Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich trotted down the street. The sun was beginning to dip below the surface and they were still looking for somewhere to go. They trotted down the gravel road together, the unprecedented silence ruling over the roadway. Nopony else was inside the park nor on the path beside a few elderly pony feeding the birds.
Of course I had to bring Pinkamena up... I couldn't have kept my big mouth shut about her.
"This is where it ends." Cheese said, stopping in front of a large, metal fence.
"All right. We can just sit somewhere in the park or just walk around."
"Let's go someplace else. The park's kinda boring when it's deserted."
"Yeah. Okay. Lead the way."
"Of course." Cheese trotted back down the park. Pinkie followed behind.
==================
Fluttershy chopped up some apples that she was preparing to give to the animals. Yesterday was certainly an emotional day for her and the rest of the Elements of Harmony.
Well, most of the Elements of Harmony.
I still need to tell Rainbow Dash. Fluttershy noted as she finished chopping the first apple and went to the second.
How'll she react? She didn't do so well when that griffin-- Gilda insulted Pinkie, and that was small compared to... this. What'll she do? Fluttershy knew Rainbow Dash too well to assume that she wouldn't be angry.
She's going to be angry...
Something tugged at her left hind-hoof, applying some pressure. Not enough to hurt, but just enough to get her attention. Fluttershy glanced back, seeing the baby cub pulling at her, trying to get her attention.
"Oh... what's the matter? Are you hungry?" Fluttershy said. The cub shook her head.
"Do you want to play?" Fluttershy asked. The cub shook her head again in the same motion.
"Do you need to... um... use the bathroom?" Fluttershy asked. The cub shook her head in the same motion once more.
"Well, why don't you show me what you want?" Fluttershy said. The cub walked towards the door outside and motioned Fluttershy to follow. She obliged, allowing the cub led her to a big tree and pointed up to a small birds' nest with its nose. Fluttershy looked up at the nest and saw a mother feeding its hatchlings.
"Oh... you miss your mama?" Fluttershy asked. The cub nodded vigorously.
"Well... let me get you and the rest of the animals some dinner and then we'll look after if it isn't too dark, okay?" Fluttershy said. The cub had a sad look on her face, but she nodded.
"Okay. Now you just wait while I make dinner and soon enough, we'll go looking." Fluttershy said lovingly as she rubbed the top of the cubs head. The cub and she went back inside and she went back to preparing dinner for the animals and herself.
==================
"This is relaxing."
"I guess. Better than sitting at your house."
"Do you not like it? We can go someplace else if you're not."
"No, no-- this is good."
"All right. I was just checking."
Pinkie trotted beside Cheese down the street, looking around the blank, residential building of Las Pegasus. She held a sigh, somewhat disappointed so far.
"Would you like to get something to eat? It's getting a bit late."
Pinkie's body slightly stiffened.
"Uh.... sure Cheese. Just lead the way."
"Gotcha."
Her body stiffened again.
You aren't getting back control Pinkamena.
Please... I don't want to hurt anypony... look-- I need to do something Pinkie. Just let me take control for just an hour and I promise you'll never have to worry about me again.
Why should I trust you or what you say? You've hurt me, my friends, and my family.
You shouldn't, but please, just let me take control. I need to do something before I fade. Please Pinkie, please...
You're not getting control, Pinkamena. Not now, probably not ever.
"Hey, Pinkie." Cheese called out, trying to get her attention.
"Huh? Oh-- sorry. Got caught up in my thoughts."
"It's all right. Just wanted to let you know that we're here."
"Okay." The stiffness slowly left Pinkie's body.
"What is the restaurant?"
"'The Golden Grin' or something like that. Never been here to eat before."
"Sounds interesting. Let's check it out!"
==================
Fluttershy put the small bowl of chopped apples outside for the birds. She had already put different meals out for the rest of the animals.
"Now I just need something for myself..." Fluttershy said as she reentered her kitchen and began to think of something quick to make.
"I'll just grab a few apples." Fluttershy said as she opened her refrigerator and took out two of the remaining apples she had. She took a small bite out of the side of it and went into the living room, where Angel Bunny and the cub was eating.
Fluttershy took another bite out of the apple. She looked at Angel and the cub. They were both nibbling at blueberries and chopped up apples. Angel tried to push the cub out of the way of the bowl, but she was too heavy for him.
"Angel, don't be mean. You should share." Fluttershy said as she took another small bite of the apple. Angel looked over at her, rolled his eyes, and stopped pushing the cub. He went over to the opposite side of and began to eat from that side.
"Thank you." Fluttershy said. She finished her first apple and went to her second. However, there was still something bothering her.
How was she going tell Rainbow Dash about Pinkie?
How am I even going to sentence it? I could barely tell Rarity let alone the other girls.
Fluttershy's hind-hooves bounced as she ate the apple, trying to alleviate her nervousness. She continued to nibble at the apple.
How do you even go about telling somepony something like that?
Fluttershy finished the apple. The cub rushed over and began to tug on one her bouncing hind-hooves, causing it to momentarily stop.
"Okay. Hold on please." Fluttershy said as stood up and went into the kitchen. She wiped her mouth before looking out of the window. The sun had already set, but there was still some light. Fluttershy reentered the living room and went over to the cub.
"We can go looking for your mama now when you're ready." Fluttershy said. The cub immediately rushed over to her and tried to tug her towards the door outside with her teeth.
"Hold on, little on... we're going to look for her right now. Show me where you last saw her." Fluttershy said. The cub let her hoof go and hastily walked towards the door and outside. Fluttershy followed behind.
==================
Pinkie and Cheese sat at their table, sipping from their individual cups. Cheese got punch while Pinkie got a soda. They had already ordered their meals and were sat at the table, awaiting their food.
"Thanks again Cheese. I think I needed this."
"No problem Pinkie. What are friends for, right?"
"Thanks for everything. The walk, showing me around, the room at your house."
"No problem. You feeling better since you got here?"
"Oh, yeah. I needed to get away from Ponyville for a while, with the whole Pinkamena thing, you know?"
Cheese nodded. "It can't have easy."
"Eh, so long as I have Gummy to remember." She giggled. Cheese grinned and began to giggle along with her.
"Oh, shoot. I wish I'd have remembered to bring my accordion. Would've played it some while we walked."
"Oh well. It'll be fine. Besides, we can just talk"
"Mhmm."
==================
Fluttershy followed the cub far down the road, looking at the tree line while they traveled. The cub kept hastily running until they got to a small yet steep embankment. She stopped and pointed at it with her paw.
"That's where you last saw your mother?" Fluttershy asked. The cub nodded.
"Okay. You wait here and I'll try to find her." Fluttershy said as she looked down the embankment. She tried to open up her wings so she could glide down, but she got a bolt of pain shoot through her wings.
"Ah!" Fluttershy said as she immediately pulled her wings into their prior spots.
I need to go back to the hospital for the physical therapy.
"Looks like I'll need to trot down." Fluttershy said as she began to step down the embankment. It was steep, but Fluttershy managed.
Once she reached the embankment, she looked around the heavily wooded area.
"Oh no..." Fluttershy said as she saw a few vultures circle overhead. She saw a few of them fly down and land nearby.
That isn't good...
Caw
Caw
Fluttershy began to where she presumed the vultures landed. Once she reached the area, she saw three vultures picking at a big, black object. Fluttershy feared what she would see when she would get close.
"Stop." Fluttershy said to the vultures. They looked back at her.
Caw!
Fluttershy stared at them, using her disciplinary stare. They immediately stopped and flew away.
"Thank you." Fluttershy said. She slowly trotted towards the object, deciphering it to be a bear that looked similar to the cub. The bear had been rotting for days, some of its organs were hanging out of wounds in its stomach that had been picked at by the vultures.
"Oh my..." Fluttershy said, shocked by the sight. A lump formed in her throat from her gag reflex. She looked away from the bear, unable to look at it anymore.
"D... did Pinkie do that?" Fluttershy asked herself. She began to trot back up the embankment in silence. Once she reached the top of the embankment and went back on the road, the cub's ears perked up in happiness and it rushed over to her. She looked down at the cub.
"I-I'm sorry." Fluttershy said sadly. The cub looked up at her, confused.
"Your mother's..." Fluttershy trailed off. The cub's ears fell back to its head.
"... she's gone. I-I'm sorry." Fluttershy said. The cub shook her head side-to-side, frightened, and tried to rush to the embankment.
"No! Y-you, you don't want to see her." Fluttershy said as she grabbed the cub and wrapped it in a hug. The cub continued to struggle against Fluttershy for a moment before dissolving into the hug and began to cry.
"I know... let it out." Fluttershy said as she continued to hug the cub tenderly.
================
"Thanks again!" Cheese called out as he and Pinkie exited The Golden Grin. The sun had long since set, casting them in the darkness. He released a deep breath.
"I think I ate too much." Pinkie said, rubbing her stomach.
"Yeah. It was good though."
"Mmm-hm!"
"Well, we should start to get home. That was fun."
"Yeah. Thanks for inviting me. It was well worth the time."
"No problem Pinkie."
After a long walk, Pinkie and Cheese came to the house. They trotted up to the front door, and Cheese opened it, allowing her to go in first. Pinkie smiled and nodded, stepping inside.
"Whew. That was fun. Thanks for spending the night with me, Pinkie."
"You kidding? That was your idea. I just went along with it. Thank you."
"Oh, well you're welcome, I guess." Cheese yawned. "I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted. I'm gonna go hit the hay. Goodnight." Cheese said, trotting up the staircase.
"Goodnight." Pinkie said, following behind him. She entered the guest bedroom and collapsed onto the bed, awaiting sleep.
It's been fun... but now I need to deal with Pinkamena...
==================