//------------------------------// // One Happy little Filly // Story: Laughter knows no Sorrow // by AngelShy24 //------------------------------// 200 years later… When living in a world filled with happiness and friendships, one must realize that not everything in life can be full of sunshine and roses. No matter how much of a bright personality one has; no matter how friendly your friends are in life; no matter how perfect your life may seem, everyone experiences sorrow and sadness in their own way. To some, their experience in sorrow might be more traumatizing than others; and they might hang on to that sorrow for quite some time, and it usually changes the way they act forever. But when one is traumatized so bad that darkness has taken over their heart, is it ever possible for that heart to experience happiness again… especially when that heart has never felt happiness at all? ----- In the little town of Ponyville, there are rather plenty of different ponies that have a lot to laugh and smile about; fillies, colts, mares and stallions alike. Ponyville has had plenty of ups and downs in the past and faced many challenges that may have left some scars on certain residents. One certain little example is a young lavender unicorn filly named Dinky; Dinky Hooves to be exact. She is the daughter of none other than Derpy Hooves who was always doing her best to take care of her while working real hard at her job as a mail pony. Dinky was just outside trotting along on a warm, sunny afternoon wearing a little smile on her face. She caught some of the pony’s attention as they just greeted her… “Good afternoon, Dinky.” … and she greeted them back. “Hello Miss Cheerliee!” “What’s up Dinky!” “Doing well, Rumble!” “Looking good, Dinky; tell your Mother hi for me!” “Thanks, and will do, Fluttershy!” Dinky just seemed to be feeling a little happier than she usually is and that why she was getting noticed so easily. She didn’t know why, but she rather enjoyed the attention. She was carrying a little duffle bag on her side that held her recent allowance that she received the other day, and now she was headed to antique shop to see if she could finally buy something there that she really liked. She got to the shop and the bell rang as she opened the door and walked inside; making herself known to the store owner named Miss Stone; Miss Emerald Stone. “Ah… hello there Dinky; having another look-around in here again?” Dinky just giggled a bit and shook her head, “Nope, not this time Miss Stone; I think I finally have enough to buy something special for me in here.” The store owner looked at the little filly with an expression of astonishment, “Really, well good for you; make sure you pick out something nice and one that really calls to you.” “Calls to me?” questioned Dinky. “You know, one that draws your attention the most.” “Oh, I get it now,” said Dinky, “Well don't worry, I’m sure there’s something here I'll like the most.” Dinky was starting to have a little look around and was trying to decide a perfect little trinket for her to have; but it wasn’t going to be easy for her to decide. “Ooh, this looks nice; but… it’s a bit expensive for me still.” She kept on looking… “Nah, this color is too bland for my tastes.” … and looking… “I like this one; ooh, but I like this one too!” … and looking… “Oh man, there are so many good ones!” … and… looking. Pretty soon after some minutes, she just couldn’t make up her mind. “Any luck finding something yet?” Miss Stone asked. “No, not yet,” said Dinky while pouting a little, “I just can’t decide; a lot of things in here looks so good.” But suddenly, her eyes suddenly started to light up as she suddenly caught a glimpse of something shinning in the corner of her eye, “Oh my Celestia.” She walked up to a shelf near the front of the store where there were some beautiful crystal necklaces; but she used her magic to float a certain one down right in front of her. She was looking at it with such sparkling and bedazzled eyes. “Wow, look at this; it’s… so beautiful.” Miss Stone came over to her to witness her findings, “Ah, you found a pretty good one; you have a good eye.” The necklace was very unique looking; in the form of three gold-colored rings overlapping each other and rainbow crystals glass all around with a sapphire stone smack-dab in the middle of it. It was perhaps one of the most beautiful trinkets she has ever seen. “I think I found what I want; oh, I sure hope I can buy it,” Dinky hoped. “You know, this is one of my favorite collectables that I am selling,” said the store owner, “In fact, there’s an interesting rumor about it.” Dinky looked up at the store owner as her eyes shined brighter, “Really?” She shook her head and held up the trinket giving it a good look, “An elder relative of mine gave me this when I was around your age and told me of how its symbol shape represents happiness. But nowadays I want someone to witness it too by selling it myself. However, rumor has it that it’s actually a magical charm that allows the bearer to feel more uplifting and is able to repel negative energies.” Now Dinky was more interested in the necklace than ever; just hearing of what it could do for her was making her body all filled up with excited chills. “You mean that this trinket… can help you feel more comfortable and happy around others?” “Well yes,” the store owner chuckled, “that’s the rumor; but I highly doubt it’s true.” “Well I still want it; so how much for… 35 BITS!!!?” Dinky suddenly felt a little upset as she held her head down, “Aw man, I only have 20. I guess I can just wait a little more.” Miss Stone knew how many times Dinky came into her store to look at the beautiful stuff she sells; she was technically a regular customer… sorta. She knew that she was really into that necklace, so she decided to cut her a break. “Tell you what, you’re such a nice little filly and you visit my store all the time; so… how about I put this necklace on half-price, just for you. So what do you say?” “Really, just 15 bits,” said Dinky excitedly, “are you serious?!” “Of course, I understand how much you must want this necklace; after all… it’s the one that called to you, right?” Dinky wasn’t quite sure what Miss Stone said about this necklace was true herself, but it definitely was making her feel happier the more she looked at it. Pretty soon, Miss Stone rung her up at the cashier and the necklace was now officially hers. “There you go; I hope you really enjoy it, Dinky.” “Thank you so much,” said Dinky, “I promise that I’ll take real good care of it!” Dinky decided to not ask for a little bag because she decided to immediately put the necklace on around her neck; she just could. She then took her new necklace and happily walked out the door. “Thanks again, Miss Stone!” she shouted out. “My pleasure, Dinky;” Miss Stone responded, “Pleas come again soon.” ----- After leaving the shop, Dinky couldn’t help but continue to look down at her new necklace; she felt so proud of herself for owning it. She was really looking forward to showing her friends what she bought... with her own money. “Wow, this thing is so pretty,” she said to herself, “I can’t wait to show this to my Mommy.” As she was walking down the street; skipping and prancing along, she suddenly halted in her step as a bouncy pink mare zipped right in front of her. “Hiya, Dinky!” “Oh, hi Pinkie Pie,” said Dinky as she looked up at the pink mare, “What’s up?” “I hope you don’t mind me, but I couldn’t help but notice just how happy looked; smiling while skipping and prancing along in your path like that. So, what’s going on with you?” “Well, nothing much,” Dinky said coyly, “except that I bought this beautiful necklace from the antique store!” She suddenly held the necklace up into Pinkie’s view for her to see. “Ooh, shiny!” shouted Pinkie with her eyes widen, “It’s so colorful and bright… and colorful!” “Yeah, Miss Stone told me that it actually has the power to help you feel more comfortable and happy around others; and that it can repel negative energies. I’m not sure if it’s true or not, but that kind of power sounds kinda awesome.” Pinkie definitely agreed with her as she hopped up and down, “Wow that does sound so super duper excitedly awesome!” But then, something suddenly came to her memory, “Hey you know what? This trinket is somehow familiar to me; kinda reminds me of a story my Granny Pie once told me when I was just a little filly.” Dinky was once again intrigued and curious of something she never knew, “What kind of story?” Suddenly, Pinkie loomed over Dinky while waving her arms a bit and spoke in a spooky-like voice, “The story of… ‘Gloom, the Pony with no Laughter.’ Dinky became a little startled by Pinkie’s actions, but the level of her curiosity still didn’t change, “Oh my, sounds spooky.” “Oh, it is;” said Pinkie as she continued to speak in spooky way, “It’s been said that a long time ago, in a far off land, there once lived a young pony who never experienced any happiness. She was shunned, picked on and feared by others because she was so different.” “H-h-h-h-how different,” asked Dinky while shuddering as she was getting into Pinkie’s story. “Well… she was just an earth pony, but she had strange ominous powers that no earth pony should have; some saw it as a sign of… EVIL. Some say that even her own parents mistreated her and used her.” “That’s terrible!” shouted Dinky, “So, what happened?!” “All I remember Granny Pie telling me is that the young pony soon grew in hatred and started to embrace her power; and before long she became evil! To this day she hates laughter; she hates happiness; she hates gleeful smiles!” Dinky suddenly gasped upon hearing this, and she noticed Pinkie was starting to walk circles around her while continuing. “They say that she still roams around these lands somewhere… looking for any signs of laughter and joy, and she’ll silence it… FOREVER!” Dinky gasped even louder from Pinkie’s last line; this pony she was talking about definitely sounded scary. However Pinkie just smiled and started giggling. “Hee, hee; but don’t worry, it’s just a story; it’s not real.” Dinky was catching her breath and became slightly relived to hear that as she smiled nervously, “Oh, yeah; I-I-I-I knew that.” “Besides,” said Pinkie, “if a pon like that really did exist, we’d be in a whole mess of trouble! I’m talking about Nightmare Moon spreading her darkness kind of trouble!” “Yeah, that’s true,” said Dinky while sill catching her breath. Suddenly, Pinkie looked up at the town clock and made a gasp sound, “Holey moley, look at the time! I gotta get back to Sugar Cube Corner!” She then skipped by Dinky to take her leave and waved back at her, “Catch ya later, Dinky; stay cheerful!” “Bye Pinkie,” Dinky shouted back. After Pinkie left, Dinky couldn’t help but ponder over Pinkie’s story. She lifted up her new necklace and looked at it; perhaps if the pony form Pinkie’s story was real, her necklace would protect her. It definitely sounded like a thought. “Wow, I’m so glad Pinkie’s story isn’t real,” Dinky said to herself while smiling a bit, “A world without laughter sounds like such a total drag.” ----- Before long Dinky walked all the way to her house feeling a major sense of excited joy; she couldn’t wait to see how her mother would react to seeing her with her new accessory. However, when she got there, it seemed like no one was home yet. She opened the door of her house called inside. “Mom; Mommy, are you here?!” A voice was then heard… behind her, “I’m right over… whoa!” ‘CRASH!’ Dinky quickly turned around only to look upward to see her mother dangling from a tree; her hooves and her mail bag straps all caught up in the tree’s branches. Derpy was wiggling around trying to get free, but became unsuccessful. “Oh dear,” she said awkwardly, “not again.” Dinky just sighed and smiled, “Oh Mom, you’re such a silly klutz.” It was a slight strain for Dinky, but she was able to use her magic to safely float her mother and her bag down on the ground. Derpy just smiled at her daughter seeing how well she controlled her hold on her. “Wow Dinky, you’re really getting the hang of your magic; I’m so proud of you!” She then frown a bit while looking at her own wings, “I sure wish I could a hold of my flying; where am I going wrong?” “You’re a fine flyer, Mommy,” said Dinky while comforting her mother, “you just need to perfect it more; that's all. Oh, and by the way, noticed anything different about me?” Derpy settled her screwy eyes on her daughter and was trying to figure out what she was talking about. She narrowed her eyes and was trying to figure it out. “Hmmm… did you do something to your mane?” Oh well, she tried. Dinky chuckled and shook her head, “No Mommy, it’s my new necklace that I bought from the Antique store. Well, it’s not new-new, but it’s new for me.” Dinky held it up so her mother could have a good look at it. Its dazzling colors and brilliant design brought astonishment to Derpy’s yellow eyes. “This is very pretty, Dinky; did you buy this with your own allowance?” “I sure did;” said Dinky with a proud smile, “and I even have some left over that I’ll save for another time.” Derpy was holding it with her own hoof to look at more of its details, “Hee, hee; I really like the gold colored rings; but there’s something about the whole design that brings a big smile to my face.” “Well,” said Dinky, “the store owner at the shop did tell me that she thinks that this necklace has the power to repel and negate negative energies from the one who wears it.” “Cool, that does sound pretty neat,” said Derpy; but then she let go of the necklace and sighed to heslef, “Well… there are definitely some certain things that I wish could be negated from my memories.” Dinky looked at her mother concernedly knowing exactly what she was talking about, “A-are you talking about…” Suddenly, Derpy covered her daughter’s mouth and shook her head while showing a bit of unsettledness in her expression “Yeah… but let’s not go into that, Okay?” Suddenly, a smile came back on her face as she led her daughter into their house, “Come on, I’m off for the rest of the day, so how about I make you a snack.” “Oh, blueberry cookies; I love those!” suggested Dinky. “Um… s-sure,” said Derpy while smiling awkwardly, “Anything for my little muffin.” But just when they were right at the door, Derpy looked down and smiled nervously at her daughter, “Umm… by the way, h-how do you make those again correctly?” “Don’t worry Mommy,” said Dinky while giggling, “I can help you.” Yup, Dinky and her Mother were definitely a very loving family together; probably one of the sweetest ones Ponyville has ever seen. But what exactly was that topic that Derpy was trying to avoid? “Hey Mommy, I ran into Pinkie Pie today and she told a spooky story about a Pony who wants to cover the lands with sadness and sorrow.” “Oh my, that sounds scary; I didn’t even hear the story!” “Yeah, but don’t worry Mom, it’s just a story; it’s not like that pony actually exists.”