I shouldn't have done it. I should have been more careful. I should have thought more about what could happen. So I keep telling myself, and so I know to be true. I wish I had listened to my friends when they tried to warn me. They were only trying to look after me. Oh, why didn't I listen to them? Things would be so much better if I had.
It's all my fault. No matter what the others say, I won't let myself blame them. They blame themselves, for not teaching me the danger, but I won't blame them. It was not their fault. It was all mine. My own idiotic, careless actions. Stupid Pinkie! Bad Pinkie! Why did you do it, Pinkie?
I know why I did it. It seemed like such a good idea. Let me tell you all about. I've got nothing else to do, anyway.
It all started when I went to the library one day. I used to do that all the time, to visit Twilight and Spike, or get a book on rocks to lend to Maud when she visited, or to meet up with all my other friends. We always used to go there. Although it was a public place, open to all ponies, it felt like our special place. Somewhere just for us seven to go. We had such fun there. I had hoped we would again, one day. But I know we never will. Not now. Not after what has happened.
Anyway, I went to the library one day as usual. I had a book about Mineral Ethics in the Shirelands to take back, as well as an invitation from Spike to bake cookies with him whilst Twilight was in Canterlot. She'd been going there more and more recently, since she became a princess and all. But she still made time for me, for all of us. She's a good friend.
When I got to the library, the door was already open. So I pronked inside with my book and was about to call out to Spike, when I heard voices coming from upstairs. I didn't want to interrupt a conversation, so I just waited downstairs.
I couldn't hear what they were talking about, but I could tell it was Spike and Twilight and Fluttershy. I thought about going up to see them, but then Twilight came downstairs.
“Hello Pinkie!”, she said. I said hello back and then she told me she was just about to leave for Canterlot, and that I must make sure that I have a good time with Spike, and make lots of cookies, and to be more careful than last time, because ovens were expensive.
Then she left, and Spike came down the steps from her bedroom. “Hi Spike!”
We exchanged greetings and, after he asked me to stop squishing him and I said sorry, we went into the kitchen. Then I remembered Fluttershy. “Hey Spike, isn't Flutterbutter up there?”
Spike looked confused, but then he smiled. “Oh yeah! Wait, I'll go and get her.” Then he went back into the main library bit – you know, the bit with the books in and the horse thing – and called up the stairs. “Hey Fluttershy! Are you gonna come down?”
I didn't hear what she said but Spike came in and said she wasn't coming in yet. I was sad, because I like Fluttershy a lot. She's nice. Then we started making cookies.
It took ages, but when we had done we went back into the library. I pronked upstairs to see if Fluttershy was still there, but she'd already gone. I think she flew through the window. I didn't know why she didn't say hello, we're the best of friends! “Hey Spikey, where did Flutters go?”
Spike said he didn't know. Then we played games in the library, like hide and seek and tag and stuff. Tag doesn't work really with only two people. And build-up tag is worse. And scarecrow tag isn't even worth playing, you just end up standing there waiting for something to happen while the pony who's 'it' runs around getting tired.
But we didn't play for long because the cookies were soon done! So we went back into the kitchen and Spike and me got the cookies out and ate one each and they burned my tongue a bit but it's okay cos I'm used to hot stuff like the suprehot sauce from Twilight's Welcome to Ponyville party. Also Maud likes hot stuff so we have chilli and curry when she comes over.
I was looking round waiting for Fluttershy to come back but then Spike told me to sit down a moment. He said he had something important to tell me. “Pinkie? I have something... important to tell you.” See?
So I stopped bouncing and looking around and he said that he wsn't sure if he should tell me. But I told him that I reeeeally wanted to know so he said “alright them. But you mustn't tell anypony else, 'kay?” And I gave my word, and Pinkie Promise, which is like a normal promise but it's got 'Pinkie' in it.
Then he motioned to me to come closer. And I did and he said “closer!” So I moved closer and he whispered in my ear: “Fluttershy went home because of you.”
And I was surprised, because Fluttershy is my friend, and she wouldn't leave me like that without saying hello. So I asked him why, and he said he didn't know if he should tell me why but I reminded him that I had Pinkie Promised not to tell and so he sighed and told me. “She kinda... sorta likes you. You know, like, like-likes you.”
And I gasped and was shocked and everything like that, because I didn't know. And I didn't know what to say, but then Spike put his claw on my foreleg and said: “I didn't think I should tell you, but... Fluttershy was too afraid to tell you, and I felt so sorry for her, and so I thought I should tell you, and...” He stopped speaking in the middle of his sentence, which is not right because you should always finish a sentence, because they have to have full stops on.
But I didn't mention this to him because I was thinking about what he said. “You mean – she like-likes me? Like... she loves me?” And he nodded and I had to think for a bit.
And the more I thought, the more I realised I might, maybe, sort of like-like Fluttershy too. But I wasn't sure, so I asked Spike, because he was still there. This is what he said:
“If you like-like somepony, you feel funny when you're with them. Or when you're thinking about them. At least, that's what I feel like when I'm with Rarity. And you want to look after them, and care for them. And when they're hurt, you feel like you've been hurt.”
And I thought about that. And I thought about Fluttershy. And I felt funny in my tummy, like butterflies were there. But I didn't know whether I felt funny because of Fluttershy, or because of the cookie and the running around playing tag.
I suppose... not all of this is important. I mean, it's important to me, but it's not what I was going to tell you about. At least, it kind of is, but only for background. Like when Twilight says that when I write a book I should introduce a new character instead of just making everypony know them already. That's called 'background'. So now I'll jump to a few days later, when Twilight is back and the oven is still fixed, and I have thought about how I feel about Fluttershy.
I hadn't seen her in all the time since Spike told me how she felt. But I felt... I kinda felt like I might feel the same way. It felt strange, but the more I thought, the more I realised that I did like-like Fluttershy. I did love her. And when I told myself “Pinkie Pie, you love Fluttershy,” it felt all right inside, like I was all happy and wanted to make Flutters happy too.
So I decided to visit her. And I wish I hadn't. Because now everything is wrong, and I can't fix it.
I got to her house about teatime. I knew I should have waited till the day after, but I wanted to see her straightaway, now that I knew how I felt about her. I pronked up the path and knocked on the door.
“Fluttershy? Are you in there?” There wasn't an answer, so I went round the back. And she was there, talking to Angel Bunny. She had her back to me, but he saw me and pointed. She turned round and saw me and squeaked. She sounded to cute! I love the way she squeaks when she's surprised.
“H-hey Pinkie,” she said. “How're you?”
And I could tell she was nervous, and I was too, but it was important that I tell her. “Great thanks, Flutterbutter! I need to tell you something.”
Her eyes began darting round everywhere, but then she nodded her head. “Come inside.”
We went in, and I sat down. She stood by the stairs, looking like she was about to fly up them and out of a window. So I tried to make sure she stayed calm, because I didn't want her to get upset or anxious... I suppose that's because I love her, isn't it?
“Fluttershy,” I began. She was quivering, so I got up and put my hoof round her. She flinched, but didn't move away, and slowly she relaxed. “It's okay, Flutters. I – I know how you feel about me.”
She gawked at me, wide-eyed, shock and anxiety and worry and fear and hope and everything all flashing in them at one. She tried to get away, but I asked her to wait. “Please, Fluttershy! Let me finish speaking.” She was breathing very quickly, but I let go and looked her squarely in the eye. “Fluttershy, I know how you feel... Spike told me. Please don't be mad at him, he was trying to help! He told me three days ago, and I've been thinking about it since then.”
Again, she made as if to flee, but I reached out to her and smiled. “And I think – I think, maybe, I kinda feel the same way...”
The look in her eyes changed again, to surprise and shock and excitement and hope again. “Really, Pinkie? Do you really like-like me?” And I slowly nodded and we both smiled and hugged and stuff.
Then she pulled away from me, and looked at me, muzzle to muzzle, right in the eye. “Pinkie...” she whispered. I could feel my heartbeat speeding up, and I could see her looking at me and I thought “wow, I really love her!” And I leaned forward, and we kissed. Oh, how wonderful that kiss was! Her lips felt so soft and warm under mine, kissing me back. I will always remember those few seconds, as long as I live.
After that, we decided to tell the others, to make our relationship official. Fluttershy was a bit scared at first, but I told her that I loved her, and that we could do anything together. So she cheered up, and we went to tell the others.
They took the news well, even better than I thought they would. Twilight didn't seem to fully understand what we meant when we said we 'loved' each other, but cheered for us anyway, and then went to look it up in Understanding Ponies, which is a book about understanding ponies, and Applejack smiled and wished us both the best, and Rainbow Dash said she couldn't believe Flutters was finally going out with me. Rarity looked a bit disapproving at first. She said that she thought only a stallion and a mare should have feelings for each other, but we said that we really did love each other, so she relented and, truthfully I think, said she was happy for us.
So everything was perfect! I had Fluttershy, and she had me, and we loved each other. I had never been happier, and I don't hink I ever will be again. Everything was just... perfect.
We met each other usually once a day, unless I had a really big party to organise or she had lots of animals to care for, though even then we often helped each other. Normally about twice a week we would have tea at the other's house, though sometimes it was more often than that.
Then came that day. One day, one fateful day, I was having tea at Fluttershy's house. Only Angel Bunny was there with us, and he was being very friendly. I think he was pleased that it was me that Fluttershy was going out with. He has always been quite protective of Flutters.
Fluttershy has got electric lights and stuff, like the Cakes' house and like the library and the Carousel Boutique, so we usually ate our tea in electric light. But today I thought of something different. “Shy-Shy, why don't we use candles instead? That would make it even more extra-romantic!”
She liked the idea, so she went to get candles. She came back with three, to make a triangle between us. Angle Bunny decided to go upstairs... I think he knew we'd like to be alone for a bit. He's a clever bunny.
Flutters had only brought one match through with her though, and that burnt out before she lit the last candle. I didn't want her to have to get up again if she didn't have to, so I picked up a candle that she'd already lit and tried to light the last one with that. But the wax was already hot, and it hurt my hoofsie. I youched and let go by mistake, and it fell over.
It lit the other candle, but it also lit the tablecloth. We tried to put it out, but then the fire went through to the table. Then it got down to the floor, and me and Shy-Shy had to quickly move away because it was getting really hot. Stupid Pinkie, daft Pinkie! You should have thought before you acted like an idiot.
Before we could do anything, the fire was completely out of control. Flutters' house is made of wood, and soon we could tell that we couldn't put the fire out. Fluttershy ran upstairs to get Angel, and I went round waking up the other critters that were in the other downstairs rooms. I got them all out, but then I saw a little kitten under the stairs... he was mewling, and looked too frightened to move.
So I ran over and scooped him up. Fluttershy was still upstairs getting Angel and the other animals up there awake. Then I heard a noise, a creaking sound. I was still under the stairs, so I tried to get away with the kitten in case the steps were going to give way. But I was wrong. It wasn't the stairs groaning and creaking, it was the ceiling of the living-room. As I stepped out and began running to the door, trying to avoid the fire which was getting bigger and bigger, there was a loud CRACK! And I looked up, and saw the burning ceiling coming down, and threw the little ginger kitten towards the open door, and everything went black.
* * *
I have never woken up. Not properly. I mean, I'm awake now, but everything is still black. I cannot see, I cannot move. I can't laugh, or play with the others, or bounce around. I cannot even cry, no matter how much I want to. It doesn't matter how much I hurt in my body and in my mind, I can never do anything about it. But I can hear.
I am in a hospital, Twilight tells me. She told me what happened after I blacked out. Apparently, the ceiling that fell on me had had Fluttershy above it at the time. Her ceilings are also the floors of the rooms above, because her cottage is so old. So when the ceiling came down on me, she fell as well, and was also knocked out. The fire carried on burning and Angle Bunny, who was already outside, began to get worried. He came to the front door and saw me and Shy-Shy inside, lying there on the floor with all the broken timbers.
He ran to get help. He ran and ran and ran, all the way to the library. It took a while before Twilight followed him, because she was caught up in an experiment, but she came in the end. When she was the burning cottage, she teleported straight to it. She cast a fire-resistance spell on herself, and raced inside. She came as quickly as she could, and teleported us both outside as fast as was possible, but it was too late.
Too late! What horrible words! But it's true. Twilight came too late, and it wasn't her fault. It wasn't Angel's fault. It was mine. If I had been more careful, the cottage would still be standing. If I had been more careful, Fluttershy and I would not have suffered the terrible injuries we both did. If I had been more careful... she would still be alive.
Yes, you heard me right. Fluttershy died. She breathed in too much smoke, and was burned too badly by the flames. Her house is an empty ruin, and she will never be able to repair it. My stupidity cost her her life. I don't matter. The pain I feel doesn't matter. She lost her life, and I lost a friend, because of my own actions. I really hate you, Pinkamine Diane Pie.
You don't deserve the name of Pie. You disgrace it! You killed your best friend, your first ever and bestest fillyfriend! You were not clever enough even to light a candle, and now your friend is dead, and buried, and gone.
I couldn't be at her funeral. I can't leave this hospital. They think I never will be able to. I don't think I will either. And I don't think I'd want to, even if I could. Angel Bunny comes to visit me. He never speaks, because he can't, but I can always tell it's him, because he snuffles my hooves and my mane and cries on my face.
I wish I could cry. But I can't. I can only lie here, like a statue. But not like a statue, because I can hear, and feel. But I know now how Discord must have felt, for all those years, just standing there, stuck inside the stone in the Gardens. It's horrible. That beep-beep-beep from the machines around me; it gets in your head. I even hear it in my dreams. I like it when I dream. I'm happy then. But it's horrible to wake up, and have to remember all over again what happened. But what I think is the worst is having your friends talk to you, and not be able to talk back. They never know what I'm thinking. But they do know when I'm awake. They have machines and things to tell them when I can hear them.
Twilight and the nurses and doctors all say that I am in a 'coma'. I don't know what one of those is... or at least I didn't. I do now, and I don't like it. I don't like it one bit!
I will never wake up. I have better hearing than the doctors think, and I've heard them talking about me when they think I can't hear. They say that I will never be able to wake up, and will never be able to play. I will never laugh, or sing, or greet new ponies to Ponyville with my welcome-cart. And I will never be able to say goodbye to Fluttershy, the one who I love most of all.
They brought her in, a day or so after the fire, to say goodbye to me. I was still unconscious then, and would be for another three days. But Rarity told me that Rainbow Dash insisted that Fluttershy be brought into my room so that we could be together for one last time. Neither of us will remember it. But I'm glad that they did that. It's like we did say goodbye, even though we didn't know it at the time.
My friends care for me. All sorts of ponies have come by to visit since the accident, even the Princesses. Discord refused to visit for weeks, because he blamed me for Fluttershy's death. And even though he says he's forgiven me, I know he hasn't. And neither have I. I hate me.
I despise myself. If I hadn't been more stupid, if I had been more careful, if I had thought first, if, if, if. There's no point, now, to my life. Fluttershy is gone, because I killed her. Sometimes I wonder if I'm dead, because nothing seems really any more. But I remember something that Twilight said to me once. She said that it was a quote from somepony called Renhay Haycart: 'Cogito, ergo sum.' I think, therefore I am. As long as I think, I must be alive, even if it's only in my own head. But maybe I don't want to be alive anymore. Maybe I've had enough of lying here, not able even to move by myself, hating myself and wondering what might have been... I think my time has come.
I'm coming, Fluttershy. I won't abandon you. I couldn't save you before, but that doesn't mean I'll leave you forever. I love you, and I am coming to see you again.
Not long now.
“Twilight?” Spike gently pulled on his friend's forehoof. “There's a doctor at the door. He says you should go with him to the hospital. It's about Pinkie.”
Sighing deeply, Twilight turned from her studies. They were all that seemed to matter to her these days. Not since... well, not since things changed. Changed for the worse. “I'm coming, Spike.”
She gathered a notebook and quill, pulled on a scarf against the wind, and followed the little dragon outside. It was colder than she had thought; not only was snow falling mercilessly, but the light breeze from earlier in the day had become just short of a gale, whipping up the fresh, white powder and reducing visibility drastically.
As they trudged towards the hospital behind the doctor, forehooves held up to shield their faces from the stinging blizzard, Equestria's newest princess thought over how very different her life had become over the last few months. Pinkie and Fluttershy had started dating just after Pinkie's birthday; the accident had happened less than a month later.
Twilight never had found out exactly how the fire started, but Discord seemed to think it was Pinkie's fault. Angel Bunny had been too distressed for the first fortnight or so to communicate coherently, and as Fluttershy and Pinkie were... unable to tell anypony, Twilight had tried to learn all she could from the cottage itself. The charred timbers and blackened walls did not communicate anything substantial to her, however.
At first, when the doctors had told her and the others of the full import of the blaze, she hadn't been able to believe them. Surely not? Not – not Fluttershy? Dead? And Pinkie, in a coma... but then the realisation had set in. The knowledge that she would never see one of her best and oldest friends ever again, and that another friend was unlikely ever to wake up...
She had tried to stay strong, to stay lively for the others, to be someone they could lean on. But eventually, hiding her emotions became too much for her, and she took increasingly to locking herself in the library, having Spike turn away all visitors, and crying till her heart felt it could take no more.
But life had to go on. As a princess, she had important work to do, and it would not do to be seen to give in under the weight of loss. A ruler must be a rock, a steadfast, reliable pony upon whom others could depend. And, with her remaining friends' help, Twilight had been able to pull herself together, and move on with life.
She'd carried on her studies, but they were focussed mainly now in one area. What would happen to the Elements of Harmony, now that one of their bearers was gone? Would the strength of that union break, or would it, as when the Tree of Harmony took back the Elements, continue as before? After extensive, late-into-the-night research, Twilight had concluded the latter. Despite Fluttershy's permenant absence, and Pinkie's incapacitation, their friends' love for them was the same, if not stronger than ever. This would ensure the continuing strength of the Elements, and of their equine embodiments.
Eventually, in spite of the weather's best efforts, Twilight, Spike and the doctor managed to battle their way to the hospital. A sharp push on the door later, and all three were inside, shivering from the cold and dripping melting snow onto the greying carpet.
The medic turned round and pointed with a hoof. “She's just along there. Nurse Redheart will be with you.” Then, with a quick, sympathetic smile and respectful nod, he trotted off.
“Come on, Spike. Let's go and vis-” Her breath caught in her throat. “Visit Pinkie.” Blinking back tears, she and her dragon companion walked the last few steps towards Pinkie's intensive care ward.
Glancing through the porthole-like window before pushing the door open, Twilight was surprised to see not only Nurse Redheart, whom she knew, but three other doctors and nurses, whom she had seen before but never spoken to. With hearts full of dread, Pinkie's anxious friends opened the door, and stepped inside.
All four medical staff looked up as they entered. “Ah, Twilight, Spike.” Nurse Redheart motioned to an empty space by the bed. “There's been a development.”
As Twilight and Spike approached, one of the other doctors took over, speaking in a low, careful and clear tone. “Miss Pie has not been conscious since approximately forty hours ago. This is anomalous even for her severely comatose state, as she had been showing relatively frequent patterns of consciousness and unconsciousness. Physically, there has been no substantial change, but her vital signs are progressively weakening.”
Twilight was shocked, worry causing her to frown. “What can have caused this? She was doing so well. I mean... she hadn't been getting any worse.” Spike reached up and placed his hand on her side; she smiled gratefully for his support.
“We don't know.” Now the second of the three doctors they hadn't talked with before was speaking. “There is one possibility, but we have no way of knowing for sure.”
The two anxious friends exchanged nervous glances. Spike whispered: “What do you mean?”
Nurse Redheart, who had been tending to Pinkie's life support machines, turned to the visitors. “I knew Pinkie. She always tried her best to make other ponies happy, and felt it keenly when she was unable to. Even more so if it was her who caused upset or pain.” She paused, glancing at the silent, pink muzzle lying on the pillow. Twilight hadn't previously noticed, but Pinkie Pie seemed paler than before... her hair was still curly, but somehow lacked the eye-catching brightness which had been one of her most distinguishing characteristics before the fire.
“And now she has done just that.” Nurse Redheart continued, slower than before. “We think that, as she will undoubtably have known this, she has...” She trailed off again, but had said enough for Twilight to understand.
“She has lost the will to live.” As the purple alicorn murmured those words, she knew them, in her heart of hearts, to be true. Closing her eyes, she sighed. “What do you suggest we do?”
“I'm afraid there is little we can do.” The first doctor was speaking again. “Without her being awake we cannot communicate with her, and she is in such a state that we cannot wake her up. If she has decided that it is time to- that her time has come” – he hastily corrected himself – “we cannot change that.”
Twilight nodded, hearing, but barely understanding. “There is nothing? Nothing we can do to save her?”
The silence that greeted her question was answer enough. The realisation dawned at last. “I understand.” She crept to the bed, laid her head on her hooves, and silently wept.
* * *
Over the course of the next few days, Pinkie Pie's vital signs continued to weaken. Never again did she awaken enough to hear the others when they spoke to her, though they often visited. As the hospital had a limit of three to the number of visitors allowed at any one time, the four friends took turns to go in to see her in pairs. And despite frequent entreaties to the contrary, Rainbow Dash kept up a nighttime watch outside Pinkie's window, ready for if anything untoward should occur.
Eventually the end came, as everypony knew it must. Rarity and Rainbow Dash were with Pinkie in her room, conversing about all sorts of things and generally trying to buoy each other along, when Rarity noticed that the steady 'beeps' from the pink earth-pony's life support machine were becoming steadily further apart.
Panicking, she called for a doctor. Doctor Plaster, who was the first to arrive, confirmed their fears: Pinkie's heart was, indeed, failing.
Immediately, Rainbow Dash flew out through the window to find Twilight and Applejack. She found them both at the library, along with Maud and her other sisters, who had travelled to stay in Ponyville whilst Pinkie was in hospital. After giving the alert, all six of them raced back to the medical centre.
Inside her ward, two surgeons were preparing to give Pinkie electric shocks to keep her heart going. Rarity, backed up against the window, was insisting that she didn't think it a good idea, but her fears were ignored. Ignored, that is, until Maud, Marble and Limestone arrived.
Seeing family members, and aware that their services may be needed almost any minute now, the two medics explained what they intended to do. Maud, however, had other ideas. “No.”
Her steady, clear, monotone voice and the statement it carried surprised the doctors. Seeing their expressions, Maud continued: “She wants to go. Let her.”
Respecting the wish of their dying patient's family, the medical ponies stepped back and exited the rooms to allow unrestricted access for her friends and family to the bedside. Straight away the others, Maud, Limestone, Marble, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow and Twilight, all moved as one to crowd round her bed. Together they stood there, saying what they knew to be their final farewells.
“I wish you didn't have to go, Pinkie.” Rainbow Dash's voice quivered, but she held herself from tears. “I'll really miss you.”
Beep... beep... beep...
Twilight closed her eyes, letting her shoulders droop. “I didn't think our friendship would end this way, Pinkie. I knew this day would have to come, one day, but I didn't think... I didn't think it would be so soon.”
Beep... beep... beep...
“G-Goodbye, Pinkie.” Marble began rocking slowly on her hooves until Limestone placed a foreleg round her. Unable to go on, she burst into tears.
Beep... beep...
“Ma and Da couldn't be here, Pinkie.” Managing to keep herself under control with effort, Pinkie's eldest sister, Limestone, continued. “They had to stay at home at look after the farm. You know what those rocks are like, always needing tending to!” She broke off again, sniffing. “I'll... I'll miss you, Pinkie. You've been the best sister I could've asked for. Thank you.”
Beep... beep...
Rarity moved closer and prepared to speak but was unable to. Shaking her head, she closed her eyes, silent tears falling to the floor.
Beep...
“Ah sure wish it didn't have to be this way, sugarcube.” Applejack smiled, the only one in the room to do so. “But ah'm gonna remember you as the friend you were, not the invalid you've become. Goodbah, Pinkie.” She doffed her hat, holding it to her chest.
Beep...
Maud sat down on the pillow, next to Pinkie's head. Gently lifting her up, Maud held her sister close, saying her final goodbye. “You loved me, Pinkie. And I love you. I hope you know that. Farewell, sister of mine.”
Beep...
Beep...
Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeee......
* * *
“To lose a close friend in so harsh and sudden a way is tragic. To lose two close friends... words cannot describe the pain I know we are all feeling.”
Twilight knew the ponies with her were in agreement by their bowed heads and saddened expressions. Fluttershy, the first of their little group to pass on, had been buried in the Spring, her favourite season. Pinkie would have to make do with Winter, and the sleet and hail it brought to her burial.
In attendance were the four remaining mares of their group, along with Spike the Dragon, the Cakes, and the whole Pie family. Even Cheese Sandwich had been contacted, and was amongst those gathered to mourn Pinkie's death.
“I don't have a long speech prepared. I don't have much to say. But I would like to take a few minutes, now, just to remember some of the things that made Pinkie special to me... to all of us.”
Twilight went on to recount some of their late friend's best moments. From encouraging Cheese Sandwich to become a party-pony when they were both young foals, to greeting Twilight herself to Ponyville with an impromptu welcoming get-together. She mentioned the affair with the 'baked bads' and the way she helped guard the Cakes' entry to the Canterlot Baking Competition. Twilight spoke also of the Day of Too Many Pinkie Pies, and of how the real Pinkie had come through in the end.
“And that, I think, was important part of Pinkie's character.” Some of those listening to Twilight give Pinkie's eulogy were smiling now, remembering her, as Applejack had said she would, for who she was, and not for who she no longer could be. “She never gave in if she felt there was even the slightest chance of making somepony happy, or if she thought she could cheer up somepony down. And I know one thing she would have said, could she have been here today: I wanna see you smile!”
Hearing one of the late mare's most well-known expressions finally helped the whole group do just that – smile. For the first time since her death, the Pie family shared joy-laden glances, silently reminding themselves of other parts of her character they loved her for.
Twilight sighed thankfully. She had succeeded as a princess should. She had brought the others out of the shells they had barely left since Fluttershy's death and Pinkie's hospitalisation, nearly seven months previously, and had provided them with a reason to be happy. Feeling a tug on her foreleg, she looked down at Spike.
The baby dragon softly congratulated his mentor and friend. “Well done, Twilight. You've cheered us all up again... Pinkie would be proud.”
“Thanks, Spike.” Twilight smiled wistfully. “But now... now we have to say goodbye.”
In response to some unspoken agreement, the fifteen ponies standing by the freshly dug grave, side by side with Fluttershy's, slowly began to file away. Each of the Pie family, along with her closest five friends, left flowers by the headstone. As well as a small bunch of tulips, Spike also carried a single daffodil, which he laid on the grave in Fluttershy's stead.
Maud, the last to leave the churchyard, turned back to read her sister's epitaph for the last time before making the long and arduous journey back to the rock farm. Having done so, she smiled in memory, and silently walked away.
PINKAMINE 'Pinkie' DIANE PIE
REQUIESCAT IM PACE
A sister, a daughter, a very close friend.
To sharp, to soon, your life had to end.
But we will remember you for what you once were
And stop oft to say “Pinkie? I laughed with her.”
“Everything will be okay... just smile.”
Author's Note
I know it's morbid, I know it's maudlin, but I enjoyed writing this. I don't really know where the story came from but it was inspired in part by the song 'Comatose' by Ayreon. I hope you liked it... and even if you didn't, I wanna see you smile! :)
