(SiC) Part 3 - Pinkie Pie's Sugary Problem

Chapters

A Sweet Night Together
Twilight Sparkle's Concern
Pinkie Pie's Promise
Pinkie Pie Breaks Down
A Program for Pinkie Pie
A Special Surprise for Pinkie Pie

A Sweet Night Together

Laughter could be heard from outside of Sugar Cube Corner.

It was in the middle of the night and Pinkie Pie had her five best friends over for a special get together.

Rainbow Dash was rolling on the floor giggling. "Oh, man! This was such a good idea Pinkie! I haven't laughed this much in forever! I had no idea you had so many great comedy movies!"

Pinkie Pie bounced over to the closet and opened it up. A flood of movies burst out and buried her. She poked her head out of the mess with a grin and said, "Hey! The party is not over yet! We haven't even finished half of what I wanted to show tonight!"

Fluttershy looked out the window nervously and said, "Oh my, it's getting late. I bet Angel must be so hungry. He needs to be taken care of soon."

Pinkie Pie frowned and said, "Aw, come on Fluttershy! He'll be okay. How about we watch a short movie? Oh! This one's under an hour long. Don't worry about Angel. Your good old Auntie Pinkie knows that he'll be okay for just one more hour!"

Fluttershy became slightly annoyed and said, "But Pinkie, I'm a year older than you....Oh never mind. I guess I can stay for one more movie." Fluttershy sat down calmly next to rainbow Dash and waited for Pinkie.

Pinkie Pie was about to insert another movie when she suddenly remembered something. "Oh! Oh! Oh! Who wants some more ice cream and cookies!?" She yelled while bouncing up and down in place.

All the other girls moaned in agony.

Rainbow Dash spoke up and said, "Actually, I'll have another bowl of ice cream. You sure do eat a lot of ice cream though!"

Pinkie Pie giggled and replied, "Actually, you should see what I eat when I have a bad day! This is nothing! Be back in a jiffy now!"

Pinkie Pie left the room and bounced downstairs. Shortly, she came back up the stairs on her hind legs while balancing two bowls full of ice cream with her front legs. As Pinkie walked in she saw Rainbow whispering something into Rarity's ear and giggling. "Hey! What are you girls whispering about!?" Pinkie demanded to know.

Rarity ran over and stuck her entire head into Pinkie's puffy mane. She ran back and started giggling as well.

Rainbow Dash burst out laughing and said, "I was right! I figured Pinkie's mane smelled like sugar and cinnamon."

Pinkie Pie smiled with a huge grin. She turned her head around and sniffed her own mane. "Oh! That's ok! I already knew that!" she said. "Here's your bowl of ice cream, Dashie! Eat up!"

Rainbow Dash's jaw hit the floor. "Th-th-th-that's all for me?" she asked, as she eyed the giant leaning tower of ice cream.

There must have been at least twenty three scoops of ice cream piled on top of the other.

Pinkie shoved the bowl over to her and said, "Yup, I gave you MY serving size. This is only my third bowl for tonight though. What's the matter Dashie, afraid you can't finish all that ice cream? I bet I can eat my bowl before you can!"

Rainbow Dash could never back down from a challenge. She became very defensive and said, "Oh you're on Pinkie!"

The other four mares sat and watched in shock as the two ponies began devouring scoop after scoop of ice cream. By the time Rainbow Dash was half way finished with hers, Pinkie Pie had already finished her bowl. She ran over to Rainbow's bowl and took the bowl out from her hooves. She threw the ice cream into the air and caught each falling scoop with her mouth.

"It looks like we have a winner!" Pinkie Pie cheered. She looked over at Rainbow who was curled up into a ball on the floor quivering in pain.

"Oh man, I don't feel so good. We need a rematch sometime later," Rainbow Dash said.

Twilight Sparkle spoke up, "I think that's enough sweets for now girls. How about we watch the movie so Fluttershy can get home soon?"

"Oh! Just give me one more second!" Pinkie Pie said as she zipped back downstairs. She came back with another huge bowl of ice cream and a much smaller bowl of ice cream. She placed the smaller bowl next to Rainbow Dash who was still curled up into a ball and said, "I'm sorry you lost Rainbow. Here's a bowl of ice cream to cheer you up so you don't feel sad!"

Rainbow Dash let out a painful groan and said, "I hate losing!"

Pinkie Pie started the movie and sat back down. She began eating scoop after scoop of ice cream.

Twilight Sparkle watched Pinkie more than the movie with a look of concern and disgust on her face.

After the movie was over, Pinkie Pie zipped over to Rainbow Dash. "Hey! Are you going to eat that Rainbow!?" she asked.

Rainbow took a lick of her ice cream. She looked like she was going to throw up. "No thanks, Pinkie. You can have it," she said in a weak voice.

Pinkie Pie sunk her face into the bowl, then used her tongue to lick her whole face clean. She then reached under the bed and took out a cupcake.

"Ya keep cupcakes under yer bed, Pinkie?" Applejack asked.

Pinkie took a bite and replied, "Oh, and I keep cookies under my pillow case just in case I get hungry in the middle of the night or have a bad dream. Cookies and cupcakes always cheer me up!"

Twilight shook her head in disappointment. She looked out the window and said, "Well, I guess we all better get going. Thanks so much for the party Pinkie."

Rainbow Dash picked her body up and was shaking. She made her way carefully down the stairs with the five other mares. She was walking while using her front leg to clutch her belly. Every step she took was followed by an "Ow!"

Once they made it to the porch, Pinkie Pie began to bounce around her friends. "Oh! Oh! Oh! Can we do this again? How about we do this EVERY single night!?"

Twilight Sparkle gave her a nervous little grin and replied, "Pinkie, I think we all need a break for a little while. I think Rainbow had enough party for the rest of the week."

Rainbow picked her head up weakly and said, "I have no idea how I'm going to do weather patrol tomorrow morning."

Pinkie Pie bounced over to Rainbow and said, "Okie dokie lokie! Just let me know and I'll be more than happy to set up another date again." Pinkie Pie gave Rainbow a slap on the back.

Rainbow's cheeks puffed up and she ran over to the bushes and began to vomit.

Pinkie Pie let out a giggle, "Oops! Sorry, Rainbow."

The four other ponies waved goodbye and made their way home.

Rainbow eventually flew away to her home with her front legs holding her belly.

Pinkie Pie bounced back inside the house and took an entire container of cookies upstairs with her. She ate about half the container and fell asleep in her bed full of crumbs.

Twilight Sparkle's Concern

The next day, Twilight Sparkle paced around her home anxiously.

"She ate how much ice cream?" Spike asked.

"More than I can remember," Twilight replied. "I'm just worried about her. I know that Pinkie Pie likes her sweets and everything, but I have never seen her eat so much before. She can get really sick. You remember what happened to you when you ate all that ice cream don't you, Spike?"

Spike turned red in embarrassment at the thought and replied, "Yeah, but this is Pinkie. She's just different from the rest of us. That pony can eat anything and not get sick."

Twilight looked back at Spike and said, "Spike, I think she desperately needs help. Her behavior is only going to lead her into self destruction. I'm going to confront her about her problem today. You stay here and take care of the library. I'll be back soon."

Spike shrugged and began to start sweeping the stairs.

Twilight Sparkle left in a hurry. When she got to Sugar Cube Corner, she went inside and saw Pinkie eating a bunch of cupcakes while she was waiting for customers to come in.

"Hi Twilight! What brings you here so early?" Pinkie asked with a mouthful of cupcakes. Twilight cleared her throat and spoke up, "Pinkie Pie, you're not going to like this, but I'm really worried about you."

Pinkie tilted her head in confusion. Twilight continued, "You know, your problem."

Pinkie still stared at Twilight in confusion.

"Oh for goodness sake Pinkie! All those darn cupcakes and sweets you constantly eat. They are not healthy for you!"

Pinkie Pie giggled and said, "Oh you silly filly! I have been eating like this for years and I'm ok. You don't have to worry about me!" Pinkie Pie began to sing as she took out a new batch of cookies from the oven. "Oh wonderful cupcakes and cookies, fill my belly up with sweet and sugary goodness!"

Twilight rolled her eyes and said, "Pinkie Pie, I think you might be a glutton."

Pinkie Pie looked back at her and said, "A what-on?"

"A glutton!" Twilight said again. "A pony who eats or consumes an unhealthy amount of food or drink. Pinkie Pie, do you even eat anything that's healthy?"

Pinkie put her hoof to her chin and was deep in thought. "Well, I do eat corn bread. So that's a vegetable at least."

Twilight face-hoofed and said, "That's not healthy Pinkie! It's just another sweet carbohydrate that you're putting into your body! You need to eat fruits, vegetables and proteins. You can't just live off of cupcakes and cookies."

Pinkie Pie frowned. "Well, ice cream comes from cows and that's a healthy thing right?"

Twilight face-hoofed again and said, "Pinkie yes, dairy products are healthy, but ice cream is also loaded with sugar and fat. I need to put you on a diet. Just look at your body."

Pinkie Pie took her hoof and poked her belly. It jiggled a bit and hung low to the floor. "No Twilight! I can put myself on my own diet. You just watch me and see how I lose this belly."

Just then the door opened and in came Derpy Hooves.

"Oh! My first customer of the day! How are you doing, Derpy? Would you like the usual chocolate chip muffin?"

Derpy smiled as she looked at the freshly baked muffins on the counter. "I'll take a bag of six today Pinkie. I'm having a rather bad day and it's going to be a long day at work. I got in trouble for losing another mail package so I need to have a little extra comfort food if you know what I mean," Derpy said as she winked at Pinkie.

"Ohhh! I know what that feels like!" Pinkie said. "Here you go! That will be eight bits please."

Derpy reached into her bag and gave her the money. She almost forgot the main reason why she came here and reached into her mail bag and gave Pinkie a letter. "Have a good day Pinkie, I'll see you tomorrow!' Derpy said as she left the bakery.

"Goodbye Derpy!" Pinkie called back. Pinkie fumbled with the letter and eventually opened it. The letter was a reminder that it was time for a checkup with the dentist. Just then, Pinkie felt a sharp pain in her tooth and let out a yelp. She put her hoof to her mouth and mumbled some words.

Twilight raised an eyebrow and said, "So Pinkie, do you think you have any cavities from all of those sweets you eat?"

"Nope, I haven't had any cavities so far, and I know I'm going to be just fine this year," Pinkie mumbled.

"Well, I'll be going home now. I'll come back tomorrow and see how you're doing with your new diet. I hope to hear some good news from you about your visit to the dentist tomorrow. Take care."

Pinkie didn't say goodbye. She heard the door shut and began to mumble to herself. "How dare she try to torture me and tell me that I need to stop eating what I want to eat. I know how to take care of myself and I know what moderation is. I'm going to show her that I can lose this weight and that I know how to diet properly!"

Pinkie Pie's Promise

The next day, Twilight came back to visit Pinkie Pie.

"So how did your visit go with the dentist, Pinkie?" Twilight asked.

"Mfff Umfff Mphhh MMMMPPH!" Pinkie replied.

Twilight looked at Pinkie's mouth. She was drooling a bit and her face looked rather swollen. She finally made the connection that she was still experiencing the effects of the novacain.

"Oh goodness! The novacain must still be strong in your mouth. How about you make me a cup of tea and I'll talk to you in an hour."

"Mmmmph mmmph," Pinkie replied.

Twilight Sparkle sat down and sipped her tea. She made a few mental notes about what she wanted to say to Pinkie.

Within time, Pinkie came bouncing over to Twilight. "Oh! That was just terrible! Not being able to speak is like the worst thing in the whole world! Did I ever tell you how much I just love to speak? Speak is such a funny word. Speak rhymes with weak, beak, meek, tweak, leak, geek..."

"PINKIE!" Twilight shouted angrily. "How did your visit with the dentist go?"

"Oh! I only had a few cavities. It's no big deal. I even got a lollipop for being so good!" Pinkie Pie took out a lollipop and ate it in one bite.

"How many cavities did you have filled, Pinkie?"

Pinkie put her hoof to her chin and said, "About twenty."

Twilight spit out her tea and gasped. "Twenty cavities!? Pinkie, that's insane! You'd better come up with a healthy diet."

"Well, at least they didn't have to pull out any of my teeth. I would imagine that it would be hard for me to..." Pinkie Pie paused for a moment with a little smirk on her face and then finished her sentence. "Pull through with something like that. They did have to sedate me because I couldn't sit still in the chair and I couldn't stop talking, but I was still somehow talking even though I was supposed to be knocked out. The Dentist got so frustrated with me that he ended up taking a mallet and hitting me hard in the back of the head and that seemed to do the trick." Pinkie Pie turned her head and pointed to the large throbbing lump on the back of her head with her front hoof. "It's a pretty big bump, but I don't even feel it right now because he gave me painkillers for that too. It seems kind of unethical to hit a patient over the head with a mallet, but I guess they have to go to extreme measures sometimes." Pinkie Pie then bounced joyfully over to the counter and asked, "Want to see what I eat now?"

Twilight nodded her head yes.

"COOKIES AND CUPCAKES!"Pinkie joyfully cheered.

Twilight face-hoofed and said, "Pinkie, you didn't change anything! You have been eating that all along!"

Pinkie grinned and said, "Oh Twilight, you silly filly. These aren't just any old cookies and cupcakes, they are sugar free! Look! I even drink diet soda now too!" Pinkie Pie took out a two liter bottle of sugar free soda and gulped the whole thing down. "Want some, Twilight?"

Twilight Sparkle looked angry. "Pinkie, that is incredibly unhealthy. In fact, all the stuff that you're consuming contains nothing but chemicals and when sugar is taken out of something that is meant to be sweet, like your soda, it often is full of something else that is unhealthy like sodium and artificial sweetners. They are loaded with chemicals that often make you more thirsty resulting in you buying and drinking more and more of that product. It's all just a gimmick, Pinkie and you're falling for it!"

Pinkie Pie frowned and walked over to eat another cupcake.

"Oh no you don't!" Twilight called out. She used her magic to teleport Pinkie Pie back to the counter.

"Hey! Cut it out, Twilight! That's not nice!" Pinkie Pie cried out as she lunged at the cupcake, but Twilight was quick and kept teleporting her back to where she started. Pinkie Pie eventually became tired. She laid on the floor and began to cry. "Twilight, why are you being so mean to me? I need my cupcakes!"

Twilight walked over and put her hoof on Pinkie Pie's shoulder. "You just need a better diet plan and some exercise. I'm worried that you might be a type two diabetic."

Pinkie Pie wiped the tears from her eyes and asked, "How do I know if I'm diabetic?"

"Well," Twilight said, "Do you have any symptoms like fatigue, increased hunger and thirst, blurred vision?"

Pinkie Pie nodded yes to each one.

"What about increased urination?" Twilight asked.

Pinkie Pie jolted up with a look of seriousness on her face. She crossed her legs and yelled out, "Be right back!"

Twilight Sparkle tapped her hoof on the counter as she waited.

Pinkie Pie came bouncing back into the room. "So, Twilight. What do you think?"

Twilight sighed and said, "Pinkie, I think you need to go see a doctor. How about we make a little deal?"

"Oh! What kind of deal? Deals can be fun and I just love fun!" Pinkie Pie said as she bounced up and down in place.

Twilight continued, "How about you go see a doctor, and if you don't have diabetes, you can continue your diet of sugar free pastries and diet soda, but if you do have diabetes, you have to follow my special diet plan. Deal?"

Pinkie Pie sunk low to the ground and said, "But that doesn’t sound like a fun deal, Twilight."

"Sometimes we all need to be shown a little tough love Pinkie. I really care about you and I can't stand the thought of one of my best friends getting sick," Twilight said as she hugged Pinkie Pie. Twilight stepped back and giggled.

"Hey! What are you laughing at!?" Pinkie demanded to know.

"Oh, it's just your mane. The girls were right. It really does smell like sugar and cinnamon."

Pinkie Pie sunk back down to the floor. "Yea, two things I can't have anymore."

Twilight smiled and said, "You can still have cinnamon. Cinnamon has tons of benefits! It can even stabilize your blood sugar."

Pinkie ran over to the drawer and took out some cinnamon. She poured the entire container into her mouth.

Twilight giggled at the sight. "Pinkie, I don't think that's a good idea."

Pinkie Pie's eyes opened wide. She ran over and put her head under the faucet, desperately trying to drink as much water as she could.

"Everything in moderation, Pinkie! So, how about our deal? Do you accept?" Twilight asked.

Pinkie was confident that her sugar free diet was the way to go, so she stuck out her hoof and shook Twilight's front hoof. "DEAL!" Pinkie yelled.

"Pinkie Pie swear?" Twilight asked.

"PINKIE PIE SWEAR!" Pinkie yelled back.

Pinkie Pie Breaks Down

Twilight paced around the doctor's office while waiting for her friend.

Pinkie eventually came out with a look of sorrow and fear on her face.

Twilight came over to Pinkie. "So, what's the deal Pinkie? Are you healthy?"

Pinkie put her head down and sighed, "I have type two diabetes."

Twilight Sparkle nodded her head with understanding. "Well, it looks like we'd better start you on a new diet, Pinkie. Remember that you Pinkie Pie sweared and everything."

While walking to the library, Twilight couldn't help but notice that Pinkie wasn't her usual self. She looked worried and she was walking, rather than bouncing.

When they reached the library, Twilight used her magic and out came a barrage of books. Twilight levitated a book on the table and opened it. She read out loud to her friend. "Carbohydrates are one of the major food categories in a type two diabetes diet. They provide fuel for the body in the form of glucose. Glucose is a sugar that is the primary means of energy for all of the body's cells. It says here that a reasonable amount of fat and protein are good for you as well, Pinkie, along with some fiber. Fiber helps balance out blood sugar by delaying sugar absorption. That sounds just like what you need, Pinkie! Fiber also helps promote weight loss too. It says here, that we need to feed you lots of foods like fruits and vegetables, beans, whole grain foods, and most importantly, avoid things like white rice and white bread. We're going to get you on a whole grain diet. No more junk food for you, missy!"

Pinkie groaned. She was tired, and all of this thinking was hurting her head.

Twilight sent Spike out to the market to get the special foods needed for Pinkie Pie.

When he returned, Pinkie was sound asleep because her blood sugar had crashed.

Spike cooked up a healthy meal and served the two ponies waiting for dinner.

Pinkie had never eaten healthy food before. She gnawed on a celery stick, unhappily. "Twiiiiiliiiiight! This is torture! Are we even going to have any dessert after this!?" Pinkie asked in a whiny voice.

Twilight Sparkle shook her head no and said, "Nope! If you would like, you may have a REASONABLE amount of dessert when you get home though. We all need to be shown tough love sometimes Pinkie."

Pinkie slowly finished her meal and left.

When she got home, she piled twenty scoops of ice cream into a gigantic bowl and carried a large jar of cookies upstairs. "A totally reasonable amount," Pinkie said in a mocking voice. Pinkie bucked the door open and realized that the window was open. "Hmmmm. I could have sworn I had shut that window before I left today." Pinkie closed the window and popped in a movie.

As she was about to take a bite of her ice cream, a blue figure zipped out from under her bed and tackled her to the floor. She was pinned down and couldn't move.

Rainbow Dash stood above her and looked down at her with a rather disappointed look on her face. "Pinkie Pie, is that what you call a reasonable amount of dessert? What did Twilight Sparkle just tell you?"

Pinkie struggled to break free, but Rainbow was too strong. Pinkie stopped struggling and said, "But how did you know about this, Rainbow? Why aren't you out clearing the skies today?"

Rainbow got off of Pinkie and put the jar of cookies and bowl of ice cream on the desk. She looked back at Pinkie and said, "Twilight found me and told me to keep an eye on you. I found another pegasus to cover my shift for today so that I could keep a watch on you and what you're eating. Apparently, you and Twilight's definition of reasonable, are two totally different things. I made sure to see that you had a normal portion of ice cream which shouldn't exceed any more than one or two scoops at most."

Pinkie Pie stomped both her front hooves on the ground. "Why that no good meanie, Twilight Sparkle! How dare she act like she can control what I eat! I'll show her a thing or two! Why I ought to go over there and...Mmmph mmmph!"

Rainbow Dash shoved an apple in Pinkie's mouth.

Pinkie Pie spit the apple out and lunged over to her desk where her dessert was.

"Oh no you don't, Pinkie," Rainbow called out as she flew after her. Rainbow tackled her to the ground and they both rolled around the floor struggling.

Pinkie Pie sunk her teeth into one of Rainbow's wings.

Rainbow Dash hollered out in pain and let go of Pinkie.

Pinkie Pie ran over to the desk and grabbed her dessert. She then ran to the corner of the room and was breathing heavily. Her mane had flattened out and she transformed into Pinkamena Diane Pie.

Just then, the door flew open and there stood her four other friends.

"STAY BACK! STAY BACK or I'll eat all of this ice cream and cookies. I have a spoon and I know how to use it!" Pinkie said as she pointed the spoon at her friends in a threatening way. She dug out a huge scoop of ice cream and put it near her mouth.

Twilight stepped forward and said, "Well, well, well. I'm glad I sent Rainbow to check on you. Pinkie, you need to calm down. What happened to following my advice?"

Pinkie ate the ice cream off the spoon. "You said I could have a reasonable amount, and this is reasonable to me!" Pinkie said with a mouthful of ice cream.

Fluttershy nervously spoke up. "Pinkie, please put the spoon down and listen to..."

"NO!" Pinkie yelled out and began to devour all of the ice cream in the bowl.

Rainbow Dash lunged at her and knocked the bowl out of her hooves.

Pinkie Pie was somehow able to buck her off.

Applejack stepped in and pinned Pinkie down to the floor. There was no escaping Applejack. She was much stronger than Rainbow Dash, thanks to all of that hard work on the farm. "I reckon ya need to have a lil' time out now, Pinkie. Ya caused enough trouble fer now."

Pinkie gave up resisting against Applejack and lay there panting on the floor. "Applejack! Let me go! I can't breathe!"

Applejack looked sternly at her and said, "Girl, ya sure better promise that you'll behave, missy, or next time I'm gonna really make sure that yer sorry. Ya hear?"

"I Pinkie Pie swear that I'll be good, just please let me go!" Pinkie cried out.

Applejack let Pinkie go.

Rarity came over and took what was left of the dessert away and went downstairs.

Pinkie just sat there in disbelief. Her mane and tail drooped low to the floor.

Rarity came back with another bowl of dessert for Pinkie. She placed it by Pinkie and said, "You can still have some dessert, this is a reasonable amount and it's healthy!"

Pinkie scratched her head with her hoof and asked, "Why are you girls giving me more ice cream after I just ate some?"

Rarity smiled and said, "Oh Pinkie, this isn't ice cream, it's yogurt and it's much healthier for you. Go on, have a bite."

Pinkie Pie sniffed the bowl and licked at the yogurt. She turned her head in disgust and bucked the bowl away.

The bowl flew through the air and landed on Rainbow's face. Rainbow gladly licked her whole face clean.

"It's just not the same!" Pinkie protested. "If I can't have anything I want, then I don't want to eat at all! You girls can't watch me forever!" Pinkie Pie zipped past her friends and ran down to the kitchen.

Mr. and Mrs. Cake blocked her path.

Mr. Cake was holding a rolling pin and patting it against his other hoof, as he looked down at Pinkie. "Pinkie, we had to make some arrangements down here," he said. "We had to put locks on all of the cookie jars, cabinets, freezers, and refrigerators. You have been eating way too much of our supplies and it's starting to cost us a lot. You are not allowed to run the shop or bake any treats for a while until you get the help you need. We hired a temporary employee to keep the shop running while you're in rehab."

Pinkie's jaw hit the floor. "You're sending m-m-me to rehab? Where am I going?" she asked.

"Nowhere," Mr. Cake replied. "You're staying here with us and thanks to your friends, who love you very much, they will be in charge of rehabilitating you."

Pinkie looked over to her friends with a terrified look on her face.

Applejack grinned and gave her a playful wink.

"But....but....but it's just not fair," Pinkie protested.

"I'm sorry, Pinkie, but it's for your own good," Mr. Cake said. 'Now off to bed! We'll be keeping an eye on you. Starting tomorrow, you are going to start your training. Goodnight!"

Pinkie Pie walked back up the stairs with her head low. She shut the door and laid on the floor.

Out from under the bed, Gummy came waddling out.

Pinkie took her front leg and extended it.

Gummy gladly opened his mouth and latched on to her leg.

"It's no use, Gummy. My friends don't love me anymore. I can't go on without my sweets. Oh wait! I bet they forgot about my hidden stash of cookies and cupcakes!" Pinkie looked under the bed, but there was nothing there. She looked under her pillow case, but there were no cookies. Pinkie sighed and curled up in a ball next to the foot of the bed. She fell asleep quickly.

A Program for Pinkie Pie

BANG! "Up 'n at 'em missy! Today is a new day 'n we sure got some work cut out for ya!" Applejack had bucked the door open and stood there with her chest proudly sticking out. She looked for Pinkie, but she wasn't there. She then looked up and saw Pinkie clinging to the ceiling fan and shaking. Applejack grabbed her tail and yanked her down to the floor.

Pinkie rubbed her eyes and looked outside the window. "Applejack, do you have any idea what time it is? The sun isn't even up yet."

Applejack simply laughed and said, "Pinkie, back at the farm the roosters are already callin' 'n I have been up for a few hours already. It's time we head on over to the farm 'n get ya started, but first ya gotta eat somethin' healthy. I reckon Mr. and Mrs. Cake left you some breakfast on the table downstairs."

Pinkie Pie stumbled down the stairs. She shook her head several times. She could hear a ringing in her ears and faint voices in her head. She had never been up this early before and her mind wasn't ready to deal with such a dramatic change.

"There ya go, Pinkie. Eggs 'n toast! Eat up so we can get goin'!"

Pinkie played with her food a bit. She was used to having a few chocolate chip muffins everyday for breakfast.

"C'mon Pinkie! Those eggs are good protein, and ya need protein if ya wanna build muscle and be strong like me." Applejack flexed her muscles with her front leg.

Pinkie Pie eventually finished her meal and off they went to the farm.

"Now Pinkie, I know yer a bit under the weather bein' that yer life style has changed so dramatically 'n such, but I'm gonna have ya buck some apples." Applejack went into the barn and brought out a few barrels for Pinkie Pie to fill up. She placed the barrels under the tree and gave the tree a hard buck. Out fell several apples. "All ya need to do is give it a good swift kick." Applejack walked over across the road and sat under the shade of another tree. She laid back against it and put a weed between her teeth. "Go on, Pinkie. Don't just stand there, get to it!"

Pinkie stared angrily at Applejack and yelled out, "Well, what do you think you're going to do!? You expect me to do all of this work while you just sit there and watch me?"

Applejack chuckled and said, "Pinkie, I already filled up most of my barrels for the mornin'. Yer just helpin' me out on the farm a bit. It's good that we getcha on a new mornin' routine and that ya do a lil' work. No more stayin' up past midnight watchin' movies and eatin' ice cream. It's for yer own good, now git!"

Pinkie Pie stomped her hoof in frustration and bucked the tree with all her might. Loose twigs and a few leaves fell down.

"Ya'll call that a kick? C'mon Pinkie! Give me at least one barrel full of apples.

Pinkie bucked harder and harder. Eventually, some apples came down. When she filled up one barrel, she collapsed to the ground, exhausted and sweating bullets. "H-h-how do you do it, Applejack?" Pinkie asked as she gasped for air.

Applejack laughed again and said, "A lil' hard work ain't never hurt no pony, Pinkie Pie! We have been hard workers fer generations on the farm. I reckon ya just need a good kick in the backside! Ya look rather tired, why don't ya have a few apples? They're healthy fer ya 'n organic, unlike my competitors fruits and veggies, that are sprayed with pesticides 'n use GMO's. We here are pure 'n fresh on the farm. Here, have an apple." Applejack stuffed an apple in Pinkie Pie's mouth. "Remember to buy apples from my farm only. It helps my family out and it's a healthier choice for ya, if ya know what I mean. Insects and parasprites love 'em and so should you!"

"Mmmmph Mmppph," Pinkie said with a mouthful of fruit.

"Well, ya could help me with some more farm chores if ya want to, but it looks like yer mighty tired there. Why don't ya git home 'n rest up. Tomorrow is a new day and I'll be keepin' track of how many apples ya bring in. I expect a lot more improvement from ya as the days go by."

Pinkie Pie groaned and lifted her body off the ground with great effort. She was done for the day and was exhausted.

At home, she took a bath with Gummy. Gummy stayed latched onto her ear for the majority of the time. Pinkie sighed and swished the water around with her hoof. She was going through heavy sugar withdrawal and her body was shaking. "I had no idea life would be this hard without my sweets." She pried the alligator off her ear and held him in her hooves.

His eyes blinked out of sync.

"Oh Gummy, I just don't know how much longer I can last. You should have seen what Applejack did to me out there. I thought I was going to die. You understand don't you?"

Gummy's eyes again blinked out of sync. He then jumped from her hooves and latched back onto her ear again.

She got out of the tub and looked into the mirror. She looked so much older now and her belly was sticking out. She sighed and took the baby alligator back with her into her bedroom. She pried him off her ear and put him under her bed. She was so tired, but she made her way downstairs. She was surprised to see Spike waiting for her with some food on the table.

"Hi Pinkie! Ready for a healthy meal again?" the baby dragon asked.

Pinkie blinked several times and said, "Spike, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in charge of the library today?"

Spike laughed and said, "I was, but Twilight will be watching over the library today. She also gave me a whole case full of my favorite gem stones to eat today as a reward for coming here to take care of you from now on. Those gemstones were found by.....Rarity." Spike closed his eyes in pleasure at the thought that Rarity had given him this gift. Spike suddenly jerked forward and snapped out of it. He pushed the meal over to Pinkie, and she sat down and began to eat it.

It would be a long day for her, but at least her day with Applejack was over and she couldn't wait to fall asleep after lunch.

Pinkie Pie woke up to the sound of giggling. She picked her head up and turned around.

BANG! A bolt of lightning came inches away from her hooves.

She let out a scream in fear.

There was a storm cloud hovering just outside her window.

Rainbow Dash flew in and started rolling on the floor laughing. "Oh Pinkie, you should have seen the look on your face! It was priceless!"

Pinkie didn't say anything.

"Oh come on now! I thought you were always down for a good prank."

"I'm just not in the mood right now," Pinkie said glumly. "I'm done for the day. Please let me rest."

Rainbow Dash hovered in mid air and put her front hooves on her hips. "Well, that's not what Twilight told me. I have orders to pick you up for some athletic training whether you like it or not."

Pinkie hid under the bed, but Rainbow Dash grabbed her just in time before she got too far under. Pinkie Pie started kicking and screaming, but Rainbow Dash wouldn't let go.

Rainbow Dash held her with all four legs wrapped around her and hovered in the air for a bit before taking off outside of the window.

They soon arrived in a field where there was obstacles set up all around the place.

Rainbow Dash gently put Pinkie down, she put her whistle in her mouth and blew into it loudly. "Alright Pinkie, they didn't vote for me for nothing to train you in some athletics. They obviously wanted the best of the best for you, so let's get to it!"

Pinkie Pie walked over to Rainbow and rested her head against her shoulder. "Dashie, please be nice to me today. Applejack really worked me hard and I don't have much energy left in me to do all of this. I hope you won't hurt me."

Rainbow paused and thought to herself. She felt a little bad for Pinkie and came down to her level. "Aw, come on, Pinkie, I might be a tough cookie sometimes, but I'm not going to hurt you. Good ol' Dashie knows what's best for one of her closest friends and I really care about you. I'll tell you what, I'll let you have as many breaks as you want as long as you Pinkie Pie swear that you'll do your best for me? Is that a deal?"

Pinkie nodded yes slowly.

Rainbow Dash gave her a tight hug. "Alright let's get started!" she said. Rainbow Dash took her through the tires and she bounced as high as she could through each one. She then leapt over lots of hurdles and ran around poles in a zigzag fashion. Pinkie made a few mistakes, but was determined to please Dashie so that she could get a few breaks. She tip-hoofed across balance beams and swam through a lake.

Rainbow took her through what seemed an endless amount of obstacles. She would hover above Pinkie and cheer her on as she made her way through each one.

When Pinkie reached the end of the course, Rainbow blew her whistle loudly. "Alright Pinkie! Water break time." Rainbow tossed her a jug of water.

Pinkie gulped down the jug of water and lay exhausted in the grass.

Rainbow blew her whistle again and screamed out, "OK Pinkie, let's get through this course ONE more time! Get up!"

Pinkie's heart sank in her chest. She looked up at Rainbow, who was hovering above her with her front legs crossed.

"Oh, but Dashie. You promised me you'd be nice to me today. I can't go on. I'm in so much pain and I'm so tired."

Rainbow came back down to the ground and put her front leg around her. "OK, Pinkie. I'll take it easy on you, but just for today. I'm really proud that you didn't stop or take any breaks during the first run through. I noticed you put in a lot of extra effort into this. I normally don't go this soft on other ponies, but I know you're going through a very hard time, so just for today I'm going to cut you some slack. You'd better come with your "A" game for tomorrow though!" Rainbow Dash blew her whistle in her ear. "Alright, you're free to go to your next trainer."

"My next trainer?" Pinkie Pie wondered to herself. Pinkie Pie turned around to see Fluttershy sitting nervously behind her.

Fluttershy spoke up, "Ummm Pinkie, are you ready to spend the rest of the afternoon with me?"

Pinkie Pie sighed and walked over to Fluttershy's house.

Once there, they began to take care of some of the animals.

Pinkie Pie was helping by feeding some chickens and then asked the yellow mare, "How is this supposed to help me again?"

Fluttershy threw some seeds out and said, "Sometimes, we all need to show a little love to others in order to love ourselves more, and helping out the animals is something that you can do to feel good about yourself. I understand that you're going through a hard time with your sugar withdrawal and everything. You need to do positive things so that you can build yourself back up and feel good about what you did. I think the animals are already starting to like you."

One of Fluttershy's bunnies came up and nuzzled against Pinkie's front leg.

Pinkie began to get teary and said, "This is a wonderful idea. I thought you were going to put me through more strenuous work like Applejack and Rainbow Dash did.

"Oh no, Pinkie," Fluttershy cooed. "I mean this is work, tending to all of the creatures, but you had enough exercise for the day. Just try to enjoy all of the animals and the beautiful weather and get in touch with nature.

Pinkie Pie drew in a breath of fresh air and said, "You know Fluttershy, this is really nice. I'm so glad you're my friend and that you're so kind. I really appreciate you."

Pinkie hugged her friend tightly.

Fluttershy giggled a bit and said, "Oh, you know I care about you Pinkie, and I think Applejack and Rainbow Dash may not be as understanding, but I'll always be a kind friend to ponies in need."

Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie finished taking care of all of the animals.

They then went over to the spa to see Rarity.

The three of them got into the hot tub and began to chat. "So Pinkie, how did your day go?" Rarity asked.

Pinkie sank low into the warm water with a frown on her face and said, "Oh Rarity, I'm so confused and sad. I don't know if Dashie or Applejack love me anymore. You should have seen how hard they were on me. They didn't even give me a cookie or anything for a reward. Well, at least Rainbow gave me a break today, but she sounded like she was going to go hard on me tomorrow. I just don't want to see them again."

Rarity flicked her mane with her hoof and said, "Well, I know all about those two ponies. They can be so.....so.....SO UNLADYLIKE. It is truly vile how they both get so dirty with their work and sports, it's just so....so.....UNGH! You should have seen the time when I had a sleep over with Applejack at Twilight's house. I don't understand how a pony can get so dirty and not care a thing in the world about it! Oh, and that Rainbow Dash! Don't even get me started with her. She has absolutely no taste in style and can't even sit through one simple session at the spa. Those two ponies are just so....so...."

"Um, excuse me Rarity, perhaps you are just being a bit overly dramatic about this?" Fluttershy asked quietly.

Rarity simply smiled and said, "Well, I do suppose we got over our differences and are all good friends again, but I could never imagine having to spend most of the day with the likes of those two, getting all dirty and sweaty! Why, it was bad enough that I to had get all muddy when I competed in the Sister Hooves Social Race with Sweetie Belle, but that was for a very special reason I guess." Rarity sighed.

Pinkie rolled her eyes at Rarity's rant and asked, "So how does being at the spa suppose to help me with my problems?"

"Oh dear, after all the work you went through today, your body needs a special time to heal and relax. This will help take away all that stress and wash all that dirt away that's probably clogging all of your pores! You don't want THAT now do you? Why, you could end up with a pimple!" Rarity replied as she put her hoof to her forehead at the possible thought of that. Rarity put her hoof down into the water again and said, "We're also here to provide encouragement and support for you. A good Bible verse that comes to mind is, therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

Pinkie Pie shrugged and asked, "So, after this am I free for the night? It's been such a long, hard day! I can't imagine anyone else wanting me to do more work!"

Fluttershy spoke up nervously, "Well, umm, you have one more place to go. I have to drop you off at Twilight Sparkle's house."

Pinkie Pie turned a darker shade of pink and said, "Oh, her. The one who got me into this mess in the first place!" Pinkie Pie frowned and crossed her front legs in protest.

After much effort, Fluttershy and Rarity were able to get Pinkie over to Twilights house.

Once inside, Twilight greeted her with a big smile.

Pinkie was still unhappy.

Fluttershy spoke up nervously, "Um, I guess Rarity and I had better get going. It's getting late. Um, have fun with Twilight, Pinkie. Goodbye."

Rarity shut the door behind them and the two mares were left alone together.

Twilight looked around and smiled awkwardly. "So, tell me all about your day, Pinkie. How did everything go?"

Pinkie exploded in rage. "TWILIGHT! Why did you have to get me into this mess? I am tired, and in pain, and I haven't been able to have ONE cupcake the entire day. Do you know how this feels for me?" Pinkie dragged her front hoof across the floor several times and leapt at Twilight.

Twilight simply teleported out of the way and Pinkie landed face first into an open book. Twilight casted a spell that put Pinkie Pie in a bubble.

Pinkie couldn't get out. She was trapped inside with a book.

Twilight walked several circles around Pinkie and said, "Now, I know you're not happy about this, but this is your final task for the day. I want you to sit there and read a chapter of that book about eating healthy and exercising. It's important that you learn what good health is Pinkie. Remember, there is no knowledge that is not power."

Pinkie grumbled some words and began to read. When she finished the chapter, she told Twilight what she had learned. Twilight was satisfied with what she said and lifted the spell off of her.

Pinkie sat there and stared at Twilight in anger. "I am SO hungry! Aren't you going to give me some kind of reward for all of this work!?" she asked.

Twilight shook her head in disappointment and said, "Pinkie, all of us have been taking so much time off from our daily lives just to help you. You need to be grateful for all of this. I can't give in and let you have sweets. I feel it's best that you go cold turkey until your type two diabetes is gone. The best I can offer you is a stalk of celery." Twilight Sparkle levitated a stalk towards Pinkie, but Pinkie slapped it away with her hoof and yelled, "I'd rather starve!"

Twilight lowered her head and replied, "Then I guess you must not be that hungry, Pinkie. You have to remember that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we have to bless our bodies and take good care of them."

Pinkie fumed and stormed out of the house and headed home.

Twilight simply watched her from her window and sighed, "Someday she'll be grateful. Someday."

A Special Surprise for Pinkie Pie

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months.

The work she did became even harder and for so many days, Pinkie wasn't sure if she was going to lose her mind or not. She went to the doctor and had blood work done and was now waiting for the results. She couldn't bear the thought of continuing with this special rehabilitation program anymore. All she seemed to want, was her precious sweets again. She didn't feel like the same pony without them and she couldn't stand how hard Applejack and Rainbow Dash were pushing her.

Pinkie lay sound asleep in bed, when she was awakend by Applejack when she bucked open the door and burst into her bedroom.

"Mornin' Pinkie! I reckon we got a long day ahead of us at the farm today. Girl, I can't wait to git started! Are ya excited?" Applejack picked up the blanket that Pinkie was hiding under and gave her a poke on the side with her hoof.

Pinkie Pie screamed and zipped out from under the blanket. She tried to make her way out of her room, but she suddenly couldn't move any further.

Applejack had grabbed her tail with her mouth and said, "Oh no ya don't missy. We got an extra special day ahead of us!"

What could be so extra special about this day? Was Applejack going to punish Pinkie Pie by making her work even more?

Pinkie's thoughts raced as she tried to imagine what other forms of torture the farmer pony might have in mind for her today. Pinkie Pie had enough, she lashed out at Applejack and screamed, "Applejack! I wish you would just go buck yourself and leave me the hay alone!"

Applejack paused for a moment and said, "Pinkie, I know that deep down inside ya don't mean that. I'm a tough gal and everythin', but hearin' that comin' from a friend, who I love, hurts me a bit. I know yer just goin' through some tough times, so I'm not gunna take what ya said personally. Ya hear?"

Pinkie didn't say anything back.

Applejack just stared at her and eventually said, "Don't worry, ya don't have to say nothin' cause I forgive ya already. Now, you can cooperate with me and come to the farm willingly, or I can drag ya there myself."

Pinkie folded her front legs and turned her back to Applejack.

Applejack walked back to the farm with a mouthful of Pinkie's tail.

Pinkie dug her hoofs in the ground and wouldn't stop whining, but that didn't stop Applejack from physically dragging her all the way to the farm. She simply listened to the pink mare's incessant complaing and kept her moving.

Once they got to the farm, Applejack walked over to the barn and bucked it open. She dragged Pinkie into it. She turned back to Pinkie who had her front hooves covering her eyes and was shaking. "Pinkie, why don't ya go over to that table and read that piece of paper?"

Pinkie Pie gulped. She imagined that the list on the table was a bunch of chores that she was supposed to do for the day.

The barn was dark and there was a solitary stream of light shining down on the table where the letter was.

Pinkie Pie read the note. It was her results from the blood work. It said that she tested negative for diabetes.

Suddenly, the rest of the barn lit up with light and out came the rest of her friends. "SURPRISE!" They yelled.

Pinkie looked around the room, there were party streamers and decorations everywhere. Pinkie sat there in shock.

Twilight Sparkle came forward and said, "Pinkie! Congratulations! You're healthy again. All of that hard work has finally paid off! You're done with rehab! Aren't you excited? We made you a special batch of your favorite cupcakes to celebrate. You may have ONE. We also brought you some healthy fruits and vegetables for you to snack on if you get hungry. Pinkie? Hello?" Twilight Sparkle waved her hoof in front of her face.

Pinkie broke down and started crying.

All of her friends came in near to her and sat down.

"What's wrong, Pinkie?" Fluttershy asked. "I thought you loved to party."

Pinkie wiped the tears away from her eyes and sniffled. She looked up at her friends and said, "For the longest time, I thought you girls didn't love me anymore. I thought you all were torturing me and being mean to me by depriving me from my sweets and working me really, really hard. I didn't realize that you all cared for me. Especially Applejack, Dashie, and Twilight. Now I see what a miserable mare I was. I'm especially sorry about what I said to Applejack today."

Rainbow stepped foward and asked, "What did you say to Applejack Pinkie?"

Pinkie Pie looked down at the ground and confessed, "I told her to go buck herself and to leave me the hay alone."

"Pinkie! I'm so surprised you would use such harsh words to your friend," Rarity said.

Pinkie slowly looked over to Applejack and said, "Applejack I'm so sorry I hurt your feelings and said such a nasty thing to you. I don't deserve to be your friend anymore. I understand if you don't want to see me again."

Applejack walked over and put her hoof on Pinkie's shoulder and said, "Aw, sugar cube. I already told ya that I forgive ya. I knew not to take what ya said personally. Besides, we all have bad days and sometimes we say things we don't really mean."

Pinkie stared into Applejacks eyes and said, "So, you really mean that? You're not mad at me and still love me?" Applejack laughed. "I sure as sugar love ya, Pinkie. Yer very special to me and there ain't nothin' in the world that could tear our friendship apart." Applejack looked at her other friends and said, "And that goes fer the rest of ya'll too."

Pinkie Pie looked back at her other friends and said, "I'm so sorry for how stubborn I was. I didn't understand, and now I realize what a bunch of wonderful friends I have who truly do care about me. I love you all!" Pinkie Pie wrapped her front legs around her friends and drew them in for a big group hug.

All the other girls let out an "Awwwww." They all piled on top of Pinkie with hugs, in a display of affection for their friend.

Pinkie broke free and started bouncing around in circles. Suddenly, her mane and tail became puffy again. "What are you girls waiting for? Let's party!" she called out.

Twilight Sparkle came over to her, while hovering a cupcake with a candle in it. "How about you enjoy a cupcake first, Pinkie? It's been many months since you have been able to have any sweets."

Pinkie bit her lower lip and looked around nervously.

All her friends were staring at her and smiling.

Pinkie looked over to the table of fresh fruits and vegetables, then looked back at the cupcake. Pinkie Pie walked over to the healthy snacks and said, "Thank you, Twilight, but you can have it. I want to stay on a healthy diet after all that work you girls did for me." Pinkie Pie took a chomp out of an apple.

Twilight smiled at the thought and said, "We are so proud of you, Pinkie! You have really learned so much. How about a letter to the Princess?"

Pinkie Pie bounced over and began to speak. "Dear Princess Celestia. Today I learned just how important it is to be healthy. I used to be such a little "Piggy Pie" back then. Twilight Sparkle taught me a very important Bible verse from the book of Proverbs. The verse says, Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags. I really thought my friends were trying to be mean to me by putting me on a diet, and now I truly appreciate what my friends have taught me about healthy balanced meals and exercise. I had no idea that life could be this good without sweets, and I feel even better now that things have changed. I can only imagine that I'll still eat some sweets from time to time being that I'm a baker and everything, but I now know what moderation is and I'm going to do my best to keep things the way they are, even when I do have those occasional bad days from time to time. I also learned that tough love is sometimes necessary whether you like it or not. Sometimes we all need to be shown what's right the hard way. I am so grateful that my friends took so much time to help me even though I was very ungrateful, angry, and stubborn. It just goes to show what wonderful friends I really have. I love them all so much. There are so many good foods out there! I love celery, almonds, asparagus, peppers, onions, and so much more! Uh oh, I'd better go now before I start rambling too much. I think Twilight Sparkle is starting to give me the "eye". Anyway, Thanks so much for taking time to read my letter. I hope to see you again soon! Goodbye!"

Twilight Sparkle gave the letter to Spike and he sent it away to the Princess.

Everypony enjoyed the party and Pinkie Pie was back to having great big smiles again. She leaped above her friends and started cheering, "Oh! Oh! Oh! Can we have an after-party party? We could stay up late again and watch comedy movies! Can we? Can we? Can we? Huh? Huh? Huh?"

Twilight giggled and said, "Pinkie I think all of the natural sugar that you ate from the fruit is starting to get to you. How about you have some protein and settle down a bit."

Pinkie Pie giggled and ate some foods with protein. She came back and stuck her front hoof out. "Sisters in Christ?" she asked?

Everypony put their front hoof on top of Pinkie Pie's front hoof and said, "Sisters in Christ!"

Laughter could be heard from outside of Sugar Cube Corner.

It was in the middle of the night and Pinkie Pie had her five best friends over. They were all watching comedy movies.

Inside her room, were trays filled with fruits, veggies, nuts, and all sorts of healthy foods.

"This is so great to be eating healthy! I can eat almost as much as I want and not worry about getting sick," Pinkie Pie said with a mouthful of celery.

Twilight Sparkle smiled at the sight and added, "It's still possible to over eat, even on healthy things Pinkie, that's why we need to balance things out with proteins, healthy fats, and carbs."

Pinkie Pie started bouncing around her friends in circles as she called out, "Who wants some more watermelon?"

All of the other girls chanted in unison, "I do!"

Pinkie Pie giggled madly and reached her front legs around her friends and gave them a tight hug. She was grinning from ear to ear.

Pinkie was ecstatic again and it filled her heart with joy to spend happy moments with her friends once more. She was grateful for what they put her through and she felt like a brand new mare again. Pinkie would remember her lesson and share what she learned with other ponies. She was still the happy and cheerful mare, even without all the sweets that she used to consume.

The end.

Author's Note

This story is part 3 of the series that I'm doing.

Part 4 can be read here...

http://www.fimfiction.net/story/125415/a-rarity-of-a-situation