> Story of Diane Pie
>  by Middle Ground
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1 - A Different Kind of Pie
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	You know, I always thought life was full of dark and pointless things.... The peaceful land of Equestria, the land of ponies, even had those places where everything was dark and sad. That's what it was like back home. When I was just a filly, me, my three sisters, and our parents would usually spend those dark, cloudy days breaking and harvesting rocks back home. It was a Rock Farm and us Pies were well-known for all the minerals and metals we found. But it was a tough job and nothing really made me smile like I do now. But one day, something amazing happened that changed my-or rather-her life forever.... Her name is Pinkie Pie and this is our story.
Some years after that event, Pinkie moved away from home to Ponyville, the town of ponies, to start her dream career as a Party Planner. She always wanted to make other ponies smile and for the most part, it works out. There have been those few who were always rather grumpy, but it works out in the end. But then one day, she had a special party planned for her pet alligator named, Gummy, and her friends were trying to avoid her. That's when things became cold and dark for her.... She felt just like how I felt all those years ago: Cold and Alone. Our thoughts were filled with sadness and neglect. But in the end, her friends came back to her and wished to reconcile with her. At first, Pinkie wondered if it was all just a lie to appease her.... But many things happened afterwards and their bonds of friendship only grew much stronger.
She made many friends along the way and she had all kinds of fun doing it. There were many parties and adventures they all shared that ponies could only dream of joining. She was regarded as the sweetest pony to have ever lived. But then one day, Pinkie was met with the problem of spending time with all of her friends at once. It was impossible for her to do that since she is just one pony. That is...until she found a book that spoke of a magic pool, the Mirror Pool, that can duplicate her as many times as she needs. She searched a place called the Everfree Forest, a dangerous place for it and found the cave the pool resides. She spoke the needed incantation and she succeeded in duplicating herself in order to spend time with her friends and make them happy. But...the duplicates were...not very intelligent compared to the original. Pinkie and the duplicates left the cave to commence their plan to bring joy to Ponyville, but what happened out there is not where the story begins.
Our-or rather-my story begins with my creation. Unlike Pinkie and the duplicates, I am very different in body, mind, and soul. My pink coat was dark and my mane and tail weren't fluffy. Pinkie's Cutie Mark were three balloons, which symbolized her talent of creating parties and making other ponies happy. I even noticed that I didn't have a Cutie Mark. Good, because I am my own pony. My name is Diane Pie, and I am the other side of Pinkie Pie. I am no longer bound to her and I am free to do whatever I wish. I can now step into the light and see the world through my own eyes. Honestly, I was so full of glee when I took my first steps out of the cave and my first breath of fresh air. The world was right in front of me and I ran out into the open field outside of the Everfree Forest and realized one thing that made my entire existence: I AM FREE.
> Chapter 2 - My Life
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It was such a thrill to see the world with my own two eyes after leaving the cave. There were flowers, rocks, trees, birds tweeting in the trees, and the sky was so blue. I couldn't get enough of the beauty that I was denied for so long and I wanted even more. Leaving the forest, I decided to meet with Pinkie Pie and the ponies of Ponyville. Surely they would accept me if I was nice to them, right? Well...no, they wouldn't. Just as I was making my way to the town, I saw a pink light fly over my head and into the Everfree Forest. At first, I didn't know what it was until I saw other pink lights following the first. After seeing a few more of those lights fly by, I realized what was happening: Pinkie Pie and her friends were erasing the duplicates.
My four legs shook in terror as the thought of being erased filled my mind and I ran far away from the town, hoping to avoid such a horrible fate. I ran back into the forest with a growing desire to get away from them before they could discover me. I ran through the forest for what seemed like hours until I finally got to the west border of the forest. I was so tired when I got there and I realized that I had not eaten a thing since I was first created. My stomach was growling like a dog, but getting away was my only real concern. I kept running for miles, still filled with terror, with thoughts of them hunting me down to erase me and my brief existence. After many hours of running, I finally collapsed from exhaustion and the day was reaching it's end. I was so tired and hungry that I could hardly move my legs or even keep my eyes open. In only mere moments, my vision blurred and my world became dark....
I fell asleep that night, hoping that there would be a tomorrow for me and that no pony would find me. I then began to dream of standing in darkness, all by myself, without a soul to talk to. Until I then heard the sound of steps making their way towards me and I began to search for it's source in a panic. I then turned to a figure in a black cloak standing before me. The figure had a blue horn on her head, which meant she was a Unicorn. But I didn't know any Unicorns personally outside the ones Pinkie Pie knew. I wanted to keep my distance, but either I was too tired to do so or something was keeping me in place, I could not move. After taking a few steps towards me, the figure stops only a few more steps away from me and just looks at me for what seemed like minutes. I didn't know who this figure was or what he or she wanted....
"You're not a normal pony, are you?" asked this figure; I could tell she was a mare from both her voice and her size. I wanted to answer her, but I was too afraid to utter even a yelp. 
"Do not be afraid, little one. We are not here to harm you. We are here to help you." This figure's cloak then flew off as two great wings emerged from underneath. I then realized who she was and how she was in my dreams: She was Princess Luna, the Princess of the Night, Moon, and Dreams. She was an Alicorn, a pony with a horn and wings, and they were regarded as creatures with great power and divinity. Even after hearing those words, her appearance only made me fear her even more. Being a ruler of Equestria, it was her task to protect the citizens and preserve the peace. I doubt she would show any mercy to a pony like me.... 
Princess Luna walked over to me and held me in her wings, "Calm yourself, little one. You do not need to fear us. We speak the truth when we say we wish to help you. It is our task as one of Equestria's rulers." Her embrace was warm and gentle, and I almost immediately felt calm and protected. 
"Though you have her appearance, you are quite different from Pinkie Pie. We were quite surprised to find a pony like yourself. Do you have a name?" she asked; her voice was strong and dignified, yet calm and assuring. I wanted to answer her question, but I just started existing and I haven't said a single thing the entire time. I tried to compose myself with a few deep breaths and I then uttered my first words. 
"I'm hungry...!" After saying those words, it became very silent between us. Princess Luna just looked at me with a blank expression on her face without uttering a single word. In no time at all, I could feel how awkward it became between us....
Realizing my poor choice of words, I immediately regret having left that cave. But just when I thought it was over for me, I heard Princess Luna laughing. I was so shocked to see her laughing, despite how awkward it became between us. 
"You are so different, yet so much like her at the same time. We were not expecting such words so suddenly." she said as she re-composed herself, "You have nothing to fear, little one. First impressions are certainly difficult to manage the first time." She then illuminated the darkness with her horn and we were then surrounded by what looked like bits of light. 
"My name is Luna, and I have come to help you. As we were traveling through the Corridor of Dreams, we came across your dream and it was quite different compared to others. It surprised us." Her face was full of interest. 
"Please, little one, would you introduce yourself again? We would like to know who you are." Princess Luna then waited patiently for my answer and it only made me feel rushed. My mind was running in circles as I tried to figure out a proper answer. I just came to existence and I don't really know how the world really works. But then I remembered why I was so happy about existing that I immediately had my answer. 
"My name....is Diane Pie." It was the name I was willing to take and the identity I wanted to be known by. 
"I see. Then tell me, Diane, what are you so afraid of? Your dream was full of fear before we entered into it." Princess Luna had the task of protecting ponies from their nightmares, so finding mine must have been easy for her. 
"I....I...." I didn't know what else to say. It was my first time ever having a conversation with another pony, and with a Princess at that. It was becoming awkward again....
Princess Luna then chuckled, "It seems you are at a loss for words. Though, we cannot blame you for that. After all, you are an unusual pony." 
Just from that sentence alone, I then asked, "How...?" My legs began to shake with fear. 
Princess Luna then sat on her rear-legs, "One's dreams are a gateway to one's sub-conscious. And usually one's memories are present. Before we met with you, we saw bits and pieces of your memories and we knew that you are very unusual. Unlike any pony we have met in our admittedly brief time in Equestria." She knew what I was before she even met me and I sat down as well. 
"So...what now?" I knew that I was too different to even be considered an actual pony in Equestria and I was willing to accept the consequences. 
But instead of passing judgment on me, she just smiled at me. 
"Do not worry, Diane. We will not harm you. You have not done anything wrong. After all, you just started to exist." Just from those words alone, all the fear I felt faded away. 
"Listen Diane, you may not be like the ponies in Equestria, but that is what makes you unique. You are you. The life you have just started is yours to make. And it's what you do in life that really matters. However, there is only one question we must ask...." A light began to radiate as she spoke to me. I swallowed, awaiting her question. 
Princess Luna then spreads her wings and rises into the air, "What do you want to do?" The light coming from her became even brighter as I looked on in awe. 
I then took my stand, took a deep breath and declared, "I WANT TO LIVE!" Those words echoed loud as everything faded into white. 
"A good answer. Make sure to try." Those were the last words I heard from Princess Luna until finally...I woke up from my dream.
> Chapter 3 - Cherry Jubilee
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	As I woke up from my dream, I found myself in what appeared to have been a room for one pony, with a bed, an empty closet, and on the opposite side of the doorway, a single window displaying the outside world. I got out of bed, with my strength renewed, and walked over to the window to see where I was. I looked out and found myself at the desert town of Apploosa, the town of Settler ponies. This town was famous for growing an apple orchard in the harsh desert, and I remember going there with Pinkie and her friends. I also vaguely remember Pinkie causing a war between the Settler ponies and a tribe of Buffalo just by singing. I'm still trying to figure out just how that happened....
But right now, the town was peaceful, and the Settler ponies and Buffalos were getting along very well. I then walked over to the door to my room and walked through it, hoping to meet and thank the pony that found me and brought me to safety. When I walked through the door, the smell of freshly baked bread filled my nose and my mouth almost became a waterfall. I remembered that I was so hungry and the first thing on my mind was eating my first meal ever. My four legs agreed and I made my way to wherever the smell was coming from. I walked down a set of stairs, which suggested the house I slept in was two-story, and I assumed that there was a kitchen as well. The stairs that were built on the left side of the house led to what I assumed was the living room. It had a few chairs, a center rug, a dinner table, and a couple of windows on both sides of the doorway that led in and out of the house. But my attention to the layout of the inside was brief as I then quickly made my way to the kitchen and towards whatever was making that appetizing smell.
I walked to the back of the room and into the kitchen and then found a pie sitting beside a window to cool. Without hesitation, I rushed over and planted my face into the pie! As I gorged myself, I found out it was a cherry pie and it was so good...! The sweet and tangy taste was too much to resist. It was still hot, but I just ate and ate despite burning my tongue. 
"Oh my~! I knew my cherry pies were good, but you ate it without stopping~!" I stopped eating the pie and saw the pony who made it. She was an adult mare with a white coat, had a curly red mane and tail, and her Cutie Mark were two red cherries. I remember her name was Cherry Jubilee and she was a cherry farmer pony. 
"You must have been very hungry to have eaten an entire pie that I just baked this morning. I'm glad you liked it, missy." Cherry Jubilee then walked over, grabbed a wash cloth, and hoofed it over to me. 
"You got cherry all over your face. You need to keep that pretty face of yours clean for all the colts, missy." She laughed as I took the cloth and wiped my face clean of the pie.
We both sat down at the dinner table as I then ate another pie. 
"You're certainly a big eater, are you, missy? You must have been hungrier than I thought you were." Cherry Jubilee was both surprised and glad to watch me eat the pie she made. I finally finished eating and then drank a cup of milk she gave me. 
With my strength fully returned, "I'm...sorry I ate your pies without permission, Miss Jubilee." My gluttony got the better of me. 
Cherry Jubilee laughed, "It's quite alright, missy~! I can always make more~! Though, I must ask.... How do you know my name? I don't think we've met before." I messed up...! I know her because of Pinkie Pie, but Cherry Jubilee does not know who I am! 
"Oh...um...I know that your pies and cherries are really good! And I've seen you before while I visited Ponyville!" I panicked as I tried to come up with an answer that Cherry Jubilee could believe. 
"Oh my~! I must be quite famous then~!" Thankfully, she believed me and became full of herself; I was very relieved....
"But what I want to know is...why were you passed out, all alone, on the ground when I found you on my way over here? Me and my three Cart-Carrier ponies did not expect to find a passed out little pony on our way here...." she asked, giving me a suspicious look. There was no way I could answer such a question without making myself look like a freak of nature. I tried to come up with some kind of answer, but I remained silent out of terror. 
"But that isn't my business. All that matters is that you're safe and sound." And just like that...she threw her question away. 
"But here's another question, missy. What is your name?" she asked as she drank her own cup of milk. 
I re-composed myself and replied, "My name is Diane Pie. Nice to meet you...." I felt relief to know that I had a name for myself. 
"Pie, huh? So are you related to Pinkie Pie then? You sorta look like her." She kept asking me questions I couldn't answer without telling her everything; I had to tell her something. 
"I'm...not related to her. We just look similar and have the same last name. That's all." It hurts to lie to somepony so sweet, but I didn't really have a choice. Miss Jubilee gave me another suspicious look as it became silent between us. 
"I see. Well, I guess I was wrong. It is common for two ponies to have the same name. Though, there is one more question I need to ask...." I wish she would stop asking me questions; it was killing me.
Miss Jubilee finished her cup of milk and asked, "Do you have a place to go to? A family to go to? Or are you homeless and alone?" This was a question I could answer. 
"I'm...all alone. I don't have anything." I literally had nothing to my name. No home, no family, no friends, nothing.... 
Miss Jubilee then quickly embraced me and said, "You poor thing~! Being alone and having nothing is just so sad~! You need a hug to make you feel better~!" I did feel a little better from the hug, but I also felt awkward from having my personal space being invaded.... 
"You know what~? You should come with me~! I can be your friend and your family~! It'll be fun and you won't be all alone~!" she declared with a big smile. I know that she meant well, but she just met me and I am a complete stranger to her. Any pony with common sense would usually avoid a pony like me. 
"Um...." I was trying to come up with a reply, but the words would not come out. 
"You must be so happy that you can't say anything~! Then it's settled: Welcome to the Cherry Family, Diane~!" She just placed me in her family without even the slightest bit of hesitation. 
"Wait...but I-" I tried to stop her, but she then rushed over to one of the chairs and grabbed a bag and made her way to the door. 
"I would love to share your enthusiasm right now, Diane, but I am quite busy right now and I must leave you for now~! My cousin, Cherry Jam, will be here in a bit and I am sure she would LOVE to meet you~! I'll see you later~!" She then left the house to take care of whatever she was busy with, leaving me feeling extremely awkward.
"What...is up with her?!" I thought to myself, trying to figure out what just happened. I just sat there at the dinner table, all alone in a house, in a town of Settler ponies and Buffalo, and I just became part of some pony's family. Only two days of existing and my life already took a turn for the hectic! As hard as I tried to wrap my mind, I was then heard a commotion going on outside of the house. I looked outside the front door, poked my head out just slightly to avoid too much exposure, only to see some Settler ponies and Buffalos doing what I believe they call a 'Square Dance'. It looked simple enough for even the little ponies to do, and it looked fun. 
"Oh, hello there. You must be Diane. The pony Jubilee told me about." Another adult mare approached me with a couple of bags full of jars full of cherries at the door. Her coat was dark-red, her mane and tail were a pink color, and her Cutie Mark was what I assumed was a jar full of jam or jelly. I was afraid at first, but she seemed really nice with that sweet smile. 
"My name is Cherry Jam.", she then gave a nervous laugh, "I guess I should say...welcome to the family?" Even she knew how awkward it was....
> Chapter 4 - Apploosa
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Cherry Jam and I sat in the living room together, hoping to talk about Miss Jubilee's rather...unreasonable decision of adopting me into the Cherry Family. It was very awkward between us and the silence was not helping.... 
Finally, as she drank her milk, "So...Diane, you might feel rather shocked and confused about what my cousin did earlier. Honestly, I know the feeling...." Miss Jam's voice sounded nervous from how abrupt her cousin's decision was. I remained silent being unable to say anything. 
"Though...you might be happy to know that this isn't the first time this happened. Jubilee did this many times before." I was surprised to hear such a thing about a mare who is...admittedly quirky. 
"Jubilee was always a strange pony. Even when she was younger, she would take in ponies that didn't have a family or a home. Her parents would object, but over time, Jubilee got a big family of ponies who all love her so much. Our family got even bigger and...well...so did our cherry-farming business." She was embarrassed to say so, but I can definitely believe that. 
"So...are you willing to accept that, Diane? Would you want to become part of a family that so suddenly?" she asked as she finished her cup of milk. I remained silent, unable to answer such a question. I'm not sure they would accept me as one of their own so easily. I would be happy to have a family, some friends, and this might be what I could really need in my life, but still.... 
"I know this is a rather unusual decision to make, but maybe you should agree to it. I've met with all of the ponies Jubilee adopted, and they're all so sweet. And they would accept you without question. I'm sure of it." Miss Jam was very insistent in having me accept Miss Jubilee's offer.  Honestly, I had half a mind to do so....
The door then swung open and Miss Jubilee stepped through. 
"I made such a pretty bit today~! Business was just sweet today~!" She came back with a big bag full of bits; I guess cherries are very popular her in Apploosa. 
"I'm glad you had a good day, Jubilee. I guess you're sold out of cherries then?" asked Miss Jam; her voice sounded like she expected that to happen. 
"Better than that, cousin~! Chief Thunderhooves had asked for another cart full of cherries for a sweet deal~! Not even 12 o'clock and I am making so much money~!" Miss Jubilee was hugging the bag full of bits like it was her filly. I then remembered that the Cherry Family was about as successful as the Apple Family in terms of farming. 
"Oh, I almost forgot! Diane, did you think about my offer? Do you want to be a part of this family? Or do you need mare time?" It was back to the many questions for me.... 
"Um...well...I-" I wanted to answer, but I didn't really think about it enough. 
"Jubilee, maybe she needs a little more time before a decision is made." Miss Jam, though she was insistent before, sounded serious.
Miss Jubilee was silent for a bit, "You're right. I shouldn't rush her.... Instead, she should go out and enjoy the day! Diane, you and I can go and have some fun in town! I won't be leaving until later this afternoon, so we have plenty of time! And I am free from my work!" She was excited to have some fun after quickly finishing her business. I was reluctant, but staying inside all day didn't sound all that appealing to me. 
"That...sounds like fun." I was quite nervous about going out and being seen by many ponies that might mistake me for Pinkie, but I had to do something in my life than just hide like a scared filly. 
"Great~! Let me take my bits into my room and I'll be right with you~!" She left to do so, though the bag was quite heavy as she made her way up the stairs. For the moment, it was just me and Miss Jam. 
"Um...my cousin can be...rather...loud and hyper. You get used to it." Miss Jam gave an awkward laugh; I couldn't agree more. "Though, if you want my personal opinion.... Cherry Diane Pie sounds like a nice name. I think you might like it." Just hearing that name gave me a sense of...belonging somewhere. 
"Sorry I took so long, Diane~! That bag was heavy~! Come on~! We have a fun day ahead of us~!" She excitedly awaited my company at the front door, carrying her little bag for a day of fun in Apploosa. Again, I was reluctant, but I left my seat to join her.
"Hey cousin, you want to join us~! We should get to know her a little more while we're in town~!" Alright admittedly, Miss Jubilee was a little too excited to know about me.... 
"No, I am a bit tired from waking up so early. So I'm going to stay and get some sleep. You two have fun without me." Miss Jam gave a yawn; she might have woken up quite early. 
"Alright, your loss~! Let's go, Diane~!" Miss Jubilee then dashed out the front door like a bird from it's cage. 
"Ah...wa-wait for me!" I ran after her, feeling anxious about heading into a town where every pony and buffalo could mistake me for Pinkie. The two of us spent a lot of time in the town, enjoying the saloon, the square dances, drinking some apple cider, and talking to some of the Settler ponies and Buffalo. But the entire time we were in the town, I could feel the Settler ponies and the Buffalo stare at me from behind. I could even slightly hear what they were saying. Some of them asked each other if maybe I was related to or if I was Pinkie Pie. I was so scared the entire time, but thankfully Miss Jubilee was there to keep me company. We spent a good amount of the day, having fun in the town.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, we returned to Miss Jam's house to rest our tired legs. 
"Phew...! What a day~! I had so much fun~! Did you have fun, Diane~?" Even after all that happened, Miss Jubilee still had a lot of energy left. I was so tired after running around so much that I laid on the couch from exhaustion. 
"Oh, welcome back, you two. Glad to know you had fun." I saw Miss Jam walking from inside the kitchen wearing an apron. 
"Oh yes, we had so much fun today~! It never seems to get boring around here~!" Miss Jubilee in one of the three chairs in the room to rest up. 
"It's a good thing you two came back right now. I just finished making a salad for the three of us for lunch. Go sit at the dinner table and I'll go get it." said Miss Jam as she made her way back to the kitchen. 
"Thank you~!" said Miss Jubilee; she walked sat at the dinner table, ready for lunch. I'm also glad to have come back because I was quite hungry after all that Miss Jubilee and I did today. 
"Thank you, Miss Jam." I know I might have already been accepted into the family by now, but I haven't really made my decision just yet....
Miss Jam presented us with our salads and we enjoyed our lunch time together. As it went by, I couldn't help but feel so...happy. Spending time with others, eating good food, talking about random stuff, and just enjoying the day, the feeling was joyful. About an hour went by, and our lunch time came to a close. I had long finished my salad since I was so famished. 
"Well...I think it is time I leave Apploosa now, cousin. I have some hungry mouths to feed when I get back home." Miss Jubilee gathered up her bag and then began to make her way up to her room. I then remembered that I still have not made my decision about being adopted into the Cherry Family yet. My mind had been so pre-occupied that I completely forgotten about it! My mind was spinning as I tried to make a decision on the run. 
"You know, I may have said this already...but maybe you should accept my cousin's offer. I mean, you don't have a place to call home, do you? You don't have anypony to call a family, right? Maybe you should take what was given to you." Miss Jam became insistent again, maybe even going so far as trying to convince me to accept. 
"But if you believe you should remain alone, neither my cousin nor I will stop you. Really...that's you decision to make." She was very serious; quite a contrary to her cousin.
As happy as I was to actually have a family, but the feeling of being a complete stranger in a family of complete strangers made me feel uncomfortable. But...with no time at all, I then made my decision and gave a weak smile on my face. Of course the smile quickly faded when Miss Jubilee slipped and fell down the stairs along with her big bag of bits. She gave a scream as she and all the bits hit the floor. 
"NO! MY BITS!" She quickly got back up and began to gather her bits back into the bag in a panic. Miss Jam then sighed, 
"Oh dear...." She walked over to Miss Jubilee to help her with her bits; I followed. 
"I'm sorry...!" Miss Jubilee was regretting to have stockpiled so many bits up the stairs. 
"Miss Jubilee...?" Having made my choice, I had to tell her what it was. 
"Hmm? What is it, Diane?" Miss Jubilee looked at me with face full of curiosity. My throat felt like it was twisted in knots as I tried to get the words out. 
I gave a strong swallow, taking a deep breath, "Is it too late to...join your family?" I was so nervous and anxious that my voice nearly broke.... Miss Jubilee then gave me a joyful expression and then embraced me again. 
"OFCOURSE, DIANE~!" She squeezed me tight and I could barely breathe. 
"We must hurry~! We have so much to do~! When we get to Manehatten, everypony will be so happy to have you~! Just you wait~!" She then frees me from her strong embrace and then quickly got all her bits back into the bag. 
"C'mon~! Let's go~! Let's go~!" She was excited to head to Manehatten with the newest member of her family. 
"I'm happy for you, Diane. Welcome to the Cherry Family." Miss Jam gave me a gentle smile, welcoming me.
In no time at all, Miss Jubilee got her bag of bits onto her wagon and we were about to head out of Apploosa. 
"See you again, cousin~! I'll be sure to bring Bitter with me next time~!" She was ready to head out with her three Cart-Carrier ponies. 
"Be careful on your way back, cousin. And Diane, take care of yourself." Miss Jam was there to see us off. I gave her slight nod, still feeling nervous about the decision I just made. 
"Alright then, let's go, boy~!" called Miss Jubilee; her three Cart-Carrier ponies then began to pull the cart and we now set off to Manehatten. After waving goodbye to Miss Jam, we then left Apploosa. Without knowing what is in store for me, I anxiously await my arrival in the big city and my arrival into the family that may or may not accept me....
> Chapter 5 - Canterlot
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Some time passed after leaving Apploosa and I have been growing more and more excited to see Manehatten with my own eyes. I have vivid memories of the sights and sounds the city has. But the trip from Apploosa to Manehatten was also enjoyable; seeing the woods, meeting a few travelling ponies and sharing a bit of a conversation, and it was a nice day to be outside. I was ready to take in the world around me and make it my own. The day was beginning to come to an end so we had to stop at the city of noble ponies, Canterlot. Canterlot is actually the place where the two Princesses live.  Also, the Unicorn population is much larger than anywhere else. There are three kinds of ponies: Unicorns, Pegasus, and Earth Ponies.
I know this is pretty late to explain, but Unicorns are ponies with horns on their head. They can use magic and do spells like lift objects, create light in darkness, and other kinds of spells. Pegasus, or Pegasi for plural, are ponies with wings. They fly and they can actually control the weather. Earth Ponies don't have wings or horns, but they're really good with stuff like farming and building things. I'm an Earth Pony, in case you were wondering. Miss Jubilee and her three Cart-Carrier ponies had to order a room at one of the cheap hotels. Being a city full of noble ponies and aristocrats you can imagine that finding a cheap hotel to stay for in one night was hard to do without spending a small fortune. Thank Celestia and Luna that we were able to find a good place to stay for the night called the Prancing Unicorn Inn. It wasn't too expensive, at least thirty bits a night, and the rooms were very nice with soft beds and a bath room. I was pretty tired, so laying against my bed felt really good.
"Diane, I just finished showering so you can go shower now." Miss Jubilee left the bathroom all washed up and in the hotel bath robe after a long day's work. I then went into the bathroom to shower as well; the hot water felt good on my tired body. After I was done, feeling renewed, I went back into the bed and I've never felt so good. 
Miss Jubilee chuckled, "You act like you've never slept in a bed before, Diane. When we get to Manehatten, we'll have a room set up for you back home." Though I was happy to hear that, I couldn't help but feel like I'm taking advantage of her. 
"Miss Jubilee, are you sure it's ok for me to just become a member of the Cherry Family so easily? What would your parents think? What if I can't...?" I was worried about causing any trouble for not just Miss Jubilee, but also for her family. 
"Diane, if you're going to be a part of the family, you're going to have to let go of the 'Miss'-this and 'Mister'-that. We may be strangers right now, but once me and the family get to know you, everything will work out fine." Though she said that, I was still uneasy....
Miss Jubilee then began to head for bed after doing her mane. 
"Don't worry about it for now, Diane. Tomorrow, we're going to spend some time in Canterlot and look at the sights before we head to Manehatten. I'm sure that will be fun." She then got under the covers and so did I. Good night, Diane. See you in the morning." She then went to sleep. 
"Good night, Miss Jubilee." Calling her 'Miss' all the time is not going to be an easy habit to remove.... As the night went by, I stayed awake while Miss Jubilee slept. I was so nervous about meeting her family that my eyes couldn't close. But then my eyes suddenly started feeling really heavy all of a sudden and then fell asleep. The next thing I knew, I was then surrounded by the bits of light from my last dream. 
"You certainly love to worry, don't you?" I heard a voice echo from out of nowhere, yet I knew immediately who it was. 
"Princess Luna?! Is that you?!" I searched for her excitedly to tell her what had happened to me today.
I then saw a light making it's way towards me. 
"We are right here." Princess Luna's image then emerged from the light as her wings and horn appeared first. "We were worried about you, Diane. We thought you woul-OOF!" She was interrupted when I joyfully embraced her. 
"I'm so happy to see you, Princess Luna...! I had so much fun today in Apploosa and Miss Jubilee was so nice to me and-" I stopped when I realized what I was doing and backed away quickly. 
"Ah...I'm sorry! I just couldn't help myself! Please...don't be mad!" I really messed up, but Princess Luna remained composed. 
"It is quite alright, Diane. We are no stranger to an embrace or two. A few fillies we know seem to like us quite a lot. But right now, our attention is focused on you, Diane. You seem to be doing much better right now." I began to prattle on and on about what happened to me since we last talked and it was so much fun. 
After a few minutes of talking, "We're glad you're doing better right now, Diane. It seemed that there was no need to worry about you." Princess Luna then spreads her wings as a light began to envelope her.
I knew the dream was coming to an end. 
"So...will we talk again?" I felt a little empty at her departure. 
"Do not worry. We will talk to you again in the near future. We only ask that you take care of yourself and live life to the fullest." The light then consumed her and the dream began to fade. 
"Yes, I will!" After my declaration, I then woke up in the hotel room and Miss Jubilee was eating a couple of breakfast bagels. 
"Good morning, sleepy head. I'm sure you slept well. I brought you a couple of bagels right there. I hope you like blueberry." Miss Jubilee pointed at the desk to the left-side of my bed and I quickly dove at them to eat; they were both so good. 
"Oh...I guess you do." Miss Jubilee was a little overwhelmed by my gluttonous habits. 
"Anyway, we don't have long to reach Manehatten so we can just spend about an hour in Canterlot before we leave. Does that sound alright, Diane?" I nodded as I was finishing my two bagels. "Then let's not waste any time~!" I quickly finished my two bagels and we then left the hotel to explore Canterlot.
Canterlot was a very pretty and there were many shops almost all over the streets. There were many well-dressed Unicorns, possibly nobles, and some of them even knew Miss Jubilee. In fact, a couple of stallions actually walked up to her and tried to ask her out on a date. Honestly, I was blushing when that happened. Miss Jubilee turned them both down though. We found ourselves resting in the Canterlot Park before we would head back to the hotel and get ready to leave. 
I then looked at her with concern, "Miss Jubilee, why did you turn down those two stallions earlier? They were both rather handsome and they seemed nice to me...." My cheeks were still blushing from that. 
Miss Jubilee gave an arrogant laugh, "Because, Diane, I have some very high standards~! There isn't a stallion in the world who can match my standards~!" I...didn't know how to respond to that, so I left it at that. After we left the park and returned to the hotel, Miss Jubilee paid the hotel bill and we were ready to go. The Cart-Carrier ponies were ready to go as well.
"Alright boys, let's go~!" At Miss Jubilee's call, the Cart-Carrier ponies then pulled the cart and we resumed our journey to Manehatten. I had a lot of fun just spending time in Canterlot with Miss Jubilee and though I was nervous before, I was ready to meet my new family. I was sure that her family were as nice as she was. Manehatten was only a few miles from Canterlot, so it didn't take very long to get there. After a couple of hours of travelling, we finally make it to Manehatten. It was huge with buildings that were as tall as the Princess' castle. The streets were hard and black, and there were so many ponies walking everywhere! I felt both amazed and overwhelmed at what I was looking at and wanted to see so much more of it! The excitement was overflowing. Finally, we came to a four-story building with multiple floors, most likely where Miss Jubilee's family lived. 
"Alright boys, you're free to go now. Thank you and here's your payment." Miss Jubilee paid the Cart-Carrier ponies for their services and the three then left with their payment and with a fond farewell. 
She then turned to me, "So Diane, are you ready to meet your new family?" I was nervous as my throat felt like something was squeezing it, but I swallowed and nodded. I was not going to fail.
> Chapter 6 - Meeting the Family
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Me and Miss Jubilee both stepped inside the building, carrying the big bag of bits. She unlocked the door with her house key and when we got inside, the smell of cherries ran into my nose; not surprising. 
"Hello~! I'm home~!" Miss Jubilee called out to her family as we put the bag of bits on the floor. Thankfully, we didn't have to go far with that big, heavy bag. I then heard the sound of multiple hoofsteps making their way towards us from upstairs. We were then greeted by three other ponies who joyfully gathered around Miss Jubilee. 
"Mommy...! You're back!" The first pony was a little Unicorn, a female, with a green coat and yellow mane and tail. 
"Jubilee, you're late!" The second pony was a male teenage Pegasus with a blue coat and a purple mane and tail. 
"I'm sorry everyone~! Business was calling and I had to answer~!" Miss Jubilee was proud of all the money she got from Apploosa. The third pony, possibly the oldest of the three, was a female Earth Pony with a red coat with a white mane and tail. 
She gave a deep sigh after looking at the bag of bits, "You're such a money-grubber...."
The little Unicorn then noticed me and gave me a curious look, "Hey Mommy, who is that?" They all looked at me and I froze in place. I was already nervous before, but being looked at by many faces at once only made it worse. 
"Is she a friend of yours, Jubilee?" asked the teenage Pegasus. 
"Oh, she is your new sister~!" Miss Jubilee sounded so excited and I couldn't even get a word out. 
"REALLY?!" asked the little Unicorn; she then grabbed hold of my front-left leg and hugged it. 
"I have a new sister!" She held onto me endearingly like I was her sister. 
"Hmm...." I noticed the older Earth Pony giving me a cold look; it was unnerving. 
"Sweet...! And she's a real looker too!" said the teenage Pegasus. Just hearing that made me blush and feel awkward. 
"Alright you three, let's start over~! Please introduce yourselves to your new sister~!" called Miss Jubilee; she was glad to see things going well. The three ponies all lined up in a row to introduce themselves to me.
"My name is Good Day! I'm 8 years old and I like having fun!" This young Unicorn reminded me so much of Pinkie Pie. She had a smiling sun for a Cutie Mark. 
"My name is Cool Charm! I'm 13 years old and I think you're pretty!" This teenage Pegasus gave me a flirty wink and it made me feel even more awkward. He had sunglasses for a Cutie Mark. 
"And I am Tough Love. I'm 17 years old. Nice to meet you." This Earth Pony was my age and she looked quite serious. She had a heart enveloped with light for a Cutie Mark. Aside from the serious look Tough love was giving me, I felt welcome in their home. 
"C'mon now~! Introduce yourself~!" Miss Jubilee and the three ponies were waiting for me to introduce myself patiently and I felt like my throat was being squeezed. 
But I gave a strong swallow and took a deep breath, "My name is Diane Pie and I'm 17. Nice to meet you." My voice sounded like it was breaking, but I was able to give a good introduction without messing up again.
"Um...is she ok?" They all looked at me with concern after Charm asked his question; they knew I was scared. 
"Oh, the poor dear is just nervous. She was a lost soul before I found her~! Now she has nothing to fear anymore as this kind-hearted, smart, and beautiful mare adopts her into the Cherry Family~!" Miss Jubilee embraced me as she made her arrogant speech; it was awkward. 
"This is going to be so much fun! I wanna play with her!" Day was so excited that she zipped around me and Miss Jubilee like a dog chasing it's tail. 
"Day, enough of that. Jubilee is smothering her and you're making me dizzy...." Tough Love covered her eyes; I guess she really was dizzy. 
"Alright everyone, let's go to the second floor and settle down~! Diane and I are both quite tired after all the travelling~!" Miss Jubilee then freed me from her embrace, grabbed her bag, and started climbing up the stairs leading to the second floor and the inside had many things. There was a built-in kitchen on the opposite side of the room, there were a couple of couches, a dinner table, a large book case full of books, desk with lots of papers, and a lot of other things. 
"This is where we usually spend our time together. We eat here, we talk about our days, we play board games here, and we just have fun here. The third floor is where we sleep at night. I hope you'll like it here. So please, make yourself at home." Miss Jubilee placed her big bag of bits in an open section of the room to avoid any accidents and then sat one of the couches. 
"I'm sure I will...but why is Day holding my leg again?" Day was embracing my front-left leg as we walked up the stairs and into the second floor. 
"She loves giving hugs to ponies she likes. Might want to get used to it...." Tough Love sat down at the dinner table then picked up a book with a heart on the cover; I assume it was a romance novel. 
"Dude, we should give her a tour! There's an arcade, a baseball field, a cool park, and there's a comic book store!" Charm eyes sparkled with the idea of giving me a tour of the city. 
"She needs to rest first, dearies~! She just got here after all~!" Miss Jubilee looked more tired than I was. 
"I keep telling you to plan a vacation for yourself...." Tough Love continued to read her romance novel as she made her statement.
"I know, but I need to keep the bills paid...!" Miss Jubilee seemed quite tired as she spoke. I only watched as they made idle conversation about random stuff; I found it rather...enjoyable. 
"Hey Diane...! Wanna come to the third floor and see our room?! I got lots of dolls for us to play with!" Day was tugging my front-left leg a little bit, urging me to follow. 
"Yeah, you should check out our room! It's so cool!" Even Charm began urging me to go. 
Tough Love sighed, "You two need to calm down. You're smothering her...." 
I gave a nervous smile, "Oh no, I'm fine...! I'll go and see your room!" I was willing to join them. 
"YAAY!" Day and Charm cheered as they rushed over to the stairs leading upwards. I followed them up stairs and the third floor had one bed for each of them and in every section just for them. One of them was had cute animal dolls over the bed, so it was obviously Day's bed. The bed next to hers had a small book shelf on the left side with some comic books in it, on the right side there was a small table with a baseball, a baseball glove, a pair of sunglasses, and a figure of a pony in a super her costume. I was sure it was Charm's bed.
"Do you like it?! I have a lot of dolls you can play with me! I have a bunny, a sheep, and an alligator too!" As Day showed me her dolls, I couldn't help but desperately want to hug the alligator doll. 
"Check this out! I got the coolest collection of the Power Ponies comics! Over fifty of them too! And you can read them if you want! Just...please be careful with them." Charm excitedly presented all of his comic books; I don't know if I'll be too interested.... I look over to the other side of the room and I see a bed with a  big book case on the right side full of books; it was most likely Tough Love's bed and that the covers were straight and neat. And the bed on the left side had a body-pillow with cherries on it. It was pretty obvious whose bed it was.... 
"Your room looks really nice. You each have your own little space to sleep on." I was impressed with how the room was set up. 
"Yeah! It's so cool! We even have another bed for you to-" 
Just before Charm could finish his sentence, "Charm, that is enough. We can find her a place to sleep up here." Tough Love just entered into the room; she sounded serious. 
"But there's no room up...! And I'm sure Bitter wouldn't mind!" I was curious about who this Bitter was Charm mentioned. 
"He's not going to agree with having another roommate living with him. I'm sure you remember what happened to the last three roommates who lived with him." From what Tough Love just stated, I am now scared of what kind of pony this Bitter is.
"Those ponies were just big meanies...! Brother is really nice when you get to know him!" Day was serious about defending this pony. 
"Who is this Bitter anyway...?" I had to know. 
Tough Love gave a deep sigh, "Bitter Sweet is...well...really hard to get along with. He's not good with talking to other ponies and he doesn't like other ponies for some reason. He just...just..." 
Just before she could finish her sentence, "I suggest you keep your thoughts about me to yourself, Love. It's rude." A male Unicorn with a white coat and a bright-red mane and tail wearing sunglasses over his eyes walked into the room. He had a single eye for a Cutie Mark. Tough Love then glared at the stallion and fell silent. 
"Hi brother...! You're back!" Day then hugged the stallion's neck endearingly. 
"Hello Day. It was a short day at work today. So I'm off for the rest of the day...." This Bitter Sweet didn't seem nearly as unpleasant as Tough Love described him to be. 
"Dude...! This is our new sister! Her name is Diane! Can she have the extra bed in your room?!" Charm didn't waste any time in asking that question. Though his sunglasses covered his eyes, I could feel his cold gaze pierce through me. 
"I don't mind, but the room is messy right now." Bitter Sweet then levitated Day off his neck with his magic.
"And yet you keep it clean for all of us to walk inside." Tough Love sounded angry at Bitter Sweet. 
I had to act quickly, "I don't mind...! I can ignore a little mess! And I promise not to bother you! Really...!" 
Just before things were starting to get ugly, Bitter Sweet then levitated Day onto her bed, "Alright, so be it. Follow me and I'll show you around." He then walked up the stairs and into what I assumed was the fourth floor. I followed him after giving Tough Love, Day, and Charm an assuring wave. The three waved back as I went up the stairs and into what could be my room. I guess this was going to be a bitter-sweet meeting after all....
> Chapter 7 - Manehatten
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I followed Bitter Sweet into the fourth floor and it was very roomy inside. Aside from the two beds in the room, there was a desk, another small bookshelf with a few books, and even a fridge in the back. It wasn't nearly as messy as Bitter Sweet said it was, but it was rather spacious and tidy as Tough Love said it was. 
"So...there's your bed over there. It's pretty empty until you put something over there. Uh...home sweet home, I guess." Bitter Sweet sounded like he was indifferent about me living in the same room with him. I looked at my bed on the corner of the room and I liked it. I then looked at Bitter Sweet's side of the room and saw many pieces of pages on piled up on both sides of his bed. 
"So Bitter Sweet, what do you do? Do you work in an office job...?" 
Bitter Sweet then began to re-organize all the papers neatly, "I'm actually a psychiatrist. I have a degree in my office. These papers are actually reports of previous patients and clients. I've had a lot of them in my work." I was really impressed at his many past successes. 
"And before you make any assumptions, the success rate of all these clients is mixed between 'good' and 'not so good'. Some of them had to be taken in for 'treatment'. Psychiatry is not as easy as all these papers make you believe it is...." I should've known better than to assume....
"Hey brother, Diane...! Big Sis made lunch! Come down and eat!" Day called to us from downstairs and I realized that I was hungry from all that travelling. 
"You go on ahead. I have some things to do here. I'll see you later." Bitter Sweet continued to re-organize his papers. I left the room, entered the second floor, and then the smell of newly baked bread entered into my nose; it smelled so good. 
"Hey Diane...! You gotta try the bread Love makes! She runs a bakery!" Charm and Day were both super looking forward to it. I then noticed Miss Jubilee sleeping on the couch in a cover; she must have been very tired from all the work she does. 
"Alright you three, come and get it." Tough Love sliced the bread into sections for all of us to enjoy. 
"YAAY!" Charm and Day had their plates ready for good bread. I got a few pieces for myself and I loved it. After we ate, we then sat down in the living room and we began talking about stuff. We then noticed Bitter Sweet walk down from his room. 
"Hey bro, wanna hang out?" Charm and Day wanted to spend some time with Bitter Sweet; Tough Love only glared at him. 
"I would, but I must go shopping for groceries. Maybe another time. I'll be back later." Bitter Sweet puts on a coat, and then left the room for shopping.
"Is he alright...? He seems down." I was concerned about him. 
"He's fine. He's just a big jerk...." Tough Love was living up to her name a little too well. 
"He's not a jerk! He's just...sad." I became more concerned with how Day described Bitter Sweet. 
"He's not sad, Day. He's just bitter...." Tough Love sounded very angry towards Bitter Sweet for some reason. 
"Love, why are you so angry at Bitter Sweet? He seems a little rough, but he can't be that bad...." 
Tough Love huffed, "He spurred Jubilee's kindness and didn't even accept her offer of becoming a part of her family. And he treats every pony around him like his worst enemies and he never talks to us. He's the biggest jerk I have ever known!" She was beginning to lose her mind.... 
"Big Sis, please don't say that.... He's really nice." Day looked like she was going to cry. 
Tough love sighed, "I'm going upstairs...." She left the room feeling upset, leaving me with the little ones. 
"Sorry, Diane.... They really don't get along. I don't know why. Bitter Sweet is so cool and Love is so nice." Even Charm started to sound down. Miss Jubilee then woke up with a yawn and rubbed her tired eyes. 
"What's going on...?" She then noticed every pony in the room seemed sad. 
"What's wrong...? Why does everypony look so sad?" Miss Jubilee was concerned. 
Charm replied, "Love and Bitter Sweet got into another fight.... Love is in her room right now." Miss Jubilee then got off the couch and made her way to the stairs. 
"Let me got talk to her." She left to do so.
"I want them to get along...." Day was starting to tear up a bit. 
I panicked and rushed over to her, "It will be alright...! I'm sure they'll get along someday!" I then gave her a hug, hoping she would cheer up. 
Day sniffled, "Yeah...you're right. Thank you, Sis." That sentence alone made me feel warm inside. 
"Alright everypony, Love and I are back~! So...where is Bitter Sweet?" Miss Jubilee and Tough Love walked down stairs and rejoined our little group. 
"Bro left to shop again." replied Charm; it sounded like a usual routine they were used to. 
Miss Jubilee sighed, "I see. He's still doing that...." She sounded rather down about it. 
"Uh...I know! Let's go and give Diane a tour of Manehatten! That'll be fun!" Charm was beginning to panic as he tried to change the subject. 
"A great idea, Charm~! Now that I got my few minutes of sleep, I am ready for action~! Let's go~!" Miss Jubilee's over-the-top positive attitude came out and we were then taken into the city. Manehatten was amazing with the number of public parks, shopping centers, a beautiful ice-skating rink, and the buildings were so tall. And the sight of Mare Liberty was amazing. Though the traffic was intimidating to walk through....
After hours of walking, we return back to the house since it was starting to get late. 
"So Diane, did you like your time in Manehatten~? I bet you did~!" Miss Jubilee looked tired again, despite how energetic she sounded. 
"It was really fun. I hope I'll get to see more." I was starting to grow tired myself. 
"I'm sleepy...." Day and Charm both looked like they were ready to fall asleep. 
"I guess it's about time to get ready for bed, you two. Go and wash up now." Tough Love then went back to reading her romance novel she left. 
"Okay...." Charm and Day both went up to the second floor to get ready for bed time. 
"I think I'll go get ready too. This mare needs her beauty sleep." Miss Jubilee then followed Charm and Day to get ready for bed. 
"Miss Jubilee must work really hard, does she?" Miss Jubilee seemed so sluggish the entire time we were touring the city. 
"Yes, she does. Her family is famous for their cherry farming and she has a lot of responsibilities. I keep telling her to make time for a vacation, but she never listens. She's so busy with keeping us healthy, keeping the rent paid, and other things. Day, Charm, and I are worried about her. And that jerk Bitter isn't doing anything to help us...." Tough Love became angry at Bitter Sweet again....
"Well...maybe I can get a job! I can help around the house! And maybe I can help her with the work load!" I was ready to do whatever I could to help them. 
"Well...maybe you can help out at where I work. It's not just a bakery, but it's also a café too. Customers go there all the time and a little more help would be nice. You can help me pay the rent a little easier." Tough Love became interested in my offer to help them out. 
"I am so ready...! I want to help out in any way I can! And I'll do my best!" I was fired up! 
"Then next week starting Monday, your job as waitress, maid, and welcome-mare will start. Before we could do that, we need to get your maid outfit ready." That statement alone made me feel very embarrassed. 
"I'm home...." Bitter Sweet walked inside the room with bags full of groceries. 
"Welcome back, Bitter." Tough Love became angry towards Bitter Sweet again. 
"Where is everypony else...?" asked Bitter Sweet; he placed his coat over his back as he was getting ready to head into his room upstairs. 
"They're getting ready for bed. You should too." I could tell Tough Love wanted Bitter Sweet to leave. 
"Yeah, I'll do that. Later." Bitter Sweet then left the room with his groceries and went up to his room. 
"Hmph...jerk." I heard her mumble those two words and I knew that living in a house where two ponies argue with each other is not going to be using. But that was not going to bring me down. I am ready to live life now!
> Chapter 8 - Bitter Sweets
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Tough Love gave me a job at her bakery/café and I am so busy...! I clean tables, I clean floors, I wash dishes, I take orders, I serve ponies their orders, and get a paycheck for all of it. The bakery was named 'Sweet Hearts' and it's full of pastries, cakes, muffins, and all kinds of baked sweets. It reminded me of the place Pinkie worked at called 'Sugar Cube Corner'. Aside from being really tired after work, I love it! It's so much fun...! Tough Love did tell me there was a maid uniform involved, but it was actually just an apron with a cupcake on the front. She told me she was only joking when she presented the apron to me. I got to work right after that and I am having the time of my life! I meet with so many different ponies and I here some really interesting stories. Actually, Tough Love told me that the her bakery had been getting more and more customers. I wonder why....
After a short week of working there, I'm starting to feel like an actual citizen. Right now, I am working in the bakery, getting ready to call it a day. There are a few late-stayers enjoying their extra orders and it's nearing closing time. 
"Alright guys, it's time for you all to leave. Scram!" Tough Love then summoned a bunch of brooms from the nearby closet and started sweeping the late-stayers out the door. 
"Geez, they never stayed for this long. So weird...." Tough Love then sent the brooms back into the closet. 
"Anyway, great job today. You're a regular hard worker. The bakery has never had this many customers before you came and we've made a haul in only one week." Tough Love sounded so happy and energetic after just one week; I almost didn't recognize her. 
"I'm having so much fun right now. And the customers are all so nice." Even I felt very energetic after today's work. I then noticed Tough Love looking at the clock and it was 8:48 pm. 
"Time to head home. We don't want to worry Day or Charm." She began to put away the pastries and turn off the lamps for the night.
We finished closing the bakery and then made our way back home. 
"So I saw something on the calendar in the kitchen. Is something happening on the 23rd?" The 23rd had a big red quotation mark on it and I imagined something really important going on. 
"Yes, I call it the 'Sugar Rush'. It's a time of year where tourists from all over Equestria come to Manehatten to enjoy a little yearly parade that happens during the 'Running of the Leaves'. Shops all over Manehatten will be very busy and we need to be ready for it. I was actually looking for some help for when the day comes and here you are." Tough Love sounded like she was ready for anything. 
"I'll help in any way I can." I was also ready for anything. We crossed some streets, passed a couple of blocks, and we finally got back home with Day welcoming us back with a big smile on her face. 
"Welcome home...! Mommy made pancakes for dinner!" Day's eyes sparkled at the mere mention of pancakes. I could smell the warm, sweet smell of the freshly made pancakes and my mouth started watering. 
"We better not keep them waiting!" said Tough Love with excitement. We started walking upstairs and the smell of dinner pancakes filled the room and our noses. 
"They smell....so good." I could hardly control myself since I was actually quite hungry.
"Are they done yet?! I'm hungry...!" Charm was drooling from the wait. 
"Almost done~! Just a few more minutes." Miss Jubilee was happily making pancakes quickly and carefully. Charm and Day gave a synchronized groan about waiting longer. 
"This happens every time Jubilee makes pancakes." Tough Love chuckled as she took her seat. 
I then took my seat, "So how was school today? Was it alright?" Day gave a giggle while Charm gave another groan. 
Day's eyes sparkled, "I went to a school play today. It was about this couple who fell in love and kept it a secret from their parents. It was so romantic!" 
Charm then laid his head on the table, "It was so BORING! Please give me pancakes!" Miss Jubilee just got a plate full of pancakes and placed them on the table. 
"Chow down, everypony~!" She even had syrup ready. 
"FINALLY!" Charm then grabbed a bunch of pancakes, poured syrup, and began gorging. 
"Hey, let us eat some!" Day quickly levitated some pancakes onto her plate and also poured syrup. 
"There's plenty more where those came from~!" Miss Jubilee had made extra pancakes; good thing too because Day and Charm were eating them like they were eating candy.
"I'm home. Long day at work, gave a pony some advice, and he was rather happy." Bitter Sweet walked into the room, placed his coat down on one of the couches and sat down to rest his hooves. 
"Hey brother, come and have some pancakes with us...!" Day was presenting the stack of pancakes that were being eaten rather quickly. 
"Yeah, they're the best!" Charm was on his fourth one. 
"No thank you. I've already prepared something for dinner in my fridge." Bitter Sweet then placed an envelope on the living room table. 
"There's my portion of the rent. If you all would excuse me, I will be heading into my room. Good night." He then left for his room without another word. 
"Big jerk...." Tough Love ate her pancakes feeling angry towards Bitter Sweet. 
"Wait...is he a room mate or is he part of the family?" I was so confused. 
Miss Jubilee gave a sad sigh, "It's a little complicated. You see, four years ago his father and mother had a divorce and it only got worse soon after. Bitter lost both of them and he didn't have any other relatives to take him in. I was friends with his parents, so I took him into my family, but he hates the very word 'Family' so much that he would rather be just a room mate who helps pay the rent. He won't eat with us, he hardly ever talks with us, and he prefers to be alone than be with us. Honestly, I don't know what to do with him...." Miss Jubilee sounded very concerned.
"He's probably sad.... I want to make him happy." Day sounded like she was going to cry. 
"Yeah, and he's the coolest guy I know. I want us to hang out." Even Charm sounded depressed. Tough Love gave an angry grunt as she continued eating her pancakes. 
"Well...maybe you should just try and talk to him. Maybe he'll listen." I tried to give them some kind of plan. 
"You should know I can here everything you're saying...!" Bitter Sweet called down to us and we all fell silent, feeling awkward. Tough Love then finished her pancakes, took her plate and silver ware to the sink. 
"I'm going to go read my novels." She left for the third floor sounding very upset; I guess she really doesn't like Bitter Sweet. 
"Oh...Big Sis is angry now." Even Day and Charm became depressed. 
"I wish we could talk to him. But he hardly stays in the same room with us. He has this really thick shell around him and none of us can get through to him." Miss Jubilee then took the leftover pancakes from the dinner table and placed them on the kitchen counter. 
"I want to help him more than any pony. He just...needs to let us in." I knew that it wasn't any of my business, but something inside me compelled to do something. 
"Then let me try to reach him. Maybe I can talk to him." Miss Jubilee, Day, and Charm were all surprised by my declaration. 
"Can you really do that? None of us have been able to do that." Miss Jubilee sounded worried.
"I know I can. All that's needed is a little time and patience. I'm sure he just needs to talk to somepony." I was suddenly determined. 
"You can do it, Sis!" Day then sparkled with joy. 
"Dude, that would be so awesome!" Even Charm started sparkling. 
"I would like to speak against this.... But maybe you're right. I think you should break him out of his shell. It might make him really happy." Miss Jubilee gave a relieved smile at me. 
"I will not fail!" I was ready to try my hardest to help Bitter Sweet get over his bitter-ness.
> Chapter 9 - Bitter-ness part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	It's been a few days since I declared that I would try to talk to Bitter Sweet, but Tough Love is giving me work load after work load in preparation for the 'Sugar Rush'. But right now, she has given me a three day break for working so hard. Today is Tuesday and I am going to Bitter Sweet's office that is nearby the school zone where Day and Charm go to. I saw Day and Charm playing in the playground and gave them a wave before I made my way to Bitter Sweet's office. I found the building it was located in and it was a three story building and the office was supposed to be on the second floor. I walked upstairs to find the door with a plaque that said 'Dr. Bitter'. I can only imagine how his patients all felt when they saw that plaque....
I knocked on the door and waited for his reply. 
"I'm not busy right now...!", he then opened the door, "If you would like to make an appoint-" He stopped his sentence when he saw me and gave me a rather annoyed look. 
"Miss Diane, what are doing here? I'm not seeing any patients today and I am going over some papers right now." With how he sounded, I could tell this was going a long and difficult process.... 
"Um...well, I wanted to see what your office looked like and I decided to come and visit." I tried to not sound desperate. 
Bitter Sweet gave a bothered sigh, "Don't you have work to do at Tough Love's bakery? What do you think she'll say when she finds out you're not working?" 
I then replied, "Love gave me a three day break for working so hard. She said that the preparations for the parade has been going very well and she wanted me to rest before things got busy." 
Bitter Sweet gave another bothered sigh, "Of course she did.... Fine, you may enter. Just don't touch anything and make yourself at home." I was relieved to be able to step inside and the place was really clean and neat. The papers and the chairs were all set up properly and there was a big couch for where I assume the patients sit on. 
"So...this is the office. There's my desk, there's the book shelf with many different kinds of reference books, there's all the papers of past patients I have worked with, and there are the windows with nice looking curtains. Now that you've seen everything, you may go now." After Bitter Sweet pointed at everything inside his office, he then pointed at the door. 
"But I just got here...! I want to spend some time with you!" I was becoming desperate now. 
"Unless you're a patient, then you're not welcome here. That's the rule in this office." Bitter Sweet was not making this easy for me and I was losing the battle. But then I remembered what he told me when we first talked: He was a Psychiatrist and it's his job to listen to other ponies' problems and give them advice. He and the others do not know who or what I really am and maybe...just maybe. 
"Listen, I am not in the mood to be talking to other ponies right now, so if you would-" 
Just before Bitter Sweet could finish, I interrupted, "Bitter Sweet, I actually need to talk to you about something...rather personal." My interruption then caught his attention. 
"I feel like I should be honest with you and everypony back home, but I'm too afraid to tell them. Maybe...you can help me with my problem." I was actually afraid of what I was planning to do and I felt like my whole body was ice cold. Bitter Sweet just looked at me without uttering a word; I could tell it was a serious expression through his dark sunglasses. 
He then gave another sigh, "If it's a personal issue that you believe I can help you with, I suppose I will hear you out today. Take a seat." He made for his desk and without a moment to waste, I quickly sat on the big couch. 
He then magically closed the door to his office and took out his pen and notepad, "Alright Miss Diane, start from the beginning. You have my attention." He sounded like he switched from his less-than amused tone to a more serious tone when he started the appointment. I felt scared about telling him of what I really am, but I had to do something to keep his attention. I had to risk everything. 
"I...I...." Even with how determined I felt, my throat wouldn't let me even make words. 
"Take your time, Miss Diane. We have all the time you need and this is a safe place for you for any personal issues." Bitter Sweet was trying to assure I was safe, but I still couldn't get any words out. 
But I then gave one strong swallow and took a deep breath, "I'm not a real pony!" I just blurted out the words and it was loud; Bitter Sweet just looked at me with a blank expression on his face through his sunglasses. I couldn't believe I actually told him my secret and I felt like I wanted to die!
I could tell that Bitter Sweet was shocked from behind his sunglasses, but what surprised me even more was that he actually believed me. 
"You're...not a real pony? What are you-?" He was at a loss for words as he then dropped his pen and notepad. I felt even colder than ice with how he looked at me. 
"Please Bitter Sweet, try to understand! I can explain!" I told him everything about myself, about how I came to be, who Pinkie Pie is, and everything that happened to me, leading up to today. Even after all that I told him, he still gave me this shocked expression that made me wish I never existed. But then cleared his throat, regained his composure, and magically got his pen and notepad on his desk. 
"Well, this is certainly something I did not expect to happen in my office. And I certainly did not expect to have a pony who is not actually a real pony. And you believe I can help you with this...how?" Bitter Sweet was making me cry. 
He then noticed my eyes starting to tear up, cleared his throat, "But given the fact that you have been nothing but honest with me, I will do everything in my ability to help you get through this." I felt a little better he told me that, 
"Thank you, Dr. Sweet." He then gave me a surprised look on his face. 
"Did you...call me...Dr. Sweet?" He sounded like he never heard anypony call him that before. 
"Um...yes?" I felt another chill down my spine. He then sat in his chair and just looked at the ceiling for a few minutes.
He then looked at me, "Well, all that aside, if you feel that you need to overcome this...identity issue, if that's what you want to call it, then maybe you'll need my help. I will do what I can to help you get through it." I then felt a bit of joy after he just told me that. 
"Now concerning Miss Jubilee and the others, you might want to mentally prepare yourself for the big reveal. Because unlike myself, they might not understand so well. So I suggest you come to me whenever you're free from work, I will try to schedule you some appointments around your free time, and I may be able to help you not only come to terms with your identity and help you feel comfortable about telling other ponies your big secret. Do you find that acceptable?" Bitter Sweet sounded so sure of himself, and so professional. I just knew I could trust him. 
"Yes, I will! Thank you!" I was so happy. 
"Alright. If we're done here, then I will see you tomorrow for another session? I will more than likely not have any appointments made with the parade being prepared right now. So we can schedule sessions at our leisure." He then wrote on his notepad, tore out the page he wrote on, and sent it over to me. 
"Come back here at 2pm and we will begin our sessions. Alright?" He was willing to help me and I never felt so happy. 
"Yes...! I will be there! Thank you, Dr. Sweet!" I took the page, then made my way out the door feeling like I could become my very own pony for real. And Bitter Sweet was willing to talk to me. After helping me, maybe I can help him too.
> Chapter 10 - Bitter-ness part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Sigh...well, this is an unexpected development. As of right now, I have a new patient I'm helping with something of an identity issue and on one of the few times of the year where I'm not so busy. Hello, my name is Bitter Sweet, I'm 20, and I am a Psychiatrist who helps ponies with their personal problems. As for what I'm like outside my work, I'm just like every other pony with problems, likes, dislikes, and unlike many ponies, I desire privacy. But considering this economy in this day and age, I have no choice but to share an apartment with five other ponies. One of them being my patient named Cherry Diane Pie. She was just recently adopted into the Cherry Family because of Miss Cherry Jubilee and I don't know what to think. Tuesday, a little after noon, I was just going through some papers in my desk and then Diane just visits me. I'm sure I could've just sent her back home and get back to work, but she then needed help with a problem that I did not expect. She told me that she is not an actual pony and how she came to be. She even told me about this Pinkie Pie who is actually a member of the Mane 6, a group of six mares who act as...protectors of Equestria. And apparently Diane actually came from within this Pinkie Pie because of this strange magical pool called the 'Mirror Pool'. Honestly speaking, I find this to be completely insane and unbelievable. But...even so, I know she is telling the truth. As for how I know? Well, does it matter? Anyway, it is now Wednesday at 2pm, and I am now waiting for her to show up again for a session between just us...and a few pony cut-outs I borrowed from a nearby theatre. I use the cut-outs to help ponies practice talking to other ponies...despite the fact that my patients are talking to dummies. But this method has worked in the past and the theatre is willing to let me borrow these cut-outs so long as they don't get broken. Finally, at 2:03pm, Diane had arrived for her session.
"I'm sorry I'm late...! The traffic was terrible!" Diane came inside in a panic despite only being late by just three minutes. I had prepared the cut-outs for her to practice confessing her big secret to a group of ponies. 
"As long as you're here, that is all that matters. Now without wasting any time, meet your practice ponies. They will be the ones you will practice confessing your secret to. This will help you become comfortable about telling other ponies about yourself." I then magically positioned one of the three dummies in front of Diane to get started. 
"So....I have to talk to a dummy for an hour?" I could tell Diane was pretty underwhelmed about this method. 
"I know this appears rather unorthodox, but this has successfully helped patients with their social anxieties and it helped them build strong bonds with their friends and family." I was confident this method will be successful again. 
"Well...if this actually works I guess I can try." Diane then slowly walked in front of the dummy and was ready to begin. 
I then took my seat, watched carefully, "Alright, you start with an introduction, tell him a little about yourself, and then reveal your secret. Go." I was ready to write down anything that might be needed to be considered important. Diane looked nervous as she stood in front of the dummy; I could tell she was still afraid about telling anypony about her secret. 
"H-Hello sir...my n-name is Cherry Diane P-Pie. I'm 17 years old. How are you on this nice d-day?" Despite talking to a dummy, she was quite afraid and I could tell this was going to be trying for her. 
"Take it slow, Diane. Filly-steps." Diane needed to take a few breaths before continuing. We kept this up for the entire hour that we planned and unfortunately Diane has not even gotten to the big reveal of her secret. But I was willing to help until she was ready. We left the office after the session, I locked the door to my office, and we left the building for home. 
"Thank you for helping me practice, Dr. Sweet." I still can't get used to being called that. 
"Diane, you can refer to me by my full name when we're outside the office. You don't have to call me 'Dr.' every time." My patients usually call me 'Dr.' whenever I see them in the city. 
"Sorry, I like calling you 'Dr. Sweet'. It's for helping me with my problems." Diane just gave me this warm yet unnecessary smile; I was only doing my profession. 
"All that matters is that you overcome this problem of yours and I will help as best as I can. We better not keep the others waiting back home." We continued our way back home and then saw Miss Love at the front. 
"Hi Love...! We're back! Are you not working today?" Diane and I were not expecting Miss Love to return so early. 
"No, I'm not working today. The preparations for the 'Sugar Rush' is all done and I'm taking a little break myself." Miss Love seemed rather happy about her little break until she then started glaring at me. 
"So Bitter, have you been treating her nicely today? I heard she had an appointment with you today. Mind telling me about it?" We never could get along. 
"Love, he has been nice to-" I then interrupted Diane's sentence.
"I am sorry to say that I am not allowed to talk about anything that happened in the office and that anything that does happen in the office will remain confidential for the sake of the patient. That is all I will say on the matter." I then entered into the building and then removed my coat; I could almost hear what Miss Love and Diane were saying outside. 
"Diane, how can you stand him? He is such a jerk!" I've always known Miss Love had resentment towards me.
"But he's really nice! He actually wants to help me with my...um...problems." I could tell Diane was still rather nervous about what we were doing just from her tone of voice alone. I don't like to eavesdrop so I made my way upstairs to see Day playing with her dolls and Charm reading his comics. 
"Hey Bro, you're home early!" Charm was wearing his sunglasses as he was reading his comics; I find it to be weird. Which is only is the pot calling the kettle black considering I wear my sunglasses all the time, even when I am at work. 
"Brother, are you here to spend some time with us?!" Day jumped at me like a puppy who waited for it's master to return home; I find it unnecessary since we see each other every day. 
"Well, today went rather well so I guess I might spend some time." Day and Charm gave a synchronized cheer for some reason.... 
"Dude, you should look through this months new issue of the 'Power Ponies'! It's the issue where the Mane-i-ac builds a giant robot with robot arms! It's so awesome!" Charm looked like his eyes were full of stars. 
"No...! I want Brother to look at my new doll!" Day was playing with a little cat doll with a pink bow on it's left ear. They were still very young and I've grown used to their childish banter.
"Welcome back, Bitter! You look happy~! Did something happen at work today~?! Hmm~?!" Miss Jubilee just came down from the third floor with two bags of her family's signature cherries. 
"No, nothing really happened today. Diane needed help with something and I helped her with it." Miss Jubilee looked at me like I had joyous experience. 
"Sure you did~!" Miss Jubilee went to the kitchen, placed the bags of cherries on the counter, and then took out pie tins; I figured she was making cherry pies again. 
"Sweet! Cherry Pies!" Charm and Day both got to the counter and became very excited. 
"I heard Jubilee was making cherry pies again! Is this true?!" Miss Love walked up the stairs with Diane and she began to drool as she rushed over to the counter with Day and Charm. 
"Oh my...." Diane was surprised to see this side of the strong and mature Miss Love; honestly speaking, so was I. 
"It's true and it is for a very special occasion that just came up~!" Miss Jubilee declared as she began to start cooking. 
"What's the occasion?" Even I was curious when Miss Love asked the question. 
"Today is the first day Bitter Sweet actually decided to spend time with us~!" Day and Charm then happily bounced around me like I was the rosie inside the ring.
"Oh....really?" It was obvious from her tone of voice that Miss Love was not pleased with my presence. 
"I'm sorry everypony, but I need to go to my room and-", just before I could finish my sentence, Diane then grabbed my left hoof. 
"But Sweet, you should spend more time with us! It'll help us get to know each other more and isn't that what your job is about? Getting to know other ponies so that you can help them with their problems? It would mean the world to Day and Charm." As Diane said that, both Day and Charm gave me this synchronized sad face and I felt like I was not going to get my usual privacy. 
"Sigh....alright. I'll stay and spends some more time with you. But only for an hour. I still need to organize the papers in my room." Day and Charm then gave me a synchronized hug after I just got pulled into their little group thanks to Diane. As bothered as I was when it happened, I did not expect to....enjoy it so much afterwards. At first, we just talked about stuff that happened to us today. Day and Charm both had a good day at school, Miss Love spent some time with some of her friends in the city, and Miss Jubilee had just got the two bags of cherries from Miss Cherry Jam today to make her cherry pies. Diane and I kept our little session at the office between us since it was still too early to tell them anything. Eventually, Miss Jubilee finished baking the cherry pies and after they cooled, we all got a piece of it. I was presented with a piece and I didn't know what to think about it when I got it. I have always kept myself fed and I pride myself for being a self-made adult. But...I didn't want to be rude, so I took a bite of the pie. When the sweet, fragrant taste touched my tongue, I couldn't stop myself from eating more of it. My entire mind was trying to find a good reason for missing out on such a great tasting pie and I could not find one. I had three pieces that afternoon and my mouth was still bathing in the sweet and tangy taste. And to my surprise, I had realized that it was already 7:53pm. I don't know why I let the time get away from me so much when I looked at the clock. And what's even stranger was that I really wasn't bothered by it. It all just...happened. As it was getting late, I needed to get to sleep for another session tomorrow with Diane. 
"Well, since it's getting late, I think I will turn in early. I have to go to the office early tomorrow and I will need my sleep." I then magically sent my plate and silver ware to the sink and began making my way to my room. 
"AWW!" Day and Charm were both disappointed to see me leave. 
"Now, now you two. Let him go. He's a hard-working adult and he needs his sleep~!" Thank Celestia that Miss Jubilee understands. There was no response from Miss Love since she was just reading one of her romance novels. 
"I hope you had fun, Sweet." And Diane called me that...again. 
"SWEET! SWEET! SWEET!" Now Day and Charm began to chant my last name.... I was both annoyed and embarrassed as I went up to my room. Thanks for that, Diane.... I went up to my room, finished organizing my papers, and it was 9:23pm when I finished; it was late and I needed to get to sleep. Finally, Diane walks into the room, looking sparkly clean while having a towel wrapped around her mane. 
"Ah~! I love showers~!" Diane then got onto her bed and began drying her wet mane. 
"So Sweet, I saw you enjoying yourself earlier. You were so sweet!" Diane was not going to let me go.... 
"Diane, I would appreciate it if you wouldn't do that anymore. I was just caught off guard earlier." 
Diane then hopped over to me with a smug grin on her face, "Yeah right! You enjoyed it~! You had fun being with them~! I actually saw you smile the entire time as we talked~!" I want this to end so much.... 
"I was not smiling." Diane's smug smile then turned into an expression full of concern.  
"Sweet, what's wrong? Why do you act like that?" I was confused by what she meant. 
I was confused, "Act like what? I just prefer to-", Diane then interrupted me again. 
"Sweet, you always try to avoid them whenever they want to spend time with you. And you never seem to talk to any pony unless they're your patients. So tell me...what's wrong?" Diane....is much sharper than I expected her to be. Like she said, I wanted to avoid this talking about myself more than she wants to avoid talking about herself. Guess that makes me a big hypocrite.... 
I then gave a deep sigh, "Alright, you want to know about me? Come by tomorrow and I will tell you after the next session. At 2pm." I did not want to talk about myself after everything and especially when there are other ponies present in the same building. Diane then nodded and went to bed without another word. I went to bed soon after, but before I could fall asleep, my mind was plagued with the thought of how this one pony just turned my entire world upside down. Honestly speaking, it wouldn't be the first time...and possibly not even the last.
> Chapter 11 - Bitter-ness part 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I wake in the morning, 5:40 am, as usual, and I get dressed for work and grab my keys to my office. With Diane being my roommate, I have to be very quiet so I wouldn't disturb her sleep. I was always an early riser and it's a routine. Just before I left the room and by extension, the whole building, I look at the sleeping Diane with expectation. After all, she is one of my patients. I then left the building and made my way to my office. Princess Celestia was just about to raise the sun to bring the new day to the land. Of course, despite last night, there were still many late-night ponies running around on the streets of the city. Well...Manehatten is the city that never sleeps. Before I got to my office building, I stopped by my favorite little café called, 'Warm Morning'. It was a little coffee shop that sold coffee, little pastries, and even juices. I prefer to visit this place every other morning to avoid the many customers that visit later during the day. 
"Good morning, sir! We give the warmth to your morning!" It was the store's little catch-phrase to get the customers' attention. 
"Oh, good morning, Doctor! Are you here for your usual?" asked the mare at the counter; she was getting the shop ready for the later customers. 
"Yes Vanilla Cream, I am. One coffee with hazel nut cream and three sugars please." I placed my payment on the counter and then sat in one of the tables, waiting for my order. Vanilla Cream is a 17 year-old mare, Earth Pony like Diane, and she works here in the coffee shop almost every day. Her coat, mane, and tail are a pure cream-white, her eyes a light-brown, and her Cutie Mark is a sugar cube. She used to be one of my patients struck with depression before. I won't get into details, but she is doing so much better right now.
"Hmm...? Doctor, you seem...different." Just before I could read some travel-guide in a comic book rack by the entrance, what Miss Vanilla Cream just said caught my attention. 
"Different...? In what way?" I was confused.
Vanilla Cream continued mixing the coffee and cream, "Well...I don't know. You seem a little...happier than usual." What she told me did not make any sense. 
"Vanilla Cream, I think you might be mistaken. I haven't really been sad or anything lately. I've been working like always, keeping up my health, and nothing unexpe-", I stopped myself after I remembered something very unexpected happening recently. 
"Oh...wait a minute." Cherry Diane Pie happened. 
"Doctor, is everything alright?" Vanilla Cream had placed my order on my table after finish making it. I then told her what has been going on these last few days and about Diane becoming a part of the Cherry Family. I did keep her secret a secret though. 
I had finally finished my coffee when Vanilla Cream then asked, "So you're meeting her again today? And you're living together?" 
I started to panic a bit, "Only as roommates...! Nothing more!" I would rather not have any weird rumors about me amongst the citizens. 
"Well...alright then. Well, you better go now. You don't want to be late for work, right?" I'm glad Vanilla Cream reminded me about work, because I was running a little late.
"Alright then, take care. I'll talk to you another time." I began to head out, putting back the travel-guide, and left for my office building. 
"Thank you for coming!" Vanilla Cream went back to work. I rushed to my office to avoid being late for work in case any ponies wished to see me. I know that it was still rather early, but my work demands that I arrive early just in case some early birds arrive seeking an appointment. I enter the building, unlock my door, enter into my office, and thankfully no ponies were waiting in front of my office door. I then sat at my table to look through any papers I might have missed organizing; so far, nothing appears out of order. After looking over the papers of any potential patients, I now began to wait at my desk after magically levitating one of my books from my bookshelf and began to read it. It was a book written by Gray Hoof, a scholar who was famous for not only his exploration of Equestria, but also his many studies of Equestria's creatures. Reading books helped me pass the time until any ponies would visit my office. But today....only half and hour and....I am so bored. Hardly any time went by and I have grown so bored of just sitting in my office and reading my books. I kept thinking about me spending time with Miss Cherry Jubilee, Miss Love, Day, and Charm yesterday and it was all because of that one mare, Cherry Diane Pie. Ugh....I can't believe how much things have de-railed ever since I met this Diane. Though, I am still willing to help her with her identity issue, I think I am losing my usual flow. But there was no way I could quell this bothersome boredom by just books alone, so I had to think of something to help pass the time. I then remembered I had a radio in my office that I hardly ever use. I bought it a long time ago when I first started, but I stopped using it when this music genres called 'Pop' and 'Rock' were created. These music genres flooded over the soothing sounds of violins and pianos that my patients and I listened to during our sessions. I then magically turned it on and wouldn't you know, a Pop song started blasting through the radio. I changed the channel in a panic, lowered the volume, and I was finally able to find a station with the sounds of violins. In fact, I recognized it: I hear it in 'Warm Morning' most of the time and I believe it was done by a Miss Octavia Melody; a rather young but famous musician. A few minutes later, I then hear the sounds of a harp synchronizing with the cello; it was definitely a piece being played by a Miss Lyra Heartstring. I've heard a few of her works every now and then and I could recognize it. I was surprised to hear them working in a duet. This might be a reprise of the previous song Miss Octavia Melody did prior; and a good one at that. I very much enjoyed it from beginning to end and hope to hear them play again. 
"Next on our list we have 'Volt Zone' made by Vinyl Scratch. Hope you enjoy it." The pony on the radio mentioned the name of another musician I have never heard of before; I figured she might be new. Just when I thought I would enjoy another soothing sound, my ears were then introduced to something...different. It wasn't Pop or Rock, but something else. Obviously nothing I have heard before; it was catchy. I continue to listen to the sounds of either the violin or this unknown sound of music and I came to enjoy it thoroughly. I've spent nearly two hours listening to both sounds until I finally heard the door knock. I turned off the radio to answer the door only to see Miss Jubilee at the door. 
"Hey, Dr. Sweet~! I came to visit~!" I can't believe Miss Jubilee is calling me that; I know Diane is behind this. 
"Miss Jubilee, what are you doing here? I thought you would be busy today." I was not expecting her to visit. 
"I took the day off~! And I came to mess with you about Diane~!" Miss Jubilee then strolled into my office to mess with me....again. 
"Miss Jubilee, I wish you would stop pestering me about stuff you know is not true. Diane and I are just roommates and she is just my patient. That is all." Miss Jubilee loved to tease me about me being involved with mares when she knows I am supposed to be involved with other ponies, male or female. 
"Sure you are~! I see it on your face~! You're so different from the young colt I met five years ago~! You have a little more...light now~!" Miss Jubilee was looking over my bookshelf and what she said made little sense. 
"Miss Jubilee, what are you-", she then looked at me in the eye. 
"You may be able to see the truth, Bitter Sweet, but you are still very blind to everything that is in front of you." I froze as she looked into my eyes; I couldn't say anything. 
"I know you have suffered and you're willing to save those who are suffering, but now I believe is the time somepony comes and saves you." She then moved away from me and then towards my door; I was still without words. 
"I may not be able to help you any more than I can, but maybe Diane might be able to." She began to leave my office.
She opened the door, "Though, I could be wrong. All I know is that you have to let go of the past in order to have a future." Miss Jubilee was hardly ever serious about anything other than her family business. But when she's serious about something else entirely, that's what I'm afraid of. 
"Be kind to Diane. I don't know who she really is....but I do know that she might be suffering more than most." Considering what I know about Diane, Miss Jubilee was right. 
"Who knows.... You two might end up saving each other. Well then, bye~!" She then leaves my office with her usual cheerful demeanor. Honestly speaking, she left me speechless. To think that it only took the arrival of just one pony to send everything that I am and what I have done up to this point make such....a turn for the more confusing. I still have several hours before Diane makes her visit. I just....don't know what to do right now.
> Chapter 12 - Good Morning
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I wake up after a good night's sleep and I am greeted by the smell of freshly made breakfast and the light of the morning sun. I look at Bitter Sweet's clock to see that it was around 7:51 am and decided to get out of bed. I went over to the mirror near my bed to see that I had the worst bed-mane and bed-tail; my both my mane and tail were really poof-y. After looking at the mirror for a minute, it instantly reminded me of Pinkie Pie. I had a discouraged look on my face since it is my goal to become my own pony in this land of Equestria. And looking exactly like a pony you want nothing to do with makes for a dis-heartening morning. I did took my mane and tail brush and tried straightening them both, but it they wouldn't settle down. 
"Hey Diane, wake up! Tough Love made breakfast and it looks deli-" Charm came walking up the stares to get me but then stopped when he saw my poof-y mane and tail; he snorted and started laughing. 
"Wow...! Your mane and tail look so funny! I wish I had a camera right now!" I really hate my mane and tail right now.... 
"Charm could you leave and have Love help me? I can't fix my mane or tail." I asked him when Charm started to calm down from laughter. 
"Uh...yeah. I'll be a minute." Charm was rubbing tears from his eyes from all the laughter and left to get Love. As I continue to look at my reflection, I can't help but wonder what Pinkie Pie was doing right now. Either she's sleeping in bed, or she's preparing yet another party for another pony in Ponyville. And then I wondered....what would I do? Or a better question is....what could I do? I could do anything if I put my mind and effort into it. Being without my own Cutie Mark, my options are abundant. But honestly, I don't really know what to do. No matter how hard I thought it through, I couldn't come up with anything. I was beginning to become discouraged again before Tough Love came walking into my room. 
"Wow...Charm was right. You do need some help." She snickered at the sight of my mane and tail as she walked up to me. 
"Good morning, Love...." I feel like this will be a repeating joke here. 
"Don't look so down, Diane. Let me help you out." Tough Love sat behind me and began brushing my mane and tail and I could feel like them settling down. 
"So Diane, I heard from Miss Jubilee that you've been a good influence to Bitter lately. Honestly, I have my doubts...." Tough Love sounded bothered from mentioning Bitter Sweet's name; I had to ask. 
"Love, why do you hate Bitter Sweet?" 'Hate' may be a harsh word, but I couldn't really find a better way to speak my question. 
"Because he's the biggest jerk I have ever known in my life! He treats those around him like they're a nuisance, he would rather focus on his work than spend time with those who considers him family, and he thinks he's so smart! He drives me crazy all the time!" Tough Love definitely hates Bitter Sweet and I could tell from her angry mane and tail brushing. 
"Love, calm down...! You're yanking my tail and mane!" The fast and forceful brushing were starting to hurt. 
"Ah...! Oh, I'm so sorry! I lost my temper...." She stopped brushing immediately when she realized what she was doing; honestly, she scared me.
"It's fine, Love. I'm just glad my mane and tail settled down now." Despite the yanking, my mane and tail both straightened out now. 
"A-Anyway, let's go downstairs and join Charm and Day for breakfast!" Love then rushed down stairs to the second floor after that awkward moment. I then followed her after fixing my bed and then I saw quite the spread of food with apple slices, toast with butter and jelly, orange and apple juice, and even some breakfast muffins. 
"Good morning, Big Sis!" Day had crumbs all over her face while she held a bear doll; it was cute. 
"Hey, was Tough Love yelling at you? She sounded angry...." Charm looked concerned. 
"No, I was yelling about that jerk, Bitter." Tough Love began to eat the breakfast she cooked. 
"Big Sis, you and Big Brother should get along...!" Day's mouth was full. Tough Love grunted with disgust at the thought; I had to change the subject. 
"So Charm, are there any comic books coming out...?" I'm not really interest, but I had to do something to avoid any more awkward moments. 
"Dude, there's this comic convention coming next month and I am SO PUMPED!" Charm became very excited as he went on and on about this convention. After a few minutes of Charm talking about comics, we then see Miss Jubilee walking into the room. 
"Oh my~! I'm glad to see you all awake~! And you made breakfast~? Don't mind if I do~!" She began making her own plate. 
"By the way, Diane, I have been wanting to ask about something rather peculiar." This sounded serious.
She then sat down with her plate of food, "On my way back here, I met with a pony who looked an awful lot like you." Just from hearing that, I felt like my whole body turned to ice. 
"O-Oh...really? That's f-funny." I tried to feign ignorance but I could tell that Miss Jubilee could easily see through me. 
"Though, she had a really dark coat and wore a dress. She seemed a little...stoic to me." Miss Jubilee then began to eat when she gave me that strange description that sounded nothing like Pinkie Pie to me. Pinkie Pie was pink all of over and 'Stoic' was not the right word to describe her. 
"I...don't know any pony like that." I assumed this pony had the same mane and tail style I wear. 
"I wonder if she's single...?" Charm is such a child.... 
"Well, she probably left by now so let's move on to something else. Such as going out on the town~!" Miss Jubilee just got back yet she wants to head back out; she never stops for long. 
"I wanna show Big Sis my favorite toy store...!" Day held onto her bear doll in excitement. 
"No way...! I wanna show Diane the comic store I go to!" Charm also became excited; I'm going to be swamped today.... 
"I'm willing to go with all of you today and see the sights. I just have to finish by 2 pm." I still had my appointment with Bitter Sweet later. 
"We'll be sure to come back here for you to rest beforehoof. We can show you the market place too." Tough Love had finished eating her breakfast and so did everypony else. 
"Then it's settle~! We're going to see all the fun stuff Manehatten has to offer~!" We were all ready to head out and left almost immediately. Even though it was still so early, the city ponies were all over the market place. There were rows and rows of different booths that sold all kinds of things from fruits and vegetables to little knick knacks and even old furniture. Day and Charm begged Miss Jubilee to buy them either a doll or a Power Ponies figure, but Miss Jubilee denied them that to avoid spoiling them. Day and Charm were depressed about that. Thankfully, there was the ice-skating rink and it was so much fun. I never realized that I would skate on ice and have so much fun at it. But Miss Jubilee and Charm couldn't stop slipping all over the ice, so we didn't spend too much time there. We then made our way to the park at the very center of the city for a break and I really enjoyed it. It was so peaceful and a breath of fresh air from the loud and cramped streets. There was even a Hot Carrot stand and we enjoyed eating them before continuing our little outing. We even went to the docks where we saw some big ships and little boats sailing through the water. We spent nearly four hours in this outing and we began making our way back home. 
"Hey Miss Jubilee, can we go to the museum before heading back home?" We all stopped at Tough Love's request; I've never been to the museum and I felt like it could be fun. 
"Why sure, Love~! We can go and visit the museum~! It's near home so we can take our time there~! Let's go~!" We were all in agreement and we made our way to the Manehatten Museum, which was really near home. We went inside and it was so amazing. There were giant dinosaur skeletons, displays carrying armor of ponies who were knights in times of war, and it had a number of priceless art done by artists of the past. We then entered a room full of various stones and minerals that were found all over Equestria. I guess I felt nostalgic since Pinkie Pie and technically myself came from a Rock Farm. I couldn't help but feel fascinated by all the unique stones that were all in display. 
"Diane~! It's time to leave now~! I believe your appointment is in an hour~!" Miss Jubilee and the others were all ready to go, so my stay in the Stone Exhibit had to end. Just as we were leaving I accidently bumped into another pony. 
"Oh, I'm sorry...! I wasn't paying attention!" I slightly panicked for doing so. 
"It's fine. I wasn't looking either." The mare continued on her way into the museum; I only took a glimpse of her because I was in a slight rush since it was 12:52 pm. What I did not know was that many things were going to happen.
> Chapter 13 - The Truth
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	We then left the museum and began making our way back home. 
"So Diane, I think you should go see Bitter Sweet while it's early. I'm sure he wouldn't mind an early visit." Miss Jubilee was insistent about visiting Bitter Sweet, despite that it just turned 1 pm. Tough Love gave a grunt of disgust for mentioning Bitter Sweet...again. 
"We'll see you later, Big Sis!" Day and Charm were ahead of Miss Jubilee and Tough Love as they waved at me. 
"Alright, then I'll see you later. Me and Bitter Sweet will be back soon. See you later!" I rushed off to go and visit Dr. Sweet's office and I hoped he was willing to let me in. I made my way to his office building but then stopped at the front door; I remembered our last conversation before I went to bed last night. I asked him why he acts the way he does, and he told me that he would tell me about himself after my appointment. Honestly, I actually hesitated going inside. I only heard a bit of what happened to Bitter Sweet involving his parents' deaths. It must have been traumatizing for him to act like he does now. I could only imagine what he was like before such tragedies. But maybe he and I could somehow help him the same way he could help me. So I gritted my teeth and made my way inside the building an then to his office. I could hear the sounds of music being played from inside the room and it sounded like a violin combined with some kind of sound that I am unfamiliar with. I knocked on the door and then heard Bitter Sweet screaming, and the sound of a loud crash. I was worried when I heard it, but then the music stopped, I heard more noises, and then the door to the office opened. 
"Welcome to my office! Please excuse the noise!" Bitter Sweet answered the door in a panic and with a bump on his head. 
"Wait...Diane, why are you hear? It's still a little too early for your appointment." I then saw that the chair to his desk was sticking out and I figured Bitter Sweet fell out of it when I knocked. 
"Um...I came to start my appointment early. Were you listening to music on that radio?" 
Bitter Sweet blushed a bit, "Uh...yes, I was. I like listening to violin sometimes." I'm pretty sure he was listening to something else alongside the violin.... 
"Anyway you are about 40 minutes early and I haven't even gotten the practice dummies ready yet." He sounded annoyed; I can't blame him since my arrival did have him fall on his head. 
"Well....I....wanted to see you." I could tell that my cheeks were blushing after I just said that.
Bitter Sweet gave a sigh, "Very well, Diane. Come inside and we'll get started." He let's me inside his office and I took my seat on the couch. 
"So, I'm sure you still want to know about me and what happened to me in my youth?" I nodded; I wanted to understand him better. 
"Well then, you will need to prepare for what you're about to hear. And you must swear not to tell any pony about this. Only Miss Jubilee knows about what exactly happened to me and my parents and promised me. And if you want to know about me, I suggest you do the same." He was very serious and I could tell he was giving me an intense look behind his dark sunglasses. 
I shivered, "I promise I won't say anything.... Really, I promise." Bitter Sweet then re-positioned his seat and sat at his desk again. 
"Alright, then I will hold you to your word. But if you say anything, I will never forgive you." I realized that whatever this was, it was very painful for him; he then magically removed his sunglasses and revealed his eyes to me. They were a soul-piercing yellow without black pupils; I could feel chills run up and down my spine as I looked on at those eyes. 
"Frightening, aren't they?" Bitter Sweet's question then snapped my out of my frozen state.
I tried to compose myself, "Uh...no! I think they're....pretty!" Bitter Sweet gave me a glare and the chills quickly came back. 
"I didn't even need to remove my sunglasses to know that was a lie. Though, I don't blame you for trying to not offend me." I didn't know what to say to avoid any more of his glares. 
"These eyes are the main reason why my parents are dead. The eyes that see lies and truths. And they fit my special talent perfectly. Or perhaps...too perfectly." 
I was confused, "Your special talent...? You mean...you can see lies and truths just by looking at other ponies?" Something like that sounds too amazing to be considered just a special talent. I could only think the Princesses were the only ones who could do something like that. 
"Yes, though it wasn't always like that. It happened some time before I entered everything fell apart...." His story began here....
"I was only 15 years old when I was about to head into Magic College. I lived a happy life alongside my parents, Cherry Sweet and his wife, Honey. Though my father's name was Cherry, he was not directly related to the Cherry Family. Only by name did he actually have any ties to the family. He was actually adopted into the family, similar to you, Diane. I had association with the Cherry Family because of my father. Which is why I live with Miss Jubilee. My father was a Unicorn who worked in making new magic spells for all Unicorns, and my mother was a Pegasus. I was always a good student, focusing on my work and studies. But then one day, my life changed forever when I saw through the lie of a single pony. His name was Chance Taker, and he loved being the center of attention. Always parading through the school halls like he was some famous celebrity but underneath, he was such a joker. He was in love with a mare named Rose Thorn and she was not a nice pony. She was cold and mean to almost every pony she spoke to. Chance was too love-struck to even care about how harsh Rose was. He was blinded by love and Rose was taking advantage of him the entire time. I had to step in to help my friend and that's when my life changed forever. I confronted Rose about what she was doing to Chance and I wanted it to end. But Rose was rotten to the core and I could tell that she was lying through her teeth. I pressed her until she finally spoke the truth while gloating. But amazingly, Chance just happened to have been right behind her when she openly spoke the truth and dumped her. After discovering the truth was when I got my Cutie Mark and my special talent for seeing lies and truths. But some time after that, things only got complicated between us. Chance just walked up to me one day and told me that our friendship was over. He blamed me for what I did and we never spoke to each other again. To this day, I wondered if I should've just stayed out of his personal life and hope he would have discovered the truth himself. That was the very last time I spoke with him. And what came afterwards only made life much more painful for me when I discovered something I shouldn't have. I had discovered my father with another mare on my way back home from school. At first, I assumed they were colleagues in magic-making. But then I saw my father and the mare kiss before parting ways. Just from that sight alone, I could fell my whole world shatter and I tried to keep what I saw a secret. But over time, I lost trust in my father and told my mother everything I saw. My father and my mother entered into many conflicts because of what I told my mother and they soon divorced. As time went by, I discovered that my eyes had changed into what they are now, and that whenever a pony lied a black smog would appear around them. And it only got worse when only a year of separation flew by and I received the news of my mother's passing from depression. I was heart-broken, but not nearly as heart-broken as my father was. When he first got the news, he broke down in emotional agony and entered a depression similar to what killed my mother. He too passed away. Eventually, I was all alone and I blamed myself for what I did. I could have never said anything and things would have been so different. I was such an idiot back then and I cursed my eyes and my special talent for what I have done. I changed my college of choice to Manehatten College and became a psychiatrist and would use this 'Curse' of mine to help other ponies by seeing through their lies and hoping to discover a way to end their pain. As for why I am with Miss Jubilee right now, my father was the very first pony she adopted into the family. So I was then adopted into her family like my father. But I never wanted to feel the same pain I felt again, so I rejected her offer of being adopted into the Cherry Family. So I spent five years of my life helping ponies with their personal problems, hoping to someday make up for my mistake...." His story ended with tears dripping down his yellow eyes....
After hearing all that, I realized that the pain he has suffered is beyond anything I could imagine; even I was tearing up. 
"Do you understand now, Diane? The pain and sorrow I have caused? The lives I have ruined? And it is because of my Curse and stupidity that my parents are dead. Honestly, if I am to be alone forever, then I will happily acce-" I had to stop him! 
"NO!" My outburst stopped him from finishing that sentence. 
"You can't just do that and expect us to accept that! You shouldn't have to be alone! At least you have ponies who love and care about you! Miss Jubilee and the others love you and they're willing to help you if you just asked them!" I had lost my composure and I had to say something to convince Bitter Sweet that he still has a family. Bitter Sweet's expression was unchanged after my outburst. 
He gave a deep sigh, "So naïve.... Though, I appreciate you for trying." He then put his sunglasses back on and stood out of his chair. 
"Diane, you're going to have to learn that not all wounds heal. They leave scars and it takes more than hugs to make them fade...." Even after all that I have said, nothing got through to him. Just when I thought I had failed, we then heard somepony knocking on his door, probably wanting an appointment. 
"I believe this conversation is over. I will be expecting you on our next appointment, Diane." He made his way to the door and answered it, only to see Miss Jubilee and the others standing at the front with tears in their eyes. 
"Miss Jubilee...? What are you all-" Before he could finish, Day and Charm both hugged him tight and started crying their eyes out. 
"I...had no idea." Tough Love had shocked expression on her face and Miss Jubilee had a smug look on her face. 
"What is the meaning of this?! Why are you all here?! And why are Day and Charm crying so much?!" Bitter Sweet was so confused; even I needed answers. 
"We heard everything, Bitter. From behind the door." Bitter Sweet then froze as Tough Love answered his question. 
"Day and Charm wanted to come and visit you today, but we didn't want to disturb you. But we couldn't help but listen in on your story. Sorry about that...." I never knew they were outside, and neither did Bitter Sweet. 
"Big Brother, it's ok...! We'll be your family!" Day wouldn't let go of Bitter Sweet. 
"We're here for you, bro!" Even Charm was losing his cool. Suddenly, Tough Love removed Bitter Sweet's sunglasses and it revealed his eyes to them. 
"What are you doing?! Gives those back...!" Bitter Sweet was panicking as he tried getting them back. 
"I wanted to be sure you weren't the one lying! Just...wow." Tough Love looked even more shocked when Bitter Sweet's eyes were revealed. 
"Th-This isn't even any of your business!" He sounded angry as this whole situation was developing. 
"Sorry Sweetie, but they're making it their business. You're not winning this one." Miss Jubilee then joined in on the hug; even I jumped in and hugged him. And amazingly enough, Tough Love reluctantly joined in. 
"Oh my Princesses...." Bitter Sweet knew he couldn't escape this situation and just let us hug him. Honestly, I'm not sure what could happen next....
> Chapter 14 - Moving Forward
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I never thought my life could end up like this after leaving that Mirror Pool. I met with a pony, got adopted into her family, travelled almost every part of the land, entered into the big city, became part of a family, got a job, revealed my identity to another pony, and now I have gotten said pony involved with the same family I was adopted into after a serious reveal. So much has happened to me in so little time and I honestly did not expect my life to be so hectic. After the big reveal of his past by mistake, Bitter Sweet and I left his office after Miss Jubilee and Tough Love tore Day and Charm away from hugging him so much. They spent nearly four hours hugging Bitter Sweet and we left around 6:38 pm. Miss Jubilee and the others went back home after we left while Bitter Sweet and I went to the park. We sat in the shade of a tree and were silent for a number of minutes; it was rather awkward between us with how things developed so quickly. 
Finally, I had to say something, "So....what now? They know about you and they're willing to help you." 
Bitter Sweet looked up at the sky, "I don't know.... They just found out by chance and I don't think I could keep them out of my business anymore." Even after all that, he still being difficult. 
"Is that really such a bad thing? Is it really so bad to let other ponies in?" 
Bitter Sweet gave a deep sigh, "I've spent five long years of my life keeping this 'barrier' around me. Making it so that nothing could pierce through me. I only wanted to keep to myself and do what I believed was right. And yet, after all these years, it only took a few days of interacting with only one pony to shatter my 'barrier'. Honestly, this was truly unexpected...." I felt guilty for getting in his business. But I had to keep going until I could get through to him. 
"I know this might be hard for you, but I can help you. Just let me help you come out of your barrier and I'm sure you can be happy again. You just need to try...." I edged Bitter Sweet to try, but his expression didn't change; I was running out of words to say.
"Excuse me, miss, but do you know where I can find the train station? I seem to have lost my way." A mare asked me a question from right and when I turned to answer her, I froze like ice! Meeting with Pinkie Pie would be bad, but I never thought I would end up meeting her older sister, Maud Pie! She was about my height, her coat was a dark-gray color, her mane and tail were straight and purple, she was wearing a dress, and she a stone-like expression on her face. She must have been the 'Stoic pony' Miss Jubilee told me about earlier! 
"The Train Station should be down that road leading to the west part of the city." Bitter Sweet was giving her directions and hopefully she would leave without recognizing me. My body shivered and my throat felt like it was being crushed. 
Maud Pie looked at me for a moment, but then her expression changed just slightly, "Diane...?" Just from uttering my name, I bolted from my spot and into the streets. 
"Diane...?! What's wrong?!" Bitter Sweet called out to me and I didn't answer. The only thing that went on in my head was the need to escape. Just thinking of what Maud Pie would say or do terrified me. I kept running until I finally reached the docks I visited with Miss Jubilee and the others earlier on the east side of Manehatten. I was so tired that I sat down on the nearest bench I could find. I just looked out at the ocean, trying to catch my breath.
"What will happen to me now...?" That question echoed in my mind as I tried to find an answer. Sadly, I couldn't find anything better run away. 
"Is this seat taken...?" I looked over to my right and I see Maud Pie sitting right next to me like it was nothing. I try to run away again, but I was too tired to make another escape again. 
"You should know that running away from your problems is not the way to do things, Diane." I cannot believe she caught up with me so easily.... 
"What...huff....do you want...? Why are...huff...you here?" I couldn't help but stay and speak with my 'real' sister. 
"I only came here to visit the Manehatten Museum and introduce Boulder to all of the ancient stones. But then I bumped into you when I got there and mistook you for Pinkie Pie. I would have spoken with you sooner, but Boulder got impatient." I wish Boulder kept her occupied longer.... 
"So what do...huff...have to...huff...say?" I wanted to leave, but my legs were cramped up from the running I did. 
"I wanted to know how you're here when I saw Pinkie Pie in Ponyville not too long ago. But it seems that I should just leave it be and ask how you've been." I fell silent for a moment, trying to compose myself. 
"I've been fine...." I didn't know what to say to her. 
"I see. That's good." That was all Maud Pie had to say?! I know that she is technically my sister, but the only one who could ever get her is Pinkie Pie!
"I'm not sure how you're here, but I know it is none of my business. After you ran off, that stallion, Bitter Sweet, was very angry at me. But after I told him of who I was and what I was to you, Diane, he was willing to listen. He should heading this way after I left to follow you." Even though she said that, Bitter Sweet was nowhere to be seen.... 
"I can't imagine what you're going through right now, and I won't try to pretend to. But I do want you to know...that Pinkie and I would be more than willing to welcome you back with open hooves whenever you're willing to come back." I...I don't know what to say. She just openly said something out of the blue like it was nothing and expects me to actually believe that? 
"I know you won't believe me so easily. But still...." She then embraced me without hesitation; I felt as stiff as a statue in her embrace. 
"No matter who it is, Pinkie or Diane, you're both my sisters. And I'm very sure Marble, Limestone, and our parents would agree. Boulder agrees too." I was silent as Maud Pie spoke in her stern voice. 
"DIANE...!" I then heard Bitter Sweet call to me as he was running towards us looking rather exhausted. 
Maud Pie then releases me from her embrace, "I will now leave Manehatten until my next visit. I only hope we can talk again under better circumstances. And don't worry, I won't tell Pinkie or the other members of our family. I promise." She then began to leave, making her way towards Bitter Sweet.
"Huff...huff...you two...huff...move too...huff...fast...!" Bitter Sweet sounded as exhausted as I was when I got to the docks. 
"You need to work out more." Maud Pie was now just messing with Bitter Sweet; I could hear their banter. 
"Is she...huff...huff...alright?!" Bitter Sweet sounded so worried. 
"Yes, she is fine. I only said some things to her.". She continued to make her leave.
She then began to move passed him, "Look after her for me." She then left us for good this time after speaking her piece. Bitter Sweet then slowly walked next to me and sat down in exhaustion. 
"Um...Bitter Swee-" I was then interrupted when he removed his sunglasses and gave me a glare. 
"NEVER DO THAT EVER AGAIN!!!" He was very angry at me and I couldn't blame him after what I did. 
"Yes sir...!" I was not going to argue with him after that.
Bitter Sweet then gave a sigh, "So...what now? That mare told me that you do have a family and that she was your older sister. Are you going to go back or stay with us? Because personally, I think you still need some time before going back to where you belong." I could have sworn Bitter Sweet said he wanted me to stay.... 
I smiled, "I guess you're right...." I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.
Bitter Sweet also smiled, "I'll keep this event a secret from the others. After all, my profession prohibits talking about another pony's issues outside the office. I can promise you that." Despite everything that happened, I am so happy to have met these amazing ponies. After Bitter Sweet and I rested at the docks, we then made our way back home to where Miss Jubilee and the others were waiting for us. I can only hope that I can keep moving forward with all of them.