//-------------------------------------------------------// Fluttershy Flips the Bird -by ThePhoenixrising- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// A beautiful and weird morning in Ponyville //-------------------------------------------------------// A beautiful and weird morning in Ponyville Celestia’s sun beamed down from the turquoise heavens for another brilliant summer’s day, and was considered by many to be the goddess’s best work of art in recent memory. The flowers were blooming and growing with such excellence and an abundance of colour, that one may want to stop and observe. Maybe even paint the glorious sight and many of a pony would gaze upon. The atmosphere was calm and content in Fluttershy’s cottage. The Emerald leaves seem to gleam off the cottage, after the recent rain that happened on the previous night. The overgrowth of the tree house seemed controlled and has almost a certain sophistication, it was clear that Fluttershy has done some work on the house recently. The brilliant sunlight pierced through the window reminiscing to that of spotlights at a theatre, and the birds chirping and singing as if to start a crescendo and overture for an opera and Fluttershy always appreciated such mornings. They come so rarely and end too soon for her to enjoy. But she always does when mornings such as these come around. She roused herself from the bed and sat on it, giving her self time to truly awaken. She observed the room, and noted that there were little bundles of dust throughout her bedroom and therefore decided to clean the room today. She then looked over to her wooden bookshelf, all of which are about every species of animal imaginable, even those that intimidated her and the mere thought made her quiver in fear. But she felt that this may be good training for making herself less timid and it also keeps her occupied and educating herself. “Now everytime I see a book, I immediately think of Twilight.” She laughed a little from this observation, thinking that is the case with everypony ever since she arrived. Fluttershy opened the purple curtains in her room to free the sunlight of its fabric oppression. Having done so, she had to blink her eyes a few times, as the sunlight did hurt her for a few minutes. As she was getting up from the bed, rousing her wings for a new day, she heard a small squeak on the floor. She looked down and saw it was the disgruntled white bunny with a scowl on his face, clearly displeased that his owner awoken him so rudely. “Oh. Hello, Angel.” Fluttershy greeted with a smile who wasn’t expecting his presence so early. Angel kept his scowling face and started tapping his foot, his paws on his hips expecting an apology. “Are you hungry already?” Fluttershy inquired, baby talking her pet and keeping her smile. Angel paused with contemplation, weighing his options between violently shaking Fluttershy and screaming into her ear, demanding that apology or a accepting the offer of food. Food seemed to be acceptable payment for her transgression. With the thought process complete, he smiled and nodded, confirming Fluttershy’s suspicion. Angel simply thought that Fluttershy is a nuisance however he can’t imagine living anywhere else, her love and affection is second to none. Fluttershy hovered off her oak carved bed and flew to the kitchen with elegance and grace and began her search for suitable meals for both breakfasts, until she was interrupted by a knock on the door. The yellow Pegasus called out to the door “Just a moment” and took time to give Angel a quick apologetic glance before floating over to the door. She paused momentarily. “But, Spa visits with Rarity are usually Thursday.” She contemplated and with that she called again “Who is it?” a moment of Silence. Fluttershy cautiously opened the door and searched for the guest who knocked on the door. Nothing but singing blue tits, yellow canaries on the bird bath and a school of butterflies were flapping past the house contently. Perplexed, Fluttershy slowly closed the door before instantaneously was startled by a pink grinning face, staring right at her face, and it seemed to came from nothing, it was the ever so hyperactive Pinkie Pie. Hi Fluttershy! She yelled exuberantly leaving Fluttershy to scramble to the floor, she clearly wasn’t expecting Pinkie to yell so loudly and so early in the morning.After a brief pause to recollect what has just happened She roused herself from the floor and looked at Pinkie, she smiled at her but in truth found it difficult to keep calm after what just happened. “I really wish you won’t do that.” Fluttershy said somewhat quietly. “Do what? I always say hello to you in the bestest possible way without scaring you.” Pinkie explained still with a large grin across her face showing her white teeth which gleamed in the sunlight. “Um, then, why did you just yell at me, not that I mind, I just find it strange. She replied still retracting herself away from Pinkie Pie somewhat, still with a polite smile. “Yell at you? I don’t remember doing that. “Come to think of it, ponies always say that I would burst out in a musical number, and I have no memory of that at all.” Pinkie scratched her chin in contemplation, confused with this new information that Fluttershy had provided. “Would you like to come in, Pinkie? I was just making breakfast.” The yellow Pegasus grew in confidence and composure after what is currently a very strange morning and she smiled more openly at her bubbly pink guest. Fluttershy let Pinkie inside her tranquil home, giving a apologetic smile to Angel who has once again has a scowl on his face and a low growl which emitted from his stomach when Pinkie suddenly inhaled a large gasp, and her face screwed up in an epiphany. This left every creature in the house startled in surprise. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry! But I almost forgot to tell you something really, super, duper important!” “Oh my, what is it?” Fluttershy was sharing the surprise of every bird in the house, although to a lesser extent, given the fact she was still somewhat tired, but it was still genuine. “I forgot to tell you about this EPIC competition I found a few days ago!” Pinkie almost flew into the air as she flailed her legs in a rampant explanation. She then pulled a large poster from her pink cloudlike hair and on it was flying crows and dancing dogs on pink balls and in the background is a gargantuan big top in a beautiful night sky with an spectacular fireworks display. With big bold pink letters which said Animal Talent Show “Um… Pinkie, what is this?” Fluttershy inquired, still confused at the situation that she was in, she turned to the white rabbit on the floor, and he responded with a shrug. Angel was just as unsure of the surreal event that is transpiring as his owner was. “It’s a animal talent competition.” Pinkie replied with a grin. “um… yes I can see that, but why are you giving this to me” Fluttershy motioned the poster, still with a bemused look on her face. Pinkie gasped again and shook Fluttershy for empathises “You mean you didn’t know?!” She yelled. The yellow pony meekly shook her head “with the audience of millions and spectator feats being committed who would be our grand champion?! That could be you, Shy! Heck, it is you!” “Oh I’m flattered, Pinkie. But I don’t think I can win that.” Fluttershy replied flattered and blushing. “Who said anything about winning, Silly?” Pinkie giggled at Fluttershy’s reply and current confusion. “Um… you just did.” Pinkie paused and contemplated for a few seconds mulling over the conversation. “hmm, you’re right. You can win it!” “Pinkie, that’s not what I said.” Fluttershy’s whispered words were drowned out by Pinkie’s laughter. She secretly prayed that it was an elaborate prank on her. That she would just return to having a quiet morning. She needed one. Pinkie’s laughter eventually died down wiping a tear from her eye from her hard laugh. “You’re so funny sometimes, Flutters.” There was brief but awkward pause. “You… don’t want to do it?” Pinkie could only stare at Fluttershy, struggling to comprehend that Fluttershy doesn’t want to participate in a competition in what is essentially one of Fluttershy’s best skills, animal training. . “I appreciate your belief in me, Pinkie Pie but I don’t think I would like to do it.” Fluttershy started to hover and escort confounded Pink pony to the door. “But… it could be fun.” The pink pony said, struggling articulate the words in her confusion. Fluttershy just smiled and held her hoof on the wooden door slowly closing it. “I appreciate that, but no thank you.” She then returned her attention to Angel and his long awaited carrot, much to his elation when it finally came. Pinkie could hear his squeaks through the door, thinking about what just happened, when suddenly an idea came to her. She put on a black and curly moustache and stifled a small evil laughter saying to herself “Perhaps, I should try a different approach.” She then immediately broke character “as long as she doesn’t get hurt of course. Now, how should I execute this new plan? Oh hi hub logo. How you doin’?” She smiled as if about to start a polite conversation with the silent clear circle, and then thought better of it. The party will make Fluttershy believe in herself, one way or another. Author's Note Let me know what you think. I always like to have feedback. This will be my first full fanfic and I hope you enjoy it. I'm still new to this and constrictive criticism is appreciated. //-------------------------------------------------------// Pinkie's Secret Weapon //-------------------------------------------------------// Pinkie's Secret Weapon Pinkie always loved to watch dramatic moments in movies; she loved just as much, to enact such a dramatic run like she was in an action film. But she always remembered the reason why she ran, flashes of a shaking, timid Fluttershy, blushing profusely, scratching her neck and hiding behind her mane all of these images crossed Pinkie’s mind, and they broke her heart, Pinkie clinched her teeth harder and just ran faster until her lungs burned, all with a single thought in mind, the pink mare must become a character, to change Fluttershy. Pinkie started to sweat as she cantered closer and closer to Sugarcube corner. By the time she arrived to the small building that looked like it was covered in confectionary, she was panting, her tongue sticking out and the poor mare was weaving. Pinkie then burst through the door with a very determined and almost a heroic look on her face, at least it was when she caught her breath. So much so, that even rays of sunshine, burst through the door with her. At that moment, In Pinkie’s head there was a triumphant orchestral score, announcing her arrival. This greatly caught the attention of Mrs. Cake, a rather large, turquoise earth pony with a slick of pink hair resting on top of her head. She studied the pink mare for a moment. “How did it go, Pinkie?” Pinkie just brought her eyes down to slits. “Not well enough, Mrs. Cake. I need to execute new plan, and for that, I need my super-secret weapon! Pinkie just stared at Mrs Cake a little more. The dramatic Pinkie Pie must inform her employer and surrogate mother the gravity of this situation. No words needed to be said at that moment. Pinkie cantered up the stairs to get herself ready for her plan. With that, Mrs. Cake went back to tendering to her batch of cupcakes, checking their quality and making slight adjustments here and there. Once the cupcakes were close to perfection, she decided to let them bake for a little while longer. Before grabbing a large yellow bowl and the necessary ingredients needed for Pinkie to have her batch of cupcakes, flour, sugar, butter and milk. That Pinkie is going to need all the help she can get, but even in Pinkie’s mood swings, she’s got such a good heart, the turquoise pony thought to herself. Mrs Cake smiled a little, for just that moment letting her pride for the young mare wash over her for just a moment, before applying the ingredients and mixing them together with excellent timing and skill. There was a knock on the door, and when it opened, there he was, Mr Cake, fatigued, but smiling. “I got all the supplies we need, Honeybun. He announced, sweating profusely. The smile that Mrs Cake had grew wider, walking out of the kitchen, still the bowl and wooden spoon in hooves beaming that smile right across to the yellow stallion. “I hope it wasn’t too heavy for you, dear.” Mr Cake chuckled a little at the comment, finally relaxing after a hard day’s work of negotiations and pulling a multitude amounts of apples, flour, sugar and many over pieces of ingredients, and the odd piece of confectionary and other fruits that were simply beyond counting. He looked at the all the supplies and ingredients, his legs were shaking, but Mr Cake couldn’t help but smile, tipping his hat over to Big Mac in his gratitude. “Thanks a lot there, Mac.” The large maroon stallion gave a polite nod and a simple “Eeyup” before taking his leave. Mr Cake turned himself back round to Mrs Cake. Stumbling a little, but capable of walking over to his wife and give a small peck on her cheek. Such of a romantic gesture of Mrs Cake always made her blush and giggle like a teenage filly, and that time was no exception. The baker couldn’t imagine being with anypony else. Pinkie Pie couldn’t help but smile at the dialogue between the two cakes, watching from the stairs. She remembered the day the loving couple took her in when she left the rock farm. The memories of what she said to her parents “I need to do this, it’s like I’m meant to do this, I love you both, and I’ll always keep in touch, and Mr and Mrs Cake, you have no idea, how much this means to me. Thank you both so super-duper much.” To her, that was a sad day, yet, a happy day at the same time. She trotted into her room where she would prepare herself for her new plan. She took in her surroundings of her large pink room, full of streamers and multi-coloured balloons everywhere she looked, the true personification of Pinkie Pie herself. After getting lost in such a beautiful room she shook her head and hit her head a little, rousing herself from her self-imposed trance. C’mon, Pinks! The Pink mare thought to herself. Fluttershy needs you! She finally focused, and accessed a part of her mind that as all of her acting knowledge, from Shakesmare, to Stalintrotiski and with one exhale, knew what kind of character she needed to play to help her yellow Pegasus friend. She needed to become a rival. With gritted teeth followed by a deep exhale. Pinkie contemplated each part of the plan carefully I’ll make Flutters happy and fulfilled, even if I have to pretend to be a Meany Pants for a while to do it! The bubbly mare thought to herself. She looked through every certificate and trophy, with every picture she had holding such exquisite, prizes gleaming of the sunlight coming from her window, acknowledging her acting talent. She analysed each one searching for inspiration, until a light bulb suddenly appeared above her, illuminating a yellow glow. It only took her a few seconds to notice that the bulb was still hanging above her, so she clicked off the light and picked the bulb from the air, carefully by her hooves, and placed it on a nearby wooden desk, and bounced towards her wardrobe, with a unwavering smile. Her plan might just work, or at least, she hoped. She carefully opened the wardrobe door, with precision and skill, inch by inch. When there was enough room to fit herself through, she slid through inside the door and rummaged inside. She grabbed a red cloak and her old moustache, She understood that her audience wouldn’t appreciate her decisions without comedic value, For Pinkie, that is an imperative part of the plan. She eventually squeezed out of her overflowing wardrobe and heaved the door shut. “Hmm… I may have to buy a padlock from The Quill and Sofa soon, I don’t know how much the old thing could take. She scratched her chin in thought, before dismissing it. That could be resolved later. Right now, she needs to get into the right character. She trotted over to a rainbow coloured mirror that Rarity and Rainbow Dash got her for her birthday a while back. It came in handy in situations like this. She then placed her top hat on her head and her curly moustache on her upper lip. With that, she cleared her throat. Pinkie tried to imagine how Rarity would talk, to the extent where she would imitate her mannerisms right down to her laugh, if she could. Pinkie was sure Rarity wouldn’t mind that the pink mare would use the beautiful unicorn’s accent as a template for a while. It’s just an act after all. Slowly, through the night, she perfected her character. It was only until the moon was full, where Pinkie had almost completed her character. She perfected the Canterlotian accent, the best she could muster, and now, all she needed was a name for her alter ego. “The Great and Powerful Pinks? Nah, I wouldn’t want a lawsuit. Flamingo? No. That name won’t work either.” She scratched her head, closed her eyes, and thoughts of Fluttershy surfaced, “I’m doing this for Flutters, she needs me. She needs a worthy rival for her to compete against.” Suddenly a gasp and a flash of inspiration appeared in her eyes. “I shall become, “Pinktella!” In truth, Pinkie knew that her name wasn’t truly Italian, but it would suffice for her, it sounded good. So, she put her top hat and her moustache back onto the desk and she smiled at the mirror, proud of her recent progress. She gave an immense yawn before making her way back to her bed. She hopped onto the soft, bouncy bed, and immersed herself in her bed sheets, sighing contently, and letting herself just drift away. Covering herself in her blankets, her smile never leaving her face. Author's Note Okay, here's chapter 2 for you. I hope you enjoy reading as I did making it. Even better news is that this is done in multiple drafts as opposed to just one. Which hopefully means that my writing has improved considerably. Although constructive criticisms in all future chapters and fics are encouraged. //-------------------------------------------------------// Shadows in the Clearing //-------------------------------------------------------// Shadows in the Clearing When Pinkie came awoke, she found herself in an abundant forest with sparkling trees wherever she looked, the sight left Pinkie in awe. With that, arouse from the ground, brushing off the dirt from her coat and mane, and started to observe this strange new place. There was a great purple fog that surrounded the area, but Pinkie could almost see clearly of the place around her. Celestia’s sun pierced through the large oak trees, towering over her like skyscrapers. When she came to her hooves she started to walk around the area, although the place was full of kaleidoscopic birds and rocks in various different shapes and sizes that Pinkie never saw in reality. Pinkie then saw a few silhouettes in the distance in a clearing in front of her, but couldn’t make them out. There was some pleasant laughter that gave the Pink mare a small smile as she moved closer towards them. As she moved closer a small boulder appeared in front of her. Curiosity took hold of her and she hid behind the boulder, rubbing it a little “Hey, Tom. What’s going on there?” The boulder didn’t reply. “Okay, so you don’t want to talk. You didn’t have to be rude about it.” She peeked over the boulder and there in front of her, were her friends, eating some cake and biscuits over a maroon carpet conversing with each other. “Pinkie usually has weird and potentially dangerous ideas, but you know what? I couldn’t help but feel relaxed here.” The lavender unicorn said, sighing contently smiling even wider as her friends around her murmured in agreement, enjoying their meals. “Not really Pinkie’s thing either. Why would she call us over here?” Dash asked, the others looking at each other, as if searching for an answer, but none came. Pinkie bit her lower lip, desperately trying not to respond, she didn’t want to give away her hiding position yet. She waited and listened further. “Well, her ways of thinking is rather unorthodox. I tried analysing her once, got no results that made any sense. The way she’s acting now makes less sense, but this place is nice.” Twilight giggled at the memory of strapping Pinkie to a machine, one time. Temptation rose in Pinkie again, but again, showed self-restraint to respond. “Well she could have picked worse places to start, dear. Nice? Nice?! Why didn’t I think of this? This place is lovely!” Rarity exalted with such passion that Pinkie always enjoyed speculating. Fluttershy finished her plate and raised her hoof trying to catch the attention of the others as they conversed and joked, even to the point where AppleJack laughed so hard, her hat fell off the orange earth pony’s head. Pinkie at times, couldn’t help but laugh along with them, but remained as quiet as she could. She paused for a moment, thinking they know of her presence, but breathed a sigh of relief when she realised that the pink mare wasn’t discovered and continued listening. “Um… Pinkie said she wanted to give each of us something, something important.” This piqued the interest of the others as they averted their attention to Fluttershy, careful not to crowd her, stopping their snacks and listening. “I think she said something like, that she wanted us to be happy.” “But aren’t we here happy already?” AppleJack interjected putting her hoof to her chin in contemplation. Fluttershy shook her head and said quietly “she doesn’t think it’s enough.” Her eyes looked to the boulder and noticed pinkie’s cotton candy like hair. “Um… Right, Pinkie?” Pinkie held her breath, shaking a little. Her mind fogged in the confusion of such a violent change of emotion. Words escaped her, and her mind was blank. They saw her? “Aww, you can come out, Sugarcube. We won’t hurt you.” AppleJack said, giving a warm smile when Pinkie slowly went from behind the boulder, still sweating. Why couldn’t I think of anything to say?! Why am I so nervous?! Pinkie fretted to herself, the sun brightened more, almost blinding her. The Pink mare tried to focus on speaking but nothing came to her, it only worsened when Fluttershy hovered close to her, and placed her hooves on her forehead. “It’s okay. We love you, and you’re only dreaming. We know what you want.” Pinkie shook a little more, her nerves only getting a little worse. “T-T-Then what do I want?” “Aww, dear, you’re shaking, here, have this cupcake.” Rarity focused her magic on the cupcake with pink icing there was a turqiuse glow floated it towards Pinkie’s mouth, and with that, Pinkie cautiously ate the cupcake. The flavour was absolutely spectacular; the flavour was savoury and sweet, with just the right texture. Pinkie was eating the perfect cupcake. Flutters is right! Pinkie exclaimed, I’m dreaming! “Makes sense once you really think about it.” Twilight replied to her thoughts, smiling. Pinkie stood their surprised and her jaw hanging, but she shook her head and regained her composure. “Ha! Look at Pinkie blushing!” Dash said almost laughing hysterically. “Easy, Rainbow, She’s a bit scared is all.” The orange farmer told Rainbow calmly. Pinkie then felt a hoof on her shoulder, and when she turned, there stood Pinkie Pie, herself, smiling down on her. “It’s okay, silly. You can tell them.” With once last exhale from the mare, she spoke. “I… I only want you all to be super-duper happy. At first I wanted all ponies to be happy, I still do. But I wanted to deal with you all first.” “What do you mean super-duper happy?” Pinkie shrugged almost frowning at her friends. “I don’t know. Maybe I just wanted to help make your lives better. I mean with you, Twilight, I can’t imagine you becoming a Princess would be easy. Rarity and AJ I could imagine your work would be difficult, and may need some fun or comfort sometimes.” AJ frowned and tipped her hat forward at Pinkie, furrowing her brow. “You sayin’ I overwork mahself?! I don’t do that anymore!” This was met with many of the sceptical stares, even the two Pinkies “What?” the stares pierced further. “Okay… maybe I still do a little. Sorry.” Pinkie nodded in acceptance before turning to Rainbow Dash who flew up to a tree branch and rested herself there. “Dashie, oh Dashie, don’t you get lonely sometimes?” The cyan pegasus shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly “At worst, the real Rainbow would pressure herself too much. What would her trying to become a Wonderbolt and all. Which is so totally gonna happen, right Pinks?” She smiled coolly at the Pink mare flashing a wink. “It’s only a matter of when!” Pinkie agreed enthusiastically. “Exactly!” Rainbow flew up and started to slump on a tree branch, relaxing. “And Flutters, Why can’t you just believe in yourself?” Fluttershy backed away a little shyly, looking down at the floor. “I… I don’t know.” There was a slight pause before Pinkie started to sob a little and produce tears in front of her beloved friends, “I love you all so much!” one yelled, “I would do anything for you!” exclaimed another, “And the thought of you… n-n-not being happy j-j-just…” Pinkie clutches her chest a little, feeling the pain spread from it. Twilight and Rarity nodded at each other, agreeing of what they have to do, and both focused themselves on the crying mare, Fluttershy slowly moved away and landed with the rest of the group, as the aura of magic from the unicorn and alicorn lifted Pinkie and brought her closer to the group. Pinkie only realised that she was near the group when they dropped her lightly on the rug, moving the plates out the way before doing so. Twilight leaned in and whispered in Pinkie’s ear. “Tomorrow, ask me to do a spell on you, one that has you feel our love for you. You might be surprised.” “W-W-Why?” Pinkie stuttered inbetween sobs. The Yellow mare stroked Pinkie’s forehead and whispered in the other ear as Twilight kissed one ear and hugged Pinkie briefly with her wings. “We may love you more than you think.” Fluttershy pointed out “Maybe you completed your personal quest a long time ago, and you never even known it.” Twilight suggested, smiling down on the melancholy mare, tears streaming down. Suddenly Rarity’s face appeared right above Pinkie’s they were nuzzle to nuzzle and this made the usually bubbly mare jump. “You were thinking of our possible unhappiness for this long?! That is unacceptable! You of all ponies don’t deserve to burden yourself in that way!” Rarity grabbed Pinkie up with her hooves and shook her. “B-b-but w-what a-a-about S-p-pike?- errr He’s a-a-a-a d-d-d-drag-ag-ag-ag-on.” Pinke notified as she was shook with a powerful force. Rarity paused and rubbed her chin with the other forehoof. “Well, I supposed you’re right.” She grabbed the hoof back on Pinkie’s chest “Well tell him…” At that moment, Rarity shook the poor confused pink mare again Yelling into Pinkie’s bemused face. “Not to worry either! I still think Spikey Wikey is the cutest dragon I ever met! He is always worthy of my love!” “You hear me, Pinkie! Not! You! Or! Spikey! Wikey! Both of you are too! Kind!” The famer pony blocked Rarity with her forehoof, stopping the shaking and calmly said “It’s okay, she won’t be like that fer long, you hear?” Pinkie shook her head, letting the words roam in her head, in particular the ones Rarity empathised, the farmer then continued “We may all be a part of her… and her.” The group shifted their focus on the other Pinkie who was doing archery with an apple hung on a tree. She stared back and inquired at them “What? I got to keep my subconscious busy.” At that moment the arrow left her wooden bow and hit the apple, pinning it to the tree. Pinkie glanced at the decimated arrow and started bouncing hysterically in celebration “Oh yeah, didn’t even look!” After a slight paused the group returned to the sniffling Pinkie. “But I fer one, think that you deserve to know how much we all here love you.” AppleJack finished, and held Pinkie up to her haunches letting her sit as she placed a hoof on Pinkie’s shoulder. “Yah a good pony, yer hear? Some bronies may even say the best.” AppleJack looked deep into Pinkie’s eyes, as if she was trying to communicate with Pinkie’s very soul. There was a slight pause for that moment, as the ponies looked at each other in confusion “How do you know about the bronies?” inquired the astute Alicorn. “Ah don’t, but Pinkie does, right nah, what she knows, we know.” AppleJack suggested with a shrug. “Huh, I was wondering what those two legged… things are.” Dash said contemplatively. “Oh, I never saw one before. I think it would be nice to meet one someday.” Fluttershy said smiling at the thought. AppleJack took a step back, letting Twilight’s head hover over her. “Anyway, This may be a dream, but this is the truth, as far as you know it. We love you, and we all hope that one day, you’ll see how much. The world around Pinkie slowly gets darker and darker, slowly turning black, her head started to feel woozy, almost falling back to sleep, and the last thing she heard was Fluttershy’s voice “Thank you Pinkie, have a good day. Smile for me, and I’ll smile back.” Author's Note Not sure what to make of this chapter, it's not terrible (I don't think.) But maybe I could have done this one better, but in truth I have no idea how to make this one better. But I guess the story did need a bit more heartwarming moments, and this is the last of the two chapters I'm giving out tonight. Have a good read. Take care, and feedback will be appreciated. //-------------------------------------------------------// Enter White Rose //-------------------------------------------------------// Enter White Rose A loud shrill resounded throughout the small white room full of wooden picture frames with a purple carpet floor. With a wooden unused easel in the corner, fresh and desolate, as if she just moved in. It was a struggle to move the covers, as they felt heavy against her white coat. But eventually, she found the strength to move her forehoof over to her bedside table and pressed the shaking bell. Then, there was a brief silence, before the white Earthpony stirred from her sanctuary of her dreams that was her single post, purple bed. She eventually getting to her hooves that she placed on the carpet. Her eyes felt heavy and her legs and weak. With those feelings of lacking strength, slowly, she trotted to her bathroom just next door to her minuscule room. She walked in and observed her face; her indigo eyes would have been beautiful if it weren’t for the heavy bags under them. White couldn’t remember a time when she looked fully rested. Her purple mane was frazzled and messy, yet lacklustre and everyday, for a few minutes she would force herself to smile. But in some of those days, she wouldn’t be successful and she would conceal her face in a grey reminiscent to the style of a local celebrity that excels in music. “What was her name again?” She asked herself in the mirror. Her only reply was the confused look she gave herself, asking the same question back to her. “I remember she was a DJ though.” She took a small inhale and exhaled very slowly. Every day she does this in hopes that it would somehow alleviate her from her pressures. Unfortunately, her shoulders still felt heavy. With that, she returned to her routine, of brushing her teeth and showering, planning out her day of work ahead of her. When she was done, she put on a pink apron on with an abundance of multi-coloured flowers scattered all over it, with a small orange name tag that said her name, that would at least, stop ponies from asking for it and on it, it said her name, White Rose. She gave the coat on her hunches a few last brushes, highlighting her cutie mark of a beautiful white rose, with emerald thorns that really made the mark look so distinctive. She glanced over at her alarm clock again, 8:30. Good. She thought to herself, punctual as always. Perhaps today that her silent prayers would be answered, that today would be her payday, and she really needs one. With that, she tied her apron properly, tried to force a fake smile, gritting as hard as she could. It stayed on her face this time. When she was content with her fabricated smile, voice and mannerisms, she went over her bronze key from her bedside table, picked it up. With the key in her apron pocket she trotted out the door. She looked to the wooden floor when she exited her small apartment room she trotted down the stairs when she saw a small white letter. She picked it up and examined every detail, every edge and folded piece of paper. She gave a few small sniffs at it, before letting out an execrated sigh, “Another bill.” It was almost tempting to break down and cry for her, as she stared down at the letter, and that was all she could do at that moment. Eventually, her brain prodded at her, reminding her that she’s got work. She sighed with a sense of melancholy and threw the letter over her shoulder. It would be nice for her to have a break, time for her to relax and enjoy life with friends. But her just voice whimpered and cracked. She flicked through every letter that was mundane or another bill with tears in her eyes but trying to keep her composure until she noticed another note from Roseluck, her employer. “Look after the shop while I’m gone.” Her mind was then clouded, her fake smile faded and there was almost a scowl at her face, and if her coat could change colour, at that moment, it would be green. “So my boss gets a holiday, time to enjoy family and friends but not me?!” Her eyes widened in realisation after those words. “Calm yourself, Whitey. You don’t want another incident. Just repress and it will go away in time.” She locked her white door and trotted down to a scarlet one, walked through it and locking it with her over key kept in her other pocket when she did this, she observed her surroundings, eventually walking out into Celestia’s sun. White Rose eventually woken up fully and thought to herself, it’s hard to believe my words nowadays. White Rose absentmindedly walked around Ponyville, vaguely towards her destination. She’ll be there at Roseluck’s shop as usual. It’s been like that for days, months, maybe even years. It was going for so long. She would look around at all the smiling faces around her, and she just imagined being them for a while as she continued walking. Of course, she had smiled before, and still does every so often. But unfortunately those times seemed more and more scarce. But in a strange way, it made the times when White Rose did smile, much more special. She was about to reach the bustling Ponyville market, full of merchants and crowding ponies from all over Equestria, purchasing goods and watching sideshow entertainments like black and white Pegasus doing tricks midair as he juggled bowling pins. Such a thing White Rose couldn’t help but pause and observe his movements, as he floated and flipped and twisted his body. “I guess some aren’t meant to find their true talent.” She said quietly to herself looking down, forlorn. At least, it was like that momentarily until a bright pink blob of fur tackled her, taking her to the ground. Her vision impaired with a jarring wall of Pink. “Is that you again, Flufflepuff?” White Rose inquired with a hint of exaggeration. She pushed softly just so she could see again and before her, wasn’t Flufflepuff. On her haunches sat the town’s local entertainer Pinkie Pie, but what she’s wearing left her to only stare and blink, trying to make out what she’s seeing. There was a momentary and awkward silence between the two. “Um… Why are you wearing a moustache?” Pinkie gave an awkward giggle scratching the back of her head. “Oh. Sorry, it’s for a friend of mine, and I’m so, so, so very sorry that I bumped into you!” Pinkie got up from the ground trying to brush away any dust or dirt off White Rose. But she just batted her away looking at Pinkie sternly. “It’s okay, I’m fine.” “You don’t look so fine to me.” Pinkie’s frow burrowed and placed her hoof on her chin. “You look like you need some cheering up! So it’s a good thing you bumped into little ol’ me!” She finished the sentence with a musical giggle. White could only give her a deadpanned stare. “Trust me, Miss Pie. If I could be cheered up, I would have asked years ago.” At that, Pinkie gave a confident smirk, the pink mare has come across mares like White Rose before, and she has the tenancy to call them “grumps” ever since he met up with Yankee Doodle almost a year ago. “Trust me when I say, there’s nopony on this planet, no! The universe, no! The multiverse! That I could-” Pinkie inhaled a large almost inconceivable inhale in realisation. The dumbstruck Floweriest could only stare at complete bemusement, almost tilting her head to the side. “What if, I am making beings the multiverse happy just by existing?!” Pinkie then glomped at White Rose, her sapphire eyes staring straight down into Rose’s Indigo and there, White saw in the Pink mare’s eyes showed nothing but summarized like this, Pinkie Pie: the ponyfication of joy. “Do you know how supertastically, epically awesome that would be?!” White Rose could only twitch her left eye in the mixture of complete confusion and frustration. “Um… No.” Barely listening to Pinkie’s speaking frenzy, something about the multiverse? She didn’t know, but she was sweating profusely. White could almost swear that the crowds are starting to dissipate, the sun is quickly descending. Of course she’s aware that it’s just her active imagination, but the image of a broken Roseluck crying outside a closed shop, boarded up and desolate, was too much. The very thought, gave White shivers. She was sure she could never take such a terrible thing. She stopped Pinkie mid-speech quickly “I’m sorry, Pinkie! But I need to go!” “Oh… right. I have something to do too.” Pinkie slowly moved backwards off the clear coloured mare, brushed herself off and got back on her all fours. “Oh, and before I forget…” Pinkie pulled out the animal talent competition poster from her bag and pulled it up with her mouth, showing it to White. “I don’t need this anymore, who knows? You might compete, Ohhh!! Who knows? You might even win!” White wanted to crack a smile and accept such a thing straight away, but all she could muster was a deadpan, tired look and mutter “I don’t think I’m competing. I got work to do.” “Oh…” Pinkie looked forlorn for just a moment, staring into White’s eyes in which widened from the reaction. Does Pinkie know about my current state? She asked herself, if she does that’s impossible! But then again, it’s Pinkie. “Well… in case you do want to compete…” The young entertainer pushed herself up on her hind legs and tried to remember what Trixie was like, and incorporated that into her character. With a slight cough, she changed into a canterloian accent “You best bewarey of the legendary Pinktella!” And with that she went off in the speed Rainbow Dash would be proud off, leaving a pink trail at her wake. White looked at the white bricked bridged behind her, and there stood Pinkie with the largest of grins, she seemed to really love her character. “It’s not you by any chance?” White called to her. “No! What makes you think that?!” She said shifting her eyes and pulled a face akin to that of Applejacks lying face. Oh no, that mare is on to me! Maybe that mask would have been a good idea. Pinkie surveyed the area, sweating. Pulling out a napkin and wiped across her forehead, constantly reciting the mantra in her head, she must not be recognized. A few moments passed before she saw that White Rose was gone. With that, she cantered her way towards the outskirts of town. “No, must stay focused! Must help Flutters!” with a tinted blush, in which made her want to dig up a hole and hide. She just kept on running, everything almost becoming a blur to her she controlled her breathing with a determined look on her face, onwards to Fluttershy’s Cottage.