Though her contributions had been essential to their success, Pinkie had tried to stay out of the spotlight.
So naturally, all of Ponyville knew that the Birthday Pony was real, and that she was no regular pony. To her pleasant surprise, she had been welcomed as she’d welcomed others, and the party rooms at Sugarcube Corner had been booked later in the night to give her a chance to join in the parties she’d only ever been able to watch from afar.
But that wasn’t the only change in Ponyville. As it turned out, the bat ponies had had their own legends of Nightmare Moon as a fearsome tyrant who would once again return and control them to use them as her own personal army. As a pony instrumental in cleansing her, Pinkie had become a noctrali celebrity overday. Before long, a few other daring noctrali had emerged from their hiding places to see if they could be part of Ponyville, too, and their first stop was always Sugarcube Corner.
So thus it was when Twilight stepped inside Sugarcube Corner a few weeks later, it was still bustling despite it being early evening. The tables were all full of ponies, their coats varying shades of gray and dark purple.
Pinkie was behind the counter, wearing a uniform more befitting of her status as an official employee. With practiced motions, she switched the menus over to the noctrali side. Their diet was more fruit-based, and Applejack had been more than happy to help supply the apples.
“Eee,” Twilight said, giving the greeting she’d been practicing. She knew her voice was a little lower than typical, but apparently the inflection was the most important part.
Either way, Pinkie understood. “Eee!” she cheered, leaping over the countertop to give her a hug.
“It’s good to see you, too,” Twilight said, patting her withers. When she separated, she found herself holding a tart.
“Ee!” Pinkie chirped.
“It’s one of the new ones?” Twilight guessed.
Pinkie nodded, eager for her to try it.
Gamely, Twilight levitated a fork over and took a bite.
“Eee?” Pinkie prompted, her eyes wide and hopeful.
“That’s delicious,” Twilight said earnestly. “The others will love these at our game night this weekend.”
Pinkie chirped happily, bouncing in place.
Twilight smiled as she took another bite. She had never imagined her life would turn out like this, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.