//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: All Alone // Story: Don't Look Back // by JerryTheHouseGhost //------------------------------// 2 All Alone Being alone wasn't as bad as it sounded. Nopony around to bother you, you have all the time in the world to yourself... Oh, who was she kidding? Herself? Pinkie Pie was alone, and she couldn't deny the fact that she hated every single second of it. She kept on telling herself that it was for the best; that it was the only way she could ensure that everypony she knew and loved would be safe from the darkness that lingered inside of her. She thought back to the time the darkness first began to show up in the back of her mind. She thought it to be just some kind of small, strange occurrence in her system; that it would go away as soon as it had come. If only that assumption had been the true outcome of things. Instead, it had just kept growing and growing, until one night it actually took over her body. Only for a few minutes, but like the beginning of the darkness, the amount of time it was able to control her for grew, slowly but surely. Pinkie Pie leaving Ponyville may have been for the good reason of protecting everypony, but those ponies she wanted to protect were also the only ones that could possibly protect her from herself as well. Though she had successfully completed what she thought of as her mission, Pinkie Pie was now all alone in the outer reaches of the Everfree Forest. Not only did she have a lethal presence living inside of her, but there were multiple things in the Everfree that could also present her with an untimely demise. Pinkie had noticed that the darkness hadn't taken over at all since two nights ago. Was this caused by the fact that she was nowhere close to anypony her other self could have any "fun" with? Or was it just waiting for the perfect moment to present itself? What was Pinkie Pie even thinking? What would the right moment even be for it? Pinkie Pie's thoughts were interrupted by something she saw coming into view. A wooden building was beginning to show over the bushes that were in front of Pinkie Pie. At first she thought it was some sort of small cabin, but as she got closer, it was revealed to be much larger than she first thought. It was a mansion. Pinkie Pie became very happy. This mansion would provide her with a place to stay, out of the open and away from any danger that could be lurking in the darkness. Pinkie had just walked up to the front door when a thought came to her head. What if somepony else was living here? She definitely didn't want them to be in danger because of her presence. If she knocked on the door and somepony answered it, she would just have to leave and find someplace else to take refuge for the night. If nopony answered, she would be able to reside there for as long as she pleased. Knock knock knock! Each time she heard her hoof hit the door, Pinkie felt a pulsating feeling in her head. Not pain, no; this was much different. She began to knock again. Knock! Another quick pulse of something. Knock! This time is was a little bigger. Knock! Pinkie hit the door harder on the last knock, which in turn made the pulse even larger. Pinkie almost passed out from it. "What is this!?" Pinkie screamed aloud, falling to the ground and holding her head in her hooves. I'm sorry, are you speaking to me? Pinkie instantly knew this voice inside of her head to be the darkness inside of her. Because I may know what you're experiencing. "What are you doing to me!?" Pinkie demanded. Come now, Miss Pie; you don't want ponies to think that you're yelling at yourself now, do you? "I don't care what other ponies think! There aren't even any ponies around here to see this! Besides, I know that I'm yelling at you and not myself! You aren't me!" Well of course I'm not you, Pinkie. I'm inside of you. Any pony is able to understand that. The thing is, you see, I'm just not you yet. "What are you talking about? What are you going to do with me!?" Slow down there, Pinkamena. You're asking quite a lot of questions as of late. What I'm talking about and what I'm planning on doing to you are two different topics; both of which would surely ruin the surprise. Pinkie just sat there, staring at the ground and beginning to produce tears. What's wrong, Pinkie? I thought you loved surprises? And you wouldn't want to cry in front of the new arrival, would you? "Huh?" Pinkie looked up at the door. It was wide open, but there was nopony in sight. "Hello? Is somepony in there?" What are you waiting for, Pinkie? He's invited you inside. It would be rather rude not to accept his kind gesture. "There's nopony here! Who are you talking about!?" Pinkie stood still at the entrance of the mansion. Why, the owner of this mansion, of course. Go on in, Pinkie; he's growing impatient as you just stand here. Pinkie stepped inside of the mansion, looking around. "Where is he?" she asked. Who? Oh, the owner of this mansion? He's waiting for you in his room upstairs. Before you go thank him for letting you stay, why don't you indulge in the nice meal he's laid out for you? Pinkie Pie's stomach began to growl. We both know you want to, Pinkie. So why not fill up on the nice oats and flowers he's cooked up for you and then thank him after? Pinkie began to smell these nice things. "I guess eating doesn't sound like such a bad idea right now." She walked into the room that the smell was emanating from. Sure enough, a plate of food was sitting on a table. The room was lit up by multiple oil lamps, as well as a fresh fire in the fireplace. Pinkie sat down at the table and began to eat. Once she felt that she had enough, she decided to go look for the pony the darkness was talking about. She began to ascend the staircase that was in the main hall wen the darkness began to speak. Ah yes, I almost forgot to mention that you've already been invited in here before. "What?" asked Pinkie Pie, a confused look on her face. When she reached the top of the stairs, she saw several doors. All were open except the last on to the left. And you've already been in here before. And yes, that door's the one. Pinkie trotted over to the closed door and began to open it. "Hey, I just wanted to thank you for letting me in, but I've got to leave beca-" There was a dead unicorn in the opposite corner of the room. Pinkie quickly slammed the door and put her back against it, sliding down to a sitting position. She put her head in her hooves and breathed heavily. Don't you just love surprises?