Pinkie’s Secret
Carrot Top’s birthday had finally arrived, and Sugarcube Corner had been transformed into a birthday extravaganza. Within and without the gingerbread house-looking shop multicolored lanterns hung from streamers, while festive balloons were tied to every banner. A DJ had been set up on a small portable stage off to one side. The music was a bass-heavy soundtrack as ponies danced and mingled, while the cider bar kept their mugs filled to overflowing. It looked like half of Ponyville was there as the partygoers settled down to sing ‘happy birthday!’ in multiple voices and various keys.
Finally the birthday girl blew out her candles. Then came the best part: unwrapping the gifts. A tear rolled down Carrot Top’s cheek as she began opening her presents, for she had not expected so many ponies to attend her party, let alone receive so many tokens of friendship.
“Thank you! Thank you, everypony!” she cried as she opened her last gift. “This all means so much to me!”
After receiving hugs and kisses and many choruses of “you’re welcome!” the party began anew. Pinkie, as the organizer, went around making sure everypony was having a good time, the refreshments were plenty, and all was as it should be. Finally after another hour or so the party wound down, and exhausted but happy ponies started on their way home.
“Great party, Pinkie!” said Carrot Top as she headed towards the door. “This was my best birthday party ever!”
“You’re so welcome, Carrot Top!” she said, giving her a last hug. “Let’s do this again in three hundred sixty five days!”
The other ponies gathered up the last of the cake and sweets as they too made their exits. Once the final guest left, Pinkie wearily closed the door to Sugarcube Corner. This would be the last party she’d have to throw for two weeks, four days and eighteen hours, when Derpy would get her birthday celebration. She was glad she’d hired extra help to clean up, for she just didn’t feel like doing it all herself tonight. While Pinkie truly enjoyed making her friends happy, it was all starting to wear on her.
The pressure of being the upbeat party pony all. The. Time! was starting to build inside her. This time…this time it was going to take something a little more drastic to find a release. Fortunately she had everything she needed hidden away. She could feel it would soon be time to take that trip out to the Everfree Forest.
Pinkie has an eidetic memory, which means she remembers everything with which she comes in contact. It’s a great way of keeping tabs on all her friends, but sometimes it can be a burden. To never be able to forget, while still remaining an eternal optimist, has its price.
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The next day was uneventful, as Pinkie worked her job with the Cakes, dropped in on some friends to say hello, helped a foal who had fallen and scraped his knees, had tea with Fluttershy, all the while feeling the weight building inside her.
It was nearly sunset when she waved good bye to Fluttershy, but instead of going home she looked around to make sure she was alone, then turned back and ran into the forest. Finding the spot where she’d hidden her things, she uncovered the black clothing that would conceal her from head to hooves. Repacking the clothes in the saddlebag, she then checked to make sure she had enough bits for the train trip to Canterlot. There was one last train leaving that evening, and if she timed it right she could get there while the station was relatively deserted. Cinching the bag tightly around her waist, she ran back to town for the train.