The Rock Farm: Pinkamena's tale

by Dragonfire2lm

Rating: teen
Tags: Alternate Universe, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other, Pinkie Pie, Octavia, Random, Discord
Length: 3945

Rocks and gems are used a wide number of creatures in equestria, Pinkamena sets out to document them

Cover art by Call-Me-Jack on DA

Living on a rock farm isn't all its cracked up to be. Why you ask? Well for starters, only a handful of ponies work on the farms due to the high risks of the job. what danger you ask?

Well there's the dragons, diamond dogs and golems that eat rocks and gems, the giant land and sea serpents, as well as griffons and harpy's that use them for nesting material. Oh and did I mention the ogres, trolls and other fairy folk that steal them for their fairy circles?

Life on a rock farm is no walk in the park. Rocks and gems are an important part of pony life used for buildings, art, music, fashion and so on. This story contains the adventures, explorations and events that happen when Pinkie Pie returns to her family's rock farm to help them out, with her 'sister' along for the ride.

Having the ability to go beyond what classifies as normal in equestria, from magic to physics, is a good thing when living on a rock farm.

Author's notes: I would like to point out that a variety of mythical creatures not featured in the show will make an apearance, oh and fourth wall breaking and the occasional POV chapter will be in this..it might get confusing so uh, just ask me questions if you're stuck and I can explain it.

Published 2012-10-09 07:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-08-23 05:58:13 UTC

Spring 1

Greetings my fellow ponies, dragons, griffins and humans I am Pinkamena Diane Pie...and no I am not the one from that atrocious piece of fanwork that made me a psychopath, let me explain. As many of you may know the one you know as 'Pinkie Pie'-

Hiya!

Don't interupt me Pinkie, you know I hate that

Oops sorry Pinkamena

As I was saying as many of you may know the one you call 'Pinkie Pie' is one of largely two sides of the pink pony's psyche, I am the 'true' pinkamena, Pinke fully surfaced and became the dominant personality after we earned our cutie mark . Now our cutie mark is rather interesting to say the least, it is one of the rare double meaning cutie marks, meanning it has a secondary function pertaining to interdimensional activities.

Huh?

'Sigh' It means we have an extra special talent that allows us to break the fourth wall and we are not the only ponies to possess such a mark either, other ponies such as Lyra Heartstrings, Derpy, Viynl Scratch, Octavia, Princess Luna and Princess Celestia all have a double meaning cutie mark, I won't, or rather can't, tell you what they are due to our club's oath.

Now then, right now I am in a coach heading towards my family's rock farm, it appears the attacks and raids have grown more frequent and have asked us-

You mean I get to hep too? Woopie!

Yes Pinkie they have asked for your help as well to examine and determine the best course of action to deal with the large number of creatures that regularay attack the farm, of course this needs to be done without our friends from ponyville finding out about me-

Aw pinkamena they'll love you!

Remember kindergarten?

Oh...oh yeah

So we must do this as effciently and as quickly as possible, no doubt our friends are coming to help us even as we write, so wish us luck.

Pinkamena Diane 'Pinkie' Pie

The straight maned Pinkamena put down the quill she held in her right hoof as she scratched the last portion of her shared name onto the page of the journal, Pinkie was quietly rambling about the welcome party she promised to throw for the both of them upon arriving on the farm.

It was slightly odd using terms such as 'us', 'we' and 'them' when reffering to both herself and her 'younger sister' (as pinkie had only made herself known to Pinkamena when she was a few years old, but only really surfaced when they got their cutie mark). It was much like having two souls in the same body, both having to agree to do the same thing if they wanted to live like a normal pony.

Well as normal as possible when sharing a body with a party lover that ate her body weight in sugar day in day out.

Pinkamena looked down at the three balloons on her flank, for Pinkie it meant she was good at parties, for Pinkamena it meant she could stretch and expand her mind and body to see and understand things the average pony could not and rise above the laws of nature to do what she believed was right, like a balloon floating upwards and reaching for the heavens.

The soft red chair and the brown varnished wood of the pony pulled coach was a vast contrast to the lush green grass and rows upon rows of trees that rolled past her window. The carrige itself was cozy and simple and it suited the more serious and mature of the two of them.

Pinkie just commented on how fun it would be to jump on the cushions or ride on the roof.

Pinkamena sighed and went back to the small box of cinnamon doughnuts Pinke had packed for the ride, she liked the simple plain doughnut over the icing coated sugar-fest that her counterpart ate everyday. She took a bite out of it and quietly listened to Pinkie ramble on about what she planned to do when she returned to ponyville; something about catching up on all the birthdays she would miss out on whilst helping her family.

After a few slow minutes filled with the gentle rumbling of the coach and the two Pinkie's having a conversation about the dimension of jelly, the sceneary changed from a vibrant foest to a gravel coloured road that marked the edge of the farm.

oh boy we're here! Pinkie exclaimed happily.

"Indeed we are" Pinkamena muttered with a small smile on her face.

The coach stopped outside a simple wooden house that looked like it had seen better days. outside of the house were two adutl ponies Pinkamena instantly recognised as her parents, but her sisters were no where to be seen. as she stepped of the coach, saying a "thank you" in passing to the driver she grabbed her bags off the back and trotted over to her family.

"Hello mother, father are my sisters out at the town?" she asked.

"Pinkamena good to see you, and yes Dust and Diamond are out stocking up supplies should a dragon take the house under seige again" her mother, Amber Pie, explained.

Pinkamena's mane and tail poofed up into the famliar cotton candy-like mess as Pinkie took over their shared body.

"Hay Mom! Hay Dad! it is sooooo great to see you guys again!" The party pony greeted in her usual cheerful manner.

Her father, Granite Pie, smiled softly at her.

"Welcome home Pinkie, you too Pinkamena, it is good to see my two youngest daughters getting along" he replied warmly.

"it is good to see you both so happy, even if Pinkamena doesn't show it." Amber stated, equally pleased. "now why don't you two get yourselves settled in and your father and i will go over the notes we preapred for your visit".

"Okie dokie lokie!" Pinkie grabbedher bags and bounced into the house. the simple, sparsly furnished house she had lived in for most of her foalhood had hardly changed over the years, save for some new pictures on the mantlepiece of her and her sisters as they grew older; one even featured Pinkamena carrying a dragon's tooth from the last time she had been called to help the farm a short time before the return of Nightmare Moon.

"Gee it sure has been a long time huh sis?" Pinkie asked her counterpart in a soft voice.

Yes it has ben awhile, but fret not my sister, we will prevail and nopony needs to find out about me, I will remain as silent as the night until you truly need me

"You sound like Princess Luna" Pinke giggled as she headed upstairs to her room.

That was the idea, I'm supposed to be the serious one, not you

"Yeah but..."

You fear that your friends will find out about me and reject you? That is such a silly thing to worry about pinkie, you are the element of laughter, and a good one at that. If your friends can accept you despite your oddities and flaws then there is no logical conclusion that would result in them abadoning you due to another flaw.

Pinkie looked around the dull grey room with a large window opposite the bed with faded pink sheets. she placed her bags on the floor near the chest of draws that stood to the left of the doorway as she contemplated pinkamena's words.

"But you're not a flaw, you're my sister"

Thank you for the sentiment Pinkie, but now is not the time to dwell on the 'what if's'. We should head downstairs soon for the briefing, I'm sure we have our work cut out for us

Pinkamena walked downstairs a few minites later, pinkie preffered to leave the technical talk to her anyway, content with listenning and occasionally pointing out something the older of the two missed. the straight maned mare found her parents in the kitchen, a huge map of the farm spread out on the table with various notes and markings scribbled on certain ares.

Pinkamena pulled out a red ribbon from the hidden dimension she shared with Pinkie and used it to tie up her mane into a high pony-tail.

"Right then, what are we dealing with this time?" she asked seriously.

As Pinkie would say we are in for a doozy, tomorrow we'll head out to confront the sea serpent that has taken up resident in the nearby river, we will try to negotiate with it and if all else fails try to relocate it, I just hope it isn't a female.

Why?

Unlike males of tthe species, who only collect rocks to build mounds to impress and court a desired mate, female sea serpents are highly territorial and will only relocate if there is a male in the vicinity that they can live with, or if there is no food or suitable nesting sites in their current location.

I wonder if Steve is around here?

Steve?

You know the serpent that rarity gave her tail to

Ah I see, that would be beneficial for us if that is the case, we could easily negotiate with him to either move, or take up permanent residence in exchange for some decent nesting stones, he make a useful sentry.

Soo...what now?

It is late, we should rest and be up bright and early for the days events..and pray to celestia that after you post this online we'll get a good reception.

How'd you know I was gonna post this on-

Don't mention the site! We don't want to get the friend helping us with this banned do we? And besides i think that's enough fourth wall breaking for now.

Aw but what about the chapter trivia?

'sigh' Very well, The chapter names are all based on the calender used in the popular Harvest Moon series of video games, Cupcakes has been briefly mentioned and Dragonfire2lm does not own Harvest moon (though she owns some of the games on DS), My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic or the fanfiction tittled 'Cupcakes'.

Ok we can go to bed now!

Finally, good night everypony.

Pinkamena Diane 'Pinie' Pie.

Spring 2

As of right now we are walking along the western border of the farm on our way to the river that is part of the farms natural border, if Celestia smiles upon us today we will hopefully solve this mess relatively quickly, so we can make our way to the barn where the other members of the club are waiting for us to start the next meeting.

Um Pinkamena we're the only ones here why do you say 'we' instead of 'I'

Because right now you and I are both 'awake' as it were and seeing and hearing everything around us at the same time. Only one of us can be in control most of the time because it takes far too much concerntration and energy for both of us to control the same body, so as usual one of us is in control, while the other sits in reserve putting thier imput or remaining dormant in the subconscious. Right now neither of us are dormant but we are not entirely in reserve, I am in control but you are teetering on the edge between conscious thought and taking full control.

I think you put the readers to sleep...or confused them

'sigh' Anyway we're almost there, we should cease this explanation and prepare for what is soon to come.

With the diary stowed away in the saddlebags she was wearing, Pinkamena cantered down the old dirt path towards the river. When she walked past a small clump of trees and reached the riverbank her eyes widened at the strange and magnificant creature before her.

It was serpent-like in appearnce as it lay coiled up on the ground before her hooves. It's massive size caused the pink pony to crane her neck upwards to fully see its face. However it wasn't a sea or river serpent, as Pinkamena spotted four legs each with four clawed toes tucked neatly into its body, its faded blue scales slowly blended into pristine white around its belly and were narrow and much smaller than those of a sea serpent. It's pale green lion-like mane was falling out in some places and the creature's dark brown horns were broken and chipped. Pinkamena took note of the long whisker on each side of its long nose, they were dull and lifeless and rested neatly on its coiled frame.

Oh wow a chineighse dragon! Pinke exclaimed in wonder. can I say hi to it? Can I? Please?

Pinkie... Pinkamena thought back, choosing not to respond allowed so to not awaken the slumbering reptile. Judging by the two whiskers on the nose and horns it appears to be a male, females lack horns and have cheek whiskers instead. It appears to be very old....

So can I say hi to him?

These dragons possess extrodinary powers over the weather, if we accidently offend him, he could very well plunge Equestria into a century of storms and famine. It would be best if I handle this.

Aw...Ok can you give him a cupcake for me?

Of course I will.

Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves Pinakmena approached the slumbering creature catiously.

"Excuse me great one" she began "But may I inquire as to why you have taken lodging on my family's farm?".

The dragon stirred, opened his eyes and looked down at the small pink pony with tired wisdom in his storm grey gaze. He raised his head up slightly and let loose a yawn before turning his attention back to the pony before him.

"Well now...It has been quite some time since a pony had the courage to approach me" he said sounding amused.

"It's not really courage..." Pinkamena admitted sheepishly. "More like duty".

"Duty eh? Pray tell litle one what duty do you have to walk up to a creature such as me and speak you mind?"

"Well sir, if it has escaped your attention this land belongs to my family and have sent me to kindly ask what your business is here in Equestria" she responded with as much confidence and formality as possible.

"I see. I apologise if my presence has startled your kin young one, but as it stands I am only here resting until I have enough strength to make it to mountains where your famous city of Canterlot resides" he explained.

Wow he came all this way to visit Canterlot?

As the meaning of those words sunk in sadness flashed across Pinkamena's face for a second but was soon replaced with a look of respect.

"So I take you won't be here much longer then?" she asked.

"No...No I won't"

There was another meaning to that statement that Pinkie failed to notice, but Pinkamena did. The serious earth pony reached into a saddlebag and pulled up a box of cupcakes and held it out to the old reptile.

"Then I leave you this offerring as a token of friendship between the ponies of Equestria and the Eastern Lungs" she said softly.

The chineighse dragon opened the box with a claw, picked up one of the small treats and eyed it carefully.

"There have many tales of the cuisine you ponies have created, I myself have yet to try any" he remarked.

"Until now that is" Pinkamena responded with a small yet sad smile.

She watched as the beast devoured the cupcake and with a joy filled sparkle in his eyes, happily ate the rest. After the formalities of fare well and after recieving thanks for the food Pinkamena trotted back to the farm house, her mind swimming the thoughts after her meeting with the dragon.

Pinkamena are you ok? Pinkie asked.

"I'm fine.." she muttered and settled down next to a tree to make another entry in their journal.

It is rather eye openning to see such a creature as an Eastern Lung in Equestria. It is quite an upsetting realisation of that dragon's reason for entering our fair country. But I shall dwell on that at a later date, for soon the members of 'The hidden Truth' club will arrive and no doubt there will things that need to be discussed.

Why was the dragon here anyway?

He was here to 'move on' Pinkie, it was his time.

Oh....

Are you alright little sister?

Yeah I'll be ok, at least he got to try my cupcakes!

True.

Pinkie bouced up the path towards home, Pinkamena had receded to meditate and left the hyper pony in control for the meantime. Upon reaching the house the party pony spotted a familiar figure outside on the porch. It a grey earth pony with an ash coloured mane and tail that had been styled to suite the fashion of high class cities such as Canterlot, the grey mare wore a bow tie and had a purple treble clef for her cutie mark.

"Hi Octavia!" Pinkie greeted the cellist with enthusiasm.

"Pinkie please don't use my stage name at home" 'Octavia deadpanned.

"Ok Diamond" she chirped. "Is anypony else here yet?"

"I got a letter from Derpy saying the group can't meet today and we'll have the meeting next week on spring 8" Diamond replied.

"Okie dokie lokie!"

Diamond 'Octavia' Pie shook her head as her younger sister bounced her way inside and silently followed.

Spring 3

The following morning found the three Pie sisters sitting around the breakfast table. The second youngest of the three, a purple-grey mare with a short and straight grey mane and tail, with scroll on top of a pile of gems for a cutie mark, who was named Dust, was dividing a large stack of pancakes between the three of them.

"So Pinkamena are you ok with how things have been since I saw you last?" Diamond asked and placed a hoof over her sister's in concern.

"Oui Pinkie has made considerable progress with her friends, despite how much trouble she was having trying to stay consistent with her behaviour during the Canterlot wedding" Pinkamena explained.

Dust looked at the pink mare in a mix of worry and confusion in the midst of fixing up her own pile of pancakes.

"You know that's not what she meant right?"

"I know soure...I know" Pinkamena replied with a sigh.

you're doing it again... Pinkie warned with a hint of worry in her thoughts.

It was then that the conversation and Pinkamena's depressing mood changed with the sudden occurence of the pinkie sense.

Twitcha-twitch.

The pink mare's tail jerked slightly and surprised the three sisters with the unprecidented movement.

"If another dragon lands on the barn again I'm personally gonna ask Princess Celestia to send us some pegasi guards or something.." Dust grumbled.

The three sisters walked towards the front door and ever-so-carefully opened and poked their heads out Just a blur of grey and yellow fell from the sky and landed in front of them.

Pinkamena gave a sigh a relief and helped the crashed pony, a grey pegasus with a sandy blonde mane and tail with bubbles for a cutie mark, to her hooves.

"Derpy..." Pinkamena sighed. "You forgot about the safe zone again didn't you?".

"Sorry guys a few of other post ponies* are off duty with a cold so I have to pick up their slack and that means covering ponyville, Canterlot, here and Las Pegasus as well as Cloudsdale and Trotting Ham today" the famous wall eyed mail mare, Derpy replied.

"Well stay safe, Celestia knows you're the best at what you do" Pinkamena replied as Derpy handed her the day's mail.

"That's only because the other lay abouts don't have cloud portals as a talent" The grey pegasus scoffed and took off after a hasty goodbye.

Pinkamena sorted through the days mail as she walked back into the kitchen*

"Bill, bill, ad, another ad...a message from Canterlot?"

Surprised at the unexpected letter, the pink mare sat down at the table and read through its contents.

"Uh-oh"

"Uh-oh what?" Diamond asked.

"A number of creatures have escaped from Tartarus, and since our farm is the closest settlement to pony hell, we've been asked to keep an eye out" Pinkamena replied.

"What kind of creatures?" Dust asked nervously.

"A family of harpies, a wyvern named Carbros, a couple of hydras, a roc and a gorgon"

"Uh a rock?" Dust asked.

"No, a Roc, a giant carnivourous crow from Zebrica**" Pinkamnea explained. "A bird so large it could carry a fully grown bull elephant in each talon".

"And it escaped!?" Diamond exclaimed.

"I'm sure the princesses can handle it" Dust said.

"I don't doubt the power of the princesses," Pinkamena began. "But we should be on the lookout, with our parent's out at the quarry selling the first batch of stone for the season, we need to make sure this place is safe, a lot of ponies rely on us".

"Um sis? I don't think we can stand up to pony-eating birds, a poisonous reptile, and a giant crow" Dust said nervously.

"I know, you two can't, Pinkie and I however can" the serious mare replied.

"There's no stopping you, is there?" Diamond stated flatly.

"Non"

"I thought as much..."

Pinkamena cantered across the western field, scanning the skies, in an effort to seek any of the airborne creatures that had escaped Tartarus. A strange screech filled the air as her tail twitched and the pink mare rolled to the side to avoid the sharp talons that would've embedded themselves in her flank if she hadn't done so***.

She whirled around to see a creature twice the size of a pony with the body of a vulture, the neck and head of a blue coated, black maned stallion and the teeth of a dragon circling her in an effort to get a second shot at attcking her.

"A harpy huh?" Pinkamena muttered. "And a male one at that, so his mate should be..."

Another demonic screech pierced the silence of the rock as another harpy, this one with the neck and head of a grey furred, dark grey maned mare, also sporting the teeth of a dragon. the pair of bird-like monsters began to circle Pinkamena, slowly closing in on her.

The male had the courage to make the next swoop.

TO BE CONTINUED!

Author's Note

*having the ability to temporaily walk on her hind legs was useful every once in a while.
**the pony version of africa, unlike its human counterpart, it has a surprisingly good goverment and economy, the wildlife, however, are far more dangerous.
*** 'Twitchy Tail' meant something was going to fall, and was easy engoug to adjust to detect something like a dive-bombing giant mythical bird of prey.

Ok I think I got all the typos...

Sorry for the delay, but it was really hard trying to write up a good way to introduce the harpies. I was going to add the full fight scene but you've waited long enough fpr this chapter, so I'll try and get on to it as soon as I can (with uni and everything that may take a while).

Please comment!

Fun Fact: Pinkamena uses bits and pieces of prench when worried, nervous or angry, it was used this chapter because she's stil sligtly nervous about the fact that Pinkie's friends could pop up at any given time, not to mention its been a long time since she and Pinkie have been to their family's farm.