//------------------------------// // Progress... Or Setbacks? // Story: Shattered Dreams and Broken Hearts // by Princess Twilicorndog //------------------------------// Pinkie was staring out of Twilight's library window, in the guest bed. It was almost midnight, the moon nearly overhead, full. She needed to stay with a friend, so Twilight had informed the Cakes that she would be staying with her. Pinkie sighed, and was about to turn over to try and get some sleep, if not when it was exactly midnight, the moon flashed. Half-asleep already, she thought Oh... Wow, the moon is pretty flashing... Closing her eyes for a second, she then gave a start and spoke her thoughts aloud. "Wait- the moon flashing?? I'd better check this out! It must be the ponynapper!" The earth pony jumped out of bed and raced out of the library, slamming the door shut behind her. "P-Pinkie? Where are you going... W-Wait..." Twilight began, but was promptly hit on the head with a pan, knocked unconscious. "Hehehehe... Nopony is spoiling my master plan... NOPONY! Hehehe..." After this, the pony-shaped thing the voice belonged to melted into the shadows. "Yes, you are my biggest threat Pinkamena. Fall right into my little trap... Hehehehe..." Pinkie saw a path revealed with each flash of the moon. Weird... Maybe I should follow it! This was decided for her when there was a scream heard very far down the path... Dashie's scream. The pink mare, any former sleepiness shaken off, galloped along that path with speeds that could have preformed a sonic Rainboom. Or Pinkboom. She thought, almost giggling, if not for the task she faced. Faster and faster she went, eventually entering the Everfree once again. Soon, far to soon she was in miles deep. She skidded to a halt when she came to a humongous oak tree. Bound to it was Dashie... Who's hopeful face split into a venom-spitting scowl as soon as she saw Pinkie. If it was even possible, the earth pony's mane became even flatter and her coat color became even darker. "D-D-D-D-Dashie? Is it r-really you?" "Why the buck would you care, you whore. Yeah, that's right. I know you hate me. Just bucking leave. I'd rather die then have you free me." This was said as calmly as possible, yet all the while with the force of emotion pressing on each word. Pinkie outright started sobbing right then and there. "D-D-D-D-Dashie... H-How could you think such a thing? I could never hate you... I... I... I... LOVE YOU! OK?? I SAID IT! I SAID WHAT WE'VE BEEN AFRAID TO SAY... EVER SINCE... EVER-" Before Pinkie could finish this, a sorrowful face came over the pegasus and she almost cried there, also. "Pinkie... I... Could... Hug?" Dash stammered. Pinkie almost smiled, but remembered her promise to Applejack. The recently-poofy-maned pony raced to her Dashie to give her a huge hug... To fall through the hologram and into the tree. Twisting and screaming, her mane flat again, Pinkie fell through the seemly-bottomless pit in the tree.... If it even was a tree. Then, suddenly, she remembered her connection with Twilight. TWILIGHT! TWILIGHT WAKE UP! HELP ME! FALLING! HELP! DEATH! OH CELESTIA PLEASE! But... Twilight didn't answer. With her only hopes dashed, Pinkie just curled up into a little ball, knowing she would die... Only hoping her Dashie was dead also, so they could spend their afterlives together. With a sudden stop, the little furry ball of a pony felt cold tile floor underneath her. A mocking voice surrounded her. "Well well well! That's no way to be thinking, darling Pinkamena. Why, I wouldn't just kill you, not just like that! Noooooooo, I get to play with you!" Pinkie gulped. This must be the ponynapper! But... Where had she heard this voice before? No matter! She has to find Dashie and her other friends and escape! "Better watch your thoughts, missy. I can hear them... Like your link with you friend Twilight Sparkle." Pinkie gasped, her eyes widening in horror as she imagined what this pony had done to Twilight. "Don't worry, at most she'll have a concussion." The former party pony glared at the wall where the noise seemed to be originating from. She sat up, scanning the room. It was a blank, square room, with nothing but white tile. "Hmmmm... Better keep your strength up! Nighty-night!" The voice called in a mocking, sing-song voice. Suddenly, the room was completely dark, and Pinkie felt herself forcefully being put to sleep... No.... Must... Stay... Awake... But resistance was no use. Too soon, the mare slipped into unconsciousness, her body tensed on the cold, tile floor.