Before the sun broke from beneath the distant horizon and melted the morning’s dew away, Pinkie found herself awakening to a small but persistent jabbing at her side.
She gasped, suddenly awake, and sat up swatting away whatever had bothered her so. All she found, though, was a long stick clattering to the ground and something, or rather someone, ducking behind a rock. Her brow raised, and after shaking away the fuzzy feeling crowding her brain, she moved to investigate.
"Hello?" She chirped curiously, waiting for the someone to step out from behind their hiding place.
Her ears twitched as she awaited a response. "Who's there?"
Only a light shuffling answered her and it seemed the someone only hid further.
Were they scared? Of her? Her pink fluffy-fuzbal-of-energy self?
"Hey, I won't hurt you! There's no reason to be scared of little ol' me," she said, easing forward. But she heard them shuffle away as she approached.
"No, you don't need to run!" Without thinking she darted forward trying to catch a glimpse of the mysterious someone. And Pinkie, being Pinkie, turned out to be the much faster of the two. So much faster, in fact, that she didn't realise she'd run into him till after they'd tumbled out from behind the rock together, rolling once or twice over the grass before stopping.
Being the driving force behind their little mishap, it was only natural she came out on top, and that’s when he was caught.
Between her front hooves was a colt, about her age, looking up at her through wide green eyes framed by a pair of thick black-rimmed glasses. His mouth hung agape just slightly, as if surprised to be looking at her.
"What'cha poking me for?" She asked playfully, smiling triumphantly, only for him to gulp, then shrug in quiet nervousness.
"Was it because I was asleep outside? Oooo, did I look dead?"
He shook his head, as wide-eyed as ever. Despite her bright and bubbly personality, he was clearly uneasy over her. She wasn't that scary, was she?
No, no. It had to be something else.
The way he held his front hooves tucked tightly against his chest, his quiet responses, the wide-eyed stare towards her, a stranger…
She'd seen this before. Not so strongly, or perhaps as clearly. But he reminded her of someone...
"You're really shy, aren't you?" She asked, her poofy mane bobbing as she tilted her head.
He nodded, his own curly brown mane bouncing with his movement.
Looking at him from this angle, with those big green eyes and warm orange coat… he was kind of... cute. And he seemed nice enough. It wasn't like he ignored her, or anything. The colt just… didn't seem to talk much. Oh, not that she minded! But she could easily do enough talking for the both of them.
Stepping off of him, very oblivious to the awkward situation she’d subjected him to and the flush on his cheeks, she offered him her hoof.
"Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie," she said as he took it, allowing her to help him stand, "Sorry about knocking you over. Guess that's just classic Pinkie being Pinkie, leaping before she looks!"
He shrugged as if to say 'don't worry about it'.
She had introduced herself and waited for him to do the same, but he seemed unsure of what came next and stared hesitantly at her. That was cue enough for her to move things along.
"What's your name?" She asked expectantly.
No verbal response came from him, only the shuffling of his hooves and a mumbling so quiet she wasn't sure he’d made noise at all.
"I didn't quite catch that,"
He tried again, this time a little louder. His attempt remained unsuccessful, but at least he was making progress.
So, she put on her biggest, friendliest, most comforting smile, just for him and grabbed his hoof again for reassurance, something that had always worked on her when she felt scared or nervous as a younger filly. "You don't need to be so shy around me, I promise I’m nice!"
He gulped, taking a big and relaxing breath, then squoze his eyes shut. In the darkness he found that not looking at her and her big blue eyes was easier. "Cheese," he managed, relieved as he did so, "Cheese Sandwich,"
She grinned wider now, "See? that wasn't so hard," she giggled, "It is absa-tootley positively wonderful to meet you!"
Her beaming smile earned just a hint of one from him.
Oh, so he was warming up to her.
Looking around she saw vast rolling hills of green surrounding them, and off, not too far in the distance she found a city standing tall and shining in the early morning light.
"So, what are you doing out here?" She asked. Again, he didn't respond, "Where is here anyways?"
A brief pause occurred before he found his voice.
"Fillydelphia," he answered softly, "just outside it,"
Surprised, she turned to him again. "That's where you're from?"
His ears fell slightly, but he nodded anyway.
"Neat,"
Fillydelphia, huh? The name felt familiar, like she had a reason to be there, or a purpose for coming.
She watched the city as the sun finally rose above the horizon reflecting off the shining buildings. City lights could be seen against the darker areas of the sky, giving the sense that the city really never slept. Even from here it looked fun! Something new and exciting was bound to be around each and every corner! And oh, there was nothing better than a brand new adventure!
Pinkie smiled, sitting and watching for a while. Yes, something told her she needed to be here. Something strong tugged on her from the inside, telling her clearly, that is the place.
But what?
Sure, it was strong and persistent, maybe a little nagging, but where did it come from? How did she know Fillydelphia was it? She couldn't remember. Come to think of it, she couldn't remember much of anything…
How did she end up outside the city anyways? And when did she fall asleep?
“Hey Cheese,” She turned around to find him fiddling with the stick he’d used to poke her with, attaching a tied red sack to it. He stopped to look at her, but her original thought was forgotten along with the rest of her life.
“Ooo, what’s that for? Are you camping?”
Cheese’s ears tucked back against his head and he looked down at his hooves, “Something like that.”
“I love camping!” Oblivious to the slightest air of guilt he carried, she bounced around listing all the wonderful things a good campout had to offer, “Sleeping under the stars, roasting marshmallows, telling spooky stories…. hey, maybe that’s what I was doing out here, camping?”
“You don't know?” He raised a brow.
“Not particularly,” She hummed, briefly thinking it over again. When nothing came to mind she continued about her merry little way, bouncing without direction.
“We could totally camp out tonight! If you don't mind, that is?” She squealed before realizing the flaw in her plan: it was early, and he seemed to be just now packing up his little haversack, cheer undiminished she continued to ramble, “Oh, but you’ve probably had your fair share of camping, right? You’re probably heading home, aren’t you? That’s okay, I need to be in Fillydelphia today anyways,”
Though her words came a mile a minute he somehow managed to keep up with her.
“No... I’m camping tonight,” He admitted quietly, “Just thought I’d get a head start.”
“A head start? Why, it’s barely even morning!” No one left on a camping trip that early in the morning but she was too distracted by the absurdity of it, “It’s a long time to be out here alone without your parents coming with you. How far are you walking anyways?”
He didn't answer this time, only looking to the ground guilty, pulling his sack closer.
“Oh,” Realisation dawned on her like the morning sun, and her bright jubilance faded to a softer tone of understanding, “You’re running away aren't you?”
He sighed, nodding slowly, “I don't belong in Fillydelphia.”
Before, he was just shy, now he's sad. She hated seeing her friends sad, especially a new friend like Cheese. “What about your parents? Or your friends? Won't they miss you?”
Seemed to her that was the wrong thing to suggest as his frown only deepened.
“I... I don't want to talk about it.” The way he spoke… hurt. He wasn't just sad, he was hurting inside, and he was running away, “Promise you won't tell anypony?”
She didn't know what to say, but she wanted to see him happy, so she offered him what she could. “I won't, you have my word.”
Wasn't there something she could offer with her word? ...A chant, perhaps? Slowly it came to her; that unbreakable vow she’d invented who knows when. “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.” She even recalled the motions to accompany it.
He raised a brow in curiosity, but didn't even need to ask.
“That was my certified Pinkie Promise,” She grinned, “And I never break a Pinkie Promise, it’s impossible!”
And that seemed to cheer him up, “Thank you,”
“Anytime,”
He was warming up to her, he had to be as his grateful smile stayed. This was comfortable, sitting next to him, even if she didn't say anything. It was odd being comfortable with silence. She knew she could talk and talk and talk forever if no one stopped her, but this was nice.
“...I guess you have to get going to Fillydelphia, then?”
“I did say that, didn't I,” She’d totally forgotten she’d even mentioned it and while, yes, she felt that’s where she needed to go, some tiny voice in the back of her mind told her to stay.
He looked sadder at the thought that their paths would diverge so soon, and honestly, she felt the same. Why did she need to go to Fillydelphia anyways? She didn't know anypony there-none that she could remember, at least. And she doubted that place was home. Who knows why she had to be there. But here? Outside of Fillydelphia? It was clear this was a pony who needed a friend.
Wasn't it better to be his friend here when he needed it? Why go somewhere she knew nothing about? Why not stay?
“You know, Cheese? The more I think about it, the more I realize: I don't actually know why I should go to Fillydelphia…” Her smile grew as she went on, “So, maybe I... shouldn’t. Maybe I should go with you instead. We could be travel buddies! Two ponies living the nomad’s life, exploring the big bright beautiful world we live in!”
Although he continued looking down at his hooves, Pinkie could see the faintest hint of a smile return.
“...I guess.”
Was that all? She knew he was happy about it, but decided to have more fun with it, to get a real smile out of him, and to be certain he wanted her company. So she nudged his shoulder, a sly grin playing over her lips, “I mean… if you don't want me tagging along I guess I can just-”
“No!” He exclaimed, louder than he meant to. It was honestly the highest volume he’d reached all morning. Just for her.
He cleared his throat looking her in the eyes. “No….” He repeated softer, “I- I think it would be nice to have company. I may be running away… but I don't like being lonely,”
Bingo. That’s all she needed to hear.
“It’s settled then!” She wrapped her hooves tightly around him in her excitement, “You know what this calls for!?”
“What?” He managed to gasp as she nearly squoze the life out of him.
“A party!”
Her hooves released him to throw a puff of confetti into the air.
Where had she gotten confetti?
“A party?” He asked, studying the multicolored dots of paper as they floated to the ground, and her sudden excitement halted.
“You don't know what a party is!?” She gasped, pressing her muzzle against his.
“No, no,” He blushed, pushing her muzzle away from his, she was sweet, but clearly had no concept of personal space, “I know what a party is. But what does that have to do with us traveling together?”
She rolled her eyes as if the answer was obvious, “Parties are to celebrate special events, silly! And this is a special event! It can be a ‘I have a new best friend’ party!”
He considered it a moment before nodding, “Works for me. And what do you do at a party, exactly?”
She gasped again, so overdramatically he wondered how it didn't hurt her voice. “You mean you’ve never been to a party before!?” Pinkie lifted a hoof dramatically to her forehead as if it was the most awful thing she’d ever heard, like the surprise would cause her to faint any moment!
“I dunno," he explained calmly, pulling her hoof from her forehead and placing it on the ground for her. It wasn't that big a deal, "I just thought I was a little too little to go to parties?”
That might as well have been blasphemy for the pink mare as she looked grossly offended by the statement, “Too little for a party!? No pony is too little for a party! You can't say you’ve never had a birthday party!”
But his silence told her he hadn’t.
“Seriously? No birthday parties?” He shook his head, “What about… a nightmare night festival?” Again, no, “New years eve? Summer Sun Celebration? Hearth's Warming party?” For every event she named the answer was the same. It nearly broke her heart to see a pony who’d never known the joy of a party! What an outrage! Well if he was running away from whoever had robbed him of the joy of a party, she couldn't blame him!
“Oh Cheesy, this is a terrible crime against ponykind!” This time she had such intensity in her eyes as she came up with a solution, “We are going to fix all of those one at a time. But tonight, we are throwing you your very first party, ever. We just have to!”
“You really don't have to-”
“Oh but I do!” She said pulling him into another hug and patting his poofy mane, “Don't you worry your little head about it, Pinkie Pie is here to show you the true joy of a party,”
Even if he wanted to argue, she wasn't going to let him. He may as well experience a party tonight as she was going to make certain he attended several more throughout the year. If they were traveling together he might as well get used to spontaneous parties because something told her she’d be having a lot of them.
Cheese watched as the young mare threw herself into her planning. He’d known her for only a few minutes but despite her wildly endless energy he found her enthusiasm endearing. She was… fun. And very nice. Pinkie Pie wasn't like anypony he’d ever known before, and that's what made her such a good potential friend.
Not only that, she was throwing a party just for him. No pony had ever put forth that kind of effort for him before. Sure, his parents went to parties sometimes, but not the kinds of parties he could go to. Not that he wanted to! He'd heard and seen enough to know that.
She'd asked about birthday parties. What about them? He was always too quiet to make friends. Nopony invited him anywhere, and he never had a chance or reason to invite them either. Heck, in Fillydelphia hardly anypony knew his name.
But she wasn't afraid to keep on talking despite it. She didn't mind at all that he was quiet, but always seemed ready to listen when he spoke. Pinkie really did want to be his friend and despite her energy, she wasn't so bad.
“Hey Cheese!” She called, stopping mid-planning, “How many ponies are you thinking of inviting?”
“... None.”
She gave him a quizzical look, “You can't have a party without guests,”
“Well… why not? Is there a rule that says a party needs more than two ponies,”
She opened her mouth, but stopped, and thought. “No, actually. There’s no rules for parties other than ‘have fun’.” She rubbed her chin considering the idea, “I like the way you think outside of the box!”
“... But there isn’t a box out here to be outside of.”
“It’s an expression,” She chirped. “It means you came up with something unique or out of the ordinary,”
Was he really so clever for that? He wasn't challenging the ways of a party, or coming up with anything new, only thinking realistically. “I don't have anypony in Fillydelphia to invite, and I think a big party with lots of ponies would draw too much attention to a couple of foals running away.”
“Touché,” She hummed, making a note in her party plan, “If a party for two is what you want, a party for two is what we’ll have!”
“Thanks Pinkie,” He was grateful, really, “And, since it’s just the two of us, how about we keep walking while you plan. I’d like to be closer to the next town over before night.”
“Sure,” She said quickly gathering the materials she’d pulled out of nowhere, “I can tell you’re going to be the brains of this operation,”
So, Cheese grabbed his sack and together the traveled the great in between. Pinkie bounced along singing anything and everything that came to mind.
She had such a nice voice. Her energy and enthusiasm filled him even after hours of walking. He didn't even notice the ache in his hooves or how tired he was by the time they stopped for lunch and again for dinner. He loved hearing the stories she told, even if she couldn't think of any to do with her life and fillyhood. And when she’d ask questions, he didn't mind answering. He’d never been able to talk to anypony easily, but her spirit was so welcoming and friendly he felt freer and more at ease than he ever had in his life.
Turns out, leaving Fillydelphia really was a good idea.
And as evening drew nearer and Pinkie finished off her plans for their party- plans she hadn’t shared a thing about in order to surprise him- they found themselves wandering into a small in-between town.
“Odd, it’s not on my map,” He said, pulling said paper out to examine it. Pinkie joined him looking over his shoulder.
The map wasn't super detailed. It showed some of the bigger cities and primarily main roads with a few minor roads and smaller cities here and there.
“It’s covering a lot of land. I think they just put in the super important stuff, but of course there will be smaller towns in-between the big cities.” She giggled, “You know, since we’re here, we could always invite more ponies to the party.”
“But we don't know anypony here, they’d be total strangers,”
“And?” She said, bouncing along towards the town, “Parties are about sharing laughter and smiles with everypony, even strangers! Besides, what better way to make friends?”
He wasn’t good at making friends. But Pinkie seemed to know how. She seemed to know a lot. “You’re the expert here. Show me how it’s done,”
Pinkie’s smile widened at his agreement, “This night just got even better!”
They’d come into town in a hurry, and Pinkie used that enthusiastic charm of hers as they began talking of parties till word spread faster than wildfire. Yes, there was going to be a party, for no particular reason other than everypony needed a little break once in a while- and these two would provide it. Pinkie’s energy was contagious and the town welcomed the duo with open hooves.
Like magic, Pinkie had managed to get everything a pony would need to throw an excellent party, snacks and desserts, tables and chairs, brightly colored decorations, music, a disco ball and dance floor right in the center of it all. Perhaps the most impressive feat is that she was even able to get the supplies to rig everything up outside.
The music she picked added to the life and energy of the party. Ponies danced to the beat, cheering for their favorite songs, and allowing themselves to let loose.
Beach balls bounced over the crowd and some impromptu games started on the outskirts of the dance floor.
The smiles were like no other.
He had never seen anypony so happy by something so simple. And it was all thanks to her.
Pinkie pulled out all the stops. Currently, she entertained a group of foals, not much younger than her, by balancing on a beach ball and juggling five rubber chickens. Her smile seemed the brightest of all. He could see, clear as day, that she lived for this. And watching her made something inside of him spark.
If he could do this forever, make ponies happy, watch her make ponies happy, he would.
Yes, he would show up, leave an impact, and then be gone knowing those ponies would remember their smiles, remember the fun, even if they didn't particularly remember him. He'd come and go and disappear, move on to the next town, then the next. The world would be his home, he could sleep beneath the stars every night. She’d be there too if she wanted. They could do it together. She could teach him everything he needed to know to create these smiles.
Wouldn't that be amazing?
As much as he liked to dream up the future, for now he watched the present, taking it all in.
His first party.
Though it wasn't for him, and it wasn't even with ponies he knew, he wouldn't have it anyother way, because Pinkie had shown him the joy of a party. Just like she promised.
"Are you having fun?" Pinkie bounced up to his side dressed in a fitted black tuxedo she'd borrowed from a townspony to replace the gown she'd woken up in, an expectant smile directed at him.
With more confidence than he’d had that morning, he mirrored her infectious smile, "The most fun I've ever had!" Cheese threw his hooves around her, squeezing her tightly like she had done to him, "Thank you Pinkie."
She blinked in surprise at witnessing a whole new Cheese. Their whole walk he’d been timid, shy, and quiet. His smiles were small, and brief. Now, it seemed her energy had rubbed off on him.
That made her even happier than any smile she'd witnessed. She’d planned this party for him, after all . While she’d hoped he would feel the same enthusiasm and joy she felt at parties, she hadn't expected so much so quickly. Still, it made her heart bubble with glee.
"O-of course!” She composed herself, returning his hug, “I live to throw parties and love to make ponies smile."
“It’s a great feeling,” He admitted, releasing her from the hug with a slightly embarrassed smile. Alright, he was still a little shy, but he was so much more out there. Still, her eyes brightened and sparkled, the look she gave him nearly killed him.
“I never realised what I was missing without friends,”
“It’s not too late to go back home,” She said, fearing he may start to suffer homesickness, or regret his decision to leave.
“No.” Cheese insisted, “I know I’m better off out here. If we’re traveling, we can share the joy of laughter with so many more ponies than if we stayed in Fillydelphia.”
“True,” She hummed
“And I’m sure there are a lot of ponies like me who’ve never experienced anything like this.”
Pinkie nodded, very much liking where this was going
Encouraged by her encouragement he continued earnestly, “Let’s travel then! Anywhere our hooves lead us! Let’s throw parties, and spread happiness! The world will be our home, and smiles our reward!”
Pinkie giggled delightedly, “Sounds positively spectacular, Cheesy! I told you you'd be the brains of this operation.”
Pinkie nudged him playfully causing his face to flush again. “Thanks Pinks.”
Then, without warning, she pulled him forward, beckoning him to join the party. He’d watched a majority of it, taking in the spectacle, but she wanted him to really be a part of it all, to immerse himself in the experience, afterall, a first party could never be redone so why not make the most of every minute while they could.
Even a day ago, he might have shied away. He would have run at the possibility of being in the center of things, but her enthusiasm was infectious and her energy fueled him. He didn't care where he was within the party, so long as she was with him. He wouldn't deny her the sight of his own joy at the good she’d created. Besides, no better time than the present to get outside his comfort zone.
Hours later the wandering duo had left the little town behind them, opting to travel further and sleep beneath the stars. They brought some of the extra food from the party with them as well as a spare change of clothes from their borrowed party attire and some blankets kindly given to them by a passing pony as they made their way out of town. One good deed inspires another.
Despite the late hour, both radiated energy, though Cheese’s was slowly waning. He was not built to go on and on and on for hours like it seemed she was. Oh, but he imagined he’d get used to it.
“And when I- and we! It was like-!” Pinkie rambled on and on accompanied by fits of giggles and sound effects, reminiscing over the success of the first party she’d ever thrown-as far as she could remember. “It was-”
“Epic?” He offered slyly.
“Yes,” She sighed happily, leaning into his side, “Epic,”
Once again, the contact caused him to blush, but she couldn't see it as she looked out to the starlit sky.
Then, the unexpected happened, she yawned. All day Pinkie had been so full of energy, he hadn't expected her to feel tired anytime soon. Well, it had to set in eventually, and now was as good a time as any.
“Let’s go ahead and set up camp for the night,” He suggested, slowing his pace.
Pinkie nodded into his shoulder, seemingly unaware she’d been leaning into him for the last several steps, “Sure,”
A small fire was quickly built and their blankets laid out for them.
“I suppose we’ll have to get some real camping gear soon,” She giggled, “Mabey a party wagon too,”
“That would be nice,” He said, folding his blanket to his liking, very opposite to the nature of hers where she laid it out as it fell and called it good.
“Not bad for a first party, am I right?” She remarked as she snuggled into the various folds of the blanket
Surprised, he looked back to her, “I already told you, it was spectacular,”
She giggled “I know, I just-”
“Where did you learn to do that?”
The energetic pony stopped, “Do what?”
“What you did all night: throw parties and be able to make so many ponies smile all at once,”
She sat and contemplated a moment. She’d been so wrapped up in the excitement of her new friend, their travels, and the party, she hadn't had more than half a moment to even think about herself. Now she had to.
Where and when had she learned that? Or even a love of parties. Come to think of it, this wasn't just Cheese's first party, but hers too. And yet somehow she knew she had a deep inspired love for them? And with those questions returned several older ones. How had she wound up outside of Fillydelphia in the first place? How exactly had fate led her to this? Why?
“I don't know.”
The way the fire danced between them made it hard to really pick out what she was thinking, with the shadows constantly changing and all. But he knew something was off. She’d never stopped smiling all day, but that line of thought had ended that beautiful smile.
“I don't know why I love parties, or where I learned to throw them, or any of that,” She said, “I don’t even know how I know my name. I mean I just thought ‘Pinkie Pie’ and assumed that was it. Just like my name, he thought of parties felt natural for me, and so did making friends. See, I woke up this morning to find you, but I can't recall a single thing before that!”
“Really?”
“Really,”
“What do you think you’ll do then?”
She thought, a smile accompanying her solution, “This. All of this, again and again till it comes to me,” She chirped, “Cause I don't mind this.”
“Well, I’m glad to have a friend like you then,” Cheese smiled, “And hey, if you ever need help remembering, I’ll always be here to help,”
"You mean it?"
"Yes Pinkie. After what you did for me tonight, always is the least I can do."
“Aww, Thanks Cheese” She gushed, “Memory or not, this is the start of something glorious!”
The mare rolled onto her back, and he followed suit till they were watching the stars together, allowing the serenity of night to surround and calm them.
“Hey pinkie?”
“Yes Cheese?” She was quickly drifting, but he had just one more thing to say.
“I was thinking about what you said this morning, about me being the brains of this operation.” She hummed in acknowledgement, “And I realised, you are the heart of it. The life and the light of what we’ve just started.”
Her voice brightened a smidgen, “Thanks Cheesey!”
Just like that, there they lay; two ponies unaware of but hopeful for the future impact they would have on their world. Here they were at the start, with the promise of always. Together they would learn and grow and become Party Ponies for life.
Indeed, this was the start of something glorious.