"And THAT'S how Equestria was made!"
Pinkie Pie stood on a table, standing on her hind legs with her hooves up in the air, a massive grin spread on her face from ear to ear, while a small crowd of ponies listened to her tale; the crowd consisting of Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and the Cakes.
"... Pinkie, sweety, did you REALLY have to go into detail about our... uhm... 'personal affairs?" said Mrs. Cake, her face red as a tomato. Mr. Cake's jaw hung open, his expression blank and coat pale as his mouth moved to form wordless breaths.
"Yup! They make the story juicy and let everypony know just how far you came!"
Mr. Cake gathered his composure. "B-But... I know you heard about the stories of all the other ponies around town... but how did you... know of our conversation when you had gone to you room...?"
Pinkie Pie giggled. "I dunno! I thought it was weird I knew that too! But I do a lot of weird things, and even Twilight stopped asking questions for the most part!"
Twilight smiled, looking up at Pinkie like she was seeing her for the first time. "Wow, Pinkie Pie! I never knew you had such a big impact on Ponyville! I mean, I had always known you were well known, but I didn't know you had done so much!"
Applejack smiled. "Yup. Thanks t' her, lil' Bloom is safe n' sound, n' the monster who killed mah pa is in prison fer the rest-a his days..." She sighed and grimaced a bit. "Ah'd be lyin' if Ah said part-a me didn't wanna see him hang... but Ah suppose that would give him an easier way out than havin' t' spend th' rest-a his days knowin' what he did."
Rarity waved her hoof. "Just as well, sweety. You hear of those rumors about prison; with the crimes he committed, I wouldn't be surprised if his cellmates haven’t started using him as some barbaric form of currency."
Rainbow Dash shuddered. "Can we NOT talk about prison for now? I'm getting flashbacks to when I went to jail for a day for shoplifting..."
Twilight balked at this statement. "Rainbow Dash!? You stole!?"
Rainbow huffed. "I was a stupid kid and I was pretty sure I wouldn't get caught, let's just leave it at that..."
Fluttershy nodded. "Oh yes. Rainbow Dash used to do a lot of silly things... I mean, she still sort of does, but she used to be a lot worse when she was younger... not to imply she isn't young now! I... I... oh.... oh my..."
Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Cool it, Fluttershy, everypony knows what you meant."
"You know..." said Twilight Sparkle, "Now that I think of it, I do remember Cousin Vinyl talking about a 'really cool friend' she had made in Ponyville back when she came to visit us in Canterlot to see Octavia play her first concert! I hadn't figured that would be YOU, Pinkie Pie!"
Pinkie nodded enthusiastically. "Yup! Also, don't tell her I said this, but I used to think Vinnie had a crush on Octavia until I found out they were 'heterosexual life partners'!" Pinkie tapped a hoof to her chin. "Which is funny, because I'm pretty sure Vinyl is bisexual..."
Twilight grimaced. "Pinkie, can we please not discuss my cousin's sexual orientation behind her back? It's not a piece of conversation I'm comfortable with..."
"Then why not talk about it in front of me, Twi?"
Twilight groaned as the door closed behind the newcomer, none other than Vinyl Scratch, who was grinning widely. "Whats up everypony? We all talkin' about sex or something? Alright, alright, I got one... this one time, Twilight found a book called the Pony-Sutra, right? Well, she forgot to lock the door to her dorm once and—“
"VINYL SHUT UP!"
Twilight's face was a deep red, and she was biting her lip, eyes darting back and forth, while everypony looked to her with surprise... Fluttershy going the extra mile to redden her cheeks on behalf of her embarassed friend. Twilight quickly regained her composure, though her blush did not fully recede. "We were talking about Pinkie Pie coming to Ponyville! For the first time! Years ago! Not... that!"
Vinyl nodded, silently 'oooh'ing. Then, a grin popped up on her face. "Did ya tell them about the part where I totally got it on with a Wonderbolt?"
"WHAT!?" Shouted Rainbow Dash.
"Nope! I was gonna leave that out cause I figured Dashie would get jealous, but I guess the cat's out of the bag!"
Vinyl laughed. "Yeah, uh, officially it never happened, and I can't name any names... but Soarin' really knows how to bed a girl!"
Rainbow Dash stared at Vinyl, her jaw hanging wide open.
"Yeah. SO! Pinkie! You ready for the trip to Canterlot? We gotta get goin' soon or the train'll leave without us!"
Pinkie zipped away, and immediately returned with luggage that was bulging with various, no doubt party related items. "Yup! Let's go so I can visit my sisters!" Pinkie turned to everypony. "Well, I'll see you all later! Be good while I'm away, and say no to drugs!" With that, she was out the door. Vinyl looked to everypony in the bakery, shrugged, and smiled as she turned and trotted out of the establishment.
Twilight blinked a few times before letting loose a sigh of relief. "Well... I'm going to have to find a spell to erase the knowledge of my cousin's adventurous ways..."
Rainbow sighed. "I'm torn on if I want you to give me that too... on one hand, she slept with a Wonderbolt, which makes me totally jealous... on the other hand... this is a good opportunity to ask a lot of intrusive questions to a mare who seems to have no reserves..."
Twilight hummed to herself before something clicked in her head. "Wait.... did Pinkie say she was off to see her sisters? As in plural?"
**********
"Und I told you, I vould not be caught DEAD in that trash heap you so mistakinkly call fashion! Now get it out of my sight before I vomit on ze floor!"
Photo Finish stepped away from a (very dejected) pony wearing a dress with several feathers hanging off the back of it in a very un-uniform manner. She sighed, trotting down the street with a lot in her thoughts. "Every day, I listen to ze ponies bitch and moan about their desires to be fashion kings und queens, und I am rewarded vith ponies who should be bitching about zis stuff sinking zey are ze very embodiment of ze fashion! Eet ees unbarable!"
She opened a door and stepped into her lavish Canterlot home; it was by no means small, and it had every luxury she could have possibly wanted. Fine furniture, pristine paintings, and a beautiful fountain right in her living room. Even she wondered if the fountain was a bit excessive... but she got it on a whim, and it was nice and calming!
Just then, she was approached by a stallion in a fancy black jacket with a bow tie, his coat a grayish brown color, eyes closed, and his cutie mark a tray with a teacup on it. "Miss Finish, there is a pony at the front gate who wishes to see you..."
Photo Finish groaned, waving her hoof. "No, no sank you, Teacup. I do not vish to be bothered by anymore wannabe fashionistas today!"
"I see. I shall tell Ms. Pinkie Pie at once."
Photo Finish froze. "Vait, vat vas that name?"
"Uhm... Pinkie Pie, I do believe?"
It wasn't even ten minutes later before Pinkie Pie trotted into the room, her eyes shifting around the place, taking in every inch of the home. "Ooo! You got yourself some nice digs here, Photo! I'da never figured you for the kinda pony to get all of THIS stuff!"
Photo Finish growled. "Vat do you vant, Pinkamena?"
Pinkie stopped, blinking a few times before giggling a bit, shaking her head. "What? Can't a girl come by her sister's place and say he--"
"No! No she can't!" said Photo finish as she stomped her hoof, silencing Pinkie immediately. "I sought I said I vould never speak to you again!"
Pinkie simply stared at Photo Finish in silence for a few minutes before tilting her head. "Why are you talking like that?"
Photo growled. "ZIS is how a fashionista speaks! ZIS is ze accent of a pony who is important, and I am FAR too important to vaste my time vith a... a... no-account, backstabbing, two-timing pony!"
Pinkie frowned. "Aww... Photo, are you still mad at me for not letting you stay with me in Ponyville? I told you it's not because I didn't want you to! The Cakes were having a hard time financially and they couldn't afford to have you around!"
Photo Finish stomped her hoof again. "Of COURSE I'm not mad about zat! I got over zat forever ago! Sings like zis do not concern me, now be on your way!" The room fell silent then, with Pinkie staring at Photo Finish for several seconds. Photo did not even seem to be bothered by this, until her sister spoke.
"Are you mad that I left you alone?"
Photo Finish balked a bit, looking at Pinkie. "Vat!? Don't be ridiculous!"
Pinkie smiled a bit, although her expression betrayed a mix of sadness and concern. "It's okay if that's the case, Photo... I know it was hard on you when Octavia left... and mom and dad even told me you were a lot grumpier then too..."
Photo Finish huffed, throwing her nose to the air.
"... And... Octavia told me that even though you made the same decision, she always felt you..." Pinkie seemed to have to brace herself, her ears folding back some. "... She told me she felt you still blamed me... because I was the last to leave you, so I was really the one to leave you alone... and... I know I haven't been the best sister, but I hope you can forgive me, and that you know I really tried for you! I tried my hardest!"
".... Well... she promised she would never tell you... and I've gotten over that forever ago..." said Photo Finish, the accent she always used having totally vanished. "... I... I don’t care about that anymore..."
Pinkie nodded solemnly, bowing her head. "I see... well... I'm sorry for bugging you..." She turned and began to trot away, but she stopped long enough to turn to face her sister. "... Also... I want you to know, that despite the circumstances..." Pinkie Pie smiled; it was a sad, but honest smile. "... It was nice seeing you.... and I never got to tell you, but without all the dirt in your coat, you look very beautiful... and... I want you to know, that I love you, and that if you ever want to talk... your big sister's always listening." Pinkie then turned her attention back to the path ahead of her and trotted out.
Photo Finish stared at nothing for the longest time. When she heard the front doors close, she simply fell to her haunches and let a rattled sigh escape her. Teacup approached her from the side. "Shall I fetch the Madam her stress ball? Perhaps a soothing tea? Maybe even a tacky vase she can destroy?"
Photo Finish simply stared silently, deep in thought, before climbing to her hooves. "No... No sank you, Teacup!... I sink I vill be taking a personal day...."
Teacup nodded. "I see... shall I fetch your coat and wig?"
***********************
Pinkie Pie sighed, lying on her stomach with her head laying on the lap of none other than her elder sister, Octavia, who gently stroked her mane.
Octavia's home was fairly descent; as a member of a band that was often commissioned to play for the elite of Canterlot, she made enough to buy a nice penthouse apartment, which was fairly comfortable, while not overly luxurious as the housing of her sister. (Not to mention one could get a lovely view of the city at sunset!)
"Pinkamena, sweetie... are you sure you're alright?" said Octavia gently, taking a minute to look over at Vinyl, who was laying on another nearby coach, her sunglasses over her horn and her own expression betraying concern for the pink mare.
"Yeah... " Pinkie sighed, shaking her head. "I don't know.... I.... I guess I had hoped that after all these years she would have finally gotten over it... I mean, I had just found out where she lived!"
Octavia sighed. "Yes... she was quite adamant that I not tell you where she lived... I admit I had hoped that breaking my promise would have turned out better..."
Pinkie sighed. "You're not supposed to break promises..." she said dejectedly.
Octavia grinned. "It wasn't a Pinkie Promise... so I'm not so worried..." Octavia then grimaced and shook her head. "Besides, she doesn't talk to me much anymore either... I fear she's becoming very... reclusive as of late..."
Pinkie looked up to her sister, frowning. "I'm so sorry, Octavia... maybe if I had tried to convince the Cakes a bit harder she would--"
Octavia put her hoof in Pinkie's mouth. "No, Pinkamena! Do NOT blame yourself! You did everything you could... it's not your fault..." Octavia shook her head once more, placing a hoof to her forehead. "It's mine... I had hoped that letting her live with me in my apartment in Canterlot would allow her to expand her mind... I had no idea that when she got into fashion she would become so... impassioned... let alone that she would rise to become one of the top players in the world of fashion in such a short time..."
Pinkie giggled mirthlessly. "I bet Rarity will be super jealous when she realizes one of the ponies she idolizes is my baby sister..."
The doorbell chimed. Vinyl stood up, holding her hooves up. "You all keep at it, I'll get it." With that, she trotted towards the door and opened it. Standing at the door was a mare with a sky-blue coat, a pair of black glasses, a black mane that hung about her head like a helmet, and a lavender trench coat.
"Excuse me... but may I come in?"
Vinyl quirked her brow. "Who're you?"
Octavia looked up and squinted a bit. "... Photo Finish?"
Photo Finish shut the door very quickly, sticking a hoof in front of her muzzle. "Shhh! Are you crazy? If the ponies around her know it's me, I'll have to burn ANOTHER disguise!"
Pinkie looked up, confused at the sight before her. Photo Finish bit her lip. "Uhm... h.... hello, Pinkie... I... I just wanted to say that.... that...."
Photo Finish did not get to finish her sentence before the pink blur closed in on her and forelegs wrapped around her, taking her into a tight hug. She was a bit startled at first, but then she gently wrapped her own forelegs around Pinkie Pie. A few seconds passed and she tightened her grip, squeezing her eyes shut as a few tears trickled to her sister's shoulders.
"I'm so sorry, Pinkie Pie..."
Pinkie smiled, her own cheeks stained with tears. "Don't be silly, filly... I'd already forgiven you..."
Photo Finish hugged tighter and openly sobbed. Octavia smiled, wiping tears from her own eyes. Vinyl was trying to look anywhere else but the sight in front of her; it wasn't that it wasn't touching of course, so much as it was just somewhat uncomfortable for her. Octavia, upon taking notice, couldn't help but smirk at her friend's discomfort; she would tease her for it mercilessly later.
The rest of the day, they would talk, catch up, and mend the gap that had formed between them over the years. Things would never go back to the way they were; everypony knew this. They had left home, left their parents, their community, the way of life they had known for their childhoods... but they had grown up. They had found their own place in the world, a world bigger than anything they would have known on the rock farm.
And maybe... just maybe... they could enjoy that world as sisters.
THE END