When Cupcakes Rot

by Danero

Rating: teen
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Death, Thriller, Mystery, Spike, Princess Celestia, Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle
Length: 12056

Twilight wakes up to find a package at the door. The contents are not what she remembered ordering.

Twilight loves her friends, all 4 of them. The five ponies go on great adventures and enjoy spending time with one another. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this picture, or so, Twilight believes until she finds hard evidence to the contrary. What happened to her sixth friend? Why can’t Twilight remember?

The road to find the truth she seeks is dangerous and will both challenge and change her.

This story is a slightly reimagined sequel to Cupcakes by Sergeant Sprinkles. Having read this story is not necessary, but does help provide additional context.

Rated T for dark tones, dark imagery, and implications of violence.

EDIT 7/23/2023 - Edited chapter 1 to improve imagery and overall wording.

Published 2023-07-21 15:10:00 UTC
Last updated 2023-07-21 15:10:00 UTC

A Mysterious Package

Pinkie Pie loved what she did. She loved being able to spend each day making ponies smile, throwing parties, and crafting delectable baked goods alongside the Cakes. It would be a dream to most ponies, making a living out of such enjoyable pursuits. In truth, she was happy, and she shared this happiness with others. However, there was a part of her which was not satiated by such pursuits. A part of her she rarely let others see; no, couldn’t let others see. It was a part of her best left down in the darkness where it belonged. This was fine with Pinkie. She knew herself well enough to know when she could ignore the darkness inside of her, and when she could not. When she could not, she drew a number. And, well, the rest happened behind soundproof walls where Celestia herself dared not look.

~ ~ ~

Soft rays of sunlight came in through an oval window, bathing the wooden bedroom. On this fine day, the songs of birds woke Twilight from slumber. The birds in Ponyville were more active than the ones in Canterlot, and she had came to enjoy hearing their calls upon waking. Fluttershy had certainly made her more aware of the other wondrous critters living in the world around her. She smiled warmly. Twilight had grown close to the group of ponies she initially met while helping Celestia, and it seemed each day she appreciated it more and in new and different ways. Twilight could hardly believe she had lived so much of her life in books with little but a mentor above her and a loyal baby dragon by her side. Through her friends, she had learned so many new things about other ponies, the world around her, and of course more about herself in turn. She chuckled to think about her resistance in going to Ponyville in the first place. Even if Twilight didn’t understand at first, Celestia knew what she was doing. Twilight stretched and made her way downstairs, past a sleeping Spike who would still be asleep for awhile yet. She passed by a familiar circular table with the bust of a horse, currently in the middle of the room, on her way to find something to eat.

She was looking thoughtfully into an open cupboard when she heard a crash out front, followed by a softer thud, and then thee knocks at the door.

“Oh, is that what I think it is?” Twilight pondered aloud, closing the cupboard.

Twilight was not exactly one for aesthetics. Goodness, she spent so much time reading whereby she barely looked at the library around her. It wasn’t until she attended the Grand Galloping Gala when she realized how barren the walls were. Seeing the artful paintings, tapestries, and stained glass windows in the castle adorned with inspiring ponies had made her think the library could use a similar inspiration. After the party was over, she had asked Celestia about the photo Twilight had sent just after defeating Nightmare Moon, the one with all of her friends. Celestia thought having a copy of the photo framed in the library was a wonderful idea. Twilight’s friends had changed her life for the better, and she wanted a way to memorialize the honesty, kindness, generosity, and laughter they had shared with her.

Twilight cantered to the door and opened it, revealing a rectangular package. She poked her head out and thanked the gray pegasus mailmare, who was already en route to the next house. She squeed, eagerly grabbed the package, closed the door, and made her way to the table. She ripped the package open, taking care not to drop the frame. Her smile widened as she looked over the photo. There she was: sitting between of all of her friends. Fluttershy in front, Applejack and Rarity to either side, and Pinkie Pie beaming behind her.

Except, hold on, who was the sixth pony?

Twilight only had four friends: Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie. She was fairly sure there wasn’t anyone else in the photo when it was taken, but there was a sky blue pegasus with a rainbow mane, hoof on Twilight’s head, no less. Twilight mentally combed through her memories, and could not remember ever seeing the pegasus before. It was like looking at a family photo through another pony’s window while on vacation. Taken aback, Twilight unintentionally sat on the floor, barely managing to keep her grip, staring at the mystery mare through the glass. Her mind whirled with all the possible reasons this stranger could be in the same picture as all her friends. It almost hurt to think about. She had double-checked the photo before Celestia sent it to the framer and would have noticed any issues then. The framer in Canterlot would have no reason to alter the photo. Furthermore, she wasn’t imagining that there was another mare in the photo now. A chill ran down her spine.

She closed her eyes and tried to think back to the day the photo was taken. She remembered it being a warm, sunny day. They all met up just outside of town, and they all got into position without really discussing poses. Twilight had wanted to make the shot perfect, but before she knew it, a near-perfect photograph had been taken. Twilight tried specifically to remember the hoof on her forehead, but couldn’t decide if it had actually been there, or if her mind was trying to add it now in light of the photo she was holding. It all felt so fuzzy. She and her friends had done so much since then. She had so many good memories with each of them, but she couldn’t recall a single one with the cyan pegasus. She gingerly propped the photo up on the table and sat in thought.

~ ~ ~

“Good morning, Twilight. Oh hey, the photo came in. Where are you gonna hang it?” Spike said, pleasantly.

It took a few moments for Spike’s words to sink in.

“Oh, hey Spike. I, uh, hadn’t really thought about where to hang it yet.” She turned to him and pointed. “Do you notice anything odd about this picture?”

Spike studied the picture for a moment, but only a moment.

“No, it just looks like you and your friends.”

“As far as I can remember, I have four friends, not five. Do you recognize this one?” Twilight questioned, pointing to the light blue pegasus.

“Nope” Spike said without hesitation.

“I’m gonna go grab some breakfast. You want anything?”

Twilight sat staring at the photo, motionless. The silence was deafening.

“Just, uh, let me know if you want something. I’d be happy make it for you.” Spike offered, with a twinge of concern.

“Thanks, Spike,” Twilight stated, distantly.

~ ~ ~

When Spike had finished making breakfast, a small mountain of books had formed near Twilight. The mare was furiously paging through some of them, trying to find the answer to whatever question was on her mind today. What could it be this time? Oh, right, probably something to do with the photograph. Spike wondered if Twilight would ever bother to frame a picture of him. She had known Spike far longer than any of these other ponies. Then again, she didn’t have a framed picture of Celestia, either. There was still time.

Spike walked over, munching on a bagel, and he looked at the photo again. He had definitely seen and spent time the other four ponies, but the blue pegasus didn’t look familiar. He tried to look closer at the mystery mare, when a crackle of thunder outside caught his attention, followed by the sound of raindrops on wood. Spike didn’t mind the rain, but from what Twilight said, today was supposed to be sunny and clear. They were supposed to go to the market later. He shrugged.

“That’s the largest pile this week. Any way I can help?” Spike asked, voice raised slightly to grab Twilight’s attention.

“Hmm? Oh yeah, could you put out the closed sign and lock the door? I need to figure out what’s going on with this photograph, and I can’t have any distractions.” Twilight insisted, barely stopping from her work.

“You got it!” Spike threw the rest of the bagel in his mouth and headed for the door.

“Oh, and can you grab me a daisy sandwich? A-and some water?”

“We’re all out of daisies, remember? We were going to grab more from the market today.”

Twilight broke out of her daze and sighed. “That’s right. A dandelion salad will do. Thank you, Spike.” She said, sincerely this time.

~ ~ ~

Pinkie was singing to herself, smiling brightly and dancing through the kitchen. To say today was special was an understatement akin to saying Pinkie enjoyed pies. Pinkie absolutely loved pies! It was even in her name! It was on this wondrous day that Pinkie planned to unveil her newest cupcake creation – the Dashing Rainbow – for all of Ponyville to enjoy. This batch consisted of light blue cupcakes with blueberry flavoring, blueberry bits, and a pinch of caffeine. The frosting was whipped to be light, fluffy, and airy, and colored to look like a rainbow, with a slight dusting of white and yellow sugar sprinkles. Of course, they also contained the secret ingredient which all her signature cupcakes did. Many ponies had asked what the secret was, heck, the Cakes had begged her to know what was so special about these cupcakes. Pinkie worked hard to make sure the secret ingredient stayed a secret, and for good reason. Her secret was kept better than a Pinkie promise made over her own grandmother’s grave, bless her heart. After one final taste test, she was ready to present her latest creation.

~ ~ ~

After several hours, an empty bowl and glass sat on a table next to a frustrated purple mare. The mountain of books by her side had grown smaller, as the books Spike had not reshelved were tossed carelessly about the room. Spike had left the dishes, as Twilight was studying to a degree which he had not seen in a long time. He wished he could just hug her and tell her everything was going to be alright, but she had made it clear she wanted to be left alone. It was almost as bad as the time Celestia had presented the class a paradox, and Twilight was determined to solve it, once and for all.

“I...I...I just don’t understand. It doesn’t make sense.” Twilight half cried, defeated.

All of the frustration and confusion which had fueled her frantic research was gone. She lay her head on the table and began to cry. She felt a familiar set of scaled arms embrace her while she was drowning in her own tears. She gingerly put a hoof around Spike and pulled him closer.

“Everything will work out alright, I’m sure of it, Twilight. You always figure these things out. You’re a genius! Celestia wouldn’t have sent you here otherwise.” Spike reassured.

Twilight lifted her head and tried to dry the tears away with her other hoof. She sniffled.

“Thank you, Spike. I needed to hear that. You always know how to cheer me up.” The choked words did not lack sincerity.

She glanced back at the book she had open, Menacing Monsters from Equestria and Beyond.

“The thing is, Spike, this problem really feels different. The only conclusion I’m inclined to believe is true is somehow my memory of that cyan pegasus was erased. Despite being high level spells even I am not capable of casting, memory erasing spells do exist. However, the symptoms one would normally experience don’t match anything that’s happened to me. Those spells can leave a pony bedridden for hours, days, or even weeks in rare cases. The mind is a delicate framework that even the most talented unicorns are wary of altering. I pored through books about creatures of the Everfree forest, and even powerful monsters from Equestria’s past. None of them mention the ability to wipe away memories. Brainwash, sure, but not completely erase such a fine window of memory. Whatever we’re dealing with, Spike, it’s a foe unlike anything Equestria has seen before. That is, assuming a creature with such powers could be remembered in order to record its existence. That could explain it.”

She pondered for a moment.

“Either way, Spike, we need to send a letter to the Princess.”

Twilight delicately retracted the hoof she had around Spike. He saluted her, then he sat down at the nearby writing desk. “Ready,” he said, more seriously than usual.

Dear Princess Celestia,

Your swift response is requested with any and all knowledge on the existence of a creature or creatures capable of erasing distinct windows of memory from a pony’s mind without notable side effects. After thorough research, I am convinced my memory of this sky blue pegasus was erased (seen in the magical copy of the photo I’ve attached with this letter). I have yet to discuss this matter with my other friends. I was hoping you might have some knowledge on the subject which extended beyond the resources I have in Ponyville. If my assessment of the situation is correct, I saw it only fit to escalate the issue immediately.

Your faithful student,

Twilight Sparkle

Twilight looked on nervously as green flames engulfed the urgent plea. She hoped so dearly that she was wrong, that somehow this was just a simple misunderstanding. After a minute or so of shared silence, Spike looked at the clock.

“Hey Twilight, it’s not to late to make it to the market. We can even stop by Sugarcube Corner and you can get yourself something sweet.”

Twilight double-checked Spike’s assessment. “You know, you’re right. I need to get out of the library for a bit to clear my head. Celestia is probably busy with her royal duties, anyhow. We’ll get this cleaned up later.” She grabbed her saddle bags, an umbrella, and the checklist she had previously made for going to the market before trotting out into the rain.

~ ~ ~

It was market day, and the Cakes had taught Pinkie that market days were good for sales, and even better for offering new baked creations. While Pinkie didn’t have a new fantabulous baked good for all of Ponyville to savor every market day, ponies still stopped by to be sure they didn’t miss out. After all, these baked creations were only available for a limited time. That was another trick the Cakes had taught her. Ponies would always buy the classics, but those unique concoctions that were fun to try once wouldn’t sell well for long.

Pinkie could barely contain her excitement. This batch was super-duper-extra special, and she wanted to share it with everypony. When Mr. Cake finally turned the closed sign to open and unlocked the door, she was bubbling with glee, saying hello to familiar faces and inviting them to try the new Dashing Rainbow cupcake.

“Ooh, they’re so pretty!” one mare exclaimed.

“These are incredible!” claimed one stallion, mouth half full.

“You’ve simply outdone yourself this time, darling!” Rarity said in awe.

Pinkie was overjoyed to know ponies were loving these cupcakes. They meant a lot to her, after all. She really did put her blood, sweat, and tears into making them. Pinkie beamed as she felt the darkness inside of her receding once more.

~ ~ ~

The bell at Sugarcube corner rang as a tired-looking unicorn with full saddlebags walked through the door, quickly followed by a smiling baby dragon.

“Heya Twilight! Wanna try one of my new Dashing Rainbow cupcakes? They’ll make you feel like you could fly!” Pinkie said excitedly, practically singing the last line.

“Hey, Pinkie. Sure, I’d love to try…”

Twilight hadn’t quite looked up before speaking, and hadn’t noticed the decorative cloud tray with cupcakes decorated to look like...no. No, that wasn’t possible, right? What were the chances the cupcakes looked so much like her, like the mare in the photograph? Twilight’s gut instinct was to turn and run, but she had to know more. She gulped.

“Don’t mind if I do!” Spike reached up, grabbed a cupcake, and took a large bite.

The heat of Twilight’s stare would have melted the frosting on the cupcakes, if it were possible.

“Oh Twilight, there’s nothing to be scared of. They’re just blueberry cupcakes with some pizzaz.”

Pinkie tilted the tray as if to demonstrate their harmlessness, then gasped, almost dropping it. “Don’t tell me you’re allergic to blueberries!”

“What?” Twilight retorted nervously, trying to collect herself. “No, no, Pinkie I’m not allergic to blueberries.”

Spike had already finished eating his cupcake. “They’re really good, Twilight, you should try one!”

“I’m sure they are, Spike. It’s just...these cupcakes remind me of something.” She held a hoof to her chin. “What, exactly, uh, inspired this batch?” She looked up at Pinkie expectantly.

The poorly tempered gears in Pinkie’s head clanked for a few moments.

“Ooh, well, you see, I was staring up at the sky one day after a really big rainstorm, and there was this extra sparkly rainbow. I imagined a super-fast pegasus was dashing back and forth from one end of the rainbow to the other. It made my head spin, watching her go back and forth so fast.”

“I see.” Twilight stated noncommittally.

Pinkie imagined seeing the gears in Twilight’s head turning slowly.

“How did you know it was mare?” Pinkie’s eyes darted back and forth.

“Pinkie sense” Pinkie blurted with a squee.

“Ah, of course.” Twilight had resigned any further questions.

“Sooooo, you gonna try one? I only have a few left for today.”

The gears were turning slower this time.

“Free of charge, for my bestest friend.” Pinkie winked as she held one one out towards Twilight.

Twilight hesitated at first, but then she grabbed it with her magic. She stared at it inquisitively as she spoke.

“Thank you, Pinkie. I’m sure I’ll enjoy it. You make really good cupcakes.” The words spoke more confidently than she did.

She continued to look the cupcake over as she walked out the door. Spike soon followed.

Twilight trotted for a few blocks, still staring at the dessert. She paid no mind to the passing glances she received. Then something occurred to her.

Why would the gender of an imaginary pegasus matter?

As if to answer, she heard Spike belch behind her.

~ ~ ~

Celestia had a variety of duties as a princess of Equestria. Many of them could be boring and tedious, but they had to be done to ensure fairness to all her little ponies. She really did care about them. In fact, she was hearing a plea from a couple whose house got washed away by a flooding river. Even though she couldn’t do much besides offer bits to help them rebuild, and provide some kind words, she still had to hear them out. Her mind drifted a bit as she was listening. The distinct sound of a letter sent via dragon fire brought her mind back to the present. Twilight had sent her a letter regarding her friendship lessons just the other day, so whatever this was, it was out of the ordinary. Just what Celestia needed to break up a boring court session.

“Oh dear. I don’t mean to interrupt you ponies, but this is an urgent letter that I must read at once.”

The couple looked at each other, then opened their mouths to speak in protest, but decided against it, and instead nodded sullenly.

Celestia’s attention was torn between the letter and the photograph. She looked from one to the other, trying to confirm the truth and validity of each. Despite her position, she had spent time with each of Twilight’s friends on multiple occasions. She recognized four of the friends, but she was sure the cyan pegasus with the rainbow mane had never graced her presence. The look was too distinct; it was the kind of pairing you could see once and never forget. And yet, she could not remember. She understood at once the magnitude of Twilight’s words.

“Thank you ponies so much for your patience. While I had hoped to reconvene the discussion regarding your home, I now face a much greater issue. One that could change the fate of Equestria itself. I hope you can forgive me when I say court is closed for today. Do not fret, as I believe I have heard enough to offer you a fair compensation. I will create an offer for you in writing, and no further correspondence will be necessary if you accept.”

The couple silently consulted each other once again.

“Goodness, the fate of Equestria really sounds important. I think we have a deal. Thank you for your time, Princess.”

The pair curtsied before Celestia.

“Say, do you know where we can spend the night?”

Celestia nodded and motioned to one of her guards, who led the couple to a set of emergency guest rooms in the castle. She really wanted her ponies to be heard, but sometimes more pressing matters came up. Such was the life of a princess. Celestia concisely told her assistant the offer she had in mind for the couple, then without a moment’s hesitation, she galloped out of the room. She had something of her own to check on, and she turned a few heads as she sped towards a destination only she was aware of.

~ ~ ~

Pinkie was simply beaming with joy, even as her work day was drawing to a close. Her smile held through the moment she switched the open sign to closed, and all the way back up to her room. She had sold every last one of her cupcakes. She would have to make more tomorrow, she thought. However another thought took prescedence her mind.

The door to Pinkie’s room had barely shut when she said aloud:

“Something fishy is going on Gummy, and I don’t like it. Everypony absolutely loved the Dashing Rainbow cupcakes. They were my best creation yet! Everypony except Twilight.”

Pinkie huffed and flopped onto her bed, facing Gummy.

“She stared at those cupcakes like she’d seen a ghost! What about blue skies and rainbows could be so scary? Unless...”

Pinkie sat up, tapping her chin with a hoof.

“As much fun as it was playing with a close friend downstairs, there was sooooooo much to clean up this time. Rainbow was one of the most well-known ponies in town! Not to mention Cloudsdale. At least the clouds are fluffy and bouncy”

Pinkie bounced up and down a few times, pretending her bed was made of clouds. When she remembered what she was actually bouncing on, she frowned again.

“Nopony has ever been able to remember before, and I know where ponies keep the things that would help them remember. I combed through everything! Gummy, what am I missing?”

The silent gator blinked slowly in response.

“You’re right, I must have forgotten something, Gummy. How silly of me?”

Pinkie slid off the bed and sighed.

“It’s okay. Her number was going to get drawn, eventually.” Once Pinkie was sure there was no other option, she thought about what her plan would entail, and her mood improved. She smiled once again.

“Oooh! She and I are going to have much fun together. See you later, alligator! I have a party to plan.”

She patted the gator on the head as she walked out of the room and down the stairs. Gummy licked his right eye as Pinkie hustled out of the bakery and towards the familiar tree house, but not before grabbing a cupcake from the kitchen.

~ ~ ~

Twilight turned to remind Spike about his manners, when she realized he was holding a letter. She grabbed the letter with her magic and put it in her saddlebag. Unsure of the contents, she figured this letter had best be read in private. She put Spike on her back, and the pair hustled back to the library. Once the door was locked behind them, Spike began to read the letter.

My faithful student, Twilight,

While I had hoped you would not have to face such a serious threat so soon after Nightmare Moon, I cannot deny the truth. Luna and I had previously discussed the possible existence of such a creature and how we would aim to defeat it, but even we have not encountered or read about such a creature. That is, if our minds weren’t erased then as mine clearly has been now. Since the pony in question seemed to be connected to the elements of harmony and your friendship lessons, I wanted to check my records. At least one of the letters you sent me is now gone, as well as the sixth element of harmony. Whatever this threat is, it is not only erasing memories on a wide scale, but also discreetly destroying evidence that could be used against it.

Please promise me you will be careful, Twilight. We do not know the intentions of this creature. This creature may not hesitate to kill you if given the chance. Please write to me with any updates. I will be in Ponyville soon to provide additional aid. My caravan is being prepared as I write this.

Best of luck,

Princess Celestia

Twilight’s face paled after reading the letter. What was once innocent confusion had become deadly fear. Her imagination made her wonder if this is what reading a book from the restricted section would be like. While she loved learning about new things, she had been warned before how certain knowledge could change a pony, and not for the better. She hadn’t expected a letter quite like this from the Princess, and now she was wishing she hadn’t read it. Twilight began to pace. Anxiety dripped from every word as her fears bubbled to the surface.

“Oh Spike, what are we going to do?”

“Uh, clean up this mess?” Spike was genuinely at a loss.

Twilight was about to scold him for not taking this seriously, but the realization Spike had a point made her soften up a bit. She rethought her next words.

“You know, you’re right. Back to square one. I can’t think straight with all this clutter.” The words were as distant as her mind was.

Twilight also figured she wouldn’t be able to defend herself if she tripped on a stray book. She shuddered. She had learned a few personal defense spells, but she figured she wouldn’t have to use them. Ponyville was supposed to be a nice town full of nice ponies.

Right?

~ ~ ~

The rain was light but steady as Pinkie trotted merrily along. It really was a bother that Ponyville’s weather pony was gone. The clouds had piled up, just as she was told. Cloudsdale had yet to send out a replacement weather pony to clear the skies. Pinkie shrugged. The weather was the least of her concerns.

She could see light emitting from the Golden Oak as she got closer. She figured Twilight would still be up. It wasn’t hard to tell she was trying to figure out Pinkie’s newest cupcake creation. Of course, by the time she did understand, she would be on her way to becoming the very thing she was studying. The irony was not lost on Pinkie, and she giggled.

Pinkie snuck up to the front window and peeked inside. Twilight sat at the table, nose in a book, with a familiar cupcake within hoof’s reach. Spike was nowhere in sight. She tapped on the window with a hoof.

Twilight snapped to attention, uttering a small shriek. She looked around, and quickly spotted Pinkie waving to her from the window.

Twilight sighed heavily. “O-oh, It’s just you, Pinkie. Is this another one of your pranks? You really got me good!”

She chuckled nervously, facing Pinkie, and noting that the front door was still firmly locked.

“Gotcha!” Pinkie delighted, laughing.

Twilight chuckled nervously. “Aside from pranking ponies, what are you doing up so late?”

She took a guarded step towards the window.

“Oh, well, you know, I was cooped up all day baking and selling cupcakes, and I just had to go outside and get some fresh air. Even if that air was full of cute little rain drops.”

Pinkie purposefully shook her whole body, as if trying to dry out her coat.

“I like the rain, but it’s pretty cold tonight. It would be really nice if I come in and warm myself up before heading home”

Almost any other day, Twilight would have said yes without hesitation. Pinkie seemed innocent enough and usually had good intentions. Usually. She acted weird sometimes, but it had never been malicious before. Twilight turned and looked back at the cupcake and the photo. The two seemed to be so closely linked, but it would have to mean that Pinkie was, what? Some sort of pony-murdering psychopath? The kindest pony she knew with the most genuine and brightest of smiles. The first pony to welcome her into Ponyville. Nonetheless, from a purely logical standpoint, it made sense. Pinkie seemed to know something about the cyan pegasus. Twilight picked up the photo in a hoof, turned, and held it towards Pinkie accusingly.

Twilight’s heart raced as the fear she had been avoiding attempted to take hold, yet she sternly asked:

“What happened to this pony? What happened to my friend?”

Each word weighed heavily on the already stifling air between them. Twilight’s hoof shook as she motioned towards the face that had plagued her since the morning. Her eyes locked onto the blue pair behind the window, refusing to falter, even if she felt the weight of the situation could crush her at any moment.

Although the rain attempted to mask it, tears began to well up in those blue eyes. Then they closed, as Pinkie began to wail, letting out every ounce of the sadness, anger, and guilt her darker side had refused to let her feel. Pinkie had known Dash for so long. The two of them really had been the best of friends, and now Dash was gone. She would never hear that scratchy voice again, never share a laugh again, never see that confident smile again. What was once her greatest opportunity was becoming her greatest regret.

While hard to hear, Pinkie’s agonized cries helped to lessen Twilight’s fear. These were the cries of a broken pony. Her gut was still telling her not to open the door, but Pinkie needed a friend right now, more than ever. It would be utterly heartless to leave a pony alone in the rain to wallow in her own tears. Even if Pinkie had come here for more than a prank, Twilight doubted Pinkie would be able to do much of anything after such a guttural outburst. Twilight set the picture back down and slowly walked towards the door, barely stifling back tears of her own as the wails continued outside.

Twilight was reaching to turn the lock when the crying stopped. The cries hadn’t devolved into whimpers or quiet sobs; all she could hear was the steady pounding of rain and the rhythmic breathing of a sleeping dragon. She froze, her fear beginning to resurface. While choked at first, she couldn’t mistake the rising sound of Pinkie laughing outside. Except, this was not ordinary laughter. It sounded more like a cackle. It grew in volume and moved towards the door.

“So, you want to know what happened to your friend?” The shift in tone was gut-wrenching.

Twilight shook out of her stupor and stepped back. The doorknob jiggled, but the lock held firm.

“We had soooooo much fun together before she finally died.”

Twilight used her magic to hold the door shut. A resounding thud could be heard.

“She really thought it was all a prank, until I dug my surgical knife into her flank.”

Malicious giggles could be heard as a louder thud shook the door. Twilight stood firm.

“I’ll always remember my little Dashie. She always was my favorite. That’s why her cupcakes just had to be the best.”

A clear crack could be heard this time. Twilight winced as she felt the recoil.

“I worked so hard on those cupcakes. It makes me all the more angry that YOU DIDN’T EAT YOURS!”

Twilight lost her grip as the door broke open, sending sharp splinters and chunks her way. Dodging the onslaught took her attention away from Pinkie, but only for a moment. She fired one blast of magic, then another, both of which Pinkie dodged with ease. Books toppled over as Twilight tried to stop the pink blur running rampant through the library. Loose papers rained down, and Twilight lost track of the pink mare, who was now diving on her from above. Pinkie swiftly landed on Twilight’s back and shoved a plain-looking cupcake into her mouth. Twilight aimed a shot behind her, but Pinkie had already swiveled around, holding Twilight’s mouth closed and covering her nostrils. In a panic, Twilight swallowed the cupcake. Pinkie then moved to sit in front of Twilight, who was coughing instinctively,

Twilight refocused, charged her horn, narrowed her eyes, and glared at Pinkie.

“This ends now.”

“Okey-dokey!” Pinkie agreed, opening her hooves wide.

All at once, Twilight began to feel light-headed and nauseous, and the magic around her horn dissipated as she fell to the floor.

~ ~ ~

Spike was staring dreamily at Rarity, holding various sewing implements as Rarity hummed away, working on her newest design.

“Darling, you really are just the greatest and most wonderful dragon. I hope you know how much I appreciate your help. I don’t know what I would do without somepony, no, some-dragon so strong and kind. Hmm, let’s see, would you pass me the ruby red fabric?”

“My pleasure,” Spike said, bowing as he passed her the scarlet fabric.

“Oh I do so love this color. Red is the color of passion after all…” she smiled, looking at Spike endearingly as her mind formed the next few words.

Her thought was cut off by a loud banging at the door.

Rarity screamed. “Oh no! A horrible monster is trying to break in. Protect me, Spike!”

“Anything for you, miss Rarity.” He said confidently.

Spike discarded the sewing implements and spun around heroically. Within seconds, he transformed into a version of himself that was much taller, stronger, and most importantly, more handsome. He picked up Rarity just as she was about to faint.

“Whatever is behind that door, I won’t let it hurt you!” He reassured.

Spike gently placed Rarity on a fainting couch that had magically appeared. The pounding at the door was louder this time, and Spike could hear the door crack.

“If you want to hurt Rarity, you’re going to have to go through me! I’d suggest stopping now while you still have a chance.” Spike boasted.

Spike heard the door break open, but was surprised to hear magical bursts of energy and several loud crashes. Certainly Rarity was not trying to fight off whatever was behind the door. Then his eyes shot open. He thought the monster behind the door was just a dream, but as he heard frantic sounds coming from downstairs, he realized at once that he would have rather faced an ursa major in his dream than whatever had invaded the library this late at night. He lay in bed, frozen, hoping that whatever it was did not know he was there. After a few moments, he heard some sort of scraping sounds, and then near-silence. Once his heart rate had slowed a bit, he got out of bed and peeked into the main room. There were charred spots all across the wall; books and papers haphazardly coated the floor. What was left of the front door sat crooked on damaged hinges.

“Twilight? Twilight, where are you?” Spike asked, anxiously.

“Hoo,” Spike heard as he began to descend the steps, despite not seeing the owl anywhere.

“Owlowiscious, did you see what happened? Where are you? Where’s Twilight?” Spike hurried down the steps.

“Hoo.”

The sound was louder this time, and Spike could see a few feathers poking out from under a pile of books.

“Here, I’ll help you.” Spike carefully removed books from the pile until Owlowiscious was free. The bird still did not move.

“Hoo,” the owl tried to lift up a wing that was clearly broken. Spike didn’t see any blood, but it was obvious Owlowiscious couldn’t fly right now, and he was clearly in pain.

“Don’t worry, we’ll get you to Fluttershy’s as soon as we can figure out what happened to Twilight. Did you see where she went?” Spike could see the owl scanning the room.

“Hoo!” the owl pointed with its good wing.

The appendage was aimed not away from the library, but instead towards a tuft of bright pink hair with singe marks at one end. Spike walked over to inspect it, and it was clear who it belonged to. Now that Spike thought about it, he vaguely recalled hearing another voice. Spike hustled his way through the wreckage to the writing desk, and scribbled something on parchment before letting green flames engulf it.

“Hoo?”

Spike sighed and nodded, grabbing some water and a spare blanket for Owlowiscious, remembering how the owl had been there in his time of need. It was about time he repaid the favor.

~ ~ ~

Princess Celestia really appreciated the royal guards at times like these. While she was capable of flying to Ponyville from Canterlot, it was a journey which could take a serious toll on her, especially after an already long day. She had a public image to keep, after all, and exhaustion was not a look that bestowed confidence. Normally, she would have taken this opportunity to rest her eyes, but thoughts of what this creature could be were keeping her awake. She had discussed this hypothetical with Luna before, and they had both hoped memory erasing powers were a myth and a legend. There’s something truly terrifying about another entity having the ability to make you forget you ever knew somepony existed in the first place. What if it had been Luna instead of Twilight’s friend? How would she feel, being the only ruler of Equestria? It was hard enough while Luna was on the moon. Celestia felt a chill run through her as she thought about a world where she was effectively alone.

Her depressive thoughts were interrupted by a flash of green. She grabbed the scroll in her magic, and opened it without hesitation.

Help! Pinkie Pie ponynapped Twilight!

The short message left her with more questions than answers. Celestia did not know the elements as well as Twilight, but it certainly didn’t seem like the bright and fun-loving pony to be committing such heinous acts. However, she knew well that a little bit of trust went a long way. Celestia did trust Spike, after all. Okay, he had accidentally sent an item or two that were clearly not meant for royal eyes, but those times were different. His desperation could be seen in each pen stroke. She had to act at once.

“Guards, stop the caravan!” With a jolt, they were soon motionless.

“What is it your highness?”

“The situation has escalated. I am going to teleport directly to Ponyville. You are to continue your course to the Golden Oak Library. You are to remain there and await further instruction. If you have not heard back from me by morning, you are to issue an emergency call to Luna. Is that clear?”

“Yes, your highness.”

“Thank you for your service, and, if I don’t come back, tell my sister I love her dearly.”

“Happy to be of service, your highness.”

With a flash of magic that paralleled the brightness of the sun, the princess was gone. The guards could only hope she would be safe without them as they continued on their flight path

~ ~ ~

Twilight’s mind was in a haze. She did not know where she was or what was going on. Everything felt wrong. Every fiber of her being was telling her she needed to wake up; the danger was palpable. She had to wake up. Other ponies were counting on her. She thought about her friends – of Fluttershy’s kindness and Applejack’s honesty. She thought of Rarity’s generosity and Pinkie’s…

Laughter

The normally pleasant sound did nothing but strike fear into Twilight, and she awoke from her stupor. The room around her was dark. After her eyes adjusted slightly, she could see Pinkie was nearby, facing away from her, hunched over a small cart. Her nose contorted as her brain registered the pungent smell of rot. Twilight wasn’t sure what Pinkie was planning, but the restraints around her hooves and forehead gave her an idea. She tried to prepare a spell, and it was then she noticed a piercing pain in her forehead, and the notion something was missing.

“Ow. Pinkie. What did you do to my horn?” Pinkie turned towards Twilight, revealing that her horn was on the table.

“I chopped it off so you couldn’t avoid your party like you avoided eating your cupcake, silly.” Pinkie stated, matter-of-factly.

She picked up the severed horn to reiterate her point.

“Oh, Twilight, we’re going to have so much fun together!” She looked at the horn, then back at Twilight. “I wonder if I’ll find some books crammed in that noggin of yours when I slice it open?”

Pinkie mimed making an incision using Twilight’s severed horn, and giggled to herself.

Twilight did not know it was possible to be this afraid, but she soon learned. She tried unsuccessfully to control her breathing as her heart raced. Twilight was the element of magic. She knew a hundred spells that could help her right now, but none of that mattered. She wished this could just be a joke, like when she first met Zecora, but she knew it wasn’t. Tears began to form as she closed her eyes.

Pinkie huffed. “It’s not very nice to cry at your surprise party. I went through all this hard work, just for you! You should cheer up. I’ve got so many fun activities planned!”

“Whatever ‘party’ you’re planning, I don’t want any part of it.” Twilight asserted between sobs.

“What? You came to my ‘Let’s welcome Twilight to Ponyville’ party, my ‘first flower of spring’ party, and my ‘Mondays are boring so let’s throw a party’ party. Why not my ‘Twilight learned my terrible secret and gets to play with me’ party?”

Twilight sniffled, opened her eyes, and looked over. “What terrible secret?”

Pinkie laughed hysterically. “Oh Twilight, did you not take a look around the room? I decorated it myself! Well, I got a bit of help from my friends. What do you think?” Pinkie asked eagerly.

She flipped a switch, and the room was bathed in bright light.

Horrors beyond anything Twilight had ever conceived lined the walls. She had read books which included gruesome deaths, and she had even read about a serial killer once. None of that could have prepared her for what she saw. The room was filled with party decorations made from sacrilegious materials that had been unduly diverted. These were the repulsive creations of a truly deranged pony. It was hard to read the words Life is a Party without wondering how long a party could really last. Certainly not a lifetime. Twilight tried to pretend she didn’t see the stuffed taxidermy of the cyan pegasus amid the other repugnant items in the room.

It took every ounce of willpower Twilight had to not throw up. She closed her eyes and tried to think. Her heart and mind were both racing, but she had to think of something. After a few moments, she actually had an idea.

“Pinkie, this is the most fascinating display I’ve ever seen! I’d love to know more about it.” Twilight almost hurled again. “Pinkie promise me you won’t lay another hoof on me until you’ve told me everything?” Twilight tried to give a look of genuine curiosity, despite the circumstances.

Pinkie looked surprised, but then she smiled warmly. “Aww, shucks Twilight, you’re gonna make me blush. Hmmm. You’re one of my best friends, and my last private party with a best friend was a lot shorter than I’d hoped. Yeah, I’d love to tell you all about all of this. I won’t lay a hoof on you until I do! Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. If there was one thing she could count on Pinkie for, it was to not break a Pinkie promise. This would buy her some time.

She just hoped somepony would be able to find her before it was too late.

~ ~ ~

Celestia teleported to a spot right outside the oak tree house. She saw that there was still light coming from inside, most prominently through the front door, which was all but missing. She trotted to the opening and stuck her head inside.

“Spike, are you in here?” She surveyed the room, noticing Spike sitting near the middle of the room, staring at a framed photograph.

Spike turned to her, carelessly setting the picture aside. “Oh, thank goodness you’re here. It was just awful! I heard this huge crash, and Twilight was freaking out, and now she’s gone!”

Celestia stepped inside, trying to avoid stepping on the fallen books. “I understand you’re scared. I am here to help. Do you know where Pinkie took Twilight? We may not have much time.”

“I don’t know. I was sleeping when it happened, and Owlowiscious got buried by books before seeing where they went. All I found was this tuft of Pinkie’s mane.” He pointed, the tuft still sitting where it had fallen.

Celestia looked at the piece of mane, then more closely at the floor around it. There was a portion of the floor where the sea of books had parted, and upon closer examination, she could see small bits of purple hair caught on the rougher wood edges of the floor. She traced the bits to the front door, and then noticed a smudged set of hoofprints leading towards the center of town. She stepped back inside.

“I see hoofprints leading towards town. Let’s go.” Spike nodded and followed her lead.

The pair followed the set of prints towards town, hoping they would lead to Twilight.

~ ~ ~

The unlikely pair had gotten to Sugarcube Corner easily enough, but where Twilight had disappeared to was another story. The trail had gone cold, and Celestia decided they had best wake the Cakes. The couple were a bit grumpy about being woken up so late at night, at least until they found out Twilight was in danger. The Cakes came downstairs in a hurry to help look, but they were just as perplexed. It was as if Pinkie and Twilight had disappeared.

“Does this building have a basement or root cellar?” Celestia asked.

“Well, it does, but it’s been closed off since we moved in,” Mr Cake said. “We’ve never been down there. I’ve been too scared to check it out. I know we told Pinkie about it, but she never mentioned going down there.”

“Oh, I sure hope Twilight’s okay,” worried Mrs. Cake.

“I hope so, too. Mr Cake, please show us the entrance to the basement.” He nodded, and they proceeded to the entry door. The door appeared to be boarded up. However, upon closer examination, they noticed the boards had been strategically cut and replaced to make the door usable.

“I think we have our answer. Thank you both for your help. You can head back to bed, now. Spike and I will take it from here.” Celestia stated.

“Anything for you, Princess, but if you don’t mind, we’d rather stay up to make sure you make it back okay. We’ll be right here in the kitchen.” Mrs. Cake said assuringly. Mr. Cake nodded in agreement.

"Not at all. Spike, are you ready?”

As if to say yes, Spike slowly opened the door and gulped. “Y-y-eah, totally.” Remembering who he was doing this for, he took a deep breath, and mostly collected himself. “Let’s go.”

~ ~ ~

While Twilight had hoped she could hold herself back, hearing the gory details sent her over the edge. She lost what little she had eaten that day. Pinkie looked annoyed, but she continued on. She had made a promise, after all.

Amid her storytelling, Pinkie had donned an apron made of cutie marks, a necklace made of unicorn horns, and a garment made from six pegasus wings, all different colors. Twilight figured the garish outfit would have made Rarity faint, even if the materials were not so gruesome. Twilight wasn’t sure whether to be impressed or appalled.

While it disgusted Twilight to hear, Pinkie did seem happy to be able to tell somepony else about all of this. Twilight could only imagine how hard it would be to keep such a dark secret and so many memories locked away. On some level, Twilight did truly find all this to be fascinating. She continued to listen on, even as her gut tried to betray her again.

~ ~ ~

Celestia led the way down several dark hallways, her horn providing what little light they had to work with. After reaching a couple of dead ends, they found a door at the end of one hallway. With some effort, Celestia was able to open the thick, heavy door. The pair were temporarily blinded by the unnatural white light coming from inside. After a few seconds, their eyes were met with a room full of macabre couture unlike anything either had ever seen before. Celestia saw Twilight tied vertically to an operating table, horn missing. Pinkie Pie was talking about something across the room, a painted pony skull in one hoof, and adorned with an outfit that she figured even Discord would find to be garish.

“Twilight! You’re okay!” Spike ran to Twilight, hugging one of her back hooves.

Pinkie huffed, her story interrupted. “This was supposed to be a private party. I didn’t invite either of you!”

“Actually, you invited me when you ponynapped my star student, the element of magic: my dear friend, Twilight.” Celestia retorted with confidence. Pinkie rolled her eyes. Twilight smiled, tears beginning to flow once again.

Celestia walked towards Pinkie, head held high. “Pinkamena Dianne Pie. You are charged with grand larceny, ponynapping, assault,” she glanced around the room, noticing the remains of the cyan pegasus, “and enough murders to warrant several life sentences. How do you plead?”

“Not guilty by reason of insanity?” Pinkie pleaded, grinning widely and crossing her eyes.

Celestia’s eyes narrowed. “Guilty”

In a flash of light that rivaled the ones above her, Celestia used her magic to cast Pinkie into stone, in much the same way Discord had been entombed so long ago. Pinkie barely flinched. Everything about her was cast into stone, from the silly smile and crossed eyes to the gruesome outfit and the pony skull in her hoof. It was finally over. The ponies sighed in relief.

Celestia would have a lot of work to do. In the meantime, she removed Twilight’s restraints and visually checked her over. Twilight was able to stand, but she looked weak.

“Thank you for saving me, Princess Celestia. I wasn’t sure I was going to make it out of this. Pinkie did a lot of horrible things to a lot of innocent ponies, and she was planning to do the same things to me.” She looked at the statue in thought. “Even after knowing the gruesome details, on some level, I’d like to think she’s still my friend. She was such a good friend to me before tonight. What’s going to become of her?” Twilight gave Celestia a pleading look.

Celestia looked at the statue, then back at Twilight.

“Let’s just say, I don’t think Pinkie will stay in stone forever. It was the best way to ensure she didn’t hurt anypony else while we worked out the details. She is still an element of harmony, after all. We may need her to fight other threats to Equestria in the future. Luna and I have a lot to think about. Pinkie will be safe in stone for now.” There was uncertainty intermingled with the confidence in Celestia’s statement.

Twilight nodded, chuckled dryly, and sat, clinging closer to Spike. “Even though this has been by far the worst experience of my life, I think I did learn something.” She sniffled. “Most ponies have a side of them they don’t feel like they can share with anypony else, even their best friends, and that’s okay. You don’t have to know everything about a pony to be a good friend to them.”

Celestia smiled proudly. “What an insightful observation! I’m glad you are still in good spirits, Twilight.”

Spike finally looked up from his hugging position. “Twilight! Your horn! Will you be able to use magic again?” Twilight opened her mouth to say something, when Celestia interjected, picking up Twilight’s severed horn in a hoof.

“While your magical abilities may never again be what they were, I know the doctors in Canterlot can reattach your horn, and with magical rehabilitation, you should be able to use your magic once again. The process will take several months. The sooner we get to Canterlot, the easier the recovery process will be.”

Twilight sighed. “That’s a relief. I don’t know what I would have done without my magic.” She shuddered. “I’m just so glad you were able to make it in time.”

“Me too, Twilight,” Celestia then lifted Twilight onto her back. They began to head upstairs.

“Wait, but if I’m in Canterlot recovering, what about my other friends here in Ponyville?”

“I will see to it that all of your friends have the means to visit you while you recover. Despite being masters of magical medicine, the doctors in Canterlot have seen first hoof that having family or friends by a patient’s side significantly helps the recovery process.” Celestia assured.

Twilight smiled and closed her eyes, finally allowing herself to rest.

Author's Note

Chapter 2 is a strong tonal shift from the first chapter, as it mainly aims to tie up the loose ends left by the initial story. Some readers may prefer to just read chapter 1, although the authors notes for the story as a whole are at the end of chapter 2.

The Aftermath

The ponies of Ponyville were shocked to find their beloved bakery closed the next morning. It was all the townsfolk could talk about. There was no sign of the Cakes or Pinkie Pie. The doors and windows of Sugarcube Corner were locked up and shuttered, and royal guards ensured no pony gained entry. Whatever was going on, it was serious business. The only information the guards were permitted to provide was that all parties involved were safe, but were not here at the moment.

Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy had been told by Celestia herself that Twilight would be in the Canterlot hospital until she was able to fully recover from the severing of her horn. They were also told Pinkie was safe and would be in Canterlot until further notice, and they would not be able to visit her for the time being. Celestia also promised to pay any and all travel expenses for the elements to go visit Twilight. Despite several questions, the details of the previous night were purposefully kept vague. For the most part, they were content with knowing their friends were okay, even if life around Ponyville would not be the same in the coming weeks.

Celestia had asked one of the guards to help Spike clean up the library, and a work order for the new door had already been submitted to the local carpenter, who was paid double to make it post-haste. They had also been tasked with packing up the personal items Spike and Twilight would need while in Canterlot. Twilight was already being taken care of by the doctors in Canterlot, and Celestia had told Spike he could stay in Canterlot to be with her. He wished he could be with Twilight the whole time, but Celestia had made clear that she would need some space during the recovery process. Spike was going to miss the Golden Oak Library, but he would miss Twilight a lot more if he stayed. He made sure to pack Twilight’s favorite books, and the ones she had really been meaning to read. He was sure she’d be able to read them at some point.

The Cakes were provided a one week, all expenses paid trip to the destination of their choice, which they gladly accepted despite being hesitant at first. They needed some time away from the bakery to think about what their lives would look like without Pinkie. It would also take time for everything to be extracted from the basement, even if they didn’t know about that. Furthermore, all of Pinkie’s personal belongings were packed up and sent to Canterlot, as it had been made clear she would no longer be able to lead a normal life in Ponyville, at least, not anytime soon. The Cakes would certainly miss her skills in the kitchen, but Celestia assured them it was for the best. The princess would make sure the basement was completely sealed off, with something stronger than a few boards this time. The Cakes would be back to baking before they knew it.

The perishable baked goods the Cakes had previously prepared were put up for sale on a cart just outside the bakery, manned by another guard. The items sold out quickly, because no pony when more would become available, despite assurances the Cakes would be back. After they ran out, a group of guards poked around other parts of the bakery besides the main storefront, just to be sure nothing was missed. One of the guards found a stash of cupcakes in the kitchen, and tried one. The guard was knocked out cold mere moments later, and the whole batch of cupcakes was thrown out. After a hearty laugh, the guards decided any other discoveries should be similarly discarded.

One of the guards took Owlowiscious to Fluttershy’s cottage first thing the next morning, and she was sure the owl would make a full recovery. He would be staying at Fluttershy’s until Twilight was ready to move back to Ponyville. Fluttershy didn’t mind taking care of him in the meantime.

A temporary librarian was selected and brought in from Canterlot later that week. She was told to let ponies know Twilight was in Canterlot continuing her studies, but she should be back at some point, just not anytime soon.

Once Celestia was able to return to Canterlot, she and Luna had much to talk about. Luna did not fully believe Celestia at first, but after the first few crates of items arrived, her tone shifted. Even she found it hard to believe that a pony with such a nice demeanor could have committed such treacherous acts. While Luna suggested harsher forms of punishment, Celestia thought there was still hope for the element of laughter. Pinkie had told Twilight a lot, and once Twilight was feeling up to it, she had shared several key details. It was clear to the sisters that Pinkie could reasonably be monitored, and rehabilitation was a real possibility. Someday, Pinkie could once again live a normal life. At least, as normal as one could hope while being under constant surveillance. They both agreed Pinkie was still a potential threat, and would have to be treated as such for the good of Equestria. They knew Pinkie was capable of good; they just didn’t want history to repeat itself. Only Pinkie could make the choice to become a better pony.

The basement’s look had been well captured through photographs, and the items down there had been documented in more detail once everything had been shipped to Canterlot. Celestia and Luna were still in debate while this was being completed, but eventually came to the same conclusion. The sisters did not see a need to keep all the physical evidence, not to mention the potential health hazards it could pose. While they wanted to do right by the families of those impacted, the records to even try had been completely destroyed. The one thing Pinkie did keep a log of was the names. The only other details they could work with were the fact most of the victims had been residents of Ponyville, and most of them had been earth ponies. While a traditional burial was out of the question, earth ponies valued returning to the earth as part of their natural cycle. So, a large plot of the Ponyville cemetery was purchased, what could be buried was, and the priest who blessed the souls of the deceased was the only other pony overseeing the burial besides the royal sisters. A memorial was created to honor the pour souls whose lives had been taken too soon. A trio of statues, one of each pony race with the earth pony being most prominent, was surrounded by placards of the names of the victims. A central plaque read:

Here lies the remains of local ponies whose lives were cut short. Each one had hopes and dreams which were never realized, all due to the actions of a dark entity which also called this town home. May their sacrifice serve as a reminder to always look out for one another, and to appreciate the joys of life each day as if it could be the last. There is no darkness and no foe which we cannot overcome when we stand together in love and community.

While many ponies were initially confused, and even a bit scared of this memorial, over time the residents came to embrace it as part of their identity. What had come to pass was done, and the history had been respected, but the future was full of possibility. Celestia had high hopes for Ponyville.

~~~

Spike had avoided the photograph and the cupcake on the table while cleaning and packing. They reminded him too much of what had happened. He still saw some of those things in his nightmares. It was a good thing Pinkie had gotten caught, but it was difficult to face the reality Twilight would never be quite who she was before, magically or emotionally. He picked up the cupcake and turned it in his claws. On some level, it looked appetizing, but he kept thinking back to the pony who made it. The pony who hurt Twilight. He brought it closer to his face, staring it down as if he was staring into the blue eyes of its creator. He then proceeded to cough, noticing a pungent smell emanating from the cupcake. A rotten smell which reminded him of where they found her. Whatever it was, Spike wanted no part of it, and he couldn’t imagine Twilight would, either. He unceremoniously dumped the dessert in the trash.

Spike picked up the photograph again, thinking of all the good times Twilight had with her friends. Although Spike wasn’t exactly sure why, he figured she would still want the photograph. With time, Spike would come to understand what the picture really stood for.

It was not only a reminder of the good which had passed, but an inspiration for the good which was still possible.

Author's Note

While I had always firmly believed a fanfic like this should exist, I had not seriously considered writing it, or even begun to conceptualize it, until I had a vivid dream that left me strongly inspired to write it. I did my best to create a logic that would allow for the original Cupcakes to be possible, and make some sense, with the added notion that there must be some flaw that would allow Pinkie to get caught. She may be experienced, but she hasn’t known Twilight very long. I also did my best to make it feel like an early fandom fiction to match the story line of the original Cupcakes. Basically, I wanted to create a new story which incorporated and respected the original. I care a lot about fairness, and I was not about to water down Pinkie's character. It’s true, the climax leaves something to be desired, but to the best of my ability, the story is how I imagine the interactions between these characters would play out, given the circumstances.

Side Notes:

Would putting caffeine in a cupcake work? Yes! Caffeine does not undergo significant thermal decomposition until about 460°F (238°C), which is hotter than most cupcake recipes call for. You can find plenty of recipes for caffeinated baked goods.

“That is, assuming a creature with such powers could be remembered in order to record its existence.”While this line was added naturally, I also considered it a nod to the grimdark NIGEB by Aquaman.

“The clouds had piled up, just as she was told.” This is a direct reference to Dash’s line in Cupcakes “When the clouds pile up, they’ll come looking for me.”

“She really thought it was all a prank, until I dug my surgical knife into her flank.” I really hate this line, but I'm not taking it out.

Question and Answer:

Isn’t erasing memories a bit of a stretch? I will fully admit it is a stretch, even if we assume that Pinkie has powers in the MLP universe that other ponies don’t seem to. However, I think it is easier to swallow and makes the universe work a lot better than any other explanation I’ve seen. Most of the explanations for how Pinkie keeps getting away with it fall apart very quickly if you actually think about them. The original story even notes how many foals she has killed, and parents of dead kids are a force to be reckoned with. Not to mention that there are plenty of married couples. And again, Ponyville is a small town. There aren't secrets in small towns.

So Pinkie doesn’t need ponies for Cupcakes in this story? The idea of needing ponies for cupcakes is a poor cover up for wanting to murder ponies. Yes, clearly she enjoys what she does, but I just don’t think it’s possible to kill ponies at the rates that are detailed in the sequels and get away with it. Not to mention, the amount of material put into each cupcake should be relatively low, so one kill should last awhile if the material is properly stored. It’s not like she sells thousands of cupcakes every week. I would also tend to think that somepony would notice something off about the cupcakes if there was a lot of meat in them.

Magical copy? An existing imprint is magically imprinted onto a blank sheet of paper or parchment. Yes, basically the magical equivalent of a copy machine. I would be shocked if such spells do not exist, and I would imagine the quality of the copy increases with increased magical aptitude, and vice versa.

Pinkie lied about the inspiration, but how much? I figured Pinkie fabricated a lie inspired by the times spent watching Rainbow Dash train, as she does move around fast enough to make even Pinkie’s head spin. Usually lies are fabricated from truth, that’s why the “her” portion stuck out. Pinkie was thinking about Dash.

Celestia is actually concerned? While the elements of harmony had only been used once, Celestia was still very aware of their power and their importance to Equestria’s national defense. Furthermore, the murder of an element of harmony is no small crime, nor is it out of the question that it may have happened again if left unchecked.

“The things that would help them remember.” The way I thought about Pinkie’s mind erasing powers were that affected ponies would completely forget the newly deceased pony ever existed, from what they looked like, to their name, to erasing them from all memories, with slight ability to rewrite more core memories that would otherwise just not make any sense. This helps explain why there was a sort of blur when Twilight tried to remember the day the photo was taken, and why she could not remember Dash’s name or face. This means that any items with the dead pony’s name or face would have to be physically removed from Equestria to ensure everypony could forget. Given the number of victims Pinkie is supposed to have murdered, and given her canonically uncanny understanding of things, I can see her being able to get away with breaking and entering both easily and efficiently. Ponies, in general, also seem to be more reliant on word of mouth and shared experiences than they do physical artifacts, meaning that plenty of ponies would only have memories. Dash being the one that got away honestly makes a lot of sense given Dash’s popularity locally and abroad. Pinkie bit off more than she could chew (for once). If you keep in mind later episodes where Pinkie is already tracking information about ponies, it is not hard to believe that Pinkie would be able to effectively remove such evidence.

Which Pinkie was behind the window? While most people would say the Pinkie/Pinkamena personalities are like two sides of a coin, I would argue they are on a spectrum. You can really see this in the episode “Yakity-Sax,” but I think it was noticeable well before then. Initially in this scene, Pinkie is mostly Pinkie, but is shifting towards Pinkamena, then she shifts right back to Pinkie when she cries, and then she shifts clear over to Pinkamena. I would also say that, even if some memories and behaviors are exclusive to one extreme, Pinkie at least has some self awareness about them. I have always preferred this theory to the idea that she has multiple personalities, since she has such strong situational awareness and self awareness.

Why didn’t Pinkie fight Celestia? Because season 1 Celestia is actually a force to be reckoned with.

Why is Pinkie’s punishment so light? Shouldn’t she be in Tartarus or something? Much like we see in the actual show, it is less what ponies have done that decides their fate, but more what they choose to do in response. MLP has a history of reformed villains, and I see no reason why Pinkamena could not receive the same treatment. However, you’ll note that the princesses plan to keep a close eye on her. Much like with Discord, she will be turned to stone again if she refuses to change her ways. As an aside, therapy is usually a part of rehabilitation, and it is entirely possible that Pinkie could become better with the help of therapy. Everyone deserves a second chance. Also, I’m pretty sure Pinkie could break out of Tartarus, somehow...

How can Pinkie lead a normal life if everypony knows about what she did? Celestia should have been able to provide the public a narrative about what happened that didn’t even hint at the fact that Pinkie did something bad. Very few ponies know the real truth, and most of them would not want to talk about it, anyway. Such a narrative would only serve to strike fear into ponies; the idea that somepony down the street could be a serial killer. I mean, it’s even possible they said Pinkie went back to live with her folks for awhile. I know this was not covered in season 1, but it’s still a plausible possibility. This would make reintroduction easy enough.

It all came full circle? I wrote the first paragraph before I had any idea how the story was going to play out. I can only consider it a sign that this story was meant to be.