Whatever Happened to Pinkie?

I wake with a dull soreness in my eye. Slowly the haze lifts from around me and I discover why. I fell asleep at the telescope again. Wouldn't be the first time. I rub my eyes and try to wake up again. My mind feels numb. The sun peaks out a soft greeting over the horizon. Then, the memories of last night flood back to me. The mirror, Pinkie Pie, the onesie. I inspect my room. The onesie is not there. The mirror is in pristine condition. I had dreamt everything, but that doesn't make it any less real. I stumble about getting myself ready in the morning, still regretting my toothbrush. I quickly rinse out my mouth, shower and go to meet with Celestia, and hopefully, Luna.

The hall of the sisters' castle is beautiful. The sun shining through the windows is almost enough to wake even someone as sleep deprived as myself. I stumble a little, still apparently waking up. The guards outside my room hold their positions, though I'm pretty sure my staggering caused the younger one to lift an eyebrow. I wander over to the throne room. Celestia is already awake and handling the activities of the morning.

"Ah, Twilight Sparkle! Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

I hesitate, though I don't mean to. "Ah, well..."

A moment of understanding flashes across her face. "It's alright." She beams her warm smile at me. "Have some tea. It will help you wake up."

"Thank you." I'm always so grateful for her kindness. She's always been there for me, even at times when I thought nopony else would be.

I help myself to the tea. The warm aura of it is divine. It's like Celestia put the sun itself in the cup. I take a few breaths and enjoy the aroma.

"I hope it helps," She says. "Did you have more nightmares last night?"

I pause for a while and look at the cup. "Yes," I nod. "But...I've been thinking about it. As terrible as the nightmares are, I think maybe...maybe Pinkie's trying to tell me something, like maybe there is some kind of message to everything.

"Hmm. Interesting idea. Why do you say that?"

"Well, she always says the same thing, that she wants me to smile, and last night she...well she brought up some things from my past that I thought were long buried. I don't know if there's a connection, or even if it really is Pinkie. I don't know why the real Pinkie would ever act that way and deliberately try to scare me though."

"So, you think the dreams are real, or that Pinkie is trying to tell you something?"

I frown in thought. "Well, see that's the thing. I don't believe it any of that stuff, do I? I mean, once a pony passes, she passes. That's it. Right? I suppose being immortal, you'd know more than anypony. It just all seems too real not to be true, especially with all the weird stuff that happened in town."

Celestia half laughs to herself. "I suppose being immortal, I would be the last person you should ask about death, as I have no experience." She smiles lightly.

I look at her with a lost look on my face. "Celestia, was...that a joke?"

She doesn't answer, but she doesn't need to. Her light smile says it all. After a few moments, I laugh, more than I've laughed in a long time. "Thanks, Celestia. I needed that."

"Perhaps now would be a good time to check on my sister."

Princess Celestia and I trot over to her sister's chambers. We approach her door as quietly as we can. Celestia quickly looks over to me and then back to the door. She knocks politely. We hear nothing.

"Well," she says. "I suppose she's not awake yet." A light frown pulls down on her face.

We both tiptoe into her room as quietly as we can, and we both see her there quietly resting. It is odd to think that she has been sleeping for over two days now. She even looks hungry. It is no wonder Celestia is worried for her.

The castle assistants have been giving her water in her sleep, though she hasn't been taking any food.

I look a little closer at her. She seems so peaceful. I wonder what she's dreaming about.

Her eyelids suddenly flip open, her eyeballs rolled to the back of her head. I jump back. She sits up in bed, whites of her eyes still showing and grabs me tightly with both of her hooves. She's holding me tightly as though she's in a trance. She won't let go. Then she opens her mouth.

"boko fo pissirt hacpter 19. tage mujpers. Tage mujpers rae ecratreus hatt vile ni noareth midseinon. Eyth rae blae ot tesal vilign niebgs romf sith midseinon nad rrayc hemt no nito hetir midseinon. Hety od sith ni rdoer ot efed no het siitpovse neegry fo vidiaulnd nopeis. Cabesue ti si fifdictlu orf a tage mujper ot od os eyth icpk arttseg atht vahe ihig velelsb fo siitpovse neegry ni hetir pisirt. Fi eyth artteg a nopy ithw oot umhc siitpove neegry eyth nowt eb blae ot bsoarb veryeignht. Snietad hawt eyth od si eyth plist eth pisirt ni wot, eth artp eyth anc efed no nad eth artp htat eyth anct od nyainght ithw. Eth noncenit, aiven arpt eftl voer si sued ot peon tehro tasge nad ncahor hemtlseves ot hits orlwd. Het noly awy orf hemt ot orcfe hemt uto si fi het tage si dlosec. Oyu avhe ot losec het tage Witghilt. Oyu aveh ot estodry het ncaroh."

At this, Luna's eyelids close, her hooves loosen and she flops back onto the bed. I simply shake. Celestia stares in silence.

"I...I don't like this," I finally say. "Maybe I should write to Spike so I can see how he's doing?"

"I've never seen anything like this. I think that would be a good idea, Twilight. Whatever is happening its not getting any better. We have to be prepared for anything."

I levitate a nearby quill and parchment from Luna's desk and write:

"Dear Spike,

It's me, Twilight. How are things back in Ponyville? Things here at Canterlot have been relatively well with the exception of Luna. She still has not awakened. I am more anxious, however, to know what has transpired in Ponyville. Is there any news? Is everyone okay? How are things with Applejack and Winona? Please inform me if there's anything even a little odd going on lately. Thank you Spike. Yours truly,

Twilight Sparkle."

Princess Celestia sends the letter off herself. A rare awkward moment passes between us. Normally I can carry on a conversation with her just fine. We tend to have so much to talk about. I suppose though that the situation with Luna does make things more awkward. I mean, what do you say to something like this? It just doesn't make sense. With these letters it seems like the timing is always off. You're always just about to do something or say something when it arrives, so I hold off saying anything. It seems like ages go by. My worries grow by the moment.

"Maybe while we're waiting we should-"

The letter comes returns. Botched the timing again.

"Dear Princess Twilight," I read. "That's Spike, alright, always so formal." I say.

"Just like his mentor."

"So far everything seems fine here. I've been keeping an eye out but as far as I'm aware nothing weird has happened. The only thing I can think of is that Rainbow Dash has been acting a little bit more mopey than usual. She's supposed to be busting some clouds and nobody's seen her so it's getting kind of stormy. Outside of that. I can't really think of anything else. I am planning on checking in on Winona and seeing how she's doing, and also I have some amazing news to share with everypony. You're never gonna believe this, so hold unto your horns.

Pinkie Pie is back! I know it sounds incredibly hard to believe but she's here. She came to the palace about an hour ago and she's talking to me as I write to you. She seems super happy. It is odd though because she has no memory of disappearing for six months. When I told her that she was gone that long she was confused. She says she just left yesterday and insists that Fluttershy's birthday party is tomorrow. It's as though she went into a time warp or something. Either way, Twilight, I hope you can get back as fast as you can. We have a lot of celebrating to do and Pinkie's already got some ideas for some parties.

Your trusty assistant, Spike."

I drop the scroll, and look up at Celestia. I'm not really sure what to say. Could Spike be in danger? Is that really Pinkie? How could it be? Spike wouldn't fall for it if she turned out to be a changeling, would he? How? How could she be back? I inform Celestia politely that this changes everything and I really need to get back to Ponyville. She graciously nods, smiles, and says that she understands. She tells me that if I have any other questions just write. Celestia offers me a chariot so I can get back to Ponyville quicker. Normally I would decline something like that, but I need to get back home as fast as I can. She of course as always, understands.

The flight back home is swift, and cold. The wind tears at my face. Being a princess, I could have requested for them to slow down the pace but it is not the cold that worries me. As I near Ponyville I see a storm coming up. It looks to be a nasty one. Rainbow Dash is nowhere to be seen. As soon as my palace comes into view I make no attempt to wait for the soldiers to land. I jump out of the chariot.

"Thank you very much for your help, I'll take it from here." I fly straight to the palace. "Please tell Celestia I made it back fine."

I throw open the door to the palace. Everything seems quiet enough with the exception of the storm outside. I hear a soft rustle . My ears pike straight up. It sounded like it came from...

My sight is instantly cut off as I'm tackled from behind. It has me in a tight grip that I cannot escape. I struggle to get loose. It all at once lets go.

"Twilight! Boy am I glad to see you! Spike was acting so funny."

"Pinkie, is that you? How? I mean, you disappeared?"

"Oh not you too." A pouty frown forms on Pinkie Pie's face. "I didn't disappear! Why are you guys saying that?"

"...Because you did?"

"Okay then, prove it."

"Okay...hmmm." I struggle to think of how I can prove this to Pinkie, or how she would even not be aware of this, but her face is more serious than I'm used to ever seeing with her. My eyes wander over to the calendar, and that's when I get an idea.

"Pinkie, when is Fluttershy's birthday?"

"That's an easy one! April 20th. You think a party pony like me would forget something like that?"

"Exactly. Now look at the calendar. You know how neurotic i am about crossing an 'x' on every old day on the calendar every morning?"

"Oh yes, you're absolutely right Twilight. You absolutely cross it out every single day."

"Look at the date on the calendar."

She peers over quizzically. "Hmm. October twen..." She trails off and her face turns sour. "This isn't funny, Twilight. I'm all for a good prank, but this is too far."

"That's what I'm saying, Pinkie. This isn't a prank. You've been missing for 6 months."

It's like a switch is flicked in her. I don't understand it. Her face instantly turns a deep shade of red and her eyes widen. "Oh, sure, Twilight, and I suppose the fact that I have a recurring nightmare every year of my life on that same day has nothing to do with anything huh?"

"Wait, nightmare? Pinkie, what do you -?"

"October 20th every year. I don't know how you found out, but...how could you Twilight? Do you know what those dreams are like? It's not like a normal dream. It's...it's terrible."

"Pinkie..."

We are interrupted when the door to the palace swings wide open.

"Alright, everypony, at least it's nice and dry in here." It's Spike's voice. I'm glad he's OK. Fluttershy and AJ are behind. AJ looks jittery and stressed. If anybody knows about stress, it's me, and she doesn't look good.

"Pinkie, it's true!" Applejack runs to her and embraces her. "I didn't want to believe Spike but when he said you were here, but...well...after the day I've had you're a sight for sore eyes." Something interrupts her train of thought. "Wait a minute if you are back then... I don't understand. What about...I need to sit down for a minute." Her face looks pale, but I need to deal with whatever is going on with Pinkie first.

"Nice to see you too," Pinkie grits through her teeth. "Just tell me one thing, Applejack."

Applejack is staring off, apparently lost in thought. "What was that, Pinkie?" she says.

"What's today's date Applejack?"

"What? Oh I don't know," she says "October something? The 19th or 20th yeah something like that. Why do you ask?"

"Applejack's in on the prank?"

"What prank, exactly?" Applejack asks.

"Oh cut it out!" Pinkie fires back. "You know what!"

"I have no idea what you're talkin' bout, sugar cube, but I'm not playin' any kind of prank. Fact is, that's about the last thing I'm in the mood for."

"Fluttershy, tell me it is April 20th."

Fluttershy tilts her head in confusion. "Wha...why would I do that, Pinkie? My birthday isn't for another six months."

"Alright guys, this isn't funny anymore. I'm heading back to sugar cube corner." Pinkie goes to open the door and the rain is pouring down. She takes a few steps outside and hears the thunder. She runs back inside. "Argh! Fine! I'll stay here, but nopony talk to me. I don't want to hear anything about the date or anything else."

Fluttershy tries to beam back to her the best smile she can. "Welcome back, Pinkie. I'm just glad you're back." Pinkie looks over at Fluttershy's smile and for a moment she almost seems like a smile is coming back to her, but then she pauses and looks away. Her hair deflates.

"I can't believe my friends would play such a cruel trick." she says.

"Pinkie, please," I say. She turns her back away from me. I sigh. "So about this weather, what's with Rainbow Dash? Where is she?"

Fluttershy shrugs "Nopony's seen her all day."

"That's not important right now," Applejack says. "We got somethin' more serious to worry about."

"What do you mean, not important?" I ask. "We're in the middle of a giant thunderstorm and Dash is nowhere to be found. How is that not important?"

"Just listen, okay?"

I stop myself, though holding back my questions is difficult.

"Okay look...how do I say this." She takes a deep breath. "Fluttershy and I went to the Everfree forest today and we found something awful."

"Um, actually I didn't see what it was, Applejack was the one who checked." Fluttershy says. AJ glares at her.

"It was a body," She says. "It was the body of a pony."

Fluttershy gasps. Pinkie's ears perk up and she turns around with a raised eyebrow.

"That's why I was so confused when she came back. Because I figured it had to have been Pinkie's body."

"How did you find the body?" I say.

"Winona found her." AJ says.

"Winona? But I thought you guys put her in a kennel?"

"We did, but Applebloom didn't know that. Applebloom let her out and she ran away. And we followed them."

"Well where's Winona now?"

"She's...gone, Twilight. She's gone for good. If it's alright with you I don't really want to talk about it."

We all stand quietly horrified as we realize what she means. I cover my mouth with my book. I have no words for that. I just keep staring in awkward horrible silence.

"Twilight?" Pinkie says. She walks quietly towards me. "This isn't a prank is it? Today really is October 20th?"

"Yes Pinkie, it is. If you need us to be here with you, you are more than welcome to stay here and sleep out the storm."

Tears stream down her face. "Thank You, Twilight. Oh thank you, thank you so much. I don't know what happened but I'm glad I have my friends here with me to protect me and be there with me when I need them. I'm sorry I doubted you."

"It's okay, Pinkie." I embrace her. I don't know what to make of everything that's happening the last couple of days. One day you believe your good friend is dead, and the next it's different. She's back. None of this seems to make any sense at all. But a body, in the forest? How could it be? We need a plan.

"Hey everypony. I'm not really sure what to do today with the storm but I think we need to do some investigating tomorrow and see if we can get to the bottom of all this. Hopefully the storm will die down by then. Is everypony fine with crashing at my place tonight?"

AJ is the only one who looks nervous. "I'm worried about Applebloom," AJ says. "I don't know if she'll be safe especially with everything going on around here. I need to get back."

My heart goes out to her. "Applejack, that rain is awful. I'm not sure you'd be safe going to get her."

"It's just rain, Twilight," Applejack says. "Besides, I have no problem sticking my neck out if that means making sure she's safe."

I suppose she has a point. "Alright," I say. "But I think we should meet back here tomorrow morning to make a plan. Are you sure you'll get back just fine?"

"Don't you worry, Applejack says. I'll be okay."

With that AJ throws on her hat and heads out the door.

"I really hope she'll be okay out there."

"Don't worry," Spike says. "This is AJ we're talking about. I'm sure she can take care of herself just fine."

My attention turns to Pinkie. "Hey, are you going to be okay?"

"She very slowly nods. "I think so," She finally says. She looks up at me. "I've got my friends here with me, so I'm already better off than any other time I had to be alone with my nightmares. Thank you, Twilight. Fluttershy, I'm sorry I missed your birthday."

"It's okay," Fluttershy says. Her smile is serene and peaceful.

A few silent moments pass. Slowly, a smile returns to Pinkie's face. "Well, I just spent so much time getting you a present for a party we're never going to have."

"PinkIe, it's going to be okay. We're here with you." I say.

"We can have the party when all of this craziness dies down." Fluttershy says.

Pinkie then hugs me. "Thanks, Twilight," she says. "You really know how to make a pony smile."

"What was that?" I say.

Pinkie's smile is light and heartfelt. I can see that. She says, "Thank you, Twilight for making me smile. Maybe you should be the party planner? Anyway, thank you. She wanders off to a nearby couch in the palace and prepares herself for bed. I do the same, making sure to comb my mane, brush my teeth, and then I lay down in bed to relax. It almost seems as though my exhaustion has been snowballing exponentially every night. Tonight I feel utterly exhausted. My eyelids are heavy and I won't be surprised if I fall asleep fast.

*****

I'm dreaming again, I can tell, but this one feels different. This one feels more familiar. It almost feels like a memory. I look around. I am my 14 year old self. Across to me is my uncle, Evening Light.

"Thanks for coming over in such a short notice, Twilight," he says. "Misty loves it when you babysit, and she's been so much more needy since her mother passed. If she calls you mommy, don't freak out. It just means she likes you. It's a phase she's going through. Everything good is mommy now to her." He sniffles. "I wish it wouldn't have happened. I wish to all hope that it never happened. But I guess I don't get to decide that do I?"

"It's going to be okay uncle," I say. "I feel it. I feel like you two are going to be okay."

"I sure hope you're right," he says. "Oh, and about the night terrors, she only usually does it around midnight and I should be back by then. But if she does start freaking out just sing to her. She really loves that song I used to sing to you. Remember? The Touch of a Dove? Maybe you can soothe her with that. But hey like I said you probably don't even have to worry about it. I'm sure she'll be fine and i should be back before then. Dinner's already in the oven. It's just a matter setting it to 350 degrees and turning it on."

"Okay," I say. "I think I can take it from here."

"Of course you can, Twilight, I'll see you later tonight. Thanks again."

"Time seems to skip forward in the dream and night falls. I'm relaxing downstairs with a book. Then I hear the screams. I grab a doll for her.

"It's okay," I say in the most soothing voice I can muster. She continues to scream at the top of her lungs, a wild terrified scream. It's definitely a night terror. I begin singing the song as I approach her room.

"Hello, songbird, where have you been? I've heard some gossip from Mr. Wren..."

She keeps screaming. I feel so bad for her.

"Mr. Wren said you needed some love, so he told his friend Mrs. Dove..."

As I approach with my song, her screaming only seems to intensify. I place my hoof on the door handle and then the screaming stops. It's bizarre. It's as though touching the handle was enough to turn off a switch in her and make her stop screaming.

I already know what happens next but I don't want to admit it to myself. I freeze for a few moments. I open the door, and she's not there.

Bewildered, I search all around the room. It was only moments ago when I heard her screaming. Now she's not in her crib, or anywhere else in the room for that matter. The windows are shut and locked. The closet door is closed and she's not there either. She simply...vanished.

"Smile, smile smile, mommy."

She's there now, older, standing next to me. The crooked smile on her face.

"Misty? It's you?" I shake. Her twisted cutie mark, her twisted smile. She's older? Is she alive? "I'm so sorry, Misty. I looked everywhere for you. I'm not sure what happened to you, but I'm sorry I couldn't protect you."

She cackles at me. Her doll-like laugh echoes in my mind. The buzz returns. The laugh intensifies, and I hold my hooves over my ears. Then...

Silence.

The haze disappears. I look at the clock.

4:30 a.m. I keep waking up earlier. Fluttershy is out cold. Pinkie...not so much.

"Hey," she says. "You too?" I silently nod. She smiles. "Its gonna be okay, alright?" Pinkie looks down at her hooves. "I don't know why this is happening, but we can get through this, together." I nod again and smile...She nods a knowing nod and we both hold each other and cry for a time. I decide to get up and go read. I'm glad at least Pinkie is back. It makes no sense, I know, but our lives could use a little laughter right now.