Left Behind

"And that's how Equestria was made!" said an ecstatic pink mare, actually using the correct story this time instead of swapping it with her cutie mark story. She bounced at the end exclamation, spreading a huge grin across her face. She looked down at three tired young orange, yellow, and white fillies, yawning and groaning s they heard the tale dragged on for a third time. Pinkie was about to go for her fourth before she realized that no one wanted to hear it.

"Okay girls, I guess it's time for bed! Hearth's Warming Eve is tomorrow, and since your sisters are busy preparing, you got to come here!" Pinkie said, being just as loud and excited as before. The fillies rolled their eyes, and began climbing into the spare bed at the Cake's.

Pinkie Pie left them to it and went down stairs to get a fresh "Winter Special" peppermint cake, and stirred some peppermint and marshmallows into three cups of cocoa before placing them onto a tray. She picked it up easily with a practiced mouth and carried it upstairs, rationing out cups and cake to the ponies snuggled up in bed.

"Are you starring in the Hearth's Warming Eve play again this year?" Sweetie Belle squeaked.

"Nope! We have to give some pony else a turn!" Pinkie replied, not at all bummed out about being replaced this year.

"Are we all having a big party?" Scootaloo said, beaming.

"Yup! It'll be great!"

Applebloom remained silent. Her eyes were burrowed in thought, and her eyes were locked on the bed sheets, but it looked as if she were staring at something in the distance. Pinkie frowned, and trotted over to the other side of the bed.

"Are you okay?" Pinkie asked, concern tinged her voice.

"Is that story...true? Or is it just an old pony's tale, made up for a moral?" Applebloom said quietly, moving nothing but her lips.  Her head had cocked to the side, and she now looked at her hooves under the blankets.

"Yes..It's true. Why?" Pinkie Pie asked, her concern replaced by strange curiosity.

"If that's true...what if there were ponies we left behind?"