//------------------------------// // Parental Favortism // Story: Pinkie Pie's Special Friends // by smirker //------------------------------// Pinkie Pie was in Sugarcube Corner and getting ready to sell confectioneries for the day, it was a quiet day and she heard familiar voices at the entrance. She listened and realized it was Pink Diamond, Gilmore, and Purple Grace, they ran into the store, "Pinkie!" Pink Diamond, Gilmore, and Purple Grace called out as they ran to her and hugged her, Drifter walked in shortly afterwards with Gold Digger and Wilfred, "Hey, Drifter, what brings you all here?" Pinkie Pie asked, "They missed you throughout the years and wanted to see you again, my children still think you're the best foalsitter they ever had, Pinkie." Drifter answered, "Aw, thank you." Pinkie Pie said, "We missed you so much, Pinkie Pie." Purple Grace stated, "I missed you all, too." Pinkie Pie replied, and they let go, "What were you doing for a living again, Pink Diamond?" Pinkie Pie questioned, "I work at a mane salon now, it's not the most fun job, but it's easy." Pink Diamond answered, "And I'm working in a metalworking factory, job's dangerous, and the factory's hot, but I'm finding it enjoyable, the ponies there are nice, too." Gold Digger added, "How about you, Gilmore, what have you been doing?" Pinkie Pie questioned, "Well, I've been walking Wilfred and helping Purple Grace through school, so busy." Gilmore responded, "I've had more time to spend with my kids now that Pink Diamond and Gold Digger are working, no visits to the hospital recently." Drifter stated, Pinkie Pie smiled, "Well, go ahead and pick out the pieces of candy you three want." Drifter stated, and his children cheered. Drifter's children and Gold Digger bought candy, Drifter then checked to make sure each one of them did not forget, "It's still quite a bit before my first job for today starts, so you three can spend time with Pinkie for a bit, and remember to share, don't hog her for yourself, I'll take away your candy if you do." Drifter spoke, and his three children trotted to her. Gilmore and Purple Grace climbed onto her back while Pink Diamond tried to teach her how to waltz, she looked and saw Drifter and Gold Digger smiling, "Okay, that's enough, I might have customers anytime." Pinkie Pie spoke, and they stopped. Drifter and Gold Digger began holding Gilmore and Purple Grace up high in the air while Pink Diamond petted Wilfred, "Wow, Drifter, you sure like to spend equal time and treat your kids fairly." Pinkie Pie commented, "I think that's what every parent is supposed to do." Drifter responded, "I wish, Drifter, I wish." Pinkie Pie commented, "Wait, you actually met a family where a child wasn't treated fairly when compared to their siblings?" Purple Grace asked, "I hate to say this, but yes." Pinkie Pie lamented, "I wanna hear." Purple Grace said, the others agreed, "Okay, this is a special friend of mine, her name's Butterfly Azalea, she's still not fully grown yet, but she's still a special friend." Pinkie Pie stated, "So let me get this straight, this is a foal who wasn't treated fairly by her family." Pink Diamond remarked, "Oh no, her family treated her unfairly, her brother got all the good things in growing up while she didn't." Pinkie Pie answered, "So, where did you two meet?" Purple Grace asked, "Right here, in Ponyville." Pinkie Pie replied, and she began to tell them the events. Pinkie Pie was in Ponyville and working in Sugarcube Corner, she and her friends have just defeated Nightmare Moon and they were all the center of attention by Equestria's paparazzi, "Thank you, come on now, picture time." Pinkie Pie announced, and she posed and smiled and they soon left Sugarcube Corner. She began working while Mr. and Mrs. Cake experimented with ingredients and cooking methods in an attempt to make new confectioneries, her Pinkie sense went off and she dashed to the window, she saw a family of four coming into Ponyville. She gasped and smiled when she watched them, she also looked at them closely to memorize their appearances, the father had a dark orange coat, short black mane and tail with a beard and mustache connected to his mane, light purple eyes, and his cutie mark was a hammer; the mother had a light purple coat, long dark purple mane and tail, blue eyes, and her cutie mark was a velvet flower, she also had white necklaces on; the son was a teenager, he had a blue coat, short light blue mane and tail, green eyes, and his cutie mark was a sword; the daughter was a foal, she had light pink coat, long pink mane and tail that were unkempt, red eyes, and no cutie mark. Pinkie Pie watched them while smiling but it soon turned into a frown when she noticed the daughter was behind her family members and looking down, she also noticed that she was covered in dirt, she continued to watch them arrive in Ponyville while sensing something was off, "Is something wrong, Pinkie?" Mr. Cake asked as he and Mrs. Cake walked to her, they looked where she was looking and saw the family of four, "Oh, dear, looks like a family that favors one sibling over the other." Mrs. Cake commented, "Huh? Wha...? What do you mean favor one sibling over the other?" Pinkie Pie inquired, "Pinkie, I know you didn't grow up in that kind of environment, and it may seem alien to you, but there are some parents around the world that don't treat their siblings equally, one is treated kindly while the other is treated badly, if my wife is right, then that is the case with that family." Mr. Cake explained, "But why? Why would parents do that?" Pinkie Pie questioned, "Well, Pinkie, there can be a number of reasons, one is because they like the personality of one sibling more than the other, or one has done more impressive things than the other, age is a factor sometimes, too." Mrs. Cake answered, "Well, I sure hope they don't exclude her from my welcoming party." Pinkie Pie said, "They might, Pinkie, but until then, we need you to handle any customers we might get." Mr. Cake stated, and they went back to work. Pinkie Pie dealt with customers while Mr. and Mrs. Cake continued experimenting on creating new confectioneries to put on sale in their store, everything slowed down when everybody was on break in the afternoon, "Okay, time to arrange my 'Welcome to Ponyville' party." Pinkie Pie said, and she dashed away. She began organizing her party in her secret party cave, she organized everything and looked at the list of the new family, the father's name was Master Carpenter, the mother's name was Bellflower, the son's name was Swordsmith, and the daughter's name was Butterfly Azalea. She continued organizing and got everything sorted and set, she then slid up the slide that led into her cave and headed outside. Master Carpenter, Bellflower, and Swordsmith headed outside and Pinkie Pie's party cannon went off with confetti flying everywhere, "Welcome to Ponyville, you four!" Pinkie Pie hollered, "Three." Bellflower corrected, the music stopped and Pinkie Pie stopped playing, "Where's Butterfly Azalea?" Pinkie Pie questioned, "Don't... mention that name." Master Carpenter fumed while gritting his teeth, "Come on now, my parents took me here to enjoy one of your parties, let's have fun now." Swordsmith spoke, "Hold on now, not without your sister." Pinkie Pie responded, "She's grounded right now." Bellflower stated, "No, everypony should participate in the welcoming party." Pinkie Pie remarked, "She did something really bad and we had to punish her." Master Carpenter explained, "Oh, I see, well, I can give her some leftovers then." Pinkie Pie responded, and she continued the party. Another Pinkie Pie hid behind the homes and watched, she noticed that Applejack was able to tell they were lying, she quickly trotted away and headed to the new family's home. Butterfly Azalea stood at the window and watched her family have fun at the welcoming party while longing to join in with them, she heard trotting behind her, "Butterfly Azalea?" Pinkie Pie called out, she jumped while turning around, "Don't scare me like that." Butterfly Azalea spoke with a soft voice similar to Fluttershy's, "Sorry, I just wanted to know why you're not at my 'Welcome to Ponyville' party." Pinkie Pie explained, "My parents won't let me." Butterfly Azalea answered, Pinkie Pie looked around and saw pictures of Swordsmith everywhere, their refrigerator was also covered with Swordsmith's academic grades and drawings, there was not a single picture of Butterfly Azalea nor any of her schoolwork or art on the refrigerator, "Come on, join in the party." Pinkie Pie spoke, "My parents are going to get mad." Butterfly Azalea warned, "Now, now, every member of the family should participate, come on now." Pinkie Pie said, and she grabbed her hoof and walked her outside. Pinkie Pie and Butterfly Azalea arrived outside and saw another Pinkie Pie hosting the party, "Wha? Is there more than one of you or something?" Butterfly Azalea questioned, "It's complicated to explain." Pinkie Pie responded, and Butterfly Azalea continued watching, "Go on, have fun, do whatever you want, this party is to welcome you, too." Pinkie Pie stated, and she hopped behind the houses and went out of sight. Butterfly Azalea walked around slowly while she saw Swordsmith throwing darts at a board and Master Carpenter and Bellflower cheering him on, she looked around and saw other foals trying to break open a piñata, she walked over and the foals let her join. Apple Bloom wrapped the blindfold on her eyes while Sweetie Belle gave her a stick, and Scootaloo held the piñata up with a string. She began to swing the stick around while the other foals cheered her on, she hit the piñata a few times and it broke open. The foals cheered while Butterfly Azalea moved the blindfold up and saw the candy falling, "Come on, Butterfly Azalea, you'll miss all of the candy." Sweetie Belle stated, she looked back and noticed her parents did not hear Sweetie Belle and they still focused on Swordsmith winning games, she walked over and picked up some of the candy. Pinkie Pie trotted around and saw Butterfly Azalea playing with other foals of her age, she smiled at seeing her happy, she noticed that Swordsmith has won the darts game and Master Carpenter and Bellflower cheered for him. They walked around Ponyville but stopped when they saw Butterfly Azalea, "WHAT THE?!" Master Carpenter hollered, "STOP THE PARTY!!" Bellflower demanded, and Pinkie Pie did. The family ran to Butterfly Azalea and they grabbed her while she screamed, they carried her to their home and threw her into the house while putting a wooden plank on the doorknob on the outside to barricade it, "Okay, let's continue." Bellflower stated while smiling, they looked and saw everypony looking at them with shocked expressions, "What?" Swordsmith asked, "Ain't she related to you three?" Applejack questioned, "What of it?" Master Carpenter asked, "The welcoming party is supposed to be attended by all members of the new family." Twilight Sparkle explained, "Forget her, just focus on our son." Master Carpenter stated, "What are we supposed to do about Butterfly Azalea then?" Apple Bloom questioned, "Ignore her, just pretend she's not there." Bellflower responded, "Wait, is she going to be attending the school?" Scootaloo asked, "Yes, she will." Bellflower replied, "Then we can't ignore her, she's going to be a classmate and a student." Scootaloo remarked, "Then try not to interact with her. Come on, Swordsmith, let's continue partying." Master Carpenter spoke, and they did while everybody left. Pinkie Pie worked in Sugarcube Corner while she heard Master Carpenter and Bellflower cheering Swordsmith on from outside, "Is everything alright, Pinkie?" Mrs. Cake asked as she walked to her, "I don't understand, why won't they let Butterfly Azalea participate in my 'Welcome to Ponyville' party?" Pinkie Pie asked, "Like my husband and I said before, there are some families where siblings are not treated fairly by their parents, that family is one of them." Mrs. Cake explained, "But still, it's not fair, nopony should be excluded like that." Pinkie Pie responded, "Well, Pinkie, I think they're here to stay for now, maybe they'll treat Butterfly Azalea better as time goes on." Mrs. Cake spoke, "My Pinkie Sense is telling me they won't." Pinkie Pie replied, "Well, there's nothing we can do about it, let's just hope they can change their ways." Mrs. Cake said, and she walked away. Pinkie Pie worked slower than usual while wondering why Butterfly Azalea is treated as such, the customers noticed and tried to cheer her up. Business was slow for the day while Butterfly Azalea remained on Pinkie Pie's mind and distracted her a bit, "Pinkie, you're holding up the line." Mr. Cake called out, she came back to her senses and began working at her regular pace again, she worked until there were no more customers, she then headed outside. Pinkie Pie noticed Swordsmith still trying the party's activities while Master Carpenter and Bellflower cheered him on, she headed to their home and saw Fluttershy there, "Oh, Pinkie, I didn't think you'd come." Fluttershy spoke, "Of course I would come, nopony is going to be left out in my 'Welcome to Ponyville' parties." Pinkie Pie replied, and she knocked on the door. Butterfly Azalea opened the door and saw the two, "Hello, Butterfly Azalea, I'm Fluttershy, I live in that house with all of the animals there if you want a pet." Fluttershy stated as she pointed to her home, "What brings you two here?" Butterfly Azalea questioned, "No way am I going to straight up ignore you, Butterfly Azalea, any other welcoming party I throw, you participate and have fun, same with birthdays, when I throw the party, you're welcome to participate, too, especially if it's your own birthday." Pinkie Pie explained, "Really?" Butterfly Azalea asked while smiling, Pinkie Pie nodded while smiling, "By the way, Butterfly Azalea, I'm here because I have leftovers from the party and wanted to give it to you." Fluttershy stated, "Oh, yes please." Butterfly Azalea chirped, "I'm here for that, too, Butterfly Azalea, I have leftovers from planning, too." Pinkie Pie spoke, "Can I have it?" Butterfly Azalea asked, "Of course." Pinkie Pie answered, and she and Fluttershy gave her leftover candy and popcorn, "Thank you." Butterfly Azalea said, "You're welcome." Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy replied together, "I start going to school tomorrow, I hope I see you all there." Butterfly Azalea stated, "Well, not us, but our friends attend school." Fluttershy responded, "That's great, I hope I can make friends here." Butterfly Azalea spoke, "Us too, well, see you later, Butterfly Azalea." Pinkie Pie replied, and she and Fluttershy left while Butterfly Azalea closed the door. Pinkie Pie tried to sleep that night but was kept up by Master Carpenter and Bellflower still cheering Swordsmith on as he tried all of the party's activities, "There, I win at everything." Swordsmith stated, "Yes, come on now, Swordsmith, it's late, you got school tomorrow." Master Carpenter spoke, and they walked home while Pinkie Pie fell asleep. The next day came and Swordsmith and Butterfly Azalea were sent to school, Swordsmith was dressed fancily in a tuxedo with his mane combed back while Butterfly Azalea was dressed in wet and dirty rags with her mane and tail down and unkempt, Swordsmith also had a pristine silver lunchbox while Butterfly Azalea had a wrinkled brown paper bag with holes in it to carry her lunch, the two went to their schools while their parents waved bye at Swordsmith. Pinkie Pie watched them from afar and followed Butterfly Azalea to school, she arrived in class and everypony looked at her, "Butterfly Azalea, what happened to you?" Cheerilee asked, "My parents dressed me this way." Butterfly Azalea lamented, Cheerilee's and her students' eyes' widened while their jaws dropped a little, "Go ahead and take it off, Butterfly Azalea, you'll get cold and sick if you keep it on, and does anypony have a towel?" Cheerilee asked, the foals looked at one another, "Go ahead and sit, Butterfly Azalea, I'll try to get you a towel to warm yourself." Cheerilee said, and she trotted out of class. Butterfly Azalea sat next to Sweetie Belle and opened her brown paper bag, she dug through it, "Oh, I knew my parents wouldn't pack me any supplies." Butterfly Azalea grumbled, "Here, Butterfly Azalea, use mine, I have a spare." Pipsqueak spoke as he held a pencil out to her, "Thank you." Butterfly Azalea responded as she took it, she began doing her classwork while Cheerilee came back and gave her a towel to warm herself, Butterfly Azalea wrapped it around herself and worked while Pinkie Pie went elsewhere. She went out of Ponyville and saw Swordsmith in a school full of older kids, he had all of the supplies he needed to get through the day, it was then lunchtime and Swordsmith opened his lunchbox, he had a meal that looked like it was made for a gourmet, he had grape juice as well, Pinkie Pie went back to Cheerilee's school to check on Butterfly Azalea. Pinkie Pie arrived back in Ponyville and watched Butterfly Azalea from afar, she and the kids had lunch and Butterfly Azalea opened her paper bag. She reached into it and took out a very small salad, she held her bag up and shook it but nothing came out, she groaned while looking down, "Here, Butterfly Azalea." Sweetie Belle stated as she gave some of her lunch to her, "Thank you." Butterfly Azalea responded, and she ate, she finished and went through her bag again, "What are you looking for, Butterfly Azalea?" Cheerilee asked, "A drink." Butterfly Azalea answered, "Here, you can have a sip from mine." Cheerilee spoke, and let her take a sip of apple juice, "Would you like more?" Cheerilee asked, "No, I'm fine, thank you." Butterfly Azalea answered, and everypony had lunch, they then worked until the bell rung, "Come on, Butterfly Azalea, let's go see my sister, she'll make a new outfit for you and fix your mane and tail." Sweetie Belle spoke, and they headed outside. They arrived outside and saw Pinkie Pie in front of them, "Is everything okay, Butterfly Azalea?" Pinkie Pie asked, "So far, the ponies here are actually kind of nice." Butterfly Azalea answered, "I'm about to take her to Rarity so she can have a new outfit made and get her mane and tail fixed." Sweetie Belle commented, "I'll come with you two." Pinkie Pie responded, "Okay, this way." Sweetie Belle stated, and they followed her. They arrived at Carousel Boutique and Sweetie Belle knocked on the door, "In a minute." Rarity called out, she soon opened the door, "Yes." Rarity said, she then looked at Butterfly Azalea and let out a few high pitched exclaims, "That's why I brought her here, Rarity, I was wondering if you can make a new outfit instead of this cold and wet one her parents gave her to wear at school." Sweetie Belle explained, "What? They made her wear this wet and dirty outfit to school, along with this messy and unkempt mane and tail of hers?!" Rarity exclaimed, Sweetie Belle nodded, "My, that is most unacceptable, a lady's got to look her best when she's in public. Come on, darling, I'll make you something comfortable and fashionable, free of charge." Rarity declared, "Really?" Butterfly Azalea asked, "Why, of course, it wouldn't be very generous of me to charge someone who looks very poor and has no money my usual asking price, let alone a kid." Rarity responded, "Come on, Butterfly Azalea, let's get you into some nice, clean clothes." Pinkie Pie stated, "Indeed, come on now." Rarity added, and they did. Rarity led Butterfly Azalea to a chair and she sat in it while Rarity got a comb and began straightening her mane and tail, "I'll fix your mane and tail first, you'll be more comfortable after I do." Rarity spoke and she continued combing Butterfly Azalea's mane and tail. Her comb got stuck and she pulled her comb down hard, "Ow!" Butterfly Azalea exclaimed, Rarity looked at her comb and exclaimed when she saw a knot and realized Butterfly Azalea's mane and tail were tangled, "Knotted mane, this is going to take some of my heavier grooming supplies, don't fear, my dear, I'll get those knots undone." Rarity spoke, and she ran. Rarity came back with a mane straightener and heated it up, she used it on Butterfly Azalea's mane and tail and finished after several minutes, "There, now, to make you a new outfit, just wait a little, this will take a while." Rarity spoke, and she trotted into another room. Butterfly Azalea sat while she felt her own mane with an awestruck expression at how soft it was, "You feel better, Butterfly Azalea?" Sweetie Belle asked, "Yes, I do." Butterfly Azalea responded, "Do you know why your parents treat your brother so nicely but don't treat you like that?" Pinkie Pie questioned, "I don't know, but I think it's because he's the older sibling and I'm the younger sibling, I've wondered if him being a boy and me being a girl is a factor, too." Butterfly Azalea explained, "Oh, I doubt that, I think you being the younger sibling is the more likely reason of the two, them treating you as such because you're a girl wouldn't make sense, especially your mom treating you the way your family does." Pinkie Pie spoke, "Still, I don't know why I'm treated as such at home." Butterfly Azalea stated, "Maybe you should ask them." Sweetie Belle suggested, "They're not going to answer." Butterfly Azalea responded, Rarity came back into the room, "In a minute, Butterfly Azalea, I will start sewing your new outfit soon." Rarity said, and she trotted around, she got everything in place and then measured Butterfly Azalea's body, she then began sewing. She hummed a tune while the three girls watched her, "There, it's finished." Rarity stated after several minutes, and she trotted over. She began to put the red dress with light pink fur trimmings on it onto Butterfly Azalea, "There, a nice red color to go with your coat's pink, and a warm comfy fabric, should be much better than that wet, dirty outfit your parents made you wear." Rarity stated, "It is, thank you." Butterfly Azalea responded, "Well, you should go around town and try to make friends, they will really provide you comfort and support if you have it hard at home." Rarity explained, "I would, but I have to start my homework." Butterfly Azalea responded, "I'll help you." Sweetie Belle suggested, "No, I have to get home or my parents will be upset, I'll see you all later." Butterfly Azalea responded, and she trotted out of Carousel Boutique and to her home. Pinkie Pie headed outside and watched her from afar, she saw her go into her home and into a room, she hid her new outfit behind a bookcase where the candy and food she got from Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were also there, she then got started on her homework. She watched Butterfly Azalea have trouble while Swordsmith soon came home, "I'm home." Swordsmith said, Master Carpenter and Bellflower welcomed him back home and Bellflower kissed his cheek, Swordsmith had a piece of candy as a snack and then started on his homework with his parents helping him. Butterfly Azalea walked into the room with her homework in her hoof, "I need help with my homework." Butterfly Azalea stated, her family ignored her while they helped Swordsmith with his homework and they all smiled and laughed while Swordsmith also talked about his day, Butterfly Azalea looked down and walked away. Pinkie Pie continued watching while two stallions arrived and knocked on the door, Master Carpenter opened the door, "Hi, we're from Swordsmith's school, we're here to help him with his homework and hang out with him." one stallion explained, "Come on in, he's working right now." Master Carpenter responded, and they entered the house. Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle walked to the house a while later and knocked on the door, Master Carpenter and Bellflower opened the door, "Hi, we're here to see Butterfly Azalea and help her on her homework." Apple Bloom stated, "Go on, get out of here." Bellflower spoke, "But can we at least see her?" Sweetie Belle asked, "No, go home now, shoo." Master Carpenter responded, and they left while looking down, he closed the door while Swordsmith had fun with his friends and Butterfly Azalea sat in a room all by herself. Pinkie Pie continued watching as Swordsmith's friends left while the family had dinner, they both got hay and a salad, but Swordsmith got a big meal with new food while Butterfly Azalea got a small serving of expired food. Swordsmith ate like a pig while Butterfly Azalea ate slowly, they finished and headed off to bed, Swordsmith slept in a bed while Butterfly Azalea slept on a wooden floor with no blanket or pillow, Pinkie Pie's eyes widened a little and she went back to Sugarcube Corner. The next day came and the family was outside, "What do you want to do today?" Bellflower asked, "Games at the fair." Swordsmith suggested, "See the animals at Fluttershy's home." Butter Azalea suggested, "Alright, son, to the fair, it is." Master Carpenter spoke, and they walked, "Hey." Butterfly Azalea called out, Bellflower grabbed her and threw her back, she grunted as she fell on the ground and they left. Butterfly Azalea stood up and watched her family leave while Pinkie Pie trotted to her, "Come on, Butterfly Azalea, let's go." Pinkie Pie said, and they walked to Fluttershy's cottage together. They arrived at Fluttershy's cottage and Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Applejack helped her tend to her pets, "Why, hello, Butterfly Azalea, would you like a pet?" Fluttershy asked, "No, I'm just here to see the animals." Butterfly Azalea answered, "That's okay, go ahead and see whichever one interests you." Fluttershy spoke, and Butterfly Azalea trotted around. She watched the birds fly around and looked on in awe as they soared through the sky, "You like them?" Fluttershy asked as she and her friends went to her, "Yes, they're pretty." Butterfly Azalea replied, she focused on the one flying the fastest, "That's a peregrine falcon, Butterfly Azalea, that's my fastest animal out of all of the ones I have." Fluttershy stated, "Yeah, but he's still nowhere near as fast as I am." Rainbow Dash boasted, "Where's your family?" Twilight Sparkle asked, "They... went to the fair at my brother's suggestion and left me behind." Butterfly Azalea explained, "Oh, um... I have board games in my cottage if you want to play, Butterfly Azalea." Fluttershy suggested, "Sorry, but board games bore me." Butterfly Azalea responded, "Come on, I think I know where you'll have fun." Pinkie Pie said, and she led her. They arrived and saw other foals playing tag, "Come on, Butterfly Azalea, we're about to start another round." Scootaloo called out, and they walked over. Butterfly Azalea played tag with the other foals and Pinkie Pie, "You're it." Sweetie Belle stated as she poked Apple Bloom, they continued playing, "Tag, yer it." Apple Bloom spoke as she poked Butterfly Azalea, they continued running around, "Tag, you're it." Butterfly Azalea said as she poked Pinkie Pie. Pinkie Pie gasped while the foals ran away, "Come here! I'm gonna getcha!" Pinkie Pie hollered as she ran after them with a pink trail behind herself. She dashed after Truffles while the foals laughed and ran away from her, she went out of sight and soon began popping out from the ground, the walls, and behind trees, "Tag! All of you are it!" Pinkie Pie hollered as the foals stopped running, "How did you do that?" Butterfly Azalea questioned, "It's no use questioning her." Snips responded, "Yeah, even if she does reveal how, it's complicated to understand." Snails added, "You wanna keep playing, Butterfly Azalea?" Pinkie Pie asked, "Sure." Butterfly Azalea responded, and they played more and Rainbow Dash joined them shortly afterwards, "I'm gonna get all of you!" Rainbow Dash declared and she flew around and tagged anypony in seconds whenever she was tagged, only Pinkie Pie was able to evade her, they played until the sun began to set, "Thanks, guys, I had fun, but I have to head home." Butterfly Azalea spoke, and she walked home while the others said bye to her, "We should head home, too." Pipsqueak stated, "Yeah, it's almost dark." Scootaloo said, and they all went their separate ways and got on with their days until the sun set. The days passed and Butterfly Azalea was still left out and treated worse than her brother while Master Carpenter did carpentry work in Ponyville and Bellflower arranged flowers while she made Butterfly Azalea assist her, Swordsmith was playing with his friends. Butterfly Azalea arranged flowers while Bellflower instructed her and constantly demanded her to go faster, she worked as fast as she could until it was time to rest, she was given an apple that was past its expiration date for lunch, "Go on, I can finish the rest on my own from here." Bellflower spoke, and Butterfly Azalea left. She walked around Ponyville and noticed everypony was busy, "Sorry, Butterfly Azalea, but I have to work right now." Pinkie Pie called out, and she dealt with the customers at Sugarcube Corner and then had her picture taken by the paparazzi, "Thank you, that's enough for today, everypony." Pinkie Pie stated, and they walked away while she noticed Fluttershy looking away and hiding from them. She trotted to Butterfly Azalea who was walking around town, "What do you want to do today?" Pinkie Pie asked, "Um... I'd like to read." Butterfly Azalea answered, "Come on, let's go see my friend Twilight." Pinkie Pie spoke, and she led her. They arrived at Golden Oak Library and Twilight Sparkle showed Butterfly Azalea her books, "Anything you like in particular?" Twilight Sparkle asked, "I like that flower book." Butterfly Azalea spoke, Spike got the book, "Here you go." Spike stated, and she began going through the book. She flipped through the pages and looked at the pink flowers, "Here it is, my mom wants me to be a flower arranger when I get older, mainly pink flowers." Butterfly Azalea stated, "What about your brother?" Twilight Sparkle asked, "He's talented at making swords, but my parents let him be whatever he wants to be when he gets older." Butterfly Azalea answered, "Wait, so you can't choose to be what you want to be when you grow up but your brother can? That doesn't sound right to me." Spike stated, "It doesn't, you should try asking your parents to let you be what you want to be." Twilight Sparkle suggested, "I doubt they'll listen." Butterfly Azalea responded, "At least give it a try." Pinkie Pie replied, "Yeah, you never know until you do." Spike added, "Okay." Butterfly Azalea said, and she continued reading for a few minutes shortly before closing the book and headed outside. Bellflower worked and her break time came a few minutes later, "Excuse me, mommy?" Butterfly Azalea asked as she trotted to her, "This better be good." Bellflower warned, "I was wondering if you and dad would let me choose to be what I want to be growing up like how you two do with Swordsmith." Butterfly Azalea explained, "No, you are going to be arranging flowers when you get older whether you like it or not, you will carry out the family's tradition, and do nothing else, don't worry about what your brother is doing." Bellflower responded, "But why does he get to choose his future and I don't?" Butterfly Azalea inquired, "I just said not to worry about it, how we treat you and how we treat your brother shouldn't even be brought up." Bellflower answered, "But..." Butterfly Azalea said, "Zip it." Bellflower demanded, Butterfly Azalea looked down and left while Bellflower went back to work. She walked around and saw Master Carpenter conversing with his coworkers and having fun, she looked back and saw Bellflower conversing with her coworkers and smiling, she walked around and stopped when she saw Pinkie Pie in front of her, "It didn't work, did it?" Pinkie Pie asked, Butterfly Azalea shook her head, "Just wait a bit, if you're still here when it's your birthday, I will throw your party no matter what." Pinkie Pie declared, "My brother's birthday is before mine." Butterfly Azalea responded, "We'll celebrate that one, too, but you should go see the other foals, you seem to be friends with your classmates." Pinkie Pie stated, "I guess, they are pretty nice." Butterfly Azalea commented, "Go on, I'll go ahead and start planning your brother's birthday." Pinkie Pie said, and they went their separate ways. The days passed and Butterfly Azalea and her family arrived in Sugarcube Corner, "Hi there, what would you all like today?" Pinkie Pie asked, "Which one do you want, Swordsmith?" Bellflower asked, "That one." Swordsmith answered as he pointed to a lollipop, "Five bits please." Pinkie Pie spoke, and Master Carpenter gave bits to Swordsmith and he bought it, "I want that one." Butterfly Azalea stated as she pointed to a bag of candy, but her family walked out without giving her bits, "Hey! What about me?" Butterfly Azalea hollered, there was no response, Mr. and Mrs. Cake grabbed the bag of candy and gave it to her, "Here you go, dearie." Mrs. Cake said, "But I don't have money." Butterfly Azalea replied, "It's alright, if your parents are going to act like that, they're going to have no say here, you can buy whatever you want whenever you want." Mr. Cake stated, "Just keep in mind you have to pay next time." Mrs. Cake spoke, "Okay." Butterfly Azalea said, "See you later, Butterfly Azalea." Pinkie Pie commented, and she left. A few days passed and it was Swordsmith's birthday, everypony celebrated while Master Carpenter and Bellflower watched with big smiles on their faces, Pinkie Pie looked around while hosting the party and did not see Butterfly Azalea anywhere. She hosted the party and played music while she moved around Ponyville to look for Butterfly Azalea, she was nowhere to be found, she continued hosting and passed by the new family's home, she quickly looked out the corner of her left eye and saw Butterfly Azalea watching through a window. She continued throwing the party while everypony else partied, "Hold on, everypony, I'll be right back." Pinkie Pie stated, and she dashed away. She appeared in the house and Butterfly Azalea looked back, "Your family won't let you participate again?" Pinkie Pie asked, Butterfly Azalea shook her head, "Wait a little, I'll try to get you some of the ice cream and cake." Pinkie Pie spoke, Butterfly Azalea nodded while Pinkie Pie dashed away. She continued hosting the party and games for everypony while Swordsmith made everybody focus on him playing every game and winning, everybody cheered as he won each game, Pinkie Pie cut a piece of the birthday cake and took a scoop of the ice cream while everybody was distracted and hid it, the party went on for the entire day. Night time came and everypony was asleep, Pinkie Pie appeared in Butterfly Azalea's room, "Butterfly Azalea, wake up, it's me." Pinkie Pie whispered, she woke up and saw her, "Pinkie Pie?" Butterfly Azalea asked, Pinkie Pie shushed her, "I brought you some cake and ice cream from the party, eat quietly so your family doesn't wake up." Pinkie Pie whispered, and she did, "Thank you as always." Butterfly Azalea whispered, "You're welcome, I'll get your birthday party ready in a few weeks from now." Pinkie Pie whispered, and she dashed out of the house while Butterfly Azalea fell asleep. Butterfly Azalea's birthday came about a month and two weeks later, Pinkie Pie threw a party but Butterfly Azalea was nowhere to be found, she ran into her home and saw her watching from a window, she dashed into the house, "Come on, Butterfly Azalea, it's your birthday, let's have fun." Pinkie Pie spoke, and brought her outside. The party started and Butterfly Azalea was greeted by everybody in the town, she smiled and began dancing with the other foals, the party went on while Butterfly Azalea enjoyed herself and had cake and ice cream, "STOP!!" Master Carpenter yelled, everypony stopped partying while he, Bellflower, and Swordsmith walked to Pinkie Pie and Butterfly Azalea, "What is the meaning of this?!" Master Carpenter inquired, "It's your daughter's birthday, and I throw a birthday party for everypony in town." Pinkie Pie explained, "You were only supposed to celebrate my birthday party." Swordsmith stated, the ponies gasped, "What?! You refuse to let me celebrate somepony's birthday?!" Pinkie Pie thundered, "You shouldn't have in the first place, she's not even worth noticing." Master Carpenter spoke, "Then why do y'all even have her livin' with y'all?" Applejack asked, "Because we'll need somepony else to look after the house when we're at work after Swordsmith moves out." Master Carpenter explained, "That is not a reason to treat her worse than her brother, we have seen what you all do to her, dirty clothing, expired food for lunch, not letting her make friends, and I bet you don't give her presents on her birthdays or on Hearth's Warming, that is not how raising siblings is supposed to work!" Rarity fumed, "She's right, look at me, Ah got three grandkids to look after, and Ah try mah best to treat 'em fairly, y'all obviously don't, Ah won't be surprised if Butterfly Azalea doesn't take care of y'all two when y'all get to mah age." Granny Smith added, Master Carpenter and Bellflower glared and then looked at Pinkie Pie, "Cancel the party." Bellflower demanded, "NO!!" Pinkie Pie shouted, "She doesn't deserve to have her birthday celebrated." Master Carpenter spoke, Pinkie Pie's facial muscles contorted and twitched as her face turned red, she growled while steam came out of her ears, she snorted and fire came out of her nostrils and her mouth, "You dare defy me from throwing a foal a party on their birthday?!" Pinkie Pie fumed in a deep, male, demonic voice that echoed, Butterfly Azalea's family reeled back a little, "You will not interrupt or cancel my birthday parties, they are for the birthday pony, you don't decide whose birthday I can and can't celebrate." Pinkie Pie continued in her scary voice, Butterfly Azalea's family stepped back a little and then turned around and quickly ran into their home, "Okay, let's continue." Pinkie Pie said in her regular voice in a cheery tone, and the party continued while the foals cheered. Butterfly Azalea had more cake and ice cream and then began playing with the other foals, she enjoyed herself while she played games and danced to Pinkie Pie's music, it went on all day and Butterfly Azalea headed home at the end of the day. The next day came and Butterfly Azalea and her family were not heard or seen that day, Pinkie Pie looked into their home and saw they and all of their belongings were gone, she headed outside, "They're gone." Pinkie Pie reported, the ponies murmured, "Just wait a bit, everypony, we'll see if they write a letter to us or not." Twilight Sparkle spoke, and everybody got on with their days. Pinkie Pie worked in Sugarcube Corner and the paparazzi took more pictures of her, "Thank you, come again." Pinkie Pie stated as they left, Derpy then flew into Sugarcube Corner and crashed. She got up while Pinkie Pie trotted to her alongside Mr. and Mrs. Cake, "You got an envelope." Derpy said, and she gave it to her, "*gasp*, it's from Butterfly Azalea." Pinkie Pie stated, "Let's go outside, Pinkie." Mrs. Cake suggested, and they did. Mr. Cake began hitting a bell with a spoon, "Can everypony gather around, please?" Mr. Cake asked, and they did, "We just got a letter from Butterfly Azalea." Pinkie Pie spoke, the ponies began demanding her to read it, she opened the letter and cleared her throat, "Dear, Pinkie Pie, My family has left last night and took me with them, we're far away from Ponyville now, I wanted to thank you and the other ponies in the town for standing up for me and all of your kindness, I'm sorry I left suddenly, but I wish I can come back one day, thank you and everybody else in the town for being nice to me and welcoming me. -Sincerely Butterfly Azalea P.S. Don't write to me, my family will be checking the letters and throw away any letters for me from you guys." Pinkie Pie read, the ponies looked on wistfully, "We'll write to her, everypony, but let me do the deliveries, we're not gonna be able to just put it in their mailbox, I'll look for Butterfly Azalea, too." Pinkie Pie stated, and they all left and began writing letters. Pinkie Pie dashed around Ponyville and looked for Butterfly Azalea and her family, she found them in Baltimare, she watched them from afar and saw her put the outfit Rarity made for her on the floor where she slept. She left the room and Pinkie Pie put the letters under the outfit and headed back to Ponyville. Pinkie Pie was standing across from Drifter, Pink Diamond, Gilmore, Purple Grace, Gold Digger, and Wilfred, "We still write to Butterfly Azalea and she responds back every now and then, but since she's not old enough to live on her own yet, she still has to put up with the unfair treatment she gets from her family." Pinkie Pie stated, "How much longer until she can move out?" Pink Diamond asked, "Hmm, I think one or two more years from now." Pinkie Pie answered, "Still, some parents they are, I couldn't bring myself to treat my children like that." Drifter spoke, "It's a shame she left early, I was planning on introducing her to my parents and sisters if she stayed." Pinkie Pie responded, "Well, thanks for the story, Pinkie, but I have to get going, my first job for the day is about to start." Drifter said, "Alright, see you all later." Pinkie Pie replied, "Let's go." Drifter said, and he walked out with his family, Gold Digger, and Wilfred. Pinkie Pie went behind the table and saw she had a letter from Butterfly Azalea that arrived earlier today, she read it and read that she was busy and had to do everything ever since Swordsmith moved out, and would be able to move out and live on her own too alongside writing about planning to come back to Ponyville. Pinkie Pie smiled and began writing a letter to her, she finished and then went to Baltimare quickly without anyone noticing and put the letter under an old, worn out blanket with holes in it and then headed back to Ponyville.