Pumpkin's Struggle (Part 4): The Darkest Hour

One of the most powerful forces in Equestria; an ancient evil that’s even older Celestia and Luna… no offense to them. To think that I spent my whole life carrying this thing inside me. This spirit of evil was created by ponykind in the ancient days from their hatred, greed, and anger; and that was inside me! But of course it was inside somepony else first; Blackberry the 3rd. Just like me he had to go through tough times in his life with worry of the safety of his loved ones and of people seeing him as a monster. I may not know everything that he might’ve gone through, but I know enough; we both overall had the same experience.

I don’t remember much when I was I was toddler; it was all a bit blur. However, I strangely recall some moments when it felt like I wanted to listen to no pony and my family were trying to reach me, but failed. I even slightly remember that very moment at the hospital ward where Pinkie spoke to me… and smiled at me… even though I almost killed her and her friends. She didn’t hate me, and neither did my parents. But my brother, Pound, was another story. Having cutting off his wings during my psychotic behavior, he came to fear me… his own twin sister. But who could blame him; being a toddler and getting badly wounded by one who shares his own blood. Once I was old enough to be aware of things better, I feared that Pound would accept me again. But when I was released from the ward, it was that moment at my homecoming return party that Pound accepted me back in his life and was no longer as afraid of me as he once was.

Since then, I faced many challenges; trials and tribulations. I still had times where I had to keep my curse in check, but that was until Ruby Rose started to bully me in different ways which caused me to lose control sometimes. Of course we did realize later on that it was all because of her Mother, Envy Rose, that she was doing this. Her mother was an example of one who wanted me to stay lock up and to stay away from everypony. But even though there were some like her out there who didn’t seem to care for me, I had the rest of the Ponyville to back me up; including my family, Pinkie, her friends, and… Acer.

Acer was always there for me when others could not, and not once did he hate me nor feared me. All he wanted to do was to help fix me and make me feel better about myself. But there were times that I was afraid that I might lose control and hurt him. And one day… when I did… I couldn’t forgive myself, and it led me to bring destruction to my own home when the curse was extracted from me. If I didn’t do something, everypony I cared for would be wiped out in front of me and I wouldn’t be able to do anything. I ended sacrificing myself like Blackberry did; but unlike his outcome, it wouldn’t change the fate of the others. But it was thanks to the spirit of Blackberry himself that got me back on my feet and made me realize the answer to defeating the evil spirit that had been haunting us both for so long. Everypony was there to support me as I faced the demon once more; that included Ruby and her Mother, Envy. They all had my back as I faced the demon with no doubt, fault or fear in my eyes; and sure enough, I finally slayed it for good.

I can’t recall much after that, except that I felt a bit woozy afterwards; and then everything blacked out. What happened? Did we truly win? If so… then what happened; why don’t I hear anything? I’m not dead again, am I? No, no I can’t be; I shouldn’t be! Hello, anypony there?! Can anypony hear me?! Anypony, please say something!

“Pumpkin…”

Huh, what was that?

“Pumpkin; please be okay, Pumpkin. Don’t die on us again; come back to us!”

What’s this I’m hearing? Somepony is there, and… they’re calling to me. I see a… a-a light; I can’t let it get away!

After finally extinguishing the evil spirit that made her life a living hell, Pumpkin had fell into deep unconsciousness; so deep that to the others, she didn’t appeared to be waking up. In her subconscious, Pumpkin was reminiscing her past life and accomplishments and was wondering if she was going to live to see the future. But sure enough, she heard voices that had reached her and she was slowly waking up from her slight coma opening up her eyes and seeing her surroundings.

“She’s coming to,” someone said, “Everypony give her some room.”

Pumpkin saw that she was inside a hospital room on a stretch bed, and she saw Nurse Redheart and her family doctor, Diamond Star, and a few other medical ponies looking at her.

“Wha… wh-what’s… going on?” said Pumpkin as she wiped her eyes.

“Thank goodness that you’re finally awake, Pumpkin,” said Dr. Star, “How are you feeling?”

Pumpkin held onto her head and lightly groaned trying to figure out how to respond, “I guess… I-I-I f-feel fine; but… what happened to me; and how did I… g-get here?”

“Well,” said Nurse Redheart with a smile, “why don’t you ask them.”

Pumpkin suddenly turned her head towards the door; and coming in the room was her family totally overjoyed that she was alive and okay. Pumpkin herself was happy to see them as well.

“Guys… y-y-you’re all… here.”

Mrs. Cake went over and hugged and kissed her daughter crying tears of joy, “Of course; why wouldn’t we be here, darling? You gave us all quite the heart attack; but not literally.”

“I’ll say,” said Pinkie, “We all thought we lost you… again! But now you’re back… again! Please stay for good this time; don’t leave us again!”

Pumpkin laughed softly to herself and responded, “Thanks, Pinkie, you always know how to make me smile… even without trying.”

“It’s a gift; what can I say.”

Pound came over to his twin sister and gave her a hug as well. He was slightly tearing a bit holding onto her tight not wanting to let her go.

“Oh, Sis, that was a crazy but incredible feat that you did back in that forest; sending that spirit to oblivion was awesome!”

“So… we really did it;” said Pumpkin feeling exuberant, “I’m curse free and I no longer have to worry about unintentionally murdering somepony?”

“You bet your darn hooves, we did; it’s really all over! Thank Celestia and Luna for that.”

Pumpkin smiled and sighed with relief knowing that all of her troubles were behind her and that everyone was in one piece, “Thank goodness; what a relief. It feels so soothing knowing that I no longer have to… wait a minute, where’s Acer?”

“Well it’s about time,” said Pinkie chuckling, “we were wondering when you were going to ask about him?”

“Huh?”

“Don’t worry about him,” said Pound, “he’s with Ruby to help look over her Mother who is receiving better care. But don’t worry, he’ll be here soon enough once he knows you’re okay.”

“How about right now,” a familiar voice said.

Everyone had turned around; and walking into the room, they saw Acer and Ruby make their entrance. Ruby smiled and waved while minding her own minor injuries. “Hey, everypony.”

Pumpkin looked happy to see them both; especially Acer. She almost forgot about her injuries for a second and reached out her arms to greet him, “Acer!” But then she pulled back feeling some pain that was still lingering in her body, “Ow… I think I pulled something. Curse my weaken body.”

“Careful, Pumpkin,” said Acer as he came to her side, “you just finished vanquishing a blood-curdling demon spirit that you’ve struggled with all your life; I think you need to be taking it a bit easy.”

Acer then leaned over and gave Pumpkin a hug himself while feeling emotionally happy and releasing a few tears, and Ruby felt glad for him that he didn’t lose her.

“It’s so good to see that you’re okay,” said Pumpkin.

“Me?” Acer exclaimed, “You’re the one who collapsed on the ground and wasn’t breathing; we’re the ones that should be telling you that.”

Pumpkin just thought that she was too tired and fell unconscious; but hearing that shocked her and almost scared her, “Wait… I wasn’t breathing?! I really almost died… again?”

“Not necessarily,” said Dr. Star nearby.

“What do you mean ‘not necessarily’?” said Acer, “We had to rush her here because I couldn’t feel her heartbeat!”

Pumpkin continued to be freaked out, “Say what?!”

“Yes, that is true, I know; but what once we got her here and we were doing everything we could do to help her, I realized that she was in a state of a coma.”

A coma?! Hearing that almost scared everyone in the room. Being in a coma was a serious threat to one’s life.

“A… c-c-coma?!” Mrs. Cake strongly questioned.

However, Dr. Star told everyone how everything worked out, “But not to worry, we found out that it was due to destroying that demon. Even though it was no longer in Pumpkin’s body, it was still a part of her. It was like there was a bonding force that still linked your life matter to it. So when you finally destroyed it… it kinda endangered your body and caused you to black-out and fall into a mild coma. It’s kind of complicated for even us to explain, but luckily we were able to wake her up as you can now see.”

“It’s almost like you unintentionally committed suicide,” said Ruby who was slightly shuddering.

Pumpkin was shuddering herself still, realizing of what almost happened to her, or what could’ve happened to her. “Well… th-th-that’s scary to think about; it didn’t hit me that it could’ve ended up like that.”

“Well, no more worries,” said Dr. Star with a smile, “with the spirit now gone and your body curse-free, I’m happy to say that your days of psychological testing are officially done; thank Celestia for that.”

“Took the words out of my mouth,” said Pound.

“This is so wonderful!” shouted Pinkie, “we can now be the regular, normal pony family that we always wanted to be!”

“Define your definition of normal, Pinkie,” stated Pound.

Pumpkin felt so happy that she felt a magic glow emitting from her horn, but it didn’t feel very strong and she groaned as she laid back down on her hospital bed. “Not even my Magic is working right. I guess that battle really did take a toll on me.”

“Don’t worry,” said Nurse Redheart who came over to her, “just give your body some time to recover. You’ll be able to move around and use magic again in no time.”

“In the meantime,” said Dr. Star added, “you’ll need plenty of rest, and lots of comfort from your family… and this pony.”

Dr. Star then pushed Acer closer Pumpkin than he presently was. Both ponies smiled and blushed looking back at everyone who was watching and then looked back at each other.

“Well, I-I-I guess I don’t mind recovering this way,” said Pumpkin sheepishly, “it won’t be as stressful and worrying anymore.”

“It definitely won’t be,” Acer chuckled, “I told you things would be just fine in the end as long as you didn’t lose hope.”

Pumpkin suddenly looked over at Ruby and became curious of how thing was going with her. “Hey, Ruby, how is your Mom doing? Is she going to be okay when she continues her sentence? Will… you be okay?”

“Well… actually…”

Suddenly before she could answer, someone else walked into the room and greeted everyone there. “Hey, everypony; I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

“Twilight,” Pinkie shouted; and then she ran over to her and gave her a hug as if she hadn’t see her for a long time, “it’s so nice to see you here! Where are the others?!”

“A bit busy doing their own thing to help get the town back together after that spirit’s rampage.” Twilight then looked over at Pumpkin, “Hey, Pumpkin; just thought I come by to see if you were okay. You gave us all quite a scare a few hours ago.”

“Hey, Miss Sparkle,” Pumpkin called out, “Thanks for coming to see me; I could probably have all the company that I can get right now… after everything that I went through.”

Twilight suddenly had a pleasant smile as she told her, “Then perhaps you won’t mind having two more joining you for company.”

Twilight stepped to the side, and to everyone’s surprise, two completely unexpected visitors came in with their majestic appearance.

“Oh my…” both Mr. and Mrs. Cake said together.

Everyone in the room showed their respect as they bowed down to them; except Pumpkin who couldn’t do it in her current position but still bowed her head a little.

“Hello, Pumpkin,” said Celestia with a pleasant smile, “Are you feeling well?”

“Well… I am now but… how did… you two… I heard that you two were turned to stone by that spirit.”

“You are correct, Pumpkin,” stated Luna, “but once thou evil spirit was slain, we return to normal. Although, our royal bums still feel a little stiff.”

Celestia looked down beside her and saw Ruby who was just standing there silent and not sying a word.

“Ruby,” she asked, “did you tell everypony… the news?”

“What is she talking about, Ruby?” Pumpkin questioned.

Ruby wasn’t quite sure how to put into words at first; but then, a small smile came on her face as she said, “Well… Celestia talked things over with my Mother after she was brought here and told them of everything that happened; and… well… Celestia dropped her charges and has let her go early.”

“Really?” said Pound in slight shock.

“Congratulations, Ruby!” said Pumpkin, “I guess this means that your Mother is okay, and now you no longer have to keep visiting your Mother in that creepy place; b-but I’m sure you didn’t mind it anyway.”

“What made you come to this decision, Princess?” Mrs. Cake questioned.

“Well, it’s true that Envy had a couple more years under her belt, but she has been on her best behavior; and after everything that has happened here today, and the fact that Envy almost died trying to keep her daughter safe, I figured that she’s been through enough already. Now that everything is back to normal, we decided to release her so she can continue to be with her daughter.”

Celestia couldn’t be more right, and everyone agreed to her decision. With the past now behind them, they finally focus on the future.

“Isn’t that wonderful?” said Ruby, “My Mother is happy too, and she can’t wait to spend more time with me at home and teach me more of her herbal secrets.”

With the curse defeated, everypony still being alive, and the fact that Envy was now released from her custody; Pumpkin almost couldn’t believe that any of this was real. But it was, and Pumpkin was filled with so much joy and happiness in her heart that she could cry.

“This almost feels like a dream. All my life, I had to deal with this frustrating burden; living in fear that I might hurt those around me for as long as I live. But now, I can relax and finally live a normal life like I always wanted. I never have to deal with my dark side ever again.”

“That is true,” said Celestia, “the constant, ensuing chaos you’ve endured is finally over. But I’m afraid part of what you said isn’t true.”

“Huh; wh-what do you mean by that?” questioned Pumpkin.

“The truth, Pumpkin, is that everypony has a dark side to them that they face in life; we all have our own demons inside us all.”

That kind of logic never occurred to Pumpkin; but obviously, neither did Pinkie as she freaked out, “What, there’s a demon inside me?! Oh no; get it out! Get out of me, you demon… wherever you are in there!”

“No, Pinkie,” said Twilight with a small chuckle, “I think what Celestia means is that there a side to us all that have dark temptations; and no matter how much we want to give in or try to resist, we can only conquer them by ourselves… with a little help if needed.”

“Oh, I get it!” said Pinkie who was feeling a bit less panicked, “Heh, I-I knew that all along.”

“If you heard the tales,” said Luna to Pumpkin, “I gave into my dark temptations when I turned into Nightmare Moon and tried to overthrow my sister and shroud Equestria with my night forever. It was my own fault for giving in so easily; we could’ve stop it, but we didn’t.”

“Wait; so does that mean that Ruby’s jealousy from more than a year ago that caused her to do what she did that certain day an example?” asked Pumpkin.

Everyone looked over at Ruby who was nervously grinning, “Heh… I guess it was.”

“Everypony has a dark side to them, and some show it more than others,” said Celestia, “The curse that was born inside of you just intensified yours much more than usual… like a thousand times more.”

It was all beginning to make sense to Pumpkin now. If what Celestia said was true, then the way Ruby acted towards her about Acer and how her brother tried to protect her was understandable; as well as Envy too. But thinking of that suddenly brought up something that she was meaning to bring up.

“Speaking of dark intentions… your majesty, do you know of anypony named… Shadow Star?”

“Shadow Star, huh?” questioned Celestia, “Hmm… that name does sound slightly familiar. However, I can’t exactly say where I heard of that before.”

A light bulb suddenly went off in Twilight’s head, “Wait a minute, you mean that dark stallion that Zecora mentioned encountering to Fluttershy and me?”

“Huh, what happened to Zecora?” asked Mr. Cake, “Is she alright?”

“She’s alright; she just got into a little scuffle with this Stallion Pumpkin is talking about. She’s a little bruised, but she’s recovering.”

Luna seemed to know a little more about Shadow Star than Celestia as she stated, “All we know of this character is that he was an Alicorn just like us who lived for generations and generations; but his heart went dark from his own dark desires. He one day disappeared into the shadows waiting for a perfect time to strike. No pony has seen them since then. Why does thou ask of him?”

“Well… because he’s dead; and it was actually that demon spirit that we have to thank for that.”

The whole room fell silent upon Pumpkin feeling happy about a death; but he did have a right to.

“He’s… dead; just like that?” said Luna unsurely.

“Y-yeah. He planned to use the spirit of the curse inside me to rule over Equestria himself, and he almost succeeded. However, he let his ego go to his head and the curse killed him before he even got started.”

“I guess he let his darkest demons push him too far and got him killed for it;” said Celestia, “even if it wasn’t intentional. I didn’t know much about him, but… one less to deal with I guess.”

“Well whoever he was,” said Acer hugging Pumpkin close to him, “he obviously didn’t know what was getting into. Serves him right for hurting you.”

“Aw, thanks Acer,” said Pumpkin as she gave Acer a peck on his cheek.

“So… what now?” Pinkie questioned, “I guess we all go back to our normal lives as if any of this ever happened; is that what we do now, because I definitely won’t forget this.”

“I don’t think any of us will ever forget this. But what matters now is that Pumpkin okay and still living. Because she overcame her fears and emotions, she’s able to be with her family and friends for years to come.”

“S’up, guys; did I miss anything?” shouted a sudden voice of another pony that walked in the room at the last minute.

“Minty!” shouted Pumpkin as she saw Minty in her sights, “It’s about time you got here.”

Both fillies gave each other a light hug and a hoof bump as Minty said, “Hey, girl; looks like you’re finally on the road to full recovery. Awesome sauce!”

“Yeah, it’s great to be conscious again,” Pumpkin responded while holding her head, “If I ever pass out again, I’m going to lose it.”

“As if the rest of us wouldn’t,” mentioned Pound.

Princess Celestia and Luna realized what time it was and prepared to leave the scene and their subject have their moment.

“I’m afraid that we must take our leave now,” said Luna, “We do have other duties to attend to you know.”

“Just make sure to take it easy and get better soon, Pumpkin,” said Celestia as she nuzzled Pumpkin’s cheek, “After the great courage you displayed all your life, Equestria might need somepony like you one day.”

Pumpkin smiled and blushed feeling a bit embarrassed of the compliment she received, “Oh, Princess, don’t be so flattering. I’m great and all, but I don’t know about all of that.”

“I don’t know, Pumpkin,” said Twilight, “I think that they might be onto something. The fact that you literally carried the world’s hatred burdens on your shoulder, and then with our help defeated it for good; I’d say that’s the feat of someony very special.”

“I suppose so.”

“Take care, everypony,” said Ceestia as she and Luna left the room; and everyone bidded them farewell.

As they left, Celestia looked back at Pumpkin and smiled thinking about what could’ve been with her, “Such a special filly she is. She should count herself lucky that she’s still alive… unlike that spirit’s last host… may he rest in peace.”

“By the way, Sister,” said Luna, “you really do know of who Shadow Star is, don’t you?”

“Perhaps I do; although… after all that has been accomplished today, I’d rather forget about the past… and focus on the future.”

Back in the room, everyone was having a wonderful time spending time with each other and keeping Pumpkin Company. Acer and Ruby filled Minty on what had happened; Pinkie was doing what he does best and was making Pumpkin laugh along with Pound; and Mr. and Mrs. Cake was just happy to be there with their daughter. But after a while, Nurse Redheart came back in the room to attend to her patient.

“I’m sorry to break up this wonderful reunion, but… Pumpkin really needs to rest to build her strength back up; that and visiting hours are over anyway.”

“We completely understand, nurse,” said Mr. Cake, “Well, everypony, I guess we should leave Pumpkin to her recovery.”

“But we’ll be back real soon; okay Pumpkin?!” shouted Pinkie.

“Yeah, okay.”

Mrs. Cake suddenly came over to Pumpkin and hugged her tight and gave her a kiss on her cheek, “Come on, Mom, you’re embarrassing me.”

“I guess I’m just overjoyed that you’re finally cured is all; so go ahead and complain all you want.”

After saying their good byes for the day, Dr. Star was leading them all out of the room as Pumpkin watched them feeling at peace.

“See ya later, Sis,” said Pound, “Maybe I’ll swing by later with one of your favorite sweets.”

His sister’s ears perked up as she smiled, “Pumpkin spice cupcakes?”

“Heh, you got it.”

Then Minty placed her hooves around Pumpkin’s brother as she looked over at her and said, “And don’t worry about your brother, Pumpkin; while you’re recovering in here, I’ll keep him company.”

Pound smiled nervously and blushed, “Heh heh, yep, no need to worry about me.”

Twilight was the next to last to be leaving the room; and she looked over at the resting filly and told her, “Rest well, Pumpkin.” And then she left.

Dr. Star was about to go on with his work when Acer suddenly came up to him and asked, “Excuse me, Dr. Star, is okay if I could have a few more minutes with Pumpkin.”

Dr. Star looked over at Redheart who lightly smiled and nodded her head. Dr. Star then responded, “I don’t see why not; just don’t take too long.”

Both he and Redheart then left the room to leave Acer with Pumpkin as he went over to her and sat down beside her stroking her mane.

“Well… you did it; you finally got your wish.”

“It wasn’t just me, Acer,” said Pumpkin blushing slightly, “it was also thanks to all of the support from everypony… and you.”

“That’s right, exactly what I told you before; right?”

Being alone with Acer again felt very assuring to Pumpkin and she was glad she didn’t have to feel uncomfortable about being near him again.

“I’m a very lucky filly, Acer. I mean… I could’ve been dead just like my Great Uncle; but here I am still living. Weakened, sore and a bit out of it, but alive. After hearing that story that Envy had told us, I was losing hope even more than I already was; that I could never be cured and that I would eventually had to be stop somehow and sacrificed to save the world. It was purely a miracle that we all survived this whole ordeal… and that my family still has me. Mom, Dad, Pound, Pinkie, you, and everypony else. Right now, I feel like I’m in a dream and I don’t want to wake up.”

Acer suddnenly caught Pumpkin by surprise as he leaned down and gave her a kiss directly on her lips. Her eyes widened and her whole face turned red, and she stared at him prolongly as he broke away.

“Fortunately for you, you’re not dreaming; this your dream turned into reality… with me right here by your side as promised.”

“Thank you, Acer,” Pumpkin responded, “thank you for being there for me with everypony else. And thank Celestia that Ruby has finally gotten over you.”

“Yeah,” Acer chuckled, “water under the bridge; and at least now she has her Mother at home again. She should feel a whole lot better.”

Acer then cuddled down beside Pumpkin in her hospital bed getting comfortable; and then Pumpkin asked him, “So… once I get out of here, what do you want to do together on our first moment of me being curse-free?”

Putting his hoof around her, he replied with a smirk, “I’ll leave you to decide that. Whatever you want to do is fine with me.”

Both ponies were smiling at each other gazing in each other’ eyes and were about to close in for another kiss… until they heard Nurse Redheart nearby.

“Ahem.”

Both Acer and Pumpkin both looked up and saw Redheart and Dr. Star looking at them with little smirks on their faces. Acer blushed and grinned nervously knowing that his time was up.

“Uh… y-yeah, I-I-I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

And thus, that finally brings us to the end of this little story of Pumpkin’s struggles. But then again, this tale wasn’t exactly little, now was it? A story of a unicorn filly born with a curse that could have destroyed everything around her. A story of a filly who struggled all of her life living in fear of her curse getting out of control. She felt that if anything had happened, it would be all of her fault.  But lucky for Pumpkin, her own home never gave up on her; all of her family and friends were always there for her to try and keep her hopes up and nerves calm. Of course, no one said that the whole process would be easy; for Pumpkin had to face many situation along the way that tested and challenged her very will and would sometimes create life and death moments. But in the end after many trails and errors, she prevailed against her curse and everyone’s life was spared… even her own.

Ever since then, Pumpkin had to stay in the Ponyvile Health and Care center for about a week until her full strength returned to her body; and during that time, many things took place. Celestia kept her word and lifted the charges off of Envy, and Envy was released to be with her daughter once again. Pound and Minty were finally able to have a couple of dates together… with their parents’ permission, of course. Zecora was now fully awake and back to health thanks to one of her remedies that gave her help. Many ponies were working together to help clean and fix up Ponyville after the nearly made disaster; and Pumpkin’s family and friends visited her anytime they could just to make sure that she stayed well. Also, the Mayor, Cheerilee and the Cakes have thrown away their skeptic attitude towards Envy and are doing their best to gain her friendship 100%.

The day soon came when Pumpkin was released from the center, back to full strength and completely curse free. It was a miraculous day for her to be out and about living her now normal life with her friends and family with no worries at all. However, she still decided to continue taking private magic lessons from Twilight. She felt like it was still something that she wanted to do; Twilight was an awesome teacher after all. And just as they planned, Acer and Pumpkin spent more time together to make up for lost time and were having the time of their lives.

The closing of this tale now brings us to a day in the end of morning, where at Sugar Cube Corner Pound and Pumpkin were in the middle of making some weet treats. But while mixing a batch of batter, Pound accidentally slipped and spilled some of it on his sister’s mane.

“Ugh; pound,” she shouted, “look what you did! You got it all over me!”

“Heh, s-s-sorry, Pumpkin,” said Pound nervously, “You’re not going to kill me, are you?”

Pumpkin had a little mischievous look on her face as she said, “Perhaps not; but, as one might say…” She then used her magic to lift up balls of her batter and was floating them over her head, “revenge is a dish best served sticky and stuck all in your coat.”

Pound suddenly knew what was coming, “Uh-oh.”

Pound was then using his flight speed to try and dodge his sister batter balls as she was launching them at him. He got into it and grabbed his bowl of batter and was now purposely trying to get his sister too. They both got some good hits in, but Pumpkin seemed to get the most hits; and she also blocked some of Pound’s hits with her magic. Pinkie suddenly came into the building and saw what the Cake twins were doing; and she got excited as she shouted…

“Cake batter fight!”

“No fair, Pumpkin,” Pound shouted, “You have magic!”

“Oh take it like a stallion, Pound!”

Before long as the fight went on, Mr. and Mrs. Cake came down from upstairs and the warzone in their kitchen; there was sticky batter everywhere.

“Wh-what’s going on here?!” shouted Mrs. Cake.

The fight suddenly stooped as they all looked at the Cake couple.

“Cake batter fight,” shouted in excitement, “and Pumpkin won by a landslide!”

“Sweet Celestia,” shouted Mr. Cake as he looked over at Pound and saw him completely covered in cake batter, “are you alright, Pound?!”

“He’s fine, Dad,” Pumpkin chuckled as she used her magic to take the batter out of and off of her brother, “See, my magic is getting better.”

She also used her magic to clean up the mess around them; but it was a method that she tried not to do too often.

“Normally, I* would feel like giving you two a serious talk,” said Mrs. Cake, “but right now… I’m just glad this family has become normal; well… as normal as we can get. Just don’t expect this kind of behavior to be excused forever.”

There was suddenly a knock at the door and Pinkie was quick to answer it, “I’ll get it!” She happily hopped over to the door; and when she opened it, Pumpkin and Pound’s friends were there, “Oh, it’s you guys; hiya!”

“Sup’, Pinkie,” said Minty, “doing anything unusual today?”

“Just bakin’, Minty; just bakin’.”

Ruby suddenly came up front and asked, “Is it okay if Pumpkin and Pound could hang out with us for a while?”

“Hmm… let me check their schedule.”

“Pinkie…” said Pumpkin as she approached from behind, “Mom, Dad; is it okay if we hang out with our friends for a while?”

Mrs. Cake smiled and responded, “Of course you can, sweetie.”

“Just make sure you don’t do anything that you might regret later,” Mr. Cake chuckled.

Pumpkin lowered her eyes at her Dad and said, “Dad; really?”

“Just joking.”

Pumpkin then immediately went over to Acer and greeted him with a hug and also gave Ruby one as well, “Nice to see you guys are doing well.”

“Of course we are,” said Ruby, “Why wouldn’t we be? Besides, we should be the ones telling you that.”

When Pound came over to greet Minty, Minty sniffed his mane getting a scent of something sweet, “You smell like cake batter. Pumpkin get you again?”

“I am not ashamed,” Pound admitted.

“So, ready to go, guys… and girls?” said Acer.

“Most definitely,” said Pumpkin.

“What are we waiting for?” said Minty.

The group of young foals then headed out the door together leaving their troules and worries behind them. Pinkie and the Cakes were at the doorway watching the foal walk off no longer filled with doubt of how bad things could get.

“Have fun, you guys!” Pinkie shouted.

“This is such a beautiful sight; don’t you think so, Cup Cake?” said Mr. Cake as he placed his hoof around his wife.

Mrs. Cake smiled and sighed as she leaned against her husband in comfort, “You have no idea.”

Ponyville had seen some dark days; but for Pumpkin it almost seemed dark everyday of her life. If it weren’t for those who cared for her so much, who knows where she would be today. It was only thanks for those individuals that this little filly made it through the worst of times. Pumpkin understands that darkness in everyone will never go away; but as long as ponies like her and her friends stick together, there’s nothing they can’t overcome.

THE END.

Wait a minute; hold it right there, Mister Narrator!

That can’t be the very end, right?! There are still some things that have to be explained before things come to a close!

Um… what are you talking about, Pinkie?

You know exactly what I mean, Mister Narrator! Does Pumpkin and Acer stay together? Do they get married in the future; and is it the same for Pound and Minty? Will Ruby get a new coltfreind; and will her Mother find another stallion to live with? Was there more about Shadow Star that we don’t know about even though he’s dead? What happened with my other friends after Pumpkin’s battle? What are those Crusaders doing now? Will Pound and Acer make it in the Wonderbolts? Will Ruby ever take over her Mother’s job? Will Pumpkin become awesome with her magic? How did all of the ponies in Ponyville get their wounds from the big battle treated? Will Twilight still become an Alicorn Princess in this reality? Will I ever stop talking like this? And… a-and there’s even more questions for a few other ponies in this story.

Yeah… I’m not doing that… because this story is now over; done; finished; finito; complete.

Oh come on; really? You have to be kidding me! I mean… the ending was nice and all and nopony died or stayed dead; but it was a bit anti-climactic at the last part if you ask me.

Anyway… that’s the end of this romantic, and grimdark tale. See you later everyone!

See you later, everypony!

‘Sigh’ See you later, everypony.

And remember; keep on smiling!