Growing up, acting mature... Those terms have never seemed to apply to Pinkie Pie, not in the slightest.
When Twilight, irritated with her friend's random behavior, mentions them during their argument, Pinkie's reaction is far beyond what she could have expected. As is Rainbow's rather violent attempt to defend the earth pony.
Driven by guilt—and a tinge of curiosity—Twilight asks the pegasus for help in understanding the enigma that Pinkie Pie is.
What she is to discover, is bound to change her view of her earth pony friend in ways she could have never anticipated.
Chapters (2)
Dear Princess Celestia, I learned a valuable lesson about author's notes today. Apparently, they cannot be published as a separate chapter. Ah, well. I suppose it makes sense, even if that box below the chapter looks... uninviting.
Coincidentally, Twilight's letter in the story seems rather redundant, if not outright needless. I do hope it doesn't break the story too badly, though.
See, I added it for nostalgia reasons alone. I miss those letters, simple as that. Good thing they were replaced with something in season 4, even if that something is a set of journal entries...
This was a good read and I have to agree that in some episodes we do get a bit of a flandarization of Pinkie. Not all the time mind you (heck sometimes the goofiness is exactly what the doctor ordered) but some of the time. Actually I find that it is more of a problem in fan fiction than even in the show. There are a lot of writers who do not know how to write a good Pinkie Pie and others that do not care to. It also does not help that comedy relief characters are actually very difficult to write well in general.
Good to see that some people do care.
Very good! This story really captures Pinkie's true self. Her bubbly nature comes off as warm and soothing rather than loud and obnoxious and this fic does a good job at conveying it.
On a side note, however, I don't think Pinkie has been flanderized to the degree that you're saying in the author note. Pinkie is my favorite of the Mane Six and I am a strong advocate towards presenting her as full a character as possible. And although I've picked up on the show's looseness of her "comic relief" aspect in Season Four, there are still plenty of moments in Season Four where Pinkie's character has been given more justice (prime examples are in "Pinkie Apple Pie", "Pinkie Pride", and "Maud Pie"). To me, it comes down to focus. If an episode focuses on Pinkie, then it's very likely that her character will be explored. However it's in other episodes (when her role is smaller) where the writers decide to amplify the aspects of her character that are most likely to exploited in the-- Celestia forbid-- event of flanderization. The writers can only give us certain parts of her character when it is not the focus of the episode. And although they tend to use the more vulnerable aspects most of the time, they don't use it all the time. In some cases (such as "Twilight's Kingdom"), her role is so small that she can't be annoying. So am I worried that Pinkie may be flanderized? Of course. Has it happened yet? I can't really say so. Will it happen? Well...there's no telling, but I have faith that the writers have a good sense of who Pinkie is.
5228885
The writers suck my friend. I wish it didnt have to be this way she is more than a comic relief and author i salute thee for this. I like to think pinkie can have a sarcastic side to her but of course i am sarcastic so i might be putting a bit of me in her. but pinkamena er straight maned pinkie seemed like the deadpan snarker type.
Once upon a time a younger me in the beginning of my fandom days would have defended pinkie's characgterizetion with the hot intensity of a thousand suns. But now I am tired I cant defend her anymore i just cant get through to people no matter what i said. I hate to say it but the writers suck they cant write pinkie at all her character is doomed to be flanderized and there is nothing we can do about it! *slaps self* ouch okay i needed that. I think us fanfic writers portray her the best so maybe we should write for the show XD.
So, if I understand correctly.. Pinkie has to act like a foal on meth because she can only have one attitude*, ever? And if she ever shifts gears she'll be unable to do all her 'chores' ever again?
I'm having trouble seeing the logical chain here. What exactly kept her from helping Twilight in the first place?
*Baring the time she went insane, of course.
I can only imagine Diamond Tiara already assumes it to be true of Scoots.
5228885 5229014 5229105
Yeah, I might have gone a little overboard in the author's notes. There do exist episodes that still regard Pinks as more than comedy relief, but they get fewer and father between each season. The Cheese Sandwich episode in S4 was a brilliant example of showing the depth of Pinkie's character, but then again Amy seems to be one of the very few writers who still regard Pinkie as a fully fledged character. 
Thankies.
5229509
If I had more balls and didn't regret wasting time it took for this scene to be written down I would definitely get rid of it. Like I would of that letter part. But hey, I'm an old softie and my stories will suffer from it. 
That particular part of the story should have been edited into oblivion, especially after that one particular scene in S4EP05. Unless it was the orphanage's common room or something.
5229317
Because perhaps you view her as nothing more than a random goofball. This is the exact thing I tried to--and obviously failed, for which I apologize--persuade the readers against. Twilight getting mad at Pinkie was just a little plot device I used to start the story.
5229317
If you have a low opinion of pinkie then why did you read this? go read something else and stop wasting the authors time with your bullshit.
5231463
It certainly seems like it I almost stopped the watching all together until pinkie pride i know drastic but i hate seeing my favorite character being turned into an idiot.
5231667
Or I could ask perfectly legitimate questions that're inspired by a perfectly natural desire to understand the chain of logic here.
5231667
Every opinion is valid. A contrasting one even more so, since it proves that I failed in presenting my arguments in the story correctly. A good story should be written clear enough not to let the reader confused. It's valuable knowledge to have when writing other stories. 
Now, now, there's no reason to be rude.
5232011
I appreciate that not only have your read my story, but you also stopped to ask the question. Knowing that I failed to present my arguments clearly enough to leave you confused, is a valuable hint about what I have to work on in following stories.
5232031
I know I just thought it was harsh considering I thought what you wrote was good and you worked really hard on this.
5232011
Okay I see.
now if only any force in the universe could prevent fluttershy flanderization
cute story though. a little explainy but not bad for a short.
5238657
Yeah, I really need to work on that...
Thanks, though.
Very sweet
5247702
Sweet thankies.
Wow. I can't believe how much depth you gave all the characters here. You showed just how loyal a pony Dash is, how enthusiastic and yet slightly awkward a pony Twilight can be and, most importantly, you reminded us just how hardworking and eager Pinkie is. Thank you.
I'm seeing a lot of opinions in the comments. Interesting. It never fails to amaze me what people like and what people object to.
I thought this was an outstanding Pinkie Pie story - it's the best I've seen so far. I enjoyed it immensely and love what you did with the character. I had no trouble understanding exactly what you were trying to accomplish. It worked for me.
It looks like software developers really do write the best stories!
5257461
I'm so out of their league, but I do know a few who write amazing things.
Well, we do have a lot of experience with punching keys on our keyboards.
Seriously though, thanks for the kind words. And for the watch.
Very sweet TwiPie friendshipping. Put a smile on my face.
8784476
Thank you.
I state that I am using a translator because English is not my mother tongue so if there are grammatical errors, I'm sorry.
having said that I can say that you made me really happy, not only for the story well built, or for the fact that it is my favorite pony (pinkie of course) but because I'm happy that someone finally remember the importance of pinkie in ponyville.
many fanfiction writers have, in a horrible way or simply superficially shown, the complex of pinkie character.
the character of pinkie has become more of a comic and superficial, or agiant and cruel role.
a lot of people do not see the importance of pinkie, a pony who takes every minute of his time to make sure that others are happy, this besides being his talent is like a mission for him, it's not just the pony show that everyone shows, is profound, sensitive, altruistic and when it serves serious and much more, not only the incarnation of comedy as others show, not all I mean, he represents laughter, joy in every form and is lavished so much, to bring a couple closer together, to help the ponies in every way that is possible, shows a moment of happiness that manages to last long in hearts.
ponyville without her would not be as it would perhaps there would not even be friendship, and even if sometimes it is a bit childish or unscrewed, but it does not mean that she is stupid or without a brain, she has a super memory that allows her to remember the names of all her friends, and their sweets and their favorite parties.
the yak episode shows quato is willing to do to help her friends, or her sense of pinkie that allows her to perceive if something is going to happen, in order to be sure she can protect her friends.
he also has some insecurities that emerge when he thinks he can not make others happy, it also seems normal to me with the burden that he is charging is not easy to try to make others smile, I know something personally.
and then something pinkamena diane pie is just her full name not a serial killer loving cupcake, but a little sad and lonely little filly who lived on a rock farm and who after learning the joy and happiness she did not have never known has decided to share with others so that no one was sad and changed name in pinkie, no dark or tormented past, no blood or something, just his full name.
however, to conclude I will simply say thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for having remembered that there is also a brain, a heart and an ideal behind those pink curls.
thank you
signed yunic
P.S. sorry for the length of the comment I wanted to explain what I thought.
9004965
I'm very glad you enjoyed the story and left your comment. 
Wow, I never expected such a detailed review...
It definitely shows your appreciation for Pinkie Pie. I agree with each word, her character is definitely complex, and it pains me whenever she is reduced to comical relief in the show.
Thank you for sharing your opinions with me.