//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Letting Her Go // by Silver Shadows //------------------------------// Pinkie cheerfully volunteered to clean up the party after her first success. Every so often, she would glance at her newly received cutie mark. Her other family members had returned back to their normal state and had left to work, leaving Pinkie to clean. Igneous and Cloudy were in their shared bedroom. The room had a bed and a window. Everything was drab, similar to most rocks in the farm. The curtains were closed, the door locked, the lights on, and the two ponies sat on the bed covers next to one another, silent for a few moments. “I’m disappointed in Pinkamena Diane Pie,” Igneous admitted in a monotone. Cloudy sighed, “Me too, Igneous. She has messed up the Pie family. We are all meant to become rock farmers.” Her soft blue eyes trailed to her curtains. The Pie family was dreadful at showing their emotions, although the couple always did try to be as honest to each other as possible, even with their emotions. The one time their mask was off was when they were alone, away from the children. “She had so much potential,” Cloudy continued with another sigh, “I thought the new generation would be a success in rock farming, unlike her grandmother. Of course, we shouldn’t have taken Pinkamena to her to learn her bad habits with laughter and showing emotions. Look how Limestone and Maud have been raised and look at their cutie marks. We shouldn’t have...” “Cloudy,” Igneous said with a stern voice, “Nopony knows about how exactly cutie marks work. If this was fate, then we couldn’t have done anything. Not even the power of stones could reverse a change in cutie marks, nor can even the wildest of legends or tales.” “You’re right, Igneous,” she replied with a small and seemingly feigned smile on her face. She let it drop a moment afterwards though, “We must deal with it... The cutie mark is disturbing. What do you think will happen to her senses?” It was a small secret that a sense was in the family, created by generations of interacting with the earth and most importantly, understanding it. It gave them the ability to interact with minerals, the ability to manipulate their surroundings to even make it seem as if they were teleporting, amongst others. All of them were taught to not abuse their abilities as they didn’t want to be used in scientific experiments, but to use them in a safe manner. A gift given wasn’t meant to be abused after all. “At best, it’ll remain with Pinkamena. At worst, it’ll stop working. We cannot foresee the future, even if we do get glimpses. Nothing will stop the rock farm, Cloudy, even if the ability stops.” He shifted closer to Cloudy, nuzzling her softly as to comfort her before pulling back. They weren’t known for sharing affections, even though they did have an attraction for each other. The Choosing Stone did its job when the time was right, of course, having the two meet and eventually marry. “The sense has been passed along for a very long time. It’ll be a shame if it stops working. It’s always kept us safe. The others would feel as though something is missing if they can not communicate with the stones anymore.” A long and awkward period of silence followed suit. The two sat, purposely avoiding each other’s eyes as if it was going to delay the situation. Cloudy shifted a bit on the bed as she stared onto the floor. Igneous was the one to break the silence, “Does Pinkamena truly belong on this rock farm? We cannot prevent her from following her destiny, even if it is against our customs. She has never seemed to enjoy it here before either.” “I-I think this is a decision that Pinkamena should be here for as well. I’ll get her...” Cloudy stood up. Slowly, she trotted out of the room. While she was gone, Igneous trotted over to the bedstand. He opened a drawer and pulled out an album of photos. He flipped a few pages, seeing a very young Pinkie Pie. A picture of her first day in Equestria, a picture of her creating her first rock statue, a few pictures of the family together with solemn expressions. A silent and small tear trailed down his cheek. Quickly, he stored the album back into the drawer and closed it. He hastily wiped the tear off of his face, looking the same as before. He sat in his original position on the bed. After all, true Pies don’t cry. The door creaked open. The mother and the daughter trotted in, the former gently closing and locking the door behind her. “Didja enjoy the party?!” The daughter gave them a wide smile. Cloudy sat on the other end of the bed and motioned for her daughter to sit in the middle, which the daughter did so with great joy. “Pinkamena Diane Pie.” Igneous began, his voice set back into the usual monotone he used, “Your mother and I wish to speak to you about your future.” “Hmm? What ‘bout it?” Pinkie asked, curious. What she was thinking about wasn’t clear: it usually ranged from the next meal to the actual topic at hoof. “What do you want to do?” “Party! I love it! I also want color like the flashy ka-boom outside yesterday and yeah. Oooh, you want me to turn this into a party house because I-” “Pinkamena-“ “Pinkie-“ “Pinkie,” Igneous said with a small amount of tiredness creeping into his voice, “We are not ever turning this into a party house. This will always be a rock farm.” He said the word, ‘party’, with such disdain that it was a wonder that the house didn’t collapse from it. “Okay Dad!” “Do you wish to stay here and rock farm with your family?” “‘Course! Maud’s awesome and I would love to be with her.” Cloudy sighed, “We meant if you would like to continue working here, for the rest of your life.” “Nah, I got partying to do!” “Very well then,” Igneous said, sharing a silent conversation with Cloudy, “You are not obliged to stay here. If you do choose to stay here, we expect you to work on the farm. Pies believe in hard work.” Catching the drift, Pinkie’s eyes began to water, “I-I have to choose b-between m-my family and p-partying... I-I-I can’t.” She cried, only for neither of her parents to embrace her with a hug. Cloudy awkwardly patted Pinkie on the back only for her to cry even louder. “I hope I’m not interrupting,” Maud said, her voice raised to make herself heard. She was behind the door but Pinkie was so loud that everypony within a half mile radius could hear her. “Do come in,” Igneous said, unlocking and opening the door, “Perhaps you may help her come to a conclusion.” Maud gave a small nod and embraced her younger sister. “Pinkie Pie,” Maud began, “Do you love to... party?” “I love it!” Pinkie replied, “But I also love my family!” “What if you follow your cutie mark and party in Equestria and come back home for the holidays?” Her eyes lit up, “Maud, you’re my favorite sister!” Cheering up, Pinkie disappeared from the room. “Pinkie Pie, where are you going to stay?” Maud looked down the halls before moving the curtains outside, seeing a pink blur dash across the rock farm to the nearest train station with a few bits and a few possessions.