Six Shadows to Warn You

Pinkamena’s Journal.

October 12th:

It happened again.

This time was different, though. This time I felt it coming.

The first sign was a ring in my ears. It was very soft and at first, I tried to just ignore it. But then, it started to get lower till I couldn’t hear anything else. I looked around, but I was alone in the south field, no pony was even near. I tried to move, but my hooves didn’t respond pretty well. I felt to my knees. I tried to call for help, but my mouth didn’t make any sound. I was scared, crying and alone, begging to Celestia that it would stop.

It suddenly stop, and for a moment, my world was in calm again. I tried to stand up but then, the fainting came.

I checked the previous annotations, this was the sixth one since that rainbow thing happened. Each one came out of nowhere and stopped without any warning. Each one came with strange dreams where I’m not myself. When I’m forced to act and speak like my complete opposite. All while my family doesn’t notice that the pony with them is not me. I’m scared, but not because of the dreams. What really frightens me, is that each time it takes me longer and longer to wake up.

I don’t know what to do.

What if they get longer and longer with no upper limit?

October 15th:

I was right. I hate being right, because I’m only right when something bad is going to happen.

The faints, they were getting longer. Since the sixth one, I have been wearing a watch to keep track of them. The seventh one lasted thirty minutes, the eight a forty-five and the ninth lasted full hour. By today’s faint, I only woke up after two hours, and not even in the same place I fainted. Somehow, I moved.

What is worse, I’m starting to think that the nightmares are not that. I fear that the nightmares are real.

October 16th:

The nightmares are real. Celestia helps me, the nightmares are real.

I found out after the tenth faint (six hours) when I decided to tell my mom. I was brave, not a single tear, but she didn’t seem to understand. I tried a second time, with the journal and showing her my annotations, but she just stroked my mane and told me to stop trying to pull another prank on her. She then called me Pinkie.

Pinkie.

Who is Pinkie? Why did she call me Pinkie? What is hap

I can’t sleep. I need it, but if I do it, I may not wake up again.

I checked the annotations again, but this time I compared when did each fainting happen. They’re are not only getting longer, but also more frequent. The last two ones happened today in the morning and after lunch. This could have been my last full day, and I tried to spent it with my family. Doing so, I discovered something horrible.

They haven’t noticed about my fainting because each time it happens, somepony takes my place. There’s a pony who uses my body, speaks with my voice and is taking my place.

Pinkie.

You’re taking my life, my family, even my future. Why?

Why are you doing this to me? What did I do to you? To anypony?

I’m only twelve, I have never really done anything wrong. My parents wanted me to be a good filly and I never did another thing. My big sister is hardworking so I try to be like her. My smaller sisters need me too and I’m here for them.

Why I’m being punished, what did I do? Do you even know what are you doing to me? Or who I am?

Will anypony remember me?

To who may read this, my name is Pinkamena Diane Pie.

I don’t have too much time, and the little I have I’m not sure if it’s even real. I spent most of my time in a dream, doing things I don’t want to do, saying things I don’t mean to say and living a life I never choose. But I am real, I know I am.

I also know I’m not gonna make the night, and there’s nothing I can do to change it. Still, I don’t want to be forgotten.

Mom, Dad, I love you. You gave me a wonderful half of a life and I will ever love you. Maud, you protected me in school where our parents couldn’t, I love you too. Marble, Limestone, I won’t see you again, I’m sorry I won’t be there to be your big sister, but please understand that I love you too.

And Pinkie, I hope you read this too. Each time you live, I can see it, I can hear it, I can even taste it. Knowing that I’m not only losing my future to you, but also being forced to see you enjoy what I can’t makes me feel destroyed. I want to hate you. I want to hurt you too I really do. Last time I was awake, I was at the bridge over the river, standing over the edge. I was about to do it, but I couldn’t.

It’s not in me to hate somepony.

I will never forgive you for taking my life.

I can feel the ringing in my ears. I know I won’t wake up after this one, it’s the end.

Pinke, I only ask you to take care of my family, and if you can, please tell them goodbye for m

Pinkie blinked. That was a strange dream. Even though she was all about colors and happiness, for some reason, her dreams always felt gray and dull for her. Without giving it too much thought, Pinkie hopped out of her bed and happily trotted to the door of her room, not paying attention to the small notebook lying in the floor.