Two ponies sat in the dimly lit and empty parlour of Sugarcube Corner, glaring at one another from across the table. The first was a Pegasus, coat a faded, greying yellow, who sat smirking with narrowed eyes at her formerly pink companion. As the Pegasus’ eyes took in the earth pony her sneer grew wider, and the Earth Pony scowled back. Eventually, Pinkie Pie broke the heavy silence.
“So what are you doing here, anyway? You don’t usually come to visit.” Her eyes narrowed further and she leaned closer over the table, scrutinizing the Pegasus closely. “You better not be here to laugh at me, again! I’ll throw you out if you are! I can do that! I’m in charge, here!”
“Oh, no – that’s not it at all,” Fluttershy assured, her soft voice carrying a strong hint of mockery, “Why would anypony want to laugh at you? You’re not even a little bit funny. I just thought you might need to talk, that’s all.”
Pinkie nodded her head seriously, apparently satisfied with her ‘friend’s’ response, and reached out a hoof towards the cupcakes that Fluttershy had bought for her. “Talk about what? And why would I wanna talk to you?”
“Oh, you can’t eat those. They’re not for you.”
Pinkie froze, and shot a questioning look at the Pegasus. “Why not?”
“Because those are for ponies who are good at what they do. I made them just for you girls – and then I remembered that not one of you deserves them.” Fluttershy’s tone was sympathetic, gently – but with a trace of laughter in it that matched her sneer. “Rarity’s as selfish and conceited as they come, Rainbow Dash abandoned us all – and you’re all stupid if you didn’t see that coming, she was always that way. Applejack’s just as useful and dependable as ever – which is to say not at all – and Twilight couldn’t beat Discord when she had the most powerful relics in Equestria handed to her on a platter! You’re all pathetic. It’s kind of sad, really.”
Pinkie lowered her hooves back to the floor, rage burning in her eyes. “Oh, so you came here to insult ponies behind their backs! That’s just like you. That’s just like all of you! You can’t bear to say things to each other’s faces so you all just stab me in the back! I mean, each other in the back! You’re horrible!”
“Oh, I’m horrible? I don’t think so. Not really – I think I’m kind. Nopony wants to know what you really think of them. They all just want to be coddled, and told it’s alright. Well I’m done being nice. It’s not kind to let somepony believe they’re better than they are – you’re all hopeless, and there’s no reason to pretend otherwise!”
“Fine!” Pinkie hissed, “ Then what about me, huh!? What do you really think of me?”
“You?” Fluttershy let out a quiet giggle. “You’re a joke. When was the last time you made anypony smile at all? You can’t even make yourself smile most days, anymore. It’s kind of pathetic, really - but it’s okay. We’ll keep pretending we don’t all just feel sorry for you so you can keep pretending you’re not worthless.”
“I don’t care about that anymore! Why would I wanna make you smile!? You’re just like everypony else! You just wanna laugh at me and take me for granted! There’s no point! Nopony ever really cares - and neither do I anymore! Let them be sad - I am, so why shouldn’t they be!? Why shouldn’t you be!?”
“Oh please.” Fluttershy smirked, “You’re telling me you’ve been trying to upset me all this time? That’s so sad - you can’t even make ponies miserable properly. Because you know what?”
“…What?”
“I’m never unhappy around you! Not even a little bit! Every second we’re together you make me want to grin like a moron - like Rainbow Crash when she’s not busy whining!”
“You take that BACK!”
“No! You make my heart hammer in my ears I’m so happy! It’s like looking at a sunrise, except instead of wanting to hurt it I wanna hug it instead! You do that!”
“SHUT UP! I DO NOT!”
“You do! I wake up every single morning and you’re the first thing I think of! How much I want to see you! How much I miss the way you smile! It’s infuriating just how happy being around you makes me! Heck, if you asked me to I’d probably kiss you!”
With each word the Pegasus took a step around the table, closer to Pinkie. With each step her eyes narrowed further and her mocking grin grew wider. With each passing moment her voice rose a little bit more, going from a soft whisper to an angry shout.
“You would not! DON’T LIE!” Pinkie roared the words, and a moment later the Pegasus grabbed her, and kissed her deeply and forcefully. For a moment, Pinkie was furious – and then she pulled Fluttershy closer, and the Pegasus let out a soft groan.
Minutes passed – maybe hours – before Fluttershy shoved Pinkie to the ground with a mocking smirk. “What was it you were saying? I couldn’t hear you over how stupid you are!”
Pinkie lifted herself to her hooves, glaring intently before her scowl gave way to a look of wide eyed shock.
“Um…Fluttershy?”
“What?”
“Can you…can you show me again how much I suck at making you sad?”