//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Pinkie's Suprise // by vincent5000x //------------------------------// Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Twilight all stared at their pink friend in complete and utter shock. None of them could believe the things they were seeing and hearing. “I-I’m sorry dear, but could you perhaps repeat that? I believe I didn’t hear you correctly,” Rarity asked, finding her voice first. “I don’t want to decorate too much,” Pinkie Pie repeated; her gaze still locked on the front door of the bakery. “And no, I don’t want anypony else here.” “But I thought you said this was going to be a ‘Pinkie Party’!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she began to hover slightly off the ground. “If half the town isn’t here, then what kind of party is this?!” “A nice… calm… simple welcoming party,” Pinkie Pie replied without turning to face her friends. “Besides, I never said it was a ‘Pinkie Party’.” Once again, everypony stood dumbstruck at what Pinkie Pie had just said. For the entire day, their friend had been acting strangely. Throughout the morning, Pinkie had almost dragged herself to each of her friends’ houses, only to hesitantly ask them to come to a party at Sugar Cube Corner. If that hadn’t worried everypony, what they saw when they arrived at the bakery did. There was not one single decoration. The walls were bare of anything but the normal knickknacks that usually hung. The ceiling was barren of any balloons and while the tables did have trays of food and a large bowl of punch, they were barren and clean. But the one thing that really scared all of them, Rainbow Dash most of all, was the food. While there was plenty of sweeties and treats, the majority of it all held very healthy snacks. Most of which, Twilight noticed as they first arrived, were actually very good for the heart. “Twilight! Do one of those scanny things on her!” Rainbow Dash said as she nearly dragged Twilight towards Pinkie by the horn. “Rainbow Dash, stop pulling my horn!” Twilight replied as she flared her wings in agitation. “But… but… something is wrong!” Rainbow replied as she released Twilights horn and looked back at Pinkie Pie in worry. “Just calm down, Rainbow,” Twilight calmly responded as she made her way over to Pinkie. Up close, Twilight couldn’t help but become concerned as she noticed just how bad her friend was shaking. Her once bright pink coat had palled slightly and Twilight was sure that her bouncy hair had lost some of its bounciness. “Pinkie, are you okay?” Twilight asked as she calmly placed a hoof on her friends shoulder. “You haven’t really explained what’s going on and we’re all scared.” “I’m sorry everypony,” Pinkie Pie said as she slumped forwards slightly. “I know I haven’t really said much, but… I really needed you guys here for this.” “What’s that supposed to mean?” Fluttershy asked from her position behind Applejack. “I promise I’ll explain, but I just… I just…” Pinkie Pie began to reply, only to tail off as she began to shake more violently. “She’s here…” “Who’s he…” Twilight began only to stop as the shops front door opened. “Watch your step now sweetie,” Cup Cake’s voice rang softly as she walked into the shop. “Yes ma’am,” an even softer young voice replied. Everypony watched as Cup Cake walked into the shop followed by Carrot Cake and then a small Pegasus filly. Everypony couldn’t help but stare at the young filly. She was a little smaller than the crusaders and had a, slightly dulled, pure white coat and a strait, bright yellow mane and tail. As she slowly followed the two older ponies in, the filly kept her head down as she seemed to stare at the floor. Nopony said anything until the three new arrivers stopped right in front of Pinkie Pie. “Would you like me to put your bag upstairs?” Carrot Cake asked as he began to reach for the saddlebags the filly was warring. But just before he could take them and add them to the ones he wore, the filly shied away. “No, I’m fine,” the filly responded, still keeping her head down. “O…Okay,” Carrot Cake stuttered as he pulled away. “Well, I’ll just put these upstairs and check on the twins,” he continued as he made his way towards the stares. He paused only to give Pinkie Pie a reassuring smile and nod. “Well everypony,” Cup Cake said as she drew everyponies attention. “I’d like to introduce you to… Surprise!” Everypony watched as Cup Cake put on an obviously forced smile. Even with the introduction, Surprise kept her eyes hidden in her mane and locked on the ground. “Why, hello there darling,” Rarity began. “Hi Surprise,” Fluttershy almost whispered. “Sup,” Rainbow Dash greeted. “Welcome to Ponyville, Surprise,” Applejack welcomed with a tip of her hat. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Surprise,” Twilight said with a smile. After Twilights greeting, Surprise seemed to shift a bit, revealing a big purple eye hidden behind her mane. “He… hello… Surprise…” Pinkie Pie began to stutter, only to fall short as the filly burst into action. “It’s the Elements of Harmony...” Surprise said breathlessly, a sense of wonder in her voice. “Oh, we haven’t been that since we returned the elements to the Tree of Harmony,” Twilight said with a blush. “Pri… Princess Twilight?!” Surprise sputtered, her gaze locking on the alicorn. Before anypony could stop her, Surprise rushed in front of Twilight and bowed politely, her wings fluttering slightly. “Oh, there’s no need for…” Twilight began, only for it to fall flat as the filly popped up and rushed over to her four friends on the other side of the room. “And your Applejack, the Element of Honesty,” Surprise chimed as she rushed up towards the farmer. “Aw, well shucks, it aint…” “And you’re Rainbow Dash, the only pony to ever perform a Sonic Rainboom!” Surprise interrupted Applejack as she turned her attention towards the athlete. “Well it’s always nice to meet a fa…” “And you’re Miss Rarity! I’ve seen your designs all over!” Surprise interrupted once again. “And you’re Fluttershy! Is it true that you actually got Discord to be a good guy?” “And here I thought nopony knew who we were,” Rarity commented as she smiled at Surprise’s energy. “Uh… Sup… Surprise, you should really c-calm dow…” Pinkie Pie began, only to fall silent as Surprise glared at the pink pony with a hateful stare. “Nopony was talking to you!” Surprise snapped. “Well, that want very nice,” Twilight commented, a slight scowl on her face. For a moment, Surprise seemed conflicted. It was obvious that she wanted to say something, but was probably trying to figure out a better way to respond to the princesses’ comment. “It’s ok Twilight,” Pinkie Pie quickly said as she slowly got up and moved towards one of the tables. Picking up a platter full of healthy snacks, she carefully carried it over towards Surprise. “I… I made these for you. Their supposed to be good for your heart… at least, that’s what the book said… and Twilight,” Pinkie Pie began to mutter as she held the platter down far enough for Surprise to see its contents. At first it seemed that Surprise was just going to ignore the food. Then, a small gurgle echoed from the filly’s stomach. With a reluctant grunt, Surprise took one of the snacks and slowly began eating it. “Anypony else really confused right now?” Rainbow Dash asked her friends quietly enough that only they could hear her. “About as confused as finding a apple barrel full of pears on the farm,” Applejack quietly replied. “Should we say something?” Fluttershy asked, her overly soft voice mixing perfectly with the hushed conversation. “Why don’t we just ask Mrs. Cake?” Rarity questioned as she looked back at the mare. The entire time, Cup Cake had not moved from her spot, her forced smile still on her face as she kept her eyes locked on Pinkie and Surprise. “Then what are we waitin for?” Applejack said as she led the others towards the baker. Leaving Pinkie, Twilight, and Surprise by the tables as the filly continued to munch on snacks in silence. Even as the group made their way over, Mrs. Cake didn’t budge an inch or shift her gaze. “Excuse us, Mrs. Cake?” Rarity began, trying to catch the older mares’ attention. After a few moments, Mrs. Cake’s attention finally shifted towards the four mares. “Oh, I’m sorry dear, what can I help you with?” Mrs. Cake asked with slight hesitation. “We were all just wondering what was going on with Pinkie Pie and the filly?” Rainbow Dash asked, stealing a quick glance back at the others. Twilight was now explaining something to Surprise, while Pinkie Pie just sat nearby with a slightly defeated look. “She’s been acting weird all day.” “Oh I’m sorry everypony, but Pinkie asked me not to say anything,” Mrs. Cake replied glumly before continuing back to what she had been doing. “Well, that didn’t help?” Rainbow Dash sighed, not caring that Mrs. Cake was right next to her. “We could always try asking Pinkie Pie,” Fluttershy said, taking a step back towards the others. “But she hasn’t made any sense all day,” Rainbow Dash complained as the rest of them followed Fluttershy. “…which in turn helps the cardiovascular system,” Twilight seemed to finish as her other friends walked over. “Wow,” Surprise said, only one eye still visible through her hair. “I’m talking to a princess.” “You haven’t heard a single word I’ve said, have you?” Twilight asked with a sigh and a slight chuckle. “I’m talking with a princess,” Surprise repeated, a sense of wonder in her voice. “I thought so,” Twilight said with a slight smirk. “I’d hate to interrupt,” Rarity said, catching everyponies attention before she turned to look at Pinkie Pie. “But are you ok dear? You’ve been acting strangely all day, and we’re all very worried.” “I’m sorry girls, it’s just…” Pinkie Pie quietly began to reply, only to stop as she received another glare from Surprise. “Pinkie, we’re your friends, you can talk to us,” Twilight said as she turned her attention to her friend. “I will, I promise,” Pinkie Pie assured her friends. “I just have to get some things done first.” “Pinkie, are you sure you’re alright,” Applejack asked, pushing her hat up a bit. “Yeah, are you okay?” Surprise snapped rudely, although nopony seemed to notice. “I’m fine everypony, I swear.” Pinkie Pie said, obviously only halfheartedly. “Then why won’t you talk to use Pinkie? There’s obviously something wrong. You haven’t even told us who Surprise is,” Twilight almost pleaded. “She’s… she’s…” Pinkie Pie tried to begin, her head slumped down as her hair flatten slightly. Before anypony knew it, several tears hit the floor. “Pinkie dear, whatever’s the matter?” Rarity quickly asked as she and her friends pulled the mare into a hug. “I can’t believe you!” Surprise shouted, drawing everyponies attention. “Surprise, I’m sorry, I just…” Pinkie Pie tried to begin as she pushed her friends away. “No!” Surprise shouted, causing everypony to jump slightly. Before anypony could stop her, Surprise rushed off and up the nearby stares, disappearing into the upper levels of the bakery. “Surprise!” Pinkie Pie called after the filly, rushing off to follow her. But just before she could reach the stairs, Mrs. Cake stepped in the way, blocking her path. “It’s ok Pinkie; I’ll go talk to her, okay?” Cup Cake offered. For a few moments, Pinkie Pie stared at Cup Cake as she seemed to debate as to what to do. After a few moments, she gave a final nod. “Okay sweetie,” Cup Cake said with a reassuring smile before she made her way up the stairs. Pinkie silently watched as the baker disappeared up the stairs, leaving her alone with her friends. “Pinkie…” Twilight said as she calmly made her way over to her friend. “I’m sorry I wasted your time everypony,” Pinkie Pie glumly replied as she turned to face her friends, wiping away any leftover tears she had. “Pinkie Pie, please tell us what’s wrong,” Fluttershy asked softly as she wrapped her friend in a hug once again. “I can’t everypony, not yet,” Pinky responded with a sigh. “I’m sorry, but the party’s over.” “But Pinkie, something is obviously wrong,” Twilight tried to reply. “If you would just talk to us, then maybe…” “I will Twilight, but not right now, I ‘Pinkie Promise’,” Pinkie Pie said as she silently went through the gestures. “Okay,” Twilight said with some hesitation. “But you know you can talk to us, right?” “Yeah,” Pinkie Pie sighed. “Well, I guess I better go back to the farm then,” Applejack said reluctantly. “You mind if I tag along AJ? I wanna check on Scoots,” Rainbow Dash asked. With a nod of her head, AJ lead the way as she and Rainbow Dash left. Soon, Rarity and Fluttershy left as well, both deciding to head to the spa. “You know where to find me if you need to talk, right?” Twilight asked before leaving. “I know Twi…” Pinkie Pie sighed once again, quickly glancing at the stares. “Okay, well I better get back to the…” “Wait!” Pinkie Pie suddenly snapped drawing Twilights attention. “Just wait one moment please,” Pinkie Pie pleaded before she rushed back into the kitchen. “Pinkie, what is it…” Twilight began to ask before Pinkie Pie rushed back out, a stack of papers in her mouth. “I know I haven’t said anything,” Pinkie Pie began, placing the papers down on a nearby table. “But I really need your help with something.” “Anything Pinkie!” Twilight said as she rushed up next to her friend. “I need you to sign something for me,” Pinkie Pie asked, almost reluctantly. “But promise you won’t think differently of me, please?” “Pinkie, I will never think differently of you, we’re friends and that’s not going to change,” Twilight replied as she gave her friend a reassuring hug. “Thanks Twilight,” Pinkie Pie said with a small smile, moving to allow Twilight to see the papers. Moving to get a better look, Twilight began skimming through the first few pages. “Aww, Pinkie, this is nothing to be sad about,” Twilight said with a smile, still looking at the pages. “I think this is really nice of you.” “Keep going…” Pinkie Pie sighed. With a nod, Twilight continued, but after a few more pages, her smile turned into a saddened frown. “Oh, the poor filly,” Twilight said as a lone tear slid down her face. “Keep going…” Pinkie Pie chocked out as a tear fell down her face as well. Steeling herself, Twilight continued to the last set of pages. As she read, her frown changed as her eyes widened in shock. “P-Pinkie?” Twilight stuttered as she looked at her friend. With that, Pinkie broke down, her mane and tail completely flattening as tears poured from her eyes. Carefully, Twilight pulled her friend into the softest, warmest, most caring hug she could give as she signed the papers with her magic. “It’s okay Pinkie, its okay,” Twilight softly cooed, brushing a hoof down the back of Pinkie’s mane. So many questions were flashing through her mind, but she dint ask a single one as her friend continued to cry into her chest. All the while, asking for forgiveness.