The Only Chapter: What is Love?
Author's Note
Hey there!
I surely hope you enjoy this little story of mine, especially since it's my first ever published piece ever. It was supposed to be published on Singles Awareness Day, but alas, life happens.
Any comments, questions and criticisms are greatly appreciated, as long as they are constructive and respectful. The story is about love, not hate.
With all that being said, I hope you enjoy. Remember to love yourself, cause you are special. 
The Only Chapter: What is Love?
It was a warm sunny day in Ponyville. The pegasi has done a wonderful job, setting up the perfect day for the holiday. It was Hearts and Hooves Day, and ponies were all celebrating the festival of love with their partners in their own special ways. Though, there was one pony who seemed to be alone, all content as they hopped down the street. Pinkie was bouncing along, a huge smile on her face as she hummed to herself, feelings of joy radiating within and around her as she made her way through town.
“My name is Pinkie Pie, Morning Cheerilee!” Pinkie waved to the schoolteacher, who happily waved back as she shooed the foals inside for the start of the day.
“And I am here to say, Hiya Derpy, those flowers for the Doc?” Pinkie said with a wink as Derpy blushed, hiding the bouquet behind her back as she nodded. “I’m sure he’ll love them!”
“That spreading joy and care and love, Looking good, Mayor Mare!” The mayor chuckled, smoothing back her mane which had a little of her original pink showing.
“Makes this really the bestest day!” Pinkie giggled to herself as she finished her tune, hopping into Sugarcube corner as she felt all the patrons smiling at her, sharing that feeling of love that the day was known for. She quickly made her way behind the counter, nosing through the supplies until Mrs Cake trotted out of the kitchen. “Morning Mrs Cake! Happy super duper day of Love to you!”
“Good morning dearie. And happy Hearts and Hooves day to you too,” Mrs Cake said as she set down a tray of bright pink cupcakes before wiping her brow. “Goodness, as much as I love this holiday, it always is a busy one, what with ponies getting their loved ones a bunch of our treats.”
“I know right? Isn’t it amazing?” Pinkie said happily as she whipped an icing bag out of her mane and got to work. “Ponies all take time out of their days to go to the special ponies in their lives and give them something that says, ‘hey, you matter to me. I love you.’ And they get all excited as they hug and spread that cheer, making their day just a little bit brighter. And ponies then spread that love to their neighbours, and their family, and they feel it carry them through the day like a nice pot of warm gooey honey in their tummies, bringing them a tingly feeling when they think about them.” Pinkie finished off the cupcakes with a flourish before putting them on display. Right after giving herself a mouthful of icing. “It’s so nice.”
“Well, I wouldn’t call it all that, dearie, but it certainly is a nice feeling to know you are loved,” Mrs Cake said as a dreamy look came over her face before she came back with a sigh. “Unfortunately, we can’t always spend the holiday goofing off with our special somepony.”
“Why not? Here’s your Friday morning muffin!” Pinkie said as she quickly hoofed over a muffin to Sea Swirl, who gave a warm smile before trotting off.
“Well, Mr Cake and I have to keep Sugarcube corner open. And then this evening, we still have to look after the twins,” Mrs Cake said as she slipped into the kitchen before coming back out with another tray of baked goods, which Pinkie quickly got to decorating before bouncing up in excitement.
“No worries about that, Mrs Cake! You and Mr Cake have the day off, I’ll run the store for you,” Pinkie said with a cheery grin. “And then tonight, I‘ll foalsit the twins so that you two can have the whole day to yourselves.” She leaned in close, whispering cheekily in Mrs Cake’s ear. “Maybe you could even give Pound and Pumpkin a little baby brother or sister.”
“Pinkie!” Mrs Cake flushed as Pinkie pulled back with a giggle, though she looked unsure. “Are you absolutely sure, dearie? It is a holiday after all, I don’t want you to spend the whole day working.”
“Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it, I’ve got it covered,” Pinkie said cheerily as she bounced over and offered another muffin to a young colt, popping the bits into the register. “Besides, I like working here, and I love being able to bring so many happy love filled smiles to ponies when I give them exactly what I know they will love. You and Mr Cake go have your fun, I’ll take care of the shop and the twins for you.”
“But what about your plans for the day? Don’t you have a special somepony you’d rather spend it with?” Mrs Cake asked as Pinkie shook her head.
“Nopealope, never made any plans for today, cause everypony else has their own plans to hang out with their special somepony’s. As for me, I don’t have one, and that’s perfectly fine,” Pinkie said happily.
“Are you absolutely sure?” Mrs Cake said as Pinkie nodded.
“Yepperoni! Pinkie Pie’s got it all covered!” She quickly pulled another cupcake out of her mane and ate it, causing Mrs Cake to shake her head with a chuckle.
“Well, if you are sure, you’re in charge for today, Pinkie,” Mrs Cake said as Pinkie gave a small cheer, causing the other patrons to cheer with her. “Just run the bakery as you normally would, all the orders are ready to be delivered. And you know what to do for the twins.”
“Okie dokie lokie. Now go on, go spend the day with your special somepony,” Pinkie said as she pushed Mrs Cake towards the staircase before the older mare chuckled and trotted up. Pinkie smiled as she made her way back behind the counter before seeing the Cakes quickly coming down the stairs, giggling like schoolfillies. Pinkie chuckled to herself before glancing over the various couples and other patrons within the store.
“Now, which pony do I need to bring a loving smile to next?"
……………………
“Bye! Enjoy it you two lovebirds!” Pinkie called as she waved to Lyra and Bon-Bon as they made their way out the store before feeling an itch, a twitch, and a glitch run through her body. Her smile got even wider as she saw a Rainbow blur come into the store before revealing her friend. “Rainbow Dash! I’m so happy to see you!”
“Heya Pinkie,” Rainbow Dash said with her trademark grin as Pinkie hopped over and gave her a tight hug. “How’s it going?”
“Superbly spectacular, thanks!” Pinkie said as she let go and hopped behind the counter again. “Sooooo, can I get you anything?”
“Anything but a pie,” Rainbow Dash said, sharing a laugh with Pinkie before the pink pony plopped a pretty pink pastry in front of her. “Sweet, thanks. Uh, what is it?”
“It’s a Love Muffin!” Pinkie said as Rainbow took a bite. “Specially made for today!”
“It’s really good,” Rainbow said between bites as she finished it before shuffling her wings nervously. “Thanks for that. Say Pinks. Would you mind if I could… chat to you for a second?”
“Sure Dashie!” Pinkie said as she put up a sign on the counter before leading Rainbow into the kitchen, the smell of sugar and baked goods permeating through the air. “Soooo, what’s up? Do you need help with…” Pinkie leaned in and wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, “... some romance?”
“Wha- How did you know?!” Rainbow blurted out, her face turning bright red as Pinkie giggled.
“Don’t worry silly filly, my Pinkie Sense told me just before you came in,” Pinkie said as she vibrated with excitement. “So, who’s the lucky pony? Tell me tell me tell me! I need to throw you two a Happy-Getting-Together party, eeeeee!”
“Cool it Pinkie, nothing’s happened yet,” Rainbow Dash huffed as she did a remarkable impersonation of Fluttershy trying to hide behind her mane. “It’s App..j…k.”
“Sorry, who?”
“Applejack, okay?!” Rainbow said as Pinkie nodded, a happy grin on her face.
“Aww, you two will make such a cute couple. And you’re wondering how to impress her, hm? You’re thinking of making her something?” Pinkie said with a wink as Rainbow looked at her in bewilderment.
“How?”
“Just a lucky guess,” Pinkie said sweetly as Rainbow groaned.
“Of course. I just could not bear the thought of listening to one of Rarity’s mushy romance lectures, and I know Applejack likes good homemade food, so I thought…” Rainbow searched for the words as she shuffled her wings nervously, “I was hoping you could show me how?”
“Aww, silly Dashie, it’s sweet that you want to show her how much you care,” Pinkie said, patting Rainbow on the head as she blushed. “Here.” She reached up and pulled a cookbook out of her mane. “Try something from this. But, knowing Applejack, she’ll love anything you make for her, more for the gesture of love than anything.”
“Are you sure?” Rainbow said as she flipped through the pages quickly. “I mean, I don’t want to make something and then she ends up hating it. I’ve never been good at following recipes.”
“Applejack will be more impressed by the fact that you put in the time and effort to make something for her, which shows your dedication. Now that is a true sign of love,” Pinkie said with a twinkle in her eye as Rainbow cocked her head at her friend’s unexpected wisdom. “Anything else you need?”
“Uh, no. No thank you,” Rainbow quickly amended as she gave Pinkie a quick hug before heading out of the kitchen, Pinkie hopping behind her. “You were surprisingly helpful.” Rainbow suddenly growled quietly. “Great, now I gotta admit Twilight was right, and I gotta read.”
“Good luck Dashie! Let me know how it goes!” Pinkie called as she waved goodbye to her friend and flipped the sign around again, swiftly helping the line of customers that had built up whilst she was away, bringing more smiles to ponies’ faces. However, she had barely finished serving the last pony in the line before she felt another itch, twitch and glitch run through her body again, causing her eyes to widen in surprise. Two combos, exactly the same, right after each other? Coincidence, she didn’t think so! Her smile only grew as she saw Applejack wander into the store, her hat pulled down low on her head. “Hi Applejack!”
“Howdy there Pinkie. How 're ya--oof!” Applejack started before Pinkie gave her a bone-crushing hug. “Pinkie, mind lettin’ go?”
“Sorry, Applejack, I’m just so happy!” Pinkie said as she let Applejack go, a huge smile plastered on her face.
“Okay? An’ why exactly are ya so happy?” Applejack said before her eyes lit up. “Did ya finally get a special somepony?”
“Nope! I don’t need a special somepony, I have more than enough love from and for everypony!” Pinkie said with a big smile as Applejack raised a brow, before Pinkie leaned in conspiratorially. “Now, you on the other hoof… need a little help with some romance?”
“How in tarnation did ya know?” Applejack whispered fiercely.
“Oh, just a little itch, a twitch and a tiny glitch,” Pinkie replied, causing Applejack to facehoof before Pinkie flipped the sign again and pulled Applejack into the kitchen. “Now, tell your Aunty Pinkie Pie, and she’ll make it all work out!”
“Ah’m like 3 years older than you,” Applejack said before giving a sigh. “Though, Ah s’pose ya could help. Ya know everythin’ bout everypony, an’ Ah could not sit through Rarity an’ her mushy romance lectures, an’ well, yer the best cook Ah know. Think ya can help me out?”
“But of course, silly filly. Though I’m sure she will love whatever you make. Rainbow has never been a picky eater,” Pinkie said with a giggle as she started reaching into her mane, Applejack looking at her in bewilderment.
“Consarnit Pinkie, how did ya know?!”
“Just a lucky guess,” Pinkie hummed as Applejack groaned before Pinkie pulled another book out of her mane. “You’ll know what to do.”
“Well, Ah guess. Thanks again Pinkie,” Applejack said as she gave Pinkie a hug and was led back to the storefront, before exclaiming as she looked at the cover of the book. “Hey! This here's’ MAH book!”
“I know, it’s full of amazing Apple family recipes. And now, you’ll make something for your special somepony out of it. Good luck!” Pinkie said as Applejack grumbled before tucking the book under her hat and trotting away with a final wave to the pink mare. Pinkie sat back and gave a sigh of contentment as she watched Applejack leave, already planning the “Congrats-AJ-and-RD!” party. Life was full of beautiful love, from the biggest things, to the smallest things. It made her insides tingle and rumble with happiness.
Actually, that just meant she was hungry. Shaking her head with a sigh, she hopped back into the kitchen to grab herself a quick snack of 23 cupcakes, checked on the ones that were nearly ready in the oven, and bounded back to the counter, a wide smile on her face as she flipped the sign again.
“Who’s next?”
……………………
“Goodnight you two cuties. Sleep well, and dream of mountains of cake and fun,” Pinkie quietly whispered as she closed the door to the Twins’ bedroom, before giving a satisfied sigh. She quietly made her way down the stairs and looked around the empty shop before grabbing a broom and starting to clean up. As she swept, her thoughts wandered and she gave a tiny chuckle as she remembered her friends both coming to her for help to get together with each other. Pinkie knew they would, their platonic love for each other was already super strong, adding romantic love to that would only make it stronger. She would have to check in with them tomorrow to see how it went.
As her mind wandered, her gaze drifted, and she glanced out the front door to the street which was now cloaked in moonlight. Said moonlight revealed a single pony walking slowly, their head hung low as Pinkie took in their form before feeling a tingle and a sting go through her chest, her heart welling up with sadness. Putting the broom aside, she rushed to the door and called out. “Rarity! Come here!”
The mare in question looked up, the fur on her face stained with streaks of mascara as she glanced over at Pinkie before trotting up to Pinkie, a trembling false smile on her face. “H-Hello darling. What can I do for you?”
Pinkie simply stepped forward and gently embraced Rarity. And that was enough for the floodgates to burst as Rarity started bawling, clinging to Pinkie like a lifeline. When her cries had turned to sobs, Pinkie quietly led Rarity into the store and sat her down, still rubbing her shoulders. “There there, it’s okay. Tell Auntie Pinkie all about it.”
“I’m so sorry darling, I don’t mean to be a bother,” Rarity muttered as she pulled out a handkerchief and dried her eyes before blowing her nose. “I’m normally much more composed than this.”
“It’s alright Rarity, you’re my friend, and I love you. Besides, no pony deserves to be alone and sad on the day of love,” Pinkie said warmly, causing Rarity to look up at her. “Would you like anything? It’s on the house.”
“Ice cream please. And any leftover cupcakes you have,” Rarity said as Pinkie quickly busied herself. “Screw diets, Screw bad stallions, and screw love!”
“Rough night, ey?” Pinkie said as she swiftly moved between the display and the table before giving a cheshire grin. “Sounds like you got screwed over.”
“Oh hush. I’m not in the mood.” Rarity sniffed, a small smile coming to her face as Pinkie placed a whole tray of decorated cupcakes in the middle of the table, followed by two large bowls of ice cream. She levitated her spoon and took a bite, her eyes closing in contentment. “Thank you darling. This is just what I needed, and so generous of you. Are you sure it is no bother?”
“Yupper puppers Rares. The Cakes allow me to finish off any of the older produce that we can’t sell anymore,” Pinkie said as she dug into her own, mixing the cupcakes into the ice cream to create a chilled mush which she happily ate. “Besides, you need it, and I’d do anything for my friends.”
“Thank you. This is much better than thinking about that… that stupid, uncultured, incorrigible, oafish, uncouth… boor!” Rarity angrily munched on her ice cream as her tears threatened to flow again.
“Did you get stood up?” Pinkie said with a sympathetic smile as Rarity nodded, neglecting to add the ‘again’ to her question. After all, she didn’t want to make Rarity feel any worse.
“Yes. And on Hearts and Hooves day too,” Rarity said as she moped, taking another bite. “What’s wrong with me, Pinkie? For nearly 8 years since Twilight moved to Ponyville I have looked for companionship, and I have had nothing but failed relationship after failed relationship. Am I cursed, doomed to never find true love?”
“No, you are not,” Pinkie said uncharacteristically quietly, causing Rarity to look up at her. “You are not cursed, and someday, you will find the right special somepony for you. But for now, you have so many good things in your life to love, and so many good ponies who love and care about you. And maybe that’s enough? And maybe, just maybe, you need to learn to love yourself before you love somepony else.”
“I had not considered that. You are rather insightful sometimes, darling,” Rarity said as she took another bite, this one slower than the previous as a thoughtful look came to her face. “Pinkie Pie? Do you not have a special somepony?”
“Nope,” Pinkie said with a small smile, giving the same answer as she had given the whole day. But this time, it wasn’t enough.
“But why?” Rarity asked. “You are an attractive young mare with a wonderful personality. Have you not considered a partner at all?”
“Oh I have,” Pinkie said quickly. “But I don’t need one, and I am fine with that.”
“But why?” Rarity pressed as Pinkie took a second to think.
“Well, today is Hearts and Hooves day, right? A day for couples to express how much they love each other, right?” Pinkie asked as Rarity slowly nodded. “Well, not everypony is in a relationship. For some ponies, they don’t have romantic love. But, they do have platonic love.”
“Platonic love?” Rarity asked as Pinkie nodded.
“Platonic love is the love you feel for your friends. That warm happy feeling you get from seeing them smile, from being there for them and bringing them joy.” Pinkie smiled as if in memory. “Hearts and Hooves day may focus on romantic love, but I prefer to focus on love in all its forms, for my friends, for my family, for the good things in my life, and most importantly, for myself. I don’t need only one pony to love, because I love everypony. Everypony is my friend, and the love that I feel for them and the joy I get just from making them smile, well, that’s enough for little ol’ me.”
“And someday, in the future, maybe I’ll meet a nice guy or gal, or a non-binary pal, and I’ll love them just as much as I love my closest friends, but for now? I’m happy just loving me. Cause that’s pretty special.” Pinkie gave a small hum as she took another bite of her ice cream before glancing over at Rarity, who sat there in quiet contemplation.
“Thank you Pinkie,” Rarity said slowly after a few minutes as she gave her friend a small smile. “You have helped me feel better after a less than stellar day, and you have given me a lot to think about.”
Pinkie simply chuckled as she got up and went around to Rarity, giving her a big hug. “Happy Day of Love, Rarity.”
“Thank you darling,” Rarity said with a slight chuckle as she hugged Pinkie back.
“Happy Day of Love to you too.”
