Pinkie's Trauma

Pinkie's Trauma

A Sad-Fic

We're going to try something different Pinkie. It's called hypnosis. It's relatively new, but I have a feeling it will work with you.

Okay. Whatever you say Doc.

You seem eager to head into this. We're going to be going deep into your subconscious, we might find nothing, but we might find something very very bad. Are you sure you're ready?

I just want the nightmares to stop. Can you do that Doc?

Yes. Lean back and close your eyes.

P<<<

I woke up with a start, a noise outside my window. I slid over in my bed carefully, trying not to wake my sleeping sister, and pressed my muzzle against the glass, attempting to get a better view. I couldn't see a thing, it was too far down. Rolling out of bed and nimbly landing on my hooves, I opened the window, letting the warm Baltimare air into the bedroom. There was little wind, and little chance of it waking my sisters, so I proceeded as planned. Edging my neck out the window and taking a peek down into the alleyways below. Still nothing. Suddenly another noise, the tipping of a trash can. I saw a white blur streak away from the alley and into the lit streets. An alley cat.

I sighed, keeping the window open for a breath of fresh air. It felt like the only time I could think clearly was at night, when it didn't feel like everything was going in slow motion. Taking one more deep breath I felt a hoof on my shoulder.

"Pinkie!" My sister, Inky, whispered to me, "Get back to bed."

I scrunched my face up. This was the only time I got to myself.

"But Inky, I like the air." I thrust my face outside, "It feels nice!"

Inky grabbed my mane and tried to pull me to bed, heavy hoof-falls hit the floor as we struggled, causing us to both stop and look at each other.

"Do you think he heard that?" I asked in a hushed tone, "You know what he-"

"Shh!" Inky hushed me, "Get into bed! Hurry!"

We both scrambled as quietly as possible to arrange ourselves in the bottom of the bunk bed, trying not to cause any more commotion. hopefully my sister Blinky stayed asleep on the top. As we finally got relatively comfortable, the door to the attic opened slowly, its hinges creaking with age and wear. We both held perfectly still as our father walked into the room slowly.

"Girls?" He whispered in the darkness, luckily not slurring his words, "Girls are you awake?"

Not a single noise was made, even our breathing was hushed. I felt his steps against the floor as he came closer to the bed, seeking something sinister. As he stood at the foot of the bed, I shut my eyes tight, not even bothering to breath as he leaned down and planted a kiss on my cheek. Then he leaned further and planted one on Inky's. He stood there for a few more moments before closing the window and stalking out the door, down the creaky stairs. I let out my breath.

"I'm sorry Inky." I tried to apologize. No answer from the "sleeping" filly.

I tried to hold on to Inky, but she pushed my away harshly.

"Freak." She spit at me, "Next time just stay in bed."

P<<<

Morning came quickly that night, with the rays of the morning sun shining through the window, shining in my eyes, blinding me as I woke up. I wiped the sleep crust from my eyes, yawning as I hopped out of bed with a gusto.

"Wake up Inky! Wake up Blinky!"I sing-sang to them, "It's time to wake up!"

They both groaned, rolling over to face the wall.

"Go away Pinkie." Inky ordered her in a mean tone. Blinky's voice was much softer.

"Ya, Pinkie, Dad might get angry." Blinky said softly.

"Forget dad," Inky grumbled, "I'm angry."

I just stared at them, a smile on my face as I poofed my curly mane a little more.

"But it's such a beautiful day! Why do you want to sleep?" I asked them, a completely legitimate inquiry to me. The day was meant to be seized, grabbed hold of, capitalized on!

"Girls!" We heard the screech of our mothers voice call up from the bottom of the stairs, "Come downstairs and eat something!"

Inky grouched at me as she fell out of bed.

"So much for that last few minutes of sleep Pinkie. Thanks."

"You're welcome!" I called out, at the time not registering that it may or may not have been sarcasm.

We trudged down the stairs as Blinky tried to brush my mane, its wiry curls catching the brush at every turn. Blinky was the nicer of my two sisters, and she was always willing to help somepony. Especially her family. The brush lodged in my hair as we got to the bottom step, walking into the broken down kitchen of our apartment. Nothing was cooking on the stove, and no scents permeated the air like you would expect from a kitchen. Only the musty smell of my home met my nostrils.

"What's for breakfast?" I called out in my energetic tone.

My mother sat on her favorite chair, a cigarette protruding from her mouth and a bottle in her other hoof.

"I don't care Pinkie. Check the fridge." She said as she closed her eyes and took a puff. My mother had many issues, only two of which being her drinking and smoking.

I gasped in shock.

"But we don't HAVE a fridge!" I said in alarm before seeing the yellowing cooler nestled between an equally yellowed stove and counter, "Oops! Nevermind, yes we do!"

I looked to my mom, expecting to see a smile, or some indication of happiness. I don't know why I kept thinking she would care. Or anyone would care for that matter.

"Pick!" She called out lamely, trying to rouse my father from his slumber, "PICK!"

"WHAT!?" Came a loud response from my parents bedroom.

"Give Pinkie her pill. She needs it."

"No no no, I'm sorry!" I pouted, "I'll be quiet I promise!"

My dad opened the creaky door to my parents bedroom, walking out slowly.

"No Pinkie. You get too hyper." He said in his low, emotionless voice he usually carried."

I scrunched my face up in sadness as he pulled a bottle of pills from above the fridge.

"I don't wanna..." I hesitantly stated, my voice small, "I'm not taking them anymore."

Suddenly my father slammed his hoof against the old wooden table that was our regular eating space, leaving a small white pill on its grooved surface.

"Take the pill," he started, his tone semi-normal, but his voice quickly turned darker as he put strong emphasis on "now."

I looked at the small white pill, resentment in my heart, but everyone knew what would happen if we made dad angry. I gulped down the medication, feeling a near instant effect on my state of being. I felt the usual effects. My mane began to straighten out, its poofy curls and wiry bends falling limp as the drug set in.

"Dad, I feel fu-funny again." I tried to warn everyone like I tried to warn them every time they gave me this pill. My body knew it wasn't right to feel this way. The voices of my sisters began to warp as shift as I felt my brain slow down for a moment. I stumbled a little before I felt my father stand me upright. I looked up at him with a docile smile. His face had a shimmering to it, like he wasn't fully there. Like everything was a dream.

Where was Trinity? I needed to go find Trinity. She would know what to do.

"Trinity?" I called out softly to whoever would listen as I remembered that she wasn't anywhere near. I needed to see her.

"Mom. I'm going outside now." I bumbled to my passed out mother with no response. I wasn't going to wait for my dads go-ahead, I just needed to get out of this bubble I was in. I felt calm, but not a good calm, the kind of calm you face when you can think of anything. The kind of calm you feel when your mind is unable to do anything useful with its information. I trotted out the door of our apartment, slowly coming back to my senses, the initial confusion of the drug wearing off into a dull mental impotency.

The hallway was poorly lit, with only a few wall-mounted lights flickering on to guide my way to the stairs. As I nearly stumbled down the five flights, I steadied myself, remaining calm, but at the same time trying to keep my sense of myself. My attitude, my emotions, my personality. Sometimes it felt like the drug sucked "me" right out of...well...me.

I hit the lobby  with speed, nearly galloping out the door into the bright streets of Baltimare. Ponies of all sizes and colors trotted, walked and cantered through the streets, running errands and going about their daily business. I quickly flew left, reaching one of the back alleys near her apartment building.

The city was unique. On one side of the river, the city bloomed with freshness, businesses flourishing, tall white towers, marble buildings, expensive suburbs. On the other side of the river, the population lived in disarray. Trash littered the streets, pan-handling ponies wrestled for whatever bits fell from the pockets of rich travelers, and dirty apartment blocks like

mine reached skyward from the squall. It wasn't pleasant, but we managed. The only way to the rich district was through the use of one bridge, with rumors persisting that it was meant that way.

"Hey! Filly! Wanna buy some apples?" A peddler called out, trying to sell rotten apples to whoever was desperate enough to buy them. I dodged past, not wanting to get too close to the creepy old stallion. As I followed the backstreets to avoid traffic and more peddlers, I passed more apartment blocks, similar to mine, either equally or more broken down. I reached the waterfront quickly, but I was exhausted from the slowing effects of the medication. The back wall of a large white manor loomed on the other side of the wide river, its ornately cut marble pillars supporting a marvel of engineering. I looked around, spotting a tree stump. Even in my altered state I couldn't forget the stump. Trotting over to it, I grabbed a hold of the heavy rope wrapped around its midside, dragging the loose excess from the water and tying it several more times around the stump until it was nearly taut to a connection to the other side, its slack hanging about a foot from the surface of the water. The low end had been using devices such as this to access the other side of the river for decades, even if it was horribly illegal. Luckily, this one was placed in a bend in the river, blocking off most outside viewing of it and making it one of the safer passages.

I wrapped all four of my hooves around the rope, taking a deep breath as I began to slowly climb across the slow moving river. Even if it was moving slow, the river was deep, and held dangerous undercurrents, so I kept all four of my hooves secured tightly to the rope. As I neared the middle, the rope began to sag slightly, submerging my backside in the cold water. I shivered slightly as the water began to flow higher and higher, closing in on my mouth. Soon the water was covering my face, but my muzzle stayed dry. If the rope drooped any lower, I might have to go back until the river was lower.

Luckily, I felt the water begin to recede as I neared the other side. My hooves hit dirt and I pulled myself to shore, finding better hoof-holds as I went. I collapsed on the muddy shore, gasping for breath. I looked up, the manor still looming above me. The backside was nearly completely flat, and only one window existed on its surface, high up in the attic area.

"Trinity." I called out softly, still gasping for breath as I tried to gather more strength to yell. "Trinity?"

Maybe she was at school. Maybe she was out with her parents or something? Suddenly the small round window in the attic opened up, swinging outward on cleaned hinges, and a small light blue unicorn popped out, a perfectly straightened mane of white and silver fell out beside her.

"Pinkie! Oh dear Celestia." The small voice called out worriedly, "Here c'mon in! Go through the side gate, I'll let you through."

"But aren't your parents home?" I called out weakly as I pushed myself up from the ground. Trinity's parents never really approved of bringing the other half into the house, they were much too high class for that. I heard Trinity's voice yell out from inside the house.

"No, they're both at work!"

I trudged over to a small metal gate built into a brick wall overgrown with vines and other foliage. I closed the gate behind me as I entered, walking slowly amongst the beautiful cherry trees that covered their walled off lawn. A cobblestone path led straight to their front door, with its intricate marble steps.

What I would give just to live in the garden of this manor.

I reached their frosted glass front door, giving it a tentative knock. I jumped back as a small buzzer sounded, and a hidden speaker spoke up.

"C'mon in, doors unlocked now." Trinity's voice came in over the speaker as I pushed open the door and entered the cool air-conditioned marble palace.

A spectacularly decorated hallway greeted me, with mirrors and art lining its walls. I closed the door behind me, feeling the automated lock click in place. Suddenly I was assaulted from behind, hooves wrapping around my body with gusto.

"Pinkie!" I heard Trinity scream in delight, "I'm so glad you came!"

I smiled weakly, turning to give her a hug back.

"Hey Trinity." I said, my voice weak and shaky, "How are you?"

Trinity suddenly looked concerned, her smile disappearing as she examined my eyes and my mane.

"Pinkie," She started, running a hoof through my hair, feeling its unnatural softness, "Are you okay?"

Part of my wanted to scream at her that I wasn't okay, plead with her to help me escape this mental prison I felt like I had suddenly inhabited.

"Yeah, I'm fine." My mouth said.

Ugh.

"They didn't give you that pill did they?" Trinity asked, an eyebrow quirked, "You know, the one that makes you all weird?"

I nodded, not trusting my mouth to tell her what was going on. She looked confused.

"So they did or they didn't?" She asked for clarification.

I nodded again, and she realized, a bothered look on her face.

"I can fix it, but only on one condition." She spoke in mock slyness to me, causing my interest to pique, despite my desperation. "If you watch some of the sweet new magic tricks I learned!"

P<<<

Trinity mixed up the small purple concoction in her beaker and poured it into a glass.

"The last time you came over looking like that, I said I would help remember?" She said as I nodded in affirmation, "Well I talked to this rich doctor guy that my parents work with, and he told me how to mix up a nice little healing potion!"

She passed the glass to me. I stared at it blankly, a dead look in my eyes as I zoned out.

"Pinkie," Trinity pressed the cup against my muzzle and I snapped back into focus, "Drink it."

I bit it and tipped it back, letting the thick purple goo flow down my throat. I nearly gagged on this stuff, but forced myself to drink it down. As I put the glass down I sat back on my haunches, feeling my stomach growl and twist, and let out a little burp. Trinity laughed.

Suddenly I felt my hair begin to spring up, and my mind cleared like a violent wind pushing away storm clouds. My body tingled with a pleasant freshness and I felt my personality explode into its normal self. Suddenly my mane sprung upwards, its twists and curls intertwining like normal.

"You look better already!" Trinity laughed at me, a smile growing on her face.

"Well boy do I feel better!" I chimed back, "Thank you so much Trinity!"

"No problem Pinkie, but you know the rules." She said in anticipation.

"Wait what rules? We don't have rules silly!" I smiled at her.

"Just come upstairs and watch my magic tricks!" She laughed as I followed her up a spiral staircase to the top floor, where her room resided.

Trinity was sometimes the only pony I considered a true friend. Sure, there were those times where I played with the colts and filly's around my neighborhood, but they never seemed to smile or have fun. All they would ever do was get mad at things and break stuff. I didn't like breaking anything, I just wanted to see people happy and excited like me!

As Trinity opened the white-washed wooden door to her room, I remembered exactly why I loved it here. Her room was an exquisite marriage of high-class living and fun. Though it wasn't large, or painted colors or anything, it had boxes and boxes of stuffed animals and other play supplies. A velvet sheeted bed sat near the singular window that Trinity had peeked out of to speak to Pinkie.

"Okay Pinkie, check this out!" Trinity said and she rolled a large box into the center of the room, its freshly polished wheels running cleanly over the hardwood floor.

"Oooooh" I let out in wonder, "Whats THAT? Does it have candy in it?"

"It's a magic box!" Trinity laughed out as she picked up a small stuffed pony from her bed, "I will now place Mr. Wubbles in the magic box!"

I watched in badly hidden excitement as Mr. Wubbles floated into the box, glowing with Trinity's magic.

"Now! I will make him disappear!" she announced in her loud strong voice, "And he will never be seen from again!"

I gasped in mock horror as she closed the box and tapped it's side three times, chanting strange words and phrases. After she wash finished she opened the box, threw up her hooves and yelled, "Tada!"

I looked inside.

Mr. Wubbles' bead eyes looked back.

"Uh, Trinity?" I began, laughter gurgling in my throat. Trinity looked into the box and uttered a curse word as she feel to the floor with me, laughing by my side.

Trinity was my only true friend, and it was hard to believe she even wanted to be mine. Trinity had always lived the high life, on the high side of Baltimare, but somewhere along the line she developed some rebellion, some buck in her bark. Ever since we had met about a year before, Trinity had always wanted to be a traveling performer, but her parents insisted she attend the Baltimare School for the Gifted. Her battle still continued even to this day as she worked her way through school with minimal grades, using her free time to practice her magic and refine her technique. As her magic consumed her school work, she also found it difficult to make time for friends.

I had met Trinity completely by chance, and I often say it was fate that brought us together.

One day, I had had a particularly bad fight with my sister, and stormed out of the house, eager to escape everything. As I wove my way confusedly through back alleys and side streets, I found myself sitting at the same bank I had just crossed today. Only, at this time, there was no rope, only two stumps and a soggy riverbank. As I had walked forlornly down the river, I head a voice call something to me. Looking across I say the top window of the manor open, and a small voice screaming:

"Hello!"

to me from across the river. I stopped and waved, greeting her back before her parents pulled her inside and closed the window. I sighed and moved on, walking home, only to come back the very next day, hoping to see that same filly again. I didn't know why. I guess it was really the only time anyone had made a kind gesture to me like that, especially from the other side. I mean, people had been...nice...i guess, by maybe saying hello once or twice, but nothing more than that. People never really appreciated my hyperactivity.

I walked down to the river the next day at about the same time, minding my own business, but secretly hoping that she would be there in the window to say hello again. Instead of her being in the window, the next greeting came from directly across the river.

"Hey!" It called happily as I looked over, "Catch!"

Suddenly a rope flew about halfway over the river, emblazoned in the small unicorns magic. A loud huff was heard from the other side of the river, and I laughed to myself. She pulled the rope back to try again.

"You can do it!" I yelled over to her, happiness in my voice as she concentrated hard, her horn beginning to glow and over charge. Suddenly the rope flew through the air quite quickly, making it with a decent amount of slack over the river. I grabbed it.

"What now?" I asked.

"Tie it to that stump!" She responded as she tied her end to a stump on her side. I quickly found my stump and tied the rope around it, keeping it taut. As she tested the rope with her hoof I nearly peed myself with anticipation.

"Give me one minute!" She called over happily to me as she grabbed hold of the rope and began to hoist herself over. slowly she made progress, only getting slightly wet from the water.

As she reached my side, I leaped forward, eager to meet her. I bounced up and down, chanting my name as she caught her breath.

"What, are, you saying?" She panted.

"My name!" I squealed back, "Pinkie! Pinkie Diane Stone!"

"Well," the young blue had said as she sighed, her breath caught, "It's nice to meet you Pinkie, I'm Trinity!"

"Nice to meet you too Trinity!" I chanted in utter bliss. She seemed nice, and non-destructive. I asked her why she had called to me over the river. She said she really didn't know, she just felt like she had to. Trinity smiled as she said she was glad she did.

Over the next year we had followed the same routines, popping up unexpected, or organizing times. I told her I wasn't sure if I could really plan things out properly, because my home situation wasn't very flexible. She said she didn't know if she could either, conditions were just as strict for her at home, albeit in a different way.

I told her we would make time, and she nodded knowingly back.

Some days we would eat sandwiches at her place. Some days she would race me through the dingy back roads of the low side. Either way, no matter what we were doing, we had fun together. She showed me her magic one day, very proud to perform it, and from that point on I demanded to be shown magic every time we hung out. She gladly obliged.

Of course, there were the days where my medication would get in the way, making me dead or emotionless, but on those days she did her best to play with me and cheer me up, even if I could barely laugh.

For the most part however, everything was just perfect. Now today, she had helped me once more with her strange healing potion. I could come here now when I needed to feel better.

As Trinity put away her last card trick, I gave her a big hug from behind, signing into her beautiful mane.

"You're awesome Trinity." I smiled as I closed my eyes.

She laughed, turning to face me.

"You're awesome too Pinkie, but remember what you have to call me when I'm doing my magic?" She said, another sly grin on her face.

"You're awesome..." I started with laugh, eventually breaking down into fits of laughter as I finished my sentence, "Great...pfft... and Powerful Trixie!"

"What!?" She said, a sliver of worry in her voice, "Is it that stupid? Is the name stupid?"

"No!" I exclaimed between laughter, "You just make me this happy!"

As I walked home that night, my back slightly wet from the river crossing, it began to dawn on me that it was quite late. The sun was nearly down and street lamps glowed everywhere. If I didn't get home soon, I could be in BIG trouble. Very VERY big trouble.

As I reached my apartment, I slowly sulked through the lobby and up the rusted stairs. As I reached our apartment piece, I sighed and took a deep breath, ready to hold it until I got to my room. Just to be safe. The door was surprisingly quiet when I walked in, not even offering a squeak (to my eternal good fortune). As I crept through the kitchen, avoiding what I knew were squeaky spots, I heard the telltale snore of my mother lying on the couch, most likely blacked out from drinking too much. Almost there. Alm-

"Pinkie." My fathers deep voice came softly from the corner of the kitchen, "Where were you?"

I gulped. No no no no no no no n-

"Out, playing." I said, my voice trembling.

"You're very late." He said darkly, a sinister and evil undertone to his voice, like he had been planning this.

"I'm sorry..." I pressed out as my lungs and heart felt like they would burst. I was going to die. Tonight I would die.

"Come with me." He said as I saw his silhouette move down the hallway to his bedroom. I stood locked in my place.

Not again. Please dear Celestia not again.

"Pinkie." he ordered again. This time I complied, my small form following him to my doom.

"Lay on the bed." He grouched as he closed the door behind us.

I did as I was told as he took his place over me. He leaned down and kissed my neck sensually, his disgusting breath washing over my face like an ocean of trash.

"Just do what you want Daddy." I managed to squeeze out, "I just want to go to bed."

P<<<

Later that night, I couldn't sleep. I just sat on the floor of my bedroom, staring blankly into the darkness. My thoughts weren't mangled or jumbled. I didn't have any thoughts at the moment. It didn't take medication. It didn't take drugs. It took an event.

Suddenly a thought popped into my head.

I stood up, walking silently over the the windowsill. Opening the window I looked out over the city, the warm air once again caressing my face and weary body. Another idea pushed into my empty skull, bringing me closer. I climbed onto the window ledge, looking down to the alley below. Five stories down, I imagined a giant bulls-eye painted on the stone below, red and glowing. Ready for me to just disintegrate as I hit the bottom. No blood, no tears, no pain. Just, something other than this. Whatever this was. I looked back at my sisters in their beds, sleeping soundly, not knowing anything was wrong. I knew my dad liked Inky a lot too, but I wasn't sure if he...

"Pinkie!" I heard a voice whisper from below, alarmed "What are you doing?"

"Trinity?" I said as I looked down again. What was she doing here? She should have been at home sleeping.

"Pinkie get down! You're going to get hurt!" Trinity whispered up to me, "Get down!"

"I can't." I said, my voice dead and blank, "I need to do this."

"Pinkie! NO!" I heard her yell as I dropped from the windowsill, falling limply to the ground.

I felt a rush of wind around me as I plummeted straight down to the bliss of the ground below. But as suddenly as it hard started, it stopped, and I felt my body cupped by some large force, bringing me safely to the ground. When I opened my dull eyes, I say Trinity's horn steaming from over-exertion. She took deep breaths as she ran over to me. She wrapped her hooves around me, holding my body to her closely.

"No." She ordered firmly, tears in her eyes, "NO!"

"I'm sorry..."

"Don't be sorry! Just be okay." She said as she held me tighter, nuzzling her face into my curled mane, "Why would you do that? WHY?"

She was concerned, and rightfully so. I couldn't tell her. It was too wrong. Too dirty.

"Was it the meds again?" She harshly interrogated me, even though I felt her compassion showing through. I nodded a lame "yes". She slapped me softly.

"No it wasn't. Your mane is still poofy." She said in caring anger, "Tell me Pinkie! Please!"

I was shaking, my entire body nearly convulsing in nerves and strange feelings.

"Promise you won't tell anyone Trinity?" I managed weakly, "Ever?"

"Promise." She responded, looking straight into my eyes.

I took a deep breath, my body shaking.

"My dad..." I stopped, nervous.

"Pinkie, tell me."

"He does stuff." I beat around the bush.

"What stuff? Like weird stuff?" She responded, confused. I nodded, biting my bottom lip, tears forming out of stress.

"Like...bad stuff." I hinted closer.

"Drugs? Drinking?" She tried again before grabbing my face, "Pinkie you need to tell me!"

"He touched me! Okay?" I sobbed to her, resting my muzzle on her shoulder, biting it softly to stifle my crying.

"Oh my...Pinkie...like...did he..." She paused, "...all the way?"

I nodded, biting her shoulder harder.

"When?" She asked, more emotions flowing in her voice.

"Just now." I squeaked out, tears splashing onto her hide.

"Oh my...that's...Pinkie I'm so sorry...I'm so so sorry..." She started to cry herself.

"Don't be, it's not your fault. It's not at all."

"How many times has he done this?" She asked, holding me tighter to her body.

"I can't even remember...a lot of times..." I paused, trying to think through my muddied mind, "Sometime's he'll just come in to my room and tell me to follow him...or...or sometimes it's when I do something bad..." I started a new round of sobbing, "I feel so dirty Trinity..."

"Pinkie...we have to tell someone..." She told me slowly, "We-"

"No! You can't tell anyone!" I begged her, "You cant tell anyone!"

"Pinkie it's wrong! And gross! I don't want this to go on anymore." She said, pleading with me in her own way, "I can't just let this happen to you..."

I stayed silent, not sure what to say. She was right. It was wrong. It was gross.

"No one will help me Trinity. I'm a low-sider." I said, stating the bold facts to her. She shook her head.

"No, my parents can pay. They can get them to listen." Trinity begged, desperation in her voice, "We can help you. Just come home with me tonight. Please?"

As the city of Baltimare was suddenly drenched in a rainstorm, I reluctantly nodded.

After my energy-drained body was nearly dragged across the river, we reached her manor, entering through the same way she exited. A blanket rope hanging from the second story out her back window.

She wrapped me in a blanket, and brought me onto her soft warm bed. She grabbed my face in her hooves and looked me in the eyes.

"Pinkie stay here okay? Don't move. I'll be right back. Okay?" Trinity acknowledged my small nod and left the room to go speak to her parents. At first I didn't hear anything, but soon I heard raised voices in the lobby down the stairs. One sounded male, angry at Trinity for being up so late from what little I could hear. More raised voices, this time from Trinity. After quite a lengthy argument, I heard Trinity's small voice ring true through the house.

"GO LOOK AT HER!" She screamed with passion and tears. Suddenly a silence enveloped the house, and I heard footfalls on the steps. Trinity's door opened, and two large adult ponies, one blue, the other white, peeked their heads through the door, taking a look at me with judging eyes. I looked back at them, my eyes dull.

"Hi..." I offered weakly. Suddenly, their eyes seemed to soften. The mare looked at her husband and nodded, he nodded back knowingly. His head disappeared behind the door, and he could be heard going downstairs while the mare walked into the room, softly closing the door behind her.

"Hello Pinkie." she said, compassion in her voice, "I'm Trinity's mother. How are you feeling?"

Even between blankets I still shivered.

"Cold." I said lamely.

"Listen," The mare went on, "You're going to sleep here tonight, and tomorrow, we're going to go to EFS okay? Equestrian Foal Services?"

I nodded.

"Can I go to sleep now?" I asked, my brain worn out from the events of the day.

"Of course. Trinity will be in to sleep with you in a few minutes okay?"

"Okay." I confirmed as I rolled over in the warm bed, pressing my muzzle against the wall. I closed my eyes and felt myself drifting into sleep. I just don't ever want to go home. I will never go home. A few moments passed and I felt the bed shift as another pony climbed into bed with me.

"Trinity?" I asked, just to be sure.

"Yeah. It's me Pinkie." She responded softly as she wrapped her hoof over me, pressing her warm body close to mine.

"Hey Pinkie?

"Yeah Trinity?"

"I love you."

I turned around in bed, facing her.

"I love you too Trinity"

P<<<

The stage-coach moved slowly through the masses of ponies that clogged the streets on the lower-end. Some selling wares or goods, while others simply meandered, or had nowhere to go. Pinkie say with Trinity and Trinity's mother in the back of the carriage. The rain had ended during the night, but the city was still wet from the cloud's excess.

"So EFS will meet us there mom?" Trinity asked, looking up the the white mare.

"Yes honey. They'll be waiting." She responded absentmindedly, clearly bothered by how many "dirty low-siders" were clogging the streets.

"Pinkie?" Trinity nudged me, "You okay?"

I snapped out of my daze and looked at her.

"Ya I'm fine Trinity." I smiled to her, trying to be a genuine as possible. This was exciting, but at the same time it was scary. I wasn't sure exactly what would happen.

"Alright," The driver said from above, "we're here."

Trinity opened the door closest to the apartment, allowing us three to all slide out onto the streets, where a bright blue mare with neon pink hair greeted us.

Trinity's mother exchanged a greeting with the woman.

"I'm Mrs. Cake! It's good to meet you!" The EFS worker chimed out.

"I'm sorry for meeting you on such short notice Mrs. Cake, I'm sure you must be busy." Trinity's mother said to the mare as she brushed away the apology.

"Oh don't be sorry! This is my job." She said as she went down on her knees and looked at me. I looked her in the eyes.

"Hello! I'm Pinkie!" I greeted her warmly, happy to see a pleasant face.

"Well aren't you just a bundle of joy!" Mrs. Cake

"So what happens now?" Trinity asked her, eager to get on. Mrs. Cake let out a little laugh.

"Well My partner Mr. Cake is inside right now, I'm just going to take Pinkie inside for a bit." She stated nicely.

"Can I come?" Trinity asked, concern for her friend still apparent.

"I don't thi-" Mrs. Cake started, but was interrupted.

"Do I have to go inside?" I asked innocently. I wanted to make sure my sisters would be okay, but I didn't want to be in that apartment anymore, "Can't you just get Inky and Blinky and bring them out?"

Mrs. Cake paused, a worried look on her face.

"Well you see..." Mrs. Cake hesitated, "Your sisters may not be able to come with you."

I felt my chest tighten, constricting my breathing. My sisters needed to come with me. We were a family. I loved them, even Inky.

"What do you mean?" I asked, alarmed, "You can't just take my sisters away!"

The street seemed hotter now, the sun beating down on everyone like a molten hammer.

"Pinkie we've found a family for you, one that can take care of you," Mrs. Cake said understandingly, "but the don't make enough to support three young fillies. Only one."

Trinity spoke up.

"Well what family? Where are you taking her?" She questioned Mrs. Cake, "Do they live in Baltimare?"

"I can't answer any of those questions." Mrs. Cake shook her head, "But she'll be in the best hooves, tru-"

Suddenly there was a commotion at the apartment's lobby door and we all turned to observe it. Two white armored guards were guiding a very vocal stallion out into the street and into a barred wagon. I watched my father resist and struggle arrest, cursing and swearing up a storm. Suddenly he locked eyes with me.

"I'm going to get you for this Pinkie! I'm going to get you and by Celestia you're going to be sorry!" He screamed as they stuffed him into the barred wagon and hauled it off. Leaving the streets mumbling about what just happened.

A slender yellow stallion with orange hair followed a few more guards as they exited the building, Inky and Blinky following closely behind.

"Inky! Blinky!" I called out to them. Blinky waved to me while Inky just glared and kept walking. Where were they going?

"Mrs. Cake, cant I see them?" I asked, desperation in my voice., "Why are you taking them away?"

"Pinkie you need to understand it's better this way." Mrs. Cake said sincerely, not a hint of malice in her voice. Looking back I'm not sure if she was right or not. But I'm still here today. The yellow stallion loaded my sisters into another waiting stahe-coach and closed the door. It drove off to another unknown location.

"Mrs. Cake," I pleaded, tears forming in my eyes, "where am I going?"

"You're coming with us Pinkie." She said softly, trying to be as kind as possible, "But...it's not going to be here in Baltimare..."

Trinity's eyes opened wide.

"You mean, she's leaving?" She began to raise her voice, "You can't just take her away!"

Trinity's mother grabbed her child and held her closer, trying to calm her.

"Pinkie needs to go now." Her mother whispered kindly. Looking back I expected to see some mean intent, or relief in her face when it was said that I had to leave, but she knew I needed a better life than this. Baltimare was no city for a filly like me.

"You ready to go now?" Mr. Cake chided in softly as he approached Mrs. Cake.

"Just a moment, I think these two need some time." Mrs. Cake told him knowingly. He nodded as the three adult mares split off from Trinity and I, having a conversation to the side while they left us to talk.

"Pinkie..." Trinity started, tears forming in her beautiful eyes, "I don't want you to leave."

"I know Trinity." I nuzzled my face closer to hers, "But it has to be this way."

Trinity's mouth hung open.

"Pinkie, what are you saying?" She seemed hurt, "I don't know what I'm going to do without you. Who's going to watch me preform? Or just...be my friend?"

"You'll be famous one day. You'll have all the friends in the world. I promise." I wiped a tear from her eye as her mouth still hung agape, "Trixie."

"But...Pinkie...I love you..."

My eyes glistened with tears as my chest tightened once more.

"I..." I choked, "I love you too Trinity..."

I felt a hoof on my back.

"It's time to go Pinkie." Mrs. Cake said sympathetically behind me.

"No please, Mrs. Cake no." Trinity pleaded, "You can't ju-"

She was interrupted by a kiss on her muzzle, soft and caring. It lasted for only a moment, but the emotions that were shared between that action would be with her the rest of her life.

"I'll see you again. Okay?" I told my only friend, "Okay?"

She nodded, tears pouring down her cheeks as I was hustled by a nearly crying Mrs. Cake into yet another stage-coach. I hopped inside as she entered into the front seat, with Mr. Cake jumping in on the other side.

"I'm going to miss you Pinkie..." my friend said sadly, her tears still dribbling down to the ground.

"When I see you again, I want you to be famous okay?" I said to her, trying to lighten the mood, but failing horribly as my own eyes were moist and I was beginning to sob. I closed the door, still looking at her through the window. She waved as the stage-coach began to move. I waved back through the rear window. She waved until she fell to the ground, screaming in rage and anger amongst sadness as we rode down the street. Further and further through Baltimare.

Soon she was out of sight.

The stage-coach was quiet, but Mr. Cake broke the silence.

"So you're sure about Ponyville?" He asked her.

She nodded, "We can finally start the business there, and there isn't much competition. We would be able to make enough to support her there."

I felt something deep in my subconscious move. Like some sort of survival reset button had been activated. I felt a deep calmness come over me, like I had no cares in the world. My entire body tingled with a strange energy.

SNAP

P<<<

What happened?

You were hypnotized, remember?

Oh. Ya. How long was I under?

Several hours. You told me a lot. I have a couple questions.

Shoot doc.

Do you remember a small filly named Trinity?

Uh...nope. If I did I woulda' remembered.

How about the name Trixie. Does that ring a bell?

Yup. She was that really bossy mean pony that came in and you showed her up with magic right?

Yes... I think we need to talk to her.

Why?

You might be interested in what she has to say.