//------------------------------//
// 4~...Some stay the same 
// Story: What Could've Been 
// by Centurion Pike-Wall 
//------------------------------//

True to her realization, Pinkie Pie had appeared in front of them. Her party canon was held in front of her, a wide smile across her face. To the Praetor's confusion, her mane was filled with various small items: Confetti, candy, stuffed animals, and a rubber ducky. She said, "Hi!" She then stopped, scanning all of them, before her eyes fell on her. "Wait... you're Rainbow Dash?"

The Praetor straightened up, keeping down a snide comment. "T-that would be correct, Ms. Pie", she said, hoping that a tone of formality would be able to prevent her hatred from coming forward. 

"Oh, please", she said, disappearing before reappearing uncomfortably close to her. "You don't need to call me anything like that! Just call me Pinkie!"

Praetor Dash swallowed, slowly sliding her pistol back into its holster with her wing. "That is... Very well."

"So", Pinkie said, looking past the Praetor to the rest of the ponies she had come to Ponyville with. "So, where'd she come from?"

"She was accidentally transported here after my student cast a spell she uncovered", Princess Twilight said. "I was hoping that Starlight might help us get her back to her home."

"Oh, you poor thing!", Pinkie said, pulling her into a massive hug. The Praetors eyes bugged out slightly, once again resisting the urge to pull out one of her pistols.

"Your concern is... touching, Mrs. Pie", the Praetor said, still trying to pry Pinkie off with her wing. "However, I am accustomed to unusual and unexpected circumstances. I feel I am-"

"Still", Pinkie said. "We should still throw you a party! Help you get to feel at home even though you are not at home!"

The Praetor sighed. "Mrs. Pie. That is unnecessary."

"If our Pinkie is anything like your Pinkie, then you know she's not gonna stop 'til you get one!", Rainbow Dash said, a faint smile on her face. 

"I am well aware", the Preator said, before her face scrunched up in confusion. "Is that... an Accordion?"

Pinkies eyes brightened slightly; they were already so much so that the increase wasn't a major degree. "Cheesie's here!"

Behind them, a small group of ponies and other creatures split apart. Coming through a gap came a big green lizard, with a yellow, brown, and grey pony riding on its back. Said pony was the source of the accordion music, swaying back and forth as the music flowed across the square. Next to him was a foal, balancing on a ball and juggling rubber chickens. 

The pony on the gator leaped off of it, doing a backflip before landing right in front of them. "Sorry I'm late! Who's the new..." He stopped when he noticed the Praetor, before looking at Pinkie Pie. Pinkie whispered in his ear, before he got up and tucked the accordion under his arm. "Okay! Sorry about that, Ms. Rainbow!"

The Praetor sighed, before she said, "It's fine, Mr...?"

"Cheese Sandwich's the name", the stallion said, holding out a hoof. "Throwing parties, making creatures smile, and being the bestest dad and husband I can be is my game!"

The Praetor took the hoof, giving him a shake. "Praetor Rainbow Dash, Pryhan Imperial Army."

The foal ran up the stairs, panting. "Sorry dad. I couldn't keep up."

"Oh, it's fine", Pinkie said. "You did your best, and that is all that matters!" She bent down, nuzzling the foal. 

The Praetor examined the foal, noting the similarities between Pinkie and Cheese Sandwich. "Your daughter, I take it?"

The foal pouted, giving her the rough approximation of a dirty look. "I'm a colt!"

"My apologies then", the Praetor said. 

Pinkie said, "Yeperoonie! This is Lil' Cheese! Say hi!"

"Hi, miss", Cheese said, smiling up at her. The Praetor had to admit; the colt had her mother's smile. And in a good way, too. 

"Salve", she said, offering her talon to the colt, who promptly took it. 

"Well", Twilight said, clearing her throat. "We should be going. I want to meet with Starlight before lunch."

"Lead the way", the Praetor said. Twilight nodded, heading down the stairs and passed the gator, who the Praetor realized must be Gummy. The others followed in behind her, Pinkie and her family hopping onto the back of Gummy as they lagged behind. The Praetor sighed, watching as the three of them played something amongst themselves. She had to admit, despite all of her hatred for the mare... it was nice to be around Pinkie again.