The sudden realization that is upon Berry crushes what left of her spirit, she collapses, head on the table, tears spewing forth in a great wave of sorrow. "Why does he keep on coming back into my life!? NO! I cannot allow him to rule over me once again, not even a word and he was gone, well it is time for me to figure out why! I need to find him, if not for me, then for Pinchy, my little Pinchy, just so I can tell him about his daughter, and to prevent her from going to a total stranger." A fire lights within Berry, if any alcohol was left in her by this point, it was surely purged by the blaze of determination left, seething in her body and leaving a spark in her eyes, she stands and heads over to the wine cabinet, she takes the cheapest of alcohol, a nameless cider less than 3 bits per case, and dumps it to the sink, and tosses the cans. For the first time that month, she goes to her bathroom, not to vomit or pass out, but to clean herself, the warm running water smoothing her fur, and her feelings, without a doubt she knows what she must do, and she must get it done by the end of the month. Turning off the water she steps out from the mist that has accumulated in the room, brushing her hair as she enters her room she heads directly to the little used book shelf searching for a title. At last she finds it ‘Lost Treasures of Equestria’, swiftly skimming page after page Berry eventually ends up on the The Everfree Forest: The Golden Dragon. “Finally!” Berry exclaimed out loud, she continues to read;
The Golden Dragon is a mysterious treasure that used to belong to a dragon of ancient power, and unknown capabilities, during his twilight years he hid the treasure away, and while no official manuscripts exist, it was theorized that the Golden Dragon is a statuette of the dragon himself, possibly the size of a large pony, or larger. It is believed that somewhere in the Everfree Forest, located just outside of Ponyville, a small town located on its edge. Should the rumors be true, then whoever manages to retrieve the statuette would make many many bits, some auctioneers claim that it would be worth more than 2 BILLION bits. Of course many think it does not exist at all. Yet that hasn't stopped many from trying, some have failed and lost their life, others returned without finding anything. To date...
Berry closes the book as the rest of the chapter is about who came back alive, who didn't, nothing of importance to her, she grabs the book and places it into the saddlebag as she walks out the door into the midday sunshine, a harsh white light that seem to burn away any and all doubts that could be hiding in the shadows of her mind. ‘I’ll need to get some help, just incase something happens, I do not know what I’m looking for, nor do I even know where it is. I’ll need to ask many many ponies, but where do smart ponies hang out, certainly not a bar...’ this train of thought continues for minutes as she walks past the gingerbread house of Sugarcube Corner, ponies continuously walking in and out, a lightbulb appears in her mind, ‘Sugarcube Corner! Of course! Everypony goes to Sugarcube Corner!’ With hope in her heart and a happy trot she enters the establishment. Much to her delight there is ponies everywhere! Surely one of them wants to go on a potentially death defying mission right? She goes to the nearest pony, her sandy coat and green mane are accentuated with a Fritter cutie mark as well as a large brown hat upon her head. “Excuse me, what’s your name?” Might as well try to be polite before asking a total stranger to potentially die right?
“Well howdy, my name’s Apple Fritter! I just moseyed on into town to visit my cousin Applejack! Now uh, who might you be?”
“My name is Berry Punch and I...” As soon as her name gets out Apple Fritter stops her;
“Aren’t you some kind of drunk? Yeah Cousin AJ told me ‘bout you, an’ how I shouldn’t be seen with yer kind.” She picks up the rest of her breakfast and departs. A similar situation plays out for the next 10 or so ponies she asks, apparently, she has a reputation that the town doesn’t want to associate with. With a solemn look Berry sits at one of the many tables, yet the neighboring tables vacate immediately leaving a dark cloud above her head as the reality sinks in, ‘no one will listen to me, I have damaged my reputation beyond repair, no one will help...’ with a sudden fire in her gaze she stands on top of the table. “Okay everypony listen up! I need your “ help, my daughter has been taken by Filly Services! And I am in deep debt. I...”
A gray stallion with a striking green mane is harsh red eyes interrupts her, “No one wants to give you money Berry! Its obvious you would only use it for alcohol!” Cheers erupt from the crowd as more and more ponies join in the jeering.
“No! That isn’t it at all! I want a partner, there is a treasure in the Everfree Forest! Using the funds from this treasure I could save my daughter! I could fix my life!”
“Go home Berry you’re drunk!”
A new voice joins in this time, from an unseen source, “Hi everypony! I hope you are enjoying your breakfasts! Oooouuuu! Berry is making a speech! I wonder what she is saying! Huh Berry Punch what were you saying, was it something super duper fun!” Pinkie Pie appears from behind the counter, her bouncy mane wobbling from the sudden movement. With a quick look at the crowd her smile fades, “Why is everypony looking so determined? Are you all going on Berry’s quest into the Everfree Forest!” The shop stops and stares.
“Quest into the Everfree Forest? Is that what she wanted?” Apple Fritter questions.
“Finally! Someone who is willing to listen! Okay everypony now that I have your undivided attention, my daughter, Berry Pinch, she was taken by Filly Services and...”
“About time someone did something to protect that filly from your drunkenness, I am surprised she hasn't ran away or got into trouble yet!” Bon Bon shouts across the shop.
“Hey now that was mean! Bon Bon you need to apologise! Berry was just getting to the part where she is also getting sober so she can get her daughter back before she goes up for adoption in 364 days, but she is also in big big biiiiiiiig trouble with the bank, 30000 bits worth! And it is rumored there is a treasure in the Everfree Forest that many museums would pay MILLIONS worth, but she can't do it alone! So she came here after an epiphany to try and gather some help! So everypony lets just hear her out and see if someone wants to go with her!”
“Berry? Sober? Don't make me laugh, she couldn't be sober even in HER life depended on it, let alone her bastard child! One she didn't even want might I add!” Bon Bon shouts again. Anger flares in both Berry’s and Pinkie’s eyes, and they both descend on her, Pinkie’s hair straighter than a line, and Berry’s crinkled snout betrayed her anger.
“Everypony leave Sugarcube Corner, we are closed, except for Bon Bon, and Berry, we have some business to take care of. Come back tomorrow, as we might have some candy flavored cupcakes.” Within seconds the restaurant is vacant, “So, Bon Bon, what were you saying about Berry Punch and Berry Pinch?” Her now scratchy voice leaving a painful feeling on both Berry’s and Bon Bon’s spines.
“I... I was just saying... umm... I... I’m sorry Berry Punch... I really didn't mean it...” Bon Bon’s fearful voice and panicked expression putting little weight in these words.
“No, you did mean it, you meant every word of it. Bon Bon, you are the most truthful pony that was in that crowd, you said what you thought and meant it. Bon Bon, you are wrong, I love my daughter more than anything in the world, I want her back and I...” tears start to brim in her eyes and her voice begins to crack and her body trembles as she holds in sob after sob, “I don’t know where I would be without her, I am beginning to go down a path that will hurt me dearly, I am going to the Everfree Forest, I must consult my past regrets and questions, and I have to do it all within a year, or my daughter, my baby... my hope will be lost to me forever, and I don’t know how I could live with myself if that is what happened, if I let my drinking, my unwillingness to face my past ruin the only good thing I had in my life! Bon Bon, I can’t let this happen, I cannot, WILL NOT let this ruin my family.” Berry collapses, her anger gone, and she lets loose a flood of tears. Pinkamena stares at Bon Bon with a look of hatred on her face. Bon Bon stands there in silence, staring at Berry paying no mind to Pinkie, she bends down next to Berry and nuzzles her.
“Berry, I know that you and I have clashed in the past, but, if what you say is true then go, get Pinch back, get your family back, and get your hope back. I won't stop you, I will be supporting you all the way, I am sorry for what I said, I didn't think that ponies can change, especially not drunken ponies, Berry, I want you to succeed, I will be watching and waiting, cheering you on from here in Ponyville. Good luck.” Pinkies mane suddenly poofed out again, bringing back her old self.
“Thank you for apologizing Bon Bon! You can leave now! I’ll make sure Berry is okay!” Bon Bon returns to her feet, and walks out the door of Sugarcube Corner, in the doorway she stops turns, and lets a single tear roll down her face.
“Good luck Berry! I will be rooting for you!” Bon Bon shouts as she walks out.
“Pinkie Pie, thank you for being here with me, I... I still have got to find someone who will be willing to go with me...” Berry dries her face and stands up on shaking legs, “I have to do it soon.”
“Hey, Berry Punch I’ll go! I bet it will be a super dooper fun time where we can travel in the forest, find amazing treasures and through a ‘we found it’ party!” Pinkie begins bouncing all around Berry the widest smile that her face would possibly allow adorning her face.
“But, Pinkie you do know that it is quite possible that you would die right? There might not even be a treasure! We could end up losing everything!”
“Yeah so? I’ll be helping a friend be happy and smile! It’ll be fun,” Pinkie stops bouncing in front of Berry leaning forward she says in as serious a tone as Pinkie can, “I want you to Pinkie swear that no matter what, you can smile at the end.”
“Pinkie I...” Pinkie begs, her bright blue eyes becoming larger and her lower lip pouting, “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”
“Okie Dokie Lokie! Lets get ready we’ll need food and water, and confetti, as well as some of the balls I stashed in case of ball emergencies!” Pinkie resumes bouncing around this time producing two saddle bags and filling them with various supplies. Berry joins her, a small smile on her face.
I might do it, I might actually do it, I could save my little Pinchy, I could have my home, my job, my family. I could have hope. Berry walks to Pinkie and begins to help pack the saddle bags as they prepare to leave the following day, where? They have little idea, what? They have even less of a clue. But one thing's for certain, they MUST succeed.