//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: Depression and Discovery // Story: The Reason I Can't Find My Love // by Locomotion //------------------------------// Pinkie Pie lay forlornly across her bed, the fur below her eyes matted together from the tears she had been letting loose. She still couldn't believe that this was happening to her. Braeburn couldn't possibly have left Appleloosa, she kept telling herself; that bullock was just having a game with her! Give it until tomorrow, and her golden-furred stallion might yet come back. There was no way he would just leave his home town, at least not without writing to Applejack about it. But no matter how hard she tried to convince herself otherwise, the cruel, harsh truth remained – Braeburn was gone, and the chances of him returning to Appleloosa being slim to none, she would probably never see him again. The pink-furred mare stared longingly out of the window, silently pleading for him to come back to her and not even bothering to answer to the knock on her door as Rainbow Dash entered. “Hey again, Pinkie Pie,” she said softly. “How are you feeling?” Pinkie Pie didn't respond. She just gazed down at her front hooves. “Do you...want somepony with you?” Still no response – just the occasional sniff. “Listen, Pinkie,” began Rainbow Dash cautiously, “I know you're upset about Braeburn, but...” “Upset?!” burst out Pinkie Pie, tears spilling from her eyes again. “I'm way worse than upset, Dashie! All I wanted was to see Braeburn again, and he just left me – LEFT ME, I TELL YOU!!!” She buried her face in her forelegs, too ashamed and distraught to even look upon her friend; “This is like Gummy's after-birthday party all over again,” she wept. Rainbow Dash winced uncomfortably, remembering all too well how she had returned to Sugarcube Corner to find a deranged Pinkie Pie and a bunch of inanimate objects sat around a table, having what she could only describe as the creepiest party she had ever seen. And all because she had thought her friends didn't like her anymore! “Uh...yeah, pity that,” she mused awkwardly. “Still, I'm sure there's a simple explanation for all this – just gotta find out what.” “He's forgotten about me! I know he has!” hollered Pinkie Pie, losing control over herself. “He's probably in some other town thinking 'Who is this Pinkie Pie anyway? I've never heard of such a pony!' Let's face it, I'm gonna be a one-pony party forever!” “That'll be the day,” muttered Rainbow Dash sceptically. “Anyway, I brought you something that's sure to cheer you up,” and she laid down a small plate on her bedside table. Pinkie Pie lifted her head and looked at what Rainbow Dash had just given her – but to the pregnant mare's bewilderment, she burst into tears again after only a few seconds. “What? Pinkie, that's a slice of your favourite chocolate cake; why won't you even look at it?” “I can't, Dashie!” wailed Pinkie Pie. “I just can't!” “Why not?” “BECAUSE IT'S NOTHING BUT A LIE!!” bawled Pinkie Pie hysterically. “THE CAKE IS A LIE!!!” Rainbow Dash groaned and slapped a hoof to her face. “Okay, you're just being ridiculous now, Pinkie Pie.” “Oh, I'm being ridiculous now, am I?!” the distraught mare shot back, her voice heavy with irony. “Well, there's a big surprise(!); somehow I seem to be ridiculous all the time! No wonder nopony can stand some OTT party animal like me!” “Now, hang on, Pinkie,” objected Rainbow Dash firmly, “that's not necessarily true. Sure, I may think...” “Yeah?” interrupted Pinkie Pie. “Well you think too much – for a Wonderbolt, anyway! Just get out and leave me alone!” “Alright then, if you really want to depress yourself even further, then be my guest!” snapped Rainbow Dash, frustrated; and without even bothering to say anything else, she turned and stormed out of the room. Only when she was out on the landing, from where Soarin and Scootaloo had been listening in on the two mares, did she allow herself a few deep breaths to calm herself and her startled foal. Soarin was the first to speak up; “No luck, Dashie?” “None whatsoever,” affirmed Rainbow Dash wearily. “I tell you what, Soar, I'm at my wits' end with that pony, I really am!” “Poor mare,” sympathised Scootaloo. “She must be really upset about Braeburn to be putting herself down like this. If only there was something we could do to cheer her up.” “Me too,” agreed Soarin solemnly, “but I doubt if anything here in Appleloosa's gonna make the cut. The way she's going, it's gonna take a miracle to bring her out of this.” Rainbow Dash nodded her agreement. “I'm gonna go take a walk outside, see if I can clear my head. Soarin, be a good hubby and telegraph Applejack, will you?” “What for?” “See if she knows where Braeburn might be.” “Oh, yeah!” remarked Soarin. “Yeah, good thinking, Dashie – I suppose if anypony knows where Braeburn's gone, it'll be her. I'll get right on that.” “You mind holding the fort while we're gone, Scoot?” “Yeah, I'm fine with that,” replied Scootaloo. “Good,” said Rainbow Dash, giving her adopted daughter the best attempt at an appreciative smile she could manage – under the circumstances, anyway. “I shouldn't be much longer than five minutes.” “Okay, see you, Dash.” With that, the two adult ponies left the house and set off in opposite directions, Rainbow Dash for her stroll around the block while Soarin went to find the telegraph office. Rainbow Dash hadn't gone very far, however, before she came across a familiar face just around the corner. “Why, if it isn't Rainbow Dash!” The rainbow-maned Pegasus blinked – and then she broke out into a broad smile for the first time in several hours. “Hullo, Strongheart!” she remarked. “Long time no see!” “Yes, it certainly has been a long time,” Little Strongheart smiled back. “How have you and your friends been keeping back in Ponyville?” “We've been doing pretty well so far,” replied Rainbow Dash. “Rarity's doing some really good business with Sapphire Shores at the moment, Twilight's gone and gotten herself a coltfriend...” She broke off, noticing that Little Strongheart wasn't paying her full attention. By following her gaze, she noticed that the young buffalo cow was staring curiously upon her baby bump, to which the gravid mare could only blush. “Oh, that's Soarin's. He and I married last year, and I'm only two months away from giving birth to our first foal.” “Oh, really? Well, congratulations, Rainbow Dash,” praised Little Strongheart. “Thanks,” said Rainbow Dash, smiling proudly upon her swollen midsection. Her expression then turned serious, and she returned her attention to Little Strongheart; “Actually, I'm glad I, er...bumped into you. See, we're in a bit of a tight spot at the moment regarding Pinkie Pie.” Little Strongheart's smile faded. “Oh? What's the matter?” “You know Braeburn like the back of your hoof, am I right?” “Been friends with him ever since you brought Bloomberg to Appleloosa,” affirmed Little Strongheart. “Yeah, well...Pinkie's had this crush on him since they first met that day,” explained Rainbow Dash, “but she never told anypony else until just a few days ago. Soarin and I thought we'd spend our vacation here and bring her along too; but we only just found out earlier that he's moved away from Appleloosa. You any idea where he's gone?” Much to the pregnant Pegasus mare's confusion, Little Strongheart started to laugh. “You mean to say you've come all this way to see a pony who's already moved into your home-town?” “I don't see anything funny about......wait, WHAT?!?” Rainbow Dash's jaw dropped in disbelief. “He...h-h-he's moved to Ponyville?!” “Yes,” giggled Little Strongheart, trying to keep a straight face. “He's been harbouring feelings for Pinkie too, so he's moved to Ponyville so he can be with her.” Only then did Rainbow Dash realise the muddle in which they had ended up. “Well that explains a lot,” she mused. “Does Applejack know?” “He didn't say; but I wouldn't think it unlikely.” “Right, then in that case, I'd better go tell Soarin.” Rainbow Dash turned to leave, but quickly remembered her manners and stopped; “Nice talking with you, by the way,” she added. “Thanks, Strongheart; I'll see you when I see you.” “You too, Rainbow Dash.” At that very same moment, Soarin had found the telegraph office and was now speaking to the clerk; “Good evening, miss. My name is Soarin Starr, and I wish to send a message to Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville.” The clerk was most bemused when she heard his name. “Sorry, can y'all repeat yo' name please?” “Uh...Soarin Starr. I'm a Wing Commander in the Wonderbolts,” he replied, almost on automatic. Years of having to sign posters and other merchandise had taught him to give his full name and title should anypony give the slightest hint that they recognised him. “Well, what a coincidence!” exclaimed the clerk. “There's a telegram for y'all an' a Mrs Rainbow Dash from the very place ya wanted ta contact.” “What?!” exclaimed Soarin, bewildered. “When did that turn up?” “Two days ago. Ah'll go get it fo' ya.” Soarin could only stare in confusion as the clerk headed over to the other side of the office. Why would anypony at Sweet Apple Acres be telegraphing him or Rainbow Dash midway through their vacation? Was there some sort of emergency that needed the Wonderbolts' assistance? Or did they just want to wish them a good time? “Ah, there we go.” The clerk soon returned with an unopened envelope. “There's yo' telegram, sir.” “Thanks, miss,” and Soarin trotted over to a nearby desk to see what the sender had to say. He ripped open the envelope, laid the telegram out on the desk and nearly fell over backwards in surprise. “Well, of all the...” “Soarin!” The blue-coated Pegasus stallion quickly came to his senses to find Rainbow Dash trotting into the office. “What's up, Dashie?” “I just ran into a friend of mine a few minutes ago,” said Rainbow Dash. “She says Braeburn was headed for Ponyville all along!” “Well, funny you should mention it, Dashie,” Soarin pointed out, trying not to laugh, “because it seems Applejack realised as much long before we did. She sent this off minutes after we had left,” and he passed her the telegram he had just been reading. Rainbow Dash looked it over, and was most exasperated by what she read; SOARIN AND RAINBOW DASH COME HOME AT ONCE. BRAEBURN IN PONYVILLE. APPLEJACK As those brief, succinct words sank in, the already flustered Pegasus mare let out a growl of frustration. “Darn that Applejack! She could have told us sooner!” “I'll say,” frowned Soarin, “but we've got more important things to worry about right now. What's the game plan?” “You reply to Applejack's telegram and meet me back at the guest house as soon as you can. I'm gonna round up Scootaloo and Pinkie and get us ready to go; but look sharp,” advised Rainbow Dash. “With the state Pinkie's in, she's bound to give us trouble, so Scoot and I might need all the help we can get.” “Okay, Dashie, I'll do my best.” “See you later then, Soarin,” and Rainbow Dash streaked away towards the guest house. By now, Caramel and Applejack had already made it back to Sweet Apple Acres without the slightest inkling to Braeburn about Pinkie Pie. The golden-furred stallion was currently chatting away with Granny Smith as she and Big Macintosh helped him unpack and settle in, while Applejack paced anxiously in the front room, hoping to goodness that Soarin or Rainbow Dash would reply to her telegram – and soon. “C'mon, c'mon!” she muttered. “How much longer is this gonna take?!” Caramel frowned and shook his head. This had been going on for nearly half an hour, and admittedly he was growing rather irritated by Applejack's constant pacing; but he tried not to show it for fear of rubbing her up the wrong way by mistake. “They'll get back to us soon enough,” he said, trying his best to quell her paranoia. “With all due respect, though, you might want to slow your pacing down, or you'll wear yourself out.” “That's rich comin' from y'all, Caramel!” retorted Applejack crossly; though the nervous tone of her voice spoilt the effect with ease. “Surely ya must 'ave done the same over yo' feelings fo' this mare!” “Well...not exactly,” replied Caramel calmly. “Sure, I may have lost a lot of sleep over you, but I never once resorted to pacing in my front room to ease the tension. Generally I'd just stand on my balcony for some fresh air, and even if I did want to pace, I'd just take a walk through the streets.” “What, even at night? How come ya never...” Caramel grinned sheepishly. “My front room wasn't big enough...” but before he could explain further, the two Earth ponies were startled by a knock at the front door. Almost immediately, Applejack bolted towards the door and flung it open to find a messenger standing outside. “Telegram for Miss Applejack,” announced the messenger, holding out an envelope. Her hopes restored at long last, Applejack snatched it out of his hoof and ripped it open – and breathed a huge sigh of relief when she saw the message it contained; APPLEJACK HAVE RECEIVED YOUR TELEGRAM STOP WILL RETURN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE STOP KEEP BRAEBURN AT ORCHARD STOP WG CDR SOARIN STARR “What's it say, Applejack?” asked Caramel, trotting across to the orange-coated farm pony. “It's from Soarin,” replied Applejack. “They've got our message.” “So...they're on their way?” “First train outta Appleloosa for Ponyville, they're gonna take it,” affirmed Applejack. “We just gotta keep up this act fo' another two days an' all's gonna be fine.” “Oh, good,” mused Caramel, noticeably relieved. “Well in that case, I'd better head off home for the night – but remember,” he added, “not a word to Braeburn, or we're stuffed.” “Don't worry, Caramel – he won't know if Ah can help it,” promised Applejack. “Cross mah heart an' hope ta fly.” “Okay then,” said Caramel, and gave Applejack an affectionate nuzzle before turning to leave. “Goodnight, Applejack; have a good sleep.” “Thanks, Caramel. Ah'll see ya tomorrow.” “She said what?!” Scootaloo was just as taken aback as her adoptive parents when she heard the news. “That's about the size of it, Scoot,” affirmed Rainbow Dash gravely. “I don't know why she never told us until now, but it turns out Braeburn kinda had the same idea as us – with one small difference...” “Which is...?” “He's planning on staying in Ponyville for good,” her legal guardian specified. “The whole reason he moved there was so that he could be with Pinkie Pie.” “So he does like her back!” “Yep – and that's why we need to get back to Ponyville ourselves,,” stated Rainbow Dash. “I know it's kinda ruining our vacation, and I'm awful sorry to have to do this, but...well, that's the way things are, I'm afraid.” To say Scootaloo wasn't disappointed would be untrue; but she tried to remain positive all the same. “Ah well,” she replied brightly, “I suppose we can always come back some other time. Besides, if it's the only way we're gonna put Pinkie outta her misery, then I'm game.” “Good girl,” said Rainbow Dash, giving the orange-coated filly a pat on the back. “You run along and pack your things then, squirt; I'm gonna go tell Pinkie.” “Yes, ma'am!” Scootaloo gave her adoptive mother a quick salute before darting upstairs and into her room to start packing. Rainbow Dash followed at a slightly slower pace and knocked on Pinkie Pie's door. Needless to say, Pinkie Pie's sadness hadn't waned in the slightest since Rainbow Dash and Soarin had left the house. Her tears had begun to dry up, but she still hadn't moved from her bed, let alone touched the cake that had been left for her. As Rainbow Dash entered the room, she could only hope that the pink-furred mare wouldn't be anywhere near as difficult as that one birthday she had forgotten about. “Hey, Pinkie,” she called, trying to sound cheerful, “guess what.” “The world's about to end?” groused Pinkie Pie obstinately. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, but pretended not to hear. “There's a certain pony from Appleloosa who's just arrived in Ponyville,” she replied coyly. “Soarin and I only just got the news from Applejack this evening; she wants us back home as soon as possible, so...” “Yeah, that's nice,” mumbled Pinkie Pie sarcastically. “Tell her I said hi, and that I'll probably write to her someday.” “Oh no you don't!” retorted Rainbow Dash. “You're coming with us.” “Don't count on it,” argued Pinkie Pie. “I'm staying here until Braeburn comes back.” “But he isn't coming back!” insisted Rainbow Dash. “Did none of us tell you...” “Oh, isn't he?!” snapped Pinkie Pie. “Well, in that case, I'm staying here for the rest of my days!” “What, you stay here and never see your best friends ever again?! Fat chance of that, Pinkie!” snorted Rainbow Dash, starting to lose her temper. “You're coming with us, and you're coming now!” “I most certainly am not!” “You are!” “I NO WANNA!!” “Well, no-one's asking you, are they?!” Rainbow Dash stubbornly turned and started shoving Pinkie Pie's belongings into her seemingly bottomless saddlebag, ignoring the angry scowl that the pink-furred mare was directing at her. That done, she marched off to pack her and Soarin's bags, leaving Pinkie Pie alone to sulk once again – but not for long. Only a few minutes later, the heavily pregnant rainbow-maned Pegasus mare returned with her and her husband's saddlebags draped across her back. “Right, come on, Pinkie!” she ordered sharply. “Grab up your saddlebag and let's get moving!” “I won't go!” snarled Pinkie Pie defiantly. “You will!” urged Rainbow Dash. “I WILL NOT!” “Fine!” growled Rainbow Dash angrily. “If you won't come along, I'm just gonna have to drag you along!” and she tried to haul Pinkie Pie off the bed by her tail. But no matter how hard she pulled, Pinkie Pie refused to move, and she ultimately had to resort to airlifting the pink-furred mare in order to move her at all. By this time, Scootaloo was already waiting anxiously in the living room, and Soarin had just returned from sending his reply. “Hey, Soarin,” grunted Rainbow Dash, straining to keep Pinkie Pie aloft, “lend me a wing up here.” “Coming, Dash!” Soarin immediately took to the air and grabbed Pinkie Pie by her hind legs. The angry pink mare struggled and bayed, but between them the two older Pegasi just managed to restrain her. “Right, let's get you back to Ponyville.”