The Stable

I have picked up a friend, but the train station. While I had not personally planned for it, or knew her before I met her at the station; apparently, Pinkie Pie had known she was going to follow me to the stable. My stable. Even if I had forgotten all about how I can never enter.

Of course, if I can’t enter; neither can she, but that tiny little detail was not bothering Pinkie Pie in the least.

At least, I have company with me; I am no longer alone. My former duplicate would have been little to no comfort. Maybe I could have attempted another duplication, just for the sake of having another pony by my side, yet that would have been quite fruitless and unproductive. Why bother, it’s just another me.

Zoo Maré is not just another me. She is a new friend, whom I can share things with and trust in. I saved her, from the destiny she had just left, of course. Do I expect loyalty and trust, for the service? It is no service I had planned for, Pinkie Pie placed me here to pick her up. Simple and easy.

“She is an Earth Pony, she could never teleport herself anywhere. Maybe I could teleport her with me, just to speed up the process? But no, not right now!” I ponder

I am trotting down the track, Zoo just a step behind me.

“You are a very unusual pony, Starlight!” she points out.

“Yes, but how so?” I inquire.

“You are kind to me, despite being a Unicorn; how about that?” she responds, giggling nervously.

“Yes, I guess I am! I want you to share what I have; because it is enriching what I have, for all!” I point out.

“Why is Pinkie Pie supporting you, and what is your stable like?” she inquires.

“Pinkie Pie, the mare of the Ministry of morale helps me; because she wants ponies to be happy and safe! Then again, I met her sister, once; she helped me with something!” I point out, in response.

“On second thought, why do you look like a Ghoul?” she inquires; now very nervous, trying to guard her tongue in the hops not to step on a sore hoof.

“It is the price I paid, for the services I picked up in Canterlot!” I respond.

“That is a very steep price, for these gifts? Does that include the pip-bucks and the neck-laces too?” she inquires.

“I guess it is, but it was too late to turn back when I realized it; far too late! These items were included, yes! I want to give my stable the very best, you see!” I respond.

“So you went all the way to Canterlot for these gadgets? Suffering the pain of becoming a Ghoul, just for these ponies?” she suggests.

“Yes, I went all the way to Canterlot for these items; only the very best for my stable, even if it turned me into a ghoul of Canterlot! At least, my ponies are secure!” I point out.

We had been trotting along the track for some time, enjoying the warm conversation. I had answered her questions; even if I could feel, she clearly was anxious and worried. Why not, it cost me nothing. Whatever she thought, or worried about; she had never openly questioned me, or opposed me. Not really.

There is a whistling sound, and the noise of a giggling pony. The earth Pony is Pinkie Pie.

“I have a prediction for you; if you would not mind, stay still and quiet!” she pronounces.

“Pinkie Pie!” Zoo whisper, into the still quiet air before her, and us.

The air is still and quiet. Almost too still for me, but Pinkie Pie had told me to wait.

I hear my heart beat, and the seconds tick by. Nothing seems to happen.

There is a rustle on the leaves, and a deer is stepping into the open. She is looking right and left, as if she had been looking for something. There is a noise on the pip-buck, and she looks our way.

“Oh!” she merely mumbles.

“Hello!” Pinkie Pie’s voice croons, in a greeting of the deer.

She stops, dead still; making huge eyes, now looking curiously right at me.

“Hi!” I add.

“Oh!” she exclaims, now slowly calming down; ”Hi!” she echoes my greeting.

“Would you by chance, want to follow us to my stable?” I inquire.

“No pony ever offered me a place in a stable! No pony ever asked me; to follow her, to a Stable or any place else!” she points out; now slowly growing bolder, in the present company.

“Right now, a Deer would make for a perfect company!” Zoo proposes.

“I though you would say that, Zoo!” Pinkie Pie points out, through the speaker of my pip-buck.

“Is that, the Ministry Mare; Pinkie Pie of the Ministry of Morale?” the deer inquires.

“I am indeed!” the voice responds.

“Well, as much of me; as could be spared!” she then continues.

“A small fraction of you, should manage to slip us safely through this forest!” Zoo offers.

“I would believe so; since I can predict where it is safe, for us to travel!” she responds.

“I guess it is better, for us; if we could slip past any hostility in the region; than be forced into engage in the fight, right now!” I point out.

With that, we quietly trot along the rail, all the way to the next station.

“This does look like a safe stop!” I point out.

“So it would seem, Pinkie has not complained or warned us of anything!” Zoo points out.

“Indeed!” she merely responds, confirming our image of the situation.

I leave the tracks, with my new friends in tow, jumping up onto the platform. Even if I knew Pinkie Pie had predicted it is safe, I take a moment to scan the area around us. I can see nothing on the platform, or inside the building. I sense no Pony or Zebra in the vicinity. Not even as much as a fly is here. At least, as far as I could pick up.

“This is the safest I have felt, for years!” the deer exclaims, in her muted voice.

“You know, you sound like an old friend of mine; otherwise known as Fluttershy, now a Ministry Mare, just like me!” Pinkie Pie points out, with a girlish giggle.

“You refer to Fluttershy, the mare of the ministry of Peace?” she inquires.

“The very same, she was such a timid pony, back in the time I met her. Now she is a Ministry Mare!” Pinkie Pie responds.

“If we enter the building, we should be safe; in there, we could rest for a few minutes!” I point out. “A few minutes of rest would do us good, if we do not take too long!” Zoo responds.

With that, I trot up to the door and pull it open; scanning the interior and continue. The room appears safe, so I signal to my friends, who promptly follows me into the building. I close the door and we sit down on the chairs in the waiting room.

“By the way, I have something for you too!” Pinkie Pie promptly pronounces, while we sit and wait.

The charm of my necklace comes to life; the flap of my saddle bags slip up and the necklace slide through the air towards the Deer.

“Wait, you have a gift for me?” the deer inquires, now startled and nervous.

“It is just a necklace, nothing fancy!” Pinkie Pie points out, matter of fact.

“A friendship necklace, but other than that isn’t fancy!” Zoo interjects.

“I never had or wore a necklace, never-mind a friendship necklace!” the deer points out.

The necklace quietly falls into place and snaps together safely and comfortably. Since a Deer has no mark, there is little point of creating one for this purpose. In place of a mark, the charm is now a fluid cloud like surface the colour of the deer’s hide.

“Friends and freindship is important, and more so than ever; in these challenging times of war, before us!” Zoo points out.

“Which reminds me, of my necklace, the element of Laughter, a balloon!” Pinkie Pie exclaims
.

While she speaks, a holographic representation is trotting beside us, and a representation of her element is clearly seen around her neck.

“Let us rest, and enjoy the comfort of this room and the shelter it can provide!” Pinkie Pie offers, indicating the comfortable chairs in the room.

The holographic representation trots up to one chair, jumps up and sits down with demonstrative ease and makes herself comfortable. With that, we are all lining up, sitting down in the chairs in the middle of the room.

It is odd, to have a pony with you; who is not really there in body, or spirit. Then again, this is Pinkie Pie. She is strange, and not just for a Pony. She is with me, and my new-found friends; just as she is with untold and unborn numbers of ponies. Pinkie Pie, is Pinkie Pie; the Ministry Mare of Morale, and the leader of a spy net-work no pony even has a clue of. Other than that, she is the deity of parties, and the mistress of baking. Too bad, I never would have the chance to meet her in person.

I did not know, I should have met her in person; just as I was to be furious, because of it. At least, at first. Now, none of that will ever happen.

Now I had been forced into establishing a stable, where my former village stood. Of course, I had ended up, leaving all of them to make it without me. Then again, I am still there; I am their founder and over-mare, all the same. They do not even know I am missing. In time, there will be a new over-mare; in the place of the pony who is their me.

I am bringing them a final gift, even if I am never to enter the stable. Maybe it is for the better, that I do not know this. I can tell my new friends, that I have saved a place for them in my stable; while that is not technically true, the promise will still stand.

Pinkie Pie jumps off of the seat and trots several steps forwards, before she turns around on a bit and faces us.

I watch her, with my new friends; as she trots over the floor and turns to look at me. she just nods.

“It is time, we need to get to the next station; if you come over here, and your friends need to stay by your sides!” Pinkie Pie explains.

I trot over to Pinkie Pie, and she jumps into the buck and seemingly vanishes.

“Oh!” I exclaim.

My friends slowly trot over to me, Zoo on my right, and the deer on my left.

“Now, teleport to the next station on the line!” Pinkie Pie commands, and I scoop up both my friends and teleport to the given destination.

Thankfully, I recall being at the station. The regular Ghoul part of me had been in the building, long enough to memorize the layout. Or it could have become a bumpy and chancy ride. Then again, when we rematerialize; the room is close to identical, to the one we just left. It is just as empty and devoid of Ponies, as well.

“I did not know a Pony could do that, even if you are a Unicorn!” Zoo exclaims.

“While most Unicorns could learn to teleport, but picking several ponies with them, is still a challenge for the common Unicorn!” Pinkie Pie explains.

“Starlight Glimmer here, is an excellent Unicorn; she can perform feats, well beyond what a common Unicorn could even dream of!” Pinkie Pie points out.

“Enough of the hugging; step close!” Pinkie Pie than points out; “Could you take us to the next station?” Pinkie Pie adds.

“Okay!” I respond, as I feel the flanks of my friends pressing up at my sides.

I light up my horn and teleport us to the next station.

Just as expected, the room is devoid of any presence. It is almost, as if this had been a tomb, left to decay by its own devices for a bit too long for my taste.

I quickly gather my magic and teleport to the next station, even before Pinkie Pie asked me, or anyone took the time to complain. Maybe a Pony had died in the room, I never stayed long enough to check out. I had left the station in a haste, last time I had been here.

“You certainly do live up to my expectations; Starlight!” Pinkie Pie exclaims, just as we rematerialize in the station house building.

I have had some good practice and studied my spells meticulously!” I point out, in response.

“Just as I predicted!” Pinkie Pie responds.

"You will live up to my investments, in you; saving the Ponies under your care, even if I guess you will never enter the stable!” she whispers, to me.

“At least, my stable is safe, under my seal; just as I can save my remaining friends, and deliver my final gift to the stable!” I point out.

“Yes, they are quite safe, and your friends are going to deliver the gift!” she assures me.

“Rest assured, Zoo; you will arrive at her stable; then you will deliver the gift, our lovely Starlight had paid so steep a price for!” Pinkie Pie whispers to the mare, as she is leaning her head over to her.

“Sorry, Starlight; I had never planned for what you had to face!” she then added, in her regular voice.

“Guess it is too late, to cry over that now?” I suggest.

“I am afraid so, Starlight!” she responds, in an even more somber tone than before.

“Then again, I am picking up a few last-minute friends on my way home!” I point out.

“All aboard!” Pinkie Pie exclaims, in an imitation of the train-conductor.

I manage to catch the drift, as she was picking up on what I had just said. Each of my friends are leaning in towards me, then I hastily but with great care teleport us to the next stop. Of course, the station is empty, as if deserted.

The instant after my horn had lit up, we’re materializing in the next building. This time, the room is just as quiet as before. At least, there is no sense of dread or death. The room is just abandoned, nothing more.

All of a sudden, I notice Pinkie Pie jumping out towards the window with a grand smile plastered all over her face. She is waving frantically, at my next guest and friend.

“Hi, come-on in!” Pinkie Pie exclaims, to the creature outside.

She clearly is neither Pony, nor Zebra or even a more unusual and exotic deer.

“Oh, well; I can welcome one more friend, if Pinkie Pie approves of her!” I ponder.

“Thanks, Pinkie; I have a few more friendship-necklaces to share!” I then add.

The door opens, as if by the hoof of Pinkie Pie’s; in trots a Giraffe. She does have some issue with the ceiling, with her long neck. Otherwise, she seems fine and pleasant enough, for me.

Pinkie Pie closes the door, behind the new friend she just entered into our midst. The Giraffe clearly is relieved, by the company in which I am surrounding myself. Even if I am imagining, it is the face of Pinkie Pie and her gracious invitation.

“My friend; Starlight glimmer is bearing gifts; she is only too happy to share her friendship with you!” Pinkie Pie points out.

As she speaks, a flap one my saddle bags slips open, then the next neck-lace is sliding up and into the air. Eyes clearly follow the item, as it is floating towards the surprised Giraffe. The neck-lace soon make its home around her neck and lock securely.

“Uh, how did that happen?” the Giraffe inquires.

“Unicorn magic!” Pinkie Pie explains; “Or, more correctly in this case, it is the charm around Starlight Glimmer’s neck that is responsible for this action!” Pinkie Pie then elaborates.

“Hi, I am Starlight Glimmer!” I greet her and present myself, in a single breath.

“Thank you, Starlight!” she responds.

“A Ghoul, leading; a Pony, a Deer and now a Giraffe! I guess it’s something to tell my children if and when I ever have any in these crazy times!” the Giraffe ponders, in light confusion.

“Don’t worry about that; you are quite safe with us and future foals is most certainly possible!” Pinkie Pie blurts out, as if she had been responding to an unheard question.

“I think I need to rest, even if it feels as if I am about to faint and am in dire need of fresh air right now!” the Giraffe mumbles, to no Pony in particular.

“Unless Pinkie Pie thinks we need to go earlier, I could certainly use a few minutes of rest!” I respond.

“Granted!” Pinkie Pie exclaims, then giggles at herself.

“I think we could grab a whiff of fresh air, a few stops from now!” Pinkie Pie then adds.

“Did she memorize the timetable for this rout?” the Deer inquires, reacting to the obvious certainty in Pinkie’s exclamations.

“She is the Ministry mare of Morale, she has a hoof in everything! Or, in her case, you could as well say, a few dozen hooves! However that works in, her case!?” Zoo points out.

“No Pony, or otherwise; knows the width and depth of her actions, and the knowledge she is possessing!” I point out, hinting at personal experiences.

I lean back, in a fairly comfortable chair; resting, from the effort of several teleportations with increasing numbers of passengers. Teleporting myself, had been a breeze; teleporting a single Pony is still easy, but then I am picking up a Deer and a Giraffe too, it is going to be considerably harder on me. Add to that, the remaining friends, I am yet to pick up on my way. I don’t know when, or where I will find them; just that I still have several friends, yet to pick up on my way to my stable.

“Time to go; if that is not too much strain on you, Starlight!” Pinkie Pie points out, knowing exactly where and when the next passenger will be waiting for our Teleportation train to pick them up.

Even if they do not know they are about to be picked up, to be part of our little group of mishmash and ill-matched creatures. Pinkie Pie is holding the manuscript, and she is not letting anything on before she thinks it is time. Whatever reasons she may or may not have. Or, if it is only her prediction of what will happen. I dare not ask.

“Okay, gather up around me; this will be a bumpy ride, with this many of you!” I point out.

“Besides, I do not want to pick anyone up, twice!” I then add.

They all trot up to me, clinging to my flanks; as if they had been glued to my hide, with wonder-glue. I do not complain, as I light up my horn. The closer to me they are, the easier it is to hold on to them, and deposit them safely on the other end of the trip.

There is a flash, as my horn lights up; as the discontinuity hits home, just before we are safely on the other side.

“That was strange!” the Giraffe mare exclaims, as she once more feel the floorboards under her hooves.

As I look up, I notice her ruff is ruffled a bit. Not much, but just enough for me to pick up on it.

“Of course, a Giraffe does not teleport!” I ponder; “Not used to Ponies, or Pony magic?” I then inquire.

“Ponies, and Pony magic, no! I barely had the time to see Fluttershy, about an injury a few weeks before she left for her Ministry!” she responds.

Fluttershy cares about others than herself, even a Giraffe like you! She is a Pegasus, not a Unicorn like me!” I respond.

“She was gentle and kind, spoke to me in hushed and kind words!” the giraffe points out.

“And now, the war against these Zebras is keeping her from her home and everything she loves!” I added.

“She could not have taken us to the stable as fast as I am; maybe not even in time!” I point out.

“These woods are no longer safe, we do have to make haste; even at the cost of discomfort!” the Deer suggests.

“I do not discriminate, I invite all, who wants to live in harmony!” I explain.

“If it is safe, and I do not need to fear; I am only too happy to join your stable, Starlight!” the Deer exclaims.

“I will permit no harm coming to any in my stable!” I point out, as I am starting to light up my horn.

“I will personally see to that you have food and that you are safe!” I point out, as the glow of my horn is growing in a blinding light.

There is a flash of light, and the room evaporates around us.

The next moment, we’re standing in the station I had intended us to enter.

“I’ll just sit down for a moment, I need to rest!” I explain, as I sit down in the nearest seat.

“We’re heading out, as soon as Starlight has had her rest!” Pinkie Pie announces.

“I guess we are getting that fresh air!” the Deer inquires.

“Exactly! Though I am expecting to pick up a new friend, along the way to the next station!” Pinkie Pie responds.

She is giggling gleefully, in the prospect of a new friend. I guess she just could not help herself; Pinkie Pie, being Pinkie pie after all. She had managed to find a rather impressive army of friends, during her stay in Ponyville. Friends, not just Ponies. Her friends are also Donkeys, cows and several others.

“Okay, I think I am ready to lead you to the next friend!” I announce, as I am feeling rested enough to stand up.

“I’ll lead the way!” Pinkie Pie exclaims, eagerly trotting towards the door.

She pushes the door open, but patiently wait and holds it up for the next in line. Each holding the door up, for the one behind. I find myself last in line, but do not feel bothered by it. We’re on our way towards my stable, my home. I gently let the door close behind me, and us.

After a moment, I notice the Giraffe trotting by Pinkie’s side, so I take the chance to enjoy the company of the Deer beside me. She is gentle and kind, but shy to the point of flighty.

“Don’t worry, I can shield us against most anything that could come before us!” I explain.

“I hope you don’t say that, just to calm me down!” she responds.

“Besides, Pinkie Pie would warn me in time to spirit us all out of harm’s way!” I add.

“Oh!” she merely gasps.

“She predicted where you were, and when; for no particular reason, other than for us to be friends!” I suggest.

“An Earthpony could do that?” she inquires.

“Not just any Earthpony, I guess! Pinkie Pie is not just any Earthpony, aside from being the Minister of Morale and having the entire Equestrian Spy-network under her hoof!” I add.

“Hay, I like friends; as many as I could possibly make!” Pinkie Pie interjects, in indignation” “Besides, I don’t mind sharing; and I wish the same, on any Pony, Deer and Giraffe as well!” she then adds, for emphasis.

“I already have a Pony, a Deer and a Giraffe; something is missing, but I rest assured Pinkie Pie will lead me right to the missing friends!” I ponder; “Thank you, Pinkie; you are a true friend, the best one could possibly have!” I add, beaming at the holographic projection of the pink mare.

“My pleasure!” she giggles; “.. and you are quite welcome; my dear Over-mare Starlight Glimmer!” she then adds.

“I love being welcome!” I tease; “Just as I love pleasing my friends!” I then add.

I know, I know; I am such a tease, but she was hoofing it to me on a silver-platter. Besides, I am certain, she knew that too. She is not Pinkie Pie, for nothing.

“Interesting, just how lively the forest is here now!” I ponder, without uttering my quandary.

“Not a sign, of the disturbance; the war use to cause, in the forest!” the Deer points out, quite correctly.

“Almost too cozy, but I guess I take the chance!” the Giraffe responds, as we’re trotting down the track.

“Perfect, for us to trot along the rail-road track to the next station!” Pinkie Pie declares.

“I don’t know, but as long as the forest is not starting to act up; I am enjoying the moment, for as long as it lasts!” the Deer responds.

She even gives of a short, nervous giggle.

Somehow; I find her short, nervous giggle refreshing, as short as it may have been. Sometimes, one has to draw pleasure and joy from the smallest of things. Even if it may seem insignificant and irrelevant; a Pony can still afford herself the luxury of enjoying that one short moment. Even in this time of war. I shoot a meaning glance at Pinkie Pie, the Ministry mare of the Ministry of Morale, as if poking her shoulder and letting her know.

She says nothing, but somehow I know she had picked up on even this small hint.

Pinkie Pie knows.

Is Pinkie Pie alive; so long as I remember her, if I speak her name or think about what she would have said? I remember her, just as she knew me when she arranged for me to have her with me right now.

Pinkie Pie, is Pinkie Pie. She can not die. While her body may lie in smoldering ashes, or in a mangled heap somewhere; forgotten and found by none. Yet, she is here with me right now. Alive, vibrant and beaming with joy; as she is sharing everything, with me.

Pinkie Pie had left me, lost in thought. I trot along the track with all my friends. The stretch is only too short. We reach the next station and we climb up to the building. Pinkie Pie opens the door and holds it open for us. I enter, last. Dead last. I do not care. I have enjoyed the tranquil moment with my friends in the friendly and quiet forest.

Strange, this room is different from all the once we had been in. It is not just that it is fresh and undisturbed. Maybe it is more, in the way this room feels alive. No Pony is in the room, and no Zebra. I am alone with my friends; guarded by Pinkie Pie, and her ominous predictions. She clearly has a plan for me, and my small group of friends. As small as it may be, but it is important. Both to her plan, and to me. To me, in particular.

“Take your time, Starlight; rest, we could all make use of a good rest!” Pinkie Pie points out.

She is smiling, grinning from ear to ear in a manner none other than Pinkie Pie could manage. Not to mention, not to make it creepy in the process. That is not, just because I view her as a friend. It is not; even in the fact that what I see is a holographic projection, from my pip-buck.

I close my eyes, and nothing happens. It is dark, only because my eyelids are blocking out the spares light in the room.

I breath in, the fresh air and the odors I just can not quite put a hoof on.

I breathe, I am alive. Clearly.

I permit the seconds tick away, as I feel my heart beat. I breathe, since I clearly am alive.

It is quiet, but no dead silence.

I hear the little noises from my friends. They are also resting.

I open my eyes and straighten up. I look around, and everything is exactly where it had been before I closed my eyes.

Odd, I had expected them to move and to be impatient or worried by now. Maybe it is the times, with a war raging outside.

I jump down, onto the floor and trot out into the middle of the room. A moment later, I can feel the warmth and presence of my friends.

I light my horn, and teleport us to the next station. I did not have to wait for Pinkie Pie to announce it, or explain where we were going. It had been obvious all along. If not, she would have told me, even before I climbed up onto the chair.

Strange, there are lights beaming down upon me from odd angles. Of course, I do remember this place, this building. Maybe it had merely slipped my mind, it had been in a bit of disrepair?

“Just one moment!” Pinkie Pie exclaims, before she is trotting towards the door.

She manages to push it open, effortlessly. The door quietly opens, as she is pushing her hoof at the hoof-bar.

We soon follow her out, only to be greeted by the sunshine beaming down from a blue sky.

“We are fairly close to my old village!” I say, as I am looking up at the blue sky.

Pinkie pie nods, then moves down to the rail-road track and continue towards the destination.

She stops, several times; sniffing the air and makes funny faces. Then, all of a sudden; she just stops and turns to the right. I can clearly see her trotting off of the track, whistling a merry tune. Just that this is no Pony tune I had ever heard. Or, even heard of.

“Moo!” Pinkie Pie exclaims; in a bovine greeting, she apparently had picked up.

“Moo!” a second voice echoes.

“Pinkie Pie, is Pinkie Pie!” I ponder, giggling at the obvious circle-reasoning logic.

A Cow is stepping out, into the light and stares at Pinkie Pie in disbelief.

”Yes, Moo-Oonah; it is me, Pinkie Pie!” I hear the Pinkie Pie exclaim, in her usual excited voice.

As if nothing had happened, since she became the Ministry mare of the Ministry of Morale. As if she had indeed still been living in Ponyville, with her friends, as if she still were cheering them all up each and every day.

“Hi, Pinkie!” the Cow responds; now clearly recognize the friend, she had given up all hope on ever seeing again.

“Yes, it is me; or, at least, what is left of me! All that is important, that is!” Pinkie points out.

“So long as you are still in this world, in Equestria; can I live happily, and sleep in the night!” the Cow responds.

“While you can kill a Pony, but you can’t kill the spirit of Laughter!” Pinkie Pie exclaims, with utter certainty only she could muster.

After a moment, maybe a minute or two; I step into the light, the line of sight for the Cow.

“A friend of Pinkie’s, is a friend of mine! Even if that means I am friends with half of Equestria, in the process!” the Cow points out, smiling.

“Hiya, Oonah; and welcome to the gang!” I greet her.

“Oonah; this is Starlight Glimmer, and a Deer, and a Giraffe!” Pinkie Pie explains.

“Trust Pinkie Pie, to make friends with anything and everything in her path!” Moo-Oonah exclaims, now clearly amused.

“Well, given half a chance; I would make friends with even a Changeling!” Pinkie Pie teases the Cow.

“I would not even trust a Zebra to even attempt that; but for Pinkie Pie, it’s all in a day’s work!” the Cow offers, giggling.

“We have to get going, but I don’t foresee anything as exciting as a Changeling in our path!” Pinkie Pie points out.

“I am only too happy, with just a Deer and a Giraffe; on the side of the daily Pony!” Oonah responds, still giggling.

“You’re infectious, Pinkie!” I tease my companion Pinkie.

“I am the element of Laughter, after all!” Pinkie merely responds, grinning at the wit.

“Yes; and we certainly could use some of that, in our darkest hour of need!” I point out.

“It is war, so I guess that makes sense!” Pinkie points out.

She momentarily drops the grin, to make the point stand.

“Between Pinkie Pie’s predictions, and Starlight Glimmer’s telepartations and shield; even I am starting to feel safe!” the Deer points out, now starting to act more assured than any Pony could have been expecting.

As I am leading the way, I have managed to steer us back onto the track and am now keeping a good, steady pace along the rail.

“Yes, it certainly is a war going on; I have seen my share of it, more than I am prepared to experience! T&his is why I moved my villagers and followers into the stable in the cave from the cozy village out in the open!” I am pondering.

While Pinkie Pie is always grinning at something, but there is a special and knowing grin on her features from the moment the Cow Oonah presented herself. Though I know Pinkie herself had foreseen this, she can’t stop grinning. Maybe the image ignores everything out of sight and is focusing on the hear and now?

The forest is strangely quiet and still, almost as if it is ignoring the war and just goes with Pinkie Pie’s optimistic outlook on the near future in the here and now.

We continue to trot along the rail-road track, quietly and seemingly unnoticed. Of course; eyes are watching us, following our progress along the way towards the next stop by the near-by station.

Whatever it is, following us; Pinkie Pie is seemingly obliviously ignoring it, as if it was not even there or at the very least of no consequence or threat to us. It is no threat to Pinkie Pie, or the Avatar representing her.

“A pet, is a pet!” Pinkie Pie exclaims, after a while; “Which reminds me of an old, dear friend of mine, Fluttershy!”she then adds.

“She herself, almost turned into a bat; once!” Pinkie ponders.

Of course a Bat is no citizen of Equestria, but is a very fine pet; if you have the taste, and enjoys an avian companion.

Just as I am turning my head, as we are taking the final bend on the way towards the next stop; I notice a black bat, on the back of the Deer. She does not seem bothered, even as a deer. Then again, the bat does not do anything threatening towards the deer.

“Oh!” I merely breath, shooting a meaningful glance towards Pinkie.

“Exactly!” she responds, giggling.

Several minutes later, we reach the station without any incident. I lead my friends up from the rail and towards the building.

Pinkie Pie opens the door and steps into the room. It is large, largely empty and abandoned. There is the one strange detail, there is a bottle of Rad-cola on each of the seats. One for each of us, including Pinkie Pie. Of course, this is Pinkie Pie, even if she is merely here in spirit. She herself is elsewhere, her body very far from where I am sitting and enjoying the beverage offered to me. My friends, sitting to the left and right; enjoying theirs, almost as if I had bought them for them.

Had Pinkie left them there, or arranged for them to be there; unless she had merely predicted them to be there at the right time, for us to enjoy them.