Sugar Valley

“And you all received one?”

Twilight pulls open her mailbox, finding a solitary pink envelope in the center.

“...We did.”

The letter is unlabeled, save for “Twilight” written carelessly in blue ink.

“And the letters, they all had the same content?”

Twilight cautiously tears the paper with her magic, pulling out two items. The first is a map, highlighting a section of land Northeast of Hollow Shades.

“...They did.”

The second item is a small red ticket; admitting one pony into a carnival named “Sugar Valley”.

“I see.”

Celestia withdraws to silence as her sister steps forward, hoofsteps echoing throughout the throne room.

“If she had escaped her captors, why wouldn’t she just return home?”

One of the few questions Twilight felt she had the answer to.

“It is strange; even for Pinkie. I suspect she hasn’t escaped her captors at all…”

Princess Luna raises a hoof up to her chin.

“...And now they’re baiting the remaining Elements of Harmony.”

Twilight glances away from the alicorn, distraught by the situation.

“Well we can’t just leave her!”

Rainbow Dash makes her way over the other ponies, most of whom gaze helplessly at the castle floor.

“I don’t care if it is a trap; she’s our friend!”

Careless as it may be, Twilight finds validation in Rainbow’s sentiment.

“We won’t leave her. Our friendship has brought us this far, we can’t abandon it now.”

Celestia quietly watches her student fill with confidence and determination. Perhaps it would be best if she ended the meeting on that note.

“Luna; could you please provide supplies for the Elements of Harmony while I speak privately with Twilight?”

Princess Luna only briefly pauses before nodding towards her sister, knowing precisely why she asked. Luna begins to make her way to the door opposite the throne, motioning towards the others.

“Come with me, please. It isn’t a short trip to Hollow Shades.”

One by one the ponies follow their princesses’ request, until only Applejack remains, watching Twilight with a look of concern. The violet alicorn responds non-verbally, providing a nod of the head so subtle one could have overlooked it; one unlike Applejack, who adjusts her hat and turns to catch up with the others.

Celestia waits until the blonde tail disappears into the hall, and the door closes gently behind it.

“We know who captured Pinkie.”

Twilight’s head spins from where her friends just stood, to the princess standing before her.

“Who is it?”

“The stallion’s name is ‘Lane’. He hasn’t been in Equestria in quite some time.”

Twilight Sparkle watches as golden energies materialize a piece of parchment before her, a scowling unicorn sketched on its surface.

“We believe he has been in hiding within the Griffon Kingdoms, after facing banishment in Equestria.”

Twilight holds the drawing with her magic, studying its details.

“Why would you keep this a secret from the others?”

“Lane’s mind is ill. Heinous crimes like his are unheard of; he’s among very few to be exiled.”

Princess Twilight lowers the parchment to watch Celestia as she continues.

“You know your friends better than anyone, and the truth is, I’m not sure how they would handle it.”

Twilight again studies the drawing.

He seems so… normal.

“What was he banished for?”

Celestia watches her student closely, unsure of how she might receive the answer.

“He’s murdered, Twilight.”

The young alicorn feels a chill run down her spine. There hadn’t been a murder in Equestria in Twilight’s entire life.

“He’s murdered, enslaved and tortured ponies… it’s not the ‘right thing’ to do to send you after Pinkie. I doubt I could change your mind, however; even after telling you these things.”

Twilight’s mouth hangs agape, unable to refute. It was true—her emotions had been overruling her logic as of late.

“I won’t condemn sharing this information with your friends. That decision is yours alone to make.”

Princess Celestia unfurls her ivory wings, using her magic to catch a small object that had been tucked behind her feathers. She passes it to the violet alicorn, who observes it with confusion and curiosity. It appears to be a necklace, a small glass container dangling from the golden chain.

“I do ask that you wear this on your journey. The magic inside is sensitive; if disconnected from the chain, it will immediately alert me, regardless of the distance between us.”

A golden aura places the jewelry around Twilight’s neck, her eyes watching the swirling mist within.

“If there is an emergency, please do not hesitate to use that device.”

Twilight was still feeling a little uneasy from Celestia’s words, but can again feel a growing confidence.

“Thank you, Princess. We will bring Pinkie Pie back.”

With renewed energy, Princess Twilight bows before her mentor, and turns towards the large ornate doors at the end of the room. Celestia’s voice interrupts her walk.

“Twilight…”

Quickly turning around to respond, Twilight finds uncertainty in the princess’s eyes; a rare occurrence.

“...You haven’t dealt with a pony like this before. Your instinct will be to defeat him, perhaps with the Elements of Harmony, and then bring him to justice; but things may not be that simple.”

Celestia takes a moment to prepare, inhaling softly.

“I just need to know. If things falls apart, and your life is threatened; are you… prepared to do what’s necessary?”

The blood in Twilight’s veins seems to freeze over.

* * *

A cool breeze rolls gently through Twilight’s newly acquired throne room, as the young alicorn paces frantically along the crystal floor.

“The diary is safe in my room, there’s plenty of food in storage…”

Twilight stops, suddenly turning towards the small purple dragon sitting on the ledge of the princess’s throne.

“Owlicious! Where is—”

“He’s outside, I just saw him flying around the fields.”

Twilight Sparkle sighs in relief, as the young dragon crosses his arms.

“You haven’t even told me where we’re going yet, you know…”

The princess pauses for a moment, readying herself for heartache.

“‘We’re’ not going anywhere.”

Spike’s expression of irritation is gone in an instant.

“...What do you mean?”

Twilight closes her eyes, her back still turned to her number one assistant. When she opened them again, she turns her head just enough for Spike to see her profile lit by the fleeting sun.

“You’re not coming with me, Spike.”The dragon stares blankly at his caregiver. Twilight continues, hoping to avoid as much pain as possible.

“Pinkie’s in a lot of trouble, and—I just don’t want to put you at risk.”

Spike finally finds the time to retort.

“What about the hydra? Or King Sombra? I can handle risk, Twilight.”

“I don’t think this will be like those times…”

The small dragon suddenly grows cross, gripping the armrest of the chair tightly.

“So, what? You’re just gonna leave me here again while you and your friends go on an adventure?”

“It isn’t easy to make these kind of decisions—”

“I DON’T WANT TO BE LEFT ALONE!”

Twilight stands frozen with a lump in her throat, watching as Spike hides his face within his claws. The princess approaches the dragon slowly, until her muzzle is merely inches from Spike’s head.

“Spike; the truth is… I’m scared...”

The violet alicorn looks compassionately at Spike, who was struggling to keep his eyes dry.

“We won’t have the Elements of Harmony, and I’m not even sure…”

Twilight stops herself, shutting her eyes tightly.

“I don’t want to do this; but it has to be done—”

“Celestia and Luna could go, Pinkie’s their friend, too…”

The alicorn shakes her head gently.

“You know they can’t.”

“Why not?”

Twilight dreaded these moments. Moments where every truth stung; and every lie would weigh her down until resolution came.

“I have spent a lot of time away from home recently. How about this: I go to rescue Pinkie Pie, and when I get back, we take a long overdue vacation together. We can go anywhere in Equestria, or beyond.”

The dragon rubs a claw against his eye, eradicating the moisture. There’s a moment of silence as Spike slowly gives in.

“...I would like to see Neighagra Falls...”

The Princess of Friendship smiles, resting a hoof on Spike’s shoulder.

“Then it’s settled. We can leave as soon as I return.”

The young dragon leans into Twilight’s neck, burying his face in her mane. The pony closes her eyes and returns the embrace.

“I love you, Spike.”

Twilight hated contemplating the ‘worse case scenario’. Even so; the princess finds herself maintaining the hug much longer than usual.

* * *

Pinkie stands motionless, staring deep into the eyes of the pony in the cracked mirror. The mare places a hoof against her reflection, running it down the many fissures. The pony in the mirror smiles; staring unblinkingly back at her creator. The pink hoof presses harder and harder against the glass, as Pinkie’s smile grows wider.

Today is a big day.

A distant voice draws Pinkie out of her self-induced trance, as she pulls her bloodied hoof off of the mirror. Ears perked, she waits eagerly for the familiar voice to return.

“Pinkie!”

The pony turns away from her reflection, instead focusing her attention on the stallion behind her.

“Okay! This is it!”

The colt is dressed in a clown outfit. Baggy, striped pants beneath a white mask, concealing his eyes and snout; the latter covered with a large red ball.

“Remember what I told you: we don’t want to overwhelm them, so it’s best you hold the act until the real show begins.”

The stallion groans quietly, as he stands slumped against the wall.

“Okay!”

Pinkie reaches into her mane with her hoof, making hopeless corrections to the mess.

“Showtime!”The five ponies at the front gate all look up with expressions of concern and curiosity, as a bouncing silhouette transforms before them into the joyful pink mare they had missed.

“Hey girls!”

Twilight, without hesitation, runs forward to embrace her friend; the others, slowly follow suit.

“Pinkie… I’ve missed you so much…”

Twilight keeps her muzzle buried in Pinkie’s wild mane, a few tears making their way to the pink fluff. The princess can feel a frightening amount of her friend’s ribs.

Pinkie Pie suddenly gasps, slipping away from her friends’ embrace.

“What are we doing out here? There’s so much to see!”

With a smile on her face, the pink mare quickly spins around, ready to reveal the many wonders of Sugar Valley to her friends. Applejack reaches out with a hoof, interrupting Pinkie Pie’s trot.

“Pinkie, wait—you been gone for weeks now. We’ve all been worried sick about you. Don’t you wanna... go home?”

Pinkie Pie’s smile disappears.

“But you haven’t even stepped hoof in my park!”

Princess Twilight steps forward, feeling obligated to comment.

“Applejack is right. A lot of ponies are anxious to know if you’re okay.”

Twilight glances at the pony’s hooves—scars on one, fresh blood on the other.

“...And you need medical attention.”

“I got these working on the park! You wouldn’t be-lieve what I’ve done to the place.”

The violet alicorn stares at Pinkie, her eyes revealing only concern.

“Uggggh! Well can I at least invite my besties to dinner?”

Twilight turns her head towards her friends. Rarity rubs the back of her neck uncomfortably, and Applejack simply shrugs.

“Fine. But only for dinner—and you have to let Fluttershy help you.”

The unnaturally bright smile and optimism return to Pinkie.

“Done!”

* * *

Pinkie Pie had led the others to a large striped tent, a long table in its center, only half filled by the ponies. Although the sun was now almost entirely beneath the horizon, the tent stayed lit with many vibrant colors, strands of small lights hanging from the ceiling. The table had been filled with delicacies Pinkie had prepared herself—unsurprisingly, then, they were mostly dessert items. More courtesy than hunger, the ponies had consumed a variety of their friend’s treats; Pinkie Pie insisted they each enjoy a cupcake, and the once whole cake and ice cream was now in pieces.

The evening had been uncomfortably quiet, save Pinkie Pie’s rambling. Rarity interrupts a particularly painful silence, motioning towards the pony behind Pinkie.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us to your friend, Pinkie? The one in the fabulous outfit?”

Rarity hoped her statement came off as genuine, as Pinkie Pie turns towards the pony dressed as a sickly clown.

“Don’t expect much from him; dumber than a flock of parasprites, if you ask me!”

The clown makes a hardly audible moan as the guests look around the room uncomfortably.

“You’ll see actors all over my park, each with a vital role.”

Rainbow Dash cocks an eyebrow.

“Actors?”

Rarity cringes, having just seen the food still in Rainbow’s mouth.

“That’s right, Dashie! Sugar Valley isn’t just a boring old amusement park; it’s an experience. Everything here is made just for you guys!”

The ponies at the table exchange confused glances, before Twilight speaks up.

“For us? Specifically?”

“Uh huh! Well—eventually I hope everypony experiences it… but you guys are my best friends, and it’s important to me that I show you first.”

Pinkie Pie pushes her crumb-ridden plate towards the edge of the table, as the princess shakes her head.

“Show us what, exactly?”

A toothy smile creeps onto Pinkie’s face.

“If I could tell you, I wouldn’t need to show you, silly.”

Twilight looks down at her plate, which held the slice of cake she had maybe taken two or three bites out of. She can’t help but ponder her mentor’s words.

“Pinkie, I think—”

A plate that had fallen from the mouth of the clown pony crashes loudly on the ground, just before Pinkie Pie angrily shoots up from her chair.

“FOR FUCK’S SAKE!”

The room grows deathly quiet. Twilight’s hoof lies trembling against her necklace, as Pinkie scratches wildly at the back of her mane.

“Sorry, I’m sorry… this night is just reeeeally important for me…”

The park owner lightly taps the chest of the pony standing next to her.

“Go get something to clean this up...”

The silence continues to draw, many of the mouths in the room wide open.

“Okay; I think we should be starting the tour right about now.”

Twilight finally intervenes, her hoof staying firmly against her chest.

“Pinkie… I think it’s time to return home.”

“No no no no—”

The mare at the end of the table suddenly stops; and turns to the lights hanging from the ceiling.

“No… now is the perfect time to start the tour.”

Confused, the princess glances around the table, noticing the vacant stares of her friends. Fluttershy looks as if she was going to be sick.

“W-what do you…”

Twilight suddenly finds it a struggle to speak, as her words seem to lag behind her mouth. The lights grow brighter, and she slowly turns her head in an attempt to correct her skewed vision.

“After you, ladies...”

Twilight blinks rapidly, unable to adjust her eyes to the darkness outside. Distant lights spin and dance in every direction around her, and occasionally, echoing music would accompany them.

“After you, ladies…”

The alicorn is back inside of the tent, except this time she is alone. She holds onto the table with as much strength as she can muster, feeling all of the forces of the world prying her towards the sky.

Looking up from the table, Twilight finds herself back in the cold, her friends leaving colorful trails of light all around her.

“P-Pinkie… how much much further?”

A scream sounds brightly over the music, Twilight unable to find the source.

“Come on, slowpoke!”

A pink hoof lays on Twilight Sparkle’s shoulder, the princess gasping as it seems to stretch without end. The violet alicorn stumbles, landing in a sticky mess. From her spot on the ground, Twilight looks up, the world seeming to materialize before her eyes. Tents and rides stretch miles into the sky, their tips quivering and rippling among the stars.

“Ekopwols no emoc!”

“It’s the largest in Equestria!”

Twilight follows the bouncing pink blur to a stall behind the melting roller coaster. Hundreds of shadowy figures surround the two, many in horrific and grotesque costumes.

“Wanna bite?”

Pinkie extends a cone filled with her fluffy pink mane, as Twilight fights to focus her eyes.

Who are they?

The violet mare wonders why Pinkie wouldn’t answer.

“I need to f-f-find my friends now…”

Intense, burning white lights force Twilight to squint as she enters the small room.

“Come on, slowpoke!”

Twilight strikes the air next to her.

“I nnnneed a bathroom…”

Pinkie Pie’s bright blue eyes and smile are frighteningly large.

“What are you doing in here, sillillilly billy?”

The alicorn raises a hoof at the shape on the floor.

“The smell—”

The bright lights begin to dim, and Twilight can make out more of the room.

“Pinkie!”

Princess Twilight stumbles back against the window as the muddled shape before her transforms into a fly-covered corpse.

“Yeah! I can’t believe I haven’t gotten around to that yet!”

Face against the glass, Twilight finds herself trapped by the smell.

“Pinkie…”

You have no idea how happy I am that you’re here…

“G-get out of my head…”

Twilight presses herself harder against the window, a strand of saliva hanging from her mouth. The foul odor is replaced by the scent of candy and cake as Pinkie gently grabs Twilight.

“I’m awake, Twilight.”

Pinkie Pie’s warm breath settles on the alicorn’s ear.

“A thousand voices surround me; and I’m listening to every one.”

Twilight begins to feel her strength fade, as she hears Pinkie with sudden clarity.

“You come to me a foal—deaf to their song.”

A world of darkness begins to slip over the princess, Pinkie Pie’s voice the only thing that remains.

“But I will teach you to listen...”