//------------------------------//
// The Barren Land 
// Story: With Extra Frosting on Top 
// by Grey Faerie 
//------------------------------//

	The alarm on the clock went off all too soon. The girls groaned. They were all tired and sore so they didn't much look forward to the day's events.
    Pinkie had a headache. She pulled herself up to sitting on the bed. It wasn't as bad as a normal hangover but it still hurt. Her hair hung on her face in an assorted manner. She ran her hoof through her mane and looked around the room at the other girls. They were in all staging of rolling out of bed. Some more easily than others.
    It had really been hard these last few days. I loved my friends! They're my only best friends. I really do want to make up with them.
    Pinkie pulled the blanket off her and got up. She trotted down the stairs to living room and went to the kitchen. Surprisingly, Overo was there.
    "Hi," Pinkie said quietly.
    "Hi," Overo answered "You've got a rough day ahead of you." He was standing my the island with his coffee.
    "Yeah, but I just don't feel like doing anything," Pinkie said. She looked for a mug.
    "Why?"
    Pinkie found one and filled the mug. She pulled out milk for the coffee.
    "I'm tired. I'm sad. I never wanted to even come here. I'm fighting with my friends and I feel so alone."
    "You're not alone."
    "I am! I started this whole thing because I'm alone!"
    "Pinkie, calm down. What are you talking about?"
    "I'm sorry. I'm just stressed." Pinkie ran her hoof through her mane again, "I started the diet because...I don't have anyone who really loves me. It seems so silly but I just want to be selfish and have a boyfriend. I want there to be someone I can entrap. I want a pony who will love me and never leave me or make me sad. It's just not enough anymore to have friends. I want a more-than-friends."
    "I think everyone wants that. And feels that way. Even when it comes to me and Chester. I want to know he'll love me and never leave. But is that all this is about?"
    "I don't know."
    Overo opened his mouth when a pound was heard upstairs.
    "That's probably Dashie falling out of the bed." Pinkie put the milk back and got her coffee. She left for the living room before he could continue.





    The other girls were getting up and ready for the day. They were all anxious energy. They still didn't know how they were supposed to do such an impossible seeming task. They walked downstairs to go to the kitchen. They passed Pinkie who was sitting in one of the arm chairs with a cup of coffee.
    They all said hi to Overo. They all got something to eat and brought it back to the living room.
    The living room was a basic rectangle with the windows and front door on the long wall. Pinkie was sitting in a chair near the far right corner. There was a couch by the other long wall and a simple coffee table.
    They all settled down around the coffee table. It was a strained moment for many reasons.
    Overo walked into the room and looked around. He could feel the tension. He looked over at Pinkie and had to comment.
    "Pinkie, is that all you're having for breakfast? Drinking coffee on an empty stomach isn't good for you, you know."
    "It's fine Overo," she said sternly.
    "I agree dear. It can upset your stomach and actually make you more tired. You need plenty of water after a long night's sleep. And what about your hair! I'll go get my brush," Rarity said.
    "Don't bother Rarity and besides, I don't need any water. I'm bloated as it is."
    "That's ridiculous. You're not bloated. Don't talk like that."
    "Why not? It's true."
    "It's not good for your self esteem."
    "Self esteem? I'm fat."
    Overo just shook his head. "No one can argue with Pinkie when she's this way."
    Pinkie glared at him.
    "Pinkie, I'm just worried about you," he said as he left the room to go back to the kitchen.
    "I think we're all a little worried about you, Pinkie." Fluttershy said.
    She rolled her eyes. Overo came back with a muffin and held it out to Pinkie which she took with a frown.
    "Come on, we've got some thieves to catch," Applejack said.
    "Yeah! So, how are we going to even do that? They could be anyone in this town," Rainbow Dash pointed out.
    "We could split up," A.J. said.
    "No, that could take all day and we only have a day. We need a plan to draw them out," Twilight responded.
    "We could leave some gold for them to steal." Rarity said.
    "No, they already have gold," Pinkie stated, but...no way out."Yes, it's perfect." She leaned forward, munching the muffin.
    "What? What's perfect?"
    "Okay, hear me out. We could get into the town because of official business and we can leave anytime we need to. Right? But no one else from area can because of the police keeping everyone here for safety. It's only a guess but most likely the thieves aren't from this town. And, they're probably just itching to go to their hideout or a place to sell the loot."
    "Ooo, I follow ya, Sugarcube. We could offer to escort some ponies out of the town. Like, announce that anyone that lives somewhere else and wants to go home, we'll walk them there. That would include all of their luggage."
    "I think we should tell the dragon," Fluttershy said.
    "Why?" Rarity asked.
    "So he doesn't think we're running away."
    "Yeah! And we could even have him help!" Twilight exclaimed. "We could have him far down the path. That way he could see if he recognizes anyone."
    "I like that idea. Fluttershy dear, do you think you could convince him to go along with it?" Rarity asked.
    "Yeah, I think I can."
    "Ok girls, this sounds like a good plan. Thanks Pinkie. Now let's sort out exactly what's going to happen," Twilight said.
    "Yes, but first I need to take care of Pinkie's hair." Rarity grinned.





    An hour later, all the girls were in position. Fluttershy and Rarity had gone ahead to speak with the dragon. Rarity had come back with the message that he had agreed to it. He and Fluttershy were making their way to the designated spot. It would be down a path going towards the next town.
    Pinkie talked to Overo to tell the local authorities that a town meeting would be held. But, he wasn't to tell why. Only that the girls had something to say.
    Twilight was on the Town Hall's porch that served as a stage. A podium had been moved onto the stage.
    "Thank you all for coming out today. My friends and I have been sent here by our Princess, Celestia, to sort out the situation with the neighboring dragon. Since coming here, we have managed to appease him to the extent that he will allow passage out of town, for any out-of-towners." Twilight gave a pause so the crowd can take in what she's said, "Unfortunately, the train is out of commission. But, the path to the next town isn't very far. We'll be waiting at the town's limits for anyone looking to leave. Bring along any luggage you have. You won't be able to come back for quite a while until the situation is fully sorted out." Twilight finished her speech and stepped down. The Mayor then stepped up to say a few words about what a great thing this is for the town's guests.
    "Nice, princess. I think that was just perfect," Overo complimented.
    "Ohh, thanks. I'm still getting used to the whole 'giving speeches' thing." Twilight blushed.
    "Coulda fooled me," Rainbow commented.
    "Come on. Applejack and Rarity are waiting with our stuff," Pinkie said.





    All the girls, expect Fluttershy, were waiting at the limits with Overo when three stallions with suspiciously heavy looking suitcases arrived.
    "Welcome! Or should I say So long! We are leaving town. But we all are leaving. So I guess, Welcome! We're leaving," Pinkie spouted to the newcomers. "Is that all? No one else? Okay! Hey! Let's sing a song. On the road again, we're on the road again.."
    "Pinkie! Um, thanks but no thanks. Anyway, welcome to the group. Do you need any help with your luggage?" Twilight asked.
    "No, we've got it," the lead stallion said.
    "Okay then. Onwards," Twilight said as she lead the way.
    They were walking a few minutes when one of the other stallions spoke up.
    "It's too bad the train's out. You wouldn't know why would you?"
    "No coal, buck. It all got burnt up by that dragon. The trains people didn't know I guess," Applejack said.
    They walked along for a while more before one of the stallions spoke up again.
    "I thought there were more of you?" he said, looking around the group.
    "There was. Our friend Fluttershy had to see if the path was clear. We'll catch up with her in no time." Rainbow explained this time. The stallions still weren't sure but the girls sounded honest enough.
    The girls looked at each other as they neared the designated spot. Soon, it'll be time to spring the trap. They reached a clearing in the forest and stopped.
    "We're here!" Twilight called out. All the girls ran around the edges of the clearing and behind the stallions but leaving a spot open. The stallions sensed the trap and ran towards the opening in the ring when the trees came crashing down. The dragon stepped out. Fluttershy hovered along side his head.
    "I think you have something that doesn't belong to you." Fluttershy stated as she crossed her forelegs. The dragon puffed smoke through his nose and eyed them.
    "Shoot, it's a trap. We wouldn't go down easily. You little girls might have a dragon on your side but you're no match for us," the leader said cockily.
        "Wow, you really don't know who you're dealing with," Rainbow Dash said.
    He nervously shifted his eyes around to find any weak spots in the ring of mares. He bolted towards Rarity. The other two colts had been fearfully standing behind him but now scrambled around to go anywhere but here.
Rainbow Dash circled them as Rarity tossed out a long rope. She caught one end and wrapped them up. Twilight teleported their luggage away. One of the stallions was a unicorn. He teleported out of the ropes only to be hit by a kick from AJ. The other two tried their best to wiggle out of the bindings. The unicorn flared up his horn. Then the heat came. The dragon blew fire just above them.
    "You should probably give up unless you want to get all toasty," Pinkie suggested. They stopped struggling. They knew they were trapped.
    "Don't feel too bad sugar. Ya varmints didn't have a chance against us 'little gals' to begin with. We've fried bigger fish then ya."
    To say it ended quickly was an understatement. It only took a few minutes to see if all the missing treasure was there. Then it was a relatively short walk to the train tracks with the three tied up stallions. The train came soon after RD went to the tell the workers where they were.
    "Are you coming with us?" Pinkie asked Overo.
    "Oh, no. I've still got work to do. Also, someone needs to go tell the town everything's been fixed."
    "Okay! I'll tell see you later, oh and I'll tell Chester you said hi."
    "Thanks. But, Pinkie." Overo smiled.
    "Yes?"
    "I don't know what's happening with you but, the only advice I can give is that you have to love yourself. Before and after. Or nothing good will come from this."
    Pinkie's face was serious as she nodded. He smiled, turned and left for the town.
    "Now you remember what we talked about. Ponies aren't all bad. Next time you need help, ask for it. There might be somepony willing to help," Fluttershy said to the dragon.
    "I will think on that. It would be a.. better option than burning my own forest. Goodbye, little one," he said before leaving.





    "Ahh, onwards to home," Pinkie said as she stuck her head out the window. The train's officers had the thieves in a cell car.
    "Hey Pinkie?" Twilight asked. Pinkie stuck her head back in. "Why did you never tell us you where you went off to on Saturday?"
    She was still a little unsure if their relationship had been mended enough for such questioning. Pinkie answered right away.
    "I didn't want you guys to know about that side of me."
    "But why?"
    "Because, I didn't want you guys to think of me as that type of party girl."
    "But you are that kind of party girl."
    "No! I'm not. I mean, yeah I go out and drink. But I'm not irresponsible nor am I easy. I didn't want everypony to think I was a crazy party girl that got drunk and did stupid things. I know what kinds of ideas ponies get when they see me out dancing and–" Pinkie waved her hooves around. "–waving bills at strippers or getting up on the bar to dance. I like to have fun but I don't want my friends to think poorly of me. It's a different kind of fun."
    "I think I could understand. It's hard to be yourself, even around friends," Fluttershy said. "But your problem makes me feel silly for not wanting you girls to know about my knitting. I just didn't want you girls to think I was dorky or something."
    "I didn't want anyone to know I like to read for the same reason," RD agreed.
    "I like to read romance novels. It's a bit of a guilty pleasure," Rarity ventured to say.
    "Me too!" Twilight yelled, before blushing.
    "Umm, me too," AJ said as well.
    "Really!?"
    "Ye-yes, you see, it's one of those few ways I feel um, girly. I would like to be romanced by some strapping gentleman." AJ shrugged.
    "Hahaha. Wow you guys. I didn't expect all that!" Pinkie covered her reddened face. "Maybe I should invite you guys with me! To the Cantering Stallion. It's fun to go with Grey but it'll be even more fun with the rest of my best friends! It'll also take a lot of stress off trying to hide that part of me. It's so fun! Now, I don't read romance novels but I think you guys might enjoy yourselves there."
    "Well, umm, I guess. But only if you want, I mean, if we're not invading your quality time with that grey mare. What was her name? I'm so sorry I forgot," Fluttershy asked.
    "It's Grey Faerie, and I think she'll just love to dress you guys up in sexy wear! Phhhahaha, I just imagined you guys getting drunk and waving bills," Pinkie said before collapsing in a fit of giggles.
    They blushed and laughed with her.
    "I think we need to get to know each other better," Twilight stated. "Not only would it be a good letter but this makes me realize that for all we've been though, we don't know that much about each other. Personally."
    "Yeah, that is strangely true," RD said rubbing the back of her neck.
    "We should have a slumber party!" Twilight suddenly called out.
    "Huh?" Everyone looked at her like she was crazy.
    "Umm, you know. At slumber parties they play games like Truth or Dare or Two Truths and a Lie. We can play games to find out more about each other," Twilight explained.
    "I think that's a great idea," Pinkie said.
    "Us too," Everyone agreed.
    "Well, it's going to still be a while till we get back to Ponyville. What should be do now?" Rarity asked.
    "I want to hear what everyponies' been up to,” Pinkie said.





    I was right. A fun day out with friends is exactly what I need. It just didn't happen in the way I thought it would. Pinkie thought to herself. Pinkie felt lighter. She felt freer. She looked forward to hanging out with her friends again and they all agreed to plan a time to get together for a slumber party soon.
     By the time she got to her house, she was happy but was still weighted down. She had remember that she had to properly make up with Discord. She was also hungry. She opened the fridge and stared in. She wasn't so sure of everything now. Should she just stop the diet? Should she have continued to talk to Overo? Why was she feeling this way? In the end, she sighed and closed the fridge. She was just too filled with doubt now.
    Pinkie walked upstairs to her room and laid down on her bed. A small smile came to her face as she thought of her friends at The Cantering Stallion.