Looking Pink, Feeling Blue

As it turned out, the train ride to Pinkie's family's farm was incredibly quiet. Twilight read a few books, took a couple naps, and stared into the abyss in complete silence.

The train pulled out of the station the second Twilight stepped onto the platform. There was nopony in the Information Stand.

Twilight realized that she had never been to the rock farm. She'd heard all about it from Pinkie, and a bit from Applejack, but she had no idea where to go or what it would really be like.

She was a tad nervous. Applejack had explained that Pinkie's family weren't exactly...accustomed to visitors. All Twilight knew was that Maud was strange, Marble was quiet, Limestone was rude, and Pinkie's parents were...a couple centuries behind, as Applejack had so blatantly put it.

Twilight gulped down her fears, fluffed out her wings, and began her flight.

It took not long. Twilight landed, and her hooves were scraped by the tough ground.

Maud, a pickaxe in her mouth, turned to face Twilight. "Twilight," she said, monotone.

Twilight glanced around. There wasn't much to see: a house, a barn, a hazy sky, rocks everywhere, and Holder's Boulder. "Hello, Maud."

"What are you doing here?"

Twilight pulled out a notebook and pencil from her saddlebags. "If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you and your family a couple questions about Pinkie Pie."

Maud said nothing for a moment, only staring. Finally, she said, "Come with me."

Maud led Twilight to the front door of the tiny, bland house and Limestone opened the door.

Obviously surprised, she asked, "What is she doing here?"

"She just wants to talk with us," Maud said.

Limestone frowned at Twilight. Marble walked out from behind her and motioned for Twilight to follow.

Twilight thanked Marble. Marble led her to a living room, where Pinkie's parents were sitting around a fire.

"Hello," Twilight said, quietly.

Pinkie's father stood. "It is an honor to see you again, your Highness." They bowed.

"It's good to see you too," Twilight said. "If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a few questions."

When the couple sent each other worried looks, Twilight added, "It's about Pinkie Pie. I've made a...shocking discovery and I'd like to know if any of you know anything about it."

Everypony sat. Limestone asked, "What kind of discovery?"

Twilight was hesitant. "It's about Pinkie's depression."

Marble gasped. Igneous took off his hat and placed it on his chest.

Cloudy Quartz looked to Twilight. "What would thou liketh to know?"

"Um...I guess...Whatever you know of the matter."

"She was always the saddest." Limestone picked at the ground with her hoof. "She didn't like it here. She wanted to move away from the youngest age."

"We got her to stay," Maud added. "But she always knew she was different."

"There aren't any other schools around here, or any other ponies, really." Limestone looked up and sighed. "She...She hated herself. We don't know why. She would scream and scream because she was the last Pie sister to get her Cutie Mark, and she thought it would never happen."

"We always reassured her," Igneous added. "She didn't listen."

"Eventually she went to Ponyville," Maud said. "And met Rainbow Dash."

"They were good friends." Limestone sighed.

"They still are," Twilight interrupted. "And she met Applejack, who you already know, and some others that I'm sure you've heard of."

"That is...all we know." Cloudy stood, and pushed Twilight out of her seat and towards the door. "You should go, Princess."

On the train, Twilight examined her notes. They were short. They hardly said anything, Twilight thought.