"There's a fine line between madness and sanity. Yesterday, you enjoyed your life, you spended time with your friends, you welcomed the customers and took their orders, everything was fine. And then, the little worm of suspicion start digging. And you see yourself talking and playing with inanimated objects whom are not able to speak. Or are they? Do you remember Gummy?"
As usual, the little alligator was staring at the void, admiring the wallpaper of Pinkie's bedroom.
"Of course you remember, how could you not? It was yesterday."
"That was so funny!", said Pinkie, gigling.
"Fortunatly, our friends dispeled the misunderstanding.", she added, laughing.
"And we've been able to start again our normal life...", she whispered, barely smiling.
Come on every pony, smile, smile, smile
Fill my heart up with sunshine, sunhine
"Well, time to move on, we have a cute-ceañera to plan! Button Mash will be super-duper sad if we don't give him our very best! You have your cutie mark only once so, let's PARTYYYY!"
Pinkie ran downstairs, grabbing her pet in her mane. She aimed for the kitchen and started baking.
"I wish somepony had planned an awesome party for me. I know Gummy, we were already partying so technically, I have had my cute-ceañera, but the party was for my family firstly. Hmm? Oh you want me to tell you what happened that day? Didn't I already tell you this story? But you want to listen to it agin. Huuuh."
"It's not really worth it you know..."
I was harvesting granite rock.
"Pinkamena! Time for lunch!"
"Coming, Dad!"
I wanted to finish harvesting this plot of land before heading home; as my parents taught me, finish what you start, and I have always sticked to that.
Anyway, I was rolling the last rock when it happened. A loud "bang" and the sky was filled with so many colours that I could hear them. All the way around, my usual and reassuring grey sky was gone. So I did something I experienced for the first time in my life and which I couldn't control. I smiled, I smiled so brightly; I wanted to match what I just saw. But it didn't last, and shortly after, I started to feel empty. I knew, deep down, I wanted to relive this experience and to not let it end. That's why I planned a party for my family, in the course of wich I got my cutie mark.
“Pinkie?”
“...in the course of wich I got my cutie mark. And from that day, I have never ceased to plan parties.”
“Pinkie!” shouted an annoyed purple unicorn.
“Oh! Hey Twilight! How are you doing? Need anything?”
“I already told you, she sighed "I need four raspberry cupcakes. I know you commission them and I hoped that they could be ready before my appointment in fifty minutes.”
“Okie dokie, I'll get it down in no time.”
She put down the mixing bowl on the counter and went back to the kitchen.
“Well, I'll need...”
She froze in front of the oven as a sweet fragrance of raspberry reached her nostrils. A ringing timer filled her ears and by force of habit, she turned off the oven and took out what was baking inside the oven.
Four sweet raspberry cupcakes.
“Huummm, weird.” she said.
Twilight saw Pinkie coming back from the kitchen with her order.
“Pinkie, how did you...”
“Told you that I would get it down in no time.”
“But..”
Twilight was confused. How anypony could bake in such a short time? She had left, what 2 mins ago? Remebering what happened the last time she had decided to question Pinkie Pie, Celestia's faithful student sighed heavily and resigned herself to let this subject unstudied.
“Thanks Pinkie”, said Twilight as she put 10 bits on the counter. “I hope the mayor will enjoy them.”
“I'm sure she will!” answered a grinning pony.
“By the way, Pinkie, who were you talking to? Is everything okay?”
The smile on Pinkie's face slowly decreased and she ended in starring at Twilight, her expression as blank as the flank of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
“Pinkie?” insisted Twilight.
All I really need's a smile, smile, smile
From these happy friends of mine
“I was talking to Gummy of course, he wanted to hear again the story of when I got my cutie mark” Pinkie replied, showing her ponytail where the little alligator was hanging from its mouth. “I should tell you someday. Wich reminds me, do you know what do you call a bear with no teeth?”
“I don't know, a toothless bear?”
“No silly. A gummy bear!” she exclaimed a big smile on her face.
“Not bad" said Twilight giggling. "Anyway, since I have some spare time before my appointment, I'll go check the market. Bye Pinkie.”
“Bye Twilight.”
As her friend left the room, Pinkie grabbed back her mixing bowl and start baking again.
“You truly can't be serious, Pinkamena. I don't know what have happened to you but you can't really still think about this balderdash.”
“But Fatheeeer...”
The young filly was staring at his father with pleading eyes. The meal was long cold and almost untouched.
“Your father is right sweetie, you can't expect us to let our young daughter go live by herself. You are too young and we need you at the farm.”
“But I have tried, I have really tried! Those two past months, I have tried to act like before but it doesn't suit me anymore."
"You have tried?" asked her father with a sarcastic tone. "The only thing you've tried is convince us that a little filly should leave her family and the life that she had no problem with before to live on her own. You have brought this topic almost every day since that day. That party was certainly a nice break in our routine but we are rock farmers Pinkamena. We are responsible and serious ponies. We don't waste our time in silly things."
"Silly things? Replied Pinkie, shocked. "Parties are super-duper serious business. It's like rock farming but funnier to do and at least it brings smiles and joy to ponies! Work here is just..."
"Boring?" cut Igneous. "Dull? Or maybe pointless?"
"I didn't say..."
"And how do you think ponies build their houses? They need the rocks we harvest. My ancestor had the honor to provide the marble for the Canterlot Castle. Everypony can admire the Pies' work every time they lay an eye on the royal castle. There is no greater proud that knowing your job is perfectly done. The rest is details."
"But..."
“No more “but”,” added her father, “you won't leave this house, end of story. The Pies are rocks farmer. It had been this way and it will be.”
“Then maybe I don't want to be a Pie anymore.”
Silence fell, as hard as the rocks surrounding the farm. Realizing what she has just said, Pinkie quickly put her hoof in front of her mouth.
“I'm sorry, I didn't mean...”
“Leave.” His voice was barely a whisper. Igneous was staring at his plate, a small tear in his left eye.
“Wh...what?” Pinkie's voice was shaking. She wasn't sure of what her father has said or she was too afraid to accept it.
“I said, LEAVE!” Igneous Rock Pie shouted, smashing his hoof on the table, now staring at his daughter with a furious look.
“You don't want to be a Pie? FINE, you aren't one anymore. Go ahead, go find your funny life, plan your fiesta or whatever you call it. Our house is boring, devoid of joy? FINE, go live elsewhere. But listen to me, Pinkamena, listen carefully. If you should live in one of those big, corrupted, full of sins city, remember that what you were able to call your family before won't be here to get you out of that twisted life you crave for. And don't be surprised if a crack appears in what you call your destiny.”
Silence fell once again. Cloudy Quartz was looking back and forth between her mad husband and her daughter.
“Dear, you...” she started before being interrupted.
“Enough! Pinkamena, you leave tommorrow first hour in the morning. Prepare your baggage.”
Slowly, the young filly left the table and went upstairs, with a heavy heart. Reaching her bedroom, she started gather her belongings, sobing. Soon, she heard small hoofsteps climbing the stairs and turned her head. Her sister Maud was looking at her, bearing her usual neutral expression.
“What do you want Maud?” asked Pinkie, crying.
“I wanted to see if you need some help.”
“I don't need help to gather my stuff, I am almost done.”
“I wasn't talking about that kind of help.”
Pinkie froze, a picture frame in her hoof. It was a photo of her first party. Her whole family was gathered, with a happy smile on their face. This day have been the best day in her short life, she have been able to bring so much to them. For a moment, everypony had forgotten about their concerns, about the farm, the hard labor. It was a pure moment of ecstasy. How did things end up like this? Two months ago, they were sharing a moment of joy and now, she has prevented from happening again, because of that stupid cutie mark, because of her new whim. She knew, deep down, that it was her, that it was the kind of mare she wanted to be. Bring smile, joy, repel the sadness of ponies and make their day brighter.
“Pinkie...”
Her sister's voice and the gentle touch of a hoof on her shoulder cut Pinkie off of her thoughts. Her sister had just used the name she thought fit her best. That made her let it all out. She hugged her sister tightly, her head on her shoulder, letting the tears ran down.
“I'm sorry Maud, I'm sorry.”
“Shhhhh, it's okay Pinkie. In the end, it will be okay.”
“I know I'm the one to blame, but I feel I have no choice, I would trade my cutie mark if it would meant Father doesn't hate me.”
“He doesn't. Even if he doesn't show it for now, he cares about you. We all do.”
“I don't know if I'll be able to do it, Maud.”
“You will. I know one thing about my sister, she always manages to make things right in the end. We will stay in touch, don't worry. Plus, we still have tommorrow morning. I don't think that Father will really kick you out from the farm first hour in the morning. We will have at least a breakfast to enjoy together.”
"Yeah..."
"And your cutie mark is what defines you. You can't really go against it."
"Yes... I... I don't want to stay at the farm but I didn't want to leave like this."
Her eyes now dry and her heart a bit lighter, Pinkie released her sister.
"Try to sleep tight, I'll see you tomorrow."
Pinkie watched her sister leave her room. She was feeling a little better, thanks to her sister and her quiet voice. However, she felt she couldn't face her father tomorrow.
Finishing her pack, she made up her mind. Hoofstep by hoofstep, she quietly walked down the stairs, careful of any sound coming from the house. It seemed, to her relief, that everypony was asleep. She grabbed some food from the kitchen closets and aimed for the door.
Outside, she saw that the sun was almost set. The late evening air was hot but unable to warm the cold inside her heart and she felt some shivers running through her spine as she was taking the first steps taking her away from her home. She was granting herself one last look at it when she saw her mother under the porch, slowly swinging on a rocking chair.
"Leaving so soon?" she asked, with a bit of a reproach in her voice.
Pinkie froze, all of her body shaking. That's what she wanted to avoid, having to face her parents. She had focused on the simple task of leaving, setting aside all the consequences that this fact implied.
Her father had been right. She hadn't really tried to fit in this way of life. She couldn't anymore, the multi-colored sky had made her taste something so contradictory with the life of a rock farmer that she couldn't stand it anymore, she had to do something. She first tried to share her past experience with the only ponies she cared for. And it had worked in a way, for the first time she saw her parents smile. But it had lasted for such a short period of time. They got back to work shortly after, not showing any signs that the party had changed anything in their routine or that they wanted to do it again despite her atempts to throw some others.
"Mother, please don't..."
"Try to prevent you from leaving? I won't. Just come closer."
Pinkie took a few steps towards her mother who was standing up from the chair. When she reached her, her mother put her hoof on her shoulder's daughter first and then grabbed her in a hug.
"I won't", she repeated. "My little filly is too stubborn for trying to make her do something she doesn't want to."
Pinkie could hear the love and concern in her mother's voice. That made her rethink her decision. Was it really worth it? She could still back out, her mother would have just to say a few words. The next days would certainly be awkward, mostly with her father, but in the end, she felt that he would forgive her and that they could return to their routines. But that routine wasn't meant for her. She knew it but it was hard to face some consequences that went with it.
She finally broke the silence, and the warming and conforting hug.
"I should go now, for I feel that I won't always have the courage to go. Please, tell Father that I'm sorry and that I love him."
"Your father loves her little filly", she replied, "and your mother loves you too. Wherever you go, know that, even if the sea may look warm and the sky may look blue, your home, your family and your life will always be here, at the rock farm, when your fantasy will end."
"Goodbye Mother, I love you."
"I love you too."
Pinkie turned and headed for the train station. As she walked, she felt her mother's look on her back. A look, she was guessing, made of watery eyes, love, and silent reproachs. She tried to focus on the train station barely visible in the horizon and to forget for the moment what she was letting behind her.
Author's Note
First of all, thank you for reading this.
It has been difficult to decide to post this chapter as I feel it is bad and poor but I posted it anyway, to have an outside look.
It is not proof-read so criticism is here to make this story better and make me feel bad, don't hesitate, point out all the mistakes.
About the story itself, it's basically Pinkie Pie who struggle with her "wall", kind of. If you don't know what it is and you didn't recognize where the art cover come from, please, go listen to it (Pink Floyd The Wall).
Finally, remeber that it is an English story wrote by a French guy so grammar mistakes are more than probable (I wasn't able to get someone to pre-read it).
Thank you again!
The Happiest Days of Our Lives
"I'm glad the week is finally over" said Apple Bloom with a sigh of relief.
"Yeah" added Scootaloo, "we have now a whole week-end for crusading."
"It will sure be fun" punctuated Sweetie Belle.
The hectic trio was sat at a table inside Sugar Cube Corner. The evening spring’s air was still filled with winter chill and the crusaders had decided to get some warm and sweets inside the bakery.
"I heard somepony say 'fun'?" The pink pony popped out of nowhere, as usual, just behind Apple Bloom, a big smile on her face.
"Sure thing" replied the yellow filly, "school is over and now we have two days just for us."
“Do you already have some plans?”
“Well kind of” replied Sweetie Bell. “We’ll go crusading for our special talents, that's sure, but we have already discussed what we will actually do during the crusading and, well, nothing came out for now.”
Discuss was hardly the word Cheerilee would have used. In fact, she had had to ground the trio for having disturbed the class more than once this week with their quarrel over if they should go base jumping or not.
“Well, don't get too exhausted with your week-end, as you'll have to have a huge amount of energy for my party on Monday evening; everyone is invited of course.Oh, have I invited you? Cause if I haven't, now it is done but if I have, it's not done and... wait, I got it all wrong but...”
“You have” cut Scootaloo. “What you haven't told us is what this one is for.”
“Duuh! The cute-ceañera of Sweetie Belle's coltfriend, Button Mash!”
“He is NOT my coltfriend!” shouted Sweetie Belle, blushing with half hindrance and half anger. “He's just...”
“A friend?” asked Pinkie. “A friend with whom you spend some time chatting, walking, playing, laughing, studying, singing...”
“We get it” cut again the orange pegasus. “She spend time with him doing all sort of things. We do that too and we are just friends, nothing more. Am I right girls?”
“Of course but would you let your friend ride your scooter every time you see her?”
It took a moment for Scootaloo, who had put her hoof on her chin to help herself gather her thoughts, to answer Pinkie's question.
“I suppose I won't, I can share it, sure, but I like it too much to lend it every time. But what does that have to do with Sweetie Belle and Button Mash? I've never seen him with a scooter but rather with his Game Colt.”
“It seems that he is not so eager to play his games when he's with her and rathers let her play instead. Every time” conclued Pinkie with a nod and her 'serious business' face.
The redness on Sweetie Belle's face was now deeper and had reached her ears.
“Is that true?” asked her young friends.
“I...”
“Why didn't you tell us about it?” added Apple Bloom, “Why keep it a secret?”
The sound of a doorbell cut the conversation and made them all turn their head to the one who have dared to interrupt them, their face displaying a bit of annoyance, except for one filly who sighed in relief.
“Howdy everypony!”
“Hey Applejack what's up?”
“Nothing much, I've just finished the sorting of the last apples we have harvested and I've told myself that I could deserve a small reward. What about you?”
Pinkie let the three fillies to their table and got back behind the counter, preparing Applejack's usual order.
“Same here, except maybe that Sweetie Belle has a crush on one of her classmate.”
“Oh yeah? Who?”
“No offense but I can't tell you. It's a secreeeeet” she said, loudly whispering and half giggling.
“Non taken. But it sure is adorable to see the young foals when they discover love. All that innocence, it would almost make feel a bit nostalgic. All the great time I had at school. That is some of the best days in life don't you think?”
Pinkie frozed for a moment and her smile faded a bit.
“Not really.”
“Why that?”
“It doesn't really matter.”
“You're sure about that?”
“Definitely.”
Silence sat between the two friends, one wondering if she should press on the matter and the other scanning the familiar room, stoping on the three fillies. Shaking her head, Pinkie turn back to Applejack.
“By the way, have I invited you to my party next Monday? It's Button Mash's cute-ceañera and everyone is invited.”
“You have sugarcube, yesterday when we met at the market. And I've told ya that I'm not sure if I'll be here cause I've got some pies to deliver the followin' day, early in the morning.”
“Oh, I don't remember.”
“This is not how you are. You're really sure everythin' is fine?”
“Of course, I'm probably a bit exhausted by the party planning. It'll go with a good night of sleep.”
“Riiiight.”
“Come on, don't give me the long face. Smile instead! It suits you better.”
The eyebrow raised, Applejack stared at her friend. She didn't give her what she asked but what she supposed she meant by dropping the subject.
“Fine” she finally said, “I'll leave, I got some minor chores left, so I'll head back home. See ya.”
“Bye, come back anytime, the sooner the better.”
As Applejack left, a shout from Scootaloo made Pinkie turn her head back to the three friends.
“So that's why you were so willing to go to school lately.”
It's true some days are dark and lonely
And maybe you fill sad
“Pinkamena, are you really sure about this? We can still come back home.”
“Yes Father” she replied. “I feel that I am missing something important and I think that I could find it with other fillies.”
Igneous sighed. “Fine, let's find the teacher.”
They crossed the empty schoolyard, aiming for the large front door. Pinkie was deep in her thoughts. She didn't know what she was feeling as it was the first time, as far as she could remember, she had felt it. Excitment? Thrill? Eagerness? She couldn't really put a name on it but she knew that she had wanted to attend school as soon as possible since she had seen one and all the foals playing in the schoolyard, and now that it was almost happening, the feeling was stronger. So strong that she didn't notice they already arrived at the classroom.
“Good morning sir, you must be Mr. Pie?” greeted the teacher.
“Yes I am Miss. And here is my daughter” he replied, gently pushing her daughter in front of him.
“Hhh... hi” tried Pinkie before her father coughed loudly, looking at her with a glare. “S... sorry, good morning Mister. My name is Pinkamena Diane Pie.”
“What a charming little filly” replied the teacher, “I am Mr. Strict Attention class, we have a new student here. Greet your new schoolmate Pinkamena.”
“Good morning Pinkamena” said the class. Something in their tone felt off to Pinkie but she couldn't place her hoof on it and soon, the thought quickly disappear.
“Welcome to the Celestia's foals School. I am sure you will enjoy your days here. Now please, have a sit.”
After a quick exchange of nods with her father as a goodbye, Pinkie trotted to the empty desk on her right. She opened her saddlebag she had put down, and grabbed her notebook and a pen. This was finally happening, she thought. She was attending school and she would learn new things apart from rock farming. And maybe befriend some of her schoolmate, who knows?
“Hail Celestia, full of grace.
Our Heart is with you.
Blessed are you among ponies,
and blessed is the fruit of your Sun,
may your light never fade.
Holy Celesta, Mother of ponykind,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
What shall be will be.”
Pinkie could only watch the teacher and her new classmates reciting the prayer, their eyes looking down and their voice so zealous. At the end of it, she was still staring at them, unbelieving.
“Good, now take your history book to page thirty one” announced Mr Strict. “We will resume where we had finished last time.”
The foals did as oredered, watched by a lost pink filly, until a quiet call from her left make her turned her head.
“Psssst.”
Her seatmate, a burgundy coated and brown maned filly, was apparently trying to get her attention. She had put a book between their table and Pinkie, realising what that meant, nodded and moved her chair closer.
“I'm Goldneedle by the way” she whispered.
“So... where do you live?”
Goldneedle's voice was hesitant. She wasn't really used to be straight towards the ponies she met, but something told her that she could be so with this pink filly.
“Do you see the rock farm north of here? That's where I live.”
Goldneedle nodded, showing her she knew the place.
“From what I saw the place looks awesome” added Goldneedle.
“Well, it's nice” replied Pinkie, letting a small smile appear on her face.
The air was warm and soft. After one hour and a half of history lesson, the teacher speaking about all the good their “Goddess” had blessed their lives with, it was finally break time. Pinkie and Goldneedle had tried to get to know each other during the lesson, but several glares from Mr. Strict every time one of them had opened her mouth had discouraged them and they had reconsidered doing so during the break.
“Maybe...” started Pinkie weakly.
“Yes?”
How could she tell her, Pinkie thought, tell her that she was the first foal she had met outside her familiy, that she felt she could trust her after the small gesture of kindness she had shown, but at the same time, she had so many doubts about herself or how to act? Was there a proper way to ask her this? Won't she back up and simply explain that she didn't feel the same?
Goldneedle waited patiently while Pinkie was trying to clear her thoughts from her doubts. After a moment and a soft sigh, she decided to stop thinking about it and just go for it.
“Maybe... you... you could come to my place someday?”
“Sure, why not?” she replied almost instantly. “And I could help you with the lessons you have missed.”
It wasn't so hard, Pinkie told to herself. Well, it was but now that she had done it, it seemed easier and the grin on what appears to be her new friend's face told her that she was waiting for this day. The first of many others, she hoped.
“Whoaaa, it looks so cool, how did you get it?”
“By throwing a party to my family this week-end” replied Pinkie, grinning.
“That's awesome. Do you think you could throw one for my next birthday?”
“Can't see a reason not to. And maybe you could sew some banners for my sister's congratulation for having graduate party?”
“Pinkamena, Goldneedle, be quiet” shouted Mr. Strict. “No talking inside the school, even in corridors.”
Mr. Strict was sat at his desk. He was not happy, not happy at all.
“Mr Pie, your daughter have an inappropriate attitude during the class. She had disturbed the lessons more than I could count. I will NOT tolerate such a behavior inside my class.”
“What has she done ?“ replied Igneous, glaring at her daughter.
“She dared question my teaching multiple times!” he replied, almost shouting. “Pretending that our goddess, the almighty Celestia, was just a pony. A PONY!”
“That's not true, I...” tried Pinkie, raising her head she had kept low until now.
“Silence!” the teacher snapped at her. He then turned to Igneous. “Mr Pie, I highly advised you to take measures. Your daughter must behave or, I must warn you, she won't be welcome in this school anymore.”
Her father let out a frustrated sighed. “I'll make sure she won't disturb you.”
“That's all I ask. She had become quite noisy since she got her cutie mark, but it has got worse since one of her classmate had to left us. Not a big loss if you ask me. This filly didn't match our standards and I fear that your daughter is following the same path, right into the trash of useless ponies.”
“SHE IS NOT A WASTE, SHE IS MY FRIEND.” Pinkie didn't recognize her screaming voice. She was so mad towards him, how could he spoke so badly about this wonderful pony?
“A friend?” he immediately replied sarcastically. “Tell me, young lady, how will you improve yourself if you waste your time with other useless ponies? You plan to base your life on friendship? Haa! This is nonsense. All you need in life is a proper education and the light of the Sun to guide your way. Not some advices from common ponies.”
“I...”
“Pinkamena, that's enough.” said her father. He hadn't raise his voice, he was barely speaking like any other day but Pinkie recognized the tone in it. She was about to cross the line and she stopped, not wanting to see once more what was beyond that line.
“Mr Strict, I thank you for warning me about my daughter's behavior. I promess that we will have a long talk once we are home. If there isn't anything left to discuss, we shall leave.”
“I'm glad that at least, you have common sense and I hope that you'll be able to instill some in your daughter's head. I do it for the good of my students after all.”
“Thank you again Mr. I hope that this will be our last meeting of this kind.”
“What is this?”
Pinkie raised her head from her work to look at her teacher. He had just picked a piece of paper from her desk. No! Not that.
“Some kind of secret code?” he added, unfolding the paper. “Oh, no!” he exclaimed. “Poems no less. Poems everypony! The filly thinks she is a poet!” The rest of the class burst into laughter at the teacher' s comment, who started reading out loud. “This is your singing telegram, I hope it finds you well. You're invited to a party 'cause we think you're really swell.” Pinkie kept her head low and her mouth shut, knowing what she could expect if she dared to say something. It was hard. “Party, funny, crazy, pony, there is one think that makes me happy. That's absolute rubbish!” he said, tearing the paper in several pieces.
“Are you sure?”
She wasn't. She wasn't at all. Pinkie tried to raise her head and face her father, but she didn't manage to do it. It wasn't her father that she couldn't face, though she guessed it would be hard to see his disapproving and disappointed eyes.
“Sweetie please, look at us.” Her mother's voice was gentle and warm. It wasn't an order but more like a supplication. The love it carried helped Pinkie who finally meet her father's eyes.
“I...I don't want to go anymore” she dropped.
“Why Pinkamena?” asked her father. “You repeated countless time that you wanted this, that it would help you becoming a grown mare, that something was missing in your life and that you'll find it with other foals at school. What has changed?”
“Nothing...”
“N... nothing?” he replied, choking on the word. “Really?”
“Yes” she whispered. “Please, try to understand.”
“I don't. We don't. Especially if you don't give us some clues.”
“Sorry...”
Igneous sighed, tired.“Fine. I'll go to school tomorrow and tell them that you will resume your homeschooling.” He sighed again. “Sometimes, I don't understand you at all Pinkamena.”
“Me neither” she replied after a moment.
