Fall had arrived in Ponyville. The air was cool but had those hints of the freezing cold that would come with winter in a few weeks or so. The leaves on the trees were all turning golden brown or red or yellow or some other calmer but still good-looking color. That was a good way to describe the season in general. Calmer. Everyone coming down from the rush and constant fun of summer and now shifting into the brief but welcomed bit of cool down and collecting one’s self before having to deal with the long and cold period of winter.

Fall meant prepping for family get-togethers and all the stress and mess that came with, students going back to or starting school and the emotional meltdowns that followed, and of course the falling of the leaves. This was what life in fall was like. It was cooler, it was quieter, it was calmer.

Pinkamena Diane Pie, or Pinkie Pie as she and many others called herself, wiped a line of sweat going down her dark brown skin as she watched some of the leaves sway in the breeze from the kitchen window. She watched some of them slowly snap away from the branches they were attached to before they drifted through the breeze and flew around in loops and zig-zags as they made their way toward the ground. She watched them land before making her way over to the nearby oven and pulling out a fresh tray of brownies. She got hit in the face with a wave of heat from the oven as she closed it back up, making her thankful her usually pink and curly afro was currently tied up in a bun. She put the tray down on the counter and got to cutting them into pieces.

The way she was able to make each square perfectly equal to one another, it was like an art. Even the edge pieces usually had the same amount of space between them, save for the corner ones. After letting them cool off enough to make sure they were still warm and gooey on the inside, she started pulling them out and putting them on two plates. One for the middle pieces, and the other for the edge and corner pieces. She put the plates alongside others in the display under the counter and let out a long sigh as she wiped another wave of sweat from her forehead. It always got so hot and stuffy when she got the morning batches ready.

She looked to the bakery’s entrance, seeing the streets still calm. There was still time before people started piling in, a bit of time to clean up the pans and bowls and mix ingredients. It was the best way to spend her time while enjoying the silence.

As she walked back into the kitchen, she paused. She looked at the rug, a small rounded square with its materials being made to resemble the patterns of crashing sea waves. Had it always looked like that? Had the pattern always been set up like that? Her eyes started to strain as she looked at the rug, watching it as if the patterns were slowly shifting and moving like painted jagged waves of the ocean sea they were imitating. The sounds of waves crashing slowly started to fill her head. She slowly bent down, reaching out to it.

The baker’s shop bell jingled as she jumped back up, quickly heading back to the counter. She smiled as she saw Fluttershy stumble back a bit. “Howdy Fluttershy! What can I get for you today?” she asked, giggling.

“O-oh, well… I just want a um… hot chocolate and a bagel with cream cheese please… if you have it, I mean, I don’t wanna inconvenience you or anything…” Even when she was the first and only customer of the morning, Fluttershy was still very much herself at her shyest.

Pinkie just giggled, walking around to get the requested items. “Aw, come on Flutters! This is a bakery! We’re gonna have plenty of bagels and cocoa!” she exclaimed, grabbing a bagel and cutting it in two with one quick slice. She put a few squares of cream cheese next to it before putting it on the counter.

“Thank—”

“Not yet silly! You still need your cocoa, hot and steamy.” Pinkie interrupted, walking over to a cappuccino machine and listening to the oddly satisfying sound of the thick liquid filling the cup. She blew on it a few times before picking it up and placing it down next to the plate. “And there you go! One quaint breakfast courtesy of one Pinkie Pie!” She exclaimed, flashing the biggest smile she could.

It was all worth it to see Fluttershy giggle. “Thank you, Pinkie. You always know how to make sure a day starts on a positive note.”

Pinkie just smiled, getting herself two doughnuts and a cappuccino before joining her friend at a table near the front windows of the bakery. “So, Flutters, why come here so early in the morning? It’s not like you to see me this early.”

Fluttershy looked down at her drink, going even more quiet than she usually was. She nervously ran her fingers against the table.

“... Come on Fluttershy, you can tell me what’s up. We stopped the world from being covered in eternal night. We should be able to rely on each other.” Pinkie let her voice soften, though that also made it clear she was getting nervous too …

‘Is… is she gonna confess to me or something?’ was all Pinkie could think in the current moment.

“I just… I had nightmares all last night. A-and then when I woke up, every animal I heard outside just sounded so threatening. I-I just didn’t want to be alone…” Fluttershy explained, her body trembling as she was on the verge of tears.

Pinkie slowly moved in close, watching a few tears run down Fluttershy’s cheeks. “Need a hug?”

Fluttershy slowly nodded, smiling again as the two got up and embraced. She giggled as she felt Pinkie squeeze. “I’m sorry if this is too much for you…”

“Fluttershy, you’re my friend. Don’t you worry about that at all. I’m more just surprised you came to me, really. Wanna drown those fears in sweets or something?”

Fluttershy shook her head. “I didn’t want to risk waking up Rarity or Twilight, and I wouldn’t even know where to look for Applejack since she gets up so early to work in all those acres of trees. And Rainbow Dash-” she stopped mid-sentence before shaking her head. “I still haven’t been able to reach her.”

Pinkie shook her head as she pulled away from the hug. “She’ll pick up someday. I just know it. Dashie’s gonna pick up and go on and on about all the trophies she’s won and how awesome she is.”

Fluttershy sniffed, nodding along. “Yeah. That’ll be nice. Applejack’ll love every second of it,” she said, the two sitting back down and returning to their breakfasts. “Oh, Pinkie. You smell nice today. Like brownies.”

After a while, Fluttershy finished her meal and left. They would meet up at the library with the others later. Pinkie waved goodbye as she watched her head out. She watched the outside for a bit. It was still a bit early, so not that many people were out just yet, giving the outside this perfect sense of empty serenity. With all the leaves swirling through the air, it was like she was looking at the perfect snapshot for a greeting card.

After cleaning up the dishes and putting them aside, she was back at the kitchen rug. She slowly bent down and moved it aside, looking at the panel underneath. It wasn't noticeable if you weren't aware of it, but once you learned about it, you'd always be able to see it.

She lifted the trap door and felt a cool breeze hit her face. She glanced around again to make sure no one else was around. She let out a long sigh before she began walking down, closing the trap door behind her and disappearing into the dark shadows below.

Pinkie softly giggled to herself before looking down at the mug she was holding. The foam at the top had already been drunk, showing her reflection looking back up at her. It was one of the few times where she didn’t have a big infectious smile on her face. It was more calm, held back, quiet.

It was hard to be her normal hyper-self where she currently was - a cozy little underground basement tavern/bar with some tables and nice looking hand-carved wooden chairs and a crackling fireplace in the corner. She was half worried if she tried anything too wild she’d send the whole place up in smoke.

Pinkie always appreciated the fireplace. It always had such a welcoming presence, no matter the situation. She would always find herself parked right in front of the one back home after a long day of mining and harvesting rocks. Her mom always knew when she and her sisters would be heading back from a day of work and would have it already going when they got home. She and Limestone would tumble over who got the closet spot. Those were some days.

She snapped out of her stupor as she heard the sound of a bottle being cracked open and looked to the source. Applejack was downing the bottle of hard cider, real emphasis on the hard, in seemingly one go. Pinkie couldn’t remember what bottle Applejack was on, but it was probably a few over two. “Ahh… always good to reward a hard day of work with a cold drink or two!”

“We know, Applejack. You said that when you let us into this place,” Rarity responded, softly swirling her drink around in her mug. She hadn’t even made it halfway through her first drink, only taking small sips from a straw on occasion. She and Pinkie shared glances for a bit before going back to Applejack.

“Oh, I did? Sorry bout that Rares… just get so scatterbrained from work sometimes that I can end up repeatin’ myself a bit!” Applejack waved it all off with a hearty chuckle. “Can I get any of y’all some more pretzels? Chips? Crackers?”

“Oh, no. I’m good Applejack…” Fluttershy politely declined, before stuffing a few mini-pretzels in her mouth. “I think I’ve had my fill for the night, actually ...”

“I agree with Fluttershy,” Twilight Sparkle added, getting up from her spot near the fireplace. “Today was a good day, but I think it’s time we start hightailing it back and finishing things up for the night. I still need to send my letter to Princess Celestia, and I’d hate to have her think I’m slipping up in my studies.”

Rarity nodded, taking another sip from her drink. “It’s always a delight being down here, dear. Perhaps we can have a game night or something this weekend?”

“Oh, o-oh yeah! That’d be fun! Pinkie can bring a buncha board games and cards and we don’t have to worry about learning anything and just having some good ol’ fun!” Applejack said, doing her best to stand straight, swaying. “Bet you got some wild games that’d be fun to play over drinks, right Pinkie?”

Pinkie could see the expression on Applejack’s face as she looked at her. Despite her sporting a toothy grin, it was obvious how desperate and in need she was...

“Mmmhmm! Sure do!” she quickly responded, giving a bigger smile. “And we can stay up all night and watch movies! Ooo oo! We can even do karaoke! It’ll be super duper fun! I Pinkie Promise!”

“Sounds good to me!” Applejack said, laughing as she began to go for another drink. Pinkie and the others moved to stop her. “Huh? What’s the problem with one more for the road?”

Rarity shook her head, moving in close. “Applejack, I think maybe you should cut it off for the night. You don’t wanna be puking in the morning, now do you?”

“I… I suppose not…”

“Of course you don’t, darling. You’re a woman that has to be at her best when she’s doing her job, and you are not at your best when you’re housing a hangover.” With a flick of her wrist, Rarity used her magic to slowly pull the bottle out of Applejack’s hand. “Now let’s just close this place up for the night and-”

“N-no wait! Just let me have this last one!” Applejack suddenly blurted out, jabbing her elbow out into Rarity’s face, making an audible crack as Rarity stumbled back and fell into one of the tables. Blood was spurting from her nose.

“Rarity!” Pinkie called out as Twilight and Fluttershy rushed over to her, supporting her as they helped her back to her feet. Pinkie could see a restrained mix of disappointment and sadness on Rarity’s face as she cupped her nose.

“I’m fine, I’m fine. Just, help me get home and clean this up, alright?” she muttered aloud as she got to her feet with the help of Twilight and Fluttershy, making their way to the stairway back outside. “Pinkie,” she called out, looking Pinkie in the eyes. “Make sure she doesn’t return home looking worse than I do.”

Pinkie nodded as she watched them leave, before turning back to Applejack. She was just downing as much as she could. She looked absolutely pathetic in the moment. Pinkie felt her hands grip her mug tighter before she raised it. “A… toast. To fall days getting better?” The best method was to just get Applejack to bed for the night. Don’t start a fight. Don’t argue or get her emotionally worked up. Just appeal to her and lead her somewhere safe.

Applejack raised her bottle up, trying her best to smile. “I’ll toast to that!” She then went back to drinking the thing… only to topple out of her seat and fall to the floor groaning.

Pinkie quickly finished her drink before wandering over and looking at her. Applejack didn’t even look like she was fully registering what happened or where she was. Maybe she had blacked out?

Pinkie used this opportunity to put out the fireplace before lifting Applejack to her feet and slinging her arm over her shoulder. “Come on Applejack, let’s get you to a nice, warm bed.”

Applejack muttered in agreement as they made their way to the stairs. Pinkie gave one last look back at the now darkened tavern. She knew she’d be back here sooner or later, probably before the week ended if Applejack continued this way. Even as the few remaining embers died out, the tavern still had a comfy look. She was tempted with the idea of just finding Applejack somewhere cozy down here to rest.

They walked back up into fall air, the breeze hitting them both. The color of the sky perfectly matched the colors of the leaves of the trees that lined the pathway back to the main farmhouse of Sweet Apple Acres.

“I... I can walk myself back, just fine…” Applejack muttered, head drooping down.

“Sorry Applejack, but I think it’s just better if you let me help you on this. Don’t need you getting lost out in these fields tonight now, do we?”

“That wouldn’t be so bad now, would it?” A new voice asked. It sounded almost like Pinkie’s own voice, but also… not. She could hear the sound of hooves, clopping against the ground in beat with her own footsteps.

To Pinkie’s right, a small pony walked next to her. Well, it had the shape and features of a pony but this one looked less like the ones that could be found on the farm and more like one pulled right out of a cartoon for kids. Its fur and mane were an uneven dark pink, with the mane done up in a side-cut that fell to the right, with a few visible unkempt notches. Both sides of its hindquarters had an image of three balloons, two blue and one yellow. It smiled up at her.

“I mean, these orchards go on for miles and miles. Would it be that hard to believe that she pushed you away, ran off, and like tripped into a ditch or something?”

Pinkie gritted her teeth as she continued to walk Applejack along. Maybe ignoring it would make it go away for once. She heard Applejack give off a few snores and snorts as drool slowly ran down her chin. The booze finally knocked her out.

The pony rolled its eyes before trotting around over to Applejack’s side and looking up at her face. “Wonder if she cries as much in her sleep as you do. Or maybe she just pisses the sheets?” Its voice sounded more like Pinkie’s as it kept talking.

Pinkie just tried to tune it out once more, shaking her head softly. These paths and orchards just really went on forever.

“All the booze in her system must be killing her. Even if she went cold turkey for the rest of her life, it’s gotta be so much shorter at this point,” the pony remarked as it looked up at the darkening sky. “All the cracks in her life and it’s like she doesn’t even care about patching them up anymore.” It looked over to Pinkie and smiled again. “Really, we’d be doing her a huge favor if we just shortened the process.”

“What even are you?” Pinkie asked, finally responding to the thing.

The pony giggled. “Always asking the same question over and over again,” it said, shaking its head. “And every time, I’ll give you the same answer: I’m you.”

Pinkie let out a long sigh of relief as she washed her hair, scrubbing the shampoo, conditioner and curl activator deep into her hair and scalp. Taking care of her massive afro took a lot of time and care, but it was so worth it. It showed off the kind of energy and fun she could bring to others without needing to say a word.

That’s who she was. She was Pinkie Pie, and she loved making her friends smile. Sure, there were times when she had taken things too far like with Gummy’s party, but she was human. Everyone made mistakes! And she learned from them. And her friends would always have her back, no matter what.

…Right?

She heard the sound of the bathroom door open and saw a figure make their way in. She wanted to call out and tell them she was in here. She wanted to ask who it was. She wanted to say any sort of thing, but the words were caught in her throat.

She watched the figure move closer to the shower curtain. She trembled a bit as she watched them reach out to the shower curtain and yank it aside. She looked at the figure behind it.

It looked at her, a black empty voice where their face should’ve been. It was wearing a brown bomber jacket, zipped up with just enough open for her to see the t-shirt it was wearing underneath. The head of a man with blonde spiky hair gripping an oversized sword was looking right at her.

It grabbed at Pinkie’s neck, slamming her head right into the wall with an audible crack. She let out a yelp of pain as she looked at the figure again. It had a face now. One that was twisted into a sadistic grin as messy rainbow-colored hair covered its eyes.

“I’ll fucking kill you!”

Pinkie blinked, and it was gone. Her breathing was irregular as she felt at her neck. She knew there would be nothing there, no marks or bruises, and yet she still needed to make sure. She slowly sunk to her knees as the water from the shower started to spray onto the bathroom floor.

Pinkie started to cry, as the pink pony walked into the room. It looked at her for a bit, before slowly pulling the curtain closed and grabbing a towel to mop up the water. “The rumors are starting to kick back up again.”

Pinkie looked up, watching the pony outline. “What do you mean? Who’s saying what?”

“I can hear them. People talk about something going on. About those that leave town and never come back.”

“Are they naming any names? Ideas on what’s going on?”

The pony shook its head. “No, no. Just the basic idea that something’s up. Might just be that there are better places to live somewhere else. But, the mood is shifting.”

Pinkie slowly went back to scrubbing her hair clean, not getting up from her spot. The hot water was starting to become lukewarm. She pulled the curtain aside again, glancing up at the bathroom mirror.

She could only just barely see her reflection, looking back at her.

She looked like a small, pathetic child again.

Author's Note

Here we are once again. Happy Halloween to everyone reading this, even if it is after said date. It's currently very cold and snowing where I am.

This is the re-tooled and re-edited version of Part 1. The other parts will be coming here at a later date, but if you wanna see them first, you can pick them up in the book copy, on sale November 17th and 18th at the Ponyville Ciderfest After Dark Vendors Hall. Of course, I'll happily sign your copy if you bring it to me! Hope to see you there!

Comments and critiques are always open and welcome with opened arms.