//------------------------------// // 8. Taken for Granite, feat. Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle // Story: Short Stories // by Catalysts Cradle //------------------------------// Prompt: Ship one of the mane six with someone who isn’t a pony. As Twilight entered the Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie Pie leapt up dragged her inside with a giant, welcoming hug. “Sorry I’m late,” said Twilight as she extracted herself from her friend’s warm embrace. “So where is this special somepony you’ve been telling us all about?” Pinkie giggled. “Well he’s kinda shy, so he’s waiting up in my room. But now that everyone is here, I can finally introduce you all.” “Ooh, I’m so excited to meet this new coltfriend of yours, darling,” Rarity said, eagerly following her friend up the stairway. “Oh, he’s not a colt,” replied Pinkie. “Aha!” Rainbow Dash swooped over to Twilight. “I told ya’ she was a fillyfooler. Pay up Twilight!” “Oh no, Dashie, I didn’t mean that,” Pinkie replied. “I meant that he’s not a pony.” The comment piqued Raritiy’s interest further. “Ooh, is he a donkey? I know you’ve always had a soft spot for them.” Pinkie shook her head. “Is he a griffin?” asked Rainbow Dash, “‘Cause you know what I always say – ‘till you go griffin, you don’t know what you’re missin’.” “Please don’t be a dragon. Oh please don’t be a dragon,” whispered Fluttershy. “Girls, you’ll find out soon enough. I bet you’re all in for a big surprise!” Pinkie said with a smile as she reached the door to her room. With a dramatic flourish, Pinkie swung open the door, leapt inside and yelled, “Tada, everypony meet Rocky!” She was met with silence. The room was empty except for a sizeable boulder sitting in the middle of the room. “Um, where is he?” asked Applejack. “He’s right there, silly,” Pinkie replied motioning to the large granite stone. “You mean he’s behind that rock?” asked Rainbow Dash. Pinkie shook her head. “You mean to say that Rocky,” Rarity paused, the room filled with stunned silence as everyone came to the same realization, “is a rock?” “What else could he be with a name like that?” Rainbow Dash was rolling on the floor laughing. “Looks like you bagged quite a hunk! A hunk of stone!” “Wait a second, sugarcube. You’re datin’ a rock? How is that even possible?” “He’s not just any rock. He’s the sweetest, most kindest, most loveable rock in all of Equestria! He’s been to so many places and tells me all these exciting stories about his travels around the world!” “Can rocks even talk?” asked Fluttershy. “Well, most ponies can’t understand rockish, but I just happen to be fluent!” Twilight buried her face in her hoof. “Let me get this straight: you can talk to rocks.” Pinkie nodded her head. “Just like Fluttershy can talk to animals, and Applejack can talk to trees.” “Pinkie, I think when Applejack ‘talks’ to tree’s she doesn’t actually think they understand her,” replied Twilight. “Speak for yourself, sugarcube!” Twilight gave Applejack a confused look before turning back to Pinkie. “What I’m trying to say is that at least plants and animals are alive. Rocks aren’t alive, Pinkie They’re inanimate objects, made of clay, dirt, and minerals.” “Don’t say that Twilight,” said Pinkie. “You’re hurting his feelings.” “Rocks don’t have feelings, Pinky. They—” Twilight stopped as Rainbow Dash stuck elbowed her in the ribs. Pinkie was tearing up, hugging the rock closely and whispering to it. Apologize, mouthed Rarity. Twilight rolled her eyes at the suggestion. “Now,” Rarity insisted, nudging her toward Pinkie. Twilight sighed, then took a few steps forward toward her friend. “Pinkie, I’m—” “Rocky thinks you should all leave now,” Pinkie said, her voice low and flat. “Ugh, this is ridiculous!” said Twilight as she turned and left. The four others looked at each other, at a loss. “It was nice meeting you Rocky,” said Fluttershy. “I’m sorry about Twilight. She’s normally a lot more friendly than this. She’s just overly skeptical.” Rainbow Dash stepped forward, “Hey, Pinks, we’re—” “Rocky’s very angry,” said Pinkie. “And I need to calm him down before he does something he regrets.” *** Twilight descended the staircase to the main reading room the library. She yawned, blinking in the soft purple light of her horn as it illuminated the way. “Spike, is that you? What are you doing making so much noise in the middle of the night?” As she reached the bottom of the staircase, she cast a spell to illuminate the entire room. Twilight shrieked when she saw the giant boulder sitting in the middle of the library floor. “Okay, Twilight, calm down. It’s just a dumb rock. An inanimate object. There’s nothing creepy about it. It’s just sitting there. Menacingly.” Twilight shook her head, to clear her thoughts. A stupid prank, that's all it is, Twilight thought to herself. Pinkie will jump out, yell surprise, and we'll share in a good laugh and a lesson in friendship. “Ha ha, very funy Pinkie,” Twilight called out. Her words echoed through the empty library. Twilight groaned and closed her eyes. “I’ll deal with this in the morning,” she said with a yawn. “Hopefully, this is all just a bad dream.” When Twilight opened her eyes, she was face to face with Rocky. Startled, she reared back fell on her haunches. A deep, rumbling voice filled the room. “This is not a dream, and I am not a rock.” Rocky towered over Twilight, raised up on a thick pair of clay legs. He sprouted a pair of clay arms, and she could see a magical inscription glowing on his forehead. “I am a golem, and you made Pinkie Pie cry.”