With a loud clang, Pinkamena's cell door slid open. Pinkamena looked up to find the accursed stallion who had captured her standing there.
"I see you're awake, Pinkie," the stallion who's name was 'Cheese' said. Pinkamena growled.
"My name is Pinkamena," Pinkamena muttered with her head on her makeshift pillow.
"Oops," Cheese exclaimed. "Sorry Pinkamena." Pinkamena returned to her sulking on her bed. After a few uncomfortable minutes of Cheese standing there, Pinkamena grew irritated.
"What is it that you want?" Pinkamena snapped at Cheese. Cheese took a step back from her outburst. Pinkamena grinned at the show of fear but her satisfaction quickly left. She remembered that her death was to come soon. After all, she had been there a week and nothing had happened to her yet. Not even one negotiation. That fool Shining Armor probably sent Cheese to deliver her to execution.
"I…um…came to…show you around the hideout," Cheese stammered. Nervousness was plastered all over his face.
"Why?" Pinkamena asked suspiciously.
"Uh…"
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Earlier...
"Cheese Sandwich!" Shining yelled. "Get in here!" Cheese scrambled into the office wondering why Shining Armor had called him.
"Yes, sir?" Cheese asked frightened. He was still in a state of shock after he saw what Shining Armor did to the mare known as 'Pinkie'.
"I would like to apologize for what I did to that mare," Shining said reluctantly. "What I did was wrong and a young colt like you shouldn't have seen that." Cheese heard an added in, "Even though she deserved it,"from Shining.
"I have to go to nightmare hunter training," Cheese said quickly. He ran to the door but it slammed shut. Cheese turned around back to Shining.
"You don't have training anymore," Shining stated simply.
"Why not?" Cheese asked disappointed. "Did I get cut?"
"No," Shining said. "I want you to try something different." Cheese cocked his head in confusion. "I want you to make friends with your catch."
"No thank you," Cheese said shaking his head. "I'm not ready to handle her and she kinda scares me."
"I didn't ask you a question," Shining told him. "By making friends with her, she'll give out important pieces of information about Nightmare Moon and her plans for the future. You seem like the type of pony who can make friends with any pony."
"But," Cheese explained, "I haven't been able to make a friend in about a year. I'm out of practice."
"I believe you're the pony for this task," Shining said. "Your cutiemark obviously represents something happy. If you make her happy and get some information, you'll be doing all of Equestria good." Cheese looked into Shining's one eye.
"Yes," Cheese sighed. "I'll do it but it doesn't feel right."
"I'm telling you it's the right thing to do," Shining ordered. Shining used his magic to open the door once again. "Now get to it." Cheese shambled out of the door with his head lowered. Shining sighed and slid back into his chair. He should have felt awful about something like this but he knew it was right. Eventually, the pink monster would find out about Shining's plan but not until he got all the information he needed. He will crush the pink menace's psyche and relish in his revenge. He'd even get his chance at Nightmare Moon's weak spot. All Shining had to do was wait.
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"Is any pony there?" Pinkamena said waving her hoof in front of Cheese's face. He had been staring into space for the past five minutes and Pinkamena wanted him to answer her question.
"Huh?" Cheese said absently.
"I said wake up doofus!" Pinkamena exclaimed. Cheese snapped out of it with a start.
"Sorry," he apologized. "What was the question again?"
"Why do you want to give me a tour of the Cult of the Sun's hideout?" Pinkamena growled irritated. "Don't you realize I'm dangerous or are you just plain stupid?"
"I thought you needed to get out of this dusty room," Cheese answered, "And I think I'm a tad insane." Pinkamena felt something in her heart area. What was it? Was that… laughter? Pinkamena was horrified at the idea. She tugged at her magic-blocking collar awkwardly.
"No," Pinkamena told him. "I don't want to." She thought that a walk through her enemies' hideout was a great idea. The problem was the stallion who asked. He made Pinkamena feel laughter. She had to stay far away from him.
"Oh," Cheese responded poking his hoof at the ground. "Ok."
"Now leave," Pinkamena demanded. Cheese walked out of her cell and shut the door, leaving Pinkamena with her thoughts.
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Cheese felt bad about how Pinkamena had reacted to his request. Shining Armor would feel disappointed. At least Cheese tried, right? Now he wouldn't have to be near that grouchy mare anymore. He was pleased by this but a thought quickly zoomed into his head. Cheese needed to do this. It wasn't just for Shining Armor or even for Equestria. It was for Pinkamena. Cheese was going to make her laugh even if it killed him. It probably would but he didn't care. For the first time in a year, he had a purpose. Cheese walked down the long steel hallway with a wide smile on his face. The ponies he passed by looked at him with confusion.