//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 - Resolutions & Revelations // Story: Me, Myself, And Pie // by Yosh-E-O //------------------------------// Every pony got off the train and proceeded down the road that would lead them to The Pie Rock Farm. “Every pony know what they’re doing?” asked Twilight. “I think so,” replied Starlight. “I wait by the reservoir with these two buckets filled with water until you give the signal. Then I teleport in to drop them on both Pinkie Pies.” “Ooh-ooh!” bounced Pinkie. “Then my ‘Pinkie Sense’ goes off and I get out of the way while the phony-cloney gets all wet which shows mom and dad how I’m the real Pinkie and she’s playing pretend Pinkie!” “What about afterward?” asked Ash. “Your family ‘likes’ this Pinkie because she isn’t, uh, so ‘different’.” “That’s what we’re here for,” assured Gemstone. “Our support will see everything through.” “Are you sure we need to banish the clone?” worried Starlight. “It kind of seems unfair as, well, she doesn’t seem to be pretending to be Pinkie for any other reason than to feel loved.” “I wish there was another way,” sighed Twilight. “However we can’t have clones of any pony running around. My research says clones can become quite unstable and may try to do awful things to the original to get what they want if they are left to roam free.” Pinkie sighed. “I’m sorry I’m causing so much trouble,” she said apologetically. Maud moved alongside her sister. “We love you, Pinkie,” she replied. “No pony is perfect but I think I know how to help make everything alright with Mom, dad, and Limestone.” “How’s that?” inquired Box Trot as he nervously stroked at his goatee. Pinkie was living his worst nightmare of being found out for being an adult foal. He really wasn’t sure at all about coming along with Shining Ash on this mission but he felt it could help him to prepare himself for when his ‘secret’ was discovered. “That line on Holder’s Boulder,” stated Maud. “There’s something about respecting those in the House of Pie that may be going misunderstood.” “Really?” wondered Pinkie. “Really,” Maud answered. “I won’t know until I look it over. I’ll do that while you work things out with the clone.” “Well,” Starlight said nervously. “We’re by the reservoir. I guess I’ll just be waiting for the signal?” “Right,” nodded Twilight. “Thanks for your help, Starlight. I really believe this is the best course of action.” Starlight shrugged. “If you say so,” she acknowledged. *** Limestone was beginning to lose patience with ‘Pinkie’ for how many things she had to remind her ‘sister’ how to do. ‘Pinkie’ was super-excited to learn and be a part of the daily efforts of ‘her’ family but was definitely not on par with her original.” “It’s only a matter of time,” Cloney Pie panicked while moving a piece of alabaster to a nearby cart. “I may need to just make a run for it before…” The clone trailed off as she suddenly spotted her original, along with Twilight, approaching the quarry. “Too late,” she gulped. “But I won’t be banished. I refuse to be sent away. I can’t be sent away.” The Pinkie clone did what she needed to do. She called for the family to join her just before Pinkie, Twilight, and friends got within hoof step of the quarry. “What is it?” Mrs. Pie asked. “Can’t you see we’re working?” grumbled Limestone upon seeing Princess Twilight Sparkle and… “Pinkie Pie?” Box Trot, Shining Ash, and Gemstone Bangle stayed back as Twilight and Pinkie drew closer. “Sorry to bother you,” stated Twilight. “However the Pinkie Pie that is with you isn’t the real Pinkie Pie.” “What’s the meaning of this!” boomed Mr. Pie. “Sorry every pony,” the clone stated. “It appears some pony made a copy of me and the copy is trying to make you not think I’m a part of this family.” “Hey!” the real Pinkie whined. “I’m the real Pinkie Pie!” Marble appeared concerned. However she didn’t say anything. “I expected this,” stated Twilight. “So I propose a test.” “What kind of test?” the false Pinkie asked nervously. She had heard of the ‘Watching Paint Dry’ method that got the other clones and hoped she wouldn’t be put through that. Especially since the original had won while she wasn’t even there for it. “Rock farming!” announced the real Pinkie. “Looks like we’re doing alabaster today. Let’s see who does it the best?” The fake breathed a tiny sigh of relief. Sure she was no rock farmer but she definitely had learned how to work with the alabaster over the course of the day. “Okay,” she agreed. “I’m sure Limestone will appreciate the extra help.” “It’ll make up for the lost time we’re making now,” Limestone stated. “You can do it, Pinkie!” cheered Gemstone. “Yeah!” added Shining Ash. “You’ve got this!” Both Pinkie’s nodded and smiled. “Thanks!” they cheered in unison. *** Mr. and Mrs. Pie watched as both Pinkies loaded the alabaster cart. Both were hard working, talkative, and playful as they went about their work. The only real difference was one appeared less ‘poofy’ in the mane and tail than the other. “Okay,” Twilight said to herself while lighting her horn. “You’re up Starlight.” Starlight Glimmer felt her Unicorn horn tingle. However, as a result of her emotions not being entirely into the plan, she accidentally teleported herself and the rock she was standing on back to the farm instead of the buckets of water. The real Pinkie Pie’s tail began to twitch wildly. POOF-POOF Pinkie Pie looked up to see Starlight Glimmer appear above her and a giant rock that was angled towards her clone. “Look out!” cried Pinkie as she leapt to save her copy from being crushed. Twilight only had a split second to react and chose to assist Starlight through use of her levitation magic. However the giant stone was still looking to make impact dangerously close to the two Pinkies, Limestone, and Marble. ZOOM! CRUNCH! KRISH-KRISH-KRISH! Maud had returned from Holder’s Boulder and promptly worked to reduce the dangerous stone to rubble. Pinkie, knowing she could help, immediately joined her sister in reducing the falling stone into little more than a grey dust. With the shock of what happened leaving her, the clone sat on her haunches and sighed. “There’s no use now,” she sighed as tears formed in her eyes. “I’m the pretend Pinkie.” Mr. and Mrs. Pie were shocked at hearing some pony had genuinely tried to pretend she was their daughter. “Wretched creature!” scolded Mrs. Pie. “Thou certainly disrespects the Pie family through such treacherous deception!” “Stand back!” called Twilight as she powered up her horn. “I’m going to send her back to the Mirror Pool.” The pretend Pinkie closed her eyes as tears streamed down her face. Her time had come and now she would cease to exist. “Wait!” cried Maud. Twilight lost her concentration upon hearing Maud speak so loudly. “Maud?” she wondered. Maud moved alongside the tearful clone. “I have an announcement,” she said. “And it’s about Holder’s wisdom of ‘Thou shalt ever respect all within the house of Pie’.” “Maudileena Daisy Pie!” snapped her father. “What is the meaning of this!” “Allow me to explain,” she said calmly. “Boulder and I researched the writings of Holder and learned that the wisdom of ‘Thou shalt ever respect all within the house of Pie’ does not mean what we thought it does.” “Then what does it mean?” scowled Limestone while crossing her fore hooves. “It’s like how we learned to get along with the Apples during Hearth’s Warming,” Maud replied. “Holder wanted us to not look poorly upon any member of the Pie family for being different.” There was silence. “Mom. Dad,” continued Maud. “You supported me in getting my rocktorate and never questioned my ability to talk to Boulder. Pinkie is the same. She may not seem like she follows in our family heritage but she is still a Pie. She’s loved. Respected. And does a lot for ponies throughout Equestria. So, as Holder intended, we should not look down on her for being ‘different’.” “That’s right!” agreed Shining Ash as he stepped forward. “I don’t know how my life would be if Pinkie hadn’t been there for me!” “Me, too!” Gemstone added proudly. “She’s a wonderful friend and a pillar of our community.” Box Trot nodded in agreement. The whole situation made him anxious but also made him realize how, when the time came, he wouldn’t be alone getting through it. Mr. and Mrs. Pie appeared in deep thought as Limestone stepped forward. “So what are you proposing, Maud?” she asked. “It’s not me,” Maud replied. “It’s what Holder’s Boulder said.” Limestone huffed impatiently. “And that is?” she pursued. “That we respect every member of the Pie family for who they are instead of what others may expect them to be,” she answered. “However, in this case, we apologize to Pinkie for what happened yesterday and not banish the clone.” Starlight appeared happily surprised by Maud’s statement. “But,” said Twilight. “She’s a clone and, well, clones can do really bad things.” “Not this one,” Pinkie said while helping the copy to her feet. “Don’t you work the night shift at Ponyville Station and have lots of friends of your own, Cotton Candy?” Cotton Candy looked towards Pinkie. “Yeah,” she said nervously. “But I’m still just a fake.” “No you’re not, silly!” gleed Pinkie. “You’re Cotton Candy! You’re a special pony who is also the latest addition to our family!” Every pony appeared surprised. “I am?” the clone asked hopefully. Pinkie wrapped her hooves around Cotton Candy. “That’s right!” she cheered. “Cotton candy Pie!” The clone smiled as a magical warmth spread over her body. “Look!” awed Starlight. Everyone watched as the clone changed to slightly different shades of color from her original as her Cutie Mark went from three balloons to a moon with a suitcase. “Wow!” gleed Pinkie. “I think you just became a whole new pony!” Cotton Candy turned to see her new Cutie mark and smiled. “I am!” she cheered with a leap. “I’m not just a copycat pony anymore!” “I wish Spike was here,” stated Twilight. “I have so many notes I’d like to make on what just happened.” Marble made her way over to Cotton Candy and offered her a hug. “I love you, too,” Cotton said while tears of joy ran down her face. Pinkie turned towards Gemstone, Box Trot, and shining Ash, smiled, and gestured them over to where Maud, twilight, and Starlight were at alongside Cotton Candy Pie. “Every pony, I’d like you all to meet our newest friend and member of the Pie family, Cotton Candy Pie!,” she cheered before pulling her party cannon out and shooting out a blast of streamers and confetti. “Three cheers for Cotton Candy!” Mr. and Mrs. Pie came over and offered a welcoming hoof to Cotton Candy. “Seems Holder is still teaching us to welcome change,” stated Mr. Pie. “I knew Pinkie’s birth wasn’t a curse,” stated Mrs. Pie. “She is truly a boon for our family.” “What do you mean by ‘curse’?” asked twilight. The parents appeared embarrassed. “Her color,” Mr. Pie sighed. “She wasn’t, well, right.” “But she truly was meant to be,” added Mrs. Pie. “We are proud of our Pinkamena Diane Pie.” “D’awww,” cooed Pinkie as she appeared behind her parents and hugged them both. “And I’m super-duper happy to be your daughter.” *** After having a brief party to celebrate Pinkie’s belated birthday / Cotton Candy’s new birthday, every pony helped out around the rock farm. No pony seemed to be thinking nor doing anything unkind to any pony. All were quite happy and accepting until the time had come for all those not working the farm to return to Ponyville. Cotton Candy returned to work at Ponyville Station and found herself thrilled over how she no longer felt a need to hide from Pinkie Pie and her friends. She became more outgoing along with a genuine part of the community. Starlight went to work with Spike and twilight writing a report to Princess Celestia about what they learned about the former clone of Pinkie Pie. They also made sure to use their combined magic to ensure no pony ever found their way back to the Mirror Pool again. Gemstone Bangle, Shining Ash, and Box Trot shared what happened at the Pie Rock Farm with Dr. Dummy and every pony else at the D&N. It was reassuring that Pinkie had been so warmly welcomed back in the family despite having been caught being a little. The fact she was a little didn’t quite get resolved as it was forgotten in lieu of her other qualities. However it was definitely reassuring to all ponies who ‘foaled out’ that they could be valued even though their way of finding peace and relaxation was considered taboo by most ponies. “As for me,” said Pinkie as she rested on a pile of pillows while clad in a diaper and licking a giant lollipop. “I know it’s okay to be me even if the me that I am may not always be the me every pony wants to see. But I really-truly know that I’m not a bad pony for being different and how there times, places, and ponies to feel okie-dokie-lokie in being Pinkie ‘Silly Filly’ Pie.””