Pinkie walked around the pony camp, seeing how much had changed in her absence. Ponies she had talked to and laughed with were now either dead or didn't feel like laughing anymore. Twilight's eye was a source of endless discomfort and guilt, and Rarity, Pinkie cried for Rarity. Pinkie liked to talk to her, hoping that she would be able to take her mind off what had happened. She hoped Rarity appreciated it. Pinkie had great fun catching up with the Doctor and Derpy, overjoyed for the couple. A pony galloped toward her, holding a scroll in his mouth. He gave it to her, giving her a cautious look. Pinkie smiled, starting to get used to the looks. The scroll was a message from Princess Celestia, wanting to see her in the main tent. Pinkie nodded to the messenger, who turned and galloped off. Pinkie made her way towards the main tent, remembering how pleased she was to sleep in her own bed, and even more pleased to find that her friends hadn't touched it since her disappearance, wanting something to remind them of her. When Pinkie entered the tent, Princess Celestia looked up from a book she was writing in. She closed it quickly, hiding it under her pillow. Pinkie was embarrassed, not meaning to interrupt anything important.
"Oh, I'm sorry Princess, I didn't mean to-"she started, and Celestia shook her head, smiling.
"It perfectly fine Pinkie, even Princesses need time to write in their diaries. Come over here and sit down, I'd like to talk to you." She said, and Pinkie sat next to her. Celestia said nothing for a while and Pinkie knew it was because she didn't know how to say what she wanted to.
"Pinkie, I… wanted to check in and see how you are coping, and also to ask if you had been feeling…. Strange… at all?" said Celestia. Pinkie knew what she meant, but understood that it was better not to say anything.
"I'm doing great Princess, couldn't be better. And as for feeling strange, I don't think so." Said Pinkie, and she heard Celestia breathe a sigh of relief. The Doctor had told her about the future in which she kills Celestia and Pinkie could understand her fear. She gave Celestia a quick hug, not caring if it was improper.
"I know that you are scared of me Celestia, but don't worry, I'm scared of myself." She said, looking up at Celestia, who smiled
"Thank you Pinkie. Is there anything YOU wish to talk to me about?" asked Celestia. Pinkie nodded, looking at the ground.
"Yes Princess, you see I cannot seem to sleep through a whole night. I have been having nightmares." Pinkie told her, and the look of concern on Celestia's face gave her comfort.
"What are the nightmares about?" asked Celestia. Pinkie took a deep breath;
"They are about my time as Pinkamina." She said, and Celestia draped a wing around her.
"Do you feel guilty about that time?" she asked and Pinkie nodded. "Then the nightmares will pass in time, until then, there is not much I can do. Now I'm sorry Pinkie, but I must go and see the Doctor." Celestia rose and left, and Pinkie couldn't help but pray that Celestia was right. Pinkie jumped up and smiled when Twilight entered. She bounced over as Twilight lay down on her bunk and opened a book. Pinkie produced an apple, handing it to Twilight as she bit down on one of her own.
"I'm sorry I lost the sign language book Twilight." Said Pinkie and Twilight smiled, having a giggle to herself.
"Pinkie it's okay, that book was the least of your problems at the time." Said Twilight, before stopping herself and realising what she had said. Pinkie giggled, not caring. Twilight looked down at her book and began to read and Pinkie lay down and watched her, and couldn't help but think about how beautiful she was. Pinkie hadn't forgotten Rosethorn, she had just promised her and herself that she would try and move on. Pinkie's eye was drawn to Twilight's disfigured one and Pinkie lost herself in it a bit. It was if her new eye looked directly into Pinkie's soul, making her want to blurt out her darkest secrets.
"Pinkie, stop staring at my eye." Said Twilight, and Pinkie jumped a bit, startled.
"I'm not staring at your eye Twilight." She lied, and Twilight raised an eyebrow at her.
"Then what are you staring at?" asked Twilight, calling her bluff.
"I'm… uh staring at your horn." She said quickly. She smiled awkwardly, hoping Twilight didn't notice.
"Then please stop staring at my horn." Twilight told her. Still embarrassed, Pinkie blurted out;
"Oh I'm not staring at your horn; I'm staring at your creepy eye… Oh wait." She said, and shot out of the tent. She galloped away as fast as she could, not wanting to start a confrontation. She eventually found herself hiding behind the special ops tent. She could hear voices inside, and as soon as her name was said, she got curious. Pinkie stuck her head under the wall of the tent, so she could eavesdrop on the conversation. She could make out the voices of Celestia and the Doctor.
"Tia, do you really think that this is the best thing to do?" said the Doctor angrily.
"Yes I do Doctor and I will remind you that I am a Princess and you are under my command here." Said Celestia defensively. Pinkie got frightened as the Doctor's voice turned cold.
"Don't threaten me Tia, you know what I am capable of, and no matter how much I care for you, I will not be intimidated." The arguing stopped when somepony walked into the tent and Pinkie heard Twilight's voice. As Pinkie listened to Twilight being told of her mission, she was horrified that Celestia would ask that of her, knowing full well that I could lead to another Pinkamina. Twilight walked out to the tent and Pinkie removed her head and sat back, shocked and worried. She stood and followed Twilight to Rarity's tent. She waited for Twilight to come out, and she did, now clothed in a white and red hood and cloak. She moved back, waiting for Twilight to pass, and as she did Pinkie pulled her in between two tents and pinned her up against some crates of supplies.
"Twilight, please don't go on this mission." Pinkie begged. Twilight looked shocked.
"Pinkie? How did you even hear about the mission?" she asked. Pinkie gave her a look.
"Twilight, really, you expect me to NOT know about something like that. But the point is that you can't do this mission." Pinkie told her. Twilight pushed Pinkie away, angry.
"You honestly believe that I want to do this?" Twilight yelled. "Do you really think that I want to kill in cold blood? On the battlefield, it's different, it's hot and fast and I'm doing it to protect myself. But… This time… I'm only going to kill because I am ordered to." Pinkie looked at her with concern.
"I know Twilight, but I don't want to lose my friends. And if you do this, I will lose you." She said, her voice quiet.
"Pinkie, I promise that you will not lose me. None of you will ever lose me." Said Twilight. Pinkie realised it may be her last chance to tell Twilight how she felt, and in a moment of indecision, grabbed Twilight, pulled her close and kissed her. Twilight didn't resist, and Pinkie felt that she had got her message across. Pinkie broke it off and looked at the stunned face of Twilight.
"Pinkie…" Twilight started, but Pinkie put her hoof up to Twilight's mouth, not wanting to ruin the moment. Instead, she decided to give Twilight some advice that had helped her overcome Pinkamina.
"Be careful when you fight monsters, lest you become one Twilight." She told her, before turning and walking away. Pinkie found a spot to hide and cried for a while, hoping that Twilight didn't hate her, and praying to Celestia that she returned safely. A tremendous bellow caused Pinkie to emerge from her hiding place as a dragon flew overhead. It curled and twisted in the air and Pinkie galloped through the camp to find her friends. She looked in the sky as Princess Celestia attacked the creature. Pinkie jumped up onto archer's stage to find Fluttershy, arrow cocked, lining up a shot.
"What are you waiting for Fluttershy! Fire!" she yelled at her.
"I can't get a clear shot." She said, the worry in her voice clearly noticeable.
"When has that ever stopped you Fluttershy?" asked Pinkie, and looked down as an arrow flew from the assembled troops and hit the dragon in the eye. It bellowed louder, enraged. Fluttershy lowered her bow.
"What are you doing? It's going to kill Celestia." Yelled Pinkie.
"I can't do it Pinkie! It's up to Celestia now." Said Fluttershy, heartbroken. They watched as Celestia fought the dragon, dodging and weaving between its attacks, countering with her own and doing massive damage. Pinkie gasped as Celestia was engulfed in the white hot fire that the dragon belched forth from its mouth. Celestia looked fine when the fire dissipated, but even Pinkie noticed she was having difficulties. Both Pinkie and Fluttershy screamed as Celestia was grabbed in the dragon's jaws. It shook her violently, and Pinkie wanted to jump down and help, but knew it would make no difference. The dragon suddenly stopped and collapsed, and Pinkie could make of the shape of the Doctor running towards her. She sat down and more tears flowed down her face. Fluttershy hugged her, burying her head into Pinkie's chest.
Pinkie looked down at Celestia's body in the medical tent, now cleaned and dressed in her spare armour. Her horn had broken off and The Doctor refused to let the doctor ponies reattach it, telling them that it was Celestia's last wish that he keep it. Pinkie put her hoof onto Celestia's chest; the coldness of the body sent a chill down her spine. Pinkie looked at Celestia's mane, once colourful and gravity defying; it was now dull and unmoving.
"Goodbye Princess, I promise you that I will make up for what I did." Whispered Pinkie, before moving on and letting other mourners pay their respects. Pinkie watched Luna arrive a few days later, and the alicorns pained wails was almost too much to bear. She slept outside most night, just enjoying the cool breeze that winter had brought on. Pinkie felt that it gave her clarity, and as she looked up into the night sky and saw only the moon, and no stars, she understood the pain Luna was feeling. Pinkie was disappointed and worried when Twilight didn't return for Celestia's funeral, and as Celestia was encased in her diamond casket, she cried for Twilight as well. Suddenly Derpy cried out in pain and The Doctor moved her to the medical tent. Pinkie wasn't allowed in, despite the Doctor's assurances that she was permitted. Pinkie walked away, but could hear Derpy crying out for hours. She went back to the main tent and waited with Rarity, Black Diamond, Fluttershy and Big Mac, all with bated breath. All day they waited for news, but none came, and Pinkie was starting to get worried. Then as the sun was getting ready to set, the Doctor galloped in, a smile a mile long on his face.
"It's a unicorn Filly!" he exclaimed and the ponies all cheered. Pinkie gave the Doctor a crushing hug. They celebrated for some time, Luna eventually joining them. They all eventually fell asleep, and Pinkie went outside to find herself somewhere comfortable to rest. She looked over at the Medical tent, and saw a dark shape enter. Curious, she made her way over; she stopped at the door, listening to the voices inside. Derpy was panicked as somepony was telling her that they were taking her child. Pinkie quickly realised that the voices belonged to griffins. She could hear the crying of a scared foal, and she decided to take action. She stepped into the doorway, mustering up as much courage and bravado as she possibly could.
"Give the foal back to her mother, and leave before you get hurt." Said Pinkie. The griffins turned and laughed when they saw her. Pinkie felt the rage build inside her.
'This is where I fulfil my promises to Celestia and Rosethorn.' She vowed.
"What! Are you gunna stop us Pink?" asked one. When it called her 'Pink' flashes of Duskheart and Trixie entered the forefront of her mind, adding to her anger.
"Yes." She said, before pushing herself onto two legs and arching her back, trying to keep balanced. She tried to remember how Pinkamina had done it, but it was difficult. One of the griffins attacked, and she ducked under its claws, jumping up and punching it in the chin. The others attacked, and she fended them off, trying her hardest just to stay upright. She kicked one in the head and sent it crashing into a cabinet. The griffins drew weapons, but it only made Pinkie more determined, she jumped ducked and weaved between the sharp steel, her Pinkie sense giving her an advantage. Pinkie ducked a wild stab, punching the sword and breaking it in half, she grabbed the broken half and stabbed the griffin with it, and it fell before her. The other two attacked together. Pinkie jumped, kicking the first on in the head and sending it straight onto the sword of the other. Pinkie looked around for a weapon, and picked up a scalpel. Throwing it with all of her strength; it hit the last griffin in the eye. Pinkie panted heavily, Suddenly Derpy yelled;
"Pinkie, that one is getting away!" she turned and saw a griffin running out of the tent, still carrying the foal. She gave chase, running on two legs as if she had done it all of her life. The griffin took off and Pinkie ran up a rock, using it to get close enough to jump onto the griffin's back. It struggled, barrel rolling and bucking in an effort to dislodge Pinkie. Eventually Pinkie got her arms around its head and wrenched. The griffin's neck snapped and the head turned almost completely around. Pinkie's eyes widened as she saw it drop the foal. She dived off, catching it and curling herself into a ball to protect the child. She closed her eyes against the impact she knew was coming, and she grunted as she took the full force of the fall, rolling and bouncing along the ground, keeping herself curled up to protect the foal. She eventually came to a stop, she didn't move, the pain was unbearable. The cold snow under her bit into her skin as she waited. To her surprise the foal fell asleep in Pinkie's arms. She suddenly heard Derpy's voice, scared and weak.
"Pinkie, Where's Sparkler?" she asked, Pinkie uncurled herself, and the look on Derpy's face warmed her heart. Derpy fell as she tried to make her way over. Pinkie walked over and helped her, putting the foal in Derpy's arms. The Doctor and Luna showed up, confused and yelling. Pinkie wasn't listening; instead, she got back onto four legs again, feeling much more comfortable. Luna used her magic to lift Derpy out of the snow, intending to take her back to the Medical tent. But Derpy stopped her;
"Wait Princess. I want to say something to Pinkie. I… want to say thank you for saving my daughter, for saving me, it's a debt I cannot repay, so I have to ask if you would do me and my family the honour of becoming Sparkler's godmother." Said Derpy, and Pinkie wanted to explode with joy, but she was in too much pain, and resigned herself to a simple nod. She was patched up by the Doctor, who couldn't stop thanking her for what she had done.
"I was happy to help Doctor, I… felt like I needed to do this. For you and for myself." She told him. The Doctor smiled, putting his arms around her,
"I think Rosethorn would be proud of you." He said and Pinkie smiled, knowing that she had started to fulfil her promise to Celestia and Rosethorn.