//------------------------------// // Where's Pinkie? // Story: "You Can't Go Back, Michael." // by Mike the Red //------------------------------// I trotted out the front door, closing it behind me. Spike rested comfortably on my back, his weight barely noticeable. I gazed around, taking in my surroundings and trying to make mental notes of the various ponies trotting to and fro on what seemed like a pretty nice day. There was a gentle breeze blowing, a few puffy white clouds in an otherwise clear blue sky and the sun hung lazily in the eastern sky. Several pegasi flew by, some waving to me and offering friendly smiles as they passed. I smiled and waved back to them before continuing onward. "So, the bakery first, okay?" I asked as I trotted in the direction I remembered from yesterday. Spike shifted his weight on my back to take an even more comfortable position. "Yeah, Twi, sounds cool," he said nonchalantly. We hadn't even gotten started a good couple of minutes before a pony trotted up to me, a look of concern on her face. I didn't know who she was, but she definitely knew who I was -- or at least, who I appeared to be. "Hey, Twilight, can you help me with something?" asked a mint-green unicorn mare. I noticed what looked like a harp on her flanks. "Uh, I'm kinda busy right now," I replied as I continued to trot towards the bakery. I wasn't in the mood to be doing problem-solving for other ponies, but it looked like I was being roped into it whether I liked it or not. "Please, Twilight, this is very important!" "What do you need?" I asked, exhaling sharply through my mouth to express a degree of exasperation. "Well, it's just that -- my roommate, Bon Bon has been acting kinda weird lately," she offered, flashing a hopeful look. I tilted my head, curiosity evident in my expression. The green mare took that as a sign to continue. "So -- if you could come with me, we can see what's going on," she added. "Um, I'm really busy now -- can this wait for another time? I need to find Pinkie Pie," I declared, my exasperation giving way to near desperation at this point. "Well -- I guess so, Twilight -- but -- please, as soon as you can -- please come back and help me," she begged. "What's wrong with Bon Bon?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. "I can't come with you, but maybe you can trot with me and tell me your concerns -- and maybe I might be able to give you some helpful advice," I offered as I resumed trotting towards the bakery. "She seems to act kinda weird -- sometimes her voice changes for no apparent reason -- and I think I saw her acting real sneaky a few days ago." "Sounds intriguing -- I don't think I've ever heard of such odd behavior -- perhaps you should give her a few days to recover from whatever she might be going through -- but I'd suggest you be extra nice to her as well," I offered, smiling softly. "That sounds like a good idea -- thanks, Twilight!" the mare beamed before trotting away and humming happily. I hadn't trotted much further before another pony approached me and shoved something in my mouth. "Here, taste this," a female voice offered. The mare appeared to be a fuschia colored earth pony with a burgundy mane and tail and what looked like a couple of berries on her flanks. "What do you think? Too tart? Too sweet? What?" "I dunno -- what is it?" I asked, almost afraid to find out. It had something of a mix of both sweet and tart and had the consistency of a thick milkshake -- a hint of strawberry and perhaps orange -- or was it passion fruit? "I dunno -- I found it in the bakery on one of the tables," she replied cheerfully. "Ack! Why'd you do that?" I asked in exasperation, completely flustered by this utterly random action. I glared at the pony for a moment. "Relax, it's just some yogurt I got from the bakery," she chuckled. "Since when did the bakery start offering yogurt?" I asked, my mood unchanged by this revelation. "Well -- I'm not sure, but it was offered to me by Mrs. Cake -- she seemed rather happy to give it to me, free of charge," the mare opined. "So -- you want it? I don't care too much for it myself. Now I've gotta find something to wash the taste of it out of my mouth," she added and trotted away, leaving me with a cup of yogurt. "Spike? Care for some yogurt?" I asked, levitating it up to him as he turned over on my back to watch the spectacle. He reached over and grabbed it, gulping it down quickly. "That was pretty tasty," he noted, flashing a grin. He belched and turned back over to lay on his back, allowing my trotting motion to lull him back to sleep. We made it to the bakery just as he started snoring. Upon entering, I heard the tinkling of a small bell, most likely attached to the top of the door to act as a chime. I paid it little heed and noticed a blue earth pony mare at the front counter. Her deep pink mane was styled up in a large swirl, reminding me of soft-serve ice cream. "Um, good morning, miss --" I began, my pause allowing her to name herself. I had never seen her before, so I had no idea who she was. "That would be Mrs., dearie -- have you forgotten who I am already, Twilight? I thought you knew me and my husband better than that," she stated firmly, fixing me with a rather harsh stare. "Oh -- I should have remembered -- you must be Mrs. Cake -- but -- I have a bit of a secret to tell you -- I know I look like Twilight, but I am in a copy of her body --" "Oh. You must be a changeling then -- we don't serve your type in here," she stated coldly, her gaze hardening further at me. "I just came by to see if Pinkie Pie was here -- and maybe get another slice of that MMMM cake you're so famous for," I replied meekly. "And -- no -- I'm not a changeling -- God forbid I take on that persona!" "I don't know what you're talking about, Twilight -- and as for Pinkie PIe -- she wasn't here this morning to help open the shop or with the baking," the blue mare declared. Her tone seemed to soften a little. "Did Princess Celestia stop by earlier?" I asked. "What business is it of yours? Not that it matters much, but -- yes, she did -- and helped herself to a box of cupcakes before leaving." "Hmm. Okay, thanks for the info. Spike, it looks like we need to head to the boutique next," I announced, waking the little drake from his slumber. "Huh, wazzat? Did you say something, Twi? The boutique? Rarity?" he asked, his face beaming a big smile. "Well -- I dunno if she's there, Spike, but we're about to find out," I replied, offering a soft chuckle. He had a very endearing quality to him, one I found quite adorable.