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The Following Night.

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All the ponies were heading to Twilight’s tree castle, carrying cakes for the evening’s event. Twilight and Starlight stood at the entrance, greeting each guest as Spike guided them to the main hall. Each guest placed their cakes on a long table, ready for the cake exchange later on.

“Look at all the ponies, Twilight,” Starlight said, amazed. “I think we emptied the whole village.”

“I know, Starlight! It’s incredible. Usually, a social gathering only brings a few ponies, but now almost everypony is here. Even Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Princess Cadance, my brother, Flurry Heart. . . and Discord.” Twilight added with a chuckle.

“It’s quite a surprise you invited Discord.” Starlight remarked.

“Well, he is one of our friends, despite his. . . unpredictable nature.”

The two unicorns glanced over at Discord, who was entertaining the royal sisters. He pulled a rattle from behind Celestia’s ear and handed it to Flurry Heart, who responded with a hearty burp. The princesses and Discord all chuckled, though he now smelled faintly of baby food.

“He’s fitting in just fine,” Twilight observed, smiling. “Best to let him be.”

“Speaking of fitting in, where’s Pinkie and her cousin? I haven’t seen them yet.”

“Me neither, Starlight. They’re probably running late. After all, they did make most of the cakes.” Twilight gestured to the growing number of cakes on the table.

“That’s alot of cakes.” Starlight said, raising an eyebrow.

“I know. It’s for the cake exchange. Everypony brings a cake made from their own recipe and exchanges it with somepony else. I came up with the idea!” Twilight said proudly.

“Oh?” Starlight raised a skeptical brow. “Was it really your idea? Or did Pinkie suggest it?”

Twilight hesitated before admitting, “Well, she did suggest it. . . but I approved it!”

Starlight chuckled. “I should’ve known. But aren’t most of these cakes from Sugarcube Corner? How does that count as their own baking?”

“I told Pinkie that if anypony requested a cake, they had to provide their own ingredients and recipes for the Cakes to follow.”

“Ahh, clever,” Starlight said, watching more ponies pass by with their creations. “Looks like almost everypony requested help.”

“Well, not everypony is a natural baker like Pinkie or the Cakes.” Twilight noted.

Just then, Starlight’s ears perked up at the sound of a familiar voice calling out. “Speaking of Pinkie, here she comes now.”

“Hey Twilight! Hey Starlight!” Pinkie Pie bounded toward them, with her cousin, Pizza Pie, close behind. Pizza wore a plain red scarf, and both looked a little out of breath.

“Sorry we’re late, girls!” Pinkie huffed. “We lost track of time and had to rush here.”

“Glad you two made it,” Twilight said. “What kept you?”

“Ask my cousin!” Pinkie grinned, gesturing at Pizza. “She couldn’t decide what to wear from her trunk of clothes. So, I told her to just wear a scarf. It’s simple, but she’ll still stand out without too much attention.”

Pizza Pie scratched her head in embarrassment. “Yeah. . . she’s right. Sorry if we kept you waiting.”

“No worries, Pizza Pie,” Twilight said warmly. “I understand. This is your first social gathering, right?”

“Yes, it is,” Pizza Pie replied shyly. “We don’t have events like this in Mitaly, except for old traditions.”

“Oh, do tell! I’d love to learn about the traditions in-”

Starlight quickly tapped Twilight on the shoulder. “Uh, Twilight? Now’s probably not the best time for a history lesson.”

Twilight blinked, then chuckled awkwardly. “Oh, right. Ahem... Anyway, Pizza Pie, you don’t have to worry. Just relax and be yourself.”

Pizza Pie smiled softly. “Thank you, Twilight. I’ll try.”

Starlight stepped forward with a welcoming smile. “It’s my first social gathering too. I’m Starlight Glimmer, nice to meet you.” She extended her hoof.

“Pizza Pie,” the newcomer replied, shaking Starlight’s hoof. “Nice to meet you too.”

“I didn’t know Pinkie had a cousin all the way from Mitaly,” Starlight said, curious.

“Mitaly’s pretty far, but it’s not too different from here,” Pizza Pie replied. “Though I do get homesick sometimes. But with my cousin around, it’s much easier.”

“I get it,” Starlight said with a knowing nod. “Living far from home can make you feel like you’re in a completely different world.”

Pizza Pie tilted her head. “You’re not from here either?”

“I used to live in a small village. I. . . left after doing some things I’m not proud of.”

“Me too,” Pizza Pie admitted. “I spent a long time doing things I didn’t like. If it weren’t for Pinkie, I wouldn’t have realized that. I’m really grateful for her.”

Pinkie Pie beamed. “Yup! And you did the right thing by opening up!”

“Thanks,” Pizza Pie said, smiling gratefully at her cousin. Then she turned to Starlight. “So, why did you move to Ponyville?”

“Oh, well. . .” Starlight hesitated, rubbing the back of her neck. “It’s a long story. And it definitely doesn’t involve me enslaving a village by taking their cutie marks, or getting revenge on Twilight by messing with the timeline and ruining her future, or anything like that. . .” Starlight trailed off with an awkward grin.

Pizza Pie stared blankly for a moment. “Uh. . . I. . . I’m not sure how to relate to that. . .”

The tension was cut by Spike, who approached with a clipboard. “Sorry to interrupt, Twilight, but the guests are waiting.”

“Spike! Perfect timing!” Twilight said quickly, eager to change the subject. “Everything ready for the gathering?”

“Yep,” Spike replied, though he looked a bit confused by Twilight’s urgency. “We’re just waiting on you.”

“Ah, great!” Twilight said, grabbing Starlight with her magic. “We’ll continue this chat later. The event’s about to start!”

As Twilight hurriedly dragged Starlight into the castle, Starlight waved back at Pizza Pie. “It was nice meeting you! Enjoy the night!”

“Likewise,” Pizza Pie said, waving back awkwardly. “I’ll try. . .”

"Uh, Pinkie, is she one of those ponies you said used to be bad?" Pizza Pie asked, glancing warily at Starlight.

"Yup! But don't worry. Starlight’s super good now! She even works with me and my friends at Twilight's school as the Friendship Counselor." Pinkie replied cheerfully.

"You guys work in a school? Since when?" Pizza Pie asked, surprised.

"Oh! Didn't I tell you? How could I forget?! Well, it all started when we didn’t have enough time to trot across Equestria spreading friendship! So Twilight said, ‘Why not make a School of Friendship?’ And everypony was like, ‘What?!’ Then I said, ‘Yeah!’ And the EEA said, ‘Nuh-uh!’ Then Princess Celestia showed up and said, ‘Yes-uh!’ And then I said, ‘Oatmea-’”

Pizza Pie, her head spinning from the rapid-fire explanation, quickly wrapped her scarf around Pinkie’s mouth. “Okay, okay, save that story for another time, cousin.”

“Mmmffhhh!! Mmmffhh . . .” Pinkie Pie mumbled through the scarf before pulling it off herself. “Alright, alright. Just remind me! Oh, look! We're here!”

The Pie cousins entered the grand ballroom, where ponies and creatures mingled in groups. The air buzzed with laughter and the scent of cakes wafted from the tables. Spike stood on stage, adjusting the microphone. With a quick nod, he signaled Twilight, who took a deep breath and approached the mic.

“Ahem. . . Good evening, friends, princesses, ponies, and all creatures,” Twilight began, her voice warm and welcoming. “Welcome to the 107th Ponyville Social Gathering.” The crowd erupted into applause, and Twilight smiled. “Tonight, we gather not as separate beings, but as friends. Over the years, we’ve faced many trials and challenges, and each time, we’ve grown stronger together. I want to thank each and every one of you for being part of this journey and for helping keep our bonds strong. Friendship isn’t just something we talk about it’s something we live. And for that, I am eternally grateful.”

As Twilight’s speech continued, Pizza Pie scanned the room. She noticed Pinkie’s friends gathered in one corner, chatting happily. Starlight and Trixie stood by the pillars, and the royal sisters stood at the back, quietly observing the event. Further along, her eyes landed on Discord, who was standing next to Fluttershy. Noticing her gaze, Discord gave her a sly smirk and waved. Startled, Pizza Pie quickly looked away, her heart pounding.

From across the room, Princess Luna also noticed Discord’s gesture. Her eyes followed his line of sight, where she saw what looked like two Pinkie Pies standing side by side. Confused, Luna squinted, realizing that the second pony had a different mane color. Baffled, she tried to get a closer look, but before she could, her sister tapped her shoulder.

“Sister, is everything alright? Who are you looking at?” Celestia asked, her tone gentle.

“Oh, it’s nothing, sister. I thought I saw somepony I knew.” Luna replied, her gaze still fixed on the Pie cousins.

“Somepony? How wonderful! You must introduce me to them later.” Celestia said with a smile.

Luna hesitated, glancing back toward Pizza Pie. “O-of course, sister. . . friends of mine . . .,” she murmured, still trying to make sense of what she saw. (Strange. . . . who is that pony?)"

Twilight’s speech came to a heartfelt conclusion. “We should all be grateful that friendship is forever within us, guiding us in everything we do.”

The crowd broke into enthusiastic applause, many cheering and stamping their hooves in approval. Twilight’s parents beamed with pride, and the princesses nodded in quiet admiration. Even Pizza Pie found herself clapping, genuinely impressed by Twilight’s warmth and sincerity.

“That was a great speech, Twilight!” Pinkie Pie yelled from the crowd, jumping up and down and waving her hooves.

“C-cousin, calm down,” Pizza Pie said, pulling on Pinkie’s tail nervously. “Everypony’s watching. . .”

“What’s the big deal? Ponies are used to me jumping around and screaming at the top of my lungs on a daily basi.” Pinkie replied, unconcerned.

“Well, I’m not,” Pizza Pie muttered, feeling a twinge of embarrassment. “I’d rather get noticed when I introduce myself, not by having everypony stare because you’re making a scene.”

Pinkie stared at her cousin for a moment, then shrugged. “Aw, where’s the fun in that? I want to show my best cousin ever to every creature in Equestria!”

“What?! No!” Pizza Pie exclaimed, her eyes wide. “I-I mean. . . how about we start with everypony here at the gathering for now?”

Pinkie narrowed her eyes suspiciously, leaning in close. “Hmm. . . you’ve been acting weird lately, and not the funny kind of weird.”

“I’m fine! Really, I’m just nervous because this is my first social gathering with you, that’s all.” Pizza Pie stammered, feeling her anxiety spike under Pinkie’s scrutiny.

Pinkie Pie stared deeper into her cousin’s eyes, as if trying to read her mind. Pizza Pie stood still, sweat starting to form on her brow as she tried to mask her discomfort. After a long pause, Pinkie finally stepped back and rubbed her chin.

“Okie dokie then. We’ll take it slow. Just until you’re comfortable opening up.” Pinkie said, giving her cousin a reassuring smile.

Pizza Pie sighed in relief. “Thanks, cousin. I knew you’d understa-”

“But first!” Pinkie interrupted, her eyes gleaming. “We’ll start at the cake exchange! Oh look, it’s already starting!” She grabbed Pizza Pie’s hoof and pulled her toward the dessert table. “C’mon, cousin! The party’s starting, and we’re gonna miss out! Hurry!”

“Pinkie, slow down! You’re walking too fast!” Pizza Pie protested, her heart racing as they weaved through the crowd.

As they got closer to the table, Pizza Pie’s anxiety spiked. She saw ponies laughing and chatting, enjoying themselves while sampling the variety of cakes. Everypony seemed so at ease, so comfortable, and it made her feel even more out of place. She avoided eye contact, her nerves making her stomach twist.

"Alright, we made it! And there are still so many cakes to try!" Pinkie exclaimed, eagerly piling slices onto her plate. She turned to Pizza Pie, who was still standing frozen in place. “What are you waiting for? Grab a slice and let’s make some friends!”

“I-I . . . uh . . .” Pizza Pie stammered, staring at the sea of unfamiliar faces. Her hooves felt glued to the floor.

“C’mon, cousin! The night’s still young!” Pinkie encouraged, her energy boundless.

Pizza Pie looked down, her chest tightening. "(I can’t. . .)"

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~ End of chapter 8

Author's Note

Pizza pie it's hard to make friends if anxiety kicks in. The fear of being judged is what comes to mind, especially her appearance.