//------------------------------// // On the Road // Story: Last Mare on Earth // by Coyotek4 //------------------------------// Pinkie Pie lay Boulder atop a tuft of hay. She then adds a pile of assorted small stones and branches around them. “These guys should keep you company while we’re gone,” Pinkie assures the rock and stick. “And you’re above the ground, just in case there’s any flooding … though I guess there’s not much reason to expect flooding. Anyway, Sans and I are going to take a trip. I don’t know how long we’ll be, but if anything bad happens, I want to know you’re both safe. You should both be safe here.” “You about ready?” Sans asks from just outside the barn. “Just about,” Pinkie calls back, before refocusing on the rock and stick. “Take care, both of you. I’ll miss you.” Giving one final inspection of the area, Pinkie turns and departs the barn, joining Sans. Together, they embark on their journey “It shouldn’t take more than a day to reach Canterlot,” Sans states, drawing a laugh from Pinkie. “Oh? … Oh, yes, yes, ‘a day’ wouldn’t seem to make sense now, would it. Good catch.” “The last time I took this path to Canterlot, it was for the Grand Galloping Gala. Me and Twilight and all the others, we were all in a big carriage pulled by some very helpful stallions … fun times, those were,” Pinkie reminisces. “I could only imagine attending an event like that,” Sans admits. “That must have been one special night for you and your friends.” “Best night ever! … Well, except for the part where all the music was slow and stuffy but I wanted to cut loose and seesawed a cake right into Rarity’s face and she knocked over a pillar that Rainbow Dash couldn’t prevent from collapsing and then Fluttershy let loose a stampede and everyone ran out of the building … but the donuts we had afterward were super-tasty!” Sans turns his head towards Pinkie, unsure how to respond. He turns his head back towards to road and emits a small chuckle. “So, just another typical year of festivities?” “I guess you just had to be there,” Pinkie concludes. “Have you ever attended anything like the Gala?” “Oh goodness, no. I am no V.I.P … more like a V.U.P. A Very Unimportant Pony.” “You’re important to me,” Pinkie corrects. “Most kind of you. And yes, given the current state of affairs, I suppose I am more important now that I was before. But enough about me … I’m curious, Ms. Pie, what do you think Twilight meant when she said ‘wait thirty’?” “Huh? Oh, right …” Pinkie shrugs. “I just took it to meant ‘wait thirty days, and then do something’.” “But do what, exactly?” “I dunno … honestly, my mind gave up trying to figure anything out by day two.” Sans again turns his head towards Pinkie. “So, you haven’t given that any more thought?” Pinkie frowns. “I never expected there to be a day two, really. I turned in after that awful day thinking it was just a really bad nightmare. And if not, then it wouldn’t matter because I’d be gone with everypony else. Those first couple days were rough, getting used to the new reality. I tried to find ways to occupy my time, but … I miss ponies. Not even just my friends; I miss everypony, even ones that made me feel bad.” “Why is that?” “… at least they made me feel.” “Pinkie, I didn’t mean for our conversation to go this way. You don’t have to—” “It’s OK, Sans. I’m OK with talking to you about it, now. Anyway … the days became weeks, then almost a full month. Then one day, I thought I’d revisit the Castle of Friendship.” “The what?” “Twilight’s home in Ponyville. Well, her second home, after her first home was destroyed by Tirek. Anyway, I guess I wanted a reminder of what life was like before.” “And how was it … if it’s OK for me to ask?” “Strange. I walked through the kitchen, the library, the many hallways. And then I came to the Cutie Map room and saw all the memories just hanging off the roots of the old tree. It got me to thinking, maybe I’m not the only pony left in Equestria. Maybe … maybe I’m not alone.” “So, that’s why you …” “Strung together a bunch of megaphones and gave a shout-out to the world? Yeah, pretty much. And hey, it worked. And look at us now, on a quest to Canterlot. Didn’t think that would be the case 24 hours ago!” Pinkie laughs, then turns her head toward Sans. “So how ‘bout telling me a little more about you? I only know you as that pony who took over a factory from Cheese Sandwich. There has got to be more about your life than that!” Sans chuckles. “There really isn’t. But Ms. Pie, you dropped so much on me just now that I simply cannot let go. Tell me more about this ‘Castle of Friendship’. How did it come to be? And what do you mean by a ‘Cutie Map’ room? What was its purpose? And ‘memories hanging off roots’? There’s a lot to unpack there, Ms. Pie, and I simply refuse to let you just hoof-wave all that.” “Oh … wow, where to begin. Is there anything in particular you’d like to know?” “Well … all this seems to revolve around Twilight Sparkle. Why don’t you begin with your first encounter with her, and go from there?”