//------------------------------//
// In the Rain 
// Story: Set in Stone 
// by ImmaChangeling 
//------------------------------//


Set in Stone
ImmaChangeling
~


The sun had just sunk over the shining horizon, and streaks of marigold and mauve painted the sky like a piece of brilliant artwork, splattered on a blue canvas. Delicate glowing stars had just begun to appear above Equestria, and they shimmered in the cool atmosphere. Amongst the empty streets and paddocks below, lonely lamps flickered and small trees swayed slowly in the settling wind. The large hills that make up the border of Equestria seemed to shake with the anticipation of the coming nightfall. The fluffy thin clouds above sparkled with the dying light of Celestia's sun, brought upon by weather pegasi as they worked on their cloudy creation.

Just outside of the small country town of Ponyville lay a desolate rock farm. To the average passerby, it would appear that the farm had struck some kind of economic crisis and struggled to stay afloat financially, with the crumbling silo and dilapidated farmhouse. Under the upcoming night's cover, a young fuchsia-coloured earth pony crept through tall patches of cracked rocks as the reclusive dead trees watched silently, towering overhead. The slight chill in the air sent shivers through the farm where the young mare walked alone, and she shivered from more than just the cold night breeze. She wasn't supposed to be out here, and she knew it. The cold dirt under her bare hoofs felt wet and rough, but still she kept her scared smile as she stumbled blindly through the once-so-familiar rock farm. Spotting a leafy green shrub, she slunk under it and cowered as her tail started to twitch. It had just begun to drizzle, and she hid deeper under the small patch of foliage with a growing sense of nervousness. The pegasi team above her tiptoed over the layer of clouds they had blanketed over the area, making it rain. Suddenly, a large lightning bolt struck the edge of her unprotected tail and she squeaked in fright.
"Oops, sorry Pinkamena." A small colt named Thunderlane smiled from a hole punched through the clouds. She smiled and yelled a thank you as she fled from the growing storm as her already scruffy mane and tail became more and more unkempt. "Nice cutie mark!" She heard him call from behind her, and her smile brightened just a little bit wider. Pinkamena Diane Pie was very proud; she only discovered her special talent, and thus her cutie mark, a few suns ago. She had decided to leave the rock farm in search of a new place to embellish her newfound abilities, let her love of parties bloom without the crushing depression of her home clouding her mind. She had to… even if her family didn't know what she was doing. They would never allow it, such strict parents with a strict way of parenting. She had already made them as happy as she could do for now, but there were more sad ponies out in the wide world of Equestria. Ponies that needed a bit of laughter in their lives, just like she once did before learning how to smile herself. She was off to find the town of Ponyville.

Pinkamena trotted though the darkness surrounding her feeling increasingly fearful. She had never gone this far in the rock farm before; all of this was brand new and fairly overwhelming for the poor filly. Her smile was faltering as she looked around her and realized that she had no idea where she was. Perhaps, if she kept walking, she'd eventually find the town she was looking for. Lost in her thoughts, she was galloping further away from her old home when a white unicorn filly crossed in the other direction, a large pile of gems levitating in front of her face. An older white stallion trotted behind, holding up a blue umbrella for her so she wouldn't get wet. Not looking where she was going, the two fillies collided head-on.
"Oh, so sorry darling." The small unicorn muttered before picking up her gems in her magic and the umbrella with her teeth and rushing off to avoid the rain staining her jewels. Pinkamena flattened her ears against her head as she lay in a crumpled heap on the ground, trying to gather what had just happened to her. She couldn't hear the stranger's mutterings due to water gathering in her ear.
"Sweetheart, that wasn't nice." The older unicorn scolded. Unfortunately, the purple maned filly had already gone. He sighed and grabbed Pinkamena by the scruff of her neck and set her on the ground again as the water rushed out. Pinkamena tapped against her head to get the rest out of her head, still confused about what had happened.
"I'm sorry about that," He muttered in an entirely different accent to the filly, "She's just so fascinated by these gems. Never any time for socializing when she's occupied, you know?" Shaking his head, he galloped off to catch up with the filly and left Pinkamena dazed and bewildered. The words she had just heard rang in her head like alarm bells. "Never any time for socializing"? How could anypony ever live without it? It was the highlight of her entire life! Pinkamena giggled and shook her random thoughts out of her head. Forgetting her fear, she trotted happily over a small hill to reveal the edge of a small town. She galloped as fast as she could to the edge of civilization, the wind and rain blowing wildly in her mane. Grass and dirt flew past her as she galloped as fast as she could. She didn't want to risk being spotted by one of her family members now, when she was so close to what she wanted. Out of breath, she panted heavily and her hoof steps started to slow. Her energy was draining fast, she had to move quickly. Pinkamena used as much strength as she could muster in an insane sprint to freedom. Finally realizing that she was not going to make it, she collapsed in the middle of an open field as her muscles cried out in distress. She whimpered pitifully, but refused to let her smile disappear as she filled her mind with happy memories to ward off the sadness. Suddenly, one of the weather pegasi spotted the mare lying on the ground and called an orange elder pony over to investigate. The elder's eyes widened when she spotted the small pink filly lying in the dirt.
"Pinkamena Pie, is that you?" The old pegasus flew down from the clouds and picked her up in her wrinkled hooves. "Oh my, you look much different from when I saw you last! What happened, did you get a haircut? Yes, yes you have! Oh, that beautiful mane of yours looks wonderful. And you're coat is shinier!" Pinkamena grinned with relief and wonder at this eccentric pegasus. After so many years of working the rock farm, she finally understood why this elder pony smiled and talked so loudly, so fast, so joyfully; because she had a reason to. It was a part of who she was. And now, it was a part of the small pink filly.
"Hi Granny Pie, I'm so glad you found me!"