Darkest Equestria

Two weeks had passed. Time passed by in a slow, methodical manner. It inched on, and Pinkie spent her days healing her body and preparing for what was to come. It was hard to train for anything in her current state, but she was finally feeling like she might be able to join the others in a training session. They had been going on for days now, and the others were improving while she was stuck healing. Maybe she should ask for whatever Redheart’s tonic was.

That was until she heard news that a massive caravan was arriving. It seems that word of the effort here in Ponyville had been spreading due to Twilight's work. Pinkie wanted to see them arrive, and witness just exactly how many ponies were in this caravan. According to Twilight, there would be at least ten. A massive amount compared to what they currently had in numbers.

Pinkie sat in the sun on the roof of an abandoned building overlooking the old road. It was a rare day indeed that the sun was able to slip it's rays through the overcast. It warmed her coat, and for once, the outside world felt pleasant. A welcome reprieve from the usual rain and mud. It lifted her spirits, and she couldn't help but smile.

Unfortunately, she was unable to gather supplies for a party to welcome all the new arrivals. There were simply too limited resources to work with. What she could do though, was crack open her old supplies beneath Sugarcube Corner, and throw up a few welcome banners. They hung boldly in between two buildings and read, "Welcome to Ponyville!"

Maybe a little out of place in this oppressive atmosphere, but Pinkie was never one for welcoming the status quo.

She wasn't sure if she wanted to show the new arrivals her battered body, the sight of it might scare them away. Then again, if they couldn't handle it, then they definitely would not be able to handle the forest. So, she waited on the roof of a random building for them to arrive. Twilight wanted her to greet them, and Pinkie wanted too as well. It all seemed to be working out well.

"Pinkie. What are you doing up here?" Twilight's voice came from behind her.

Pinkie glanced back to see Twilight climbing up the fallen beam that led to the roof. Not really the safest place to be. Though Pinkie couldn't say anything, she was on the roof as well.

"Im brooding and looking over the town. Like one of those dark superheroes." Pinkie said. "Am I doing it well?"

"You don't have the color scheme down." Twilight said. "More dark, less pink."

"I guess you're right." Pinkie said. "But where's the fun in that?"

"The whole dark thing does lose its charm here. You would blend in too much." Twilight said.

They watched the forest for a moment in silence. Even now, outside its grasp, Pinkie swore she could see something moving within. Something lurked just beyond her vision, and the knowledge that it was now stealing Equestria's magic made her all the more aware of it. What dwelled just beyond the veil of reality?

Alas, the answer remained unheard and unseen. And yet, its intention could be understood just from a glance.

"Look. Here they come." Twilight said, her voice both relieved and excited. "Finally."

Through the trees, a caravan came rolling through. Three carts strong, Pinkie could see a mass of ponies walking alongside it as well as within. The sight was certainly one for sore eyes. Fresh ponies for Ponyville would make everything easier.

"I have to go and greet them." Twilight said. "You really shouldn't be up on the roof, Pinkie. Why don't you come down from here?"

"You're right. I'll come down and greet them as well!" Pinkie said.

She carefully began to climb down from the dilapidated roof. With well-placed steps she traversed the wooden beam and came down into the second floor. From there, it was easy to reach the ground with little trouble. Pinkie felt better, her wounds were nearly healed.

As for Trixie.... well, she was healing as well. Pinkie couldn't help but frown at the thought of Trixie. She was really hurt, but it was clear that it was not only her body that was hurt. Pinkie had been doing what she could for her, and she seemed strong, but Pinkie still couldn't help but worry. She would visit Trixie later today to check in on her again.

Not to mention, she had to protect Rainbow. She hadn't seen her in a couple days. Maybe it was time to stop by the abbey and see how Applejack and Rainbow were doing.

There was just so much to do, and Pinkie didn't know where to start. Well, what was right in front of her was probably as good a place as any. So, she started walking towards the recently arrived caravan.

Twilight had already started talking to them. The ponies getting off the caravan looked exhausted, even if the journey was only a day long one. Pinkie could sympathize, the Everfree just seemed to drain all the energy from you. Now was not the time for that though. Now was the time for greetings!

She walked forward, looking over the new arrivals. She spotted a strange group in particular. Dressed in all greenish dark cloth, the group almost seemed to brood, hunched together and speaking in a tight circle. They were like a coven of witches. Along their sides were vials of green fluid, and their saddlebags were bulging with herbs. Each one had a sharp knife strapped to their side, just within grabbing distance of their mouths.

The thing that caught her eye the most was the masks they wore. They were bird-like masks that extended out from the face.

"Hello!" Pinkie said.

The group turned to her, glass eyes of their masks boring into her. Soulless and emotionless, Pinkie couldn't help but feel a little unnerved. For a moment neither side said anything.

The pony in the center stepped forward. And then, a cheery, bubbly voice erupted from her.

"Is that you, Pinkie? Oh, it's been forever!"

"Minuette?" Pinkie immediately recognized the voice. "Is that you?"

"Of course it is! Can't you recognize me?" Minuette said.

"No. Not really." Pinkie said. "I can't tell who you are beyond your whole get up."

"Oh. That makes sense." Minuette said.

"So, what's going on here? Why are you all dressed up?" Pinkie asked. "Why come back to Ponyville?"

"That sure is a lot of questions!" Minuette giggled. "Where do I start?"

"I don't know." Pinkie felt a little brighter now that she was around such an old friend. A cheery friend that didn't seem to have lost her spirit. "Want to talk about it?"

"Sure thing!" Minuette said. "Oh, but I have to meet Twilight first! It's been so long!"

"You know Twilight?" Pinkie asked.

"Oh sure! We are old friends. Isn't that right, girls?" Minuette turned to the two dark clothed ponies behind her.

"Yeah!" One of them said, "We go way back."

"So, who are you two?" Pinkie asked. "I don't think I've met you two before."

"Let me introduce you!" Minuette gestured to the two ponies. "This here is Lemon Hearts, and this is Twinkleshine!"

It was really hard to tell exactly who they were. They all wore the same exact outfits. However, Pinkie had an ear for these kinds of things. She was sure she would be able to tell them apart from just their voices.

"Nice to meet you two!" Pinkie said.

A chorus of greetings met her ears, and Pinkie smiled. Finally, it seemed like some ponies with some joy in their hearts had arrived in Ponyville.

"So… Do you know where Twilight is?" Minuette asked.

"She is right over there." Pinkie pointed through the crowd of ponies forming. Laborers got off the carts, already unloading tools and supplies. Harder looking adventurer types made their way towards Twilight, who was handling as many of them as possible. She had a contract in hoof, and Spike was also handing out contracts. It was a flurry of activity in the usually quiet and reserved town of Ponyville.

"Oh, that's great!' Minuette said. "She looks a little busy, so maybe I'll greet her later. Do you know where the hospital is?"

"Hospital? Are any of you hurt?" Pinkie glanced over them. She didn't see any wounds.

"Oh, we aren't hurt at all! It's just, we are the new staff there!" Minuette said.

"Really? Redheart didn't mention anything." Pinkie said. "You never told me you were medically trained! That's amazing!"

"Oh, you wouldn't believe what we do now!" Minuette said. "We are plague doctors!"

Pinkie had heard that before, but she didn't know what it was. "Plague doctors?"

"Yeah! We develop experimental tonics and tinctures." Minuette said. "I'm sure Redheart mentioned plague doctors at least once."

Now that Pinkie was thinking about it, she had heard them mentioned before. Wasn't the tonic Redheart used on her made by a plague doctor?

"I haven't heard about plague doctors much." Pinkie admitted. “Redheart was just talking about them.”

"Oh, Redheart was the first plague doctor! We learned directly from her, you wouldn't believe it, but we were her first students!" Minuette said. "Isn't that right girls?"

Lemon Hearts and Twinkleshine nodded.

“She isn't wearing your costume.” Pinkie pointed out.

“She doesn't need to. Something about needing to experience the blight first hoof.” Minuette said. “To understand it. For us, protective gear is needed. We wouldn't want to get sick after all!”

It seemed like Redhearts mastery over medicine went deeper than she thought. Despite her innate fear of Redheart, Pinkie couldn't help but feel even more respect for the mare. Her achievements were impressive to say the least.

Though she wondered how wise not wearing safety gear was. Redheart probably knew what she was doing however. There was no use thinking too much into it.

"Well, do you want me to show you to the hospital?" Pinkie asked.

"Sure! We can speak to Twilight later." Minuette said. "Where is your usual shindig? And what are all those wounds you have from? If you don't mind me asking."

Pinkie sighed. "I still live in Sugarcube Corner, and as for the wounds, I'm an adventurer now."

"Adventurer? That's dangerous!" Minuette said. "You have to tell me about that."

"Alright. I'll tell you all about it." Pinkie said.

On the way to the hospital, Pinkie explained what had happened during her course of staying here. The adventures, the struggle, and the state of the town.

"So that's why I have these wounds." Pinkie said.

"And Redheart used the tonic on you?" Minuette asked. "How do you feel? Any side effects? Nausea? Sudden fainting?"

Suddenly, Pinkie could feel all the eyes of the plague doctors locked onto her. She felt like a specimen sitting on an operating table.

"Not that I can tell." Pinkie said. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, we helped to develop it!" Minuette said. "You wouldn't believe how well making toothpaste translates to creating experimental medical tonics!"

Pinkie wasn't sure if she was happy to hear that or mildly terrified. Maybe it was time to switch toothpaste brands. Not that she had much left anyways. The small things tended to fall out of rotation when the world was crumbling from a lack of magic.

"Here is the hospital." Pinkie said with a slightly forced smile. "I'll talk to you later, but I still have to greet the other ponies."

"Oh, that's too bad! Hey, you really are one of my favorite friends still!" Minuette said. "Lemon Hearts, Twinkleshine, what do you say we invite her to eat sometime?"

"That sounds wonderful." Twinkleshine said.

"I would like to observe you." Lemon Hearts glass eyes were locked onto her.

"That sounds... great." Pinkie wasn't sure if they actually wanted to speak to her or observe the effects of the tonic on her. At least Minuette seemed to actually be glad to see her again. "Just let me know when! Hopefully I'll have enough stuff to throw a party soon."

"Wonderful!" Minuette clapped her hooves together. "We will be getting to work right away here on better medicine for your adventures. This place really is the best kind of laboratory! So much disease and so many wounded ponies, oh, and mental conditions too! This place is wonderful!"

Pinkie stared at the giddy mare. Well, at least she seemed happy even if the reasons were a little... unorthodox. "I'm glad to hear that you like it. We could use a few more ponies with as much cheer as you."

"You can count on me! Just make sure to talk to me some time, it's been so long!" Minuette said. "Oh, and I have to talk to Twilight too. So much to do, so little time! Well, I'll be going inside the hospital now. See you later Pinkie!"

The others waved as they went inside, and Pinkie smiled and waved as they left. She turned around and started walking back towards where the wagons had parked.

That was interesting to say the least. She really wasn't expecting one of her old friends to become a plague doctor, much less see her with a love of wounded and diseased ponies. Minuette seemed as cheery as ever though, so maybe it was a good thing she found something else she loved doing.

Pinkie really didn't like being looked at like a test subject though. It reminded her too much of the patient cells. Now that she was thinking about it, didn't Minuette mention something about mental problems? Was she one of the ponies working on those strange procedures?

It was probably best not to think too hard about it. Even if Minuette made some of those procedures, friends wouldn't willingly do that to each other, right? Well, it was all with good intention and Pinkie had gotten better because of it, but still...

Pinkie sighed and shook her head. Sometimes it was hard having so many friends. Old and new, they took up a lot of her thoughts. Even now, she was thinking about her friends. Not that she hated it, her passion in this world was making friends and making ponies laugh. It didn't make it any less difficult though.

It might even be enough to drive a pony mad.

Speaking of friends, Twilight probably needed help. And Pinkie still needed to greet all the new ponies!

With that in mind, Pinkie set off again for the carts. Best not to think about things that were too sad.

When she got back to where the wagons were, a majority of the ponies were gone. Twilight was as well, leaving Pinkie to believe they were all in the Golden Oak Library. Sure enough, a ragtag band of new blood adventurers could be seen through the window. Twilight was having them all sign the contracts as she explained something using a bulletin board.

Pinkie wondered whether or not now was a good time to go in. It looked like Twilight had it handled, and she didn't want to disturb her. She took this opportunity to look at the new recruits.

Some looked tough, others frail. It was really a mixed bag of ponies. She didn't recognize any of them so they must not be from Ponyville. It was really strange how most ponies returning to the town were originally from Ponyville. Maybe it had something to do with the fate of Equestria that Twilight was talking about.

Fate of Equestria…

That is what she should do! Find Rainbow Dash to make sure she was doing well. But where would she be right now?

Pinkie decided to start at the abbey. Rainbow and Applejack seemed to like spending time there and she hadn't been there in a long time. With that in mind, she set off.

The walk there was relatively uneventful, other than a few glances from the scattered townsfolk. The ponies in the tavern had probably been wondering where she had disappeared to. It had been a while since she played a song there. Well, one more thing to add to the list!

She arrived at the abbey, otherwise known as the old schoolhouse. It was quiet here, like most the rest of the town, but this part had an almost serene quality to it. The nearby graveyard was a constant reminder to keep the silence and let the dead rest.

Pinkie approached the door to the abbey, and slowly opened it. She winced as the door creaked open.

Inside was a single room abbey. Instead of a classroom full of smiling foals, a peaceful and holy atmosphere awaited her. Candles covered a dais at the far end of the abbey, on which was a metal symbol of the sun. Different sides of the abbey had curtains drawn up, from which Pinkie could barely hear a muffled prayer. If one listened closely, beyond the praying and flickering of candles, they would have sworn they heard the phantom laughter of foals, and the scribbling of notes of paper from years long gone. This place used to be a schoolhouse, and it felt almost wrong to have it repurposed into a religious abbey. Then again, what other use did the building have in a town with no foals?

Waste not, want not, and all that she guessed.

At the far end of the abbey, Pinkie saw Applejack kneeling before the dais. She was in deep prayer to the lost Princess Celestia. Pinkie didn't really understand why ponies started to pray to her after she left. She clearly wasn't a goddess; she had walked among them just ten years ago. She didn't hate praying though, anything that gave ponies a little hope she could get behind.

As the door closed behind her, Applejack turned to look at who the new arrival was.

"Pinkie?" Applejack asked.

"That's me!" Pinkie said.

"Quieter." Applejack whispered. "Don't disturb the others who are praying."

Pinkie mimed zipping her mouth shut."

"Why are you here?" Applejack asked. "Is there trouble with the new arrivals?"

"No. I was just looking for you and Rainbow Dash." Pinkie said.

"Yeah? Why?"

"Well. I haven't seen you two in a while. I was wondering how the training is." Pinkie said.

"It is insightful. Shining Armor sure knows his way around a blade, I'll tell you that." Applejack said. "Daring Do is where the real important stuff is. She is teaching us how to survive, and I could use some of those skills. Especially on how to navigate in the Everfree. Can't imagine getting lost out there."

"That sounds useful." Pinkie said. "If you don't mind me asking, what are you doing right now? Shouldn't you be training?"

Applejack huffed. "We don't have your limitless energy, Pinkie. We need to take breaks once in a while. As for what I'm doing, I'm praying to Celestia for guidance."

"You know, Twilight got a letter from her recently." Pinkie said.

"I know, she read it to me.” Applejack hummed in thought. “You know, there was talk about making Twilight a saint a while back. She ran away before the clergy could find her though. News of her receiving a letter from the princess might ignite that old flame."

"Do you think any pony is going to come looking for her?" Pinkie asked. "It would be bad if she was taken away from here. This whole operation would go up in confetti."

"Maybe. I won't tell them she is here, she is doing good work here, but I suspect more of the crusade will learn eventually." Applejack said. "Hopefully they don't believe it. We could use a vestal though. That would certainly help recovery rates."

"A vestal?" Pinkie asked. "I'm not sure I know the different ranks in the church."

"It's not really a rank." Applejack said. "More like a title. They are ponies who have connected to Celestia's magic and can channel it to heal or harm with the radiance of the sun. I can do the same, but to a lesser extent and it taxes me greatly."

"Wait, you can channel magic power?” Pinkie balked. "Why didn't you do that earlier?"

"I did. It's just not as flashy as most magic. A bit more strength to strike with, a little more perseverance, that sort of thing. It's like earth pony magic in a way." Applejack said. "As for a vestal on the other hoof, you will know they are casting something. With a touch they can knit wounds together, and with a line of prayer they can turn foes to ash."

"Sounds like we need one of those." Pinkie said.

"That would certainly be helpful." Applejack said.

They sat there for a moment. Pinkie enjoyed this place. It was calm, and for some reason it soothed her soul. Much like a warm sun or getting another pony to laugh. However, she wasn't really sure she would like to be here long or every day. It was too quiet for a pony like her to be here on a regular basis. Maybe every once in a while would be nice.

She thought about asking Applejack why she needed redemption but remembered the conversation from earlier. Probably best not to ask.

"Do you know where Rainbow is? I wanted to check in on her as well." Pinkie said.

"Not sure. I would check the tavern. Usually she is around here, but she likes to gamble there." Applejack said.

"Wait, so she doesn't drink but she likes to gamble?" Pinkie asked.

"Yeah. Something about the stakes gets her mind off the incident." Applejack said with a sigh.

"The incident?"

Applejack looked a little guilty now. "I shouldn't have said anything. It's not my place."

"You can't tell me anything? You know I can keep a secret." Pinkie said.

"You Pinkie promise you won't tell?" Applejack asked.

"Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." Pinkie Pie swore.

Applejack sighed and glanced about the abbey. "I really don't know if I should be telling you this."

"You don't have to if you don't want to." Pinkie couldn't help but be curious as to what the incident was, but she wasn't going to pry if Applejack didn't want to share it.

"Maybe it would be better if you just asked Rainbow instead." Applejack said. "I want to tell you, being old friends and all, but it's not my place. Just be careful asking, it's a sore spot for Rainbow."

"I won't ask then." Pinkie said. "Unless she decides to tell me. I know how memories can still hurt. I'm here to make ponies laugh, not cry!"

"You're a good pony, Pinkie." Applejack said. "We all have things we would rather not talk about. Even me."

"Sometimes it helps to share it. I won't pry, but it really helps to get it out there." Pinkie said.

Applejack paused and scanned the room once more. It was empty, the only other sound coming from somepony praying behind the curtains.

"Do you enjoy it?" Applejack asked.

"Enjoy what?"

"The fighting. The adventure. The killing." Applejack said. "Does it set your heart ablaze?"

The question was strange to Pinkie. She had never really thought about how fighting made her feel. Usually, it made her feel disgusted afterwards, but during a fight her adrenaline was pumping hard enough that she didn't really think about what she was really feeling. When fighting bandits her soul really sang. She loved to watch them bleed, as sickening as it was, but that was the only instance that came to mind.

"I never really thought about it." Pinkie said. "If I had to say something, I think it's disgusting. All the bloodshed. I just wish it would end, and everything would go back to normal."

"That's how most ponies feel. Isn't it?" Applejack turned her head away. "Disgusted at war."

"I hope so, doesn't every pony wish for a more peaceful future?" Pinkie asked.

"Most do." Applejack agreed.

"And some don't?" Pinkie asked.

"And some don't." Applejack reaffirmed.

"Weird." Pinkie said. "Who would want to kill something when they could play a game of pin the tail on the pony? Or eat cupcakes?"

The question was left unanswered in the air. For who knew what really went on in those ponies' minds besides the ones that had them. And what scared Pinkie, was that she could sympathize with them in a small way. A fragment, but it was still there.

There was just something about carving away at a pony you hated with all your heart. When Pinkie was killing some of those bandits, she felt just as alive as when she was throwing a party. Engaged, joyful even in a sick way.

Her gaze returned to Applejack, who looked to be in deep thought. Pinkie couldn't help but feel like she was missing something, but she couldn't place it. Another unsolved mystery to the thought box. Too many friends, not enough time to sort through all her feelings and thoughts. Her brain felt fried from all the deep though. Laying in a hospital bed all day really had her thinking a lot recently. Pinkie liked to think she was a simple pony, and all of this thinking was getting to be too much for her.

Oh, there she goes thinking again. How exhausting.

"You are going to check on Rainbow, right?" Applejack asked. "Best get to it before Twilight needs your help again."

"You're right!" Pinkie said. "Thanks for reminding me, how could I forget? I'll see you later then Applejack. Hold in there!"

"Hold in there? I'll try." Apple turned back to the dais. "But what are we even holding onto?"

"Hope." Pinkie said. "Don't lose it, and we will never lose."

“I guess you're right. Celestia will save us.” Applejack turned back to her dias.

The words sounded empty. As if rehearsed. Pinkie thought of what to say, but could come up with nothing more at the moment.

Alas, the air spoke words unsaid. This conversation is over for now.

Pinkie left then with a new destination in mind- the tavern. Hopefully Applejack would realize that the fight wasn't over just yet. Though it was hard to tell with Applejack. Her expression was almost always neutral, and her motivations lay in redemption through death. Not exactly something Pinkie wanted her to have. There had to be a way to make her realize there was something still worth living for. And Rainbow Dash too.

They didn't seem like they would hurt themselves intentionally, but it certainly felt like they had given up. Pinkie would have to talk more to them later and figure out a plan. It hurt her heart to see ponies that felt that way. Sometimes it felt like she was the only pony in all of Equestria who hadn't given up hope yet.

The next step was talking to Rainbow, so she went to go look for her. Maybe there was something to be learned about the condition of those two ponies.

The tavern came into view ahead soon enough. It had been some time since she had visited, so she brought her lute around. A little revelry never hurt any pony. Unless they were injured. Like Pinkie was. Well, her wounds were healing anyways, it would probably be fine.

As Pinkie pushed open the door, she quickly realized that the place was packed to the brim with ponies. There was a clamor of clanking tabards and talking. New ponies, fresh faces from the cart, had saturated the room. They laughed and chuckled, their spirits not quite yet broken from the atmosphere of the town. The usual folk stayed to the edges of the room, watching the newcomers with suspicion and even some fear. It was not often that such a large number of new ponies arrived in Ponyville.

Pinkie stepped inside and closed the door behind her. At the moment, no pony noticed her. Deciding to take this chance before getting swarmed as usual, Pinkie stayed to the edges and made her way over to the bartender.

She wove between moving bodies. Warmth filled the room, and the scent of cheap beer filled the air. Pinkie wondered what would happen if the alcohol ever ran out. Maybe then ponies would actually do something other than brood and sit in the bar all day. Pinkie had already tried to get them to hope again. It ended as well as the town's current state suggested. They still seemed to like her, like her a lot actually, but it never amounted to anything.

Pinkie got to the bar and pulled up a seat. "Hey Berry Punch, how are you doing?"

The bartender, a pony with a plum-colored coat and dark pink mane turned to look at her. She was wiping a glass with a dirty rag. At the sight of Pinkie, her sunken eyes brightened a little.

"Pinks!" Berry Punch said. "How are you doing? Here to play a song?"

"Yes, but not until later." Pinkie said. "Have you seen Rainbow Dash around here? I need to speak with her."

"Oh yeah. She's around here." Berry Punch sighed. "Look over there, she is on the verge of inciting a riot."

Pinkie glanced behind her. A flash of cerulean came through the blur of ponies. A mass of ponies was crowded around a table in particular, cheering and hollering. The noise was immense compared to the usual atmosphere of the tavern. It brought a smile to Pinkie's face. It reminded her of one of her old parties.

As she watched, some pony slammed the table with a shout of rage. "You're cheating! You have to be cheating!"

"I should probably stop that, shouldn't I?" Pinkie asked.

"That would be appreciated." Berry Punch said. "If any pony can stop that mess, it's you Pinkie."

"Alright." Pinkie stood up. "Stay tuned for my song, I'm going to break up whatever is going on over there."

"Thanks Pinks." Berry Punch said.

Pinkie walked over to the mass of ponies, weaving her way between them. She struggled to get around and see what was happening at the table. Eventually, she just took the plunge and squeezed in-between a few ponies, wincing at the sting of her wounds. There were a few complaints but no pony really minded that much.

With a gasp Pinkie stuck her head through the ponies and could see what was happening at the table. Her poofy pink mane flopped in front of her eyes for a moment, but a quick shake had it back in place.

Rainbow Dash was sitting at the center of a round table. A pile of bits was in the center, stacked high. She had a deck of cards in hoof and a smug smirk on her face. The other ponies playing at the table didn't have such expressions. They were furious, their faces pulled into deep frowns and angry snarls.

"You're cheating." One of them said, "No pony gets that many cards right in a row."

"I'm not cheating. Just luck of the draw." Rainbow said. "Can you blame a mare for having a lucky day every once in a while?"

"I should smack you right upside the head. Teach you some proper respect." A mare at the table snarled. "I'm a new adventurer here, don't see why I have to deal with a rotten pony like you."

If these were the new adventurers they had got, Pinkie was very disappointed. She was hoping for heroes, but these ponies looked more like the same. Mercenaries, outcasts, and outlaws. The usual suspects that arrived at Ponyville. It seemed that was all their little town could attract anymore.

"Hey! Let's keep it civil over here, ok friends?" Pinkie spoke up. "Hey Rainbow! When you're done, want to talk?"

Rainbow huffed and rolled her eyes.

"Who in Tartarus are you?'" One of the ponies at the table growled. "Get the hell out of here, we are playing a game here."

Half the tavern table went silent. The new ponies at the table looked around, confused. Some of the ponies in the tavern stood up from their tables, and even Berry Punch, the barkeep, reached for a dagger. Her face was pulled into a menacing glare, not often seen on the barkeep.

"What's the matter?" The pony at the table said, glancing around at the hostile glares pointed in her direction. "Why is every pony looking at me?"

"Oh, come on every pony, she didn't mean it!" Pinkie said with a laugh. "Why don't I play every pony a song?"

The ponies in the tavern fully realized that Pinkie was there. A cheer erupted in the tavern, the previous tension fading like mist before sunrise. Pinkie gave the pony at the table a wink. She looked ready to run at the slightest provocation.

Pinkie got to the right position and started to play her lute. Cheerful music filled the tavern and ponies cheered as she did so. Talking to Rainbow could wait until after this song. She strummed the cords and embraced being the life of the party once more. Maybe she didn't have the supplies to throw a welcome party, but if this was the best she could do then so be it. If only she had some more experienced musicians here, like Octavia and Vinyl. She always wondered what happened to them.

The fun and games continued. Right now, everything could wait. Pinkie embraced the moment and lost herself in the music.

After this she could talk to Rainbow, and all after stopping a riot. A two for one deal!

And then, the door slammed open. The sudden noise had Pinkie screeching her song to a halt, and the tavern went silent. Everypony turned towards the doorway.

Standing in the doorway was a mare. She wore a sturdy dark metal helmet with a dark cloth covering her face. Her body was covered in a combination of thick leather and scale-mail armor. Across her chest was a rolled up piece of parchment, and her saddlebags were bulging with similar papers, some of them nearly spilling out. At her side was a thick hoof-ax. Fused orbs of metal were strapped across her chest. Bombs no doubt. Hanging from her other side was a metal hook attached to a rope. A grappling hook.

The mare stood silently, slowly scanning over the inhabitants of the tavern. They paused on some ponies, and on Pinkie, but never stopped their burning search.

They stopped on Rainbow Dash, who was sitting at the table.

"Hmph..." The mare let out a huff.

Pinkie recognized that voice. She recognized the voice of any pony she had thrown a party for. And this pony was one she never thought she would hear again for sure. Last she had seen her, she had left Ponyville with a promise to never return. She left with a pony called Lyra. And she hadn't seen them since.

"Bon Bon?" Pinkie asked.

"Pinkie." Bon Bon’s gaze pinned her to the floor.

"Why are you here?" Pinkie shifted uncomfortably.

Bon's hidden gaze turned away from her. Then, it drifted over towards a familiar mare.

It burned into Rainbow. Pinkie recognized that gaze well. It was the gaze of a killer, one who had become acclimated to the loss of life. It sent a shiver down her spine. The dried blood on Bon's ax became all the more noticeable, and the subtle metallic tang of death hung in the air like a cloud.

"I'm here to collect."