A perfect morning. The sun had started to rise, giving the dawn a broadening glow. Ponies were likely about and Cheese Sandwich was up and moving. A great start to a great birthday.
Ah, a familiar road. Cheese Sandwich had travelled across the desert after he woke up, now finally finding a path he knew. He came across the path he took from Appleloosa towards Ponyville a few weeks back, so now he could just follow it from where he was. He hadn’t ever been across the Dodge Junction desert area before, so he was walking rather blind, but he was certain it wasn’t endless.
Every few steps, he could hear the metal pin creating a sound as the poncho moved, always reminding him of the day. Yes, it was his birthday. Although it was that day though, he was determined to get to Ponyville as quickly as he could, ready to create the party for the other lucky stallion or mare.
He could really travel far. Always on the move, he had fantastic endurance. The endless energy he had as well was a trait of a party pony, and it never disappointed.
He soon saw the town in the distance. Ponyville was within his grasp. Now all he had to do was decide on his entrance. Would he be spontaneous, or would he lurk around and set up a party in secret? He liked to try different approaches depending on the town, the ponies that inhabited it, and the current situation.
One time, he shot himself right into the heart of a town with his howitzer, catching everyone off-guard while spreading his cheesy confetti all over the place, ready for a party. The problem with that though, was the town in question was fully inhabited by griffons, and they weren’t exactly the party type.
“What do you think?” he asked Boneless Two as he carried along his way, Ponyville gaining size with every step. “Mhmm...” he murmured, nodding his head at what he thought the chicken had replied with.
Pretty soon, he had passed the border between Ponyville and the open road. The images of the town came back to him instantly, still quite recent memories. As he wandered down an empty street, he looked at every building, recognising the majority of them. Ponyville certainly hadn’t changed aesthetically; it was still a nice looking town.
He heard some conversation up ahead, and quickly jumped into a nearby bush. He poked his head out covertly, to gather some intel of what was going on. He’d be sure only to listen about the topic regarding the birthday, if the current ponies in chatter were even aware of it in the first place. He saw an opening around the back of a house, taking his chance to move in closer.
He got clearer audio, gaining the chance of finding out the conversation topic. He never liked to eavesdrop, and he would certainly duck out immediately if the conversation wasn’t what he was after, but parties were serious business. He’d need details. Who was the pony? Was this pony well known? What sort of things did this pony like? Vital details required. He even witnessed Pinkie Pie demonstrating to Rainbow Dash about that same point, splashing her eye with a cupcake in the process.
He paused from listening in to remember that memory. It was... pretty cute actually. Although he didn’t know if that was because it was Pinkie Pie herself or her stating the claim. Most ponies don’t know about how serious party planning really is, and most take it for granted. He guessed that seeing another party pony, Pinkie Pie herself, actually explaining that point was pretty relieving.
He shook his head to get out of his thoughts. He had something larger going on right now. He poked his head around in the attempt to get a visual, but it wasn’t clear enough. He sneaked his way closer towards the conversing ponies, before he heard what sounded like protests coming from further away.
He could hear a pony screaming in the distance, the voice getting quieter every second. If he’d guess, this pony was in a deep argument whilst getting further away. At least, he hoped it was only an argument. The sound of a door slamming followed closely behind, before the two ponies he was currently listening to carried on with their conversation.
He heard one of the ponies sighing. “Well, at least she remembered it this time.”
He stopped. He knew that voice. It was none other than the pony he threw the birthiversary for. Ok, so he had located Rainbow Dash, who seemed to know something was up. Not only that, but he had now found out that it involved a mare. The screaming added to that as well, as he knew for a fact no stallion could make their pitch that high. That one party involving a giant helium tank didn’t count either.
“Is that a good thing though? She’s rather determined.” He recognised that voice too. It was another one of their group, the fashionista Rarity. He didn’t talk to her a great deal when he was in Ponyville last, but she was memorable.
“Hey, it beats her made up friends last year. You have any idea how creepy that was? The turnips... urgh.”
Cheese Sandwich didn’t know what to think of this mare. From what he’s gathered, she was likely the pony whose birthday was today. But what was that about last year? Made up friends? Turnips? Surely Pinkie Pie knew of this other mare’s birthday, being the party pony she is? It was time to reveal himself, as he had to figure out more.
He adopted a more serious look, taking off his hat and scooping a party horn out of it. He planted it into his mouth, replacing the hat back on his head afterwards. He was ready, moving closer towards the pair while he heard Rarity speaking.
“At least this year will be better.”
Cheese Sandwich grinned. He had it. “That’s right my little ponies.”
Both of the mares turned their attention towards his voice emerging from a backstreet. Coming into their view, he was in the same attire as last time. The hat, poncho and Boneless Two were all there. He blew on the party horn to finish his introduction.
“Cheese Sandwich?” both of the mares asked at the same time.
“The one and only” he proclaimed in response, returning a hoof bump offered to him by Rainbow Dash.
“What are you doing here?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“I got the sense it’s somepony’s birthday.” He grinned again. “So who is the lucky pony?”
Cheese Sandwich made his way further past the pair, to try and analyse the situation, unaware that Rarity and Rainbow Dash exchanged uneasy looks. He now had a clearer view of the town and its active inhabitants. Ponies were around setting up a party already. Balloons were hanging around various buildings and stalls. A dining table was getting set up with all assortments of food items. Ponies looked like they were working their best. But he knew it could still use his cheesiness.
He lifted his hoof up, raising it to his forehead. He scanned the area, missing one specific detail.
“Where is Pinkie Pie...?” he asked himself, forgetting that Rarity and Rainbow Dash were right next to him. He would have expected the party pony of Ponyville to be all over the place, but she wasn’t. Something didn’t seem right, and it worried him. Was she sick? Was she travelling across Equestria like other party ponies?
“Pinkie?” Cheese Sandwich turned to face Rarity, who darted her eyes back and forth. “She’s uh... unavailable right now.”
Cheese Sandwich raised his eyebrow. “Oh? Why is that?”
Rarity cleared her throat, before tapping Rainbow Dash with her hoof. “Because... it’s her... birthday...”
Cheese Sandwich did not move. All of time around him seemed to slow down as the party horn dropped from his gaping mouth, sinking towards the ground. All that went through his mind was a playback of what Rainbow Dash had just told him. Did he hear it correctly? Was it really true?
The doozy he had sending him to Ponyville. The pony in town whose birthday was this day. Out of all of them, it was Pinkie Pie? The same day as his? It couldn’t be...
“What?” he got out, much quieter than his usual voice. His body remained still.
“It’s Pinkie’s birthday” Rainbow Dash repeated.
He let that information sink in again. He let it sink in hard. The two of them share the same birthday? Was it her that was screaming a while ago? The one who had apparently forgotten her own birthday the previous year? A turnip as a friend? How had he never known about this? If he knew about it last year, he could be there as Pinkie Pie’s friend...
“Where is she?” he asked, now more confident. He had to find her right away, regardless of the fact it was his birthday. There was somepony else who deserved a better birthday, and he was eager to present that point.
Both Rarity and Rainbow Dash pointed towards the gingerbread house across the street. He recognised the building, being told it was called Sugarcube Corner. He made no hesitation in speeding off towards the building. He had a pony to wish happy birthday.
As he ran off, Rarity noticed a sound emerging from his poncho. “Wait!” She felt slightly relieved when he stopped in his tracks to face her. She pointed towards the badge that was now visible. “What is that?”
Cheese Sandwich followed the direction her hoof was pointing, leading him towards the badge. His eyes widened, quickly covering it up. “It’s not important!” he yelled, as he ran for Sugarcube Corner once more.
He was glad neither of the mares attempted to stop him, as he entered the sugary house. Inside, the building was packed. Many ponies were organising presents, food or just engaging in conversation. He browsed the crowd, attempting to spot the mare of the hour. He stood on a nearby table, to find her. Anywhere.
He groaned as he couldn’t find her anywhere, before spotting the stairs in the distance. He jumped off into the crowd, trailing through and apologising to the ponies he unintentionally bumped into. He ascended the stairs, hoping to find the pink mare soon.
While he traversed the narrow hallways of Sugarcube Corner, something was coming to him. Why was he going to so much trouble to wish Pinkie Pie a happy birthday? With any other pony, as soon as he found who it was, he’d start his party planning. Knowing it was Pinkie Pie, he seems to be going well out of his way. Perhaps it was because they share the same birthday. Or maybe it was something different. He didn’t know.
He couldn’t figure it out anytime soon, as he was met with another earth pony at the end of the hallway. He recognised this mare, yet another friend. Her name is Applejack, and she looked rather pleased to see him coming towards her. It must be a shock to see him again. But why was she standing in front of a door?
“Well well, Cheese Sandwich.” She leant out a hoof. “Pleased to see you.”
Cheese Sandwich returned the friendly notion. “Hello Applejack.”
“What’re you doing here?”
“Got a doozy telling me of a party here.”
Applejack’s eyes went wide. She looked like she was struggling to form words. “Uh...”
Cheese Sandwich chuckled, before leaning a hoof on Applejack’s shoulder. “I know its Pinkie’s birthday. Is she in there?” He looked towards the door Applejack seemed to be guarding, which she then turned to look at as well. He was responded with a nod. “Can I... go in?”
Applejack looked like she was in some conflict, balancing both points. Cheese Sandwich, while happy to be here, couldn’t understand what was going on. Why were all of her friends acting weird? He mentions getting a doozy pointing him towards Ponyville, and they get all defensive, trying to duck the topic. And why was Pinkie Pie being guarded behind a door? If it was her birthday, why wasn’t she outside?
Eventually, Applejack tapped quietly a few times on the wooden frame. There was a brief silence, before a voice barely made its way into Cheese Sandwich’s ears. “Yes Applejack?” The voice. He could tell it was Pinkie Pie’s. But it didn’t have any energy. No oomph. It sounded like it was a forced call, and it made him uncomfortable straight away.
Applejack stood aside, before pulling him in close, whispering into his ear. “Be nice.”
He didn’t like this one bit. Pinkie Pie on her birthday was... sad? He gently opened the door, giving a final look back at Applejack, before checking on the birthday mare.
Pinkie Pie’s bedroom looked unchanged than its normal look. Everything was in place, but he could notice locks placed on her windows. He paced himself carefully, checking out the bedroom. The room wasn’t what caught his main attention.
It was the pink pony lying on the bed, looking glump. She didn’t bring her attention to him, likely thinking it was Applejack who had entered. Her body was spread across the bed in a limp fashion. He didn’t like this sight either. Pinkie Pie, out of all the ponies he knows, should never be seen like this.
But why?
He kept his eyes on Pinkie Pie, who still ignored him. The way her figure looked. Seeing her again after this time. She looked so... beautiful, yet so vulnerable at the same time.
He took off his hat, before taking in a breath. “Hello Pinkie.”
A small smile made its way on his face, as he saw the pink ears come to life, her head following shortly after. After just a few seconds, he was now staring into the blue eyes of Pinkie Pie, who was looking back into his emeralds.
And he couldn’t look away. Pinkie Pie’s eyes wouldn’t let him, just calling him to look into them.