Pinkie’s Special Day
A cupcake-shaped alarm trilled from her nightstand as Pinkie Pie awoke with a start. Tossing the false confection out a window, she eagerly leaped out of bed, ready to start her Saturday. She didn’t even need to look at the calendar.
Today was only the most important day ever! The day Pinkie had foreseen back when she got her cutie mark, the premonition that had heralded her Pinkie sense. Well not really the day, more like the moment, since she hadn’t foreseen that she’d be surrounded with so many great friends and work at a bakery making so many super delicious desserts like that yummy Marzipan Mascarpone Meringue Madness which she really should have-
Her thoughts were interrupted as a certain toothless alligator landed on her head.
“You’re right Gummy, it’s no good to get distracted on a day like this.” Setting him near his food, our peppy protagonist proceeded to rummage in her Super Special Party Supplies chest.
“We gotta keep our eyes on the prize, the main event!” she exclaimed, emerging victoriously with a pink stopwatch. It was the Super-Duper Special Surprise Time Countdown™, custom made long ago for the occasion and sealed with enough battery power to last the decade. It even had her cutie mark engraved on the back.
“Wowee! Only six hours and twenty-three minutes until it's here!” She stuck the watch in her mane and set course for the bathroom.
It's pretty lucky today also happens to be a mashed potato bank holiday, she mused. Though baking was plenty fun, there’s no way she could focus enough now to get any work done. As if to prove her point, Pinkie noticed she was currently brushing her teeth with spaghetti sauce.
“Silly me, what’s that jar doing there? Oh, right,” she recalled and grabbed the actual toothpaste.
Finishing with her teeth, a nice bubble bath was up next.
Her shoulder ached a bit as she settled into the tub. Giving a nostalgic sigh, Pinkie pulled a playful gator out of the tub. It brought to mind before her Pinkie sense had fully developed, when she still had doubted the authenticity of her vision. She couldn’t believe something of this caliber would happen, but of course her perception of life had been much duller at the time. Heck, back then she never thought she would actually get into the Grand Galloping Gala, let alone her other accomplishments like saving the world multiple times!
Life sure has a habit of taking funny turns, she contemplated. You just gotta laugh with it.
Having completed the rest of her morning routine, the stopwatch was pulled out again.
“Five and a half hours, Gummy!”
Gummy responded by slowly blinking one eye, then the other.
“Don’t get too rowdy now,” Pinkie giggled.
Five and a half hours until the big event meant only three until the picnic! Pinkie Pie had initially planned on just having a party with the girls at Sugarcube Corner, but Rarity instead wanted to use the day to catch up on her dress orders. It was Fluttershy’s suggestion of a picnic lunch that won her over.
And that was certainly okay with the party pony. She didn’t want anyone to miss out on the good times, and the more time they spent together the better.
Trotting downstairs, she noticed the Cakes had already left for a day of fun with their twins. “Aww, I missed them,” she frowned. Cheering up, she said “It’s a good thing I told them ‘Good morning’ before bed last night! I wouldn’t have been able to today!”
Only one more thing to do then, Pinkie thought and rapidly began gathering decorations for the party. She was gonna go all out with this one, it was worth it.
Time passed quickly when the party planner was in the zone. Once satisfied, she looked around approvingly. It was hard to tell there was a room underneath all that party, just the way she liked it. Kinda like herself. Checking a real clock this time, Pinkie hopped about excitedly.
“Oh boy, right on time! The picnic’ll start soon.” she said to Gummy. He wasn’t there.
In the manner of a bouncy ball, she fetched her waiting picnic basket from the table along with a loaf of banana bread. She would have brought raisin bread but it didn’t fit the mood. Everypony knows raisins don’t belong on a picnic.
Pinkie Pie had barely taken two steps out the door before colliding into a speeding Scootaloo on a scooter. The crash was less than satisfying. Seeing stars, she carefully picked her items up.
“Sorry, Pinkie Pie! It was like you came outta nowhere!” Scootaloo apologized, knowing that Pinkie has a habit of doing just that.
Oh that pesky filly never seems to pay attention. Pinkie quickly snuffed the thought out. It doesn’t matter, she told herself. Life’s too short not to be happy.
“That’s okey-dokey, Scootaloo! Though you might want to fix that squeaky wheel. Here, have a cupcake!” she chirped, pulling one out (of her pocket?) for Scootaloo.
Passing the cupcake, Pinkie took off before the orange chicken had a chance to respond. She had a picnic to go to, after all, and time waits for no one.
Arriving at their usual spot in the park, Pinkie laughed to herself upon noticing she was the first there. It wasn’t like her to be so mindful of the time, but she just couldn’t help herself. Her mind was on today’s surprise even as she set up for the picnic.
It was then that Twilight Sparkle appeared with Spike in tow. They exchanged greetings, Twilight making a brainy comment about the weather. That was just like her, so smart, so curious about the world.
As she sometimes did, Pinkie felt the urge to spill the beans to her studious friend. If there was a pony who would know how to improve this day, it would be Twilight. All of her skill at planning and coordination, along with a scientific disposition, might have really helped with the occasion.
But Pinkie was reluctant to spoil the surprise, and now it was too soon. Twilight had a tendency for getting too caught up in responsibilities and work to really enjoy herself. Pinkie had not wanted it to merely end up a burden, especially since her special talent was supposed to be making other ponies happy. Ya gotta have as much fun as ya can. And surprises are fun.
Fluttershy arrived not far behind, apologising for making them wait. Assuring her it was unnecessary, Pinkie cracked a joke.
Fluttershy was the one she was most concerned for; that today might be too much for her. The poor mare was always nervous over something. She wished Fluttershy hadn’t spent so much of her life fearful and worrying. A pony can’t control everything after all, the trick is in the reaction. I should have her sing Granny Pie’s Laughter Song with me again.
Applejack and Rainbow Dash quickly came into the view, racing toward picnic together. They collapsed on the picnic blanket in a heap, barely avoiding knocking over the salad bowl Fluttershy had just set down. Both proceeded to ask who the victor was, forgoing any typical greetings. Precisely what Pinkie expected of her two athletic friends, each locked in perpetual competition with the other.
It seemed to her that Rainbow Dash would have the best reaction toward today’s main event. The cyan speedster loved excitement, craved it even. All the times they had saved Equestria from disaster, Pinkie could tell Dashie secretly enjoyed the action. Although, Applejack’s reaction was sure to be funny. Her down to earth nature would likely leave her the most astounded. Sometimes it was like AJ could barely fathom anything out of the norm.
Pinkie wondered what it would be like if AJ had been the one to know about today. She was the element of honesty. There was no way she would be able to contain her reaction; if she even chose to believe it. There would be no surprise and she wouldn’t have the finesse to even coordinate an enjoyable party. What a downer that would be! AJ’ll appreciate the effort it took to make this as fun as I could.
Rarity promptly made her entrance, fashionably late as she put it. Almost as if she had been out of sight waiting for everyone else... Rarity was certainly a good friend, but she was far too concerned with acting ‘proper’ and ‘fashionable’. Pinkie didn’t like to think about all the things Rarity missed out on in fear of getting dirty or mussing up her mane. I hope it doesn’t stop her from letting loose and partying hard today!
“Hey Pinkie, anyone home?” Rainbow Dash waved a hoof in front of Pinkie.
It was then that she realized what she had been doing. Resuming chatter amongst her friends, Pinkie resolved to keep the big surprise out of her thoughts for now, to prevent trivializing the picnic.
With all parties accounted for, the picnic began. The banana bread was a big hit.
Their picnic had ran on for far longer than Pinkie intended, but everypony was enjoying themselves so she didn’t intervene. Remaining mindful of the time, Pinkie had checked her SDSSTC™ as they finally wrapped up. The actual party would be cut short, but there was still enough time.
And so they headed to Sugarcube Corner, laughing all the way. Laughter was the best thing ever. Pinkie wouldn’t brag about it to anypony, but she obviously had the best element.
Entering the building, they all expressed their appreciation for the extravagant party decor. Pinkie truly had given her best effort, it was going to take forever to clean. Certainly an excellent setting for ponies in an excellent mood.
Everypony continued having a ball, until things slowed down in concern of Pinkie who was increasingly checking the time.
“Um, Pinkie? Is everything okay? Oh I hope we’re not boring you!” Fluttershy spoke up first, ever concerned for her friends.
Pinkie paused a moment and then made her announcement.
“Well girls, in six minutes is the real reason for this super special party!” she declared, pointing dramatically.
Her foreleg also happened to be aimed at the door, which Rainbow Dash took notice of. “Is somepony coming here? Who is it?!”
“A mystery guest, how exciting!” Rarity fussed with her mane. Spike helped.
“I hope it isn’t the Princess! I’m not prepared for her at all!”
“Ah reckon the whole town’d know ‘bout it if the Princess were coming” Applejack reasoned, staring at the door anyway.
Pinkie held her tongue, letting them speculate. She didn’t want to slip a hint in any direction. She was holding the SDSSTC™ out in front of herself now, keeping watch on the time. It’d be pretty silly if she missed the moment after all this preparation. Her chortle drew a few gazes away from the door.
“What’s so funny, dear?” questioned Rarity.
“I’m just so ultra excited!” It’s so close
Impatient as always, Rainbow Dash spoke up, “Yeah, well just how much longer ‘till they're here?”
“Only two minutes and twelve -no, eleve- ten seconds!”
Appeased, the girls silently waited. Spike too. Pinkie savored the moment, for once not feeling any need to fidget as she observed the scene. Her smile couldn’t grow any bigger. Everything was looking just as she remembered it would, and she knew exactly what she would say.
A final glance was given to her SDSSTC™, anticipation welling up inside. It's time.
“Surprise!” Pinkie Pie shouted with all of her heart.
And then the world ended.
