Long But Not Forgotten

Chapters

Long But Not Forgotten
A Dash of Color
Apple Pie
Rare As Diamonds

Long But Not Forgotten

It was about midday. About that time for lunch when I began to head out to my other relatives; the Cakes. My parents told me I should head to Ponyville to live with them, for they can supply what my parents thought they couldn't. It was a sad time, that's for sure. I hated to see my sisters and parents so sad, but I told them I'd be back to visit. My parents packed me a couple bags full of some supplies for the walk to Ponyville. Surely it wasn't that long of a walk, but they thought it would be necessary.

“Don't you worry about me girls! I'll be just fine!” I gave my sisters a wide smile as I brought them both into a hug. They returned it, asking me to promise them that they will see me again. I took a couple party hats out of my bag and placed them atop my sisters' heads.

“I promise!” I said hopping up and down. I couldn't keep my energy sustained. Despite this being a fairly sad time for everyone, I just couldn't help but to be happy to go out and see what else is out there in this world. My mother pulled into an embrace while my father just stared into my eyes. A tear rolled down his bold, unchanged face.

“Just be careful out there Pinkamena, and please write to us when you get the chance to.”

“Sure thing daddy! I'll be super extra careful and I'll write you guys a bunch of letters! OH! Maybe I could send you guys some pictures or, or maybe some streamers and other party goodies!” The thought of sending such things to them excited me. I stopped for a second to look back into my fathers eyes before he began to speak again.

“I would like that, Pinkamena.”

Minutes passed by until I finally began my adventure through the forest by the rock farm and into Ponyville. I was a few steps away from the borders of the forest now and stopped to wave one last goodbye to my family. I began to hop my way into the forest. The sun was beginning to set slowly over the horizon.

*********

The moon had already risen into the sky, basking the land in it's eerie light. I kept on making my way, hopping all over the place in the forest without a single care in the world. It felt so good to just be out here on my own for a while, to explore what Equestria holds for a filly like myself. I kept on hopping along my way, humming the song that Granny Pie had taught me when I was younger still, until I heard what seemed to be quivering. I looked around me to find the sound. It wasn't that far away, so I decided to go and check it out.

I made my way through some bushes to find a bright yellow blob on the ground, slightly shaking. Curious as I was, I walked up to it. I then realized that it was actually a pegasus filly, around my age I think.

“Hi there!” I said probably a bit too loudly, as it startled the poor thing. I bounded up to the pegasus as she slowly turned to face my direction.

“...” the bright yellow pegasus just looked back to ground without saying a word. Her expression was one of sadness and dismay. I got concerned with what was wrong, so I sat by her.

“What's the matter?”

“...” she looked up to me and let out a big sigh before finally speaking.

“I... I fell from my home in the clouds, and I don't have the strength to fly back up there...” a single tear rolled down her cheek. I felt my heart ache at the sight. I didn't know what I could do to help her in this situation. If I couldn't help her, then the least I could do is be here and comfort her.

“What's your name? My name's Pinkamena!”

“I'm... my name's... Fluttershy...” she choked out quietly. I leaned in next to her and put my hoof around here shoulders.

“Well I'll stay here all night to help comfort you! You should probably get some sleep too, you look like a sleepy pony!” The timid pegasus let out a quiet chuckle before thanking me. She curled up by herself by a tree and began to sleep. I watch astounded by the sight. I've never seen a pegasus before! They never came by the rock farm all too often, if at all. My mother always told me about the mailmare delivery our mail during the mornings, but I was never up in time to see her. I sat there and watched as her chest slowly rose up and down. I guess curiosity got the better of me around this time. I reached out with a hoof and poked her wings while she was asleep. She stirred in her sleep so I withdrew my hoof, to avoid waking her from her peaceful slumber.

I never slept that night. How could I? I was just so happy.

*********

The sun began to raise again. I was still awake from that night, just making sure that Fluttershy was okay. Soon after the sun began to raise though, another pegasus flew down to where me and Fluttershy had been staying for the night. I looked up at the pegasus as she got down to pick up Fluttershy and put her on her back. The new pegasus then stood up tall and looked over at me.

“Thank you” she said quietly at me before taking off into the horizon, probably to take Fluttershy back home. I watched as they began to disappear over the horizon as I felt a tinge of sadness form inside me. I never even got to say goodbye...

*********

Here I was in Ponyville. I was older by this time, and helping the Cakes more with their delicious confections. I always remembered that timid pegasus though. I always wondered how she was doing after that night so long ago. I always wondered if we would ever see each other again.

“Pinkie, could you be a dear and go into town and get some more ingredients? We seem to be low on some of them and need a refill as soon as possible.” Mrs. Cake said as she walked up to me with a saddle bag in her mouth. I looked up from my pastry to look at her.

“Oh don't you worry, I'll finish this up while you're out and about!”

“Okie dokie lokie, Mrs. Cake!” I said, taking the saddlebag and hopping out of Sugarcube Corner and into the streets of Ponyville. I always hopped around in this town, humming some sort of song or tune that I had heard or taught when I was younger. It always made me happy, and made everything seem much more worth it. I passed other ponies on the streets giving them a wide smile and saying hello to them. They would perform the same gesture. I always felt that it was my job to keep everyone happy as can be.

Before long I reached the General Goods store and bounded my way in. I could see the cashier leaning over to see who it was that entered and put on a wide grin when he found out who it was.

“Why, hello there, Pinkie! Great to see ya!”

I waved at him from across the store with a wide smile on my face as well. “Great to see you too!” I hopped around the store looking for the ingredients that were requested from Mrs. Cake. Didn't take long, for I knew where these ingredients were. After all, I was a regular customer here.

“That will be 10 bits.”

“Okie dokie lokie!” I reached into my bag and pulled out some coins, tossing them onto the counter top.

“There ya go!” the cashier counted up the bits to make sure it was the correct amount, as it was. He nodded and I picked up my bag of ingredients and happily bounded my way out of the store, just as I did when I first entered it this morning. I found something completely unexpected when I left that store though, or rather somepony unexpected. I stared into the eyes of a bright yellow coated mare. I could just feel the excitement quickly flowing through my body, until I couldn't contain myself anymore.

“Ohmigosh! I never thought I would get to see you again!” I bursted out, slightly startling the timid yellow mare. She looked down a bit, but a grin quickly took over her features as she looked up into my eyes again.

“Hi... um... Pinkie, was it?” She managed to say.

“Yup! That's me!” I couldn't help myself anymore. I began to bounce around the shy mare for a while. She tried to follow me with her eyes before letting out a quiet chuckle. Just as she did when we first met.

“I totally have to throw you a party!” I began, throwing streamers out of seemingly no where. But Fluttershy looked down to the ground, seemingly not intrigued with the idea at all. I stopped bouncing everywhere and walked up to her.

“It can be a quiet one, with just us two.” I gave her a wide smile. She looked back up at me and returned the smile.

“I would like that.”

********

It was a great day for me and Fluttershy. I held a party for her, just us two attended for her sake.

We played a few games and talked about what happened after we parted ways that night, a few years ago. All the while I had the biggest grin I could muster on my face. It was starting to get late, and we were still talking to each other.

“Um... would you be ok if I stayed here with you for the night?” Fluttershy said quietly, trying to hide behind her long pink mane.

“Of course, silly!” I said aloud. Fluttershy perked up at the response and nodded. After a bit more of talking, she finally was the first one to doze off into sleep. I sat there watching her. Her chest rising up and down again.

“Goodnight, Fluttershy” I said as I draped a blanket over her resting body. I never slept that night. How could I? I was just so happy...

A Dash of Color

Authors note: So since I'm adding more to this story, do you guys think I should just stick with this story title and picture, or change it? Also a big thanks to Sith_Dreamer for pre-reading!

“I’ll drop on by and help you with your animals tomorrow then!”

“Oh, alright then. Thank you, Pinkie” Fluttershy embraced me, in which I returned. I waved a hoof goodbye as she walked out of Sugarcube Corner. It’s been a week now since we reunited. I couldn’t be happier. I met all kinds of animals that she was taking care of, though one rabbit; Angel, seemed to be a sort of a rebel amongst the rest. He meant well though, always helping Fluttershy when nopony else was around to help her.

The day seemed to have dragged on and on, I guess because I was excited to head over to Fluttershy’s cottage and help around again. I always enjoyed spending time with her, and I’m sure she did too even though I may be too hyped up for her at times. Finally a few hours had passed and Celestia’s sun began to fall, Luna’s moon taking it’s place in the sky above. I flipped the sign so it would show ‘closed’ to those outside and began to put away materials and other assorted things that were strewn about the kitchen. The clock struck 10pm and bounded my way upstairs to meet my bed for a good nights rest.

***********************

A light shone through the window, causing me to open my eyes. It was early morning, and Celestia’s sun had begun to raise not long ago. My eyelids felt like heavy weights, opening them was almost a chore to do, and then just to be blinded from the bright waves penetrating through the nearby window. Groggily, I sat up to get out of the blinding light, slowly shuffling myself off the bed to get ready... and to close those blinds. I yawned as I made my way towards the bathroom. Once inside I picked up a brush and look into the mirror in front of me, taking a glance of how my mane looked. I glanced to the brush, then to the mirror, then back to brush.

“Silly me!” I exclaimed, tossing the brush over my shoulder, landing in the bathtub nearby. The aroma of breakfast soon filled my nostrils. Waffles, was it? I couldn’t tell from upstairs, so I bounded my way down the stairway, slightly startling Mrs Cake when I reached the bottom of the staircase.

“Well, good morning, Pinkie. I hope you don’t mind having waffles for breakfast.”

Called it.

“Nopey dopey! I don’t mind Mrs Cake! Waffles are awesome, though not as good as cookies or cake but they’re still really good!” I took my seat at the table, waiting for the said waffles to be finished. Glancing around the room I tried to find something to occupy myself for the time being, in which I found myself gazing upon some salt and pepper shakers and other various objects on the table I was at.

“They’re d- oh...” Mrs Cake suddenly paused as she saw a tower of salt shakers, pepper shakers, pots and other random assorted things stacked on top of each other into the shape of a tower. I looked over at her, awkwardly smiling as a few of the shakers on top tumbled down and crashing onto the table surface.

“Right... well the waffles are done,” She stated as she went back to putting waffles on a plate, picking it up with her mouth and setting it on the table.

“Thanks Mrs. Cake!” I exclaimed, taking a rather large bite out of the waffles. And by large, I mean the entire thing, one bite and all. Mrs. Cake just shook her head and went back to making some more for Mr. Cake for when he would appear.

“I’ll be back later, I promised Fluttershy that I would help her with the animals today!” I exclaimed, getting out of my chair and bouncing towards the front door. I slammed the door behind me, causing the tower I had made to collapse into a messy pile atop the table, causing Mrs. Cake to sigh. I continued down the street, taking in the sights of the town, all the ponies calmly and joyfully going about their business. I glanced over, taking notice of a couple mares selling apples in the marketplace, but I paid it no attention at the time, I was gonna be late if I didn't keep pressing forward. In the distance was Fluttershy’s cabin, with all the animals playing around and eating and other activities. As I got closer though, saw not one, but two pegasi flying about. I couldn’t figure out who the other one was, for I was too far away at the time. As I got closer to finally was able to see that the other was a cyan pegasus with a mane that replicated a rainbow.

“Hey, Fluttershy! I’m sorry I’m a little late!” I called over to Fluttershy as I trotted up to the pair.

“Oh, don’t worry Pinkie. I was just catching up with my friend he-” She was cut off by other mare.

“So you’re the one she was talking about? The name’s Rainbow Dash! Fastest flier in all of Equestria!”

Or so she dubbed herself as.

“Yup! My name’s Pinkie Pie! I help run Sugarcube Corner back in town!” I exclaimed, watching Rainbow and Fluttershy touch down in front of me.

“Sugarcube Corner eh? nice little bakery right?” I nodded. “Awesome! I may have to drop by and pick up some snacks sometime,” she stated.

“I’ve known Rainbow Dash for most of my life actually. She helped me around back in flight school,” Fluttershy noted.

“That’s awesome! It must be great to be able to talk to her again after so much time has passed. It was just like us! You know when you were in that forest and I was worried so I stayed with you all night to keep you comfort and then your family took you away and then I-” I was cut off this time by the rainbow maned mare.

“Whoa there! I can hardly keep up with what you’re saying you’re talking too fast.”

“Oops, sorry,” I stifled a laugh and grinned.

“Well we should probably get to work around here. Lots of animals around left to feed,” Fluttershy stated. Dash and I nodded, getting right to work.

***********************

It was a long day helping around the cottage for Fluttershy. The sun began to fall again, casting red and orange streaks across the sky. We all finished the work around the cottage and went inside to talk, Fluttershy supplying us all with tea.

“So tomorrow, I’m gonna try a new trick I’ve been thinking about.”

“Oooh,” Flutterhy and I said in unison. We looked at each other, laughing a bit before turning our attention back to Dash. She explained that this new trick would consist of several flips and rolls, as well as some things with the clouds that I had no idea what she meant by. Actually, I didn’t catch half of what she was talking about, but I sat there and listened anyway. It sounded all pretty cool.

“That seems a bit dangerous, Rainbow, do you think you can do it?” Questioned the timid mare, which Dash replied with a snort.

“In my sleep! I got this in the bag, just you wait!” She puffed out her chest, stomping her hoof for emphasis.

“Oh, OH, can I come watch?” Dash recoiled a bit, seemingly not to enthused about me going along to watch.

“I don’t know...” she put a hoof to her chin.

“Oh c’mon, Rainbow. It’ll be fun. I’ll with too,” Fluttershy piped up, trying to convince Rainbow let me tag along. I looked at Dash, with a grin from ear to ear, hoping she would let me do so. She let out a groan.

“Fine.”

“YAY!” I couldn’t contain my excitement anymore. I jumped and hopped around the cottage, stopping to look at Dash just in time to see her bring her hoof to her face and shake her head.

***********************

A new day brought forth new surprises and excitement and this was no exception. Fluttershy and I were standing out at a large grassy field watching the skies as Rainbow did several warm up tricks and other things that I had no idea what were. She paused for a moment waving a hoof at us, which we waved back, probably signaling that she was ready to do the trick she was talking about and that we were ready to watch. Then she started, darting from cloud to cloud, doing flip after flip. I stared up in awe at the act. I believe it was the first time I’ve been too much in awe to say anything at all. The next thing I know though, I hear a gasp coming from the timid mare next to me and looked back up in the sky to witness that something had gone wrong and Rainbow was plummeting towards the ground.

I panicked, not knowing what to do, but then it was too late. Rainbow Dash crashed into the ground with a sickening crack and skidded to a halt not far from us. Fluttershy jumped up and rushed towards Rainbow Dash in which I followed closely behind. The rainbow maned mare was covered in dirt and mud from the fall and her wing was bent in an unnatural fashion. Fluttershy listened closely, and instantly perked up and looked at me. Dread was plastered across her face.

“She’s still alive, but we need to get her to the hospital and quick!” she yelled out. I wasted no time, picking up the unconscious mare and draping her across my back. My heart pounded as I galloped for the hospital and worrying for the mare that was on my back. We finally made it to the hospital, Fluttershy bursting through the doors yelling. The doctors jumped out of their chairs when they saw me trot in with the injured mare on my back. Some more doctors came into the room with a stretcher, taking Rainbow off my back and setting her atop it. They took her out of the main lobby, leaving Fluttershy and I to hope for the best.

***********************

A couple days had passed since then and I was sitting in the room that they were keeping Rainbow Dash in. Fluttershy wasn’t around, she had to tend to her little animal friends. I sat in the room, not knowing what to do. Looking out the window I could see the sun starting to drop behind the horizon. I sighed and glanced over at a nearby table that had some books and magazines atop it. Equestrian Inquirer? Nah. Equestria Daily? Maybe. I picked up this one but then began to hear a groan as the mare behind me stirred. I turned around to see Rainbow Dash struggling to sit up, but she managed it and looked around. She fixated her gaze on me; all I could do was smile.

“What are you doing here?”

“Oh I’m here to keep you company silly! After that crash we just had to bring here, but Flutterhy is at the cottage taking care of here animals, so I stayed back here to make sure you were A-OK!” I exclaimed throwing my hooves in the air, then looking at Dash again. She smiled, despite her probably not being to thrilled about being stuck in a hospital for a while.

“Well... thanks, Pinkie. I guess I owe you guys one,” she stated, looking down at her hooves. I placed a plate that had a cupcake on it, with a ‘get well soon’ card on it, signed by Fluttershy and I. Rainbow looked over at me, then back to the cupcake and the card. She picked it up, taking a bite out of it, a larger smile appearing across her features. She swallowed, and glanced back to me.

“You know what? You’re actually not half bad, Pinkie.”

Apple Pie

“Here ya go, Applejack! Now go make some amazing apple pies!”

“Hah, will do, Pinkie.” She tipped her hat at me before picking up the sugar and other ingredients. I smiled at her before she began towards the door.

“Do you need any help around the farm, AJ? Or maybe we could hang out for a while,” I suggested to her. She turned around, putting a hoof to her chin in thought.

“Well ah think we’re good with the farm at the moment, but we can still hang out,” she finally responded with a smile on her face. I jumped in the air in excitement.

“Okie dokie lokie! I’ll see you around lunch tomorrow?”

“Sure thing, sugarcube,” she tipped her hat again, “See ya then!” she exclaimed while she headed towards the door again. I waved a hoof goodbye as she disappeared behind the other side of the door. Applejack. She was always such an understanding pony, maybe one of the most understanding I’ve met here in Ponyville. I met her a while back ago, close to around when I met Dash, after that accident she had.

It was all too familiar to forget...

***********************

A few days after Dash’s accident, Fluttershy and I got word that she was able to leave the hospital; however she would have to take things easy. Around that time I kept seeing and orange earth pony with a hat, around town. After a while I decided it was time that I introduced myself to this mare. So I did. I trotted up to her stand while she was selling apples to the locals and introduced myself then and there.

“Hi! My name is Pinkie Pie and I help run the bakery her in town! What’s your name?” she seemed to have recoiled a bit at the sudden outburst.

“Oh, well uh, hey there, Pinkie Pie. Mah name’s Applejack,” she readjusted her hat.

“So what are you doing, Applejack? Selling apples? Oh I love apples! They can be used for such great sweets!” I exclaimed, bouncing up into the air every so often, gathering stares from other passerby ponies. Applejack gave me a quizzical look before she opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. She simply nodded.

“Well, yes they are. Apples are pretty versatile when it comes to food, but ah should probably get going, Pinkie. It was nice meettin’ ya,” she tipped her hat, then gathered her cart together before walking off towards the direction of Sweet Apple Acres. I noticed that she seemed a slight bit down from the way she hung her head low and slowly walking, instead of a steady normal sort of pace. I then decided that the next time I saw her in town that I would ask if everything was okie dokie lokie and such. Until then though, I made my way back to Sugarcube Corner.

***********************

I didn’t see her for a couple days after the day I introduced myself. I began to get a bit worried about what happened to her. I sat there behind the cashier table at Sugarcube corner, obviously at a loss. I wasn’t quite there for the time being, most of the customers actually noticed and asked about it too. I played it off as nothing, so they wouldn’t have to worry as well. The sun began to sink behind the horizon, in which I decided it was time I got some sleep. Tomorrow would be the day when I head to Sweet Apple Acres.

Before I knew it, light began to shine through the windows nearby. I stirred in my half awake state, rolling over to try and find a spot away from the light. It was no use. I gave up and groggily sat up in my bed. I glanced outside, it was probably just about noon by now. I guess I slept in a little too long... I thought to myself. I shrugged it off, I had a day off today anyway. I made my way towards the bathroom to get ready for the day ahead. I trotted downstairs and made my way for the door, putting off lunch for a bit. For now, I had to check up on Applejack.

I could see the farm coming up in the distance as I moved closer and closer to it. By the time I got a few feet away from some of the apple trees, I noticed Applejack a little ways away, bucking some of the trees that still had apples in them. I made my way closer to get within speaking distance from her.

“Hey, Applejack!” her ears perked up as she looked up to see where the voice was coming from.

“Well hey there, Pinkie, was it? Ah wasn’t expectin’ to see you here,” She said in between breaths. I nodded.

“I noticed that you kind of seemed a little down last I saw you and I wanted to be sure you were alright,” I stated.

“Well I would like to order some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies,” I snapped out of the memory I was thinking about. I glanced up to see Lyra and Bon-Bon standing on the other side of the cashier table. I giggled.

“That’ll be two bits!” I exclaimed. Lyra levitated two bits over onto the tabletop. I smiled and waved them off as they walked out of the shop. I tapped my hoof on my chin, trying to think of where I was. Oh right.

“Well that is mighty kind of you, Pinkie, but I don’t want to drag you into this,” her head dropped the ground.

“But it is my duty to make sure everyone is happy!,” I pleaded as I put a reassuring hoof on her shoulder.

“Well...” she looked back up at me. I smiled at her, hoping to get her to reconsider.

“Just let me help, Applejack. I promise it will be worth it,”

“Well... alright then... you’ll need to hear the story though,” she said with a tinge of sadness. I looked at her a little confused, but waited for her to continue on and tell the story.

“Alright... well... a few years ago, we all lived like any other family. Happy, peaceful, just getting by. A little while after ah was born though, my father began drinking. Ah guess he wasn’t expecting to have me... ah don’t think either of them did. that wasn’t the worst of it though. We still got by despite that, but as time went on, he started drinking more and more. Later on my mother told me and Big Mac to go and live with Granny Smith. Apparently grandfather had died around that time, and Granny would definitely need help around the farm. We didn’t like the fact of leaving her with our drunk father, but we didn’t have much a choice.” She paused here, taking in a deep breath.

“Things began to look up since we moved here with Granny. Little to no problems, not much worry, everything was well. Couple more years had passed though, and apparently we got word that our parents had another foal; Applebloom. Well we didn’t think much of it. We took care of her as we did each other, but as time went on it got harder and harder. We did our best and still managed to get through it all, but we never expected one thing,” I thought I caught a glimpse of tears well up in her eyes as she paused.

“We got a letter. It was from the police department. It said that the house was burnt to the ground, presumably by our drunk father, killing our mother in the process. Our father was noted missing,” tears began to flow down her cheeks, dripping onto the ground below. I winced at the sight, but waited for her to finish before I took any action.

“We tried to move on after that, but just knowing what happened and that we couldn’t do anything just made it that much harder. It wasn’t that long ago that we got that letter, and we never even got to say goodbye...” she choked out the last few words and broke down. Finished or not, I took this time to try and help her through this. I quickly walked over by her side and embraced her, slightly rubbing her back, hoping it would calm her down. Several minutes passed until she broke the embrace. I put my hoof under her chin and lifted her head so she was looking into my eyes. I put a smile on my face.

“C’mon, AJ. Turn that frown upside down! It will be alright,” she didn’t say anything, but instead nodded. She pulled me back into an embrace in which I returned. The air around us felt tense. It was silent for the longest time. I tried not to push anything further, and I tried my hardest to hold back any outbursts in case it made things worse. After several moments had passed, she finally spoke up.

“If you could help me and Big Mac with Applebloom whenever we’re not around, that would be a great load off of us, Pinkie.”

“You got it! I’ll do the bestiest best that I can do!” I exclaimed, doing a salute to her. She chuckled a bit and smiled. She got back on all fours, then placing a hoof on my shoulder.

“Thanks, Pinkie. She should be in the house. I need some time to think,” she picked up the baskets that were left on the ground and headed back to some of the trees that still needed to be bucked. I nodded and bounded towards the farm house.

***********************

It felt as if it was just yesterday, when in reality it has been much, much longer. Applebloom had grown a tad since then and we always had some fun playing around the farm and cooking goodies. Especially the goodies! I licked my lips at the thought of having some sweets before realizing that I was still at the bakery. It was beginning to get late and just about that time to close up shop for the day. I flipped the sign by the window to say ‘closed’ to any passerby ponies outside. I picked up some sweets, cupcakes specifically, from the kitchen before retiring to my room for the rest of the night.

Day came by as did any other. I got up from bed and made my way to the bathroom to get ready for the day ahead of me. I checked the clock to see it was still a bit early, so I decided to take a stroll around town before I headed off to Sweet Apple Acres. After about an hour of wandering around town, I began to make my way towards the farm. It was a rather cool day out, but also slightly warm from the sun. It was a nice and comfortable mix.

It didn’t take long until the farm came into view. It was just about that time again. Apple bucking season. Before I knew it, I was at the door to the farm house. I knocked on it a few times. I heard hoof falls from the other side, then the doorknob turned. The door swung open to Applejack, motioning for me to come inside.

“So, are ya up for some baking, Pinkie?” she asked me.

“Of course! I love baking!”

“Well alright then. Lets get some pies going then,” she exclaimed waving her hooves in front of her. I bounded up and down toward the kitchen to get the pies setup. I felt a hoof on my shoulder just before I made it inside the kitchen. I turned around to see Applejack, a large smile across her features.

“Thanks again, Pinkie.”

***********************

(Authors Note: I apologize for this taking so long to get out, been stressed and such, but here you guys go. All 5 of you reading this. Also a big thank you to Sith_Dreamer for pre-reading this and such.)

Rare As Diamonds

Another day, another cupcake I always like to say.

Today started as any other day would; smash the alarm, slowly make my way out of bed, clean up and head into the bakery to start evening. This day was different though. The Cakes told me that they offered to bake some special sweets for a party in Canterlot. I was so excited, I begged them let me help with the sweets and take me with them to the party. Before I knew it, here I am, baking all sorts of goodies with the Cakes.

“So when is this super duper fancy party anyway?” I asked Mrs. Cake as I slammed a ball of dough onto the counter top, making Mrs. Cake flinch from the unexpected sound. I looked over to see her holding a hoof to her chest before she began to speak.

“Goodness, Pinkie.” She paused, regaining her composure. “Well it's at 7:30 tonight, Pinkie.” She said slowly as she got back to her work of mixing cake batter.

“Are there going to be streamers and balloons and music? OH! Should I bring the party cannon? Ponies love the party cannon.” I exclaimed with a large smile plastered across my face as I leaned in towards Mrs. Cake.

She sighed. “Well, it's actually a ball more than anything. Apparently there's a fashion show of sorts happening down in Canterlot and we were asked to attend and make some sweets for everypony there. So please try to keep it down while we are there okay?” she gave me a stern look. I nodded and her gaze shifted to one of joy and happiness as she started mixing again. I shrugged and went back to rolling the dough into a flat circle, to get ready for the cookie cutters.

I picked up the cookie cutters one by one, pushing them down into the soft, floury dough. I felt a burst of happiness flow through my body as I pushed each cookie cutter into the dough, and moving the cookies onto a sheet to go into the oven. I had been a while since the last I made cookies, usually I made cakes or brownies or cupcakes, especially cupcakes. It felt good to make cookies again. It was like finding an old time friend to talk to about all the adventures I had over the years.

The timer on the oven went off, signaling that the cookies were ready to be taken out and left to cool. I placed them on a cooling rack, look towards the clock. 5:00pm the clock says. Two and a half hours until the party started. I turned back towards my work, but not shortly after the door swung open revealing Mr. Cake with more ingredients, should we need it.

“Honey, I'm home!” He called out through the bakery. He trotted toward where Mrs. Cake and I have been working and set down the groceries nearby. I looked towards him, waving crazily at him. He gave me a warm smile, in which I returned, before trotting over to help Mrs. Cake with the cake baking. With a grin on my face, and pure joy in my heart, I went back to work in finishing up the goodies.

The clock ticked and it tocked it's way to 6:30pm. The time that we should be on our way to the party. We gathered the goodies and whatever else that we may needed and got onto the next train that lead to Canterlot. As the train began to move, I sat up on my seat to take in the view of the scenery flying by before me. I always did enjoy train rides, watching as everything flew by, nothing but the sound of the wheels and tracks reaching my ears. Except when one of the Cakes would yell at me to stop doing something of course! Before I knew it, Canterlot came into view and shortly after the train slowly skidded to a stop outside the train station. I bounded out, balancing several stacks of goodies on my back, the Cakes following suit. I glanced over at a nearby clock. 7:27pm.

“Ohmigosh, we're going to be late!” I nearly screamed, booking it to where the Cakes had told me where the building was. I heard someone yelling, but I couldn't recognize any of the words, so I kept my pace down the walkways. Left, right, right, left, wall. Then it hit me. I crashed into the wall, sending all the racks I was carrying into the air. I jumped out to save them, flinging a hoof in every which way just to catch the pastries as they fell. I let out an audible sigh and smiled sheepishly as I realized I was being watched by several ponies who made their way inside.

“Why, that was a marvelous catch, dear.” A feminine voice called out from behind me. I stacked the racks back on top of each other and placed them on back once more before turning to see who it was. A white coated unicorn with a beautiful purple mane trotted up to me. Her bags had the symbol of a diamond on it, one similar to the three adorning her flank.

“Hey there! I'm Pinkie Pie!” I exclaimed, causing the white mare to recoil slightly before getting bearings back and speaking once more.

“And I, Rarity. It's ni-” She was cut off mid sentence as I grabbed her right forehoof and shook it vigorously.

“It's great to meet you, Rarity! I love meeting new ponies, don't you?” I let go of her hoof, watching it as it kept swing up and down. Rarity grabbed her hoof in an attempt to slow it down and make it stop.

“Uh... yes... charmed.” She said with a slight chuckle. “So why might you be here dear, Pinkie?”

“I'm here with the Cake's to deliver the sweets and other goodies for everypony here!”

“Might those be the Cake's?” She asked, pointing a hoof behind me. I looked over my shoulder to see the Cake's slowly trotting towards us, exhaustion blatantly present on their features.

“Yup! Those are the Cake's!”

“Splendid! It was I who called for them, and this here” she pointed a hoof towards the nearby building “Is where the ball and fashion show shall be held.” I followed Rarity's hoof towards the building as the Cake's finally made it to us, out of breath.

“He-here we are.” Mr. Cake said between ragged breaths for air. Rarity looked towards him and smiled.

“Come now, let's get inside, shall we?”

Once inside, I had to contain my party pony side from blowing up all over the place and disappointing the Cakes. You know how hard it is to NOT use a party cannon? Yeah, it's too much to handle, I know. I set up some tables on the far side of the room, setting up the goodies and treats while the Cakes went around with trays of treats, offering one to anypony who walked by. After fiddling with the tables, I managed to get them upright and transferred the sweets and goodies from the racks to the tables. Ponies came and went as they got their food, some faster than others. I can't imagine why they would take off so fast, I only try to start some small talk as they get their food. Oh well.

I soon decided to take a stroll around the building... or I guess bouncing would be more appropriate in this case. I bounded from one side to the other, taking in all fancy schmacy sort of things that the Canterlot ponies do. It all looked so boring! I promised the Cakes though, no partying. I stopped by a group of ponies conversing. So I tried to add myself to it.

“Hey guys! What's-” I trailed off as the group decided it was fine time to start moving to another location. My ears drooped down and I made my way through more crowds of ponies. On my way through crowd after crowd, my ears popped up, as I heard a crash from a room nearby. I trotted over to where I heard the crash and peered through a door. There, Rarity was on the ground, wearing a lavender dress with roses lining the bottom of it and sapphires encircling the dress above that. She let out a large sigh of disappointment, I took my chance and slowly opened the door and made my way in. Noticing me walking in, her ears popped up and she looked up at me.

“I don't suppose you heard that crash?” I nodded. She sighed again and looked back down at the cloth before her.

“I guess I slipped on something and my beautiful dress got caught on that rack over there and ripped... as well as taking that vase.” She pointed behind her at a pile of what use to be a vase. I looked back at the dress which now sported a rather large hole near the bottom as well as seemingly missing a rose.

“The dress is ruined! I don't know what I'm supposed to do now.” She brought her hooves to her face for a moment. I trotted over and sat next to her.

“Don't be sad, Rarity. I'm sure everything will work out for you.” I said in an attempt to comfort her. This obviously meant a lot to her, even though it didn't seem to big of a deal to me. She made no sound, and she didn't move. I racked my brain to think of something that could cheer her up. A joke? No. A song! No... probably not that either. The party cannon! Of course! I arose back to my hooves and whipped the party cannon out of no where. Rartiy lifted her from her hooves to see the cannon before her.

“Pinkie, darling, what are y-AAHHHHH” She screamed as the cannon went off, shooting streamers, balloons and other sorts of parry knick knacks into the air. Rarity stumbled back from the blast, hitting her head on the hard floor below. A bottle of wine nearby slowly teetered and toppled over. I quickly lifted my hooves to my mouth, realizing the potential of how bad of an idea this was.

“What in Celestia's name, Pinkie what...” she trailed off as she looked over her dress. Not only was it missing a rose and sported a large hole, it also had a wine stain leading down the front of her dress and sides. She sat up, her mouth wide open in awe as to what had just occurred. I began to walk towards her but she put a hoof up.

“Maybe you should leave, Pinkie.” She attempted to say in the best way possible, betraying her actual feelings.

“But I-”

“Please. Just go, darling. I have no time to fix this and I have to be out in less than a minute.” She said, the anger and fear now evident in her voice. She attempted to make things as right as possible and tore off a rose on the same spot on the other side of the dress and left. My mane fell flat as she trotted away and I fell to the ground where I was. I didn't know what to think anymore. I know I did something unbelievably wrong, and I had no idea how to go about it. I decided I'd finally get up and try to find the Cakes, but as I did, I began to hear cheering. Cheering and whistles and other positive sort of sounds. I walked towards the curtain lay and tried to peer through the side as best I could without being caught. There, Rarity walked down the lane slowly until she was assaulted with cheers and whistles, the confidence she had seemingly to rekindle itself and her stride picked up as she made her way to the pinnacle of the lane. The dress, now missing two roses, had a tear along the back and had wine spilled over the front and sides became a huge hit on stage. I couldn't believe it. I sat there, my jaw agape as everyone cheered for Rarity as she made her way back.

She walked back up and past the curtain back to where we both were before. She looked over to me and bit her lip. I held my head low.

“Well dear, Pinkie... I guess this worked out after all. Not how I planned, but nevertheless it worked.” She claimed, walking towards me. I lifted my head a bit, my mane regaining the life it once had before.

“I'm awfully sorry.” A small smile formed across her face, as did mine. I pulled her into a quick embrace, more than likely shocking her before I felt her return it. We seperated and she began to speak once more.

“Well I actually am planning on buying a boutique in Ponyville. Perhaps we will see each again soon enough.”

“Then I can throw you a huge welcoming party!” I exclaimed, embracing her once again. The smile on my face growing each second.