“Aw dad do I really have to stay home while you go to Canterlot.” Rosy asked from her perch on my head. Alya finally got comfortable with Rosy and moved up to her mane and Tammy was on my shoulder.
“Yes I don’t see it taking very long with Luna plus it's almost time for you to head to bed.” I said as I walked through the forest to my home. I should really set up a door in town somewhere, maybe I’ll see if I can put it at Twilight's place. I want Rosy to start school soon but I don’t want her to walk through the forest if I’m not with her.
“Aw but I wanted to get some stuff from the gardens.” She said with a pout.
“Hmm alright you can but just for a little while ok then off to bed.” I said as I scratched her head.
“Yay love you daddy.” She said while hugging my head and making me chuckle.
“Love you too darlin.” I said with a wide smile as we came up to the ruins.
“Um dad you said Luna wanted to meet you in Canterlot right?” She asked with a tilted head.
“Yeah that’s what her letter said. Why?” I asked as I looked up at her.
“Because she’s in front of the house.” She said while pointing her hoof and sure enough there was Luna with her guards and chariot.
“Well I guess that saves me a trip huh. Hey there aunt Luna.” I said as I walked up to her before the guards jumped in front of her.
“Stand down night guard this is Sir Fox Lilly. Good evening nephew, how was your trip to the Crystal Empire. I read the report that Twilight sent my sister.” She said as her guards went back to the chariot and she gave me a hug pat Rose on the head making her giggle.
“It was pretty good besides the evil unicorn attack. Would you like to come to the back? Rosy here wants to play around in the gardens before she has to go to bed. I’ll just make us some tea.” I said as I headed for my front door with luna right behind me. I led her through the house and to the back yard before I got some tea ready. After it was down I went out and sat at the table while Rosy and Tammy went into my mini forest of fruits and vegetables.
“Fox was your garden always this large?” she asked while I passed her tea over.
“Not at all. Before I came here it was just a small garden and a greenhouse. The strangest thing is that most of the plants here were just seeds that I stored in the greenhouse that I was planning to plant and a lot of these plants grow in very different climates and couldn’t survive anywhere else. I blame magic.” I said while I looked around. It was like the greenhouse exploded and scattered the seeds throughout this part of the forest and most of the plant take years before they can even bear fruit.
“This forest has been here long before my sister and I were born and while my sister may not admit it she’s just over ten thousand years old. The ponies over Generations think this forest is evil but that’s not the case. Yes there’s creatures that would scare many ponies and some heinous monsters but what makes them think forest is evil is because this forest is alive. If you damage it, it will fight back. If you treat it kindly, it will help you. If you're lost, it will guide you. There is no good or evil here, just life. I think the forest likes you for bringing new growth to it.” She said before taking a sip of her tea.
“There's definitely a lot of magic in here, maybe there's a guardian like mela here. So anyway auntie I thought you wanted me to come up to Canterlot?” I said as I sat back in my seat.
“Well when I sent the letter I thought you were back from the Empire but that was not the case. So I thought I would save you the trip after you had just got back.” She said with a warm smile as a giggling filly ran out of the gardens.
“Dad, we found this big melon growing in a tree. Can we eat it?” Rosy asked as she held up a light green melon with a white spider web pattern on the rind and a tee shaped stem and was as big as a bowling ball.
“Well now your in for a treat that there is a musk melon. There supposed to be the most delicious and sweet melon in my world not to mention incredibly expensive. You know how hard it was to get some seeds. Oh I got an idea I’ll be right back.” I said as I grabbed the melon and ran inside. I got some tall glasses out of the cabinet along with some long spoons and set them out by the melon. I then got my vanilla blue bell out of the freezer which I'm gonna miss after this. I cut the melon into pieces and I had to resist the urge to eat some because of the wonderful sweet smell. After I cut it up I put a few scopes of the ice cream in the cups and added the melon in between the scoops.
“ Hmm needs something else…got it.” I said as I opened the fridge and pulled up some heavy cream, whipped cream, chocolate syrup and some cherries. I pulled out the blender and added some melon and the heavy cream then turned it on. After a second of blending I poured the mix in the cups then added the whip cream, a cherry, and some bigger slices of melon then drizzled the chocolate and it was ready. I put the cups on a try with the spoons and some strews and headed out the door.
“Alright guys it's…why is there a pile of melons here. I was only inside for a few minutes.” I asked while Luna and Rosy stared at the pile with wide eyes.
“Squirrels.” Rosy said, not looking away.
“Big green and black ones. They just ran up, dropped the melons in the pile, then ran back into the forest.” Luna said while pointing it out with a hoof.
“Really? I’ll have to ask Fluttershy if she knows what they might be. That aside I made us some melon cream parfait.” I said as I passed out there cups.
“Whoa that looks yummy.” Rosy said as she and Tammy looked at it with drool running down their chins.
“It most definitely does.” She said as I sat down before I put one in my bag for Twink.
“Well let's try it.” I said as we all took a spoonful of the mix and took a bit.
“So good.” We all said with a satisfied smile. The melon was soft and sweet and the creaminess of the heavy cream mix really brought it together.
“It's wonderful and quite refreshing.” Luna said while getting a spoonful.
“Mmmmmmm.” Was all I got from Rosy as she scarfed down hers with Tammy munching a piece of melon on her head and Alya left my hair and was eating a piece on the table.
“Oh man I’m glad I was going to grow these, they're amazing.” I said after taking another bite of the cold creamy goodness.
“So Luna what did you need to talk to me about?” I asked while we munched.
“Well unfortunately it’s a mission that we want you to accomplish. A few months back Tia and I began to receive reports that our trade ships have been either sink or stolen along with the crew and cargo so now our trade with neighboring countries have been cut off. We would like you to investigate this matter and put a stop to it.” Luna said with a serious look as she slowly moved a spoonful toward her mouth and never lost that look as she took a bit. I had to hold back my laughter the whole time.
“Alright what are some of the reports?” I asked as Alya made her way to my cup and licked up some ice cream.
“I’m afraid we don’t have a lot of intel beside the obvious but some mention a ghost ship and heavy fog.” She said with her head down.
“It sounds like they use old lore and fog to cover their tracks. Did the reports say when they went missing like before or after leaving the island?” I asked while I finished off my cool treat.
“BUURRRPPP. Hehe excuse me.” Rosy said before licking the rest out of the cup.
“Alright little missy why don’t you go wash up before bed.” I said before she picked up a now stuffed tiny monkey and went inside.
“She seems to really like you. And to answer your question the reports are more like complaints made by our vendors.” She said after she finished her treat and teleported some files and passed them over.
“Are these the reports? Let’s see missing shipments or never reaching port. So it looks like they never make it to the island. Is it just your trade ships or are other nations' ships missing?” I asked as I flipped through the reports.
“Just ours. No other nations have reported any problem at all.” She said with a heavy sigh.
“So it looks like someone wants us to lose face. A nation's trade could build or destroy a nation if all trade was cut off. What's the majority of our goods that run through the ports?” I asked as I set the files down.
“75% of our medical supplies come from nations beyond that island and we ship building materials and metal to them.” She said before she sent the reports away.
“yeah if that trade is cut off it could cripple both parties. Hmm I’ll do it but I have a request.” I said as I leaned back in my chair.
“And what might that be.” She asked while I petted Alya on my chest.
“I would like to make it to the island so I can gather intel so I would like a ship with nothing to indicate that the ship is ours. So any symbols or flags need to be changed.” I said with a happy pink snake playing with my fingers.
“Hmm that may be hard to do. International law states in order to make landfall in a legal port all ships have to be registered to either a nation or trade group. If you pull up to port with no flag you’ll be considered a pirate ship and sunk on sight. It may be pirates that are behind this.” She said as she rubbed her chin in thought.
“No I don’t think so unless they're getting paid to do so. This seems to be thought out to be pirates. It seems like someone is targeting us. We just need to find out the who and why.” I said as I typed up some notes.
“There are many groups that would love to see us fall and many attempts have been made.” She said with a tiny smirk.
“That why I want to make it to the island. Rumors and hearsay spread quickly in places like that you just got to know the look.” I said while I looked up some legal documents.
“But what about the flag problem.” She said with a sigh.
“I think I figured that out. I found something interesting in the library archives. Here take a look at this.” I said as I moved the display so she could see.
“whats this.” She asks with intrigued.
“It’s dated about a hundred years back. When Celestia moved the castle out of the everfree she made the everfree a nation owned and ruled separately from Equestria and the Royal sisters. So I can legally set up a trade federation for my everfree nation. I can put up my national flag on a ship and because it’s a new flag I don’t think anyone at sea would question it until I make port with documentation and all I need is two hi ranking signatures that recognize the everfree as a nation ruled by me.” I said as I used my magic to print out the legal documents and a flag with a white and blue swirl kitsune mask.
“I think this might work. How did you know about this.” She said as she took the papers with her magic and rolled them up.
“Twilights not the only one that likes to research and I have my own personal library that I spend looking through while I sleep so instead of dreaming I’m reading.” I said with a large smile.
“That explains why I haven’t seen your dreams yet.” Luna said while scratching her chin.
“What does that mean.” I said as I started to clear the table.
“As princess of the night one of my duties is to guard the dreams of my ponies and protect them from nightmares. So I can go in and out of the dream world whenever I choose.” She said with a proud smile.
“That actually sounds pretty cool.” I said with a smile. I think I’ll add that to my must try list of magic.
“Oh it definitely has its moments. It's time I head back to the castle. I’ll have my sister sign the documents and I’ll let you know when it's time to depart. Thanks again for the wonderful treat Fox.” She said before wrapping me in a warm wing hug.
“It's no problem oh hey take a couple of melons for you and aunt Tia. My doors always open if you ever want to drop in I may not always be home but I’ll answer the door.” I said as I gave her the melons before sending the rest into my bag and said goodbye. After sending her off I went to clean the dishes but heading to my bedroom where Rosy was fast asleep with Tammy curled up on the pillow and with a yawn I put on my PJs and after I got comfy I was out.
-THE NEXT DAY-
After a good night's rest and a healthy breakfast me and Rosy set out to explore the forest around the house. After collecting some herbs I could use, we wound up in front of a thick patch of brambles with a hole right in front of them.
“Do you think we can get through that?” I asked while trying to look through the wall of thorns.
“I don’t think so.” She said as she stood on my head to get a better view with Tammy on her head and Alya was napping in my pocket.
“Want to call it and head to town.” I asked while I marked this spot on my display map. I started the map this morning so I could mark down where I found things that could be of use or any points of interest.
“Oh can we go to Sugarcube corner.” She said as she fluttered back down on my shoulders.
“Seems like hardly anypony's been here in ages. I hope I'm remembering the rhymes right from my Nana Pinkie's story.” Said a familiar voice coming from the bramble patch.
“That sounds like Pinkie. I wonder what she's up to.” I said as I tried to see through the vines.
"Where the brambles are thickest, there you will find a pond beyond the most twisted of vines!" [echoes] What was that?! Oh, I heard a voice! Oh. Hehe. It was me. Ouch! Ooh! Stop scratching me up, you brambles, and– Whoooaaa.” Pinkie said before she tumbled out of the brambles right into me and Rosy sent us down the hole. After some down hill rolling I wound up on my back with Pinkie and Rosy on top of me.
“Ow good morning to you too Pinkie and not to be rude but do you mine getting off of me please your kinda heavy on the plus side your hair smells delicious.” I said as I lifted my head just to get a face full of pink poofness.
“FOXY did you come looking for nana pies mirror pool too.” Pinkie asked after she sat up and was still on top of me.
“What now?” I asked as I picked her up and moved her off of me while Rosy hopped off.
“The mirror pool it’s an enchanted pool that lets you make copies of yourself.” Pinkie said with a big smile while I got back on my feet and looked around. It wasn’t very dark in here. Light was coming in through the hole we fell into and in the middle of the room was a small pool of water fed from a tiny stream. There also was a couple of glowing mushrooms around some of the rocks.
“ I’m inclined to ask why?” I asked as I walked up to the pool and looked at my reflection.
“To have more fun silly. Rainbow invited me to chillax with her today and then applejack asked me to come to her barn raising thing but at the same time I tried to run between the two but that wouldn’t work then I had the great idea to make copies of myself so now I can do both HEHE.” She said before looking into the pool.
“Yeah I don’t see this ending badly.” I told Rosy sarcastically when she got on her perch behind my head.
“I’m sure it will be fine dad.” Rosy said as she pulled a banana from her mane.
“I’ll bet you five bananas that pinkie will over do it and a horde of pink ponies will terrorize ponyville and it will be up to us and the girls to find the real one.” I said before taking her banana and took a big bite.
“Hey I was going to eat that.” Rosy said with a huff and a pout.
“What happened to the other three I saw you with this morning.” I said with a smirk.
“I was saving them for a snack later.” She said as she pulled another one out. I will never understand how they do that.
"And into her own reflection she stared, uh, yearning for one whose reflection she shared, and solemnly swear not to be scared at the prospect of being doubly mared.” Pinkie said as she touched the pool and out came another Pinkie.
“Weee-heee!” The copy said as she bounced around.
“Wow, the legend is true. It really worked!” Pinkie said while she looked at herself.
“Yeah this will get confusing fast.” I said while rubbing my face.
“Fun, fun, fun.” Pinkie 2 said while still bouncing
“ Okay, wait. I promised not to talk to myself anymore. I should say something to her. Or... would that still be talking to myself? Excuse me, me? Can I have a word with you? Uh, I mean, me? Listen, I can see you're having lots of fun, but” Pinkie said before the copy zipped right up to me.
“ Fun?! Did somebody say fun? Where?” The copy said as I wondered how bad this might turn out.
“I did, over here!” Pinkie said while waving her hoof.
“I thought someone said something about fun! Where is it? Over here? Over here? I don't see it! Where is it? Where is it?” The copy said while running all around the cave.
“Whoa, calm yourself, Pinkie, there's loads of fun to be had in Ponyville with my girls! Trot on over back to Ponyville with me and I'll tell you all about 'em.” Pinkie said as she wrapped her foreleg around her copy and led us out of the cave.
“Pinkie you sure this is a good idea?” I asked with concern for the local ponies…and me.
“Trust me it’ll be fine, don’t worry I got this all under control.” Pinkie said with a confident look.
“That just makes me worry more. Here put this on.” I said as I used my magic to make a little pink chibi fox hair pin.
“Aw, it's so cute.” Pinkie said before clipping it to her mane.
“There now I’ll know which one is real. Now I’m off to see a pony about a squirrel.” I said before giving the real pinkie a hug and left to find Fluttershy. It took a little bit of searching but I finally found her having a picnic with her animal friends.
“Hey there Fluttershy.” I said as I walked up to their picnic blanket.
“Oh good morning Fox and you to Rosy. Would you like to join the picnic?” She asked as she set out some juice and toast with marmalade for the critters. I looked around the picnic at all the critters. There was a small family of duck, a gray ferret, squirrel, her pet bunny Angel and a large bear. Before I could answer Tammy hopped off my shoulder onto Fluttershy’s head and gave her mussel a hug.
“I think that’s a yes.” I said with a chuckle before Rosy Fluttered down to the blanket next to the bear.
“Hello to you to Tammy.” Fluttershy said as she used her wing to gently hug the tiny monkey back.
“Coo.” Alya said with a tiny yawn as she poked her fluffy head out of my shirt pocket.
“Oh my goodness it’s a cute feathered serpent hatchling. Hello little one.” Fluttershy said as she tried to pet Alya’s head but got a hiss before Alya ducked back into my pocket making me chuckle.
“Sorry Fluttershy she doesn’t like anyone but me right now.” I said as I poked my finger in my pocket to pet her.
“It's alright she’s just a baby and wants to stay with her daddy.” Fluttershy said before she sat down. I was about to sit when the bear stood up in front of me and had a very cautious look as he stared down at me.
“Um…hug?” I said with open arms and a smile and was surprised when he wrapped his large arms around me and gave me a literal bear hug.
“Hehe berry just loves hugs.” Fluttershy said with a warm smile.
“Hugs are nice thanks big guy.” I said as we hugged.
“ Oh Fluttershy I got something to add to the picnic.” I said as I dropped the hug and fished a melon from my bag.
“Here this is called a Musk Melon and it's very sweet. Back in my world a lot of people will give these away as a gift.” I said as I sat down next to Rosy before cutting the melon into slices for everyone.
“That very kind of you, thank you. Oh I saw a berry bush over there we can eat them with the melon. I’ll just be right back.” Fluttershy said before picking up a small basket and walked over to the berry bush. I loomed over to the bush and saw Pinkie bouncing by.
“Oh, Pinkie I'm so glad you wandered by. I know I promised not to have any fun today, but, oh, I couldn't help myself. All of my critter friends wanted a picnic, and I couldn't disappoint them. Come join us. We have plenty of hay juice and marmalade to go around and Fox stopped by with a melon don't we, critters?” Fluttershy said as me and the critters chattered in agreement before a small white mouse walked up to pinkie with a small wedge of cheese that Pinkie picked up and ate it.
“[chomps] Wait, but that sounds super fun! Oh, but Applejohn sounds super fun too! Uh, and, and I can't do one without missing out on the other!” Pinkie said with a bit of panic and as I looked at her I couldn’t see the fox pin I gave her.
“Who's Applejohn?” Fluttershy said softly.
“Two fun things at once? But which, which? Oh, can't decide... [breathes heavily] Trouble breathing... Walls closing in!” Pinkie said in a panic.
“Walls? But we're outside.” Fluttershy said before Pinkie shrieks and took off running
“Goodness. Was it something I said?” Fluttershy asked with worry.
“Yes.” Pinkie shouted as she ran off.
“Oh I hope she’ll be alright.” Fluttershy said as she sat down on the picnic blanket.
“Don’t worry she’ll be fine…maybe.” I said as I munched a slice of melon.
“Anyways Fluttershy I actually stopped by to ask you about some animals from the everfree.” I said before I passed around the melon slices.
“Oh thank you. What did you want to know.” Fluttershy said sweetly as she passed me a cup of juice.
“Well last night Rosy brought me one of these melons and I took it inside to make some treats but when I came back out I had a pile of melons in my yard. Rosy said that some big dark green and black squirrels ran out of the forest with the melons and put them in the pile before rushing back to the trees. I figured I’d come and ask you since you know most of the animals around here.” I said before I leaned against Rosy to get comfy since I was in my tiny form.
“Oh those must be Harvester Squirrels.” Fluttershy said as Alya and Tammy played with some of the smaller animals here.
“Harvester Squirrels?” I asked with a raised brow.
“Oh yes there squirrels that make the fruit trees in the forest there home. When they think the fruit is ripe they take what they need and leave the rest out for the other forest animals to eat. They probably claimed one of your trees as there home but don’t worry they’re very friendly critters and will help you harvest your gardens.” Fluttershy said with a warm smile until we were overtaken by a wave of pink ponies.
“FUN, FUN, FUN!” Cheered a bunch of Pinkies as they bounced around the picnic scaring the critters into the bushes.
“Oh no where did all these Pinkies come from.” Fluttershy said as she flew around to calm the animals.
“Jeez she was only gone five minutes. Fluttershy let's head into town, maybe Twilight can help. Oh and Rosy you owe me some bananas.” I said as I changed back and picked up Rosy with Tammy and Alya then made our way to town. As we ran into town there were a lot of Pinkies running around and a group of angry ponies in front of Twilight's library.
“ Okay, everypony, please, calm down!” Twilight said as she and spike tried to quiet the ponies down.
“Calm down? I just had a Pinkie hurricane raging through my shop!” Rarity said as she stomped her hoof in anger.
“And they trashed our critter picnic!” Fluttershy said softly but angry.
“Please, everypony, hang on while I try to figure something out! Come on, Spike. I've gotta try to remember the name of that legend she mentioned.” Twilight said before I popped up next to her. I think I’m getting the hang of this teleporting.
“It’s the legend of the mirror pool.” I said with a smile.
“Ahhh! When did you get there…and how do you know that?” Twilight asked with a stern glare.
“Well for one I’ve been practicing teleporting and two I was with Pinkie when she made her first clone.” I said with a smile as we walked into the library.
“And you didn’t stop her.” Twilight said while she and spike looked through the books on the shelf.
“In all honesty I probably should have.” I said while I searched my library archives on my display.
“Aha, here it is! "The legend of the Mirror Pond"... It describes a spell I can use to send them back where they came from!” Twilight said as she looked over the spell
“That's perfect! Let's go!” spike said with excitement.
“But…” I said while looking through my display.
“But there's a catch. If I can't figure out which one's the real Pinkie, I might send her back by mistake!” Twilight said with a look of worry.
“Well, we'll just have to figure out who the real one is then. Shouldn't be too hard.” Spike said before he looked around at all the pinkies.
“Does anypony here know how we can tell the real Pinkie Pie from all the rest of them?” Twilight said as we walked outside to talk to the crowd before a Pinkie ran up to Twilight
“Twilight! I have to talk to you, I need your help!” Pinkie said in a panic.
“Excuse me, whoever you are, but I'm not talking to any of you Pinkies unless you're the real Pinkie.” Twilight said before she brushed off the real Pinkie.
“Oh, but, but I am the real Pinkie!” Pinkie said with a sad look before the fakes spoke up.
“No, you're not! I'm the real Pinkie!” A fake said.
“I'm the real Pinkie!” Another said before the rest added to the confusion
“How in tarnation are we supposed to tell which is the real Pinkie?” Applejack said as she scratched her head.
“Seriously.” I said with a raised brow.
“I have no idea.” Twilight said as she looked at all the pinkies.
“Me either. Ohh... We've all got the same adorable tails, we've all got the same adorable manes, we've all got the same adorable hooves! Which one of us is the real Pinkie?! Oh! I haven't the slightest clue! And if I can't tell us apart... who can?” Pinkie said as she pointed out the adorableness of the pinkies before sitting down and crying.
“Fox can you help find the real one?” Twilight asked as she looked up at me.
“Nope.” I said with cross arms as I glared down at her before walking over to the crying Pinkie.
“What's his problem?” Spike asked with a glare of his own.
“Ugh I don’t know let just start looking.” Twilight said before she turned and headed into the crowd of pinkies as I picked up the real Pinkie and took her to a nearby table.
“Fox why aren't you out looking for the real Pinkie?” Pinkie asked before she laid her head down on the table.
“Because I already found the real Pinkie. I don’t have to look at the hair pin to figure that out. I just don’t see how Twilight can’t figure it out.” I said as I sat down next to her and Rosy next to me.
“But dad how can you tell?” Rosy asked as she looked out at the fun crazy pinkies.
“I may not have known the girls for very long and Pinkie may be the most fun loving pony around but you can’t copy someponies true feelings. The pinkies running around are only thinking about fun but I think the real Pinkie would be upset this and a good friend can always tell when there friend needs a shoulder to lean on.” I said as I rubbed the crying pink pony before Twilight and spike walked by.
“Ugh, this is hopeless!” Twilight said in frustration.
“Maybe that one's the real Pinkie.” Spike said as he pointed towards us.
“Please. The real Pinkie Pie never could sit that long in one place her whole life!” Twilight said as she shook her head.
“I'm gonna go ask.” Spike said before he walked up to us.
“Of course she's gonna say she's the real Pinkie! They all do! You're wasting your time.” Twilight said while I just stayed quiet.
“So lemme guess. You're the real Pinkie Pie.” Spike said with a smile.
“Heck if I know. Could be any one of us if you ask me. And if I said I was the real Pinkie, you wouldn't even believe me anyway. So just leave me alone. I've got some important poking the ground with my hoof to do.” Pinkie said sadly before she sat on the ground and started to draw frowny faces in the dirt. My glare never leaves Twilight.
“Oh, Spike, how're we gonna do this? I can't risk sending the real Pinkie back into the pond!” Twilight said sadly.
“I miss the real Pinkie.” Spike said as he looked at the other pinkies.
“[sighs] I bet she misses you too. Bet she'd do just about anything to get to be with her friends again. Hey. Hey! What if you gave them a test? Pick something really hard for a Pinkie to do, something not fun at all! Any Pinkie that can't do it goes back into the pond. But whoever wants to stay the most, that must be the real Pinkie!” Pinkie said happily.
“You know, that's not a bad idea.” Twilight said as she walked way with Spike
“This is great! If I pass, I get to be with my friends again! [gasps] But what if I don't pass? Oh, what if I'm not the real Pinkie Pie?! Ohhhh! Stupid [thud] magic [thud] mirror [thud] water! This is all your fault! ...And mine.” Pinkie said as she slammed her head onto the table.
“It's going to be alright Pinkie trust me I won't let you go anywhere.” I said before I gave her a hug and not wanting to be left out Rosy, Tammy, and surprisingly Alya too joined in the hug.
“Thank you.” Pinkie said as she hugged us back before I stood up and pulled a melon from my bag.
“Hey Pinkie, want to see a magic trick?” I asked while I pulled a milkshake glass, vanilla ice cream, a cherry and a towel out and set them on the table by the melon.
“Sure. It seems like something the real world would like.” She said sadly as she looked at the stuff on the table. Alya surprised me by giving Pinkie a tiny cheek nuzzle.
“Looks like someone wants you to cheer up. Let see if I can put at least a little smile on that face. Now watch this.” I said as I picked up the towel and placed it on top of the items.
“SHAZAM!!” I said before lifting the towel to show a melon cream smoothie with a cherry on top.
“One special melon cream smoothie for the only Pinkie I call my friend.” I said as I stuck a straw in it and slid it over to her.
“Looks delicious.” Pinkie said sadly before taking a sip and a tiny smile formed around the straw.
“It may be a small smile but I’ll take it.” I said happily before Rainbow Dash swooped down and snatched up Pinkie.
“Got’cha.” Rainbow said before taking off toward town hall.
“Ok this is getting ridiculous. Come one Rosy let go before something bad happens.” I said as I picked up Alya while Rosy grabbed the melon smoothie.
“Wow this is really good.” Rosy said before she finished off the smoothie and we left for the town hall. When we got there the whole room was filled with pinkies bouncing around in front of a small stage and I could see Twilight sticking her head out of the curtains.
“Oh look there's the sad Pinkie.” Rosy said as she pointed out our Pinkie.
“Rosy wait by that Pinkie, I need to talk with Twilight for a second before they start whatever it is they got planned.” I said before I walked behind the curtain where they had painted a roll around the wall.
“Fox you’re here good do you think you could help me send these pinkies back?” Twilight asked as she looked over the spell.
“Twilight what is all this?” I asked with a stern glare.
“It’s a test to watch paint dry. The pinkies that get distracted we send back to the pond.” She said with a proud smile and it kinda made me a bit mad.
“Really? Can you honestly not tell which one is the real one.” I said as I crossed my arms.
“Yes that’s why we’re doing this test.”
“[sigh] Twilight you and the girls have known Pinkie for a lot longer than I have and even I can tell which one is real just by how they act. I’m surprised none of you can see it. Even Spike talked to the real one earlier.” I said before Spike spoke up.
“I did?” Spike asked while making some popcorn.
“Then why haven’t you said anything before all this.” Twilight said in frustration.
“Because I thought you could tell who your real friend was. You can do your test but I’ll make sure you don’t send the real one away.” I said as I turned to walk away and sat down behind the real Pinkie.
“You ok dad?” Rosy asked as she hopped in my lap.
“I will be. I’m just a little upset.” I said before Twilight walked out on stage.
“Pinkies, you've been brought here to take a test.” Twilight said after she calmed down the pinkies.
“Awww!” The copies said.
“Don't worry, it's a simple test, about as simple as they come, and whoever passes gets to stay.” Twilight said with a smile as the pinkies cheered.
“Curtain, please. The test... will be watching paint dry!” Twilight said as Applejack and Rarity pushed out the paint covered wall getting a gasp from the collective.
“On your mark, get set, go!” Twilight said before all the pinkies quickly focused on the wall.
“Ooh, this is so exciting!” Spike said as he hopped on a stool with his popcorn.
(30 minutes later)
“Okay, maybe not that exciting.” Spike said now upside down on the stool with an empty popcorn bucket.
[bird chirping]
“ Oh, hey, look at the birdie!” A copy said before Twilight sent her back to the pond.
“Hehe hold on this could be funny. Time for a song.” I said before I touched my mark and started part of the song.
(Play Another Bits The dust.)
“Watch me bounce and touch the ceiling!” Said a copy
[poof]
“do do do another one bits the dust.” I sang.
[frog croaking]
“Is that... A Marmoset trying to eat frog crossed with an orange?” copy number 1.
“Cool!” Copy 2.
“Where?” Copy 3.
“NO TAMMY YOU CAN'T EAT THAT!!” Rosy said before she took off after the hungry monkey.
[poof]
“Another one gone, Another one gone, another one bits the dust.” I sang before Rarity shushed me.
“Look what I can do with my hooves!” A copy said before she blew air in her hoof making fingers pop out.
[poof]
“Betcha can't make a face crazier than... this!” A copy said as she turned around with an actual horse like face.
“Holy shit.” I said in terror.
[poof]
By now Twilight horn was glowing red and smoking with two more pinkies left.
[long pause]
“Ugh, I can't take it anymore! Somepony's making balloon animals!” Rainbow said as she flew up and pointed out the window.
“What? Where?” The last copy said before she was sent back to the pond and we all walked up to the real one.
“Pinkie, you can look away now.” Twilight said snapping pinkie out of her focus.
“I passed?” Pinkie asked happily.
“You passed. You're the only Pinkie who kept staring at the wall.” Twilight said proudly.
“I had to. I just had to. I couldn't leave my friends, I just couldn't. But I guess sometimes I will have to choose between them.” Pinkie said with a warm smile as she looked around at us.
“See Pinkie I told you that you were the real you.” I said as I pat her puffy mane.
“Wait, you knew she was the real one? Why didn’t you say anything.” Rainbow said before she punched my shoulder.
“I thought you girls would have figured out who was real a long time ago. If you girls would have just stopped and looked you would have noticed that the real Pinkie wasn’t happy but sad that she might have lost her friends.” I said while the girls just looked sadly at the floor.
“I'm me! I'm me! I'm me! Or am I? Yeah, I'm pretty sure I am.” Pinkie said happily before we all left the town hall. Now pinkie was laying on her bed with me and Rosy at the foot of it while Spike wrote a letter to Princess Celestia.
Dear Princess Celestia,
It's great to have fun, but it's even greater to have great friends. And having lots of friends means that you sometimes have to make choices as to who you'll spend your time with. But that's okay, because good friends will always give you lots of opportunities to have fun. So even if you're missing out, it's never for long.
Respectfully yours
Pinkie Pie.
“Do yall really write friendship reports to Princess Celestia.” Rosy asked before Spike rolled up the letter and we headed down stairs.
“Yep it was a weekly thing before Twilight flipped out one time because she thought Celestia would send her pack to magic kindergarten for being late to send one and basically hypnotized most of ponyville into loving her old smartypants doll just to get a friendship problem to write about.” Spike said as we made our way to the door before Pinkie grabbed me in a bear hug.
“Thank you Fox for believing I was the real one even when I didn’t believe myself.” She said as she tightened the hug.
“Your welcome Pinkie. I didn’t need the hairpin to know who the real you was because I knew who my friend really was.” I said as I returned the hug before we went outside and Spike sent the letter with his fire.
“Hi, Pinkie Pie. We were thinking we should go out and celebrate.” Twilight said as I walked up beside her.
“You up for some wheelbarrow races?” Applejack suggested.
“I could take everypony on a cloud ride!” Rainbow suggested
“I could throw a party with punch and zesty cucumber sandwiches! Ooh!” Rarity suggested.
“You wanna know exactly what I feel like doing right now?” Pinkie said before falling on her back with a sigh before she fell asleep.
“That looks like fun.” Fluttershy said, making us all laugh.
“Oh, Pinkie.” Applejack said happily while shaking her head.
“Yeah I think me and Rosy should be headed home before it gets dark.” I said as I noticed the setting sun.
“Um Fox you were right, I should have seen how upset Pinkie was and I’m sorry for making you mad too.” Twilight said sadly as she looked up at me with her big watery eyes.
“It’s alright Twilight. Sometimes we get so caught up in the problem and we miss the obvious solution even if it's plain to see.” I said before I wrapped her in a hug.
“Oh and I fixed the bird and frog. Next time we use an apple it would be a lot easier.” I said with a chuckle.
“Hehe thanks.” Twilight said with a blush and smile.
“Hey there Fox, me, Rarity, and Rainbow here are planning to take the Crusaders out for a little campin trip and was wonderin if you and Rosy want to come along?” Applejack asked as with Rainbow and Rarity.
“I’m so down for that. What about you Rosy?” I asked as I picked her up and put her on my shoulders.
“Yeah. I’ve never been camping before but it sounds fun.” Rosy said with a smile.
“Well alright then meet me tomorrow at sweet apple acres in the morning by sun rise.” Applejack said before she left for home.
“Well I better get back home and pack up a few things. Twilight, you need any help sealing up the cave with the mirror pond?” I asked as I typed up a list of stuff I need to pack.
“No I should be fine.” She said before giving me one more hug and left.
“Alright let's head home Rosy.” I said as we headed out of town and into the forest. With the sun quickly setting the forest got really dark and it was hard to tell where I was going.
“This forest gets really spooky at night.” Rosy said as her and Tammy tried to loom around.
“I know I can hardly see where I’m going-.” I said before I tripped over a root and tumbled down a hill. Rosy was able to flutter safely down but me on the other hand went face first in a patch of blue flowers.
“(gulp) blah. Oh that tasted nasty. I hope that was poisonous.” I said as I wiped my tongue trying to rid the awful taste of the flower before standing up and putting one in my bag to study later.
“You ok dad.” Rosy asked as she landed on my shoulders.
“Yeah I think so. Hopefully it was safe to eat I know ponies love flowers but that one was awful.” I said while walking back up the hill and continued to the house. I was really looking forward to this camping trip tomorrow.
.
.
.
Somewhere deep in a cave a lone creature in a black clock stood in front of a huge dark crimson and black swirl floating crystal.
“Master we located the six keystones. It's sealed in an underwater cave system off the coast of Equestria. I have a team on standby on a nearby island ready to collect it.” Said the cloaked creature as a pair of red glowing eyes and black smoke filled the crystal.
“Good. Have you any progress on locating the other five.” It said in a deep demonic voice.
“Yes master we have information on three more so far.” The creature said.
“Hahahaha soon I will be set free then no creature in this world can stop me. What of the last child of the Mystic Foxes.” The Crystal said.
“I have a familiar watch over him. It doesn’t appear that he knows anything about us yet but I believe it's only a matter of time but he won't be a problem.” The creature said.
“Good. Keep a close I on him.” It said before it faded.