It all started on a dreary, rainy day. The weather appropriate, given the events that were soon to occur. Fluttershy was casually walking to Sugarcube Corner to visit Pinkie Pie.
It had been awhile since she had visited the excitable mare, and she felt that it was about time she did. Frankly, she could've picked a better day, but not being a weather-maker, she didn't know the weather schedule. So, she was unable to prepare for such conditions.
Fluttershy entered the sweet shop, shaking herself dry from the drizzle outside. She trotted over to the counter where Mrs. Cake was writing some things down.
"Hello, Mrs. Cake," the yellow pegasus greeted politely, "How are you doing today?"
Mrs. Cake looked up from her work, noticing Fluttershy's appearance, "Oh! So sorry, dearie. I didn't see you there. Good day, Fluttershy. Nice to see you. Glad the rain didn't keep you away." She put away the paper that was on the counter and turned back to Fluttershy.
"So, what can I get'cha?"
"Well, I'm not here to get something. But, I...don't want to be rude. So...I'll...buy a vanilla cupacke. If you don't mind," Fluttershy said in her timid nature. She reached into her saddlebags and took out some bits, setting them on the counter.
"Not a problem at all, sweetie. " Mrs. Cake grabbed a vanilla cupcake from underneath the counter. She placed it in a bag and gave it to Fluttershy. "You said you weren't here to buy something. What are you doing here, then?"
Fluttershy gratefully took the the bag and placed in her saddlebags, "I'm here to see, Pinkie. Is she here?"
Fluttershy noticed that Mrs.Cake's cheerful expression faltered for a second. She looked like she was worried about something.
"Mrs. Cake?"
Mrs.Cake regained her composure, "Hmm. Oh, sorry. Zoned off for a second. As for your question, Pinkie Pie is...not feeling well. She's been ill for the past few days."
Fluttershy's ears fell for a moment, "Oh. Really? I guess that explains why I haven't heard from her. Can I go and see her?"
"No!"
Fluttershy recoiled slightly from the sudden outburst.
Mrs. Cake bit her lip before calming down. "I mean, no. It would be best to let her rest. Don't worry, I'm sure she'll get better soon. I hope." Mrs. Cake mumbled something inaudibly.
"Huh?"
"Oh, it's nothing. Sorry to ruin your visit. Pinkie should be back on her hooves in a couple of days. I'm sure you'll be one of the first to know." Mrs. Cake assured her.
Fluttershy looked to the side in uncertainty. There was something about what Mrs. Cake was saying that made her worry. But, she couldn't put her hoof on it.
Fluttershy sighed, "Well...if you say so. I'll come by some other time. Tell Pinkie I hope she feels better." She gave a considerate smile before turning around and walking out of the store, glancing back slightly before exiting.
Once the pegasus had made her departure, Mrs. Cake sighed in relief. She looked towards the staircase, leading towards both her bedroom and Pinkie's. She began towards the short flight of steps and stopped. With a worried expression, she climbed the stairs.
She approached Pinkie's door. With a sigh, she opened the door.
The usually bright room was now a shadow of its former cheeriness. The curtains had been shut, blocking out the sun's rays. Mrs. Cake turned towards the center of the room, where Pinkie's bed stood. Atop the bed was none other than the pink pony herself.
But, she was not the same. Her coat was faded, her mane and tail no longer in their cute poofy form. Instead, they fell flat against her body, deprived of the vibrancy it once held.
The mare's head was in her hooves. She lay as still as a statue, the rising and falling of her midsection the only distinction between the two.
Mrs.Cake approached the bed as she had done so before. "Pinkie?"
Pinkie moved her head slightly, indicating she noticed Mrs. Cake's presence.
Mrs. Cake rubbed her foreleg sheepishly, unsure of what to say. "Your friend Fluttershy came to visit you."
"That's nice," Pinkie's voice was devoid of any emotion.
Mrs.Cake sighed, "Are you hungry? I can bring you some food."
"Sure." The lack of bubbliness in her voice made Mrs. Cake cringe.
"Okay...I'll...bring you something in a little bit." Mrs.Cake turned towards the door, looking back at the pony she had come to see as a daughter.
"Ok." Pinkie's body remained still.
With nothing left to do, Mrs. Cake left the room, closing the door behind her. She sat down on her haunches, eyes starting to tear up.
"Oh, Pinkie Pie. What has happened to you?"
~A few days later~
The Mane Six, not including Pinkie Pie, were gathered in the throne room of the Friendship Palace, discussing the whereabouts of their missing friend.
"Sick? Pinkie, sick? That mare is immune to most of the laws of physics. I mean, of course, some illnesses can be unavoidable, but for a pony like Pinkie, it just seems...weird." Twilight mused, sitting on her throne.
"Pinkie is the mere definition of weird, Twi," Discord, who was curled around her throne, commented. "With her anything is possible."
"I hate to agree with Discord, but he's got a point. All ponies get sick. You of all ponies should know this, Twilight." Rainbow nudged Twilight from her position in midair.
"I do believe Twilight has the right to worry. It's been awhile since we've seen Pinkie. And, as a mare of her stature, I would think she'd be better by now." Rarity put in, polishing her throne with a hoofkerchief.
"I wouldn't be worried," Applejack tipped her hat over her eyes, leaning against her throne. "We'll hear from her soon 'nough."
There was silence for a few minutes.
"I think we should be worried."
Everypony turned to Fluttershy, who sunk into her throne upon becoming the center of attention.
"What are you talking about, 'Shy? Pinkie doesn't need us worrying about her. She can handle herself," Rainbow waved off Fluttershy concern nonchalantly.
"I went to visit her on Monday. And, Mrs. Cake said she was sick." Fluttershy explained.
"We already know that, Fluttershy. You told us." Rarity set aside her napkin, turning towards her friend.
"Plus, we've been talking about that since-oh, since we got here," Discord said, flatly, earning him a gentle swat from his marefriend.
"Go on, Fluttershy. What else were you going to say?" Twilight looked over at the cream pegasus.
"Well," she rubbed her forelegs together, "there was something about the way Mrs. Cake said it. She sounded off, like she wasn't telling the whole truth or something, I don't know."
"You think she was lyin'?" Applejack raised an eyebrow.
"I...I'm not sure. Maybe...I-I don't know," she let her mane fall in front of her face, hiding her eyes.
"Mrs. Cake usually isn't one to fib. Why would she be lyin'?" Applejack sat up on her throne, adjusting her hat as she thought.
"Do you think we ought to go check?" Rainbow suggested, looking out the window towards Sugarcube Corner.
"I think that'd be best. I'll go over and see what's up. You all coming?" Twilight turned to her friends.
"It might not be a good idea to overwhelm her. You go on over for now, darling." Rarity pointed her hoof at Twilight.
"I'll come with you, dear. Maybe all she needs is a little bit of chaos." Discord twirled into the air, snapping his fingers causing gumballs to rain down on Twilight.
Twilight winced as the candy made contact with her head. She lit up her horn, stopping the gumballs in mid-flight.
Discord gave a nervous chuckle and shrugged. He could tell by Twilight's expression that she was not amused. Without warning, she grabbed Discord's eagle claw with her magic and yanked him towards the exit, heading over to find out what's going on with Pinkie.