Pinkie is awoken by an estranged relative from the historic village of Ponnsylvania.
Pinkie Pie is left in charge of Sugarcube corner whilst Mr. and Mrs. Cake attend a business workshop run by Filthy Rich. However, after a rather raucous party the night before Pinkie quickly loses focus and dozes off, only to be awoken by an estranged relative from the historic village of Ponnsylvania...
Not far beyond Ponyville, nestled among the mountains beyond the Everfree Forest, lay a small, quaint village by the name of Ponnsylvania. While Ponyville’s citizens took such luxuries as cupcakes and hairstyles for granted, residents of Ponnsylvania were adverse to any modernisation whatsoever and instead lived simple yet peaceful lives harvesting their rock farms and enjoying the little things in life. Lack of technology meant that citizens relied on antiquated methods of life, living on a simple diet of hay and oats, and strangely it became a cultural tradition not to cut one’s tail when it became too long. This allowed Ponnsylvanians to be identified all across Equestria, as the lengthy tails on both colts and mares were obviously quite noticeable even from a distance.
Lush foliage and jagged mountainsides surrounded the vast rock farms of Ponnsylvania and the Everfree Forest led the only path between the two towns, this meant that residents of Ponnsylvania and Ponyville seldom interacted or even so much as met. However, there was one especially peculiar resident of Ponnsylvania that decided she would leave her family and the comfort of her ancient rock-harvesting lifestyle. This was something that was unheard of in the small secluded community, and often those who deserted the village became shunned, snubbed by the society. One young filly, daughter of the largest rock farmer in all of Equestria (who might I add wears a really cool hat), suddenly had a compelling urge to leave her native home and adventure to a place where Ponnsylvanians dare never venture: a city where the buildings are colourful, the ponies are plenty and cupcakes are eaten by the dozen.
This life intrigued her, so she bid adieu to her loving family and to their surprise she left unnoticed, taking only a small rucksack of rocks and dirt. Her parents were utterly puzzled by this, but they offered it no thought and instead dismissed their child who had suddenly left.
While the parents didn’t seem to fret over the loss of their child, a cousin of the young exiled filly who had also been a very close child friend was heart-broken. Her best friend had left suspiciously without a trace, not even the finest of rocks could counter the frustration she felt knowing that her friend may never return. So the cousin of the young, adventurous filly vowed that one day, no matter what the cost, even if it took all the rocks in Ponnsylvania she would track down her beloved cousin.
Sun filtered through the pink curtains, painting the walls a deeper shade of pink even more than they were already. The floor of the colourful room was littered with various items and leftovers: crumbs of cupcakes, soaked streamers, deflated balloons and several suspicious looking pools of liquid that must have been cider that was spilled during the festivities.
Not a noise was heard in the house, which was strange considering the pony that resided there. Instead the peaceful chirping of numerous species of small birds that had made themselves home in the garden below could be heard. Accompanying the sweet melody of the birds came a strangely familiar voice that seemed to be getting closer, a voice even sweeter than those of the birds that were already very talented at singing.
A knock at the door was heard, breaking the peaceful tune of the birds as they left in a flurry of wings. Pinkie sprang out of bed, with the usual spring in her step, but suddenly realised she was too lethargic to be her bouncy self. ‘Oh Pinkie,’ she muttered to herself, ‘You’ve gone and done it again! You really need to lay off that cider.’ Reminding herself of the thrilling memories of the party and the delicious Apple Acres cider last night, Pinkie gazed at the balloons resting around her hooves, covering her floor in an array of vivid colour. Pinkie mustered up the energy to continue her trademark bounce as she leapt down the stairs to answer the door. Curious as to whom would be visiting at such an hour she peered through the peep-hole in the door to see a lock of pale pink hair obscuring her view. She instantly knew who it was!
The door flew open and Pinkie greeted her visitor as jauntily as she did every morning. ‘Good morning Fluttershy!’ Pinkie said in a rather excited voice, ‘What brings you to Sugar Cube Corner so early? After some lollipops?’ Fluttershy opened her mouth to speak. ‘Oh, oh, I know you want some of the cupcakes that I had out last night!’ If she wanted Pinkie to listen she had to be assertive. ‘Wait no; you wanna help me bake a cake!’ ‘Umm, Pinkie…’ Dominating the conversation as usual, Pinkie suddenly interjected. ‘THAT’S RIGHT. You came to thank me for hosting the party last night! Well that’s no worry, because EVERYPONY knows I like a good party!’ Pinkie leapt up and down with excitement, just thinking about last night made her eager for another reason to celebrate. ‘It was really no trouble Fluttershy, you didn’t have to come all the way over to thank me.’ ‘Oh yes Pinkie, thankyou, it was a wonderful party.’ Fluttershy said softly in her assertive voice, ‘But Mr. and Mrs. Cake told me to tell-’ ‘Don’t you worry about those two! I’m sure they’re still asleep. They’ll be over to open up shop in no time!’ Pinkie added. Fluttershy knew this was an opening; she had to get a word in. ‘Umm, Pinkie, Mr. and Mrs. Cake won’t actually be around for a couple of days.’ Pinkie pondered for a second upon what Fluttershy had just said, a slightly confused look upon her face. After a moment of deep thought Pinkie lit up as if she had suddenly come to a conclusion. ‘Couple of days!? Fluttershy, you’re such a good joker!’ Pinkie huggled Fluttershy predictably.
Still locked in Pinkie’s hug, Fluttershy managed hurriedly get the message through to an excited Pinkie, as if she was letting out an entire conversation in a single sentence. ‘You have to listen to me this is really important Pinkie I’ve been trying to tell you that Mr. and Mrs. Cake told me to tell you that they’re attending a business workshop in Canterlot with Mr. Rich for a few days and that you are in charge of Sugar Cube Corner for the weekend which is going to be a really big job because you’ll have to cook cupcakes and serve customers but you shouldn’t worry because your friends are here for you if you ever need help even though you’ll be fine because everypony knows that you’re the pony to come at Sugar Cube Corner!’ Fluttershy exhaled heavily and gasped for air.
Ponies passing by had stopped in amazement to gaze upon her. Rainbow Dash, who had been overhearing the conversation while kicking clouds, fell out of the sky and onto her back into the bushes just outside the door. Never before had anypony seen Fluttershy talk so much at once! There was a look of shock upon Pinkie’s face, which soon faded into her usual playful smile. There was a moment of silence as the birds returned to the window ledge and again began to sing. Fluttershy stared into Pinkie’s face eagerly awaiting a response.
‘Oh, silly. Why didn’t you tell me sooner then?’ Pinkie replied.
It had been just over an hour since Fluttershy had left Pinkie all on her lonesome in charge of running Sugarcube Corner for the next couple of days. Pinkie had already become bored, and restlessly began to bounce from one end of the shop to the other in a typical Pinkie fashion. ‘Geez, it sure is quiet and boring around here!’ She said loudly to herself, hoping that somepony would hear. Repeating herself, she thought that maybe increasing her volume would encourage customers to enter the shop. ‘I said GEE, IT SURE IS QUIET AND BORING AROUND HERE.’ She stretched out her hooves and let out a yawn whilst looking around the shop for any stray customers.
Nopony was around to hear her, leaving her disheartened. But this disappointment soon vanished as a bouncing mane and two pairs of hooves were seen out the front window of Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie stuck her head out the window and yelled at the top of her lungs to the passing-by pony. ‘DO YOU KNOW IT’S REALLY QUIET IN HERE!?’ The pony appeared shocked, her mane stood on end as she paused in the middle of the street to be frightened by the sudden noise. Pinkie stuck her head back in the window and went to open the door to greet her new friend. Without looking she threw the door open and began introductions. ‘Hi, my name’s Pinkie Pie and I’m running Sugarcube Corner for the weekend! I’ve got lots of friends in Ponyville but there’s always room for more! Everypony knows me for my parties, I’m the best at parties, someponies call me Pinkie the Party Pony. Well they don’t really, but sometimes I like to call myself that.’ But without noticing, the pony had bolted and left Pinkie standing by herself talking strangely to a cloud of dust kicked up by the frightened pony’s hooves.
Unbeknownst to Pinkie, a filly from across the other side of the small street watched through latticework windows as Pinkie continued to introduce herself to the cloud of dust. ‘You should have been around for my party last night, we had decorations and streamers and fairy-lights and pinwheels and piñatas and pin-cushions and goodies like sugar cubes and sugar canes and sundaes and sun-beams and sarsaparilla. Not to mention the cider!’ Pinkie held a hoof to her mouth, imagining drinking a mug full of cider. Realising she had caught herself daydreaming about cider AGAIN she quickly opened her eyes to take a look at the new pony.
To her surprise there was nopony there at all, just a small cloud of settling dust resting at the bottom of her hooves. Searching for the runaway pony, Pinkie noticed the little filly on the opposite side of the street and called out to her. 'Hey, did you see which way that pony went?' The obviously nervous filly dropped behind the windowsill and was quick to slam the windows shut. Pinkie sighed and slumped to the ground letting out a feeble sigh as she did. ‘Why is nopony around today? This is my big chance to run Sugarcube Corner and there hasn’t even been a single customer yet. And I don’t even have any company either…’ Pinkie muttered to herself in a strangely melancholic manner. A twittering bird landed on top of her head and began preening the mass of springy, unstraightenable hair. ‘Well at least I’ve got company now, isn’t that right little birdy. Another friend for me!’ Her mood quickly picked up. The bird hopped forward to the front of the sprawling curls and glanced down at Pinkie giving her an odd glance. There was a sudden chirp and the bird was gone, Pinkie’s mood slowly began to change back…
Unlike herself, Pinkie walked sluggishly back into Sugarcube Corner staring at the ground as she went. Her hair seemed to sag more and more with each slow step she took as if the curls seemed to disappear slightly. A hoof was extended to the closed door, but in vain hope she gazed over her flank in hope that the pony had returned to give her some much needed company. But to her dismay the streets were as dead as if a horde of parasprites had chased overypony out of town. Another sigh resounded from Pinkie, louder this time so that maybe somepony would hear her, but still no success. Pushing the door open, Pinkie slumped inside and ambled sadly over to the counter, her hair beginning to droop in front of her eyes.
‘Where is everypony?’ She muttered to herself, ‘Running Sugarcube Corner is no fun when there’s nopony to serve, nopony to talk to, nopony to laugh with…’ Tears began to well up that she managed to dull by rubbing her eyes. Plonking herself upon the shop counter, she rested her head in her hooves and stared longingly towards the door. Distant noises from ponies in the town centre could be heard; Pinkie was envious. ‘Maybe I should go see Fluttershy, she’d be able to watch the shop with me.’ She pondered upon the thought and trotted towards the door. ‘No, I’ve made a promise to Mr and Mrs Cake to look after Sugarcube Corner, and leaving it unattended would be breaking that promise! And if I broke their promise I would lose their trust…’ Pinkie paused for dramatic effect, she turned around and stared directly at the reader of this sentence, ‘…FOREVER!’
Quickly reverting back to her joyful old self, Pinkie was determined to look after the shop, for a promise was a promise! She returned to her spot at the counter and again began to watch the door with excitement.
Seconds passed, all was still quiet.
Minutes passed as she still stared with determination at the inanimate door, flinching with excitement at every noise.
After half an hour of watching and waiting Pinkie rubbed her eyes tiredly with a hoof. How long had she been sitting and watching the same spot now? ‘I’m sure a little nap wouldn’t hurt anypony. There’s not going to be any customers at this time of day anyway…’ She lay her head flat upon the counter and almost instantly drifted off to sleep.
* * * *
Pinkie awoke to the noise of shuffling outside the door. Lifting her head up, she swivelled an ear in the direction of the noise and heard the soft sound of hooves against the damp soil of the flowerbeds nearby. Glancing through the window, she caught a quick view of what appeared to be a tail dragging along the ground. What was a pony doing snooping around outside Sugarcube Corner? Either the pony had a ridiculously long tail (which was highly unlikely from any citizens of Ponyville), or this pony was dragging along somepony else. Pinkie let out an exaggerated gasp as she ran to the window and peeked through the curtains to get a better look at the mystery figure. For the sake of Mr and Mrs Cake she had to get to the bottom, no, the top of this mystery!
With the swift clatter of hooves on Sugar Cube Corner’s colourful tiled floor, Pinkie rushed towards a cupboard and withdrew a small strip of fabric. Lifting it up with an extended hoof she began to analyse it carefully. Satisfied with the cloth she grabbed it in two hooves and ran back towards the front window, gazing out at the mysterious figure as she did. ‘If there’s anypony that’ll get to the bottom of this case…’ Pinkie promptly tied the cloth around her head, making her frizzy hair puff up even higher than usually, ‘…IT’S PINKIE PIE!’ With a single fluid movement she dipped a hoof in a nearby bowl of icing, pushing the bowl off the bench as she did, and spread two lines of it across her face. ‘This is where things get REAL!’ She roared in enthusiasm and then looked around anxiously to make sure she hadn’t caught the suspect pony’s attention, after which she let out a giggle.
Her mission had begun. Scanning her surroundings, Pinkie noticed a slowly moving tail dragging along the ground in her peripherals; this was her chance to track down and find out who this pony was! Pinkie slammed open the front door and stepped outside, setting off a cacophony of noise among the nearby wildlife as well as Ponyville’s residents. Needless to say she definitely wasn’t designed for an espionage case such as this, but nevertheless she continued to pursue the mystery pony. After noticing a nearby bush Pinkie dived into it and peered out through a blur of twigs, leaves and (strangely enough) remnants of discarded muffins. ‘Target sighted.’ She muttered to herself.
As Pinkie leapt out of the bush to her next hiding place in pursuit of the pony, she stumbled and landed flat on her stomach in the middle of the busy road at the feet of a certain light-yellow pony. She gazed up at the flowing pale pink mane above. A wave of nervousness washed over Pinkie, what if she was being watched!? Pinkie suddenly grabbed Fluttershy and bounced over to hide behind nearby tree. Resuming her mission, Pinkie stretched her head around the side of the tree and began to look back and forth, leaving Fluttershy thoroughly confused. ‘Excuse me Pinkie, why are we hiding? You don’t usually hide…’ Fluttershy asked politely. ‘Hiding? Hiding!?’ Pinkie was taken aback, in no way was SHE hiding from the mystery pony, if anything it was the other way around. ‘Fluttershy, we’re on a mission!’ Pinkie pointed a hoof back towards Sugar Cube Corner where a slowly moving figure could be seen. ‘That there is our target.’
‘I’ve never seen her around here before, maybe you should just go and introduce yourself.’ Fluttershy responded timidly. Pinkie was shocked, completely stunned at what she had heard. She slumped to the ground beside the tree and for a moment closed her eyes. Thoughts rushed through her head of everypony she had ever spoken to, met or introduced herself to in Ponyville. ‘Umm, Pinkie… I didn’t mean to-‘ Suddenly interrupting Fluttershy mid-sentence, Pinkie quickly jumped up and embraced her in a friendly huggle. ‘I can be so silly sometimes. Why didn’t I think of that?’ An unusually wide grin spread across her face. ‘Well you might want to introduce yourself soon; it looks like your ‘suspect’ is about to head into Sugar Cube Corner.’ Fluttershy tilted her head towards the frosting-covered building. ‘No, there’s nopony looking after Sugar Cube Corner! It’s too late; the pony’s already opened the door!’ Pinkie let out a gasp and bounced off in a blur of pink. ‘Oh, that’s alright Pinkie, see you later…’ Fluttershy said under her breath.
* * * *
‘Hello, anypony in there?’ Pinkie knocked on the door, it must have accidentally locked when the mystery pony closed it. She walked over to the front window and peered in, the mysterious pony was in there. Again she tried to get her attention, this time tapping at the glass with a hoof. ‘Helloooooooo! Anypony in there?’ But still no success… Pinkie paced back and forth thinking of a way to get back inside Sugar Cube Corner. Walking back over to the entrance, she tried the door again to no avail. And then it came to her! After the party last night her bedroom window had been left open to air out the sickeningly sweet smell of spilt Apple Acres cider mixed in with fallen cupcakes that had been trampled into the floor. It was a mess that she would rather not confront, but if it meant being able to get back into Sugar Cube Corner then it was her only choice.
But how am I going to get all the way…’ Pinkie looked up to the balcony above; it seemed an awful long way, ‘…up there? If only I had the wings of a Pegasus!’ Pinkie shook her body and jumped in the air in the way she thought a pegasus would fly, but instead collapsed with a soft thud on top of a strangely soft shrub. ‘Hey, what’s going on!?’ A voice came from underneath Pinkie Pie. ‘Wow, is this one of these talking shrubs I’ve been hearing about? I’ve always wanted to meet one!’ Looking down at the lush green foliage, she introduced herself. ‘Hi shrub, I’m Pinkie Pie!’ ‘Can you get off me?’ The shrub replied in a peeved tone. ‘Why sure I can!’ She hopped up and looked closely at the shrub, nuzzling it with her snout. ‘Stop it Pinkie, that tickles!’ The shrub let out a giggle that sounded an awful lot like Rainbow Dash. A rainbow-coloured mane emerged from the shrub, followed by a blue head and two wings. Pinkie jumped up in surprise. ‘Rainbow Dash is a talking shrub!?’ Rainbow Dash was unamused, and obviously annoyed due to being fallen on top of. ‘I fell into this shrub this morning, and it was just so comfy that I thought I would take a break from my usual cloud-kicking routine.’ Rainbow Dash lifted herself into the air energetically and kicked imaginary clouds with her back legs. ‘Well until you fell on top of me that is.’ She gave Pinkie a slight glare. ‘Okay, okay, okay, I don’t need your life story silly. I’m on an important mission!’ Pinkie replied hurriedly. ‘A mission without me!?’ Rainbow Dash fell to the ground, ‘I’m all about missions!’ This was perfect timing, just what Pinkie needed. ‘Okay Rainbow Dash, I’ll let you help out. Here’s your first objective!’ Pinkie pointed to the balcony. ‘I need you to get me up there.’ ‘Easily done, I’ll have you up there in 10 seconds flat!’
Rainbow grabbed Pinkie by the hoof and quickly lifted her off the ground, speeding towards the cupcake-shaped room atop Sugar Cube Corner. The speed was incredible as the wind rushed through Pinkie’s mane; it was almost as exciting as baking cupcakes! All of a sudden Pinkie went through her open window and landed on the bedroom floor. Rainbow Dash flew up and stuck her head through the window. ‘Sorry about the rough landing Pinkie, at least you’re alright.’ ‘Thanks Rainbow Dash, mission complete!’ Pinkie said happily with a smile. Satisfied with her work, Rainbow Dash flew off and left Pinkie to go investigate.
‘Time to go meet this new pony. I’d better go quietly, I don’t want to scare her…’ Pinkie said softly to herself. Tiptoeing slowly towards the stairs attempting to make as little noise as possible, before Pinkie knew it she was head-over-hooves after tripping over a rogue muffin. She tumbled over and over down the stairs, knocking against the walls and hearing clattering noises as she went, until finally she landed right in the middle of the shop sprawled out on the floor.
She looked up.
Standing in front of her was the pony she’d been after all morning, a brightly-coloured pink pony with a straight pink mane and a long, flowing pink tail.
The two exchanged glances, the silence was deafening. Pinkie couldn’t hold it in much longer…
