//------------------------------// // Chapter 9 - Emptiness part 2 // Story: Story of Diane Pie: Strange Things // by Middle Ground //------------------------------// It was another day working at the bakery/café and all the customers were enjoying their pastries and sweets like always and I served them like always. But then we heard the sound of an alarm going off throughout the entire city. "Love, what's going on? What's that sound?" I was confused about what that alarm meant, but the customers all looked scared to death. "That means trouble...! Everypony, in the break room! Now...!" Tough Love magically opened the door and the customers all rushed inside. Whatever was going on cannot be good.... "Attention! Attention! Citizens of Manehatten! This is the Manehatten Police Force! A monstrous creature has been sighted in Equestria and is stealing the magic of every pony! The creature is being aided by Discord, the Spirit of Chaos! Do not confront this creature and avoid it without failure! The Royal Guard and the Wonderbolts will take care of this creature! Until this creature is dealt with, find a place to hide and remain until this crisis is averted!" It was a voice from a loud speaker. But...that can't be! Discord and I are friends, right?! How can he do this?! "Alright everypony, don't panic! I'm sure this will end soon! Just remain calm...!" Tough Love tried to calm the customers, but they were all afraid of this evil creature. Honestly, so was I.... Suddenly, my body then felt empty and my sight was becoming fuzzy. I couldn't even feel my legs and I felt like the world was getting dark. "Diane...? Hey Diane, what's wrong?! Hey...!" I could barely hear Tough Love at all with how fast I was fading. I wasn't sure what was happening, but then I remembered what Princess Luna told me. I then realized...something happened...to Pinkie Pie. My world turned dark. The next thing I that happened was me being lost in darkness. It was so cold. I wasn't sure what was going on, but I could only hope Pinkie Pie was safe. And what about Princess Luna? Is she safe...? Then something strange happened: I began to see images of the past. Pinkie Pie's past.... And then the feelings of sadness, loneliness, and many other negative feelings came crashing down on top of me. The images of those dark days filled my mind and I was losing my mind. I wanted it all to stop. I tried to remember the faces of all the ponies I care about most, but these negative thoughts wouldn't stop.... "No...! I am me...! I am not Pinkie Pie! I have my own life...! She and I are different...! Stop...! Stop...!" I felt like my mind was being torn apart and everything was spinning out of control. I was driven to madness. I collapsed as my mind finally stopped in it's tracks. I thought I was dead until I then saw something make it's way towards me. It was just a small light and it just hovered above my motionless body. My eyes felt so heavy after what happened to me and I wasn't sure what to make of this light. "Are you alright...?" I heard a voice. It was so familiar to me.... It was coming from the light. I then lifted my head and tried to utter a response. "Are....you...?" I could barely say anything with my mind in tatters. And my body still felt like it was being crushed by the weight of the world. "It's alright, I won't hurt you. Really...! Don't be afraid." I knew it; it was Pinkie Pie's voice. But...how was she speaking to me. I died. "You know, I was actually worried about you. But now that I see you're alright, I'm happy now. But...well...you know, bad things happened." She must be referring to my weakened state. I gave a weak sigh, "Oh well.... At least I lived a meaningful life." I don't blame Pinkie Pie for what happened to us. That evil creature had to have done that to us. "Um...actually, I'm not dead. Neither are you." The light started hovering in strange directions. What she said then caught my attention really quick. "What...? We're...alive...? But we...we were-" I was so confused. I felt like I actually died and I thought this was the end. "Nope...! In fact, right now, we're more alive than ever before!" Suddenly, the light began shining brighter and brighter and it looked almost exactly like the Sonic Rainboom from before. "Let's meet soon, ok?! Bye...!" I was then swallowed by light and then I found myself in a bed. I was so lost right now, and then I saw Miss Jubilee's face. "Diane...! You're awake...! Thank Celestia you're alright!" She then hugged me and then I saw the faces of Day, Charm, Love, and Bitter Sweet. "Big Sis...!" Day joined in Miss Jubilee's tearful embrace. "You scared us to death, dude...!" Then Charm joined in. "Don't ever do that again...!" Love then joined in. I was starting to get smothered. "I'm so glad you're alright...." Even Bitter Sweet was tearing up. I then looked around and I found myself in what I assume was the room in a hospital. But then I realized I wasn't dead, and that I never left them. Words could not express my relief. I then hugged them all back. "I'm back...." That was all I could really say to them. Whatever happened, I'm glad it's all over. I felt lighter than air when I left the hospital and we all made our way back home. The best news is that Pinkie Pie and her friends had defeated this evil monster with the help of Discord. Was this a plan of his? I wasn't sure.... What's more, all the ponies who lost their magic had reclaimed it and peace had returned to Equestria. We all celebrated at home and so did all of Manehatten. Afterwards, we were all really tired after all that. Bitter Sweet told me what happened to him and he knew exactly what I felt. I made my way to bed after everypony else went to bed after the party and then I see Bitter Sweet getting ready for bed too. "Oh, hello Diane. Are you going to bed too?" He looked really happy. I've never seen his face smile this much. "Yes, I am. Today has been really tiresome for me. I feel like I could sleep for a week." I also began to make my bed. "That's good to know. I know exactly how you feel." We then finished getting ready for bed and then turned off the lights. "Good night, Diane." Bitter Sweet sounded so relieved. "Good night, Bitter Sweet." Even after all that happened, I knew there was another day waiting for us.