The Lonesome Painting

by Not That Anon

Rating: everyone
Tags: Pinkie Pie, Drama, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Sad, Original Character
Length: 1471

Of all the things the young Pie expected to find among Granny Pie's belongings, a friend was not one of them.

There's a painting that was left behind by the late Granny Pie. Hidden away in the attic and carefully wrapped in a piece of cloth, it preserves the smile of the filly it depicts.

She doesn't feel too lonely, really.

Written for the Dialogue Only Contest.

Inspired by the classic adventure game Ib and its 2022 remake.

Now with a Russian translation by November Dragon. [GDocs] [tabun.everypony.ru]

Published 2024-05-19 19:50:00 UTC
Last updated 2024-05-19 19:50:00 UTC

The Last Painted Pony

“Hi, I’m Pinkie Pie! It’s so good to finally meet you face-to-face! I was starting to worry we’d never have a chance.”

“I’m, um… Inkie Pie.”

“What’s up with that long face? It’s not often that you get to meet your sister for the first time! Isn’t it great?”

“We’re sisters?”

“Well, duh! That’s what Granny Pie said, and she’s never been wrong. And besides, I knew it as soon as I saw you.”

“It’s… nice to hear that, Pinkie.”

“See, that smile is what I was hoping to see! We should celebrate with a party!”

“A party? I really don’t think we could have a party in here.”

“Huh, are you sure about that? There may not be any other ponies around, nor decorations, cake, or… Alright, fine! Don’t worry, Inkie; I promise you’ll have your party later. Actually, do you know where we are? I may have lost my sense of direction in this endless void.”

“As unlikely as it sounds, we must be inside the painting; that’s how we can talk to each other. But, um, I didn’t expect it to be so foreboding and dark.”

“Cheer up! It’s all coming back to me now. I know it might look creepy, but everything’s better with a friend by your side, and a sister is one of the closest friends you can have. And didn’t Granny teach you to giggle at the ghosties?”

“I’m alright now, Pinkie; you can loosen the hug. And… I think it was ‘giggle at the ghostly’.”

“So she did teach you! I’m sure you can forgive her for being terrible at painting the backgrounds. She already did so much for all of us.”

“She did, and I’m sure she’d have loved to hear you say that.”

“Aw, please, please, please don’t you go and start crying. I knew what happened as soon as I saw you.”

“You did?”

“Well, you were a lot younger when Granny Pie last visited me. She spent so many evenings telling me everything about you! And about Ma, Pa, Limey, Marble, and Maud!”

“You’re getting misty-eyed yourself, Pinkie.”

“I’d give a lot for another evening with her, but she’ll never be truly gone as long as we remember her.”

“…”

“Enough moping around, sister; Granny would never want that! Instead, tell me what brought you here. The painting is still stashed away in the attic, right?”

“It is. I was wandering around the farm because… I was… Pinkie, how did you know where the painting was? If… if you don’t mind me asking, that is.”

“Maud told me. She found it when she was cleaning the attic. It’s too bad she was very busy and had to leave so soon.”

“Leave? So you’re saying we’re not stuck in this featureless void? I was so worried.”

“Of course, silly! How else would Granny Pie talk to me all this time?”

“I thought that she might have had some special way in, or maybe she used some ancient spells, or she contacted Zebrican shamans who… Ah! What was that for?!”

“I just had to, Inkie! Your scrunched-up muzzle looked too boopable!”

“Fine, I should have seen that one coming. I guess I started to zone out a little.”

“More than a little! And if you need to leave, just think of a door. It’ll appear right next to us.”

“Um… like this, Pinkie?”

“Y… yes, you did great. But could you… could you stay a little longer? When you leave, I kind of stop existing here.”

“You can’t possibly be serious!”

“No, it’s fine. All I can remember is a pony leaving, and then the next thing I know, somepony else enters. It’s like I’m always with friends!”

“It’s definitely not fine! How often do ponies visit you?”

“I’m used to it, I swear. It’s been like this since I remember.”

“That doesn’t make it better, Pinkie! I can come here every day if you want me to.”

“Oh. Thank you, Inkie; you’re a pony with a heart of gold. But no, you can’t.”

“And why would that be?”

“Granny Pie was special. She remembered me. Everypony else forgets me as soon as they’re out, and the world fills in the gaps until everything makes sense.”

“Then I’ll take you with me, Pinkie.”

“You can’t do that, either. I don’t exist outside of this painting. There would be no space for me to go, and I’d instantly vanish and appear here. Poof! Trust me, I tried.”

“I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do?”

“Could you tell me what happened today?”

“Okay… It started as another completely unremarkable day. We’ve been getting ready to rotate the rocks from the south field to the east field all day. But just as we were heading home, a beautiful rainbow appeared in an explosion of color. Alas, I was the only one who saw it. It’s a shame.”

“I really wish I was there with you to see it! What happened next?”

“I had the feeling that there was something I should be doing, so I spent most of the evening trying—and failing—to make a difference somehow. I don’t even know what I was doing or why, but it felt horrible to have seen that rainbow and done nothing with it. Even when I gave up, I still couldn’t sleep. I wandered for a while before finding the painting in the attic.”

“Have you tried cheering our family up? Throwing them a party? That’s what I’d do! They may have missed the rainbow, but you could make them feel just as happy as the rainbow made you feel, Inkie!”

“Oh, I’m… not the right pony for that. I’m not sure if any of us could do something like that. The farm has been a more quiet place without Granny Pie around.”

“That’s why you need to try twice as hard! No, thrice as hard! You can’t succeed if you don’t try, you know?”

“I couldn’t succeed even if I did try…”

“Pfft, nonsense! Everypony knows how to have fun! Okay, here’s what you’ll do: As soon as you leave the painting, you’ll prepare the best and most amazing surprise party for our parents and our sisters. So what if it’s a day late? I’m sure they’ll love it!”

“You’re pretty amazing, Pinkie Pie. You’ve already got it all figured out!”

“That’s what I do best, sister. Do I see a smile on your face? That’s great! Now go and spread it to others!”

“…actually, I think I can try, but I’ll need your help.”

“Anything you want!”

“You will throw that party yourself.”

“Oh. Inkie, you see, when I said anything, what I really meant was anything that I cou—”

“I know. And I think you can. You’ll go in my place.”

“What?! I couldn’t! You shouldn’t need to stay in this scary and empty place!”

“Neither should you, but one of us will have to regardless. And I would prefer that to be me. Our family needs you.”

“Wha—what if it doesn’t work and I’ll still disappear?”

“Then we’ll meet here in a moment and decide what to do next. But I doubt it’ll happen.”

"No, no, no, no! It’s not okay! How can you even suggest something like that?”

“Pinkie Pie, calm down. I’m not the most assertive of ponies, so believe me when I say that this is what I truly want. Please go.”

“But if—”

“And besides, I’m the lucky one here. I’ll get to remember meeting you, forever.”

“I Pinkie Promise that I won’t totally forget you, Inkie, no matter what! Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

“Thank you so much. Um, before you go, may I have a hug?”

“Always. I love you, sister.”

“I love you too, Pinkie Pie.”

“Pinkie Pie! I see you’re already back from your trip. I hope you’ve had a great time with your family.”

“I did, Mr. Cake! Limey was unusually cheerful after the recent harvest, and she prepared some delicious rock tarts for everypony! I brought some for you and Ms. Cake.”

“Always the thoughtful one, aren’t you, Pinkie? Thank you. Oh, but what’s with that wooden frame you’re carrying?”

“This? It’s a family heirloom that I’ve found gathering dust in the attic. I thought we could hang it in the shop.”

“Hmm. I’ll have to consult with my wife on any décor changes, but I don’t see why we wouldn’t; it’s a nice painting. Who is she?”

“I don’t really know myself! Isn’t it exciting? She was painted by my grandma, and all we know is her name. She’s called Inkie Pie.”

“Whoever she was, I’m sure she’d have gotten along well with you. Even your names are similar.”

“I’m sure she would have, Mr. Cake.”