Pinkie squirmed away from the hoof nudging her side. She was exhausted.
“Pinkie!”
She ignored the voice, squeezed her eyes shut, and tried to keep her breaths even and deep.
“Pinkie Pie!”
She wanted to keep sleeping
“Ugh. Drooling is hardly an attractive trait for a young pony.”
She deserved to keep sleeping, and drooling apparently.
“Let her be Rarity. She’s had a long day.”
Ah, Twilight, the voice of reason. Pinkie would have to thank her when she got up.
“Very well, I suppose it is the only way she’ll rid herself of those ghastly bags under her eyes.”
As much as she loved the fashionable unicorn, Pinkie occasionally grew tired of her more superficial concerns.
“In this case Ah think Rarity’s right, Twilight.”
She heard her friends gasp in unison as Applejack freely agreed with Rarity. Intrigued, she twitched an ear toward her friends.
“What Ah mean is, she had quite a bit of mah special cider. For safety’s sake, we should probably wake her up and keep her awake ‘till we get home.”
Pinkie turned in her sleeper, so her mane would hide the blush rising to her cheeks but she kept an ear towards the conversation.
“She was drinking? When? Every time I saw Pinkie she was making sure everypony was having a good time and-“
“And what’s more fun than a drinking contest, Twilight?”
Rainbow Dash sounded far too happy considering the outcome of said contest.
“Speaking of unattractive traits…”
Pinkie heard Rarity whisper quietly to herself.
“Um. Who won, if I may ask? May I ask?”
She had to strain to hear Fluttershy but she wanted to hear the sweet pegasus’ reaction. As, for the first time in history, somepony had beaten Rainbow Dash in a drinking contest. That pony was her, Pinkie Pie.
“Yes, you may ask. I won Fluttershy.”
She bristled. How dare that adrenaline seeking pegasus!
“Lie. Pinkie Pie beat Rainbow Dash.”
Thank goodness for Applejack keeping things straight.
“At quite the cost it seems.”
Oh, sometimes Rarity could be so stiff.
“After such an accomplishment it’d be a shame to wake her up. I’ll watch over her till we get to Ponyville.”
She knew there was no denying it any further so, with a weary sigh, Pinkie sat up before turning back toward her friends.
“Thank you Fluttershy, but there’s no need. I am officially awake.”
The pink pony confessed with a winning smile and far more energy than she felt.
“Oh. Okay then.” Fluttershy responded quietly with a smile of her own.
“About time. Now wipe the drool from your face dear.”
She did so after sticking out her tongue at Rarity and then turned her blue eyes on Rainbow Dash.
“Trying to steal my thunder, eh Dash?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about…Pie.” The pegasus challenged with a smirk.
“Lie.”
“Thanks Applejack!” Both Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash cried out, the latter with far less sincerity.
“Girls, it’s the middle of the night. We should be considerate to the other passengers.”
The two ignored Rarity.
“Oh! I’m so sorry Rarity. I’ll try and keep it down.”
“Fluttershy, darling, I wasn’t referring to you. I was referring to Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie.”
Pinkie heard Fluttershy mumble another apology but didn’t pay any further attention. Instead she focused in on the impromptu staring contest between her and Rainbow Dash.
Pinkie’s eyes began to sting but she refused to yield. She could see she was close to victory as Dash’s eyes were starting to tear. Without warning a rainbow flashed in front of Pinkie’s eyes as Dash whipped her head to the side. For a moment Pinkie felt dizzy but quickly began to giggle as she realized she’d won a contest against Rainbow Dash for the second time that night.
“I let you win tonight.” Proclaimed Rainbow Dash as she tried to blink moisture back into her eyes.
“What?” Pinkie asked, focusing on Dash’s face, ignoring the dizzy feeling that popped back up.
“When I ran into you at the drink table, your smile seemed strained. I guess you could say it bothered me. You’ve been planning this party for weeks and I saw you jumping about making sure everypony else was enjoying themselves but it didn’t look like you were. I remembered how excited you were when Celestia asked you to plan this event and it just didn’t seem fair that you shouldn’t enjoy it as well. So I asked you to drink in the hope you would start to have fun.”
Pinkie was touched and did nothing to stop the smile that grew on her face. Her friends were truly the best.
“Lie. You won that drinkin’ match fair and square Pinkie Pie.”
“Applejack.” A certain pegasus whined.
“Rainbow Dash!”
Five ponies snapped their heads toward the source of the yell. At the sudden attention Rarity raised a hoof to her mouth and blushed at the others. With a sheepish smile she lowered her hoof, cleared her throat, and addressed Rainbow Dash in what Pinkie imagined Rarity thought was a far more lady like tone.
“Apologies for raising my voice. Now, Rainbow Dash, how dare you lie about a heartfelt speech in order to hang onto your pride.”
“I didn’t lie!”
“Lie.”
“Really Rainbow Dash, you should be ashamed.”
“Rarity!”
“Oh. I must agree with Rarity, Rainbow Dash. If you did lie that is.”
“Come on Fluttershy, don’t-“
“She did lie. Don’t whine at Fluttershy just because you’re a sore loser.”
“Applejack!”
Pinkie wanted to chime in but she was so dizzy she had to steady herself on the wall of the sleeper car.
“Quiet! All of you!”
Pinkie spun her head toward Twilight, instantly regretting the disorienting movement as she all but collapsed in the bed.
Twilight hadn’t said anything in so long she figured the unicorn had fallen asleep. However, she didn’t have to look around to know Twilight now held all her friend’s eyes.
“What are you doing? Have you forgotten why we were in Canterlot today? It wasn’t just a party Pinkie was planning. She worked her hooves off to plan the official celebration for The Defeat of Discord by Harmony. By Us! Yet here you are squabbling over a drinking contest!”
A wave of exhaustion crashed over Pinkie and she felt her eyelids grow heavy. She couldn’t stop the yawn that escaped her lips and decided to close her eyes, just for a moment. As darkness soothed her dizzy mind she heard Twilight continue to remind her friends of the adventure past.
“One year ago today we defeated Discord through the power of friendship. It started with a cotton candy cloud and rain of chocolate milk…”
***
When Pinkie Pie opened her eyes she found herself staring at Luna’s moon and a sky full of stars. The next thing that came to her attention was the feeling of grass beneath her legs and not her sleeper.
“That’s so weird.” She said to nopony in particular before standing up and taking a few steps.
It was far easier than it should have been and with a glance from the sky, to the hedges surrounding her, and finally to her legs; she confirmed she was no longer wearing Rarity’s celebration creation. What she was wearing was a gown of flowing gossamer. It was colored grey that deepened to black at the ends. Pinkie was reminded of her sister Inkie and something else she couldn’t quite remember.
She didn’t think further on it as she felt a pull to move forward. She resisted for a moment but she felt she needed to go down the hedged path. Nothing negative crossed her Pinkie Sense so she went with the pull.
At first she jumped but she quickly found herself trotting down one path, turning onto another, and galloping down yet another way. She may have known exactly where to go but it felt as if she were in a maze.
“Or a labyrinth.” She whispered aloud as she finally recognized where she was and came upon the Royal Labyrinth’s main clearing. The pull kept her walking till she was in the center and then the need finally faded.
“Well, well, well, it looks like my guest of honor has finally arrived.”
The voice came from behind but Pinkie knew it was Discord. Her breath hitched in her throat as she became all too aware of how alone she was. She knew her and her friends could take on anything but by herself, she wasn’t so sure. Even laughter seemed out of the question as she knew he too enjoyed a good laugh, and laugh he did at her lack of response. She shivered but not because of the chill in the night air.
“My dear Pinkie Pie, you need not be afraid.”
“Is that so?” Pinkie asked, surprised her voice came out so calm, before turning to regard the former ruler of Equestria.
“You’re in no danger here.” He promised with a smile, his one fang gleaming in the moonlight.
“Pinkie Promise.” She demanded, eyes lowered.
“I, Discord and rightful ruler of Equestria, Pinkie Promise that you, Pinkie Pie, will come to no harm here.” He complied with a serious face but held a glint in his eyes. Nevertheless she believed him although she couldn’t quite explain why.
“Okie. Dokie. Lokie. What do you want Discord?” She asked, her voice firm and missing its usual mirth.
“You.” Her blue eyes widened in surprise and his smile turned into a smirk at the sight. “That is to say, your company on this auspicious day.” His voice had a mischievous edge that made Pinkie want to step back into the hedges.
“Why?”
“Did you not celebrate my defeat today A grand party to which I was not invited?” He raised his lion paw to his chest to emphasize his offense.
“I-We did.” She answered truthfully.
“Is it not as much my celebration as it is yours?” Discord contended while stepping toward Pinkie, his one-fanged smile returned when she made no attempt to move.
“I don’t-“ She began, unsure of how his defeat would be something he’d like to celebrate.
“The name of the day is The Defeat of Discord by Harmony.”
He was right in front of her, not a foot away, and as he towered over her Pinkie was forced to stare up at his leering face.
“I suppose that’s true but-“ She was still confused.
“Then it is half mine as it is half yours.”
His face was above her by too little a distance. She felt her heart speed up and glanced away to look for an exit. In that moment she noticed his lanky body was so far bent toward her, he looked like a very odd candy cane. Despite the situation, a giggle fell from her lips. That giggle turned into a laugh and that laugh turned into another. She kept laughing her fear away until a talon forced her eyes up to its owner. She swallowed her next laugh and held Discord’s gaze.
“This, my dear, is why invited you. I knew we could have fun. After all, you understand the importance of a good laugh. Your friends, however, are far too serious. They didn’t even enjoy my chocolate rain.”
Pinkie Pie smiled at the memory of an endless supply of chocolate.
“No, they didn’t and I’ll never know why.” She admitted . His smile grew and he let go of her jaw before moving away from her.
“So are you ready for the festivities?” Discord asked while waving his mismatched arms at the hedges around them.
Pinkie gasped in awe as the labyrinth clearing was instantly covered in lavish decorations. All in shades of grey, like her dress…Like her and her friends under the spell of Discord, she remembered violently. Leave, the thought crossed her mind with as much pull as she initially felt to walk into the clearing.
“I don’t know if I can stay.” Pinkie began, turning away from Discord and toward the path she entered from. “I have to babysit for the Cakes tomorrow and if I get back too late the twins will wake and-“ She only managed one step before Discord blocked her path.
“Are you leaving me alone again, Pinkie Pie?” He questioned quietly.
“Again?” She asked, noting he looked honestly hurt.
“Celestia had you plan our celebration but you kept the party inside. Nopony came to see me, not even to mock me.”
“Nopony likes being mocked. You were the one who pointed that out to me last year.”
He strode toward her and she took a step back for every step he took forward. If only she had wings.
“Indeed I did but I would have enjoyed some company in the year past. There is nothing worse than not being invited to a party, wouldn’t you agree Pinkie Pie?”
“I-“
“Except perhaps when no pony comes and you wind up with a party of one.”
Memories of Gummy’s After-Birthday party came unbidden to her mind. She felt herself blush as she recalled Rocky, Sir Lint-a-Lot, Mr. Turnip, and Madame Le Flour. When she forced the memories back from whence they came she found herself feeling guilty. She supposed she could have done something by his statue. Or even had the celebration outside the Royal Labyrinth.
“I agree. Nopony likes to be alone.” Pinkie said with a sympathetic smile that disappeared the moment she backed into the hedge.
There was no where left to go and Discord was still approaching when he snaked himself into a position where he could look at her smirk to nervous grin. Her heart sped up yet again and she hoped against hope the others would randomly appear.
“What are you saying my dear? Are you willing to stay with me?” His fang was gleaming again and Pinkie was reminded of the legends of vamponies but she shook the thought away to answer.
“Yes but I can’t stay long. The others will get worried, I’m sure.” He laughed with such joy that Pinkie felt a genuine smile return to her face, with an air of caution of course.
“How right you are Pinkie Pie. Our time is almost up, so I shall ask for just one dance.”
A dance. Pinkie visibly relaxed. There’s no harm in a dance.
“No harm at all.”
Her blue eyes went wide but before she could ask how Discord knew what she was thinking a lion’s paw forced her up on her hind legs and against the draconequus. She pushed her front legs away from him but he held her tight.
“I thought you wanted to dance.” She complained, trying to keep some distance between them and remain balanced on her back legs.
“Oh, I do but in the ways of my old court. Not what you ponies call dancing these days.” With that he swept her around the clearing with enough speed to make Rainbow Dash envious.
Pinkie always enjoyed a good thrill but Discord made her weary. As soon as that thought crossed her mind the memory of her first party popped up in her mind’s eye. Her worry began to melt away as a smile played at her lips. The smile grew as she remembered her next party and then every party she had ever been a part of. She could see them as clearly in her mind as she could see Discord and the labyrinth. It was strange though as Pinkie could feel him spin her about and back but couldn’t recall moving herself. Like a puppet on a string-the memories came faster and more vivid as Discord’s laughter filled the air. He sounded happy and Pinkie finally understood she was too. In fact she was far happier than she could possibly remember. So she laughed along with Discord, she was having fun after all.
“Are you having fun Pinkie?” Discord suddenly asked while slowing their music-less dance down. She couldn’t deny she felt disappointment but she laughed her response nonetheless.
“Yep! We should do this again sometime.”
He stopped their dance and smiled down at her. She loved it when ponies smiled but Discord’s smile made her feel like nopony ever had.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” He chuckled.
“We should meet one year from now.” Pinkie insisted, blush on her cheeks.
“Perhaps even sooner.” Discord whispered, using his talon to tilt her head up towards him again.
When he started leaning down Pinkie realized he was going to kiss her. She stopped herself from sighing with content as her eyes caught sight of his gleaming fang. Something was wrong. Very wrong. Her Pinkie Sense was screaming at her to run but when she tried she became so dizzy that only Discord’s steel grip kept her up.
Pinkie Pie could do nothing to stop Discord’s kiss, and when his lips met her own the world fell into darkness.
***
Pinkie awoke gasping for breath.
“My goodness, are you alright Pinkie?”
“Ah told y’all we should have kept her up.”
“Oh, but she was so tired Applejack.”
“At least I know I can hold my drink better than someponies.”
“Rainbow Dash! Were you not listening to me an hour ago? One year-“
“I know, I know Twilight!”
Breathe, Pinkie, breathe.
“Everypony, hush! Are you all right darling?”
Rarity was nudging her again and when she felt her breathing had returned to normal she answered her friend.
“I’m fine.” Her voice was so hoarse, like she hadn’t had a drink in years. “I saw-I had a dream. It was just a dream.”
The realization flooded her anxious mind with relief. She settled back into the blankets for the rest of the trip but not wanting to fall asleep, she doubted she would want to for quite a while. The rest of the trip, however, was less than five minutes.
“We’re here. Time to get up and out y’all.” Applejack announced while walking out of their cabin to the luggage car. She heard the others stretch and yawn in their beds before they stepped out onto the floor.
“Somepony help Pinkie.” Twilight requested mid-yawn.
“I don’t need help.” Pinkie protested before jumping out of her bed or at least she would have if her legs hadn’t gotten caught in the sleeper’s blankets.
She fell to the floor rather dramatically and all her friends were there in an instant to help her up. Grateful, but embarrassed, she leapt out of the sheets to prove she was fine.
Three loud bangs rang throughout the car as Pinkie’s blanket flew away from her legs.
“What was that?” Fluttershy whispered fearfully from behind Rainbow Dash.
“It doesn’t matter, we have to get off the train. Princess Celestia was generous enough to allow the Canterlot Express to run late so guests could return home. It wouldn’t be fair to keep its employees up longer than necessary.”
“Twilight’s right y’all. Let’s go.”
“Thank you Applejack. Pinkie, I’ll make sure you get to Sugar Cube Corner. Everypony else, goodnight and sweet dreams.”
Pinkie didn’t protest this time. In fact, she could barely hear her friends yawn similar sentiments of goodnight to each other. All she could do was stare in horror at the pieces of stone that had been hidden in her blanket. She thought it was just a dream. It had to be just a dream. Smug laughter erupted behind her, loud enough to wake all of Equestria. She whipped her head toward the mocking sound but found Twilight instead.
“Pinkie, what’s wrong?”
The purple unicorn’s voice and eyes were filled with concern but Pinkie didn’t dare put words to her fears.
“TWILIGHT!” Spike’s desperate yell made Pinkie’s stomach turn into a bundle of knots.
When he ran into their car she could see he was afraid. The sight made her feel like throwing up but Pinkie kept herself together as Twilight turned to address the little dragon.
“What are you doing here Spike? You’re supposed to be watching the library.”
“The Princesses-“ he began but stopped to catch his breath “The Princesses require The Elements of Harmony! NOW!
Pinkie Pie turned away from her friends and stared at her guilt stricken reflection.
“What have I done?” She whimpered.
The only response was laughter: Discord’s and her own.