Just Smile for Me Dashie!
A cloudy and dark day was depressing the residents of Ponyville. The very essence of laughter was dead. A funeral for the premiere party pony was being held. The chairs weren't empty as all of Ponyville was mourning the loss of Pinkamena Diane Pie. She was a hero to some with her bright cheery mood and her ability to make any pony smile. Even a cranky donkey.
Her death came as sad news to all of Ponyville and parts of Equestria. a life full of brightness and smiles. Snuffed out like a candle in a windy cave. Nothing left but darkness. She was a friend to some and like a daughter to two bakers. No one had anything bad to say or any ill will towards the pink pony. The rain dropping from the sky was not as rapid as the cascading waters falling from each pony's face.
Each pony was wearing a black ensemble whether it be suits or dresses it was all in black. Rarity had spent a good portion of her time making the dresses and suits for every pony. She had been crying even more so since the day Pinkie died. Even for a drama queen she was over doing it. Then again when Rarity sheds tears she really sheds tears.
Applejack had little Appleseed in a stroller next to her. He was just a baby and already one of his aunties died. "Auntie Pinkie Pie" She said remembering how Pinkie Pie referred herself as their aunts. Applejack felt the loss of a good friend. Even if she became Pinkamena it was still pinkie's body.
Twilight was depressed. She hadn't seen the signs and if she had she could have helped her. It was her fault she felt. She was so obtuse about Pinkie Pie/Pinkamena's feelings. Why didn't I pay attention... Why did I let her die... I am such a bad friend... I am sorry Pinkamena...
Fluttershy was crying loudly almost as bad as the hair extension incident during the time the Cutie Mark Crusaders were pretending to be some hot shot reporter filly named Gabby Gums. She was bawling her eyes out. She was being held by her wife who was dead inside.
Rainbow Dash was dead, almost as dead as Pinkie but she wasn't actually dead just emotionally dead. She felt the worse out of all of Pinkie's friends. She felt guilty about leaving Pinkie to return home, she felt guilty about rejecting her even if she couldn't accept her advances, and even worse she felt guilty about being a Wonderbolt. She was devastated another pony died because of her. How many more ponies have to die because of her decisions? First Granny Smith... Lightning Dust... now Pinkie Pie/Pinkamena. She didn't know who else would be the victim of her awful decisions.
A little filly dressed in a black suit stood out as she walked up to the casket with a cupcake that she baked herself. It took her many tries to finally make a decent cupcake and her fillyfriend helped. Diamond Tiara had been dating scoots for a while though she doesn't know that Scoots wasn't that into her however that has changed since those days. Now in this event Diamond Tiara stood side by side with scoots as they placed the cupcake on the casket. "Thanks for the sweets Pinkamena... you were my best friend in the whole wide world. I am sorry I didn't get to save you... I know I would have done so... unlike Momma-Dash... she let you die..." She said really loudly. Suddenly every pony was agreeing with her.
"Yeah that is right. Rainbow Dash did let her die." Came one pony. "Yes she probably watched her die and enjoyed it." Came another "Stupid Dash probably became a Wonderbolt just to have Pinkie die." Some other pony said. Soon they were all making a cacophony of angry accusations and the casket burst open revealing a dead Pinkamena rise from the casket moaning "You killed.. me... you knew I was going to kill myself.... you let it happen." The zombie Pinkamena crawled her way to Rainbow Dash before everything went black.
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"Noooooooo" A loud shout as a cyan mare was panicking and fumbling around .... she fell of the chair she was sitting on and was hearing a voice "it was just a dream my love... it's ok... you are ok.... it can't hurt you.." Said the calming voice that cooed the startled mare.
Rainbow Dash felt her senses come back to her and she was able to see her wife holding on to her and gently stroking her mane. She grabbed her wife into a strong hug and started crying. Her dream haunted her and it made her wish she could stop sleeping.
Fluttershy calmed her lover with her presence and voice. She was dealing with this ever since she had gotten word about Pinkamena's tragic suicide attempt. "Listen Dash my love... You need to relax ok... You didn't fail... you got her here in time .... I know it's scary because there is still a chance she may die but you need to calm down or they will kick you out..." Fluttershy said in her most gentle of tones trying to be supportive and caring. She wasn't able to soothe her wife much since the night of Pinkie's admittance. It had been three days since and Rainbow Dash had refused to leave the room.
At first the doctors were not ok with it but Fluttershy promised them it would be alright and she would keep her wife stable. Initially Rainbow Dash's first visit came with the threat of death to any pony and every pony if they didn't save her friend.
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Flashback
Ponyville hospital emergency wing, the place where fast reaction was the key between life and death. The usually calm doctors were started by a sudden appearance. A very nervous and panicking pegasus had a lifeless earth pony in her grips and was begging for some pony to help her.
"Help me please... my friend... she lost a lot of blood HELP HER! ... SAVE HER LIFE ! STOP LOOKING AT ME AND HELP!" She said infuriated the doctors quickly got a gurney and quickly began checking for signs of life.. it was grim and the chances are the body was beyond saving. They tried to explain it to the furious pegasus to only earn a death threat "Listen I have money so if it is an issue about costs it doesn't matter just bucking save her.... I don't care how much it costs what you need to do just bucking save her... You better do everything in your power to save her or I will start raining all kinds of hell and that isn't a threat ... that is a bucking promise.... "She said while sobbing... it wasn't usual to see the pegasus known as Rainbow Dash crying. Especially not in public. The doctors felt so bad for her.
Just for the sake of making a sad mare happy and since they were going to be paid for the use of the tools they decided to try desperately to save the pink pony. The first attempts at resuscitation failed. The second and third as well they were ready to call it tilll they tried once more by injecting Adrenaline into her heart and shocking it at the same time it jump started her heart and for one second she was awake before falling into a coma. "Dashie...Smile." Was all she said before they began treating her.
She was injected with blood and the transfusion worked but her condition wasn't stable. They tried all they could but for now it was up to fate.
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The doctors had come in because of the scream and tried to let it go. The mare was distraught and refused to leave the pink pony's side. Many attempts to remove her have failed. They tried by force and learned why no one should ever attempt forcing a powerful pegasus. They tried diplomacy and it failed worse since the words buck and horse apples were tossed around frantically. Then they tried using her friends to help. Each attempt failed even harder then the next. Nothing was budging that pegasus from the room until her friend would wake.. if she woke at all.
Her progression wasn't happening at a rate that could be considered a recovery. She was still in the instability category and unable to respond to any sort of medication. It was as if the pony's body was alive but the pony's mind wasn't there. She wasn't a vegetable but she wasn't showing any signs of being able to come out of the coma.
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Rainbow Dash was sitting in the room alone at night with Pinkie's body... the monitor was still slowly beeping each beep signifying life. That was all she needed. She was fine as long as it beeped. the beeping suddenly got quieter and she was suddenly seeing black...
When she opened her eyes she was at the hospital still and in the room but someone was sitting next to her. "Pinkie... Pie?" She asked rubbing her eyes and checking to see if some pony was really there.
"Yeppers I am here Dashie... I missed you so much Dashie... so what we doing here?" she asked as if she was all ok and back to her normal Pinkie self.
Rainbow Dash shrugged and mumbled "I don't know... I forgot why we were here to be honest... something about you hurting yourself but... you are right here." She said confused.
"I know silly Dashie... Just you know I am dead right? I mean you know I can't come back and you are wasting your money trying to save me... Your a superific friend Dashie... and I promise you it isn't your fault I am dead but I am dead... you have to move on with your life Dashie.. and promise me you will smile... I need you to smile Dashie!" She said before disappearing.
Rainbow Dash cried out "NOOOO Pinkie don't Goooo!"
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Fluttershy was saddened by this and was confused... "Rainbow.... wake up... you are having another nightmare... please my love I need you to stop. I am getting worried. " She said softly as she moved her lover's half sleeping body. They were on their bed at home.
Suddenly Rainbow Dash froze up "Fluttershy... Why aren't we at the hospital?" She asked confused her mind was reeling and she was feeling out of it.
Fluttershy looked at her sadly as if she was about to tell her that something tragic happened. "Rainbow ... I am worried about you. It has been a week since Pinkie has died... you still haven't accepted it and now you are having terrible nightmares... we all are getting worried." She said quietly and scared about her lover's descent into madness.
Just then Pinkie Pie appeared "Quiet you stupid meanie head... She doesn't need to know I am dead... she just needs to smile... Dashie.. I just need you to smile... promise me that even if I am gone... you will smile for me Dashie!"
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Rainbow Dash awoke crying "Make it stop make it stop..... Please.... Stop it..." She cried and was held tight by her lover, the nights were the worst. Rainbow Dash couldn't stop having these terrible nightmares.. always waking up to Fluttershy holding her down and keeping her calm. The hospital staff at this point were use to it. It was ignored. The situation was out of their hands anyways.
Fluttershy brought her wife into the bathroom to clean her up and groom her. She was doing her best to be strong for the both of them. She had to be strong since her wife was needing her more than ever. Two weeks had passed since Pinkie's conditioned worsened. Her heart beats were becoming irregular. None of the pegasi were giving up on their friend. The other's were trying to help raise money for Pinkie's cause. Rainbow Dash's funds were depleting and since she wasn't doing any of her jobs she wasn't getting paid. She was willing to empty her bank accounts but the others weren't letting her. They had to help too.
Rarity had been selling even more custom outfits while working in her new studio in Applejack's house. It was a joint effort as Rarity decided to move in with the farmer. She didn't care about what her customers thought of her marefriend because if they didn't like it well they could suck it. To this day the it that they could suck still hasn't been defined. Still suck it they definitely could.
The farm itself was picking up business again. Suddenly apples were being craved.. maybe some pony slipped something into the soil, nah just them ponies wanting my apples... that sounded wrong. She was trying to balance expenses and other necessities and helping with Pinkie's hospital bills.
Twilight was looking for books on helping with mental irregularities and recovering comatose patients. She wanted to see if there was anything they could do on the mental front to help Pinkie Pie or Pinkamena recover. Celestia was keeping Twilight comfort in this tragedy that was unfolding.
Even Spitfire was willing to help. The win win of Pinkie living was they would have an able dash who would need to perform to help get her bank account back in good shape. She wasn't sure how much the pony had saved with hiring her wife as her manager and accountant. I bet that mare has more money in her account than before with the way that smart mare was dealing with the books. The books meaning a ledger that Fluttershy had kept that kept track of receipts and bills and other expenses tracking and managing how much was made and spent. That mare has some brains for a animal caregiver.
The media and fans were in an outcry over how much their hero and favorite Wonderbolt was proving how good a friend she was. The story was headline news. All over Equestria the story of tragedy and friendship made tears flow from all kinds of ponies of the great nation. Soon ponies from everywhere were showing support for the cause of keeping Pinkie alive.
It was an uplifting story of saving a life. They praised Rainbow Dash as a "true hero" and it was just making her feel worse. The publicity from this was making her famous again.. her stardom rising from a single act of vigilance. The more her fans proclaimed her a hero the more it hurt her.
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Rainbow Dash was flying around in a costume. There was a shield symbol on her chest area of her costume with a red D on it. She was the only hope for Equestria. She heard a voice that got her attention as she was soaring around the world at super speeds "Help Help Help." Cried the voice the familiar sound made her rush double time.
Pinkie Pie was falling at incredible speeds and Rainbow Dash dived down and Sonic Rainboomed towards her damsel in distress. She was a hero after all and would be able to save her. She swooped down just in time and grabbed her before the... lifeless body could hit the floor.... suddenly the bright scenery was turning dark and the blades of grass became dried and faded.
The lifeless body moved a bit and the face with dark glowing eyes chuckled "You can't save me... I am dead.... you need to move on and accept it. Also while you decide to accept the fact I am soo totally dead... I need you to do something for me Dashie.. I need you to smile... Smile for me Dashie!" The voice came as the body melted into goo and slid into the cracks of the surface.
"Nooooo.... I can save you.... Please.... " Rainbow's voice lurched before the world started spinning.
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Pinkie Pie was in a dark prison and she couldn't escape... she was suddenly visited by her jailer. "Hey Pinkie... I think it's time you left... you have to go now because I am ending this all. I tried living my life and you... you always had yours. I guess I was just jealous of you. Since you made everyone smile. Well there is one pony I need you to make smile that I can't I am dead... you are not dead. I hope you can follow this logic and see where I am going."
Pinkie Pie blinked. It was the same pony who locked her up for months forcing her to see things and do things she didn't want to see or do. "So ... why are you letting me go if you hate me?" She asked making sure this wasn't some kind of trap.
Pinkamena had a darker tone than usual and her neck had a visible scar. " Listen... I have come to terms with my unhappiness... I left my life because I didn't belong.. but you do. I tried killing us both but your stubborn obsession saved us... I am dead though... she can't move on from that fact. Since she is wasting her time and money on us I guess... you should be rewarded with life since your friend ... really wants you around Pinkie Pie." She said with a broken, not beating, heart.
Pinkie Pie was sad "Why can't you just join me? We don't have to be enemies... we can be friends.. won't you be my friend Pinkamena.... we belong together you and I.... I can't always be Pinkie Pie and you can't always be you. We need each other if we are going to survive.... Let me help you smile." She said in hopes her new 'friend' would want to smile.
Pinkamena chuckled " You don't get it Pinkie Pie... I am dead I can't be your friend... if you want to live hurry. You must go and don't worry I may be dead to the outside world but I will always be here... but I will be silent now... since I am dead and all. Just go Pinkie.... while there is still time."
Pinkie Pie smiled and her hair puffed up her coat returning to it's normal shine " Thank you PInkamena... and also I am sorry about everything... maybe one day we can make you smile... By the way who is the pony you want me to make smile just in case a big stupid pants like myself forgot?" She said knowing full well who the intended victim of one smile planting would be.
"You know who it is... it's the one we can't have... the one we shall love from afar but never love from up close. The one who makes us smi... you cheeky pink bitch... now get out of here." she said with a small smile.
Pinkie Pie looked determined as she closed the door behind her and locked Pinkamena in. She wouldn't be able to exit now which means Pinkie would be Pinkie if she made it. "I am coming Dashie... just smile for me.... I will make you smile again and things will be superific."
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Rainbow Dash was about to give up hope... "When I say now.... pull the plug and let her rest in peace." She said after two exhausting weeks of keeping the pink pony alive. There was no recovery... no hope and nothing to stay for. The Pinkie Pie in her dreams were right she had to move on... and now it was time to move on.
The doctors were ready to and waited. But they knew Rainbow had told them if they first now is part of the speech don't pull the plug. Just in case they accidentally ruined her long winded good bye.
Rainbow Dash with her wife at her side got close to her friend and gently rubbed her mane softly stroking it while looking at her with tears pouring down her face. "Pinkie Pie and Pinkamena... you two were great ponies. I especially loved my friend Pinkie Pie... she was happy and energetic. She always made any pony smile... no matter what we did you would always enjoy it, now I can't even seem to stop thinking about you... I wish I knew how you felt before I left. We could have dealt with those feelings together. I can't love you like that but I could have made sure you still felt loved as a friend. If you didn't want me around or something fine I would have left you be... I just wished I could have saved you... I ... I failed you but... I tried.. I tried to make it up. I stayed here day after day hour after hour just to make sure you had some kind of hope to recover. I don't mind the cost Pinkie the reason I am letting go is because there isn't any sign you will come out of this alive. I know you want to rest in peace the dream version of you tells me so. I want to give you that peace and let you die... I want you to know this death doesn't mean good bye... one day I shall join you in the other world and we will go pranking... we will prank the pants off every pony.. if you were alive you would say 'pony don't wear pants silly Dashie' or something like that... heh... you know what... I don't think you will ever die Pinkie... I think you will live on as part of me... but still.... I am hoping that my long winded stall will some how make you wake up. I will be honest.. I am not ready to see you die... I can't accept letting you go but I have to face it. This isn't some fantasy world where ponies never die and everything ends alright. I have to accept that I can't save every pony I try to save. Some lives can't be saved.... I just hope you don't blame me and I hope you can forgive me... I just.... I just wish you would wake up and save me from my pain Pinkie... but since you can't I want you to know this smile is just for you." She said with tears pouring down endlessly and a smile that was half forced and half natural. She smiled because she wanted her friend to see it but smiled because she knew it would make her friend happy.
Just before she could utter the word now a voice popped out from the moving lips of the pink unconscious pony "Thanks for smiling for me Dashie... it was all the pain... all the suffering.... just to see you smile for me Dashie.." All eyes went wide... suddenly the world erupted in a shine of happiness.
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The news spread like wildfire... The Miracle of Pie was an event that was on the same level as the Sonic Rainboom at Sunset. Even the most sour of grumps had smiled when he heard the news. The pink pony had lived beyond all scientific reasoning. She had opened her eyes and jumped from her bed with wires attached and hugged her friend as if for dear life. The hug was returned and the day ended with joy....
The joy was short lived as the would be miracle pony died... she died after her triumphant arrival back into the world. She died after the head lines a strong shadow of sadness over took Equestria as Pinkie Pie for the first and last time... died.
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Rainbow Dash woke up crying again.. this time the nightmare was worst. It started out as a blissful dream then ended suddenly... Pinkie Pie was alive and then she was dead. Her mind was suffering from extreme guilt and the doctor had to prescribe some medicine. It was still only two weeks since the pink pony was admitted. The same day was playing out like her dream it was becoming to real. "So you pull the plug when I say now... but not when I say now during my good bye speech I want you to pull it when I say now like 30 seconds after... just to make sure it isn't part of my speech."
The doctors nodded and waited for the stall of a speech to commence. Rainbow Dash felt Dejavu and was going to start her speech but something stopped her. Just as she was about to open her mouth she felt a hoof touch her and she heard the unmistakable voice of Pinkie Pie
"Dashie... I need you to smile for me... just smile for me Dashie!" She said before Rainbow Dash closed her eyes and opened them expecting it to be a dream " Dashie... I am real... I am really alive Dashie you saved me that is why I want you to smile... if you hadn't gotten to me in time I wouldn't be here. Pinkamena let me live after she had forced you to give up on me... but I knew you wouldn't just give up... I knew you would try to stall as long as you could... Thank you Dashie for saving my life." She was breathing regularly and was feeling quite good for someone who was virtually dead for hours and suddenly comatose for weeks. She wasn't sure what had exactly happened all she knew was she was alive.
Rainbow Dash finally smiled.. She smiled and meant it. "Pinks... glad your home." She said as she waited for the dream to end. The dream didn't end this time the miracle did happen. The reaction wasn't as dramatic as the dream version. Though it was still highly regarded and talked about. Pinkie Pie was not able to answer questions as all she wanted to do was just go home. What she didn't know was her new home was with Twilight until she was fit to live on her own again. She was going to be recovering still both physically and mentally. The scar on her neck was gross but at least she was alive. She didn't know who to thank exactly but knew Rainbow Dash had been instrumental to being resuscitated because she knew one thing was for certain... she had died... but now she is alive. Though Pinkamena is dead for good leaving just Pinkie Pie to exist.
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Rainbow Dash that night was finally able to go to sleep. Her dreams were no longer haunting her and she was able to finally go home and relax. She made love to her compassionate and supportive wife that night and even brought out the toy to reward her for being there with her all that time without complaining. She was the one who brought the food and made sure Scootaloo got to school, she did everything while also being supportive to the cyan mare. This only strengthened her love for her wife. She was going to remember the moments that her wife even when tired herself stayed at her side just to be there for her. it was more than any pony could ask for.
Even in tragedy the power of love and friendship shined through. Pinkie was alive but Pinkamena was gone. Still Pinkie was alive and would be able to recover. Twilight promised to take good care of Pinkie Pie till she was back to herself 100 percent and the Cakes were glad that the town pitched in and helped. They baked a cake for every Pony who helped keep Pinkie alive and well.
Applejack and Appleseed were laying in bed next to Rarity who was elated about the news as well. "Well Darlings I guess we can all sleep... momma has to get up bright and early and sew more clothing. Now Appleseed you silly foal .. you belong on the crib... is Applejack trying to spoil you?"
The baby was just cooing not understanding a word. "gah gah ahaahah" he spewed as a response.
Rarity used her magic to lift the foal and rub her cheek against him before placing him on the crib with Applejack slightly protesting. "Aw shucks Sugar Cube I was hoping we could sleep together like a family... but I guess he is still to little for that and well one day it will happen right my love?" she asked knowing for well what Rarity was going to say... except she didn't know full well that time as Rarity did something crazy that night.
"Pinkie Pie's almost tragic death has made me realize that time is short in this world... Applejack of the Apple family... I know we are working on our relationship..... but I want you to do me the honor of... being my wife." She said as she pulled out a box with a necklace that with a ring attached to it. "Will you marry me Applejack?" She was going for the gusto... no longer letting anything stop her passion and desires anymore. she wanted the farm mare and she was going to have the farm mare.
"Yes.. a thousand times yes... oh Sugar Cube you make me happier than a warm apple pie on a sunday picnic." She said while crying and holding her now fiancee. It was funny just two weeks ago her baby was born now she was going to be wife as well as a mother.. if that don't beat all I don't know what does. Maybe life was going to look up for the ponies this time.....
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Spitfire was even more happy about Pinkie Pie's recovery. Her goals may not have been noble but her assistance was. She had used this tragic event to gain favor with Rainbow Dash and snagged her for two shows. They would be popular shows and the pay would be great. Since the show was going to be a reunion special with Soarin, Spitfire, and Rainbow Dash. It wasn't underhanded but it wasn't an honest way to get her to perform. She wasn't going to feel bad after all even if being a bit sneaky is wrong. it helps when you are a Wonderbolt. Spitfire loved the fact Rainbow Dash's fame shot up recently that would make the tickets more costly and get more seats sold. The Wonderbotls would be popular again if she goes through with the shows. " I am sorry Rainbow Dash but I need you more than you know... I need the Wonderbolts to rise to the top again with your fame in full swing and your popularity rising we can sell more tickets... so even though you won't hear this apology because I am just whispering to myself in my room, I just want you to know for whats about to come... I ...am... Sorry." She said before closing her door and preparing to head out and get Soarin back his post in Las Pegasus.