Author's Note

HOOOZAH!

Hello my dear friends.... are you ready for some God drama? Are you ready to finally hear why Pinkamena is such a ~~stick-in-the-mud~~ about love? Yeah? Well here you go... all of Pinkamena's thoughts and 🔥 anger 🔥 thrown out into the open for your perverted mind to read!

HOOOZAH!

I even went so far as to get a picture for this chapter... so you can see the Gods in their natural habitat! (Tell me if you cannot see it... for some reason they keep going missing <.<)

I had to say my favorite God to write for was the Goddess of Beauty, but Nike and Demeter were fun to write for in other rough drafts.. hehehehe...

Anyways, this is Pinkamena's chapter so YES it will be chaotic... and YES it will be drama filled and YES it will answer your questions. Here is my advice: Pay.Attention.To.The.Riddle

Did you see it? No? Okay, wipe those streaks off your screen.

The

Riddle

Is

Important

Remember it, clues will be scattered all over the next chapters released. Every single word in that riddle means something, literally or figuratively!

Now my friends, sit back, relax.. and enjoy the ride... because dear God... we are going into drama land... ~~*clicks your seat-belt*~~

Three.
Two.
One.

"I do NOT want to be in an alliance with HER!" Athena 2019

Pinkamena

Pinkamena was in so much pain... the crushing feeling of her weighing lungs filling up with blood and the struggle to breathe every second made her want to sob. Unfortunately sobbing required air... air she didn't have, and she could only wheeze and limply drag her hooves along Surprise's rib-cage like a paralyzed slug.

This is embarrassing... I cannot even speak, I just have to be carried like a stupid bag groceries by a crazy cyborg who cut off my leg! I STILL remember that Surprise... and even though I cannot glare at you very well, I am going to angrily twitch my lip at you and hope you get the message! Pinkamena weakly tried to curl her lip when Surprise looked back at her, and she internally growled when the pegasus grinned.

"Just keep smiling Pinkamena... we will get you all patched up! I'll even fix you up a nice warm stew!"

Buck you... I... well I do not hate you... but I am not excited about your existence. Pinkamena looked towards Athena who was climbing over cracked stone stairs as she parted jungle-like leaves with her spear. The griffon was unique, for Pinkamena had never seen one like her. Probably because she was well... a Goddess... but a purely white and black griffon? Strange indeed. Pinkamena would have assumed Athena would have been some giant owl, with those pesky red and yellow eyes staring at you while beating you over the head with a book and saying "See my glasses? I know everything!"

"Should we take a break and check on Pinkamena?" Athena asked, as the cyborg nodded and turned to her with a soft smile. "Place her gently on this bush here... we will make sure her condition has not gotten worse."

Surprise lifted Pinkamena off her back with telekinesis as the demon was sat on a scratchy bush. I swear to the Gods Athena... if you let this psychopath touch me... I will personally let Poseidon and Medusa into your temple and let them bang again! Surprise gently ran her hoof along Pinkamena's side but the Demi-God had no strength to move or revolt against it. Don't touch me.. I know karate, judo, jujitsu, kung fu, and twenty other dangerous WORDS!

Words she couldn't say at the moment...

"I scanned her... all this movement going up the mountain is only making things worse... what do we do Athena?" Surprise asked as she stroked her stomach affectionately making the demon internally scream.

"We will have to be creative and think outside the box, we cannot get to my temple without going up the mountain and I assumed flying there would only make it worse from here."

I am sorry... you want SURPRISE to think outside the box...? She cannot think inside the box or outside the box.. she does not even know where the BOX IS!

"Well... we could always attach her to one of my rockets and send her up there... or... possibly that might... rip her apart... painfully... ummm." Surprise said, tapping her chin as Pinkamena mentally face-hoofed.

Dear God... this... THIS is the sperm that won?

"You're an odd screw Surprise... but I appreciate the enthusiasm." Athena giggled, as the Goddess looked up the mountain where a large swirling vortex of storm clouds invaded the land from the north. "We must hurry, the longer we are out here the more we are exposed."

She's not an odd screw... the whole freaking toolbox is gone, Athena. Pinkamena felt a sharp pain in her chest, which caused Surprise to rush over and examine her. If you touch me... I will personally ask the fates to give you a heart attack during a party when you decide to play charades. Surprise opened up her control panel before her cyborg eye became active again. A giant red light burst from the socket, dividing into sections as Surprise invaded the demon's privacy and started to go low... a little too low. You go any lower... I am going to donate your robot parts to an orphanage so they can make you into something USEFUL.

"Mena... please stop glaring at me like you want to hurt me... I am just trying to help.. I had no idea this would happen... I'm so sorry." Surprise said with a quivering voice, as her ears drooped along with her head. "I.. I promise I will fix this... I told you I wouldn't let anything happen to you... and I take that very seriously."

Yeah WELL, I would slap you but I am paralyzed and hitting you would be animal abuse... so I guess you're off the hook. Pinkamena stirred when Athena flew up into the air and collected a few globs of clouds that were not sectioned off with the massive storm brewing.

"Ah here... we can make a comfortable transport made of clouds... that shouldn't irritate her condition, as long as we push with an air draft... because touching it could scatter the materialized water vapor and drop her." Athena explained, as the griffon gently brought the raft of clouds to Surprise who shaped it. "Place her on the clouds and then use your wings to gently push an airflow through the cloud to move it. Careful you do not let her bump into the mountain... I mean it."

Pinkamena was placed onto the cloud, as Surprise gently flapped her wings to cause a slight gust. The cloud moved, as Athena carefully watched the cyborg before redeeming that her plan was working and continued leading.

"So... Mena... we didn't really get to talk much when we went for a flight.. do... do you think we could do it again? I want to know more about you... I want to become friends... even though I know you really don't like me.. I always seem to mess things up." Surprise whispered, as Pinkamena mentally snorted.

You enslaved your planet... you kill for fun... and to top it off, you have no moral compass. You honestly think you are just messing up? I don't make friends with warlords, especially ones that care nothing about the ponies around them. You do not fool me Surprise, I am sure you had plenty of allies in the past.... but once they ticked you off you disposed of them.

Surprise looked upset. "Your eyes are so revealing Pinkamena... you cannot keep your emotions hidden very well. I... know what you are thinking... you probably are questioning my past... and the actions I make... b..but... I swear... I only act this way because I don't know any different..."

Really? You don't know any different? You have NO clue to not kill innocent ponies, or to have the common decency to resort to something other than violence? I saw that nuke... do you know how many ponies you would have killed? You didn't even think twice about it... you have NO morals Surprise! If I stood in-between you and a pony you despised, you wouldn't put the gun down.. you wouldn't have the strength... you'd SHOOT me to take him down! You don't make friends, you create pawns!

Perhaps Pinkamena's thoughts were a bit harsh. Fortunately there isn't a giant group of individuals reading my every thought and judging everything I am thinking! Phew! But seriously, Surprise gave her that giant sob story and for a while there Pinkamena had a bit of a soft soft. When she saw that nuke, immediately she knew it didn't matter if she was under the control of that artificial whatever. She was not any different.

Killing for no reason... killing for fun... killing for pleasure was what Surprise did.

That nuke would have blown up Hera, and Pinkamena herself. I don't want to hear any of that... I was in the moment crap either, no pony would reach for a planet-destroying NUKE!

I am no fool Surprise... you will never change.

Surprise was staring deep in her eyes... almost like she understood everything she was thinking even though she knew that was impossible. Pinkie Pie had always said my eyes were the magnifying glass to my emotions... to my soul, where small font words were printed across my heart for her to read. Another reason I couldn't stay in my world... I promised I would never leave her... but it's too painful... being around her anymore. She could tell Pinkamena was off ever since.... that incident...

Don't think of it Pinkamena... every time I do... I get even more depressed. At least the Pinkie Pie here is like a fresh, clean slate... no epic adventure, no confusing feelings, no scars from words she had said, and that incident never happened... it's as close as she can get to the Pinkie Pie before all that.

But her eyes... always betrayed her... she was an open book when it came to emotions.

"What are you thinking about, Mena?" Surprise asked quietly, and gently, as the Demi-God watched her teammate guide her cloud wheelchair up the mountain after Athena. "Don't worry... I won't judge, I never will."

Leave me alone. The last pony I'd want to talk to would be you. Besides, I did this... I did this to Pinkie Pie because I was scared... I did this twice... because I am a coward! Her biggest enemy was never Celestia, or the Tree, even Gaia or Lucifer... it was herself... a foe she has not yet defeated.

Pinkamena felt her cheek growing wet but was unable to wipe away the tear. She was a little shocked when Surprise gently used the back of her hoof to caress her cheek before doing it for her.

"Please... please don't cry... why are you so sad? I know you are hurting... but... I don't know why. I want to make you happy again."

HAPPY? You know what would make me happy? For you to run into a wall! Dear God... ponies are so ungrateful they have no idea how much patience it takes for me not to hurt them! Suddenly Pinkamena's eyes grew wide, but she was unable to make a sound of alarm as her cloud rammed itself into a wall. I hate karma.

"Ooops! Ugh... I just keep messing up... I get so distracted!" Surprise yelled out in frustration, as she caught Pinkamena's limp body in her forelegs. She reformed the clouds with her telekinesis before placing the furious demon back on her throne of embarrassment. I wish I could roll my eyes at you or at least ask you to do it for me... in the sense of a miracle you might find a brain back there too!

Athena poked her head out from behind the rocky wall. "You let her hit the mountain, didn't you."

Surprise gave her an annoyed look, as the Goddess tapped her spear on the final step. She gestured towards the golden temple at the tip of the mountain, with the storm clouds miles and miles away but a gentle rain falling from the grey clouds above them. A shiny orb of magic covered the temple, which Pinkamena assumed was because it was protected by Athena herself as a safehouse.

"Come. The Gods are waiting for us, and it looks like Hephaestus is already making himself at home... in my temple.." Athena said with a bit of a snarl. "I spent eons planting those olive trees in there... his smoke better NOT be killing them!"

Hmmm.. Hephaestus is the God of fire, metal-working, and smithing. I heard he was so ugly, he was thrown from Mount Olympus by his own parents... touchy... Pinkamena was taken into the temple, before being swallowed by the thick smoke the God was producing. Ugh, I can't see anything... what is he doing smoking a massive jo-

Pinkamena nearly cringed when she heard a deep voice balling deep within the temple. Pinkie Pie was carefully and awkwardly stroking the claw of a massive black dragon, who was snorting smoke from his nostrils. He had an obsidian scaly skin, along with two black and jagged wings clamped to his sides. Two horns curled downwards and then out from his head, along with two fins flapping against his skull when he took a breath.

His arms covered his orange and red eyes, as his mouth opened revealing jagged and sharp teeth. His tongue looked like it was covered in glowing lava, even though no fire was present.

"We... are all going to die!" Hephaestus yelled as Athena waved the smoke from her face. "All because my MOTHER is a crazy and insane Goddess that poisons her husband after she seduces him!"

"Ahh quit yer cryin, Hephaestus. Hera was always a little loony, with Zeus cheatin on her and yee being disowned after standing up for the mortals... she was bound ta pop her lid bwhahaha!"

A bulky earth pony leaned against a bar counter, with about a million shot glasses piled around him. He had a drunken blush, with a short milk chocolate brown coat and shaggy dark brown hooves. He had a build a lot like Rockhoof, with a white streak running down his muzzle and a lumber-jack like beard. His mane and beard were dirty blond, along with the symbol of a God as a Cutie Mark which was made up of a vine-like leaf reef wrapped around a beer mug.

"Dionysus are you honestly intoxicated when there happen to be a war raging the planet and on Olympus, that is imperiling the Gods and mortals like my friend here?" Athena accused, rubbing her forehead with her claw as the dragon continued to bawl curled up against the temple's wall.

"Yee askin the God of wine if he's drunk? Yer crazy if you think I am not going to drink at a time like this. Zeus has been slain, and so I am drinkin in his honor. Or I'm not... just tryin ta de-stress a little like the big 'ol cry dragon over there."

Dionysus took a swig out of a bottle of whiskey before unknowingly spilling his drink all over his chest and beard. Athena flicked her claw and the bottle was magically slapped out of Dionysus's hooves, causing the God to give her an odd look before whipping out another bottle.

"Yer just going to frustrate yourself, yee know I brought spares."

Athena growled. "Okay... moving on, Hephaestus do you transpire to have ambrosia? My friend Pinkamena was assailed by Hera, and she is very wounded."

"In stupid mortal, please." Hephaestus said.

"Do. You. Have. Ambrosia?"

Sheesh... Athena's vocabulary is very... intense when addressing the Gods... just must be how they speak to each other back on Olympus. Athena was the Goddess of wisdom, perhaps that little thought about her beating Pinkamena over the head with a book was not completely fantasy... or at least not for Hephaestus.

"Uhhh... actually... I don't... Demeter asked to have mine so she could help the alliance meet back here in the temple. A ton of them still haven't made it out of Olympus." The dragon said, "After all... most of us are very wounded from trying to fight off the Gods."

"We need it stat... Pinkamena is on thin ice." Athena said as Pinkamena was gently lifted into Hephaestus's claws. The dragon leaned over the Demi-God before cocking his head.

"This... This is the Demi-God that fought Lucifer... right?"

"Pinkamena!" Pinkie Pie cried, flapping her wings until she was able to land on the God's claw. "What happened? Are you okay, why aren't you speaking.... who did this to you?"

"Oof, yee have a bad wound there little Demi-God, but don't yee worry yer sweet mane about it. I have a Goddess coming down that happens to be bringing medical supplies, she should be here any minute." Dionysus said, before suddenly appearing next to Athena in a puff of smoke. "Yer gonna love it Athena!"

"I have a baaaaaad feeling about this..." Pinkie Pie said as the metal-working God hid his giant head behind the pink pegasus.

"Who did you invite to the alliance? I told you I am the only one recruiting!" Athena said, pushing off the drunk God as she stared at the door when she heard hoof-steps and humming. "Dionysus, I swear to me... if that is who I think it is-"

The door burst open, as an Alicorn flipped her soaked mane back with a cheeky smile. "What's up bitches?"

Athena and Hephaestus went pale.

The God of wine burst out laughing, before stomping his hoof in amusement. Hephaestus trembled before nervously looking at Athena and whispering to her through clenched teeth. "Seriously.... he brought her? Literally out of three thousand one hundred and forty-two GODS and Goddesses he HAD to bring her?"

The Alicorn grinned. "Hey, ya'll it's me Aphrodite! You know... you know the Goddess that always is a ten out of ten? You know... me... the stunning Goddess of-"

"We KNOW who you are!" Athena snapped.

"Oh phew... because I was a little worried when I didn't see any of you faint from my presence... I mean do you know how annoying that is for every pony to faint when you walk by? I know I am gorgeous but like chill... I just wanna chat and like... eat a low-carb vegan salad with low fat and organic balsamic vinaigrette ya know?

"Please... please throw yourself off the mountain... there's the door." Athena said pointing a claw behind Aphrodite, as the Goddess happily bounced up to the griffon.

"Oh my goodness Athena... have you been using anti-aging cream? I-I mean you look totally great, not a day after fifty! With your wrinkles, that's totally awesome! Good job Thena-bena! Loooove you!"

Dionysus laughed, as Aphrodite bat at the griffon's ear forcing Athena's face to grow red with rage.

Pinkamena was speechless. Aphrodite is the Goddess of beauty, but I have never seen her up close before! She is stunning... and even though I am not into mares... I can't help but be awestruck! The Goddess had long flowing braided hair with fading and bright colors in her mane, along with a cherry blossom pink short furred coat that almost looked white. She had tufts of hair on her hooves that were perfectly styled, along with a long and curved horn coming out from her head.

Her tail was unique, with a long furry base along with black stripes and a gathering of warm fur at the tip that matched her mane. Her body looked so soft, and perfectly shaped with a toned stomach and muscular legs.

Her wings were the most unique though... half butterfly and half feathered... a strange but beautiful combination that Pinkamena had never seen!

"Awww Athena don't look at me like that, I just want to touch your oily feathers! I have something for that you know... tea tree oil does wonders! I can help you look so much younger! We can't all be the Goddess of Beauty, but you can be the Goddess of Wisdom and have semi-beautiful feathers!"

"I swear, if you physically contact me one more time with your ignominious hooves I will break your hoof and proscribe you to live with the Cyclops!" Athena screeched, a hawk-like noise escaping her throat.

"Ooo, big words! Yay, you are the Goddess of Wisdom! Okay but seriously, why do you hate me? I am trying to help you not look like you rolled out of bed and tried to run through the Minotaur's labyrinth." Aphrodite giggled twisting the end of Athena's tail with her magic. "Besides hating on Goddesses is petty and I am trying to help the mortals out... they are sooo cute with their little romances!"

"OH I am petty???" Athena boomed, thunder crackling outside. "YOU slept with Ares our FU-" Surprise placed her hooves over Pinkamena's ears before she uncovered them allowing the demon to listen once more. "-ENEMY and caused a WAR among the Goddesses because you kept INSULTING them and bragging about your LOOKS!"

Dionysus spat out his drink. "Oof, now you've done it..."

Aphrodite puffed out her cheeks angrily. "Okay, first of all, that's not true..."

"It kinda is," Hephaestus whispered to Pinkie Pie.

"Second of all... you act like you are sooooo perfect because you are alllll smart and stuff but let me tell you ATHENA... you are the most petty Goddess of them all!" Aphrodite said, poking her hoof in the griffon's chest. "You are just jealous of me because I am prettier than YOU!"

Athena gawked. "How DARE you accuse me of such a ridiculous accusation-"

"Ummm hahaha, I am sorry... who was the Goddess that turned a pony into a gorgon because she was prettier than you? Cough I think her name was Athena!"

Athena was rising off the floor in rage as she flapped her wings and poked the Goddess in the chest. "I HAPPENED to turn her into a gorgon because SHE was disgracing my name by degrading herself in my temple with Poseidon! Don't you dare pretend to know my struggles when YOU go around degrading yourself just as much as Medusa!"

Aphrodite flapped her wings, so she was level with Athena. "Really? You think Medusa wanted to do all that in your temple... get off your high whatever... she was forced against her will you... you... airheaded oaf!"

"HA! Like you were forced to date Hephaestus?? Huh?? You bounce around from one pony to the other quicker then Dionysus drinks up a bar! You broke poor Hephaestus's heart when you ran off and banged Ares! The greatest day of my life was when you were caught in that net... and the entire domain of Olympus laughed at YOU."

Aphrodite was nearly at the ceiling now with glistening tears in her eyes. "You have no idea what my story is Athena! You have to right to judge my actions! I am the Goddess of Love! I cannot force myself to be in a relationship that Zeus made because he wanted me to marry someone who would degrade me! My heart is not something that can just be thrown around! I made a mistake and I'm SORRY, but I will not REGRET following the right path for myself!"

"Oh BOOHOO, so what if you're the Goddess of Love? Control your whoremones like the rest of us! We ALL have to suck it up and do things we don't want to do! That's part of being a Godd-"

"LADIES quit arguing! Pinkamena is DYING!" Surprise shouted.

Aphrodite flicked her ears before she wiped her eyes and smiled softly. "W-Wait THE Pinkamena.. nooo way!"

Oh come on Surprise... I could have lasted a little bit longer to see Athena and Aphrodite duke it out! They were sooo close to tearing out each other's fur! I knew the Gods had beef... but sheesh... that was not a cat fight... that was a full-blown war hahahaha! Pinkamena tried to smile but coughed up blood making her groan, but it came out more like a gargle. Aphrodite flew over to Hephaestus and landed on his claw. Wow... even up close she's still breathtaking... her amber eyes are practically glowing!

Aphrodite suddenly had something poof in her hoof as she cheesed at Pinkamena. "Hey there... wow you are really pretty you could almost rival me! Almost... but anyways, it's really lovely to meet you! Here... I've got some ambrosia, it should fix you right on up... and if not.. I'll nurse you back to health!

Pinkamena wheezed as she felt Surprise's grip on her foreleg tightening... Pinkamena turned her head to give Surprise a look of panic. Let go Surprise! Why are you squeezing me so hard.... that hurts OW Surprise... SURPRISE STOP! Surprise had a look of murder on her face... it nearly caused Pinkamena to wet herself... she didn't think the fluff-ball could produce such an evil and twisted glare like this ever in her life!

"Yeah no... Pinkamena already has a pony fixing her up... so if you don't mind giving me the ambrosia, so I can heal her that would be great... so yeah... give it... and leave... please." Surprise said in a low tone.

Aphrodite blinked before turning to Surprise and smiling. "Ooooh, you're the cyborg that turned everyone on your planet into slaves! The famous warlord that rivals even Ares's blood-thirst! Hi! Nice to meet you!"

The Goddess giggled after poking Surprise in the nose, making the cyborg annoyed. Aphrodite cocked her head before gently opening Pinkamena's mouth and pouring the golden liquid in a slow and manageable pace down her throat. Thank the Gods Surprise is letting her do this... that sadistic cyborg would have drowned me! Aphrodite is very gentle... and kind... she seems... misunderstood... in my opinion.

Surprise's ears were flattened as she watched Pinkamena guzzle down the ambrosia. "You aren't doing it right Aphrodite."

"Umm... I-I think I am? I mean... it seems to be working."

"Well, it's not because you aren't doing it right. Give it to me."

"N..No I don't think that's a good idea, only Demi-Gods and Gods can handle this stuff.. so please be patient."

Surprise reached for the ambrosia, but Aphrodite cut her off with her wing. As Pinkie Pie swooped in, "Hey... why don't we all just put a hoof on the ambrosia, so it's like we are all helping Pinkamena! Good idea right?"

Aphrodite, please don't let her win... she'll literally kill me... she is the worst at caregiving... trust me I have been through it before.... many times. The Goddess looked into her eyes... probably sensing her terrified movements and the begging in her eyes.

"Don't worry I got the message," Aphrodite whispered with a wink towards the demon. "Surprise... um... this will... umm... poison you if you touch it... uhhh yeah... like really bad... you'll get... an STD... umm a God STD that causes... rotting.... wings?"

"LIES!" Athena shouted from the back.

I can feel the ambrosia working... won't be long before I am fully healed... and it might be too late... I smell a storm brewing.

"Sooo you're a liar and a heartbreaker... I don't like you... I don't like you one bit. You'll never get a hug from me... or a party... and you sure as heck ain't getting to play with my partying cannon any time soon." Surprise growled as Pinkie Pie landed in front of Surprise who was starting to spark.

"Okay! Well, it was lovely meeting the new alliance members... let's all just relax, and have a cookie! I brought a few... tons actually... oooo, does anyone want to tell fun stories.... please?"

"Well, actually Miss. Robot, I love that you jump on the train to accuse Aphrodite along with the Goddess of needing anger management over there. Buuuut, who are you to judge me... when you literally slaughtered your friends Glory and Bow Tie and forced the nations to follow you when you scared them by piking their government leader's heads on a stake.... mmmm, in my book... that's a little worse than anything I did sweetie."

Surprise glared before a machine gun popped out of her left foreleg. "I am not like that anymore... I've changed!"

"Surprise..." Pinkie Pie nervously said as the lowered gun started to glow. "Seriously... please guys... let's just eat these cookies and have some fun!"

"Really you've changed? If you really have changed, what's the gun for?" Aphrodite asked casually as she pointed towards Surprise's foreleg. "It takes a strong pony to withhold their anger... but a weak pony will act on it."

It looked like Surprise's strongest urges were being severely suppressed, as the cyborg slowly began lifting her gun out of what Pinkamena assumed to be an instinctual reaction. But... she lowered it when it got too high... shocking Pinkamena as the cyborg looked to the ground with a furious gaze.

"I am not that pony anymore..." Surprise said softly, catching Pinkamena's gaze for just a split second.

"I sincerely hope you aren't Surprise, because I would love to be your friend!" Aphrodite chirped, as the Goddess turned back to Pinkamena and tipped up her chin. "You feeling any better, cutie?"

Well the look of murder is back on Surprise's face... what is her deal?

Surprise looked sick for a second before she stumbled over her words when she shouted them. "I could never be friends with a ball-sack Goddess!"

Athena squawked before bursting out in laughter along with Dionysus. "Oh my GODS she knows... SHE KNOWS!"

Aphrodite trembled with rage. "That's a MYTH!"

"No it's pretty much spot on... you were born when Uranus's severed genitals were thrown in the sea." Hephaestus said.

"First of all-" Aphrodite was interrupted by Surprise who had her hooves on her hips.

"Ball-sack Goddess!"

"I can't breathe.... I physically cannot breathe... Oh... my ribs hurt!" Athena cackled, leaning on the God of Wine who was stomping his hoof in a fit of laughter. "I really thought we were the only ones that knew about that HA!"

"FIRST of all, I think we ALL were born that way... be mature guys... it's the CIRCLE of life!" Aphrodite boomed pointing a hoof to the laughing Gods.

"Actually no... I was born from Zeus's splitting headache, you were literally born from a titan's stallion-hood being ripped off and thrown in the wheeze... freaking OCEAN!" Athena said, with a shortness of breath.

"Yee were born from the white foam... specifically the white sea foam Uranus's er... parts created." Dionysus added, making Surprise and Athena laugh harder.

"Come on guys... can we just please all be friends?" Pinkie Pie asked as Aphrodite scrambled to defend herself.

"Fine... FINE I was born from parts I shall not mention, but at least I was not so hideous I was disowned by my parents and thrown from Olympus! Or a shameless alcoholic, or even a worldwide serial killer with a party cannon, and to put the cherry on top a Goddess that scares away all the males because she talks down to everyone who isn't as smart as she is!"

Hephaestus furrowed his scaly eyebrows. "I feel attacked."

Athena crossed her eagle claws, "Sure we may be all that... but you know what you'll always be?"

I'm getting a little pissed off...

"Don't you say it-"

This needs to stop.

"A ball-sack Goddess!" Surprise cheered, blasting confetti in Aphrodite's face.

Aphrodite sat on her rump and wiped her eyes as tears started to fall down her cheeks. Pinkamena picked herself off of Hephaestus's protective claw and stood on her fours before ripping Surprise away from the Goddess. The cyborg was blowing a party favor at Aphrodite, but the device fell from her mouth when she saw the furious gaze the demon was producing.

"You know what? Enough with ALL of you! You Gods make me sick! Yeah, Aphrodite might be pretty... but that gives you no right to BULLY her whenever you feel like it! She has been nothing but cooperative this entire time, and she is trying her best to be friendly... but all of you pick on her, and it makes me want to VOMIT! Athena, you are the freaking Goddess of Wisdom that has lived for hundreds of YEARS! Grow UP!" Pinkamena shouted, standing in front of the sobbing Goddess as she scanned the room for anyone... ANYONE who dared to argue with her.

Disgusting... this is disgusting! The behavior of these Gods are so childish, so WHAT if Aphrodite was born that way? I know plenty of Gods who were born in worse ways, and she can't help how she was formed! So WHAT if she's stunning, you're going to encourage ponies that have blemishes to love themselves but HATE on the Goddess of Beauty because she looks better than YOU?

"So what if Aphrodite had a relationship with Aries, at least she will admit her mistake when half of YOU Gods won't even try and FIX an issue like being petty over a weaving contest and turning the poor defenseless winner into a SPIDER!" Pinkamena said, turning to rest her gaze on Athena as the Goddess shrank under her glare.

"You are really going to give her grief about this for the REST of her life? You ALL SERVE a God who has DOZENS even HUNDREDS of Demi-God children from sleeping around, and you can bet all of them were born the "natural way" like you bully Aphrodite about not being! Zeus CHEATS on his wife millions and millions of times, and completely IGNORES the children he creates and leaves them to DIE! You all should be ashamed of yourselves, every single one of you have something you've done that I bet all my Black Magic on that it is a thousand times worse then Aphrodite!"

"Look I didn't mean nothin' by it... I was just..." Dionysus was stopped.

"You meant nothing by it? REALLY? I just sat here for an HOUR listening to all of you completely tear apart this poor Goddess over something so ridiculous it reminds me of my filly years! Zeus just died and here YOU are drinking up a storm and have the nerve to point out some pony else's flaws!"

"M....My... Apologies... Pinkamena." Athena said with a quivering voice as her head lowered when avoiding the angry demon's eyes.

"Don't apologize to me! Apologize to the Goddess that has put up with all this bull-crap and still manages to be friendly towards you for reasons I cannot comprehend!"

Pinkamena's gaze landed on Surprise, who seemed scared... as she dropped her ears. "Pinkamena... I... I didn't mean to upset you... I really didn't."

"Upset...? You really think at this point I am upset at you? No Surprise, I am enraged! Ever since I met you... you've been nothing but a complete and utter disaster! You destroy everything you TOUCH, you care nothing about me, Pinkie Pie, or your team! You almost SHOT Aphrodite just because she stood up to you! You're a psycho!" Pinkamena shouted.

Surprise's eyes watered. "No... No! I care so much for you Mena, I-I-"

"You are a LIAR, you're a murderer! A cold-blooded killer! Did you think I would be okay with you NUKING the entire world of Cloudsdale? What were you THINKING? If Athena didn't come down, no pony would have been able to STOP you! You wouldn't have even tried to stop yourself!"

"I... was trying to save you... I was trying to p... protect you..." Surprise wailed, tears freely falling down her cheeks as Pinkamena relentlessly kept going.

"Do us ALL a favor and DON'T!" Pinkamena said, towering over Surprise as she lowered herself to her stomach and cowered beneath the demon. "I will never, be your friend! I will never like you, I will never get along with some pony as ruthless and evil as YOU!"

Pinkamena took off, her wings spreading out as she flew deeper into the temple.

She could faintly hear Surprise crying from behind and yelling after her. "I'm so sorry... I.... I'm so SORRY Mena!"

Pinkamena sharply turned, throwing herself down a large hallway with many statues and fountains neatly lined up in different poses. A gentle light from the sunset tricked down a hole in the roof, as Pinkamena brushed away several vines dangling down from the open ceiling. The Demi-God followed the vines upwards until her wings touched the fresh air and gentle blowing wind from above.

A light misty rain fell from outside as the demon landed on an arched balcony overlooking the mountain. It led to a flat area that was covered in olive trees and griffon statues, along with a bar that Pinkamena assumed was not accessible without Athena's permission.

Whatever... Athena can spare some fancy wine... I need a drink anyway.... I have to calm down, I can feel my pulse racing and my anger rising every time I even try and think! Pinkamena's back was hit with rain every time she went in-between the breaks of the arches, but eventually, she made it to the enchanted garden where she could calm herself.

Pinkamena raided the bar, picking a marinated bottle of wine which had the tag of an old timeline written on it. The demon bit off the cork with her fangs, before settling on a bench and staring at the sunset from the tip of Athena's mountain. She took a small sip, before swishing the liquid in her mouth and noticing its smooth texture and sweet taste. She assumed the wine was made from red grapes with a splash of cinnamon and a tannin finish.

Suddenly she heard some pony approaching, which made her spine stiffen from growing rage. She turned around with a bit of a glare, only to see Aphrodite standing in the rain with her wing over the demon's head. The Goddess shielded Pinkamena from the storm, as the raindrops trickled down her face and muzzle.

"Hey...." Aphrodite said nervously, as her amber eyes slowly looked towards the ground.

"Hey." Pinkamena responded quietly, as the demon looked back towards the sunset.

"Um... I just wanted to say... thank you. I-I.... h... have never had anyone... stand up for me before. It meant a lot to me..." Aphrodite trailed off, as Pinkamena scooted over to show she didn't mind her company.

The Alicorn sat down next to her, still keeping her wing over the demon as the two sat for a moment in silence.

"I would do it again, you don't deserve all the hate you get. You were forced to date Hephaestus as a joke, the Gods wanted to laugh at you... so they put you with the ugliest God there was to make Hera feel better about herself. That.... just infuriates me... Gods are so childish, makes me understand why us mortals stopped worshiping them in the first place."

Aphrodite sighed. "I am... a bit of an acquired taste. My personality is just.... hard... for the Gods to understand. When I was forced to be with Hephaestus by Zeus, I was the laughing stock... I wanted to be free to choose who I loved. That's when I met Ares... he wooed me, made me feel special... and didn't laugh at me like the rest of the Gods... he listened... to all my troubles... and held me at night and let me cry on his shoulder.... but it still didn't make my decision right."

Pinkamena snorted. "Zeus is a complete buffoon, I am glad he is no longer a part of Olympus. He does not have the right to control you like that."

The Alicorn's shoulder gently touched Pinkamena's as she used her hoof to brush her wet mane back. "He... just is... very drunk with power. All the Gods are really... they get cocky and treat each other according to how powerful one is. That is why I like the mortals, you all care for each other... get married... have foals, grow old together... and make unbreakable bonds... I thought I could have that with Ares... but..."

The Goddess had a stray tear dribble down her chin, as Pinkamena watched her sadness grow.

"If I may ask.... what happened.... between you two?"

She sighed, scooting closer to Pinkamena. "You'll laugh at me... I know about your hatred for love."

The Demi-God made Pinkie Pie's signature Pinkie Promise, and the Alicorn smiled finding a small giggle escape her lips as she turned to face Pinkamena.

"Every God knows that Pinkie Promise after hearing your story.... so I know you will not break it." Aphrodite found some confidence in the demon, as Pinkamena respectfully listened. "Before I was betrothed to Hephaestus, the Goddesses decided to have a bet with a stallion named Paris and made him present a golden apple to the most beautiful Goddess. Athena promised him strength and invincibility, Hera offered regions all over Equestria for him to rule... but I knew he wanted none of that."

Aphrodite stopped as a blush began spreading across her cheeks.

"I saw his dreams, his desires... he had his eye on a unicorn named Helen of Sparta. So I went to her one night and told her of this stallion that wanted nothing more than to spend one day with her. The Goddesses are obsessed with power and wealth, they forget about soft and emotional attachments that mortals have. Not every pony wants to be a huge buff stallion with a sword forged from diamond... and a shield made from the heart of a star you know."

Pinkamena giggled, "I wouldn't mind having that."

"Oh hush..." Aphrodite teased. "So I snuck her out from her kingdom, and let them have a night full of love and beauty... and that night he gave me the golden apple for giving him something that truly gave him happiness. He then told me I won for my beauty on both the inside and the outside. Buuuut... Helen actually had already been promised to another suitor, and I may or may not have caused the Trojan War..."

Pinkamena spat out her wine. "Wait... WAIT, you caused the bloodiest war in Greek history?? Are you serious??"

Aphrodite cringed with a nervous smile. "Okay in my defense I had no idea she was already married!"

Pinkamena rubbed her face. "Oh Gods... stallions.... they are almost as petty as the Gods... killing thousands over a romantic dispute."

"So Hera threw a huge fit when she saw me one day with my apple, screaming at me because I caused the Trojan War. She griped about it, but wouldn't lift a hoof to help stop it... so I went down and helped the Trojans, while Athena helped the Greeks... and with her strategy, the war was easily won. Hera bullied me non-stop, and begged her husband Zeus to punish me for my crimes because she was jealous that she did not receive the apple."

"Yeesh, I know first hoof how angry Hera can get." Pinkamena said, rubbing her still healing ribs from her last encounter with the Goddess. That lamia is a nightmare! What was Zeus thinking when he decided to marry her?

"Hephaestus felt sorry for me, and built a magical trap to make a fool out of Hera which only provoked Zeus's rage. He decided to have me marry Hephaestus since the Goddesses saw me as a threat, for their jealousy was high with Hera. But marrying me to the ugliest God there was... apparently was enough of a joke and punishment to where they were semi-able to let the grudge go... at least enough to where throwing wine on me every time they saw me was enough instead of trying to have me killed."

"Why didn't you just leave Olympus? Why did you put up with all of that?" Pinkamena asked gingerly, as Aphrodite's tears started onto drip onto the marble ground.

"I saw how they brutally murdered the mortals that angered them, I am not as powerful as Hera... or Zeus or Athena... I can't really do anything... if they decided to come after me... so I just put up with it... hoping one day it would get better... it never did... especially when... I met Ares."

Pinkamena saw her tremble. Oh jeez... should I perhaps change the subject?

"I told Hephaestus many times I did not feel the way he felt towards me... he knew I was with him to avoid the Goddesses rage, but he was blinded by his feelings. He is a really sweet God... and he would make an amazing husband for any lucky Goddess, b-but just not for me. Ares came to me one night when I was crying by a river... I expected him to laugh... or to mock me... but he didn't, he spread his cloak over me and listened to me all night."

That must have been hard for Hephaestus... but I understand how she feels... she was forced into this. Pinkamena awkwardly patted Aphrodite's shoulder, hoping to calm down the crying Goddess as she balled messily.

"I... I just like.... after all that time, some God actually listened to me you know? So he promised to come see me every night at that same spot, and every night we would talk... and laugh... he would tell me his struggles, I felt sorry for him... and eventually I started to love him... and it turned into something that I couldn't stop. I burned for him, I needed him... and one night, he kissed me... and it got a little heavy.... and.... and..."

Pinkamena was awkwardly trying to look at literally anything else... as Aphrodite continued to spill out her most private details as she stuttered and tried to continue talking. Pinkamena's cheeks were burning, knowing exactly what was coming next... but kept her mouth shut allowing the sobbing Goddess to continue.

"Like WHAT does... A.... Athena want me to do, read fifty shades of grey with him? I....I was in the moment, we were in love... and I-I... couldn't help my feelings, so yeah... yeah I was going through with it.... I.....I hic let him do things.... intimate things... that Athena nearly passes out when is mentioned. Yeah IT happened, I....I am ashamed I couldn't think through my lovey-dovey thoughts but dammit, I was in love and... and.... and..."

Gods... this is so... so... not my kind of conversation... why.... why did I ask?? I knew what was coming... but still I had to go and ask anyways and now I am sitting here listening to Rarity's other life.

"Woah... take a breath, breathe Aphrodite... you don't have to continue-"

"You know what happened? Hephaestus and Athena built a NET.... A.... A net! It trapped us... I...I...I.... why? They caught us after those things happened, and invited all the Gods to look at us.... literally... I.... I... who does THAT? T...That is so... so... wrong on so.... many l...levels!"

"That is wrong... I am so sorry."

"Then Ares left me when he was tired of his fun.... and moved on.... and tore out my heart."

The two were silent... as Aphrodite continued keeping her wing over Pinkamena never lowering it for a second. So Pinkamena decided to lower it for her and spread her own demon wing to allow Aphrodite to dry off a little. The Goddess brought her head up her eyes sparkling with appreciation, as the demon gave her an encouraging smile.

"So... what about you..." Aphrodite asked quietly, looking up to meet Pinkamena's gaze.

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean... what's up with you and your hatred for love... and soulmates... don't think I don't know about that... I am the Goddess of Love you know."

Pinkamena's eyes widened as she choked on her own spit, loudly coughing as Aphrodite giggled. The demon began to panic as her eyes darted all over the place.

"I don't have a STORY... who said I had a story... I have a problem with it because it's stupid and... and... and... I am immortal... and... and soulmates do not exist which I have scientific evidence FOR... and... and.."

Aphrodite put a hoof to the Demi-God's lips. "I want to hear your story... not the excuses you tell everypony."

No... I can't... go through that again... it has ruined my life... and other's lives.... not that they... realize it anymore. Pinkamena glued her gaze on the sunset, the memories, and feelings crushing her all once more as her vision started to ease back into the flashback of what has haunted her for so long.... him.

His smooth horns, and his gentle smile... the red glowing wings like soft embers that never dared to burn her. His face entered her mind, causing her heart to quiver as the heartache and the betrayal ripped the scar right open... into once more a bleeding wound.

"I.... n.. never told a soul about this... even Shadowbound knows very little, and Pinkie Pie knows nothing at all." Pinkamena began, refusing to let the memory bring tears to her eyes... as her skin burned with anger, and her heart began to pick up speed. "I.... had a soulmate once..."

Aphrodite's eyes widened for a second, but she remained silent.

"His.... name was Flawless Flame... a demon... a friendly and loving demon that was like a big brother to Shadowbound, and a knight in shining armor for me. But... he was a LIE... I-I was a fool... and... and... just mentioning his name fills me with so much rage and hate... I-" Pinkamena stopped, gathering herself before continuing without all the fury. "-I... one day when I was fifteen heard of... a spell that the mares in my village were doing. It required Black Magic... but... it was a sweet spell, one th-that would... tell the user who was made for them.... their soulmate."

Aphrodite placed her hoof on Pinkamena's wing, before nuzzling her gently to encourage her to keep going. It hurts... it physically aches... it has been over two thousand years... but the wound is still so, so... deep.

"I begged and begged Shadowbound to help me with it... after reading so many romance books on my spare time when I was too tired to practice my Black Magic... I wanted to... to.. know who was out there waiting for me. It gave me hope... and a feeling of happiness... that there was a stallion... made for... just me." Pinkamena clenched her teeth, her fangs poking the fleshy inside of her cheek as she continued once more. "So... my best-friend agreed, he wanted to see me happy... and I was so excited that night... I held my breath when he cast the spell..."

"But... don't Black Magic spells in that field never give you a direct answer? More of a riddle?" Aphrodite asked.

Pinkamena nodded, her hooves denting the bench from her stiffness. "Yes... it never tells you the name... just clues, and you are forced to put the pieces together yourself."

"W...What did it say?"

Pinkamena's breath caught in her throat. Should I say I do not remember? Even though the words are burned forever into my mind? No... it is time for me to talk about this... it has destroyed me for so long... Pinkamena took a shaky breath, before opening her mouth and repeating the exact lines that she heard that night.

"The one you seek is one so far,

beyond our realm with the hidden scar.

A walking mark for the ponies to fear,

A past that haunts the future not clear.

Power and heat come when they crack,

A devil inside with no going back.

Gentle to one, a non-burning flame,

Oblivious to love, but home to pain.

Sacrifice they will, their head given with the throne,

Forced? Or willing? For you to control every bone.

Protect you they must, so your love will break free,

But hate and doubt fill your heart, so you can’t see.

Knowing this they still go brace your storm,

Hurt, and beaten, from their lover who’s torn."

Pinkamena stopped, giving her bleeding heart a moment to breathe. I remember hearing those words... connecting the dots... the click in my brain when it reminded me of the stallion... the only thing I thought about at night. Flawless Flame... the kind of flawless I wish I could be.

"It made sense... the riddle. He was a demon... far beyond Equestria, from a different realm. He had a scar that he got from defending me when I was younger from an Ursa Major that he fought alone... he hid it, saying he was not strong enough back then... even though without him I would have died. He was a demon, ponies feared them... so the third line made perfect sense... along with his past and his future that was not accepted by the outside world."

Aphrodite seemed deep in thought. I wonder what she is thinking...

"He was a devil... a rebel, but one that I admired... a demon with the power to make dangerous flames but at the same time his power was beautiful, gentle... to me... a non-burning flame... only to... me."

The other demons feared him... for his Black Magic could tear down concrete buildings... and melt mountains... but no matter how hot his flames got... we could dance in them... together... like they were nothing but blades of grass on a summer day.

"I spent more time with him... hoping one day he would develop feelings for me, for my feelings grew each day I saw him... knowing who he truly was to me. One day he told me to meet him on the highest mountain at sunset, and he told me he would like to see me.... in a different way... a romantic way... destroying our friendship but creating something more."

Liar... he's a liar... Pinkamena could feel her Black Magic scratching at her inner walls, responding to her negative emotions.

"A year went by... I fell deeply in love... my father noticed his strength, and thought he would be a good son in law and descendant of our bloodline... even so... he saw him as a great future king. So he offered my hoof in marriage to Flawless Flame... He was to be the king of Everglade one day and me his queen."

Power... that is all ponies care about...

"He was acting off... for the next week... I asked him what was wrong one night stargazing... but he never answered me... just kissed my forehead and told me everything was fine. I got a note from him the next day... asking to meet me in a forest... for he had something to tell me before we were to be married. I trusted him... I was wrong to do so... I..I-" Pinkamena stopped unable to stop a tear from sliding down her cheek. "I-I was a MORON... why.... why didn't I see the signs? Why.... why didn't I allow myself to question things...?! I went into that forest that night... and he... he attacked me... and restrained me...."

Pinkamena dropped her head, choking on her sobs as she clenched her wings close to her sides.

"He tied me to a boulder... I yelled I screamed, asking him why he was doing this... he told me... he wanted both thrones... not just one... he wanted the mortal throne.. and the throne Lucifer would give up one day. Which I didn't understand then... but he had seen my future of when I had slain Lucifer... and would have to be the ruler of the underworld... if he were to marry me, he would be allowed to take the throne... if I were to die."

Aphrodite hugged her side, and Pinkamena brought her head into the Alicorn's chest as she stroked her mane.

"I...I.... knew he was going to kill me... he poured pig's blood on me... summoning the Timberwolves by scent... he told me he was going to lie to Everglade about how I died... saying I was murdered by the Pegasi who ambushed us in the woods... knowing I would be eaten and nothing would be left. He said he.... w... was going to tell my parents that we exchanged wedding vows during my last dying breaths.... and he would be crowned king... and lead my kingdom into a war between the feuding races leading the earth ponies to glory... over my death."

Aphrodite hushed her, resting her chin on the top of the demon's head. "I... I am so sorry Pinkamena..."

"I don't know how... but he k... knew about the fact that I was a Demi-God... he... he bit me... painfully sucking my Black Magic dry... I didn't know what he was doing... but he was stealing Lucifer's power... and... and that was why I had so much trouble practicing Black Magic... he stole it..."

All that time I thought it was just me.... but he was the one that stole my ability to produce Lucifer's power.

"Shadowbound found me... before the wolves could rip me apart... I was too shocked to speak... so he took me back to my kingdom, and my father found out... and ordered for Flawless Flame to be executed by beheading. Even though I begged him not too... still feeling like he could still change... but when I was being held back at the execution, he looked at me while the ax was being raised and said: 'I regret nothing, I never loved you Pinkamena... soulmates don't exist, but you were too blinded by the lie... for you to see the truth. You are nothing but the bastard of a poor stallion's death wish.'

Slice.

Pinkamena flinched still hearing the blade when it came down, as Aphrodite breathed shakily clutching Pinkamena's head on her chest tightly as if she were reliving the pain along with the demon. Pinkamena was too weak to keep herself upright, as she fell onto the ground curling up into a ball and just.... fell apart.

"He... H.. He betrayed me because he wanted a THRONE? He wanted Lucifer's powerful Demi-God magic I... I had? He STOLE my magic... he shredded my heart... he was going to lead my kingdom into battle based on a lie... my... my parents... they would have fought on the f-front lines to avenge me... so many ponies would have died... my loved ones w... would have died... and that sick demon would have been the king!"

Aphrodite came down onto the ground with Pinkamena... brushing her hoof along her side as she gently soothed the demon by humming a beautiful melody and playing with her mane. Pinkamena flinched at the booming of thunder overhead, lighting up the night sky as the Goddess showed her the kindness she desperately needed.

I couldn't go through that again... that is why I never let myself have feelings... for any pony... no matter how much I wanted to... or how much I needed to... or how much.... they.... had towards me. But... still living this way I am not better... I feel worse... I am unable to eat... and I don't want to... I seem strong... but I... I'm not... I can't take it ANYMORE... I am losing everything I care about because I can't STOP being terrified!

Pinkamena hiccuped. Pinkie Pie has suffered so much because of me... I don't want her to know the pain I am going through... how much I want to die... how I let myself fall when I am flying.. hoping something... anything... might allow me to have my final peace... I lost them both... because of my insecurity.... I don't belong in Pinkie Pie's world anymore. Both of my best friends have different lives now... and here I am... unable to move on like them.

My family was murdered, my love was beheaded, my riddle was a lie that had me betrayed... my bond with Pinkie Pie is broken... Shadowbound sold his soul for me.... and I let him... because I was a coward... and now... he sits on Lucifer's throne... with no memory of who I am... and what we've been through... I did this...

Aphrodite met her eyes. "Pinkamena... you need to know something..."

Pinkamena wiped her eyes unable to physically produce any more tears. She looked to the Goddess and sat up as Aphrodite helped free her cheeks from her cry.

"The prophecy the Black Magic predicted about your soulmate... Flawless Flame was lying... your riddle was not false..." Aphrodite said softly, making Pinkamena's rage return.

"A...Are you kidding me? It's bullshit Aphrodite! That kind of stuff... d.. does not exist! Black Magic just tells you what you want to hear... it plays with your feelings because it FEEDS off of your pain!"

The Goddess of love shook her head. "Pinkamena... the reason the prophecy didn't come true... was because-"

"I don't WANT to hear it... do you know how many times Shadowbound tried to convince me that we heard it wrong... or that sometimes fate gets messed up sometimes... IT is a LIE Aphrodite! Goddess of Love or not... not EVERYTHING is a fairytale, love isn't for every pony... not YOU, not ME... ponies like us don't GET happy endings!"

"Pinkamena... hear me out-"

"NO... NO! I am SICK of ponies trying to convince me love is HEALTHY... Love is GOOD... it's EVIL, it BLINDS us! It HURTS too much!!!" Pinkamena screeched, covering her ears with her hooves and squeezing her wet eyes shut.

"Pinkamena! Flawless Flame was NOT your SOULMATE!" Aphrodite yelled, as she took the demon's hooves from her ears and made them both lock eyes. "You went after the wrong stallion... you didn't listen to the whole riddle!"

Pinkamena's eyes widened a little bit, but she harshly wiped her nose. "That's all bull-"

"Listen Pinkamena... listen very closely: Protect you they must, so your love will break free, but hate and doubt fill your heart, so you can’t see. Knowing this they still go brace your storm, hurt, and beaten, from their lover who’s torn. Pinkamena... you didn't have any hate back then... you actually felt love... so it is impossible for the riddle to actually be talking about Flawless Flame!"

"W... What do you mean..."

"Pinkamena... it was not talking about the present back then... it was talking about the future... right now. You... You haven't met him yet... do you know what this means?"

Pinkamena's mouth opened but closed until she was able to squeeze out a few words. "It doesn't matter anymore."

"Your... soulmate... he's still out there..." Aphrodite said gently... watching as Pinkamena angrily turned away refusing to listen. "You went after the wrong pony!"

I don't care anymore... that prophecy was a lie... Goddess of Love or not... like I said, ponies like me don't get happy endings... I promised myself I would never fall in love... and that is a promise I still intend to keep.