//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Hard To Say Good Bye // by BellChime //------------------------------// Daylight streamed through the window behind Pinkie’s bed, hitting Pinkie squarely in the eyes. She groaned, and pulled the covers over her head, granting her relief before lazily slitting an eye open. Yawning, she sat up and looked around. She was alone in the bed she and her sisters shared. I don’t usually sleep this late, she mused, rubbing her eyes. I hope I didn’t miss breakfast! She pushed off the covers and trotted out of the bedroom, and down the hall to the Pie family kitchen. “Morning, everypony!” She cheered. “About time.” Limestone grunted. “Manners, Limestone.” Cloudy Quartz admonished gently. “Thy sister is tired from yesterday’s journey.” “It’s still no excuse to keep me up half the night talking in her sleep.” Limestone grumbled. “I need all the energy I can get if I’m going to harvest the the North-West field today.” Limestone was always that way in the morning, and Pinkie bore her no grudge. “Sorry, Limestone,” She said apologetically. “I hope harvest goes well.” Limestone grunted in response, signalling forgiveness. Pinkie frowned thoughtfully, vaguely remembering her dream from the night before. Something about Rainbow...had that what she’d been mumbling about in the night? “Tis good of you to visit us, Pinkamena.” Igneous Rock broke interrupted her thoughts, placing a plate containing two hotcakes in front of her. “How goes it in Ponyville?” “Superific!” Pinkie answered happily. “Ummm…” Marble leaned in. Pinkie chuckled. “Yep, he’s fine.” “Mmm-hmm.” Marble agreed heartily. “You two are so cute together...I wish I’d caught Maud before she had to run to get her Geology classes.” Pinkie sighed. “‘Tis a pity the classes start so early in the morning.” Cloudy Quartz sighed, finishing her bowl of barley and pebbles. “Maud is diligent, and in time she will reapeth the rewards of her labor.” Igneous Rock pointed out. “Tis true.” Cloudy Quartz conceded. Igneous stood up. “I should be assisting Limestone. I hope to see you all at noon-high.” “Sure thing!” Pinkie said. “Mmm…” Marble said, slinking out of the room to do the accounting. Cloudy Quartz grabbed a feather duster. “Would thy like to keep me company?” She asked around the handle. “Of course!" Pinkie grabbed a duster, allowing herself to fall into a trance as she swished and nodded the duster... Nod, Nod, Swish, Swish, Nod, Nod… Ratatatat. Pinkie’s trance was broken by the sound someone at the door. “I’ll get it, Ma.” She said, setting her duster down. She trotted to the door and pushed it open to reveal Twilight Sparkle. “Twilight! Good to see you!” Pinkie smiled. The alicorn looked out of breath. “Oh, thank goodness.” She breathed. “Pinkie, I hate to do this, but you have to get to Ponyville now.” “Huh?! Twilight, I haven’t even gotten to see Maud!” Twilight was distraught. “Pinkie, please-this is urgent! Rainbow Dash! She’s hurt-we need to hurry, Pinkie. I’ll tell you on the way. Please.” There was no time to say goodbye to Limestone or Pa. Ma and Marble had been sad to see Pinkie go, but they understood the situation. They hugged good bye, promising to explain everything to Pa, Limestone, and Maud, and how sorry Pinkie was to go. Twilight, true to her word, had told Pinkie everything. “There was a rogue tornado.” Twilight said on the train bound for Ponyville. “It came from Everfree…” “Oh Celestia! Rainbow Dash? Sugarcube corner? The Cakes?! Talk, Twilight, talk!” “Hush! That’s what I’m trying to do!” Twilight snapped. She hung her head. “I’m sorry...there’s been so much going on…” She took a moment to regain her composure. “The twister didn’t hit ponyville, thankfully, although some strong winds damaged buildings on the borders,” Twilight hung her head. “We evacuated everyone to be safe, but we lost track of Rainbow Dash. She and the other pegasi had gone to try and head off the tornado...but she and the others got separated. We didn’t notice she was missing until all was said and done…” “But you found her, right?!” “Yes-” “Oh, thank-” “Pinkie, she hasn’t woken up yet.” Twilight said. Pinkie stared at her. She could feel her mane slowly deflating, and a slow numbness spreading through her heart. She could see the pain in Twilight’s eyes. “We don’t know if she ever will.”