//------------------------------// // 10. Meltdown // Story: Pinkie Pie takes Earth // by Goldstar //------------------------------// At school, Heather walked out of the classroom and went to the library. She grabbed a book to give herself something else to focus on before her dad arrived. What is this book even about? No matter, I just want to focus on something else, anything else. Dad is going to be so mad with that call I made. “Excuse me miss?” A masculine voice asked. Heather looked up. “Are you okay? Your face is almost full of tears. I’m Hanzal, a new exchange student. Can I help?” “H-H-Heather Young. Just leave me be.” “What’s wrong?” “I don’t want to talk about it, I just want to be left alone, okay?” “But if you don’t try to...” Hanzal tried to reach out to Heather. Not to touch her, but to show concern. “Go!” Heather yelled. Hanzal walked away and went back to his own business. Heather briefly looked around, realizing she just yelled in a library, but no one said anything. Sometime later, Logan arrived to pick Heather up. They got in his truck and he started to drive. “I’m getting wore out Heather!” Logan gave a serious look to her. “I’m this close to just not coming to pick you up anymore.” “I-I-I can’t take it anymore! I’m beyond tired of school! It’s like all the students are out to get me. I even made a horse neigh sound! T-T-That was so embarrassing! I’m for sure going to be the laughingstock among the student body now.” Heather’s tears came out stronger. “Didn’t you talk to a teacher about this?” “I tried, but they hardly do a-a-anything. Plus, the students then call me a snitch and go after me that much harder.” “You’re going to let a few bullies ruin your future?” “I don’t need this school!” “Excuse me?!” Logan raised his voice, “Do you want to become a high school dropout? You know how limited your job options are without a high school diploma? Don’t expect me to pick up the slack from you not working.” “I don’t need that stupid thing! A GED will work fine.” At this point, Logan pulled the truck over to the side. “Heather Anna Young! So, help me if you don’t plan on trying to help yourself in life. It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there. No one is going to pick you up if you fall down, especially once you’re twenty-one, no one owes you anything. No more child support and you’ll be fully treated like an adult. “What happened to all the positivity you had about going into school today?” “It didn’t work!” She stressed, “Pinkie doesn’t understand what humans are like. She thinks life is balloons, confetti, and cupcakes. I’m so stupid! I can’t just completely undo my negativity in a day. I really tried being positive and look where it got me. I hate school and I refuse to go back even if you take away everything I have!” Tears nearly covered Heather’s face. “I don’t work well with people, at least not with high school students, okay? No amount of trying to force my square into a circle is going to change that.” “I need to get you some therapy.” Logan started driving again and then spoke in a calmer voice. “I can’t keep picking you up like this as it cuts into my own work time and income. Take the rest of the week off. We are going to figure something out.” “How about homeschooling? I’m eighteen in about a couple of months anyway, then I can prepare to take the GED. I heard it’s hard, but haven’t you seen my grades in school? Higher than what most of these terrible students will ever amount to.” “Even if you ace the GED, it won’t prepare you for working with co-workers or costumers.” “Neither has school. I don’t want to ever go back!” Heather’s tears started flowing again, “It’s like anytime I try to make things better, they just get worse. Please dad, don’t make me go back there! I can’t handle it without having a mental meltdown. I’m bagging you, please!” Heather was much more noticeably crying at this point. “Relax, I’m sure Pinkie can cheer you up once we get home. We’re going to figure this out.” Neither of them said anything for the rest of the ride home. Once home, Heather went into her room, still teary eyed. Luna followed her inside and jumped into Heather’s lap. Heather slowly petted Luna with her left hand. She then called Gracie. “Oh no, you’re crying,” Gracie spoke in a soothing voice like comforting a young child, “What happened Heather?” “School happened. I hate it and I don’t want to go back!” “That’s terrible!” “What, me avoiding school? That’s great!” “I meant what happened at school.” “I sounded like a horse at one point. I don’t think the students are ever going to let that down.” “That’s odd, how could that have happened?” Gracie sounded really curious. “Okay, so, Pinkie said that a bit of Equestrian magic leaked into our world when she arrived here. Look, I know it all sounds impossible and I thought so too at first. Yet, Pinkie’s abilities are clearly beyond that of any human I know. And then Luna is suddenly a much smarter dog outta nowhere. I think something is happening to me.” “Does that mean you’re going to turn into a horse?” “Gosh, I hope not,” Heather said in an almost laughing manner, “Unless I become an unicorn. Although Equestria has ponies instead of horses, so maybe the magic will turn me into a pony. Or maybe a horse still, given the difference between humans and anything over there. It’s so confusing, but I swear I’m going to be more like a horse than even how Pinkie behaves.” “Do you want me to come over?” “You’ll do that? Yes, that’ll be great!” Heather sounded hopeful for the first time in hours. “It’ll be some hours before Pinkie is off work.” “She works?” “Yeah, at the sweets shop close to my home.” “Hang in there Heather, I just hate to hear you crying like this.” Meanwhile over at Sweets 2 Go, the lunch break started. “My wife might not show it much, but we’re beyond thankful for your help Pinkie,” Anna said, “Our profits have skyrocketed and we’re not quite in danger of having to close down anymore.” “You’re very welcome. We should throw a party today. There’s more than enough sweets ready to handle one.” Pinkie had the biggest grin Anna saw in her long life. “You’re such a blessing in our life. It’s like you were meant here for us. But then, you also help run a bakery back home. So, you will have to go when the time comes. I can only hope we’ll keep the business going once your home.” “I might be able to work out something. But even if a two-way portal opens between Earth and Equestria, I can’t help run Sugarcube Corner, be a professor at the friendship school, and work here. Not unless I cloned myself again with the mirror pool, but that led to so many problems I’m surprised I didn’t sing some song about ‘will the real pink pie please stand up’.” “For the time being, we’ll enjoy your company.” Anna went to the backroom where Mary was. “This is a big problem. Once Pinkie leaves, our business is as good as done,” Mary worried, barely looking at her wife. “What makes you say that?” “People are starting to get used to our much higher level of quality and quantity. Pinkie is almost becoming the face of our business. Once she’s moved on, we’re back to what us couple of old women can keep up with. And people won’t be happy with things going back to how they were. The only reason we can even keep up with the suddenly spike in demand is because Pinkie is almost a one girl crew at this point.” There was some pause before Anna replied as she figured out what to say. “Well, I guess it is hard to deny Pinkie is quickly becoming the star of our own franchise. But that doesn’t mean we’re forgotten about. We still built this up to where it has gotten. We had this building built. We started this business. You set up the website. I helped with word of mouth. It was our recipes and baking that has lasted us decades. We’ll call Pinkie a temporary employee, like how fast-food joints have limited time specials. I know it’s not quite as comparable, but we’re going to prepare people for things returning to normal once Pinkie goes back home. And who knows, we might even get some other people who’ll want to work for us. None will likely ever be Pinkie levels of productivity, but it will be enough that we’re not going to hit rock bottom.” “I do hope you’re right Anna,” Mary smiled, “You haven’t changed much since I married you back in 2015, although you changed a lot since we first became a couple in 1993. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve grown to become thankful for Pinkie since she arrived last week, but I just don’t want us to suddenly play second fiddle in our own business.” “That won’t happen, I promise. We still got some lunch break time left, let’s relax and just focus on the positives.” Anna hugged her wife. “Thank you for always being there to lift me out of the many holes I fall in. Without you, I would have really been negative for most of my adult life.” After lunch break, Pinkie finished setting up party decorations in the shop, mainly banners and balloons. For costumers, something became quite clear. “Is that the pink hair girl from the bowling and DDR videos?” “So, she’s Pinkie Pie!” “Oh my gosh! I need to take a selfie with her!” “You’ve seen it here first, a rising star!” “Pinkie, Pinkie, Pinkie!” Once Pinkie arrived back to Logan’s house, she noticed Heather being very upset. “Ah, what’s wrong Heather?” “Everything,” Heather said without looking at Pinkie, “No, not everything, but, the most important stuff is wrong. I had dad pick me up from school yet again and I don’t want to go back.” “Why not? What about your education to become a smarty pants girl?” “I’ll only have about three months left of school anyway. Not too much more I can learn unless they save some really important stuff for last. I learned so much more online anyway. For tests at school, I just memorize the facts long enough to ace the tests and then forget about what I learned shortly after. But my issue isn’t so much with the education system as it is with the students. “People came after me again today. At one point, I even made a horse noise and that embarrassed me in front of everyone nearby. Am I changing too, just like Luna? You lived as a pony your whole life and yet I’m starting to act more like a horse than you.” “Is this a bully problem?” Pinkie questioned, her face reading her being upset. “Because I won’t let anyone do this to my friends.” “Somewhat.” “I’ll handle it. You never should have to cry, except tears of joy.” Pinkie explained as Luna barked happy sounds afterward. “Thank you so much. I sometimes feel like you’re a guardian angel.” “I think Rarity and Fluttershy are better at that, but don’t let it be said that Pinkie doesn’t stick by her friends.” Heather finally looked up to Pinkie. “I called Gracie and she came by earlier to help cheer me up. I think we’re really starting to bond. She was really fond of smart Luna. We talked a lot about gaming and some of our personal issues.” “Despite a few party poopers, you’re making people progress. It’s not all doom and gloom.” Pinkie gave a thumbs up, the first time Heather saw Pinkie do that. “I wish. I just really don’t want to go back to that school. I swear I’m not just giving up on my future. I can get home schooling. I can get my GED. I have options, darn it!” “You proven to be a clever girl, I know you’ll figure out a working plan.” “Thanks Pinkie! But for now, I’m taking the rest of the week off.” “I’ll go to the school to talk to some people.” “Well, they’ve likely home by now. Among the people who came after me, my two ex-friends were included.” Heather explained more details including where they lived. Half an hour later, Pinkie arrived outside of Trevor’s house. She knocked on the door instead of using the doorbell. Several seconds later, Trevor arrived at the door. “Use the doorbell... you’re Pinkie! What are you doing here?” “I’m here on a friendship problem.” “What?” Trevor shrugged his arms. “Heather Young, remember her? Hmm?” “I can hardly believe she’s friends with you, but I guess you’ll befriend anyone.” “Why did you unfriend her?” Pinkie carried with her a deep stare, likely into Trevor’s very soul. He could barely look at her afterward. “What, is that a crime or something? She became more annoying over time, being so self-absorbed with herself. She clearly has issues and I’m out of patience to deal with them. You better not try to force me to befriend her again.” “I won’t, but she’s upset with you and I want to help her.” Pinkie pointed at Trevor. “Is it any wonder why I want nothing to do with her anymore?” “Have you told her why you were mad at her?” “More like disappointed, but, for the most part, no. I mean, it should have been obvious. Clearly she needs help and I’m not her therapist.” “That’s mean!” Trevor took a couple of steps back while Pinkie took a couple forward. “Yeah, so? Cutting her out was a peace of mind.” “But friendship always finds a way!” “I don’t care, not with her. Just you wait, she’ll bring you down with her negativity.” “What about today? What did you do?” “She made horse noises. What is she on? Someone must tell her the truth, she’s crazy.” “No, she is not!” Pinkie raised her voice, “She’s going through a rough time, like anyone would upon losing their friends and not being told why.” “Are you done yet? You don’t seem all stable up there either.” “You’re calling me crazy?!” Pinkie got right up in Trevor’s face, who then looked very worried. “I might see things differently than most, but that’s what makes me Pinkie and I wouldn’t trade it for anything except my friends. Wait, would I? If you can’t get along with Heather, don’t bother her.” “Fine, whatever, just back off.” Pinkie did so. “I doubt she’s coming back to school anyway after that outburst earlier today.” Suddenly, Pinkie jumped on the ground three times, each time getting higher till she reached the roof. Then she jumped backwards up the limited slope space till she took off at a high speed. Trevor looked up to see what happened and did a double take. Meanwhile, Pinkie arrived at Britney’s house. Recalling what Trevor said, Pinkie figured the button near the door was a doorbell. She hit it a few times. Seconds later, a woman opened the door. “Excuse me, who are you?” Pinkie waved. “I’m Pinkie Pie and I’m looking for Britney.” “A visitor? I don’t think she knows someone like you, but you seem friendly enough. Don’t make me regret this.” She then faced into the house. “Britney! Someone named Pinkie Pie wants to see you.” “Wait... that’s... fine, bring her in.” Britney’s mother escorted Pinkie into Britney’s bedroom. “You’re from the viral videos! Why would you want to see me?” Britney looked shocked. “You’re one of Heather Young’s ex-friends. You hurt her!” “Hey, don’t be dropping that on me!” Britney became mad. “I bet she told you how we’re totally awful people and you believe every word of it.” “I’ve seen the Negative Nancy side of Heather, I don’t think she’s perfect, but she deserves love and respect like anyone else.” “You don’t get it. She’s the kind who doesn’t even try to help herself. She had plenty of chances and we just couldn’t take it anymore.” “Plenty of chances, huh? Did you tell her?” Pinkie gave a very serious look to Britney. “For her own sake, usually not. We tried to bring up the smallest things and she would freak out, so we just started to drift away. I tried to be supportive, I really did.” “What about today? She said a reason she left school today is because of you.” “We didn’t make her leave. She came in acting like she was all positive, ready to be a well-functioning person again. But she’s not ready and that so-called positivity wave was so fake. Trevor suggested I just cut our losses with her. I hope you can put up with her because we sure can’t.” “I will!” Pinkie declared, holding a hand to her chest. “I won’t abandon Heather in her time of need. It’s hard to teach her friendship lessons when she’s been burnt so badly by those who she considered her friends before. I want her to be happy and yet, she’s the most upset I’ve ever seen her. She’s skipping school because of mean reactions like yours!” Pinkie looked mad at Britney. “Never thought I would get preached to by a pink hair girl. You know what? I’ll do my best not to even interact with her anymore, so you don’t make anymore unexpected visits. The school year ends soon anyway. We never have to see each other again.” “Fine.” Pinkie backed away, “But if you or Trevor make her upset again, I’ll know.” “What, how?” “I’ll know!” “That didn’t answer the question. Creepy.” “Be good now, b-bye!” Pinkie then cartwheeled out of the house, wall jumped between Britney’s and another house, and backwards long jumped away. Pinkie arrived to see Heather looking somewhat better. For the moment, she was not actively crying anymore. “It’s okay Heather. I think those two will leave you alone for now.” “I’m... really impressed you did all of this for me. I’m really sorry I wasn’t able to be the big Positive Heather moving forward. I’m not going to give up.” “That’s the spirit! It takes more than one pep talk or friendship lesson to overcome great struggles. It took Fluttershy so long before she became a lot more opened to things like Nightmare Night and not fearing everything including her own shadow. I’m with you all the way. Let’s get you some yummy food and play video games together!” Later that night when everyone was sleeping, Pinkie’s hair started to twitch a lot. This was enough to wake her up. One word came to mind. “Maud!”