//------------------------------//
// Taking care of Business 
// Story: A new pony in Ponyville? 
// by VioletMichaelis 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 2
(Since you insane people wanted more of this, I shall deliver.)

A flap of wings from outside were all it took to get Twilight's attention. She ran outside to greet the Princess, her mentor and ruler.
The white Alicorn descended, her carriage being pulled by her two white guard pegasi. It skidded smoothly to a halt on the road. Twilight bowed her head. The Princess, paying little to no attention to anything else at the time, stepped off her carriage and smiled to greet her student. 
“My dearest student Twilight, I heard you wanted to show me something?” The Princess spoke warmly, following Twilight inside the library after she had risen from her bow. 
“Quite right Princess... we have a slight problem.” 
The Princess, now inside the library raised an eyebrow as Twilight shut the door behind the two. The unicorn extended her hoof to the middle of the room. 
The horse from earlier that day stood in the middle of the room, swishing it's tail idly as it chewed up one of Twilight's more expensive magic books. 
The Princess's face twisted into a look of disgust. “That is a problem.” She noted coldly, her face screwing up. 
“What are you going to do with it, Princess?” Twilight asked, a leg's length away from the Goddess. 
“And why is that any of your concern Twilight Sparkle?” She snapped coldly, causing Twilight to jump back even further. 
“I-I'm sorry Princess... I won't ask again.” he whimpered, pushing herself up against the bookcase. 
“Good. I'll be taking this thing back to the Castle with me. Meanwhile make sure Pinkie Pie doesn't get me into any more trouble. I hate having to come all the way here for something so meaningless.” The Princess pulled the horse out of the room with her magic, slamming the door shut behind her. Twilight gave a sigh of relief and slumped down, book from above her falling off the shelf and slamming her in the head. 
“I'm so glad... now I have to tidy this place up.” She rose, ignoring the throbbing pain running through her head (books to the horn hurt, you know!) and scanning the room. Books, clothes, scrolls and pens were scattered everywhere. Twilight dipped her head down, ears folding across her head. “God dammit.” 
“Hello there sleepyhead!” Pinkie called out from behind Twilight. The unicorn spun around to see blue eyes staring her in the face. 
“Pinkie I have no time for this. How did you get in here with no noise, anyway?” 
“I dunno, I kinda just walked out of sugarcube corner and next thing I know, I'm here, isn't that the strangest thing? I suppose it's just because the fanfic writer is lazy and couldn't think of a good way to get me here so-” 
“Pinkie Pie, are you still going on about those “people” in your head?” Twilight asked, patience wearing thin. 
“They aren't in my head, Twilight! They're real! Lyra agrees with me!” Pinkie insisted, following the unicorn around as she put books away. 
“Have you been to see the Doctor lately? Taking your pills?” 
“The pills make my head hurt Twilight, and I can't see as much when I take them.” Pinkie's ears flattened. “I don't like them at all. Lyra doesn't either!” 	
“I told you to stop speaking to that insatiable madpony!” Twilight shouted angrily. “Don't talk about her near me again. In fact, why are you even in here right now?” 
“I-I thought I could help out..” 
Twilight turned around, venting her rage at the earth pony in front of her. “Pinkamena Diane Pie! I'm unsure if you know just how much trouble you've caused me today. The Princess is all out of sorts, that friend of yours chewed up my dark magic book and I have the worst headache in all of Equestria! If you want to help, get. Out!” Twilight pointed her hoof at the door, panting heavily with her face flustered. 
“Twilight... why don't you ever smile when we're alone any more?” Pinkie asked, hair deflating. 
“I thought I told you to get out.” She replied dryly. 
Pinkie Pie blinked back tears, nodding as she turned around. “I-I'll see you around Twilight.” As she pulled herself out the door, the entrance was slammed shut behind her. Once she was outside, Pinkie dipped her head low to the ground, holding her breath and trying not to cry. 

(PINKIE PIE'S POV)

Twilight used to be such a nice pony.. what happened to everypony? I tried so hard to make them all smile after what happened. I know Celestia gets angry sometimes, I think it really gets to her. Sometimes I can hear Twilight crying from outside the Library. Other times I can see scars and cuts on her. 
She isn't the only one, though. Rainbow.. I feel so sorry for her. He had always loved her wings, her pride and joy.. but now.. she can't use them any more can she? Not since Celestia broke them.. Pegasus wings are so fragile, she tore them up beyond recognition. That's why she never talks to anypony, that's why she wears bandages around her middle. 
I look up to the sky, the stinging in my eyes is back, I keep feeling like this all the time. The lump in my throat too.. I don't want to cry. I told myself not to cry! 
From inside the Library I hear more books falling. Twilight is yelling at Spike again. Spike never says anything back. Just lets her yell. I think it's really nice of Spike. He doesn't know what else to do except let Twilight vent to him. I remember when he told me about Twilight getting into a fight with Celestia once. It left a scar on her leg, not that she has ever let anyone but Spike see it. 
Inside the Library I hear Twilight again. She isn't yelling any more, her voice sounds to coarse to do so. Soft sobs while she's talking to Spike.
The stinging is back, the lump in my throat is bigger. My hooves are shaking? I try to stand up, getting on my hooves wearily. The bottom of my eyes begin to cloud up, my lip trembles. I thought I was stronger than this. 
The first tear drop rolls down my cheek, it's warm. Luckily no one is around in the street to see me in such a mess. 
I begin to walk, aiming for sugar cube corner. My steps are slow right now, I feel another tear roll down my cheek. 
I'm sorry Twilight. I couldn't cheer you up. My special talent is useless. I didn't make anyone smile today. I just made things worse.
I'm so useless. I'm so useless!
I run forward, still heading towards sugar cube corner, the tears flowing freely now. If I can't help myself laugh how can I help anypony else?! 
I let out a soft yelp, failing as I try to keep quiet. I can see sugar cube corner now. Mrs Cake is at the counter. I ignore her as I run in the door and past her. 
“P-Pinkie Pie? Are you okay?” She asks, making me stop for a moment before I continue on. 
I shake my head, my flushed face and wet eyes in plain view of Mrs Cake. “No, I'm not okay at all!” I turn away from her and run up the stairs, not caring about what anypony sees or hears from now on. 	
I'm such an idiot. How could I think that it was okay to invite a horse into town? Now I've upset Twilight... I made my friend cry! I'm such an idiot! 
Wails escape my mouth as I run inside my room, slamming the door locked behind me. I tuck myself into the bed in the corner of the room, letting my emotions run into the blanket. 

Just because I'm The element of laughter, doesn't mean I can't cry too.