Pie in the Skyby Nature PastelChaptersAll That MatteredA Diversion and A Lot of TroubleClearing Stormy Skies and a New StartWell, Maybe Bullies Are A ProblemAll That MatteredPinkie was sat alone on a bench in the school grounds, watching people chat and play basketball and football. Her friends were in the music room, but that was less important than watching these people. Or a person. A boy called Cloudy Sky, who happened to be sat on his own elsewhere in the concrete area. He was new, this Cloudy Sky. Well, he wasn't really new, because he had been CHS for almost a month. Pinkie was just... Looking out for him. Yes. That was the right phrase. Looking out for a fellow student who was being picked on. New students were always picked on, but you were unlucky if it lasted for more than a fortnight. Which made Cloudy very unlucky, as it hadn't stopped yet. He had a kind face, with light blue eyes surrounded by dark grey glasses, which were covered by his shaggy silver hair. Well, it was more grey than silver, but it sort of shined in the sun as he slouched over his sketch book, so she assumed it was silver. She didn’t like grey, preferring bold and bright colours like pink, but it didn’t matter. He had jeans and a blue T-Shirt with a white guitar on it that was more often than not hidden by his leather jacket. She wasn’t paying attention and didn’t see who slammed the football into his chest. “Hey you! Cloudy!” shouted Flash Sentry. “Could you kick the ball back, mate?” The other footballers sniggered at this. Cloudy threw it back to Flash. It hit him again a moment later. Some scrawny kid from a lower year, who Pinkie thought must be called Bolt Thunder, had kicked it. “Kick it back!” yelled Bolt. His identical twin Volt was also there. Cloudy threw the ball again. ‘The Great and Powerful' Trixie walked onto the makeshift football pitch and threw it back at Cloudy. “See,” she taunted, “girls, like me, throw the ball back. Boys, like you, kick it back. Kick it!” Cloudy gave in and kicked it. In the other direction. It hit a girl who was playing basketball. She gave him the two fingers, and all of a sudden, almost everyone was giving Cloudy the two fingers. Then Volt started chanting, “Cloudy girly, cloudy girly,” over and over, and everyone else soon joined in and the bell signalling the end of lunch time could barely be heard. Pinkie looked up at the CCTV camera. Predictably, the glass was cracked. It had probably ignored the entire scenario, as the teachers always did. They didn’t seem to notice that he was different, so they wouldn’t realise that he was vulnerable to not just teasing. Because this was most certainly not just teasing. This, in Pinkie’s opinion, was bullying. “Pinkie, where were you at lunch?” questioned Rainbow Dash. “We were having a blast! It would have been even better if you were there, Pinkie.” They were at the park, as they always were after school. It was a big social area, the biggest apart from Sugarcube Corner, where Pinkie Pie had a job after school on Fridays. And it was a Friday. “Hey Pinkie, don’t you have a job today?” asked Applejack. “Huh? Oh yeah!” shouted Pinkie suddenly. “I had my head way in the clouds. See ya!” She sprinted to Sugarcube Corner faster than Rainbow Dash. Bad choice of words, head in the clouds, she thought numbly as she ran into the café. “Hey Pinkie!” called Carrot Cake, the owner of Sugarcube Corner, from the counter. “Hey sir!” she replied, giving a small salute before pulling on an apron. “I almost forgot to come here, my mind was on other things, y'know.” She started becoming her usual, bouncier self when in walked Cloudy. He looked so kind and gentle, a tall and gentle giant, and she felt genuinely sorry for him. There was something else, but admitting that would make her a target too. Nope. Not while everyone was here. Uh oh, she thought. Flash Sentry and the basketball girl were here. They saw him and Flash threw him a packet of Salty Spicy Ultra Hot Roasted Peanuts and said, “The Sun's coming to burn you up, little Cloudy Girly!” Everyone except Carrot Cake and Pinkie laughed. “Out!” Carrot shouted. “Out, unless you’re going to apologise. I will not accept behaviour like that in my café!” Everyone left, knowing that he would accept them again once they started buying more sweets and cakes and hot drinks and other snacks. Cloudy was still in the store when everyone left. Pinkie said, “Cloudy, wait!” “Got another mean thing to say?” he asked casually, raising an eyebrow. He clearly didn’t know who to trust. “No, I'm not one of them, I can see they’re being horrible and I can’t stand it. Even my friends were talking about you in class, and they didn’t listen to me, and I just wanted to say...“ She was lost for words. She couldn’t say the thing she wanted to say. “That you’re on my side?” “Well, I guess so.” “You really aren’t one of them. I have autism, see, and all the people our age can tell. They never let me explain myself, they just think, 'Oh he’s different from us, let's bully him!’ This is the third new school this year. There’s nothing I can say to stop it. I’ve tried hanging out with smart kids, popular kids, the ones who smoke and disrupt the lessons... and nothing. It never stops.” “Ouch.” Was all Pinkie was capable of saying. “But you know what? I've found something that works. Becoming friends with the teachers, because they’re actually really nice. That and waiting for people like you.” He smiled a sweet smile, sweeter than the buttercream icing on Sugarcube Corner's cupcakes, and it warmed her up inside. Her heart started beating faster as he took a step towards her. They both looked to make sure Carrot Cake wasn’t around and checked nobody was staring through the windows, and he leaned down and kissed her and she let him because she had been trying to ask him out all along, and was scared of being bullied for liking him. *** A few weeks later, Cloudy whizzed on his motorbike to the estate where Pinkie had started renting a studio flat. He sat on the bike for a few moments, then he saw a mess of pink hair that could barely fit under a purple helmet. Pinkie jumped on the back of the bike, put her arms around his waist and smiled sweetly, and they set off on their first date. They had barely spoken at school, as Cloudy had been staying inside near the staffroom at lunch and Pinkie had been in the music room, but they were together now, and that was all that mattered. Sunset was on her motorbike too, and she heard Pinkie shout, “Hi Sunset!” as they sped past her. Sunset shook her head. Of course Pinkie went for the unpopular kid. He was quiet and sensitive, and needed someone larger than life to bring him out of his shell. They were made for each other, and that was all that mattered. A Diversion and A Lot of TroubleIt took two days for Sunset to come up with a plan. Then, it needed approval from Celestia. So it was decided that the diversion would happen on the next Monday. Hopefully, the seven of them would be able to stop Cloudy and Pinkie from truanting and force them to go to Canterlot High. On Monday morning, Sunset's alarm went off at 4am, early enough for her to prepare. She got showered and dressed, ate a cereal bar and pulled on her coat and helmet. She left her house, locked the front door and started her motorbike. The engine purred to life and she drove to the block of flats where Pinkie Pie lived. Sunset checked her watch. 5am. Three and a half hours of waiting. She knew that Cloudy would head past here before 8:30, but she didn't know exactly when. Rainbow Dash waited at the bus stop, ignoring the buses. She wasn't taking any of them. She was going to use magic to run after Pinkie. Her top speed would be enough to catch up with and even overtake a motorbike. She texted her friends, Ready when you are, The Dash! Pinkie Pie was pacing in her flat, angry. Angry because she had just seen a post on Grapevine about 'a crazy girl who gave it all for a boy who deserved nothing.' The user who posted it was TricksUpMySleeve2071. No surprise there. She just wanted to hear the sound of Cloudy's motorbike. If she didn't hear him coming, she would not be able to escape as quickly. Then she heard it. She looked out of the window. There he was. She pulled on her motorbike helmet and locked the door to the flat before sprinting down the stairs into the rain and jumped on the back of Cloudy's motorbike. They did not realise that they were being followed until Sunset was right behind them. "Go away," shouted Pinkie. "If you go to school," replied Sunset. "Bully!" "That's a lie." "You did nothing to help me!" "Which is why I'm helping now. But, to help, you have to go to school." "And get bullied? Let Cloudy get bullied?" "You really think I would let that happen?" Silence, then Cloudy hit the accelerator. So did Sunset. As Cloudy put the indicator on to turn right, Sunset positioned herself so that they would have to go straight ahead. Cloudy swore. Sunset trailed behind them, signalling to Rainbow Dash as they sped past her. She began to run towards them. Soon, Sunset was driving on the right of Pinkie and Cloudy, and Rainbow was on the left. The couple were forced to carry on until they reached Canterlot High. Sunset sped ahead and forced Cloudy to turn into Canterlot's car park. He accidentally hit the breaks and the motorbike fell to one side, throwing him and his girlfriend across the concrete. "Sunset!" screeched Pinkie Pie. She ran to a statue of a horse. "I'll go through the portal to Equestria if you don't let us go." She tapped the portal. "Pony Twilight's closed it on her side," said Sunset. An argument started, and students began streaming out of the school and they watched the fight break out. Something fell on the floor by Pinkie's feet. Her geode necklace. Cloudy picked it up, whispering something in her ear. "No, Cloudy, I can't." "Pinkie. They'll trap us here." "I can't. Magic can change from good to bad in seconds. It can change people. It's hard to control." "If you won't use your magic to get us out of here, Pinkie, I will. Get ready for the best adventure we've ever had, girlfriend." She was too late to stop him from slipping the silver chain around his neck and holding her hand. The effect was instantaneous. A loud explosion of glowing magic. It formed a sphere in the air and swallowed them despite their efforts to escape. As the magic swirled menacingly around them, Cloudy Sky and Pinkie Pie tried but failed to resist its power. It changed their appearances and they forgot who they were. The students, having experienced this several times, began to run inside, knowing what would await them if they stayed. Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle stayed. As the only students able to use magic properly it was their responsibility to keep everyone safe. When the sphere of magic disappeared, the six girls still outside were stood facing two creatures who were human but not quite, with huge scaly wings. Their outfits appeared to be made of shards of stained glass, various colours of the rainbow for Pinkie and blue, grey and gold for Cloudy. Their now messy hair was blown upward by the magic they possessed and each of them had a scaly tail the colour of their skin. They held each other's clawed hands and sneered at their former friends. "Girlfriend, remind me what we wanted before we used your magic," said the demon who had replace Cloudy. "Boyfriend, isn't it obvious? We wanted to get rid of the bullies!" the evil Pinkie Pie cackled. "Should we?" "Well, you didn't use my geode necklace for nothing, did you! By the way, we don't need it any more, we have all the magic we need to stop ALL the bullies. Plus, it just reminds me of them." She pointed at the six girls. He took her necklace off and dropped it. "Oops," he laughed ironically. "Now, where are the bullies? We want the ringleaders! Flash Sentry! Bolt and Volt Thunder! Trixie!" They flew towards the school and t used magic to tear a hole in the side of the CHS school building. Screaming could be heard. "Hey!" yelled Sunset. "You forgot about us! We love feedback! What do you think of us?!" Cloudy cursed. "You know how to deal with them, Pinkie. I'll round up the ringleaders, you deal with them." He kissed her quickly and flew into the school. Sunset groaned. She had hoped to distract both of them. Instead, they had split up. She didn't let her frustration show, though. She shouted at the she-demon, "Hey Pinkie! Look at yourself. You have been bullied for weeks by a lot of people. But you know as well as I do that two wrongs do not make a right. You're turning into a bully because you're taking revenge. I have been a bully. Remember, before pony Twilight came here, I bullied everyone. But I was always alone, and you will be the same, unless you change." Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Applejack stepped forwards. Rainbow spoke first, saying, "Sadness. Anger. Hurt. Fear. Anxiety. That's what bullying feels like, makes you feel. We all know, we've all been in your shoes when it comes to bullying. But the best thing you can do is stick with your friends." "Revenge isn't right, dear," Rarity tried to shout, "but we know how it feels. You could give a bully all your possessions and they would laugh and say you're bankrupt. But the one thing you can give them is a question. Why are you doing this? I know why, and we all want to help you and Cloudy." More screams erupted from the school. "But you need to let us help you and Cloudy," said Applejack. The three of them began to Pony-up. "Look, three of the bullies have given up and apologised," called Twilight. "Think. We can help you. Using magic like this won't help. You have to use the most powerful magic of all. You know what that is. Honesty. Loyalty. Generosity. Kindness." Something changes in Pinkie's eyes. "And laughter." she said. "But, but how? How do you let go of all the hurt and revenge?" The other girls grew their ears, tails and (for Twilight and Fluttershy) wings. Sunset used magic to levitate and floated up to Pinkie. "You listen to their apologies and you forgive them. We've been through so much that everyone here will apologise for starting this and forgive you for doing this. Now, what do you get if you cross a mathematician and a ton of pastry? Pi!" Pinkie laughed. Her wings disappeared. "Laughter!" She used her magic to make herself look normal, other than her pony ears and tail, giggling at the sensation. Then Cloudy flew out of the hole in the wall, holding Trixie by her hair. "I don't have any more tricks up my sleeve! HELP!" she screamed. Clearing Stormy Skies and a New StartTrixie was being dangled by her long hair. The Main Seven had a dilemma. If they all confronted Cloudy, he would drop her and the fall would seriously injure her, possibly even kill her. If only one of them confronted him, they wouldn't be powerful enough, but he would never be consoled if more than one of them tried to bring him round. "It has to be me," whispered Pinkie Pie. "He'll only listen to me." Six voices objected. Pinkie heard snippets of sentences: "he's too strong," and "he'll turn you into a demon again" were repeated again and again. "Please!" she snapped. She changed her tone of voice. "Please. He will never listen to you. I'll have enough magic with my geode." Sunset handed her the necklace and Pinkie slipped it on. Instantly, she felt the magical power in her veins. "Go into the school. Help anyone who has been injured. Wait until Cloudy and I walk into the school minus scaly wings and crazy laughs." Pinkie's friends darted into the school, unnoticed by Cloudy. "Cloudy!" yelled Pinkie. He looked at her. "I want to talk to you, but my throat hurts. I can't shout for much longer." He flew down a few metres and snarled, "You turncoat! You left and joined the bullies! You're just as bad as them!" "No, Cloudy. My friends are a lot of things. Annoying. Argumentative. Easily upset. Frustrating. But they are not bullies. And they apologised for not helping sooner. They want to help now, though, and I want their help." "Help?! You fool! They would never help!" "And you would never say that if you were being rational, if you weren't overwhelmed by magic that you can't control. I tried to stop you using magic, but you're stubborn. You don't let other people's opinions get to you. That's one of the reasons why I like you." He paused. "You're still friends with the bullies you call friends, yet you still want to be with me?" he asked with confusion. "It's hard to understand, but I should explain. "Magic used in the wrong way can change the way you think. It can make you feel that everyone is out to get you and that even your friends are against you. You can see the world differently to others. Surely you can see that my friends and I want to help, and that by punishing your bullies you are as bad as they are?" She turned to Trixie. "Trixie, you owe us an apology. The magic words are, "I promise never to bully anyone ever again and I am sorry I tried to make life miserable for you." And you have to mean it." Trixie stuttered, "I - I promise never to bully anyone ever again and I am s - sorry I tried to make life miserable for you. Please can you put me down?" He looked at the girl who he himself was bullying. Just like Pinkie, his eyes looked human again. He said, "Apology accepted," and flew to the ground slowly. The magic changed him back, even though Pinkie Pie wasn't doing anything but looking at him. His wings faded to nothing and he became human again. They walked into the school and everything went back to normal. Mean comments. Pinkie gave them all the death glare and informed them that Principal Celestia was investigating the possibility of bullying. That shut them up fairly quickly. To say the least, Celestia was not impressed. She and Vice Principal Luna practically lost it in front of Flash Sentry, Trixie and Volt and Bolt Thunder. They were excluded from school for a week and given detentions. Then Grapevine had to be contacted and told to take down any rude or offensive content. It was a long, drawn-out process, but eventually, everyone had written enough statements and life went back to normal. One day after school, the Main Seven and Cloudy were at the park, talking about magic. Cloudy could use magic, to everyone's surprise, and was enjoying making a pen levitate. "I always knew that there was something more than what we're taught at school," he told them. "You can feel things, feel something is different from the status quo. I never knew about magic until Pinkie told me." He smiled at her. She smiled back. "It has to be kept secret, of course," said Sunset. Suddenly, she grew a pair of golden ears and her hair grew long as if forming a tail. She added with a grin, "But it's pretty cool if you know about it and can use it. Especially if you can turn into a pony." Everyone laughed. "Sunset, stop! Someone will see you!" giggled Rainbow Dash. Her smile faded. "About that, I didn't use magic. I just Ponied-Up without meaning to. It also happened yesterday, at my bungalow. I was pacing, and then, bang, I'm a pony." Everyone exchanged worried glances, then laughed again as Rarity said, "Life never changes, does it?! Always saving the world, us lot!" When everyone went off to play football, Pinkie Pie and Cloudy Sky stayed under the shade of a huge willow. There was something Pinkie really wanted to ask. It was scaring her a little. She had never had a boyfriend like him who didn't dump her for someone who wore more make-up. He saw her face. "Penny for your thoughts?" he asked, placing a coin in the palm of her hand. "Well, Cloudy, the thing is, because we're so happy together, I wasn't sure..." her voice trailed off. "Sure if what?" "My family and I are going on a cruise in the summer holidays, and I was wondering if you would join us. It's ok if you can't make it or don't want to-" "Sure, I'll come along. My family won't mind paying your parents for my ticket." Her eyes widened. "Really?" "And maybe you would like to come round mine to meet my family and have dinner?" "I'd love that!" "Knew it." He held her hand and she leaned her head on his shoulder. They couldn't have hoped for more. Well, Maybe Bullies Are A ProblemPinkie Pie and Cloudy Sky were riding his motorbike up the mountain to the restaurant near the peak for their first date. It was more than Pinkie could stand and she gave a "Whoopie!" of delight as they hurtled up the rocky path and nearly broke their necks. Eventually they arrived and dismounted the motorbike, taking off their helmets and letting the wind whip back their hair. They walked into the cosy restaurant, more like a shabby pub than anything, and ordered a most Pinkie Pie romantic dinner - it was all-day breakfast day and there were bacon and syrup pancakes for dessert. They shared some small talk and they kissed when they finished their meal. Yet they didn't realise the danger of one kiss. Trixie took the photo at just the right moment. It was uploaded to Grapevine, a new social media platform, within seconds, with the caption Pinkie's Fall from Grace and the Darkening Sky! Who will realise first that they were made to fall apart?! Trixie was half ashamed at Pinkie's choice of boyfriend, but to her, Pinkie was weird. It was exactly the kind of choice she would make. *** The next Monday, people were laughing at Pinkie and Cloudy. Hard. They received a sneaky kick in the ankles from a few giggling girls, and they laughed harder when Pinkie fell over. Pinkie realised immediately that whatever joke was going around was on her and Cloudy. "Brilliant photoshopping, Trixie!" called Rainbow merrily. "Oh hi," she said when she saw Pinkie. "I shouldn't have kept this from you, but Trixie's found an old photo and edited it. It's hilarious! Oh the idea... I would kill you if it was true... You should look!" Rainbow Dash showed Pinkie her phone. It was the new social media platform, Grapevine, designed for gossip and jokes. The picture was from Pinkie and Cloudy's date at the weekend, with the most horrifying caption: Pinkie's Fall from Grace and the Darkening Sky! Who will realise first that they were made to fall apart?! "Ha ha ha," Pinkie said unhappily with an ounce of sarcasm. "It's so funny I could die laughing any moment now." She gave Rainbow the evil eye and stormed off. Rainbow looked on, confused, unaware of her friend's feelings. As you can guess, Pinkie Pie wasn't in the music room at lunch. She was outside in the rain, sat this time with Cloudy and telling him about Rainbow Dash teasing her. He was kind and thoughtful, comforting her. "Sorry, Buttercream, being picked on is an occupational hazard when you're around me." She batted her eyelids and her eyes misted over. For him. Not for anyone else. They would get the stony stare. Just for him. "Where's Pinkie Pie?" asked Fluttershy. "Oh, she's probably sulking because of the rumours," Rarity dismissed Fluttershy's concerns with the airiness of a queen dismissing a servant. "What rumours?" questioned Sunset Shimmer. "Oh darling," said Rarity, "of course, you don't have Grapevine yet, do you? It's just a little photoshopping, switching pictures around, like you did before the Fall Formal to Twilight." There was an element of disappointment when she paused. "Like that, but with more positive intentions." "So show me." Rainbow held up her phone for the second time. She said, "I don't get it! I showed her, and told her that Trixie photoshopped something for a laugh, and she stormed off! I thought she was the Element of Laughter or something, and she can't take a joke!" "This is many things," snapped Sunset with the attitude she had before the Fall Formal, "but it is not a joke. This is mean. Tell Trixie to take it off the website." "Listen, she's mollycoddling Pinkie! And Cloudy Sky! Ooh, Pinkie and Cloudy!" Rarity laughed. Applejack and Twilight came in. "We just found Pinkie and Cloudy sobbing outside. I just witnessed something awful out there!" "You mean them kissing?!" sniggered Rainbow Dash. It was all a laugh to her. "That Grapevine comment is so disgusting, so foul, so, so, so horrible that I will knock the next person to mention it into Equestria!" Applejack was such a terrible liar. "Applejack, it's not funny!" Twilight cried out. "They're a perfect couple, it's just because it's Cloudy..." "IT'S TRUE!!!" yelled Rainbow. "Let. Me. Talk." said Sunset, emphasising every syllable. Silence. "Yes they are together. But they're being bullied. And Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow, I expected more from you. Applejack, be honest with yourself. This is not what friends do. Rarity, be generous and give Pinkie Pie and Cloudy the time and peace they want and need together. Rainbow Dash, be loyal to them and stop those comments. Please, all of you?" "Sorry," the three of them muttered. *** Days passed, and Pinkie and Cloudy received more bullying and she didn't speak to her friends. They didn't talk to anyone from CHS, for that matter. They could not focus in class due to the comments and looks sent their way, and soon stopped going to school altogether, sending fake phone calls saying they were sick and spending time up the mountain. One day, while they were on mountain bikes (not the motorbike), Pinkie asked him, "How come you aren't affected? You don't have to tell people to fall off a cliff! You don't break down in tears!" "It hurts, being picked out and picked on. There are two things that help. One is the fact that it's been going on for so long. The other is the fact that I have autism, remember? My brain is wired differently. To me they are weird. They have to fit into a status quo to be accepted as a human being, and don't accept anyone who doesn't fit in, anyone who's different. Having to fill an ultimatum to be accepted into society makes no sense to me." "Uh huh." Normal(ish) Pinkie Pie returned when they were alone. The usual, bouncy Pinkie was happier when they were in the woods together. Meanwhile, the rest of the Main Seven were in geography class when Principal Celestia walked in and asked to talk to them. They left the class, slightly worried. "I understand that you are Pinkie Pie's closest friends and that you spend a great deal of time together. Am I correct?" Celestia asked. "Yes," said Sunset, "but-" "She's been skipping school recently. So has Cloudy Sky. I know that she rents a flat somewhere in town, although I don't know what area, and that he lives with his parents. I do not know where they are going. I rang up Mrs Sky this morning to ask where Cloudy was and she said that he had left for school. I am beginning to become concerned you know why they are not coming to school?" "Well, I think that the words should come from Flash Sentry, Bolt and Volt Thunder, and Trixie," said Rainbow Dash, embarrassed. "The best way of explaining is admitting that some of us haven't been that nice to them. I thought Pinkie would laugh it off, I didn't realise that she was upset. We tried calling her and everything!" Celestia thought for a moment. "It sounds like you are telling me that two of Canterlot High School's students are being bullied. I am assuming that you wish for this to stop. I cannot stop it, however, until I speak to Cloudy Sky and Pinkie Pie in person." She turned to Sunset. "You ride a motorbike, am I correct?" Sunset was surprised. "Please don't report it, Principal, I'm actually eighteen..." "It's ok, Sunset. I just have a task for you. Cloudy also has a licensed motorbike. I am hoping that you can get in touch with them." A smile crept across Sunset's face. "Done," she said.
All That MatteredPinkie was sat alone on a bench in the school grounds, watching people chat and play basketball and football. Her friends were in the music room, but that was less important than watching these people. Or a person. A boy called Cloudy Sky, who happened to be sat on his own elsewhere in the concrete area. He was new, this Cloudy Sky. Well, he wasn't really new, because he had been CHS for almost a month. Pinkie was just... Looking out for him. Yes. That was the right phrase. Looking out for a fellow student who was being picked on. New students were always picked on, but you were unlucky if it lasted for more than a fortnight. Which made Cloudy very unlucky, as it hadn't stopped yet. He had a kind face, with light blue eyes surrounded by dark grey glasses, which were covered by his shaggy silver hair. Well, it was more grey than silver, but it sort of shined in the sun as he slouched over his sketch book, so she assumed it was silver. She didn’t like grey, preferring bold and bright colours like pink, but it didn’t matter. He had jeans and a blue T-Shirt with a white guitar on it that was more often than not hidden by his leather jacket. She wasn’t paying attention and didn’t see who slammed the football into his chest. “Hey you! Cloudy!” shouted Flash Sentry. “Could you kick the ball back, mate?” The other footballers sniggered at this. Cloudy threw it back to Flash. It hit him again a moment later. Some scrawny kid from a lower year, who Pinkie thought must be called Bolt Thunder, had kicked it. “Kick it back!” yelled Bolt. His identical twin Volt was also there. Cloudy threw the ball again. ‘The Great and Powerful' Trixie walked onto the makeshift football pitch and threw it back at Cloudy. “See,” she taunted, “girls, like me, throw the ball back. Boys, like you, kick it back. Kick it!” Cloudy gave in and kicked it. In the other direction. It hit a girl who was playing basketball. She gave him the two fingers, and all of a sudden, almost everyone was giving Cloudy the two fingers. Then Volt started chanting, “Cloudy girly, cloudy girly,” over and over, and everyone else soon joined in and the bell signalling the end of lunch time could barely be heard. Pinkie looked up at the CCTV camera. Predictably, the glass was cracked. It had probably ignored the entire scenario, as the teachers always did. They didn’t seem to notice that he was different, so they wouldn’t realise that he was vulnerable to not just teasing. Because this was most certainly not just teasing. This, in Pinkie’s opinion, was bullying. “Pinkie, where were you at lunch?” questioned Rainbow Dash. “We were having a blast! It would have been even better if you were there, Pinkie.” They were at the park, as they always were after school. It was a big social area, the biggest apart from Sugarcube Corner, where Pinkie Pie had a job after school on Fridays. And it was a Friday. “Hey Pinkie, don’t you have a job today?” asked Applejack. “Huh? Oh yeah!” shouted Pinkie suddenly. “I had my head way in the clouds. See ya!” She sprinted to Sugarcube Corner faster than Rainbow Dash. Bad choice of words, head in the clouds, she thought numbly as she ran into the café. “Hey Pinkie!” called Carrot Cake, the owner of Sugarcube Corner, from the counter. “Hey sir!” she replied, giving a small salute before pulling on an apron. “I almost forgot to come here, my mind was on other things, y'know.” She started becoming her usual, bouncier self when in walked Cloudy. He looked so kind and gentle, a tall and gentle giant, and she felt genuinely sorry for him. There was something else, but admitting that would make her a target too. Nope. Not while everyone was here. Uh oh, she thought. Flash Sentry and the basketball girl were here. They saw him and Flash threw him a packet of Salty Spicy Ultra Hot Roasted Peanuts and said, “The Sun's coming to burn you up, little Cloudy Girly!” Everyone except Carrot Cake and Pinkie laughed. “Out!” Carrot shouted. “Out, unless you’re going to apologise. I will not accept behaviour like that in my café!” Everyone left, knowing that he would accept them again once they started buying more sweets and cakes and hot drinks and other snacks. Cloudy was still in the store when everyone left. Pinkie said, “Cloudy, wait!” “Got another mean thing to say?” he asked casually, raising an eyebrow. He clearly didn’t know who to trust. “No, I'm not one of them, I can see they’re being horrible and I can’t stand it. Even my friends were talking about you in class, and they didn’t listen to me, and I just wanted to say...“ She was lost for words. She couldn’t say the thing she wanted to say. “That you’re on my side?” “Well, I guess so.” “You really aren’t one of them. I have autism, see, and all the people our age can tell. They never let me explain myself, they just think, 'Oh he’s different from us, let's bully him!’ This is the third new school this year. There’s nothing I can say to stop it. I’ve tried hanging out with smart kids, popular kids, the ones who smoke and disrupt the lessons... and nothing. It never stops.” “Ouch.” Was all Pinkie was capable of saying. “But you know what? I've found something that works. Becoming friends with the teachers, because they’re actually really nice. That and waiting for people like you.” He smiled a sweet smile, sweeter than the buttercream icing on Sugarcube Corner's cupcakes, and it warmed her up inside. Her heart started beating faster as he took a step towards her. They both looked to make sure Carrot Cake wasn’t around and checked nobody was staring through the windows, and he leaned down and kissed her and she let him because she had been trying to ask him out all along, and was scared of being bullied for liking him. *** A few weeks later, Cloudy whizzed on his motorbike to the estate where Pinkie had started renting a studio flat. He sat on the bike for a few moments, then he saw a mess of pink hair that could barely fit under a purple helmet. Pinkie jumped on the back of the bike, put her arms around his waist and smiled sweetly, and they set off on their first date. They had barely spoken at school, as Cloudy had been staying inside near the staffroom at lunch and Pinkie had been in the music room, but they were together now, and that was all that mattered. Sunset was on her motorbike too, and she heard Pinkie shout, “Hi Sunset!” as they sped past her. Sunset shook her head. Of course Pinkie went for the unpopular kid. He was quiet and sensitive, and needed someone larger than life to bring him out of his shell. They were made for each other, and that was all that mattered.
A Diversion and A Lot of TroubleIt took two days for Sunset to come up with a plan. Then, it needed approval from Celestia. So it was decided that the diversion would happen on the next Monday. Hopefully, the seven of them would be able to stop Cloudy and Pinkie from truanting and force them to go to Canterlot High. On Monday morning, Sunset's alarm went off at 4am, early enough for her to prepare. She got showered and dressed, ate a cereal bar and pulled on her coat and helmet. She left her house, locked the front door and started her motorbike. The engine purred to life and she drove to the block of flats where Pinkie Pie lived. Sunset checked her watch. 5am. Three and a half hours of waiting. She knew that Cloudy would head past here before 8:30, but she didn't know exactly when. Rainbow Dash waited at the bus stop, ignoring the buses. She wasn't taking any of them. She was going to use magic to run after Pinkie. Her top speed would be enough to catch up with and even overtake a motorbike. She texted her friends, Ready when you are, The Dash! Pinkie Pie was pacing in her flat, angry. Angry because she had just seen a post on Grapevine about 'a crazy girl who gave it all for a boy who deserved nothing.' The user who posted it was TricksUpMySleeve2071. No surprise there. She just wanted to hear the sound of Cloudy's motorbike. If she didn't hear him coming, she would not be able to escape as quickly. Then she heard it. She looked out of the window. There he was. She pulled on her motorbike helmet and locked the door to the flat before sprinting down the stairs into the rain and jumped on the back of Cloudy's motorbike. They did not realise that they were being followed until Sunset was right behind them. "Go away," shouted Pinkie. "If you go to school," replied Sunset. "Bully!" "That's a lie." "You did nothing to help me!" "Which is why I'm helping now. But, to help, you have to go to school." "And get bullied? Let Cloudy get bullied?" "You really think I would let that happen?" Silence, then Cloudy hit the accelerator. So did Sunset. As Cloudy put the indicator on to turn right, Sunset positioned herself so that they would have to go straight ahead. Cloudy swore. Sunset trailed behind them, signalling to Rainbow Dash as they sped past her. She began to run towards them. Soon, Sunset was driving on the right of Pinkie and Cloudy, and Rainbow was on the left. The couple were forced to carry on until they reached Canterlot High. Sunset sped ahead and forced Cloudy to turn into Canterlot's car park. He accidentally hit the breaks and the motorbike fell to one side, throwing him and his girlfriend across the concrete. "Sunset!" screeched Pinkie Pie. She ran to a statue of a horse. "I'll go through the portal to Equestria if you don't let us go." She tapped the portal. "Pony Twilight's closed it on her side," said Sunset. An argument started, and students began streaming out of the school and they watched the fight break out. Something fell on the floor by Pinkie's feet. Her geode necklace. Cloudy picked it up, whispering something in her ear. "No, Cloudy, I can't." "Pinkie. They'll trap us here." "I can't. Magic can change from good to bad in seconds. It can change people. It's hard to control." "If you won't use your magic to get us out of here, Pinkie, I will. Get ready for the best adventure we've ever had, girlfriend." She was too late to stop him from slipping the silver chain around his neck and holding her hand. The effect was instantaneous. A loud explosion of glowing magic. It formed a sphere in the air and swallowed them despite their efforts to escape. As the magic swirled menacingly around them, Cloudy Sky and Pinkie Pie tried but failed to resist its power. It changed their appearances and they forgot who they were. The students, having experienced this several times, began to run inside, knowing what would await them if they stayed. Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle stayed. As the only students able to use magic properly it was their responsibility to keep everyone safe. When the sphere of magic disappeared, the six girls still outside were stood facing two creatures who were human but not quite, with huge scaly wings. Their outfits appeared to be made of shards of stained glass, various colours of the rainbow for Pinkie and blue, grey and gold for Cloudy. Their now messy hair was blown upward by the magic they possessed and each of them had a scaly tail the colour of their skin. They held each other's clawed hands and sneered at their former friends. "Girlfriend, remind me what we wanted before we used your magic," said the demon who had replace Cloudy. "Boyfriend, isn't it obvious? We wanted to get rid of the bullies!" the evil Pinkie Pie cackled. "Should we?" "Well, you didn't use my geode necklace for nothing, did you! By the way, we don't need it any more, we have all the magic we need to stop ALL the bullies. Plus, it just reminds me of them." She pointed at the six girls. He took her necklace off and dropped it. "Oops," he laughed ironically. "Now, where are the bullies? We want the ringleaders! Flash Sentry! Bolt and Volt Thunder! Trixie!" They flew towards the school and t used magic to tear a hole in the side of the CHS school building. Screaming could be heard. "Hey!" yelled Sunset. "You forgot about us! We love feedback! What do you think of us?!" Cloudy cursed. "You know how to deal with them, Pinkie. I'll round up the ringleaders, you deal with them." He kissed her quickly and flew into the school. Sunset groaned. She had hoped to distract both of them. Instead, they had split up. She didn't let her frustration show, though. She shouted at the she-demon, "Hey Pinkie! Look at yourself. You have been bullied for weeks by a lot of people. But you know as well as I do that two wrongs do not make a right. You're turning into a bully because you're taking revenge. I have been a bully. Remember, before pony Twilight came here, I bullied everyone. But I was always alone, and you will be the same, unless you change." Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Applejack stepped forwards. Rainbow spoke first, saying, "Sadness. Anger. Hurt. Fear. Anxiety. That's what bullying feels like, makes you feel. We all know, we've all been in your shoes when it comes to bullying. But the best thing you can do is stick with your friends." "Revenge isn't right, dear," Rarity tried to shout, "but we know how it feels. You could give a bully all your possessions and they would laugh and say you're bankrupt. But the one thing you can give them is a question. Why are you doing this? I know why, and we all want to help you and Cloudy." More screams erupted from the school. "But you need to let us help you and Cloudy," said Applejack. The three of them began to Pony-up. "Look, three of the bullies have given up and apologised," called Twilight. "Think. We can help you. Using magic like this won't help. You have to use the most powerful magic of all. You know what that is. Honesty. Loyalty. Generosity. Kindness." Something changes in Pinkie's eyes. "And laughter." she said. "But, but how? How do you let go of all the hurt and revenge?" The other girls grew their ears, tails and (for Twilight and Fluttershy) wings. Sunset used magic to levitate and floated up to Pinkie. "You listen to their apologies and you forgive them. We've been through so much that everyone here will apologise for starting this and forgive you for doing this. Now, what do you get if you cross a mathematician and a ton of pastry? Pi!" Pinkie laughed. Her wings disappeared. "Laughter!" She used her magic to make herself look normal, other than her pony ears and tail, giggling at the sensation. Then Cloudy flew out of the hole in the wall, holding Trixie by her hair. "I don't have any more tricks up my sleeve! HELP!" she screamed.
Clearing Stormy Skies and a New StartTrixie was being dangled by her long hair. The Main Seven had a dilemma. If they all confronted Cloudy, he would drop her and the fall would seriously injure her, possibly even kill her. If only one of them confronted him, they wouldn't be powerful enough, but he would never be consoled if more than one of them tried to bring him round. "It has to be me," whispered Pinkie Pie. "He'll only listen to me." Six voices objected. Pinkie heard snippets of sentences: "he's too strong," and "he'll turn you into a demon again" were repeated again and again. "Please!" she snapped. She changed her tone of voice. "Please. He will never listen to you. I'll have enough magic with my geode." Sunset handed her the necklace and Pinkie slipped it on. Instantly, she felt the magical power in her veins. "Go into the school. Help anyone who has been injured. Wait until Cloudy and I walk into the school minus scaly wings and crazy laughs." Pinkie's friends darted into the school, unnoticed by Cloudy. "Cloudy!" yelled Pinkie. He looked at her. "I want to talk to you, but my throat hurts. I can't shout for much longer." He flew down a few metres and snarled, "You turncoat! You left and joined the bullies! You're just as bad as them!" "No, Cloudy. My friends are a lot of things. Annoying. Argumentative. Easily upset. Frustrating. But they are not bullies. And they apologised for not helping sooner. They want to help now, though, and I want their help." "Help?! You fool! They would never help!" "And you would never say that if you were being rational, if you weren't overwhelmed by magic that you can't control. I tried to stop you using magic, but you're stubborn. You don't let other people's opinions get to you. That's one of the reasons why I like you." He paused. "You're still friends with the bullies you call friends, yet you still want to be with me?" he asked with confusion. "It's hard to understand, but I should explain. "Magic used in the wrong way can change the way you think. It can make you feel that everyone is out to get you and that even your friends are against you. You can see the world differently to others. Surely you can see that my friends and I want to help, and that by punishing your bullies you are as bad as they are?" She turned to Trixie. "Trixie, you owe us an apology. The magic words are, "I promise never to bully anyone ever again and I am sorry I tried to make life miserable for you." And you have to mean it." Trixie stuttered, "I - I promise never to bully anyone ever again and I am s - sorry I tried to make life miserable for you. Please can you put me down?" He looked at the girl who he himself was bullying. Just like Pinkie, his eyes looked human again. He said, "Apology accepted," and flew to the ground slowly. The magic changed him back, even though Pinkie Pie wasn't doing anything but looking at him. His wings faded to nothing and he became human again. They walked into the school and everything went back to normal. Mean comments. Pinkie gave them all the death glare and informed them that Principal Celestia was investigating the possibility of bullying. That shut them up fairly quickly. To say the least, Celestia was not impressed. She and Vice Principal Luna practically lost it in front of Flash Sentry, Trixie and Volt and Bolt Thunder. They were excluded from school for a week and given detentions. Then Grapevine had to be contacted and told to take down any rude or offensive content. It was a long, drawn-out process, but eventually, everyone had written enough statements and life went back to normal. One day after school, the Main Seven and Cloudy were at the park, talking about magic. Cloudy could use magic, to everyone's surprise, and was enjoying making a pen levitate. "I always knew that there was something more than what we're taught at school," he told them. "You can feel things, feel something is different from the status quo. I never knew about magic until Pinkie told me." He smiled at her. She smiled back. "It has to be kept secret, of course," said Sunset. Suddenly, she grew a pair of golden ears and her hair grew long as if forming a tail. She added with a grin, "But it's pretty cool if you know about it and can use it. Especially if you can turn into a pony." Everyone laughed. "Sunset, stop! Someone will see you!" giggled Rainbow Dash. Her smile faded. "About that, I didn't use magic. I just Ponied-Up without meaning to. It also happened yesterday, at my bungalow. I was pacing, and then, bang, I'm a pony." Everyone exchanged worried glances, then laughed again as Rarity said, "Life never changes, does it?! Always saving the world, us lot!" When everyone went off to play football, Pinkie Pie and Cloudy Sky stayed under the shade of a huge willow. There was something Pinkie really wanted to ask. It was scaring her a little. She had never had a boyfriend like him who didn't dump her for someone who wore more make-up. He saw her face. "Penny for your thoughts?" he asked, placing a coin in the palm of her hand. "Well, Cloudy, the thing is, because we're so happy together, I wasn't sure..." her voice trailed off. "Sure if what?" "My family and I are going on a cruise in the summer holidays, and I was wondering if you would join us. It's ok if you can't make it or don't want to-" "Sure, I'll come along. My family won't mind paying your parents for my ticket." Her eyes widened. "Really?" "And maybe you would like to come round mine to meet my family and have dinner?" "I'd love that!" "Knew it." He held her hand and she leaned her head on his shoulder. They couldn't have hoped for more.
Well, Maybe Bullies Are A ProblemPinkie Pie and Cloudy Sky were riding his motorbike up the mountain to the restaurant near the peak for their first date. It was more than Pinkie could stand and she gave a "Whoopie!" of delight as they hurtled up the rocky path and nearly broke their necks. Eventually they arrived and dismounted the motorbike, taking off their helmets and letting the wind whip back their hair. They walked into the cosy restaurant, more like a shabby pub than anything, and ordered a most Pinkie Pie romantic dinner - it was all-day breakfast day and there were bacon and syrup pancakes for dessert. They shared some small talk and they kissed when they finished their meal. Yet they didn't realise the danger of one kiss. Trixie took the photo at just the right moment. It was uploaded to Grapevine, a new social media platform, within seconds, with the caption Pinkie's Fall from Grace and the Darkening Sky! Who will realise first that they were made to fall apart?! Trixie was half ashamed at Pinkie's choice of boyfriend, but to her, Pinkie was weird. It was exactly the kind of choice she would make. *** The next Monday, people were laughing at Pinkie and Cloudy. Hard. They received a sneaky kick in the ankles from a few giggling girls, and they laughed harder when Pinkie fell over. Pinkie realised immediately that whatever joke was going around was on her and Cloudy. "Brilliant photoshopping, Trixie!" called Rainbow merrily. "Oh hi," she said when she saw Pinkie. "I shouldn't have kept this from you, but Trixie's found an old photo and edited it. It's hilarious! Oh the idea... I would kill you if it was true... You should look!" Rainbow Dash showed Pinkie her phone. It was the new social media platform, Grapevine, designed for gossip and jokes. The picture was from Pinkie and Cloudy's date at the weekend, with the most horrifying caption: Pinkie's Fall from Grace and the Darkening Sky! Who will realise first that they were made to fall apart?! "Ha ha ha," Pinkie said unhappily with an ounce of sarcasm. "It's so funny I could die laughing any moment now." She gave Rainbow the evil eye and stormed off. Rainbow looked on, confused, unaware of her friend's feelings. As you can guess, Pinkie Pie wasn't in the music room at lunch. She was outside in the rain, sat this time with Cloudy and telling him about Rainbow Dash teasing her. He was kind and thoughtful, comforting her. "Sorry, Buttercream, being picked on is an occupational hazard when you're around me." She batted her eyelids and her eyes misted over. For him. Not for anyone else. They would get the stony stare. Just for him. "Where's Pinkie Pie?" asked Fluttershy. "Oh, she's probably sulking because of the rumours," Rarity dismissed Fluttershy's concerns with the airiness of a queen dismissing a servant. "What rumours?" questioned Sunset Shimmer. "Oh darling," said Rarity, "of course, you don't have Grapevine yet, do you? It's just a little photoshopping, switching pictures around, like you did before the Fall Formal to Twilight." There was an element of disappointment when she paused. "Like that, but with more positive intentions." "So show me." Rainbow held up her phone for the second time. She said, "I don't get it! I showed her, and told her that Trixie photoshopped something for a laugh, and she stormed off! I thought she was the Element of Laughter or something, and she can't take a joke!" "This is many things," snapped Sunset with the attitude she had before the Fall Formal, "but it is not a joke. This is mean. Tell Trixie to take it off the website." "Listen, she's mollycoddling Pinkie! And Cloudy Sky! Ooh, Pinkie and Cloudy!" Rarity laughed. Applejack and Twilight came in. "We just found Pinkie and Cloudy sobbing outside. I just witnessed something awful out there!" "You mean them kissing?!" sniggered Rainbow Dash. It was all a laugh to her. "That Grapevine comment is so disgusting, so foul, so, so, so horrible that I will knock the next person to mention it into Equestria!" Applejack was such a terrible liar. "Applejack, it's not funny!" Twilight cried out. "They're a perfect couple, it's just because it's Cloudy..." "IT'S TRUE!!!" yelled Rainbow. "Let. Me. Talk." said Sunset, emphasising every syllable. Silence. "Yes they are together. But they're being bullied. And Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow, I expected more from you. Applejack, be honest with yourself. This is not what friends do. Rarity, be generous and give Pinkie Pie and Cloudy the time and peace they want and need together. Rainbow Dash, be loyal to them and stop those comments. Please, all of you?" "Sorry," the three of them muttered. *** Days passed, and Pinkie and Cloudy received more bullying and she didn't speak to her friends. They didn't talk to anyone from CHS, for that matter. They could not focus in class due to the comments and looks sent their way, and soon stopped going to school altogether, sending fake phone calls saying they were sick and spending time up the mountain. One day, while they were on mountain bikes (not the motorbike), Pinkie asked him, "How come you aren't affected? You don't have to tell people to fall off a cliff! You don't break down in tears!" "It hurts, being picked out and picked on. There are two things that help. One is the fact that it's been going on for so long. The other is the fact that I have autism, remember? My brain is wired differently. To me they are weird. They have to fit into a status quo to be accepted as a human being, and don't accept anyone who doesn't fit in, anyone who's different. Having to fill an ultimatum to be accepted into society makes no sense to me." "Uh huh." Normal(ish) Pinkie Pie returned when they were alone. The usual, bouncy Pinkie was happier when they were in the woods together. Meanwhile, the rest of the Main Seven were in geography class when Principal Celestia walked in and asked to talk to them. They left the class, slightly worried. "I understand that you are Pinkie Pie's closest friends and that you spend a great deal of time together. Am I correct?" Celestia asked. "Yes," said Sunset, "but-" "She's been skipping school recently. So has Cloudy Sky. I know that she rents a flat somewhere in town, although I don't know what area, and that he lives with his parents. I do not know where they are going. I rang up Mrs Sky this morning to ask where Cloudy was and she said that he had left for school. I am beginning to become concerned you know why they are not coming to school?" "Well, I think that the words should come from Flash Sentry, Bolt and Volt Thunder, and Trixie," said Rainbow Dash, embarrassed. "The best way of explaining is admitting that some of us haven't been that nice to them. I thought Pinkie would laugh it off, I didn't realise that she was upset. We tried calling her and everything!" Celestia thought for a moment. "It sounds like you are telling me that two of Canterlot High School's students are being bullied. I am assuming that you wish for this to stop. I cannot stop it, however, until I speak to Cloudy Sky and Pinkie Pie in person." She turned to Sunset. "You ride a motorbike, am I correct?" Sunset was surprised. "Please don't report it, Principal, I'm actually eighteen..." "It's ok, Sunset. I just have a task for you. Cloudy also has a licensed motorbike. I am hoping that you can get in touch with them." A smile crept across Sunset's face. "Done," she said.
