Three Balloons and a Pinch of Laughter

by Maera Fey

Chapter Two: The Hammer of Unicorns

Three Balloons and a Pinch of Laughter
By Maera Fey

Chapter Two: The Hammer of Unicorns

It was such a marvelous idea to go through the Everfree Forest.

Sure, it was a little bit scary at first. The day outside was bright and sunny, but when Pinkamena walked into the forest suddenly everything became dark and full of shadows. The little filly curled up, shivering. Was that some kind of magic?

***

Her parents very often talked about magic. They even had a whole book about it. Ancient, big, heavy volume entitled “The Maneus Mareficarum”, parts of which they sometimes read to theirs daughters. According to the book, in present days witches – or so called “unicorns” – were tolerated by most groups of ponies, but in past days witchcraft used to be a major felony. That was because the witches were the one responsible for social conflicts in Pre-Establishing Equestria Age and summoning evil beings known as Windigoes. Pinkamena Diane never could understand why anyone would do such terrible things. She even asked her father about that. Instead of replying, he read aloud another passage of the volume:

Nightmare Moon had come into the pony society with the intention to destroy it. She worked through ponies by appearing to her victim in the shape of somepony else and convincing him or her to become one of her own. And so the Mare in the Moon was building her ranks of witches, plaguing the land.

But the pink filly still had doubts.

“Are really all unicorns… err, I mean witches, bad? Some of them are doing lots of good stuff, like healing ponies, right?”

Mr. Pie’s pressed his lips tightly. His eyebrows were pulled together, forming deep wrinkles on stallion’s forehead.

“These foul powers are evil,” he snapped. “Even when they pretend to help ponies in fact, they are only polluting them. Magic did not come from Princess Celestia, so could have only come from one place: Nightmare Moon.”

“But doesn’t Princess Celestia do magic on her own?”

This afternoon Pinkamena did not learn anything more on unicorns and magic as she was she was locked up in her room without a dinner but with her flank hurting.

***

The pink filly’s heart was pounding louder and louder. Didn’t “The Maneus Mareficarum” say something about witches going into the woods to dance with Nightmare Moon? Wasn’t Pinkamena Diane Pie in kind of a wood right now? Could she just walked into witches’ Sabbath? Is it possible that making a shortcut wasn’t as splendid idea as she ordinary thought?

And then the filly looked up and giggled. She finally understood.

That was not magic what caused the shade. The upper branches of the trees were so thick together that not much of sunlight had a chance to get through them. In fact, the Everfree Forest wasn’t as dark as it appeared at the first sight. There was enough light to see the lush flora. Never before did young Miss Pie, who all of her short live had spent on a Rock Farm, walk upon such flourishing plants. There was plenty of every kind: grass, herbs, bushes, trees. All seem to be strong, healthy, blooming and – in their own vegetal way – happy.

Pinkamena grinned.

“Maybe the Everfree is not such a bad place as everypony believe?” she thought.

In “The Maneus Mareficarum” there was a passage saying about a group of brave earth ponies whose hearts were pure and full of justice. They saw the corruption spreading through Equestria, and knew there was only one cure for this sickness: set a good example to follow. And so they moved far away from polluted society and formed their own – free of witchcraft – community. They had to live in wilderness, forgotten by everyone else. But even for a second they did not lose their faith, knowing that they were the true light of the world. Town which was set on a hill could not be hidden.

Well, apparently it could, because now nopony knew where exactly this utopian place was. That’s why the family of Pinkamena’s mother moved in this region. They were looking for legendary town, hoping it still existed, but only the pure ones could enter it. So far, the search was not very unsuccessful, because not even the oldest ponies did know where to look. True, the book was mentioning the Everfree Forest, but who would treat seriously the idea of holly town being located in such a dreadful place?

The little filly looked upon the plants growing on their own and clouds moving without pony intervention.

She would.

The forest seemed to be completely free of magic. What other place could have been more perfect to build witchcraft-free town? Maybe before going to Ponyville she should explore a little? At last, what could it hurt?

And so Pinkamena Diane Pie walked deeper into the Everfree Forest in order to find… find… Um, what was it called…? Ah, Sunny Town.

Comments

[Maera Fey]

436759
Thanks! I corrected the "eatable" mistake. I am not sure about flat hair though. In the show Pinkie's hair seem to turn like that only on special occasions.

438261
I swear I'll do my best!

438907
Thanks and don't be sad. You still can write your own version of Pinkie's story. it's not like I'm having the copyrights to the general idea or something.

443851
Thanks! I just have published it. Hope you won't be disappointed.

[Nightstar]

Hmm

[Maera Fey]

451359
Yeah, it went not exactly where I intended to. And before you ask, yes, there will be some other connections with "Story of the Blanks". No, it won't be just the game's copy but with Pinkie instead of Applebloom.

[abandoned2123]

Oh, this is such a lovely idea. No grimdark, no insane Pinkie. I could cry from joy
However, I would highly suggest that you edit your grammar and do some major editing here. I noticed a good many technical mistakes lying around here and there, but those are easily fixable. No real biggie. I'd also suggest some fleshing out in your writing. 'Show, don't tell', as writers will always say.

[Owlor]

I really like quotes from fictional books in stories. The writing is functional and I'm curious to see what hapens next.

[Maera Fey]

451958
I've once tried to write something dark, but stopped, because I got scared.
About my grammar, I think about asking one of my friends to look at it as I have difficulties with spotting the errors. I would also like to ask you for a favor. Could you, please, say something more about those technical mistakes? I would be grateful.

452160
Me too. That's why I got a little bit carried away. This chapter was supposed to be on something else. However, glad you like it.

[Lucefudu]

Story of the blanks, eh?

[MetricCaboose]

It's always a great idea to walk into a random town.
Still liking this story.
-Richard