//------------------------------//
// Snowflake: A History 
// Story: Pinkie's Diet 
// by RainbowFlash96 
//------------------------------//

Twilight and her friends followed Dr. Stable out of Pinkies room, allowing Snowflake to have a word with her. Twilight was skeptical at first, but eventually saw no harm in the situation. 

As soon as Doctor Stable closed the door behind him, he became face to face with an aggressive, yet curious, rainbow-maned Pegasus.

"What is he doing here? Why does he want to talk to Pinkie?"

Doctor Stable's eyes widened, and he took a shaky step backwards. Before Dash could get in his face again, Applejack grabbed Dash's tail and pulled her back.

"Now hold on, sugarcube. There's no reason ya need to be that close. Give the Doctor some space."

"He still didn't answer my question!"

"Rainbow Dash, if you would give me some space, I will answer you," Doctor Stable said.

Rainbow Dash slowly backed away, keeping her eyes on him the entire time. To make sure Dash didn't do anything else, Twilight stepped around Dash and placed herself in between the two.

"Please, Doctor, we don't mean to be rude, but what is Snowflake doing here?" Twilight asked.

Doctor Stable sighed, "Snowflake came into my office a few hours ago, and said he'd like to speak to me. Of course I wouldn't refuse, I already had a hunch as to why he wanted to talk to me."

The five ponies, and one dragon, in front of him had puzzled looks on their faces.

"You all know Snowflake, correct?" 

They all nodded, "You know him as the muscle packed, fit pegasus. He wasn't always like that. He came into my office, and we had a little talk. He asked me for permission to speak to Pinkie, and I gave him permission. I knew he would be the best pony for Pinkie to talk to right now."

"Why is that?" Twilight asked.

"It's because at one point in his life, Snowflake was in the same position Pinkie is currently in."





A look of confusion plastered itself on Pinkie's face, "Your cutie mark?"

Snowflake nodded and turned so Pinkie could see it clearly, "Yes my cutie mark."

Pinkie took a good look at his mark, a single dumbbell. Pinkie always figured that it just meant that Snowflake loved to exercise.

"I don't think you've ever told me that story." Pinkie concluded, not being able to remember the actual story behind it.

"I thought so. I guess it's best if I started from the beginning... When I was just a little colt, I was picked on for my size. I wasn't the super fit stallion that you all know today, but in fact I was quite overweight. I was picked on everyday for my weight, I never got a break from the constant teasing and bullying. 

"I eventually became depressed, and felt like there was nothing to live for. I had no friends, I was picked on constantly, even my parents looked at me disapprovingly. As if being picked on for my size wasn’t enough, I was being picked on for not having a cutie mark. I hadn't found my 'destiny', as some call it, and I though I never would. 

"It never even occurred to me that I could get the bullying to stop if I just lost some of the weight. I was young and foolish, I guess. I suppose if it weren't for what happened, I would still be a fat blank flank."

Pinkie's eyes had begun to fill with tears, ready to spill at any moment, "What happened?"

Snowflake looked down, "I was diagnosed with diabetes, type two. At first I didn't understand what that was, but my parents seemed really upset about it. I did some research, and I realized that I needed to shape up. That's when I first when to a gym.

"It was overwhelming at first, there was so much equipment, and I had no idea how to use any of it. Luckily, my father came with me. He taught me how to use all the different machines, and helped me start a workout schedule. I loved the feeling of a good work out, the sense of accomplishment it gave me. While my dad helped me with exercising, my mother helped me establish better eating habits. 

"I'm sure your friends have said that not only do you need to exercise, but also eat healthy. They knew what they were saying. My mother cooked healthier meals, not just for me, but also for the whole family. My dad was a bit upset at the lack of cake in the house after that."

Snowflake laughed, "It wasn't long after that when I got my cutie mark. It was just another day at the gym; I was doing my regular routine when I saw some ponies wheel in a new machine. It was so big and shiny; I just had to try it out. I went over to the machine, but was stopped by a stallion. He said I was too small and weak to operate a machine like that. I pleaded and begged him to let me just try. Eventually he just gave up and said I could try.

"The point of the machine was to help strengthen your back and forelegs. You have to sit on a chair and push the bar away from you. There were all different settings for different weights. The stallion insisted I put the machine on the easiest setting, but I knew that I needed more of a challenge.

"I cranked it up to the highest setting. The stallion just chuckled and waited to see me try and fail. You should have seen the look on his face when I did five repetitions! It looked like his eyes were going to fall right out of his head!

"That was when I realized I loved to exercise. It was such a good feeling when I had a great workout. When I hopped off of the machine, I felt a tingling feeling on my flank. I looked behind me to find my cutie mark had appeared. I was so excited that I rushed home. My parents were overjoyed. Nopony dared to pick on me after that, they were too intimidated.

"Eventually, I managed to lose all of the weight before I finished flight school. I even gained some muscle. This is why I wanted to talk to you today, Pinkie, you needed to hear this story. Although I never had a heart attack like you, I could have had a terrible life if I didn't take action and do something about it. Pinkie, you need to take action, I don't want you to waste your life away. You have great friends who are willing to help you, don't let them down, and more importantly, don't let yourself down."

Pinkie was blown away by the story she had just heard. She had no idea his life was like that. She had always though Snowflake was fit. 

"Snowflake, I had no idea... I'm so sorry," Pinkie said.

"Why are you sorry, it all turned out okay in the end, right? I learned not to dwell on the past, but to focus on the present."

"Still, what you went through, how you must have felt..."

"I went through a lot, and felt terrible for a while, yes. However, I learned from it, and now, I'm as happy as I could ever be."

Pinkie stared at Snowflake in awe. If he could loose weight, and be fit, so could she.

"Pinkie, I know it's going to be hard, but I'm willing to help you."

Tears were beginning to spill from Pinkie's eyes, "Of course, Snowflake, I would be so happy if you could help me!"

"YEAH!"





"I had no idea Snowflake went through all of that," Rainbow Dash said.

"Yes, he doesn't like to flaunt his past," Doctor Stable said, "but he though it was best to tell Pinkie about it. He thought it could possibly motivate her."

Twilight nodded, "I'm sure now that Pinkie heard his story, she will be even more determined to lose that weight."

"Normally, I wouldn't tell others about ponies personal histories, but he gave me permission to tell you. He was actually the one who suggested that you all be told."

"Well, we thank ya fer tellin' us, doc," Applejack said.

Doctor Stable nodded, "I would love to stay, but I do have other patients that I've been neglecting. I'll see you all later."

As the doctor walked away, the door to Pinkie's room opened. Snowflake stepped out of the room, only to be greeted by a huge hug. All five ponies surrounded the massive pegasus, and engulfed him in one of their signature group hugs, struggling to fit around his muscles Spike just stood back while he pointed a claw into his mouth and made gagging sounds.

"Oh, Snowflake, we had no idea what you went through," Twilight said.

"Um... it's really okay, I'm over it," Snowflake said.

"Hey, dude, I've learned that if something’s bothering you, its not good to keep it bottled up. Just let the emotions flow," Rainbow Dash said.

Everyone in the room did a double take. They all stared at Dash as if she had six heads and was doing the polka with Cerberus. Did she just go all hippie on them? 

"What? I can't be prophetic and sentimental sometimes?" Rainbow rolled her eyes, "Fine. I heard it at a Daring Do convention."

"Just ignore her," Applejack said.

"So how's Pinkie?" Rarity asked.

Snowflake smiled, "She seems happier, and more determined to be healthier. I offered my help in any way that I can. I think that she'll be back to herself in no time at all."


**Epilogue**


Dear Princess Celestia,

This past few months had been filled with grief, pain, and realization. One of my dear friends, the Element of Laughter, Pinkie Pie, had a heart attack. As you have already known, she was quite overweight. Her heart could not support all of that weight, and in turn, she had a massive heart attack. 

All of my friends feared the worst. We didn't know if Pinkie was going to recover. What would happen if we lost her? I didn't even stop to think about what would happen to Equestria if one of the elements of harmony were gone. 

At that point, I really didn't care.

One of my friends was in dire condition, and that was all I was able to think about. Princess, I apologize if you feel ashamed of my actions, but I feel that my heart and mind were in the right place.

Thankfully, none of had to worry about that because Pinkie made a full recovery. It took some time to get her back on her hooves, but she recovered rather quickly. Once the doctor gave the all clear, she went right back to dieting and exercising. She is taking it much more seriously this time around, and has managed to loose all of the weight she gained.

She even made a new friend...

There was quite a loud knock on the door, which broke Twilight's concentration, along with her quill. She put the broken quill down, and went to open the door. Twilight opened the door, and there waiting for her was Pinkie Pie and Snowflake. 

"Hey Twilight, Snowflake and I were wondering if you wanted to join us on a run?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"Thank you for the offer, but I've got a ton of things to do around the library today. Maybe some other time."

Pinkie smiled, "Okay, Twilight, see you later!"

"Bye you two, have fun!"

"Thanks, Twi, we will! Come on, Snowy, I bet I can beat you this time!"

"YYYEEAAHHH!"

Twilight gave a small giggle at the scene. 

Now that Twilight looked closer, Pinkie was starting to gain some muscle. Twilight wouldn't be surprised if she could beat Applejack in a hoof-wrestling match.

Twilight went back to her desk and continued to write, after receiving a new quill,

I realized that you shouldn't take anything, or anypony for granted. I can now understand that old saying, 'You don't know what you have until it's gone'. I almost lost one of my best friends. I hadn't realized how much I would have lost if she didn't recover. 

So I must once again thank you for sending me to Ponyville. I have the best friends in Equestria, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle