It's Hard All Over Sometimes.
It was a cold, dreary, rainy day in Ponyvile. It was the sort of day that encourages ponies to stop what they are doing and rest. Every pony in the town proper and the surrounding area was either relaxing and taking the day off, or else working on the storm.
Everyone except Pinkamina Diane Pie. She sat in front of the window, gazing at the storm clouds. Most days she would go playing in the puddles or spend time with friends but today...everyone was feeling up for alone time. Today was one of those rare days when Pinkie was a filly again when she didn't truly fit in anywhere. She loved her family so much but...their lifestyle was just not her.
"Dashie! Why can't you skip work today?" She had asked her friend that morning.
"Pinkie, this is like a super important storm. The earth and the plants and junk need water right?" Rainbow had replied.
"Yeah but...why does it have to be you? Isn't there someone else who-" Pinkie started.
"I already used up all my sick days and hanging out with one of my best friends is not an emergency." Rainbow said.
"But...I promise we can do whatever you want! We can play pranks or I can watch you fly or we can even nap together!" Pinkie said. Rainbow momentarily blushed before shaking her head and sighing.
"Look, I understand it's been a bit since we really hung out just the two of us. But I kinda need my job. And my job kinda needs me. I am the element of loyalty remember? For Queen and Clousdale and all that sh-" Rainbow said.
"I thought you were supposed to be loyal to your friends..." Pinkie said, deflating.
"Well yeah. I mean if it is really an emergency or uh...if you really need me or whatever I would tell work I can't come. But we can hang out whenever you know and a storm like this is only necessary so many times a year. I am one of the best weather coordinators in Cloudsdale...so like I said they need me." Rainbow said.
Great anger washed over Pinkie in waves. She remembered a thousand hurtful insults that she could throw at the other mare and so many that would cut her in sensitive areas. For a horrible few moments, she wanted to hurt Rainbow Dash, her best friend. She wanted her to suffer, to run away crying.
She took a second and blinked. Why would she ever think of such horrible things? She was an awful friend!
"No. It's fine Dashie. Go to work and show those ponies how to really stir up a storm!" Pinkie said with false enthusiasm.
"Oooookay. Later Pinkie." Rainbow said with a sceptical look on her face. Then she left.
Just as a storm was brewing in Ponyvile, a storm was brewing in Pinkie Pies head. Why had she thought such awful things? Why had she felt this way? Rainbow Dash had always been her best friend, ever since around the time Gilda showed up. Now...after that whole thing with Discord...things had changed between the two of them. In some ways they had gotten closer but in others, there was an odd distance. They had ceased talking about each others romantic conquests for one. Pinkie felt all sorts of weird new feelings and Rainbow Dash was often really awkward around her for no real reason.
Obviously, they were in the midst of a friendship problem! And there was only one pony in this town that could always be relied on to solve friendship problems.
"Twilight Sparkle! I can just go see Twilight Sparkle! Thanks, third person narration! Your the best!" Pinkie exclaimed as she went back to her normal cheerful self.
The pink mare headed down to Golden Oaks found Twiight alone, scribbling furiously in a book.
"What does Diamond do next? Maybe she uses her magic too...or she starts...no. Celestia help me overcome this writer's block." She muttered to herself.
"Hey Twilight! What you writing!" Pinkie practically shouter. Twilight looked like she barely avoided a heart attack and quickly hide the book with magic.
"Pinkie! What a surprise..I uh wasn't writing anything." Twilight said.
"Sure looked like it to me." Pinkie said eyes narrowing suspiciously.
"Well I uh...was just doing some boring academic work for Celestia..nothing you would be interested in." Twilight said, laughing nervously.
Pinkies eyes continued to narrow until they were two dangerous points. Then they opened wide.
"Ok! works for me! So Twilight I really need your help with something." Pinkie said.
"Yes? What is it? Now you have been using protection right? I have warned you about using protection. Even when you are with other mares. You don't have a disease do you? Or worse...are pregnant?" Twilight said. Much as she loved Pinkie, the world was not prepared for more of her running around.
"Of course not Twilight! It has nothing to do with that! Besides me a mom? I am definitely more cool aunt material, duh. No, it is about Dashie and me." Pinkie said. Twilight looked confused for a brief moment and then looked at Pinkie with deep sympathy.
"I know just how you feel Pinkie. It's rough isn't it? Here let me get you some tea." Twilight said.
"Know how I feel? But I didn't say anything yet! At least make sure to put lots of sugar and cream in it." Pinkie called out as Twilight trudged to the treehouses small kitchen.
In a couple of moments they were both seated. The atmosphere was a bit awkward with Twilight giving her friend a patient and sympathetic smile. Pinkie gave her a forced smile back, not at all sure what the unicorn was thinking. Finally, the tea was completed and after a couple minutes of quiet sipping, Twilight began to speak.
"I know this must be a confusing time for you Pinkie. Just let me say that I support you one hundred percent. Rainbow is a very special mare and quite beautiful. I understand completely." Twilight said.
"Uh...what are you talking about Twilight?" Pinkie said, her stomach was feeling really nervous all of a sudden and those strange feelings kept buzzing in her head.
"Oh Pinkie, you don't have to hide your feelings from me. I know the two of us aren't the closest in our friend group but I do care about you and I am honored that you came to me about this. Honestly, I should have seen this coming. You and her have been close for a long time and..." Twilight continued.
"Twilight? I have no clue what the heck you're talking about. I came here because me and Dashie got into an argument this morning." Pinkie said. Twilight once again looked bewildered. Then a blush spread across her cheeks and she slammed her head against the table a few times.
"Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! I am sorry Pinkie if that weirded you out or anything. Uh what can I do for you." She said, this time she was the one forcing the smile.
"What was that other stuff all about anyway? And why would you know how I feel?" Pinkie asked.
"That was...nothing! Nothing! I swear...just please forget about what you said and don't tell anypony else." Twilight pleaded.
"Ooookay?" Pinkie said.
"Pinkie Promise me." Twilight demanded. Pinkie acquiesced.
"Now then...ahem. Let's move onto your problem. What was the argument all about?" Twilight asked, having composed herself.
"Well...I didn't want her to go into work I guess. I wanted the two of us to hang out because...well it's been a while." Pinkie said.
"Pinkie...I don't mean to be rude but...you do know how that sounds right?" Twilight said.
"Well..yeah. I mean I just couldn't help myself. Dashie is the only one I can always count on to hang out with me whenever. I just didn't want to be alone today." Pinkie said.
"Why is that?" Twilight asked.
"I don't know...I guess I have been feeling weird lately. Ever since we defeated Discord...maybe even a little before that." Pinkie said.
"I think I know what you mean. I have been feeling weird too...I wonder..." Twilight began, sinking into thought. After a brief period of silence, she shook her head.
"But that's not important now. You wanted her to stay with you because you didn't want to be by yourself. How did she react when you told her this?" Twilight asked.
"Well, I didn't really. I just told her that it had been a while since we hung out and I wanted to." Pinkie said with downcast eyes.
"Pinkie. There was no way she would not go to work for a reason like that. Element of Loyalty remember. I bet she promised you she would hang out with you soon right?" Twilight said.
"Of course. Dashie wouldn't be Dashie if she didn't." Pinkie said.
"Then don't you think it was for the best she went? It is an important storm after all...if Rainbow Dash didn't go the storm may not be able to last as long and that could have serious environmental repercussions down the line. Ponies like AJ and Carrot Top would have a hard time with their crops in addition to all sorts
of other negative effects. You wouldn't want that right?" Twilight said, being as gentle as possible.
"Yeah but...I still feel bad. Like really Un-Pinkie like bad. Pinkie can't be Pinkie if she can't smile." She said a frown on her face.
"Pinkie I know how you must feel. But nopony expects you to be happy all the time. Everyone feels bad sometimes, even the most cheerful and optimistic of ponies." Twilight said.
"So...it's ok if I feel down?" Pinkie asked.
"Of course it is. You have every right to your feelings Pinkie. If you want you can stay here for a while, but my advice for you is to go home and relax for the day. Thinking things over in situations like this usually helps me. But if thinking doesn't help or make things worse, feel free to stop by anytime." Twilight said.
"O-ok Twilight. I'll try. S-see ya." Pinkie said with a bit of a shaky voice.
"See ya." Twilight parroted, looking at her friend with concern on her face.
As soon as she was out of the library, Pinkie let her face fall. Talking with Twilight had hardly helped at all. She still felt terrible inside. A chaotic mix of unsettling emotions were swirling inside of her. It had been a long time since the cheerful pink mare had felt so confused. Probably since around the time she got her Cutie mark.
In her anxious state it was only a matter of time before she ran into another pony. This was a pony who also had a lot on her mind.
"Sorry, Cheerilee. I'm not really feeling like Pinkie so I couldn't help knocking into you." Pinkie said.
"That's perfectly ok Pinkie. I am not feeling the best either." Cheerilie said.
"Do you feel sick like hospital sick or sick like "I think I might be going crazy" sick." Pinkie asked.
"Closer to the latter. How about we get out of the rain and talk a bit?" The teacher asked.
"Okie dokie. I know just the place!" Pinkie said.