Author's Note
Well, I hope you guys like the first chapter. I would really appreciate criticism and any feedback, seeing as this is my first story. Sorry the first chapter is so short. The next will be longer.
All credit for this story goes to Ink Potts and their animatics!
Chapter One
Usually, this late at night, the Ponyville Hospital was seemingly silent, empty, save for the few fillies and ponies who were either sick or had broken legs or wings. But tonight, a certain pink mare was in one of the rooms, holding the hoof of her comatose sister, Maud Pie. She heard hoofsteps coming up behind her and she turned, seeing her friends Twilight Sparkle and Starlight Glimmer. Their faces were grim.
“Pinkie, you know your sister is as good as gone. She’s beyond help,” said Twilight solemnly. She put a hoof on the pink mare’s shoulder, but it was brushed off.
Pinkie shakes her head, refusing to believe that her sister was lost. “You don’t know that, Twilight. My formula is almost complete. Tomorrow I see the Board of Governors, and I just know they’re going to say yes.”
“The Board is not exactly the nicest set of ponies, believe me. I know from experience,” Starlight chimes in. She faced rejection of her ideas countless times “They might say no.”
“And if they do, I’ll just keep making formulas and potions until I get accepted! I’m not going to just sit here and let my sister be lost in the darkness forever!” she snapped. Seeing the hurt face of Starlight, Pinkie sighed. “I’m truly sorry. I just lost my head. I’ve been so stressed over Maud that I’ve shut out the world in hopes of finding a solution to this damned formula.”
Twilight gave a reassuring smile. “We understand, Pinkie. If you need us, we’ll be at my castle, alright? And of course, Starlight and I will be at the meeting tomorrow. We’ll leave you alone to rest until then..”
With that, the mares left Pinkie to her devices. The pink pony looks to Maud and smiles sadly, kissing her on the forehead. “Goodnight, my sister.”
Pinkie stood at the pedestal waiting for the Board of Governors. She was quite nervous, to say the least, but that certainly wasn't going to stop her from getting her formula passed. That is, if she could. The doors opened and in walked the Royal Sisters, Princess Cadence and Shining Armor, Starlight, and Twilight.
"The Board of Governors of the Ponyville Hospital is now in session, lead by Princess Celestia," said Twilight. She went to stand by Pinkie, giving her a quick hug.
Celestia clears her throat. "Doctor Pinkamena Pie, please explain to us your...curious request that you previously sent to us in writing."
"Thank you, Princess. Now, as you know, there are two natures to all of us. Good and evil, light and dark. It is ponykind's fault that these two natures are constantly struggling."
There is a slight murmuring among the group when Celestia put her hoof up. "Please, Pinkie. To the point, if you may."
"Now, it is clear to me that we can somehow separate these natures into its own components. And I have created a formula to do so. But I haven't tested it on someone-----"
"Then how do you know it works, Doctor Pinkie?" asked Luna, her eyebrows raised in suspicion.
"That's exactly why I came here. I need a pony to test my research on. Preferably one that is dead to the world---in a coma, perhaps. Or a volunteer."
"What? You want to poke and prod around in somepony's brain? Are you mad?!" Shining Armor asked in disbelief.
"Yes! I want to prove that my theory is correct. Think of how better off Equestria would be---ponykind, even!"
"So you want to take somepony from this hospital to...to perform surgery on their helpless mind?" Cadence was clearly appalled.
"It is not surgery, it is a drug taking the form of hypodermic injection!"
That mere sentence was enough to set the room off. Twilight and Starlight was defending Pinkie's theory, Cadence, Shining, and Luna were arguing against it, and Celestia was trying to control everypony. She used her horn to set off a burst of light and the room was silent. "Please! Refrain from these comments and let Doctor Pinkie continue!"
"One pony is all I need! One that's already on the brink of death! Think of how many lives I could save if this works!"
"What if it never does?" Luna asked.
"Then I will continue to improve my formula and keep coming back here until you agree to give me a subject to be tested upon!"
"This is a hospital, simply here to save lives! I can clearly speak for all of us when we say you will never be allowed to doom a pony to insanity!"
Pinkie was silent for a moment, then explodes. "Volunteer or not, I will prove my theory true! You are all fools to not allow my research to be proven! And when I accomplish my goal, you'll see that I was was right all along!"
All was still for what seemed like forever until Celestia spoke. "All those in favor say 'aye'."
"Aye!" Twilight shouted, glaring at the ponies who clearly are against Pinkie.
"All those opposed, "nay'."
Everpony stood up, except for Twilight and Celestia. Starlight, however, was silent.
"Nay, nay, nay, nay, nay! Positively, absolutely nay!" the Board collectively shouted.
Celestia looked to Starlight, waiting for her answer. "Starlight?"
"I...abstain."
"By one vote to three with one abstention, Doctor Pinkie's proposal is rejected. Thank you for your time, Doctor," said Celestia.
One by one, everypony left the room, except for Twilight and Starlight, who went up to Pinkie.
"I'm profoundly sorry, Pinkie. Maybe one day they'll see that you were right." Starlight left.
"Well, now they think you are utterly mad," said Twilight.
"They're complete hypocrites, Twilight! Every one of them!"
"Yes, but they are powerful hypocrites. Pinkie, you are obsessed by your sister's condition that you have turned a blind eye to all reason and logic!"
"No. I know my reasons, Twilight, and they are correct. Now please, leave me be. I need to be alone for quite sometime."
Twilight puts a hoof on her shoulder and leaves. Pinkie sighs, frustrated and tense.
"I'll show them. I'll show them all."
Miss Pie, after grabbing a cane, top hat, and cape, takes off into the night. She feels free. Alive. She trots down the street, her eyes darting around and looking at everything; she’s never felt this feeling before, this feeling of power, filling her very veins. She laughs. “Where does this feeling of power derive? Making me know why I'm alive?” Her voice had taken on a tone of slight confusion, a tone that was usually reserved for Pinkie. She snaps back into her normal tone, however, with a slight growl as she leaps into a darkened alleyway. “Like the night it's a secret: sinister, dark, and unknown. I do not know what I seek, yet - I'll seek it alone!” She gallops down the alley, her cape flapping behind her. She knows exactly where she’s headed — the Red Pony. She enters the establishment and spots a familiar rainbow mane, that familiar luscious cyan coat. She smirks and goes over, licking her lips absentmindedly. Fluttershy notices Miss Pie and taps Rainbow, pointing with her hoof.
“...Don’t I know you?” asks Rainbow, her eyebrows furrowed in confused recognition.
Miss Pie’s smirk never wavers. “After tonight, you will guarantee that you know me.”
“You look like somepony who came here earlier...”
Miss Pie slinks closer to the mare. “I assure you that I am not that mare.”
“I never got your name, sweet’eart.”
“Pie. Miss Pie.” She smiles, a glint of mischief in her eye that Rainbow never noticed.
“Well, Miss Pie, what brings you to this dump? East Ponyville isn’t exactly the nicest place in the whole town, believe me. I’ve been ’ere for as long as you know.”
“I’m here to...let’s just say I’m here because of you.” That last word is practically purred out as she shifts ever closer to Rainbow.
“Me?” Rainbow smiles, although she was still confused.
“Yes. I’m going to be your guide to... salvation in this world of madness.”
“Sounds like an aspect of business, like what I usually do around here.”
Miss Pie laughs. “I am the mare who’ll share Heaven and Hell with you, my dear. Mark my words well.”
“I ’ave no need for Heaven. And I can find ’ell on my own.”
“You’ll never be alone after tonight, my dear. Never alone....” Miss Pie laughs once more and quickly grabs Rainbow before the mare can flinch away. Her teeth clamp down onto her shoulder with enough force to break the skin, forcing blood to the pink mare's lips, blood that she laps up greedily. Rainbow gives a surprise shout of pain and tries to pull away, but Miss Pie’s grip is like iron.
“Stop it! You’re hurting me!” Rainbow manages to shove her away, wings working to get her out of reach. She cradles her shoulder and watches the crazed mare with startled, frenzied eyes.
Miss Pie merely laughs, her voice growing darker. “You’ll do as I say. Or you’ll regret crossing me,” she snarls.
“Rainbow!” a voice calls. She jumps, her head whipping back to see who'd cried; it’s Photo Finish. She looks entirely displeased. “Fifty bits. I’m sure she was excellent.”
“Did you see what she did to me?!” she retorts, showing her shoulder, outraged.
There is no sympathy in those eyes. “Yes, I did. And I’m sure that was part of it. So fifty bits. Now.”
Rainbow looks at Miss Pie with a mix of anger and curiosity, then slams down her tiny pack of bits. “Piss off.”
Miss Pie watches with a smirk as Rainbow left. She’s quite fun to toy with, and quite interesting at that. Perhaps that mare would care for another tussle with sin? Time will only tell.
Miss Pie feels a sudden tap on her shoulder. She turns, her mouth curling into a smile as she recognizes the poor dear. It is Fluttershy. She looks upset. Well, angry, mostly.
“She told you to leave her alone.” Fluttershy pokes her shoulder, a petty school threat.
Like lightning, Miss Pie’s hoof shoots out and grabs Fluttershy’s. The mare gasps, eyes wide as she comprehends what happened. Slowly, Miss Pie leans in close and whispers four soft, almost seductive words menacingly.
“Nopony touches Pie.” With that said, Miss Pie shoves Fluttershy to the ground.
Miss Pie’s eyes light up in ecstasy as she sees the mare before, a quick mess thrown down by her own might. Nopony would be given the right to lay their hoof on Miss Pie. Several ponies stare in her direction, all with shocked yet amused expressions as they carefully watch the next piece soon to come. Her little masterpiece.
To Fluttershy's defense, two ponies, all looks of anger and concern washed over them, take their place beside Fluttershy while the third helps Fluttershy off the ground. Miss Pie sought a name for them, finding two not long after; Lyra and Bon Bon. Both mares look deep into Miss Pie's eyes as she stares into theirs with bloodlust and an undeniable strength.
“What was that for?” begins Lyra, putting a hoof in the air directed towards Miss Pie. “You have no right to put your hands o–!”
She is then cut off by Miss Pie as she walks up to her face, the mad mare's breath radiating from her mouth as she laughs a bit and speaks. “Oh my darling dear, you’ve no idea the pain that will be unto you if you keep this up.” She inclines her head calmly in the direction of the pegasus, who is still startled and wide-eyed. “For Fluttershy here, those filthy hooves of hers rested on my person, which I found I didn’t quite care for. She was put in her place fast enough, no?”
Bon Bon snorts, her eyes matching Miss Pie’s cold gaze. “You should leave if you know what’s best for you.”
Miss Pie’s eyes grow wide with false alarm. “Oh, I should leave? Is that right? Well, I’m staying. The fun is only just beginning.” She smiles coldly at Bon Bon. Miss Pie takes her cane and smacks Bon Bon on the head with the end of it. Bon Bon cries out and backs away from the frenzied mare. Lyra steps back with her friend.
“You need to leave. Now.” Lyra’s voice is shaky.
“I don’t think so.” Miss Pie’s tone grows malicious with that sentence and a low growl escapes her throat. She grins wickedly and twirls her cane. This is going to be quite the show.
She leaps at Lyra and hooks her cane around her throat. Miss Pie laughs as she watches the poor mare struggle to breathe. She suddenly gasps in pain as Bon Bon bites her back hoof. She releases Lyra to go after the other mare. Bystanders who watched the scene unfold with wide eyes now come to help the two. One stallion goes to grab the cane from Miss Pie, but she’s too fast. Her hoof shoots out and grabs the stallion by the throat. She throws him into the wall of glasses behind the counter as the rest of the ponies scatter and gallop away from the scene. Miss Pie laughs and runs upstairs. She leaps onto the roof of the pub. Her green eyes glow with malice as she stares at the ponies who run from the pub and scream for help.
“I’ll live on forever! Discord himself will be with me! And you should remember the name!” Her voice rings and echoes throughout the streets filled with cries. “Remember the name! The name is Diane Pie!”
* * * *
Rarity sighs as she exits Sugarcube Corner, Starlight behind her.
“I’m so sorry, Rarity. Maybe next week Pinkie will see you.”
“You said that last week, Starlight. I can assure you that I won’t come again. Not until Pinkie asks for me, that is.” Rarity looks at the ground.
“Rarity.” A voice startles her out of her thoughts. It’s her father, Magnum, accompanied by Twilight.
“Oh, Father.”
“She asks about you, you know,” says Starlight with a slight smile. “All the time. But she hasn’t seen anypony. Not for weeks now, unfortunately. Because—”
“Of her work, I know.” Rarity sighs. “Please show Pinkie the things I brought. If you can get her attention I shall be more than grateful. And do remind her that there is more to life than her work. Like me, for example.”
“Rarity,” her father says as he gently takes her hoof, “I thought you weren’t coming here any longer until she shows herself.”
“I’m not,” she says in disdain.
Twilight speaks up. “This...this is absurd. Pinkie is sacrificing everything valuable for that damned experiment.”
“Her experiment is the most valuable thing in Equestria. Before me, even. Now, are you coming, Father? I do have the wedding dress appointment in an hour, so we’d better get ready.”
Magnum smiles, but it’s not genuine. “Yes, dear. And do tell Miss Sparkle that she is waisting her time with this nonsense.”
Rarity shoots Twilight an apologetic glance before leaving. Twilight goes into Sugarcube Corner, Starlight at her side.
“It’s hardly in my position to criticize Doctor Pinkie, but she’s been locked in that basement for over two weeks now,” says Starlight. “She tells me to leave cupcakes and cookies at the door and leave...”
“Has she been alone all this time, Starlight?”
“Alone?” She shakes her head. “No, not at all.”
Twilight gives her a quizzical look. “But...if you’re forbidden to admit anypony...”
“Pinkie must have let her in, then. I would never admit anypony of that nature into her home. I...saw her once. She was staring at her reflection in the mirror. Told me to leave her and Doctor Pinkie alone, to never disturb them. But that same night, I...I heard Pinkie — or somepony — in the lab. They were crying the most awful cries.”
“Starlight.” Pinkie enters the room, paper in hoof. Her voice is stern and cold. “I’ve been ringing you for the quarter of an hour. Go to the market and pick up these exact chemicals, now.” She gives Starlight the paper. Starlight just stares at Pinkie.
“Doctor Pinkie—”
“Now!” she yells. Starlight hurries off, frightened.
“Sweet Celestia...Pinkie what has gotten into you? Are you mad?” Twilight goes up to her friend. “You look as if you’re in the very grip of the devil himself.”
Pinkie seems to notice Twilight for the first time. “There is something you must do for me, Twilight.” She goes to her desk and opens the right drawer before realizing her mistake. She shuts it quickly and opens the correct drawer, taking out slips of paper. “These are letters. One for Rarity, her father...and for you. If I go away for an extended period of time without warning, all you need to know are in these letters.” She hands them to Twilight.
“What are you saying?”
No response. Only silence.
Twilight slams the letters back on the desk. “I cannot accept these.”
“Twilight, you are my lawyer. And furthermore my friend. You must do this for me.”
“And you, my dear Pinkie, must re–examine your priorities. You have your work and nothing more. You are possessed. What is your demon? You’ve never acted like this until now. What about the fire you’ve built your dream upon? It’s long gone, Pinkie.”
“Good day.” Pinkie waves her hoof as if to dismiss Twilight, but Twilight keeps speaking.
“There’s something strange. Something wrong. I’m seeing you change before my eyes. It’s like...when hope dies. I’ve known you longer than anyone else has and I can see the pain and torment in your eyes.”
Pinkie stares at the ground, lost in thought. “Have I really become my work and nothing more? I know that’s not what I’m living for....”
“There was a time you lived your life to the fullest, Pinkie. No one lived it the way you did. You had a plan and you chose a wife. You saw the world as very few did. You had it all, overall. You seemed to know just what to live for. Now it seems that you don’t have anything at all! It’s just your work and you! Nothing more!” Twilight watches Pinkie pace the floor. “It’s time to wake up before it’s too late! Before you determine your fate forever! I pray you find your way soon. I pray to Celestia and Luna that you find your way.”
“So do I, Twilight. So do I.” Pinkie flops in the armchair and sighs.
“I’ll go and deliver these letters, then.” Twilight walks out of the room.
Starlight enters and clears her throat. “Doctor Pinkie? There’s a mare here to see you.”
“Send her away. I’m not in the mood for company.”
“She says she knows you. That she came by your card.”
Pinkie looks at Starlight for a second. “Well show her in, then.”
Starlight nods and motions for the mare to enter before giving the two privacy. The mare is in fact Rainbow Dash, who looks around in awe. She glanced at Pinkie, who finally notices her presence.
“Oh, good morning.”
Rainbow gives a small smile and curtsey. “Good morning.”
“Miss...?”
“Rainbow...,” she says with hurt in her voice. “Rainbow Dash? The one you and your friend met that night.”
“Oh, yes! Yes, I remember. Please, sit. Make yourself comfortable.”
Rainbow sits in the other armchair. “You said I could come if I ever needed a friend.” She moves the sleeve of her dress down with her hoof and exposes her shoulder, which has bruises as well as a bite mark, which is blue and black and red.
“Sweet Celestia, who in Equestria would do such a thing?” Pinkie puts her hoof on Rainbow’s shoulder, careful not to touch the wound.
“A real nice mare, I can tell you that,” she says, sarcasm dripping from her words. “Did a lovely job, didn’t she?”
“You didn’t go to the police?” Pinkie grabs a first aid kit from her closet.
Rainbow gives a light laugh. “The police...they wouldn’t believe a mare like me. I won’t forget her name in a hurry, though. Pie, she called herself. Diane Pie. Strange name, although it does stick with ponies.”
Diane Pie. That name shakes Pinkie to the very core. She feels Pie stir in the darkest corner of her mind and laugh. She knows that Rainbow is here. Pinkie shakes the feeling away and turns to the cyan mare. “Why come to me?”
“Ain’t got no family. You gave me your card, remember?”
“Yes, yes, now I remember.” Pinkie takes out a rag and pours warm water in a bowl. Rainbow’s wound need to be cleaned first. Who knows how long it’s been since she got it?
“I’ve never had someone like you be nice to me before,” whispers Rainbow. She hisses as the water stings her injury.
“I’m sorry.” Pinkie pauses. “I’m so sorry...” She puts her good once more on the other’s shoulder and cleans the injury.
“There is sympathy and tenderness in your face, Doctor Pinkie. In this place, goodness and kindness and sweetness are found, a memory my mind will not soon forget. I’m...in love with the things I see in your eyes, in your face.” She gives Pinkie a small smile as well as a kiss on the hoof. Pinkie pauses at this, then Rainbow kisses her on the cheek.
“I...I need to go.” Pinkie goes into the back room and down the steps, leaving Rainbow alone.
“I’d feel so alive if someone like you loved me...,” she says to herself. She smiles to nopony in particular, then leaves.
