it was, thank Celestia for quick-drying paint), and smiled. Pinkie Pie looked back towards the mirror, a venomous, hateful look in her eyes as she thought to herself “Yes…we’ll start over…and I’ll begin to draw my plans to KILL that damn colt. Soon Trottington…very soon…you’ll learn the error of your ways” Pinkie Pie nudged Scootaloo and together the ascended the basement stairs, heading back into the sunshine. They went up the alley and stopped just short of its entrance. What they found, was shocking. The place looked so abstract…so…wrong. In the street, several fancy dressed, business looking Ponies trotted this way and that, some making way for fancily built carriages. On the sides of the street sat a few dirty, ragged looking mares and colts. Pinkie Pie looked up the street to her left, seeing what looked to be fancier and fancier buildings. To her right she saw only worn and torn buildings, some boarded up, some splattered with signs screaming ‘CONDEMNED!’. Scootaloo nudged Pinkie Pie softly, whispering up to her

“What’s…going on? Why’s the town so…so…” Pinkie Pie mumbled back to her, eyes scanning across the crowds carefully

“…so divided…” Scootaloo nodded, following Pinkie quickly as she suddenly stepped out onto the busy street. Scootaloo wanted to ask where they were going, but so far she felt so close and trustworthy to Pinkie Pie, that she’d follow her no matter what anyway. Every few feet, colts and mares reached out and begged to them

“Please!!! I have a small filly, she’s very sick! Please we need food!”

“I’m so hungry…please, spare a few slices of bread!”

“My husband is so hungry he can’t move…please, help us!”
Scootaloo looked at them all with such sorrow, mouth partially agape in disbelief. She looked up at Pinkie to see if she felt the same way but was shocked to only find a determined, angry look on her face. Her lips were set in a small frown and her eyes were narrowed. After five minutes of walking and begging ponies, they stopped. Pinkie Pie looked to her right, head slowly rising to observe a medium sized, two story building. A sign hung limply from a single wooden beam that stuck out from the roof, a picture of a red colored cupcake etched and colored into its surface. The two of them gently climbed the three wooden steps in front of the shop and onto the Patio, Pinkie Pie looking to the right of the door in the window. A small paper sign hung there, reading “Renters wanted, inquire within” Pinkie pushed open the door after a few moments and they both went inside, the door shutting behind them with a loud ‘TWHACK!’.

Chapter 5 - The Epiphany

Chapter 5…The Epiphany

The shop was in fair order, spotless mostly. All sorts of candy sweets and pastries lined the shelves and glass, some sparkling with special sprinkles and others done up with swirls of bright colors and patterns. Behind the front counter, an elderly colt stood, small spectacles hanging a bit limply on his face. He looked up as he heard the door bell’s jingle, seeing the green and cyan mares walking in. He smiled and stepped out from behind the counter, swinging a hoof out wide amongst his many shelves on display, saying happily “Welcome to Ginger’s Sweet Sweets Emporium! How can I help you fine girls today?” Pinkie Pie walked over, a small smile on her face but a serious look in her eyes. She took a glance back at the paper sign as she spoke

“My name is Mena…this is my daughter Louise. We just moved here, nomadic folk you see. I saw your sign by the door and was wondering about…” She heard a loud clattering as she turned her head back around and blinked in surprise. The elderly colt was quickly packing together a suitcase, slapping a paper on the counter and muttering quickly

“Just sign and it’s yours!” He slammed the suitcase closed as Pinkie Pie opened her mouth in retort

“Hold on, that’s it? No fancy documents, no payment, nothing? What’s got your hooves in a bunch?” The colt looked up and practically laughed at ‘Mena’s’ dumbfounded look, saying in return

“The business here is terrible, the Emporium’s Headquarters is based in this town which means loads of health inspections every week, and even then I can’t stand to see or hear the moaning and crying of the homeless folk in town. I’ve had enough, so I’m getting OUT of here!” Pinkie Pie nodded a little, understanding perfectly how bad…inspections…could be. She looked towards a window, spotting a crippled mare and a young filly lying on the side of the street, shivering underneath a shredded blanket. She narrowed her eyes and looked back towards the colt, speaking loudly

“What’s going on with Hoofington, why are there so many hungry and homeless littering the streets?” The colt picked up the suitcase and walked over towards ‘Mena’, putting it down and sighing, rubbing his head with his hoof as he spoke

“Things have been bad here for awhile…the Headquarters was set up here about a year ago and ever since all the bakeries and pastry shops have been forced to overprice. Only the rich and well-known ponies of the town ever buy from them…and those who can’t afford them…well” He pointed his hoof out towards the homeless outside and Pinkie Pie nodded, listening as the colt went on “We’ve tried to reason with the prices, and a few self-owned business’s tried to lower their own prices at the cost of profit, just to keep some of these ponies alive. Unfortunately once they started to do THAT little number…the Emporium quickly bought them out, some even coming under scandal. At first it was cute little “Health concerns and failed inspections” that were slapped in the faces of those business owners…however I’ve heard they’ve gone to some serious lengths to get these shops to shut down…you didn’t hear that from me though.” Pinkie nodded, looking at the colt and muttering

“I see, so what about this place, it passes Inspection alright?” The colt nodded, looking over his store with pride

“Of course, otherwise this place would have already been boarded up and condemned. I clean it spotless every day, and most days all it needs is dusting, seeing as not many customers come by. The rent’s cheap, and there’s a nice bedroom on the second floor for you and the little daughter here. You’ll be quite alright if you ask me” Pinkie Pie nodded and gave the colt a warm smile, shaking his hoof with her own and saying

“I used to own a bakery…a bit of time ago…I know about inspections. Do not worry sir, you leave your bakery in good hooves.” The colt smiled and dipped his head to the two mares, walking out of the store without another word. Pinkie Pie took this time to walk over to the counter and quickly tell Scootaloo “Pull that rent sign down will you dear?” Scootaloo nodded as Pinkie Pie took a small marker from one of the counter’s drawers and scribbled the name “Mena Muffin” onto the paper, shuffling it away into the drawers along with the marker. Scootaloo gently placed the sign in the trash and looked up at Pinkie Pie with a confused look, saying

“How come you’re acting so differently now Pinkie? You’re usually bright, happy, and bouncy!” Pinkie smiled a little and looked down at Scootaloo, her pigtails swaying a little as she said simply

“What do most ponies know about me Scootaloo? That I’m bright, happy, and bouncy. I have to keep a low profile so that we’re safe here, away from prying eyes. Now come, let’s have a look at the stores down below and see if we can’t get this place a little bit more spotless then it already is.
~~~

I sat in the dreary coffee shop with the Blue Mare, happy to be out of the rain. The song…the song that the townsfolk of Ponyville had sung to me…it echoed in my very mind…my very soul. The Blue Mare sipped her coffee quietly, having just finished another small segment of Pinkie Pie’s story. It was a dark…grim tale indeed, but a tragic one as well. The more and more I heard, the more foolish I found it that Pinkie Pie had been accused of such an atrocity. It just wasn’t her nature, and the poor dear…sweet Fluttershy, who sits in prison to this day, five years of dark, dreary walls and not a tiny animal to comfort her in sight. I sipped my own coffee for a moment and muddled over my thoughts, looking back up to the mare finally and speaking with a low voice “So she rented the bakery…does that mean she’s still there? I haven’t heard about the case coming to a close, and there are still old Wanted posters of her up around a few sections of Ponyville. Surely if YOU know of the two of them being there, then the authorities would as well. What happened?” The Blue Mare hushed me gently, taking another sip of her coffee. She looked up at me with sad eyes and sighed, saying

“Pinkie Pie was very sweet, this we all knew…but there was a side to her most didn’t know about and that most didn’t judge her for. She had a very rough childhood, growing up without any friends but hard, stiff rocks. She sometimes could be found, hair straight and smooth, talking to inanimate objects like they were real, breathing ponies. Some say she was mentally unstable…others…that she was simply in her established comfort zone, getting rid of some stress. I sometimes hug an old, tattered doll to myself whenever I feel very sad or angry, and I don’t blame Pinkie Pie for what she does for her own pain. However…I think the townsfolk and I were all in agreement when we heard that her…other self, had taken a turn for the worst. At first we were horrified…but the more and more we listened…the more it made sense to us. It all happened, about two weeks after they had settled into Hoofington…”
~~~

“Happy Birthday Scootaloo!” Pinkie Pie said sweetly, sitting with her orange filly friend in the upstairs bedroom. They sat at a table, a very special cupcake lit with a single candle sitting in front of an excited Scootaloo who could only smile widely at the delicious treat. Their coats gleamed with cleanliness, having washed the grime and paint off that had accumulated on their coats. Scootaloo hugged Pinkie Pie and squealed

“Oh thank you Pinkie Pie, you remembered!” Pinkie Pie’s hair didn’t poof, even though she was very happy with Scootaloo at this moment. She watched the young filly eat up her cupcake and soon after she was done, Pinkie went towards the wardrobe cabinet sitting against the far wall. She opened it and pulled out the paint cans and brushes, and after twenty or so minutes, they were down in the main floor of the shop, trotting along its surface as ‘Mena’ and ‘Louise’. They cleaned the shop up proper and went about fixing the shop up to pristine order, Pinkie Pie telling Scootaloo in not a harsh, but firm tone “Remember Scootaloo, we have another Inspection today, so we need to make sure things are in proper order.” Scootaloo gave a mock salute and nodded, approaching her cleaning work with an intense vigor. It wasn’t long before the two mares stood proudly near the entrance to their shop, the shelves, glass, and floors sparkling without so much as a tiny dot of dirt or dust. Pinkie heard the door bell jingle and the door itself open as she turned, eyes closed and her form bowing. “Welcome to Mena’s Bakery and Pastry Emporium, how can I help you…” She looked up as she was about to say today and she stopped. Her eyes widened and her pupils contracted dramatically, her heart thumping wildly. It was HIM, HIM!!!! That bastard, that DAMNATION of pony kind! Trottington, Inspector Trottington of the Health Department, was here, in her bakery. Pinkie tried her best to remain calm, and smiled her best smile, stuttering a little as she spoke “I…Inspector Trottington! What a surprise! I had no idea that you yourself would be here to…” She was cut off by the swift waving of the Inspector’s hoof in the air, coughing a little

“Yes, yes…let us get this over with, I have business to attend to today.” Pinkie Pie looked quickly at Scootaloo once Trottington pushed past her, pointing towards the stairs sternly with a fearful look on her face. Scootaloo nodded rapidly and bounded up the stairs, drawing a quick glance from Trottington and a questioning look towards Pinkie who simply shrugged, chuckling nervously

“Little Louise…bit of a shy one sir.” Trottington nodded a little, moving about the shop and staring daggers at every possible surface of the bakery. He rubbed his hoof gently against the floor and on a few shelves, moving to the kitchen. Pinkie Pie followed him, a murderous look in her eyes and her mouth contorted in a foul grimace. He looked over the sink and near the oven as Pinkie stood near one of the counters. On one of these counters, Pinkie’s knives and cutting utensils were displayed properly and neatly…and within reaching distance. She looked towards one of the sharp…deadly edges and back at Trottington, her breathing slowly becoming more and more erratic. The Inspector poked his head in one of the lower cupboards, giving Pinkie the chance to quietly move over and grab up a very large kitchen knife in her mouth, holding it steadily as she looked back at Trottington with wide, panicked, and vengeful eyes. She put a hoof forward to approach him but stopped. She started to shake, breathing hard through the handle of the knife. She was waiting…why was she waiting!? She wanted to kill him, kill him and destroy his stupid, miserable little life! No matter how she rationalized it, she couldn’t get over it. She couldn’t bring herself to approach Trottington, to sink the knife into his exposed throat, lashing out madly and killing the one bastard of a colt who tore her beautiful, yellow Pegasus friend away from her. She stood, petrified for a few moments, knife in mouth, waiting. She tried four times to move forward, but every time her muscles locked up. Eventually Trottington stood, and took a glance at Pinkie Pie for a moment and looked away. His head suddenly snapped back to her as he said loudly

“Ms. Mena, what are you doing with that knife?” Pinkie Pie nearly dropped it then and there, her heart skipping a beat. She quickly recovered, putting the knife back down in its place with the others, chuckling nervously and saying quickly

“Oh, well I…thought I saw a spot on the blade, good thing so sir, that it’s been checked and no spot of grime has been found!” Trottington narrowed his and was about to say something to her when suddenly the front door flew open with a loud bang. Pinkie jumped a little as Trottington whirled his head around towards the sound with a questioning glance. Another colt had rushed in, looking around wildly. He took sight of Trottington and shouted

“Sir! We have a new lead, it’s madly important!” Trottington gasped loudly at this, eyes growing wide. He rushed towards the door, shouting back at Pinkie Pie

“Inspection passed, good work Ms. Mena” and with that…he was gone, the door shutting loudly behind him. Pinkie Pie stood there, bewildered for a moment, frozen and still as a statue. For a moment she felt nothing…but then…in just a few short moments after…she felt heat. A strong, malevolent heat washed over her, the feeling of anger boiling up from the very bottom of her heart. She gritted her teeth as she seethed in anger, her wide eyes and contracted pupils slowly shifting over towards the door where Trottington had fled through. She reared her head up and shrieked “DAMN HIM!!!! DAMN!!!!!!!”

Scootaloo rushed down the stairs, looking into the kitchen and shouting

“What’s all the shouting for?! Pinkie are you ok? Did we pass!?” Pinkie didn’t answer, simply grabbing up the large knife she had wielded only moments before and hurling it across the room, sticking it into the opposite wall with a loud ‘THUD’. She shouted with a musical tinge in her voice

“I HAD HIM! His neck was bare before my hooves!!!”

Scootaloo approached cautiously, looking up at Pinkie Pie with a frightful look and putting a hoof against her leg, whispering “Whoa…calm down Pinkie Pie”. Pinkie seemed not to hear her as she trudged angrily to the front of the store, shouting again in a musical tone

“DAMN I HAD HIM! The colt was here and he may not COME AGAIN!” Scootaloo followed quickly and sung back to her

“Easy now, Pinkie Pie…maybe you should go -“ Pinkie only cut her off, screaming again with music

“DAMN! Why did I wait!? Why did I have to wait!? NOW HE MAY NOT COME AGAIN!!!!” Pinkie took a glance at Scootaloo and uttered darkly “Let me explain something to you Scootaloo…” She approached the front window, looking outside into the rain soaked streets of poor and homeless ponies, the rich and greedy trudging around all high and mighty. She looked upon all of them as she started to sing menacingly

“There’s a lot of Ponies in this place you see,

All dumb and stupid and blind with glee

All the vermin of Hoofington you see…

But not for loooooong!”

A creepy smile spread across Pinkie’s face as she looked down the street in the rain and sang

“They aaaallll deserve…to bake!

Tell you why, Scootaloo, I’ll tell you why…”

Pinkie approached a mirror on her left, staring at her wide-eyed, furious self as she sang to her reflection.

“Because out of all of Pony-Kind Scootaloo

There’s only two kinds of Ponies only two!

The one’s who’re starving because they’re broke

And the others who judge poor pony folk,

Look at me, Scootaloo, look at you!”

She looked back towards the window and half sung, half shouted

“WE ALL, DESERVE, TO BAKE!

Even YOU, Scootaloo, and Pinkie Pie!

Because the lives of Ponies are brief you see

When they’re baked and served as treats you see,

WE ALL, DESERVE, TO BAKE!!!!”

She fell suddenly on her belly, singing upwards in lamentation

“Because I’ll neeeverr…see Flutterrrshy

And I’ll neeeverr…get to see her again…”

She jumped up, shouting madly and rushing to the door “TROTTINGTON!!!” She bucked open the door and rushed out into the rain and singing madly

“ALRIGHT! You mare! How about a CUPCAKE!?

Come and, visit, YOUR GOOD FRIEND MENA!

You COLT, come now, welcome to the shop…”

She looked up into the dark sky and raised a hoof, lamenting with a deadly glare on her face

“I will have VENGEANCE!!! I WILL HAVE VENGEANCE!!!!”

She went back to moving about wildly in the street, the townsfolk acting as if she wasn’t even there, simply going on with life as she sung

“Which mare? YOU DEAR? Noponie’s in the oven, COME ON, COME ON!

Mena’s, waiting, I WANT INGREDIENTS!

You there, ANYPONY! Come now don’t be shy…”

She started to back up slowly, looking up towards the black, death like sky and lamenting once more…

“Not oonnne Pony, No nor Ten ponies, Nor a HUNDREEED CAN ESCAPE MEEE!!!!

SO COME, FOALS!!!!”

She suddenly walked forward, her eyes on her bakery as she rumbled darkly

“And I will get him back, that BASTARD colt!

Took my friend, now I’m going to CUT HIS THROAT!”

She tripped suddenly, hitting the sopping ground and crying

“And my PEGASUS!!! LIES IN PRIIIISON!!! FOR THE SINS THAT, WERE NOT HERS!!!!”

Her eyes flew open, and she quickly looked back up to the sky, rising up and standing on her back hooves, raising her front hooves to the sky and screaming

“BUT, THE BAKING, WAITS!!!

I AM PINKAMENA!!!! AND I’M READY TO BAAAAAAAAAAAAAKE!!!!!”

Chapter 6 - The Baking

Chapter 6 – The Baking

“Things began to get…interesting after that day. Pinkie Pie had gone back to using her original name…Pinkamena Diane Pie…and was upset and angry over the injustice that Hoofington had been exposed too. So many starving, dying ponies in the streets and not a hoof of friendship or compassion spared. There were so many rich and pompous rich ponies that Pinkamena figured that if one…two…maybe even ten went missing…that no one would notice.” The Blue Mare and I were sitting outside the boarded up cottage of the Imprisoned Fluttershy, the rain drizzling on our coats. I shivered, hearing these words of murderous premonition. I looked over to her and muttered softly

“She operated…with a clear conscious? She actually…did what she was accused of? That makes such little sense…why commit the crime you’re trying to prove yourself innocent of?” The Blue Mare smiled a little, looking towards the ground and turning around, walking away from the college. I followed her across the tiny bridge as she uttered the words

“Because at that point…it didn’t matter what she did, she would be found guilty no matter what because of Trottington…so…why not a little more blood?”
~~~

Pinkie Pie sat in front of Scootaloo, a serious expression on her face. Scootaloo looked up to her with a wide-eyed expression, shaking a little. She had just heard the plan, what her friend had considered and plotted to do. She raised a tiny hoof up towards Pinkie and muttered

“But…isn’t that wrong, what you said? Isn’t that what the Inspector accused you of in the first place? It’s…it’s so awful Pinkie…” Pinkie nodded solemnly at Scootaloo’s statement. It made her happy, knowing she could still keep her sanity and thoughts intact when talking with her filly friend. She put a gentle hoof on Scootaloo’s head and sighed, speaking gently

“I know…it’s disgusting, unheard of, and above all heretical to even think about doing…which is why I fully understand if you do not want to be a part of this. I must save Hoofington…these people must be saved. I’ll tell you what Scootaloo…I don’t want you helping me at all with this particular part of the job…but what I do want you to do, is to go out in the middle of the night with the goods I…make…and give them to the poor pony folk. Tell them not where these came from, and do not stay long once you have delivered them. Make sure NOPONY follows you, ok?” Scootaloo nodded and hugged Pinkie Pie tightly, the two of them holding one another in their second story bedroom. The jingle of a bell was heard below and Pinkie Pie slowly over towards the stairs, a murderous grimace stretching across her face. “We have our first customer of the day…come Scootaloo” Together they both went down, Scootaloo heading towards the front to welcome the new guest and Pinkie to the kitchen, preparing to…bake…once the customer had ordered his goods. Pinkie ran a gentle hoof over the handle of her largest knife, a deep sigh escaping her as she heard Scootaloo’s voice carry from the front room

“Oh yes, she’s just back here. Mommy! There’s a fancy pony here to see you!” A colt’s chuckle followed this as the sounds of hooves were heard coming closer to the kitchen, a deep voice rumbling

“How adorable, such a proper little Filly” Pinkie listened to the hooves come closer…hooves carrying a Colt to his untimely demise. The Colt was dressed in a black cape, and had a top hat and monocle adorned on his head. Scootaloo backed out of the kitchen quickly, closing the door behind her and bounding for the stairs. Pinkie Pie turned and smiled a wide smile of friendliness, proclaiming

“Good sir, welcome to my Emporium. My name is Mena and I will be your baker today. Come now, do tell me your order, and I’ll make sure I make it the sweetest…most delicious pastry you will have ever tasted.” The Colt smiled and rubbed his chin with his hoof for a moment, saying in return

“My, my, such proper posture and grace in speaking, I have surely come to the right place! Ms. Mena, I would like a medium sized, raspberry cupcake with lemon frosting and a small strawberry on top.” Pinkie nodded, holding a hoof out to a small cupcake on the counter

“Of course sir, it shall be my pleasure…in the meantime, would you like to have a free sample of my latest miracle-cake? I experimented with an assortment of flavors and I must say…I believe I have hit a stroke of genius with it!” The Colt’s smile widened as he turned his back on Pinkie, walking over to the cupcake and leaning his head down, taking a small bite of it. He held his head up and chewed, a wide-eyed expression on his face as he exclaimed

“My, GOODNESS Ms. Mena, that has to be the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted!!!” Pinkie’s voice echoed from a very close distance behind him as she muttered

“Oh that’s good, because you’re the next one” Before the colt had a chance to process this in his mind, he felt a smooth, thin edge slide across his throat quickly and in the next moment he was choking and gagging violently. He fell to the ground, flailing about for a moment before strong front hooves held him down, keeping him still. Blood spurted from his neck, gushing in heavy streams onto the floor. Pinkie Pie stood above him, holding him down with a thin grimace on her face and vacant, staring eyes. The knife she held with her mouth dripped with dark, thick blood as the colt twitched for a few more moments before finally falling still. He was dead. Pinkie Pie placed the knife gently on the counter, on top of a thick sheet of plastic. She then walked over and pulled a thick black tarp out from one of the low leveled cabinets, laying it out on the kitchen floor. She took a deep breath and heaved the Colt’s body onto the tarp, tying the corners up together and dragging the lump over towards the trapdoor that led to the bakery’s basement. The tarp made loud thuds as it hit every stair on its way down. She dragged it to the middle of the room, looking about. All sorts of tools and a few other odds and ends were laid out on a large wooden table, a large, old style oven sitting in one corner of the room. She untied the corners and let the tarp unfurl, the body sprawling out. Pinkie went over and took up a large hacksaw, turning towards the body and sighing. She didn’t enjoy this…she knew that. She was doing what she had to do…to teach these rich bastards a lesson and to help the homeless and hungry ponies of Hoofington survive. She placed the blade of the hacksaw on the neck of the colt, shut her eyes tight…and begun her vile deed.

Meanwhile, Scootaloo had come down from her hiding place in the bedroom and had walked into the kitchen, coming across the thick pool of warm blood that had accumulated and sprayed out onto the floor. Scootaloo nearly lost her lunch, retching a little as she pushed a hoof to her mouth in attempts to keep her stomach down. She took a few deep breaths, panting a little as she went over to the nearby closet and pulled out a bucket and mop, heading back over to clean up the mess. For an hour, Pinkie stayed in the basement, Scootaloo in the kitchen, each of them performing their tasks to perfection. Pinkie finally ascended the stairs, looking sick and weary but smiled at seeing Scootaloo, presenting to her a spotless floor and knife. She sat on her haunches and scooped the little filly up into a gentle hug, squeezing her a little. Scootaloo wasn’t surprised that Pinkie Pie started to cry, sobbing a little and running out some of the green paint on her muzzle. Streaks of pink were seen as together, they held one another.

That night, Scootaloo poked her head out of the backdoor, looking to the left and right carefully. She gingerly stepped out into the night; her saddlebags packed full of…baked goods. She trotted a distance about three or four blocks down, not wanting to be seen near the bakery when she started handing out the goods. She wore a brown cape and hood, rounding the corner into the alleyway that was littered with hungry, homeless ponies. They huddled together in boxes, dumpsters, or simply out in the open. Scootaloo looked around, dragging a large, flat piece of cardboard towards the middle of the alley. She emptied the contents of the saddlebags onto the cardboard: A large bundle of about fifty cupcakes. She then pulled a small note out from the bags that read “You are to share these with everypony, not just yourself. If you do not share, these deliveries will STOP. Tell nopony about these gifts unless it is amongst your fellow poor folk, and even then, you must keep this at a whisper. You have been rewarded your struggles, and warned about this discovery.” Scootaloo walked near the end of the alley, looking around carefully before bucking a nearby dumpster with a loud ‘BANG!’ and bolting away quickly.

Several ponies jolted awake, looking around frantically for danger. An orange mare sighed, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes with her hooves when she heard her tiny daughter squeak with delight, running over towards the middle of the aisle. She squeaked

“Look momma, look! Food, there’s food here!!!”
~~~

I couldn’t believe it…really. Such an act…such a deed. It was criminal, murder, and disgusting, what she was doing. But for some reason, I couldn’t rationalize it as wrong. Pinkie Pie was feeding the poor and murdering the rich, heartless ponies of Hoofington. She was stealing life from the rich and giving it to the poor, much like the old Mare’s Tale ‘Trotting Hood’, except he took money. We were sitting outside the Canterlot Criminal Prison and Institution, looking up at the dark, eight story building, and the windows all barred and doors watched and manned by six guards each. I looked up at the eighth story, holding a hoof up towards it and asking the Blue Mare

“Up there? She’s on the top floor?” The Blue Mare nodded and sighed, looking up herself

“Yes, Fluttershy is still up there…waiting for the day she will be free. It’s been five years…five long…hard years.” I nodded and together we walked back down Mane Street. I turned my head to her and asked

“How long did Pinkie Pie kill and bake the rich of Hoofington? Surely a drop of population would have been noticed by now.” The Mare didn’t answer me and together we walked towards the library, the iconic home of one Twilight Sparkle. The Mare knocked on the door and as we waited for someone to answer I asked another question “Twilight Sparkle is the one who tried to gather a case against Trottington, to prove Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy innocent, yes?” The Mare nodded and in the next moment the door opened. A grown up Twilight Sparkle answered the door, her coat a deep lavender color and on her face a golden pair of spectacles. She looked at who was at the door and blinked in surprise, unsure of what to say. The Blue Mare looked at me and narrowed her eyes, talking in my direction but speaking to Twilight

“Don’t worry…he can be trusted, he’s a friend” Twilight nodded and let them inside. A metal tub of water sat in one corner of the room, a few books strewn about on the table. The rest of the library looked in fair order, and I shook my coat out gently, watching the Lavender Mare go back to sit on a small, violet colored pillow. She smiled a little and held up a hoof, saying

“Hi, I’m Twilight Sparkle, you must be Detective Quill.” I nodded, pressing my hoof against hers and shaking it a little. I looked over and watched the Blue Mare slip into the tub, sinking all the way inside. I frowned in confusion until Twilight’s voice turned my attention back to her “So, you’ve been hearing the Tale of Pinkie Pie, right? Well you must already know I’m the one who tried to present a case to get Fluttershy free…it didn’t work though, she’s still in there.” I sighed, looking down for a moment before muttering

“Well, you tried your best…poor mare…when is she expected to get out?” The question hung in the air for a moment until the Blue Mare’s voice turned both of our heads

“Soon…” I gasped loudly, looking upon the Blue Mare…who was no longer blue. Instead, she stepped out an orange colored mare with a violet mane. She blushed a little and held up her hoof sheepishly, muttering “I was rude…I didn’t even give you my name yet…my name…is Scootaloo”
~~~

Pinkie Pie came up from the basement, another batch of goods on the way. Scootaloo was just placing the mop and bucket, cleaned and bleached, back into the closet when she heard the doorbell jingle. She groaned, starting to pull the cleaning gear back when Pinkie put a gentle hoof on her head and shook her head “I think we can spare ONE of these bastards today…could you set the oven on preheat while I go see who it is?” Scootaloo nodded, giving Pinkie a quick hug before heading over to the oven. Pinkie smiled and watched her go, heading towards the front room after a moment. As she entered she exclaimed brightly out of memory “Welcome to Mena’s Emporium of Baked Goods, how can I help….you…YOU!” Pinkie Pie’s eyes widened in pure shock as an orange mare with a straw-blond mane and a rodeo hat atop her head walked into her store. Her cutie mark of three apples shimmered brightly as the country mare let out a sigh of relief and said

“Well thank all ah Equestria that I found somepony who can maybe give me ah decent price. Everypony I go to is ah chargin’ just too much for these froo froo candies.” Applejack was standing in Pinkie Pie’s shop. Pinkie started to breathe a little heavy as she said nervously

“Of…of course!!! My dear…you don’t look like you’re around from these parts…tell me, what brings you all the way out to Hoofington?” Applejack smiled as she browsed her goods, frowning a little at finding little difference in her price range from the other shops. She looked up at she heard the question and held a hoof up

“Well I was just-a deliverin’ a shipment of apples from Sweet Apple Acres in Ponyville. We ship out here from time to time, and it’s always nice to find somethin’ to munch on when I ain’t managing the goods.” Pinkie Pie nodded, frowning sadly and walking past Applejack towards the front store window and muttering

“Ponyville…I heard some trouble brew up there recently…a Pink Mare and her Pegasus friend…” Applejack turned her head sharply in surprise and blinked, an awkward blush passing over her face. The country mare gulped a little and said

“Yeah…it was a few weeks ago…haven’t heard from em both since…well, except the yellow one…my friend Fluttershy. They done stuck her in prison for aiding in some kinda’ murder. Horsefeathers if you ask me, ain’t no way that peaceful little mare could do something like…” Pinkie Pie turned her head sharply towards Applejack and cut her off, talking rapidly

“Fluttershy is alive? She’s in prison? Inspector Trottington didn’t kill her or anything?!” At this Applejack’s eyes widened in shock as she fell back on her haunches, stuttering and pointing a hoof at Pinkie

“How…how do ya know about Fluttershy and Trottington? How the hay did you know about the ruckus at Ponyville anyway!? Who are you!!?” The last question was more of a shouted demand then anything. Pinkie Pie sighed and turned her head back towards the window, watching ponies walk back and forth across the streets. She sighed as Applejack stared daggers at the back of her head. Eventually Pinkie spoke, talking in a low volume

“For weeks now I’ve dreamed of coming home to a free mare and to be a free mare myself…” Upon hearing this, Applejack moved forward quickly and grasped Pinkie’s face in her hooves, turning her to stare directly at Applejack. Applejack peered closely at her for a second before gasping and leaning back, whispering loudly

“Oh mah STARS! Pinkie Pie!? What…how did…where did…when did you…what!?” Pinkie put a hoof over Applejack’s mouth gently, shushing her. She looked at Applejack with a murderous glare, shaking her head

“Not Pinkie, Pinkamena, and I swear on Celestia’s Mane that I will have my revenge on Health Inspector Trottington of Ponyville. You say Fluttershy’s in prison…”

Applejack nodded slowly, still dumfounded to find her friend…in such a state…and in an even worse color! She felt tears well up in her eyes as she sniffled out

“Pinkie Pie…I missed you so much…we all missed you…we thought you were lost and stranded, or worse! Is Scootaloo with you?” Pinkie nodded to her question as Applejack sighed, walking up and giving her friend a tight hug. Pinkie returned it, breathing in her friend’s apple scent that she had nearly forgotten and had missed so much. Applejack leaned away and spoke to her gently “Pinkie Pie, you have to come back to Ponyville, we can’t hold a case without you…you’ve got to leave all this behind, you still have a chance” Pinkie Pie pulled away at this and walked towards a far off window, stating firmly

“He’s still there…Inspector Trottington!” Applejack frowned a little at this, wiping tears away from her eyes with her hoof and pointing towards her in a pleading motion

“You’ve got to forget about him Pinkie, justice will find its way to the varmint for sure!” Pinkie shouted back again

“NO! I’m facing desperate times Applejack…and desperate times call for desperate measures…” Applejack narrowed her eyes quizzically at her former party friend, muttering in question

“What you talkin’ bout Pinkie Pie?” Pinkie Pie merely put a hoof against the glass, the cold pane of clearness sending a shiver through her body as she turned her head to Applejack, stating simply

“I’m going to kill him” Applejack merely held her open in shock as Pinkie approached her, pulling her into a gentle hug and whispering “One day…I will tell you what happened here…I’ll tell you the tale…but for now…leave me here, and don’t come back. Mention to nopony that you saw me…and do not tell anyone of my intentions. You don’t know what he’s done to this town…him and his bakery Emporiums…so leave me here, and hold your chin up high Applejack.” Applejack had started to cry in the middle of her directions, holding one of her closest friends tightly against her. Applejack pulled away to look at her, sniffling and stuttering between choked words

“Ah…ah can’t approve of you doing this Pinkie Pie…but you’ve been through so much…you just promise me you’ll come home, where you belong…one day. Promise me Pinkie Pie!” Pinkie merely smiled and pushed her forehead against Applejack’s, closing her eyes and whispering

“Cross my heart…and hope to die… stick a cupcake…in my eye” Applejack hugged her tightly again, and wiped her tears away for a second time before turning and walking out the door. She didn’t look back as she galloped into the street and joined with the busy traffic that was rushing back and forth. Pinkie watched her go for a moment before shouting “Scootaloo!” the cyan-colored filly rushed into the front room as Pinkie turned to look at her, smiling “Let’s get back to baking…shall we?”

Chapter 7 - The Return

Chapter 7… The Return

I stood before an older Scootaloo, a beautiful, orange mare with a violet mane. I was stunned, dumbfounded even. I opened my mouth to speak but Scootaloo held up a hoof, sighing “I know you have even more questions…but believe me I’ve already had my share of them. The most obvious is ‘since I’m here, where’s Pinkie Pie?’ Well that’s an easy one to answer…as today is actually the day Fluttershy is released. In a few hours, Fluttershy will walk free from the prison. Pinkie Pie will be there to see her friend walk out into a blissful ray of sunshine and happiness…and she herself will come forth and admit to all of Ponyville and the authorities of her crimes. Today is her day Detective…the day you will learn the truth and conclusion of The Tale of Pinkie Pie the Party Pony of Ponyville. Come…the town already gathers. Twilight, will you be joining us?” Twilight nodded and stood, walking with them to the door. The rain had stopped, and together, we all proceeded outside and walked with several crowds of Ponies who were gathering and walking in one unified direction…to the Prison.
~~~

Weeks passed…weeks of murder, blood, and baking. More and more the rich of Hoofington grew terrified and fearful, while the poor and homeless folk grew happier and healthier. The rumors still got around no matter how hard Pinkie Pie tried to keep them down. Somepony…was murdering the rich. More and more, shop owners of Emporium stores were starting to pack up and leave, scared that whoever was targeting the rich ponies would start to come after those who priced high like them. Pinkie Pie was smooth…her operation subtle…cutting the throats of ponies who were hateful and uncaring of the disease they had created in Hoofington.

Scootaloo was getting a bit bigger, her wings growing a bit more and her mane growing longer as well. She felt so…safe with Pinkie Pie, so warm and happy. She told Pinkie this and was given a tight, snuggling hug. Even though they were just pretending to be Mother and Daughter, it was becoming clear that as time went on, this imaginary act was starting to become reality. It was true; Pinkie Pie had finally decided to simply just consider Scootaloo her own daughter by adoption. Scootaloo couldn’t have been any happier at this development, the two of them spending more and more time with one another. They took long walks out to the parks in Hoofington, sat on the edge of the river they had first arrived on and simply watched the water, and even provided the baked goods for several high class parties being held in the fancier up-town district of Hoofington. They passed more and more inspections, scoring perfectly in each session. She had heard that Inspector Trottington was wildly impressed with her bakery’s business, and to this Pinkie Pie could only smile. She was drawing him in…his interest in her bakery and the moving out of the others was coming into bloom perfectly. A few more bodies, a few more cupcakes, and revenge would finally be hers.

Then…one day…fate would smile upon Pinkie Pie. It was a bright, sunny day, with birds chirping and business running as usual in Hoofington. Pinkie Pie was in a particularly good mood when she had heard the news. She had to put off these happy thoughts for a moment as she pounced on the back of a fancily dressed mare, bring her knife around in front of the mare and stabbing backwards, up into the throat. She dug the knife around in the soft flesh of the mare, who could do nothing but gurgle and retch, stumbling around the kitchen and banging into several counters. Finally her legs gave out and she began to flail wildly, twitching as Pinkie pulled the knife deeper and deeper. The blade had pierced through the back of her neck when the mare finally stopped struggling, twitching a few times before her eyes grew vacant and her movements still. Getting up, Pinkie let out a loud “Whew!” and smiled widely. She’d have to fix this batch up quickly, as she had no idea when the Moving Carriage would arrive. The news Pinkie had received earlier was about her relocation. Apparently Inspector Trottington was getting nervous about all the rich ponies disappearing and the Emporiums closing, and didn’t want his prized bakery mare Mena to suffer the same fate. It was ironic…considering Trottington wanted her to move to Ponyville and take up business in the old Sugar Cube Corner. It was a dream come true, Pinkie Pie though, dragging the mare’s limp body into the basement.

An hour later, Pinkie Pie ascended the stairs to find Scootaloo already packing up most of the equipment and tools. She stopped and saw Pinkie Pie watching, both of them smiling. She walked over to Scootaloo and sat down on her haunches, pulling her into a hug. They sat there for a moment, soft, content smiles on both their faces until Pinkie mumbled quietly “Tonight…is the night Scootaloo…the night we go home.” Scootaloo looked up quickly with wide, twinkling eyes and a big smile, squeaking

“Really Pinkie!? For real!?” Pinkie nodded but then frowned as she put her hoof under Scootaloo’s chin and uttered darkly

“But know this Scootaloo…tonight is going to be a night of blood. Tonight you and I part ways when go to Ponyville. At the end of tonight, you cannot come with me to where I am going…” She expected Scootaloo to protest, and quickly put a hoof over her mouth when she heard the first words of her retort. She smiled sweetly at Scootaloo and nuzzled her a little, holding her tight as she whispered “Scootaloo…for all the time we’ve spent here in Hoofington…I’ve come to consider you my own daughter. You’ve been a loving friend and dear companion, helping me so much. But tonight…tonight is the night that I must face my demons…that I must face my final task head on. I want you to go straight to Twilight’s once we reach Ponyville…and then, I want you to spread the tale, tell them of what happened here in Hoofington. I love you Scootaloo, you’re the best daughter I could have ever asked for if I wanted one.” Scootaloo openly wept at the last sentence of Pinkie’s statement, holding her tightly as they both heard the sound of carriage doors opening and closing outside.

Pinkie Pie turned her head towards the sound and whispered “They’re here, come now.” Scootaloo nodded and wiped her eyes, going to the front to let the movers in while Pinkie went to the kitchen. She approached the counter that had a leather bound harness of sorts. She slipped it over her head and hooked it across her chest, a sheath latching onto her right front hoof. It didn’t hinder her movement at all and she quickly grabbed up her large knife, slipping it into the sheath and covering it with a green cape she wrapped over herself. She slipped on her saddlebags next and shifted her weight around, getting them comfortable.

She went to the front, greeting the movers who moved past her and nodded in reply. The shop had been cleaned to perfection, the basement void of any evidence of Pinkie’s dark, demonic craft. With a clear conscious, she stepped up into the carriage with Scootaloo, who was brimming with excitement at the thought of going home to Ponyville. The Carriage lurched forward and their journey home began. Things were quiet on the road home, Pinkie Pie not saying much as she prepared herself mentally for tonight. Tonight was the night she would kill Inspector Trottington, the colt who caused her all this pain and misery, and who had ripped her best friend away from her. Scootaloo was quiet as well; a pensive look on her face as she stared out the carriage window, pondering what she would do when she got home. Maybe she’d go see Rainbow Dash; she was probably worried sick, wondering where she was. Perhaps Sweetie Belle or Applebloom, seeing as they were without their third crusader for so long. She blinked in surprise for a moment, realizing she had actually forgotten that she had been a Cutie Mark Crusader. Had it really been so long as to forget her favorite childhood memories? What was she saying, she still WAS a filly! The month and a half they spent in Hoofington seemed like years, but it was all about to come to an end.

Another five minutes of silence passed by before Scootaloo turned her head to Pinkie Pie and asked

“Pinkie, can I ask you a question?” Pinkie Pie snapped out of her spaced out state and turned her head to smile sweetly at Scootaloo, nodding and saying quietly

“Of course dear…what do you need?” Scootaloo blushed a little and looked down, mustering up as much courage as she could before lifting her head back up and saying

“Well…I just…I want you to be happy after all this over. I want you to be the same happy, bouncy, party pony I remember…but I also want something even more important to me…” Pinkie Pie nodded in agreement to Scootaloo’s request, and waited for the ending to it. For a moment Scootaloo was quiet, simply staring at Pinkie Pie. They looked at each other for a minute or so until Scootaloo suddenly said “I want you to be my mom.” It was that moment that nearly tore Pinkie Pie apart. She felt tears brim in her eyes as she heard Scootaloo make her final request known. Scootaloo wanted to become a daughter to her for real, to be together and to live together. Pinkie Pie pulled Scootaloo close and stared deeply into her eyes, whispering gently

“I promise you Scootaloo, when this is all over, when Trottington lay dead, Fluttershy free, and myself absolved or punished for my sins, I will take you as my daughter, and we’ll live happily together.” Scootaloo smiled wide at this, and nuzzled her soon-to-be mother, giving Pinkie a great big hug. The rest of the ride was quiet, with Pinkie Pie holding a now sleeping Scootaloo, gently running a hoof through her mane. In a few hours they had reached the outskirts of Ponyville, the clock-tower and Mayor’s office in sight. Pinkie Pie called out for the driver to stop, and stop he did. Pinkie Pie gently placed Scootaloo on the seat next to her and tried her very best not to burst into tears, gently nuzzling and kissing her sleeping child on the top of her head. She whispered sweetly but quietly “Goodbye, Scootaloo…Goodbye, my daughter” and left the carriage, heading up to the driver who stood in his harness, waiting for further instructions. Pinkie said professionally to him “I want you to take my daughter to my good friend Twilight Sparkle’s house, she runs a library on the other side of town. Drop her off there and immediately leave, as the librarian does not like to be bothered for long. The driver nodded and pulled the carriage away, leaving Pinkie Pie to simply watch it go…watching her future wheel away before her eyes. Dark rain clouds had gathered overhead, a chilly wind beginning to pick up, making Pinkie’s cape flap about and her pigtails sway with the breeze. She began to walk very slowly towards the town, heading for the place she was supposed to meet Trottington.

She passed through the streets quietly, looking upon her old home and the many ponies she recognized. She had said it over and over before…she really did know everypony in Ponyville. Ditzy Doo flew by with her brown mailbag, while Lyra and Bon Bon talked excitedly outside the restaurant her and Fluttershy had once gone to casually together. She hadn’t seen any of her best friends and for a good reason no doubt. It looked like it was about to rain oceans, which accounted for Rainbow Dash being missing (probably helping create the storm). Twilight was never one for harsh weather, no WAY was Rarity going to be outside, and Applejack was probably back on the farm getting everything ready for a good soak. She neared the Mayor’s Office, and as expected, she found Trottington standing near the bottom steps, waiting patiently. He turned his head at the sound of her approach and he smiled, bowing and saying gruffly

“Ms. Mena, so good of you to make it! Say, where is dear Louise?” Pinkie Pie smiled and bowed in return, telling him

“Louise went to make preparations at the Inn, since we will be staying there until the new bakery you have secured for us is properly cleaned and open for living.” Trottington nodded and held out a hoof towards the fateful street that held Sugar Cube Corner, muttering

“Shall we?” Pinkie nodded and walked with him down the street, the streets beginning to clear of Ponies who were ready to seek shelter from the storm. Trottington looked up towards the black sky and frowned “Quite a downpour coming, I do hope we can inspect the building and be away before the storm begins!” Pinkie nodded in agreement and before too long, they stopped. It was a near heart-breaking moment for Pinkie Pie, looking upon her boarded up and condemned bakery, Sugar Cube Corner. The paint had faded and grown dark, the sign above the door handing from a broken chain. She walked up towards the door and sat on her haunches gently, running a gentle hoof over the rough boards that held the door closed. Trottington cleared his throat and began to explain “It’s in a bit of a state, but easily fixable. There was a serious…health issue…a month or so ago, but nothing your skillful hooves can’t clean! I expect this place to be in full business by the end of…” Pinkie spoke to the door, cutting him off as he asked

“What happened here, a month ago?” Trottington frowned at this, grimacing at her sudden interruption. He shrugged it off, simply replying with

“A Pink Mare committed a foul act of murder here in the basement, and her yellow Pegasus friend was arrested and imprisoned as an accomplice.” Pinkie looked up to the tall spire of her building, her old bedroom window still shattered from where she had jumped through it with Fluttershy during her escape. She mumbled darkly

“So…it all started here…” Trottington narrowed his eyes at Pinkie Pie, asking cautiously

“Are…you ok Ms. Mena?” Pinkie Pie didn’t answer him…waiting a few moments before letting out a dark growl that echoed the words

“Ironic…that everything should end where it all began…” A loud crack of thunder above made Trottington jump a little. The rain started soon after, pouring across town and immediately soaking the two ponies in front of Sugar Cube Corner. The rain was coming down in torrents, making things hard to see. Trottington studied Pinkie carefully, looking her up and down before muttering

“What are you on about Ms. Mena…you’re acting…very different all of a sudden” It was then that Trottington swore he heard it…the sounds of musical voices eerily echoing over the rain and wind, carrying the lyrics

“Attend the Tale of Pinkie Pie…

A Mare who was force to live a lie…

You took from her what made her smile,

How could you do something so evil and vile…?

To Pinkie…To Pinkie Pie…

The Party Pony of Ponyville”

Pinkie Pie turned her head slowly as the paint on her coat slowly began to soften and blur on her coat. She sang quietly as she pressed her hoof against the boards

“I ran away from Ponyville…

Blamed a MURDERER even still…

To Hoofington I quickly fled

Everypony believing me dead…

Dear Pinkie…Dear Pinkie Pie…

The Baker Pony of Hoofington.”

Pinkie giggled at Trottington repeating the question of “What’s wrong with you!? Why are you acting like this!?” She merely turned her head as the paint started to melt away, her pink coat and pink mane glistening in the rain and lighting of the storms. She muttered savagely

“No doubt the months have changed me Trottington…” At this Trottington fell back on his haunches, a booming gasp escaping his lips and a hoof pointed straight at Pinkie Pie. He stuttered, terrified and shocked at this suddenly revealing of Ms. Mena’s true identity. He gasped out loudly

“Pinkie Pie!?” The only thing that Pinkie did then…was whip her cape off, and grasp the knife that was situated in the holster attached to her hoof, ripping it free and screaming to the heavens

“PINKIE PIE!!!!!!”

“RAISE YOUR KNIFE UP HIGH, PINKIE, TROTTINGTON MUST DIE!!!! INTO CUPCAKES HE MUST GO TONIIGGGGHHT!!!”

Pinkie launched herself at Trottington, slashing him across his chest and side. Trottington yelped loudly as he stumbled back, blood seeping from his newfound wounds. He turned on his hooves and quickly tried to dash away. Pinkie Pie was hot on his hooves however, chasing him with knife in mouth, screaming at him with an outburst of utter rage. All around, a few Ponies were watching the scene with wide, terrified eyes. Pinkie Pie had returned, and was out for blood and vengeance at last. The voices of musical ponies continued to echo out…carrying words along the wind

“Accused by a colt, an Inspector…

Who most ponies had called ‘Traitor!’…

He shut down her shop that was in his way

And will forever be blamed for that day

That Pinkie…that Pinkie Pie…

Turned into this monster.”

The chase continued through the town, several ponies exclaiming in terror or shock in seeing Pinkie Pie chasing a bleeding, wounded Trottington through Ponyville. Trottington was growing tired, and could feel the loud swishing of the blade behind him as Pinkie attempted to cut at his hooves.

“Pinkie wounded and gone she was

Replaced by a monster none heard of…”

Trottington dashed down an alleyway, looking over his shoulder for a moment and finding Pinkie Pie nowhere behind him. He let out a breath of relief but suddenly shrieked in terror as Pinkie leapt from above, coming down and dragging her knife across his back, slicing it open. He howled in pain at her clothes lining attack, but pushed forward still. He had to make it to the prison; the guards could protect him there!

“Pinkamena, hair full and straight

A habit for cutting a hobby to bake,

Pinkie swung her hooves up WIDE

No one could know of her dark crime…”

Trottington bounded into the town square, the Mayor’s Office before him. Pinkie Pie burst from a street in front of him, blocking off his path to the prison. Her glare was murderous and her eyes bore into Trottington’s, her intentions clear. She was going to kill him for what he had done to her.

“Pinkie was smooth, her method was subtle

Cutting the throats of all who had muddled,

Her knife was smooth, her cutting so subtle

The throats of ponies who all had muddled,

Pinkie was gone, a demon instead

Inviting the rich, and them she bled”

Trottington backed up slowly as Pinkie moved forward, several cracks of thunder echoing out one name, a name that inspired true fear in his heart.

“PINKIE, PINKIE, PINKIE, PINKIE,

PIIINNNNNNKIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!”

Trottington turned and tried to bolt, but ended up tripping on himself as Pinkie Pie drew ever closer, teeth and gums nearly bleeding from how hard she gripped the knife in her mouth. She came closer…closer….closer…

“Attend the tale of Pinkie Pie,

ATTEND THE TALE OF PINKIE PIE!!!

Out for vengeance and blood she was,

OUT FOR VENGEANCE AND BLOOD SHE WAS!!!”

Trottington turned over on his back and stared up with wide, staring eyes. Pinkie Pie stood over him, a flash of lightning illuminating her horrific face. Her eyes were a dim red color, glowing as she looked down upon her source of agony, her source of pain.

“And now she has ended up this way

Letting the blood flow night and day…

Our Pinkie…our Pinkie Pie…

THE PARTY PONY OF PONYVILLE!!!”

Pinkie screamed, she screamed and she screamed the howls of hellish fury. She pounced upon Trottington, bringing her knife up and stabbing him in the chest. Trottington’s blood curdling screams could be heard across all of Ponyville, in every section and in every building. Pinkie withdrew and stabbed back in her blade, carving into his belly, his chest, his neck, and face. Blood flew everywhere, coating Pinkie Pie and the ground around her. Pinkie held her knife up at its highest point, the entire blade coated with red. Trottington gurgled blood from his mouth and throat, weakly pushing at Pinkie Pie, trying to get her off. This was it, her MOMENT HAD COME! She let out a howling scream and flung her head down with the knife, gutting Trottington right in his throat. She twisted the blade roughly, flinging it back and forth and cutting up Trottington violently. For a moment, he twitched, and finally…his wide, vacant eyes staring into Pinkie Pie’s…he died. Pinkie sat there on top of him for a moment, utterly baked in his blood. The ground around them was drenched in red, the puddle growing larger and larger.

All around, several ponies watched from a distance, hooves over their mouths and eyes wider then dishes. Pinkie panted, heaving for breath as she gently let go of the knife in her mouth, her teeth aching. The blade stuck in Trottington’s throat. She closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face as she slowly raised her head up towards the sky. She sniffed and sobbed, her face being pelted with rain. She opened her mouth….

“AARRRRRRRRGGGGHH!!!! VENGEANCE…IS…MINE!!!!”

And then…she fled.

~~~

“Pinkie fled soon after, before anypony had a chance to catch or talk to her. Trottington lay in ribbons at her feet, finally dead after what seemed like an eternity of plotting. She vowed to return this day…she vowed to me…once Trottington lie dead…and Fluttershy free…she’d return and atone for her sins. I have waited five years for this day…and I will not be denied it” Scootaloo told me as we stood in front of the Prison. The whole town was gathered, waiting for those gates to open. I had finally been told The Tale of Pinkie Pie, my thoughts in utter turmoil about the verdict Pinkie Pie should receive because of what she had done.

I had little time to ponder this as a collective gasp echoed out across the residents…and the prison gates opened. A tiny, yellow hoof reached out and pushed against the ground…a small sliver of pinkish mane following it. Fluttershy, the Yellow Mare of Ponyville, raised her head towards the sun, drinking in its powerful rays. She looked weak, feeble, and fragile even as she sluggishly walked through the rusted gates of the prison. She was a bit too skinny for comfort, and her coat was very dull in color. She walked out of the second set of gates and into the arms of Twilight Sparkle, who immediately began to weep. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity had approached as well, scooping each other up in a group hug. I could not help but shed a tear myself as I watched the scene before me unfold. As the group dispersed, Fluttershy let out a weak cough and rasped, her voice hoarse

“I’m…so happy…that I got to see everyone…and I’m overjoyed to see you too…Pinkie Pie” At the mention of her name, everypony whipped their heads around, hoping to catch a glimpse of her somewhere in the crowd. I did not act as such…I knew where she would be standing. Scootaloo seemed to share the same thought as together we turned our heads to look behind us. There, on a far hill, adorned with a brown cape and pulled-back hood, was Pinkamena Diane Pie, A.K.A. Pinkie Pie of Ponyville. She looked as if she hadn’t slept for years, her pink mane straight and silky as ever. It took a few moments for everypony to catch sight of her, the area growing quietly as the Pink Mare descended the hill and proceeded towards the crowd. A path opened for her as she walked, everypony making way for her. She passed through quietly, her head up high and her eyes forward. She approached Fluttershy, the rest of her friends backing away to give her room.

She got down on her fore-legs, putting her head over Fluttershy’s and gently nuzzling hers. Fluttershy whispered quietly “You came…you kept your promise…you came…” Pinkie Pie smiled and nuzzled her friend harder

“For years I hoped to come back to a Free Mare…and Indeed I have. It’s still not over Fluttershy…you know that.” Fluttershy nodded and hugged her friend tightly, Pinkie hugging her back. They held each other for a dear moment, before finally letting go of her. She turned her head to her other friends and muttered “Please…help her recover…” Her friends nodded, determined to honor her request. Pinkie approached the gates of the prison and shouted upwards “CELESTIA!!! LUNA!!! I have come as I promised I would, to come back to Ponyville and atone for my sins!!! Fluttershy is free, and Trottington is dead!!! ONE THING REMAINS, AND I DEMAND YOU MAKE YOUR PRESENCE KNOWN TO ME!”

In the next instant two loud booms were heard, bright light filling the small courtyard. I looked up and gasped as everypony knelt forward in respect. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna stood before Pinkie Pie, looking down on her with serious expressions, eyes narrowed. Celestia waited for Pinkie Pie to rise from her kneeling before she spoke

“Indeed…you have returned Pinkie Pie, to answer for your crimes…we have been waiting and talking amongst one another for the last five years, your sentence...Luna?” Luna stepped forward, pointing a hoof at Pinkie and proclaiming in a royal voice

“Pinkamena Diane Pie, you have been accused of over forty counts of murder, and the salvation of the poor townsfolk of Hoofington!” At this everypony gasped in astonishment. I had already known of course…about this dark trading of her soul and innocence for the well being of the homeless and starving in Hoofington. Luna continued “Although what you did…was done with honorable intentions, the case of murder cannot be ignored! It has been shown to us that Trottington had indeed framed you, and had tried to spread his corruption amongst Equestria by aiding his shady corporation. This did not make murdering him excusable. We cannot let you go unpunished Pinkie Pie, nor can we give you a full sentence for your crimes, considering what you yourself had to sacrifice and endure to save your friends and the lives of over a hundred ponies…therefore…as a sentence for your crimes…” Everypony held their breath, waiting. The silence that hung in the air…was maddening. Finally Luna proclaimed

“You will be BANISHED to the Moon…
For ONE year”

Nopony spoke…hell, nopony even breathed. Luna was tearing up as she proclaimed the sentence to Pinkie Pie, who only looked up to Luna with a small smile on her face. Fluttershy and Scootaloo approached Pinkie Pie, who had turned to greet them. She had tears spilling down her face as she squeaked

“What’s another year, right girls?” They all three laughed and cried at the same time, Scootaloo hugging her new mother tightly, the promise fulfilled that once Pinkie Pie had atoned, that she would take Scootaloo as her own. Fluttershy embraced her next, nuzzling her neck and crying into Pinkie’s soft coat. Luna looked upon Pinkie as she slowly turned back around to face her, speaking firmly “I am ready…I have accepted your judgment and I am ready.” Celestia and Luna looked at one another and nodded, bowing their heads and aiming their horns at Pinkie Pie. She discarded her cape and hood and stood firm, waiting. Their horns lit and their magic was ready, lightning crackling all around. As the beams of white and black shot forth from the princesses, Pinkie Pie turned her head and looked straight at me. We stared at one another, a small smile on her face and one on mine as well. I cried, for once I bawled my eyes out as I beheld the look in Pinkie’s eyes. In those white orbs of hers, I saw everything…her pain..her misery…her tale. I saw her, and through her, a mare who gave up everything she had to free her friend, save a town, and bring an evil colt to justice. She mouthed one word to me…just one as the magic hit her and evaporated her form in an instant, the craters of the moon morphing to resemble the shape of Pinkie’s head…hair smooth and flowing across her shoulders. Just one word…and one word only…

“Remember”

One Year Later - The Epilouge

One Year Later…

Scootaloo sighed happily, lying out on a picnic blanket that rested in the warm sun. The whole group had come to this picnic…the Apple Family, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Sweetie Belle, and Fluttershy herself, whose coat was a bright, shining yellow and mane pinker then it ever had been before. Things were quiet, peaceful, and otherwise, perfect. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were hoofwrastling on a nearby stump while Rarity and Twilight talked about different kinds of magic that could be used for fashion and other things of the sort. Scootaloo felt a warmth press against her side and she smiled, nuzzling up against it. A hoof stroked her purple mane as she heard Fluttershy speak softly “I made your favorite type of cupcake, I hope you like it!” Everypony turned to hear the loud “SQUEE!!!” of a poofy-haired Pinkie Pie, who took the cupcake quickly and hugged her friend tightly, smiling and shouting

“OH THANK YOU THANK YOU Fluttershy!!! I love cotton candy flavored cupcakes! You’re the best friend ever!” Everypony smiled at Pinkie Pie’s outburst of happiness. It had been a full year since the day Pinkie Pie was sent to the moon, and when she came back a few days earlier, she spoke not once about the experience…and no one asked her about it. Everyone was fine with this, not wanting to upset Pinkie about it and knowing that either way, Pinkie Pie was punished for what she did and nothing more needed to be said about it. The day passed by quickly, everypony exchanging hugs and cheerful farewells. Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Scootaloo walked together towards Fluttershy’s cottage as the sun began to set. Sugar Cube Corner was still being renovated, new additions and repairs being made. Pinkie Pie didn’t mind, she got to spend all the time she wanted with her best friend and her adopted daughter. She stopped on the top of Fluttershy’s bridge, the one that led to her cottage on the edge of the Everfree forest. She sat on her haunches and smiled warmly at the setting sun. A moment later, Scootaloo sat next to her, pushing and nuzzling against her coat, watching the sun with her. Fluttershy sat as well, on the other side of Pinkie Pie, watching as well with a peaceful look of contentment on her face. They sat there a moment and smiled when Pinkie draped a hoof around their shoulders, pulling them close and whispering

“I love you guys…”

….The End…................................for now.

(Second Fic, for those Tracking!)

Hello all!!! I noticed a lot of you were tracking this finished tale of blood, tragedy, and sadness. Well if you want more I've got more for you!!! I'm currently working on a sequel to this fic that's already FOUR chapters in!!! Pinknesia: The Darker Descent will have at least one chapter a day, maybe two, so make sure you find it and track it as well! I think you can find it somewhere on my profile, if you need directions or a link let me know!

Thank you all for your support, and get ready to descend deeper into the darkness!!!

-Wolokai KuRR