Pinkie Pie never expected to meet someone who didn't want to be friends, but during the Friendship games she met many. She also never expected to find someone who could do the same weird things as her, Sugarcoat can. This is their story.
Pinkie Pie does her best to make Everypony smile, including those who don't want to. When she discovers Sugarcoats similar abilities to her own, Pinkie does her best to fill Sugarcoats life with cheer. She didn't expect so much resistance. This is the second installment of my EQG shipfics. You do NOT have to read the first one to understand this one.
I observe the SPECTACULAR perfection of fun amazing news that I have created. Two schools, complete and unequivocal rivals, having FUN! TOGETHER! I nearly bounce in joy, well no. Actually I start to float as the indubitable amazing awesome magic from Equestria grows my wild yet still controlled hair even longer. I also grow a pair of pony ears, but the hairs cooler. More hair = More places to put stuff.
Nobody ever understands that. At least their not following me around totally bent on figuring how I do stuff I do and getting hurt every few minutes. Though, that would be PRETTY funny, huh? I chuckle a little to myself.
I hadn't noticed it before, but some things not right, and the time it took me to notice just adds to the weirdness. It's like my energy is draining or something. Before I can even go around greeting everyone in my super amazing magically-ness it's gone. I ponied up and back down within a matter of minutes. I wonder if it has anything to do with the whatever-ma-jig this Twilight is wearing. I'm too tired to ask, though, and lean against the wall.
“I'm party pooped.” I say with a sigh. Principal Snotty Head takes the stage and destroys all my hard work. My eyes do a sweep of the room and notice Rarity walking away from Rainbow Dash's super secret crush. Well she never actually said it's a crush but she talks about Harmony as much as about herself! Rarity and I are totally in on getting them together. Maybe I can even trick Rarity into getting a bit closer to HER crush along the way.
I walk over to Applejack who places her hand on my shoulder. “Ah’m sorry Pinkie, ah thought yer party additions were really swell” She says.
“They really broke the ice.” Fluttershy adds.
“Yes. If only that Principal Cinch hadn't frozen it again.” Rarity agrees.
“Yeah, she's awful.” I reply tiredly. Sunset and Rainbow walk over and we discuss Twilight some, only for me to realize she'd disappeared. While I looked around for Twilight, I notice Harmony leaving. I look at Rarity and she winks. We move to either side of Rainbow, and begin pulling her into the hall.
Rarity and I lead Rainbow away from the party. Well we more of push and pull her. Who could have guessed that a girl like Rainbow would be nervous about anything.
“Gah, Rainbow! Just. Talk. To. Her.” I say, pulling her through the hall as Rarity pushes her.
“What would I even say?” Rainbow asks, stubbornly refusing to cooperate.
“Anything!” Rarity exclaims, giving another shove. Rainbow sighs and gives in. Rarity falls on her face when Rainbow finally starts walking forward of her own will. I giggle at her and she looks up and gives a glare from the floor.
We finally reach the door leading to the front of the school, and Rainbow stops. We I've her a glare and she sighs before walking out. Rarity and I watch for a few minutes, but soon head back to the party.
When we get back I leave Rarity to her own devices and head out to mingle. I skip over to the food table, which is back to boring vegetables. I don't understand why Principal Meanie Pants had to ruin everything. I scan the crowd for anyone who doesn't look happy, which is almost everyone. There's more fighting than smiles here.
I go from person to person handing out cupcakes and smiling kindly to everyone. Anyone I don't know, I introduce myself to and attempt to befriend. I get mixed results as almost every student from Crystal Prep refuses to be my friend. I don't give up though, I can't. I push my smile even wider and skip over to the next person. She's a bluish purple with beautiful light blue hair. Her multiple pony tails are eye catching, though Rarity would probably gag at her glasses. I smile at her and hold out my hand. “Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie!” I say, she looks at my hand and then at me before turning to walk away. I appear in front of her again, and she narrows her eyes at my speed. She doesn't gasp or freak out like most people do though. Weird. “What's your name?” I ask, only for her to scowl at me. “You're annoying.” She says. Her voice is like, like...huh? I can't describe her voice, but I like it. She turns to walk away again, but I get in front of her.
“I'm competing in the games! You are too, right?” I ask leaning forward in anticipation of her reply. I rock back in forth on my heels, but she just keeps scowling. Why doesn't anyone want to be my friend? “Go away.” She says, sidestepping and walking past me. I try to stop her again but she avoids my antics, something that even Rainbow has trouble with. This girl is infuriating! I just want to be her friend. These Crystal Prep students need to learn how to smile. I walk over to Applejack with a huff.
The first round of the friendship games go splendidly, and we come the closest we've come to winning EVER! All of us are super duper proud of Sunset, even though the portal disappeared and she's nowhere near figuring out magic. During lunch Rainbow follows Harmony into the hall, and Fluttershy goes to give her animals some air.
“I'm going to go get some sweets, come on Applejack!” I exclaim suddenly as soon as I finish my food. Sunset, Rarity, and Applejack look up at me in surprise. Within a second of saying that I grab Applejack’s arm and pull her halfway across the gym. We slow down and she pulls her arm away.
“Whoa, what is this all about Pinkie?” She asks. I smile and continue to skip to my destination.
“Don't you think the other competitors would appreciate some sweets? I'm sure it would bring a biiig smile to their faces!” I reply, avoiding her question. She gives me an odd look but seems to file this event under ‘Pinkie being Pinkie’. I'm fine with that, it means there will be less to explain.
We hurry to Sugarcube Corner and Mrs. Cake quickly pulls out a box of cupcakes that I had texted her to have ready. I thank her and wave at everyone as we exit. Applejack and I discuss farms on our way back to the school.
We make our way to the building being used as dorms for the Crystal Prep students, and look around for people to give cupcakes to. I spot a girl with dark and light green hair rocking out with her headphones. I point her out to Applejack and we walk over. She's sitting in a grassy area outside the building. I sit down across from her in a flurry and hold the box of cupcakes open in front of her. She pulls down her headphones and looks at me, then down at the cupcakes. I can hear her music blasting from the headphones. “Dude, these look awesome! Don't mind if I do.” She says, pulling out a cupcake and digging in eagerly. “This cupcake is amazing! Where'd you get it?” She asks. Applejack come over and sits by us. “We got them at Sugercube Corner, Pinkie here works there part time.” Applejack says, gesturing to me. I smile and pull my own cupcake out of my hair. “Yeperoony! Mrs. Cake is super duper nice, and is the best baker in town!” I say before taking a bite of my cupcake. “That's rad. So what brings you guys over here, ya know most students from the academy aren't going to be friendly.” She asks. She licks some frosting from her fingers.
“I know! I was hoping some of these cupcakes would help to bring some smiles to their faces!” I reply cheerfully. The Crystal Prep student laughs at that. “Well it's brought one to mine, but I doubt those dudes will even touch them. They aren't as laid back as me.” She says. She flicks her headphones back up and lays back with her hands behind her head. “I'M LEMON ZEST BY THE WAY! HIT ME UP IF YOU EVER WANNA CHILL!!” She yells, waving us away as she closes her eyes and loses herself in her music.
“Well that went well.” Applejack says as we walk away. I nod very much, very fast, and skip ahead in search of another academy student. I balance the cupcakes on my head as I skip.
Next I see a familiar bit of hair turn a corner and disappear. I speed up and follow her, the cupcakes never once losing balance. I hear Applejack ask me something, but can't make out what, so I continue. The girl stops and turns around to face me. I stop almost as quickly, not losing balance in the least. Ooh! She's going to talk to me! I hope she'll take a cupcake. “You shouldn't be here.” She says matter of factly. I pull the cupcakes off my head and hold them out to her. She doesn't take one. I hear Applejack skid the corner and stops next to me. “Technically this is our school,” I retort. She snorts at that. I smile widely at her and push the cupcakes closer to her. She sighs and takes one. “Do you like it?” I ask hopefully. She takes a bite. She doesn't smile but she keeps eating it. My smile grows wider and wider. “It's not bad.” She replies. I nearly jump in excitement. She finishes her cupcake and wipes her hands on a napkin. Where did that come from? I've never been the one to wonder that before! “Thank you, go away now.” She says. I nearly frown but stop myself.
“Why aren't you smiling?” I ask her.
“Because you're still here.” She replies. She crosses her arms and scowls at me. Applejack lets out a huff of anger.
I smirk. “We'll leave you be if you tell me your name!” I offer in my best sing song voice.
“Sugarcoat.” She says. My smile spreads from ear to ear and I turn around and begin to skip away with a wave. Before I turn the corner, though, I grab a cupcake and toss it towards her. She catches it, because I don't hear the splatter.
“Her name's ironic, ain't it Pinkie?” Applejack asks rhetorically as she walks alongside me.
When we get back to the main building we see Twilight running into the school and Fluttershy leaning against the statue with Rarity and Sunset fussing over her.
The second round. Oh boy was the second round fun! First there was Applejack, who nailed the arrow perfectly! Then Fluttershy let out arrow after arrow as the tension rose more and more until she finally landed a bullseye! And then ZOOM! We were off! Rarity and I skated around the field as Twilight tried her hardest to hit the arrow on the target. Then Sugarcoat yells that Twilight was really bad, and Applejack gets so fed up that she marched right across the field and helped Twilight! And ZOOM! The Crystal Prep students were trying to catch up.
They get closer and closer and closer and pass us! Then out of nowhere the vines started growing out of the ground! No one else noticed yet, but that's when it started. Yeperoony! Any who then Rarity pushed me along the track with her foot and I pass the Crystal Meanies! It was so thrilling.
The buzzers at the derby click green and Rainbow and Sunset burst forth with the Crustal Prep students not far behind. Not far at all! The vines cause all the students trouble, though, and begin trying to eat them! Rainbow was neck and neck with a competitor, but the moment she saw that Sunset needed help, she was there. Rainbow ponied up and saved Sunset and the competitor over and over until Sunset cinches the win! Then we all got accused of cheating, which is a big bummer, but whatever, it's just a game.
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
“Uh, Pinkie Pie, what exactly are ya thinkin’ bout?” Applejack asks as I drool a bit onto my empty plate. I already finished eating, but the fruit salad made me think about different fruits. So I ended up thinking about cherries, which somehow led me to my current train of thought.
“Chimicherries...I mean Cherrychangas! No, Chimicherrychangas!” I exclaim with a jump. Everybody else gives me strange looks or roll their eyes.
“Wouldn't the cherries be a tad too sweet for a Chimichanga?” Rainbow asks. I giggle at her. There's no way the superbaty of the cherries would contradict with the crunchy munchy perfection of the chimichanga.
“Of course not silly!” I say, popping up next to her before anyone even blinks. “The cherries would be the perfect sweetness for the chimichangas.” I add, starting to drool a little from the thought.
“Ah agree with Rainbow, seems like they would be a bit too surgery.” Applejack says. I gasp dramatically and start giggling. Sugar is completely different from sweet. Sweet is a flavor and sugar is a cause of the flavor...I'm about to tell her that when Trixie's voice booms across the cafeteria. Everybody turns to look at her. Harmony and Lavender are hurriedly trying to shush her, which only lowers her voice a few octaves. I giggle at the sight and bounce back to my seat.
“Ah ain't seen anybody so enthralled with sweets as Pinky is,” Applejack says, interrupting me as I reached ‘Lemon Meringue Pie’ in the list of sweets. I nod my head in agreement.
“I have,” Rainbow counters smugly. I give Rarity a look and we both look at Rainbow. Rarity winks at me.
“Might this be another interesting tidbit about your newest friend?” Rarity asks. Rainbow immediately catches on and crosses her arms.
“Which one?” Rainbow asks.
“Harmony. You know, the one who's been to every one of your games.” Rarity replies, one hand going to her hip.
“And the one you chased out of the cafeteria and confronted about avoiding you before hanging out with her!” I add hyperly. We both look at her and she shrugs.
“Maybe...” Rainbow replies, drawing out the word. She's so fun to mess with. Everyone starts laughing. “What? Didn't any of you see her face when the Crystal Preps came fell?” She asks. We all shake her head.
“Most of us were trying to actually finish the round.” Applejack says with crossed arms. Which is funny cause her cake was baaaad. Real bad.
“And your poor partner had to do most the work on her own because you were too busy staring.” Rarity accuses, pointing towards Sunset. I'm not so sure that Rarity is focusing on the effect we're trying for at this point. I have to distract them before the whole plan is ruined. RUINED!
I look around and my eyes lock on the back of Harmony’s head. The rest of the group is too busy teasing each other to notice as I skip away.
“Harmony, hey! We were all just eating our lunch, having a super-rific time and Rarity mentioned how you went to all of Rainbows games and Rainbow mentioned how you guys hung out together so I thought we should all go out to get dessert together,” I ask, stopping quickly in front of Harmony, Trixie, and Lavender. Before she can answer, though, I smile widely and lean in close. “It would make Dashie super duper happy!!” I add.
“Sure Pinky, I'd love to…” She agrees. Yay!! I knew she would. I grab her arm and run her over to everyone else. She stumbles a bit when I suddenly stop moving and let go of her.
“Uh, hi…” She says nervously with a half wave. I try not to laugh at her hair. One bun has completely fallen out and the other is a complete wreck. Rarity is the first to notice, and let's out a super dramatic gasp. Harmony asks for a brush, and Rarity nearly attacks her at the chance to fix her hair. We all laugh as she gives a look of distress.
When Rarity finally finishes with Harmony she takes a few steps back and looks at her work. Harmony looks super pretty with her hair like that, Rarity really is good at perfecting someone's image.
“Rainbow was right, your hair is prettier down.” Rarity comments. I fall to the ground in a fit of laughter as both Harmony and Rainbow blush. Rainbow protests and tries to save her image, though no one seems to believe her.
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
“Since the score is tied, the final event will determine the winner of the Friendship Games.” Dean Cadence announces. The crowds cheer and we all look at each other. Sunset is clearly still upset over totaling exploding at Twilight, and I wish I could make her smile. I hate seeing my friends so down, but there's something bad in the air, and I'm too nervous to do much of anything. Even I'm having a hard time smiling, ME! “Somewhere on campus a pennant from each school has been hidden. The first team to find their school's flag and bring it back wins.” Luna explains over the mic.
“And as soon as our teams are ready, we'll begin.” Cadence adds, bordering on an interruption.
Fluttershy rubs her arm nervously. “I don't feel like playing these games anymore.” She says. I could hug her forever with how quiet and precious she is. I don't, but I could!
Rainbow responds immediately with, “But we have to play! It's the final event!” She points at the field. Rarity waves her hand dismissively. “It's a little hard to focus with all the magic stealing and portal opening.” She says, waving her arms mockingly as she does so.
“And I feel awful about what I said to Twilight…” Sunset adds, guilt lacing her voice. “Especially since she obviously didn't mean to do all the stuff she did. She's actually really nice.” Fluttershy agrees. Sunset hides her face in her hands in shame and guilt. I really wish I could think of some way to cheer them up, but I'm more worried about whatever bad is going to happen. This feeling is not good, not good at all.
Applejack steps forward. “Let's jus’ get through this last event an’ prove we're not a bunch of cheaters.” She suggests. She places her hand on Sunsets shoulder, “THEN you can go over an’ apologize.” They smile and we reside ourselves to waiting for the event to start.
Across the field I can see the Crystal Prep team getting some sort of pep talk, but it looks more like they're surrounding Twilight. I watch curiously for a bit, and even a bit of a tune catches my ears. Soon Twilight walks out onto the field and Fluttershy points at her, causing Sunset to run out onto the field. I realize shockingly that Twilight's going to unleash the magic, and gasp at the thought. Oh I hope Sunset gets there in time. “The last round of the Friendship games begins,” Cadence announces. Twilight holds the pendant out and places her finger over the center. I bite my lip as my body is filled with fear. “NOW!” Cadence and Luna yell together. Twilight opens the pendant and the magic explodes in a brilliant blinding light before shrinking to a floaty sphere of light that slowly engulfed Twilight as she stared at her Principal in fear. Twilight reaches out and yells for help as most her body is engulfed. The ball closes over her fingertips and the sphere floats for a few seconds before turning black. Not good.
The magic explodes again and I'm blinded by another brilliant light. When my vision clears Twilight is hovering in the air with big, scary wings, and crooked horn, and a new outfit. She begins to laugh maniacally.
Her focus turns immediately to Sunset. “You were right, I didn't understand magic before. But I do now!” She exclaims maliciously. Her horn lights up in a nasty shade of green and blue as she shatters the Wondercult statue. A rift opens where the statue once stood, and Sunset gasps at the sight of her homeland. Homerealm? Decide that later, raging demon Twilight on the loose now.
The ground begins to crack towards us and I look down at it in terror. She shoots the ground in front of us and it splits into a super duper large rift opens at our feet. We all scamper backward to try and avoid falling in. Twilight starts forming rifts everywhere, and each one grows larger the longer it exists.
“Twilight, you can't do this!” Sunset yells.
“Why not? There's a whole other world right there! A world filled with MAGIC!” Twilight yells as she opens another rift. The large ground rift inches closer to us. I swallow nervously and watch the exchange.
“But you're destroying this world to get it!” Sunset replies with a gesture to the many rifts surrounding us.
“So what? There's more magic there, and I want to understand IT ALL!” Twilight exclaims as she opens another portal nearly and our feet. Sunset jumps out of the way and lands next to the pendant. The ground around us cracks and breaks more, and people start falling in. Applejack jumps forward to help someone, and the rest of us follow suit. I end up leaning almost completely into the rift in an attempt to save someone. Rarity’s hand slips and she nearly falls before Lemon Zest and another student pull her up. I feel myself get pulled up by my legs and almost sigh in relief, you know, if there wasn't a raging she-demon about. Like usual. Suddenly I feel the magic flow through me. A glance around tells me that Rainbow, Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy are all beginning to pony up as well. Sunset turns to Twilight. “This isn't the way! I know you feel powerful right now, like you can have everything you want! I've been where you are, I've made the mistake you're making!” Sunset yells, catching Twilight off guard. “i put on a crown and just like you I was overwhelmed by the magic it contained. I thought it could get me everything I wanted.” She says.
“Oh you're wrong,” Twilight replies confidently. “Unlike you, I can have everything I want!”
“No you can't. Even with all that magic and power, you'll still be alone.” Sunset retorts. She holds the pendant in the air. “True magic comes from Honesty. Loyalty. Laughter. Generosity. Kindness.” Each of us relax and let our magic wash over us as she calls out our elements.
“I understand you Twilight. And I want to show you the most important magic of all.” Sunset lifts into the air and throws the pendent onto the ground. Magic surrounds her and she grows golden glowing wings and a horn. “The magic of friendship.”
With a few simple bursts of golden energy Sunset closes all the rifts. Twilight starts to look genuinely worried I know, I just know that Sunset will win! Twilight attacks Sunset and they trade a few blows. Eventually their magic is matched and the energy goes to either side. Suddenly Twilight's magic gets dangerously close to Sunset. Twilight laughs dangerously. Spike jumps into view and calls out her name. When Twilight sees him it's like she loses all will to fight. Sunset takes this chance to overwhelm Twilight with her magic. I'm once again blinded, and the sound of Twilight’s ‘Noo!’ echoes. Finally the light dies down and Twilight and Sunset are standing together, back to normal. “I am so sorry, I didn't mean for any of this to happen.” Twilight says, her eyes filling with tears. My own eyes fill just from watching, and it takes a lot to not run up and hug her.
“I know, and going by my own experiences, they'll forgive you.” Sunset says reassuringly. AWW! It's just so sweet!
“Principal Celestia! On behalf of Crystal Prep I demand that you forfeit the Friendship Games!” Principal Cinch yells, as Celestia, Luna, and Cadence stand before her in defiance. “Clearly CHS has had unfair advantage for quite some time and it's certainly obvious that your students have been using magic for their own benefit.” Principal meanie continues. She may as well have been jumping around and stomping her feet, it would have the same effect. “I like to think that saving the world benefits us all.” Celestia replies with a certain snark that is just too perfect. I almost cheer, but don't. “At least they didn't manipulate Twilight into releasing all the stolen magic and turning into a power crazed magical creature that tried to rip the world apart just to win a game.” Sugarcoat says. My mouth drops as I turn to her in amazement. “Wow, that's a lot to take in when you say it all at once.” I comment. I've never been dumfounded like this before. It's refreshing and amazing. “That is ridiculous!” Principal Mean McMeany exclaims. “Nope, that's pretty much what happened.” Spike counters. The principal's jaw drops. “Actually we're all to blame. But mostly it was her!” One student says. “Obviously my students have been infected with your magic, but I plan on taking all of this up with the school board!” Cinch yells. Principal Celestia narrows her eyes.
“Good. I'm sure they would be very interested in hearing all about the magical students with wings.” Celestia replies sarcastically.
“Oh and the portals to the other dimension.” Vice Principal Luna adds in a tone similar to Celestia’s.
“And don't forget to tell them about the talking dog.” Dean Cadence says with a giggle.
“Cause that would never ruin your reputation.” Spike says. Principal Meany gets riled and looks like she's going to explode, but then she straightens her clothes and stomps off. I jump up in a cheer and hug sugarcoat, who is the closest person to me. She tries to push me off. I manage to maintain my grip, like always, but let go after a few seconds to hug the next person in my line of sight. I bounce from person to person until everyone is laughing or complaining at my constant hugs.
Principal Celestia, Vice Principal Luna, and Dean Cadance all head inside to calm down the mass of panicked students who made it into the building. “That was really something. It was super duper scary, but also much more interesting than the event would have been. It wasn't fun though. Nope fun level is in the negatives for that but at least we didn't die. We didn't die right? Or maybe this is a coma dream cause I fell and knocked my head!
I run over to Sugarcoat and Rarity, who seemed to be arguing over the glasses. “I need one of you to punch me.” I say, and the both look at me in a shocked surprise. I giggle at their faces and return my face to a slightly more serious one. “Darling, calm down. Why do you need punched?” Rarity replies carefully. She holds up her hands and took a step closer to me. “I need to see if I feel pain so that I can know whether or not I'm in a coma dream from hitting my head or something. Punch me. Now.” I reply quickly. Rarity facepalms and sighs. Sugarcoat grabs my cheek and yanks me past Rarity and to the side of her. I give out a sharp yelp and she releases me. I rub my cheek and smile widely. I'm not dreaming so I'm not dead or in a coma. Do dead people dream?
“You're an idiot.” Sugarcoat says flatly before walking away. I yell a thank you at her with a large wave. Rarity just sighs and shakes her head. Soon we all end up in one big group again and begin walking inside. An idea pops into my head quickly and forcefully. I gasp loudly and everyone turns to face me. “WE SHOULD THROW A PARTY!!” I exclaim.
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
I let my eyes sweep over the gym one last time. Sunset is blowing up balloons and Applejack is bringing in refreshments. Rainbow is in the bathroom deciphering some make up instructions from Rarity and Fluttershy is setting up tables along the wall. The party is coming along nicely, and should be ready in time for people to arrive in, I look over to the clock, half an hour. WAIT!! I scan the room again. Sunset, Fluttershy, Applejack, me, Rainbow in bathroom….Where's Rarity? She was supposed to be here with Harmony by now. I sigh and set up a table full of cupcakes. After about ten minutes the door to the field opens and Harmony walks in. I wave happily a her. Her eyes scan the room multiple times and a slight look of relief crosses her face for a second. Sunset must have noticed as well. “Rainbow’s in the bathroom trying to figure out Rarity’s makeup instructions,” Sunset says to Harmony’s surprise. “Your wandering eyes gave you away. Come on, I'll take you to her.” Sunset continues only for her suggestion to be shot down. Harmony starts to walk towards the sweets table. Oh no you don't. I appear in front of her and shake my head. She sighs and walks off towards the hall nervously. I then pop up next to Sunset and surprise her.
“Maybe you should go find Rarity and get her in here. She's taking SOOOO long.” I say, nearly pushing her towards the door. She gives me an odd look but exits none the less.
I smile and run off to find my party cannons. Pretty soon we have everything perfect and ready for the party to start. It's almost six and a glance outside tells me people are starting to arrive. I open the doors cheerfully and greet everyone.
I look around and notice Harmony smiling and laughing at the sweets table with BonBon, Lyra, Lavender and Trixie. Many people are dancing and others are mingling. A wide smile spreads across my face. This party is super duper successful! Even the Crystal Prep students seem to enjoy it. Oh! I finally learned their names after the final event! Lemon Zest is hanging at the DJ booth requesting songs, Sour Sweet is dancing, Indigo Zap is hanging with some of the sports teams - which are dragging Rainbow through the room as each are eager to talk to her. Sunny Flare and Rarity appear to be having a very animated conversation with Sunset between them. They both do different things with her hair and she gives me a scared look. I giggle and wave but keep looking around. My eyes stop on Sugarcoat standing around looking utterly bored. I narrow my eyes. Everyone else is having fun, why isn't she? I skip over to her wearing my brightest smile. “Hey Sugarcoat,” I say. I stop next to her happily and do my bestest to stand still and not be too, too obnoxious. “Hello Pinkie Pie.” She replies kindly. I let out a small squeal in happiness only to stop myself. She finally isn't being cold or rude. She's not being overly pleasant but she's definitely being nicer. She narrows her eyes at my outburst. “Hehe, sorry. I was just super duper happy that you're being kind instead of cold like you were before and…” I explain only for her to slowly begin to scowl. “Sorry.” I finish, shutting up. Her expression seems to lift some and she looks out at the party. I copy her, trying to stay quiet and definitely not obnoxious and still entertained. I get bored after my third sweep of the room and begin to rock on my feet. “Soooo…” I say, trying to start some sort of conversation. “Chimicherry or Cherrychanga? My friends think it would be too sweet in general, but they're wrong. Thoughts?” I say. Sugarcoat laughs. She really laughs. “You are so weird.” She responds light-heartedly. My heart skips a beat. That's weird, why would that happen? “Thanks!” I reply joyfully. Suddenly my phone beeps and I check the time. “This was fun! I gotta go perform now, seeya!” I exclaim suddenly before running over to Sunset and Rarity and grabbing their hands. I drag them backstage and told them to stay before running out again and grabbing Applejack and Fluttershy and doing the same to them. Finally I look around for Rainbow only to not find her. I ask around and find out that she followed Harmony outside. I remember the last party and how we had to force her to do the very same thing as I head out to find her. I open the door and see Rainbow and Harmony very, very close together. “Hey Dashie I know you're probably super duper busy with Harmony but I sort of told everyone that the Rainbooms would perform tonight so you know. Come in as soon as you're done kissing her!” I yell causing both girls to blush furiously and back up some. I duck back inside the building and start to walk away before turning around and sticking my head out again. “As long as it's, you know, soon.” I add. “Go back inside Pinkie!” They both yell and I comply with a giggle.
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
The next morning is the day that the Crystal Prep students leave, so I get up early to say goodbye to everyone and give them some muffins for the road. I look around at where the buses should be. No ones here. Oops. Maybe I got up a little too early. I sit down next to a large basket of Muffins and wait. I keep waiting. The sun rises slowly, oh so slowly, and I stifle a yawn. So. Boring… I sit up suddenly as the sound of chatter surrounds me. I must have fallen asleep because I don't remember the last hour or so, but everyone's here now. “Aww! She fell asleep waiting for everyone. How cute!” Sour Sweets voice rings out in an overly exaggerated sweet tone. “And weird.” She finishes in a slightly less snide version of her mean voice. “It was thoughtful.” Sugarcoat says as I look up at them. I hold out the muffin basket to them. Sour Sweet takes a couple and walks away. Sugarcoat doesn't take a muffin, but pulls a handkerchief out of nowhere and hands it to me. “You were drooling.” She says dryly. I take it eagerly and wipe my face. I go to give it back to her only for her to shake her head. “Gross. Wash it and email me when it's clean. I'll come get it.” She says. She grabs a muffin and gets on the bus, followed by too many students for me to stop and ask for her email. I look down at the handkerchief, my key to ever even hearing from her again, and see that it has contact info in case it's ever found. Contact info on a handkerchief? She's so weird…I love weird. I smile widely and look down at the piece of cloth. Yes, very weird indeed.
…………………………….…………………………… Dear Sugarcoat, I know it's only been a few hours since we spoke, but I put washing your handkerchief a top priority! It was super sweet of you to lend it to me, and it must mean a lot to you because putting contact info on a handkerchief is really weird. Anywhooosy things have been going just super duper here! Twilight has been transitioning rather well, but she's still caught up on the fact that she tried to tear the world apart. We keep reminding her that it was Principal Meany’s fault but she doesn't believe that, not completely. She's smiling a bunch, which just fills my heart with sunshine because she's my friend you know? Well you're my friend too so I hope your smiling more as well. Please respond lickety quickety so I can get your handkerchief back to you!
-????P.D.P.???? …………………………….……………………………
Pinky Pie, Your email was fast and disorganized. Please refrain from filling any future emails with unnecessary information. I am busy for a while and will notify you when I have a time to meet.
-Sugarcoat …………………………….……………………………
Dear Sugarcoat, I am so glad you replied, even if it was a week after I emailed you. I was worried you wouldn't and that you might not consider us friends, but since you didn't say we aren't friends that means you must really consider us friends. That makes me happy as can be! I can't wait until you're able to meet me and will await the day eagerly. If you don't mind me asking, how are Lemon Zest and Sour Sweet? I hope everything's going well over there!
-????P.D.P???? …………………………….……………………………
Pinkie Pie, I'm sorry for the late replies, I do not often have the free time to check my emails, nor are your emails a very high priority for me. Your last email was significantly shorter than the first. Thank you, though there is still much unnecessary information. Lemon Zest was happy to hear you inquired about her, and says she's doing “Super well dude.” If I may inquire, what is the D in your signature for? I am free this weekend if you wish to meet up for the handkerchief.
-Sugarcoat …………………………….……………………………
P.S. I guess we are friends.
-Sugarcoat …………………………….……………………………
Dear Sugarcoat, Yay!! I'm so glad that you think we're friends! Maud is going to drive me up on Friday, though she was curious why I didn't just mail you the handkerchief and why it took a month before there was a chance to meet up. EEE! I can't wait for her to meet you, you're both brutally honest and don't smile a lot, though I can always tell when she's happy and I have trouble with you! I can't wait! See you in a few days! Also the D in my signature stands for Diane because my full name is Pinkamena Diane Pie.
-????P.D.P.???? …………………………….……………………………
I read my emails through for the tenth time since we left the house. I'm so excited, and can't wait to see my friend again. I look out the window and watch the buildings as they gradually get larger. The city is so big and so cool!
My phone beeps and I look down to see that I've received a new email. It's from Sugarcoat!!! I squeak a little in excitement and open the email. Pinky Pie,
Meet me in Dandelion Field. It's a
park downtown. Near a pizzeria.
3:00. I'll buy lunch too.
I bounce in my seat and look outside again. I can see my wide smile in the mirror and somehow smile wider. I surprise myself sometimes. “Pinkie Pie, where are we going?” Maud asks from the driver's seat. I look up the place on my phone and turn on the GPS. Smart phones are so helpful. It takes us nearly half an hour to get there. By the time we arrive I've thought up more than fifty scenarios of the day, not to mention the hundreds from the rest of the ride.
The car finally stops in the park's parking lot and I immediately unbuckle and jump out of the car. I look around and don't and immediately see why the park is called Dandelion Field. The park is a field of gold, white, and green. Puffs of Dandelion seeds float through the air like cherry blossoms. I spin around and laugh happily at the beauty of it. The wind blows and pulls at my skirt as well as swirling more puffs up into the air.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” A sharp voice sounds from behind me, or next to me, or near me at least. I stop spinning and turn to the voice. Sugarcoat is leaning against a tree as Dandelion puffs float around her and stick in her hair and land against her face. Her hair isn’t in its twin ponytails, but instead has it in a single ponytail. Instead of her usual school uniform she's wearing a red and black checkered skirt ending at her knees, suspenders in the same checker, and a black shirt with a red pizzeria logo on it.
I run over and hug her, which she doesn't fully return. I pull away and do my best to stand still. “Oh my goodness it's been so long! I didn't know you have a job! Your uniform is so cool! Is the food good? Do you like it? Are you excited to see me too?” I ask, leaning towards her and holding my hands behind my back.
“I started a few days after we returned. It's kept me busy enough. The foods not bad either.” She says. She pulls some puff out of her hair. “Do you have it?” She asks, and I blink and tilt my head in confusion. Suddenly I remember and pull the handkerchief out of appearingly nowhere to hand to her. She grabs it immediately and puts it somewhere. It surprises me to see her do something so typically strange, something I've never seen anyone else do. It's exciting! I look over at the car and realize Maud isn't coming over. Weird, why not? “Hey Sugarcoat, that's my sister Maud! Come on, I'll introduce you!” I tell her and I grab her hand. I run over to Maud, and Sugarcoat somehow keeps up, and wasn't dragged in the least. “Maud, meet Sugarcoat. Sugarcoat, this is Maud!” I say. They shake hands and say hello, and don't say anything else. I smile and hug them tightly. “Pinkie!” Sugarcoat says, and I let go immediately. I give a giggle scratch my head. “Come on, I have a discount. I'm at lunch, so I'll treat you two.” Sugarcoat says before walking off towards the Pizzeria. I skip off behind her and hear Maud follow. Sugarcoat seems happier than before and I'm so happy to see that.
Our pizza comes fast, and I munch happily on mine. Across from me Sugarcoat slowly eats some breadsticks, and Maud just drinks water. A waitress walks over to our table and I smile cheerfully at her. “Sugarcoat, Moondancer is trying for another shift so she can save up for yet another book spree. Do you mind if she takes yours. No one else can afford to drop a shift today.” The waitress, a dust yellow girl with short blue hair asks.
“Sure she can take it. Thanks Blu.” Sugarcoat says pleasantly. The interaction was amazing, and I'm so happy. I kick my legs absentmindedly and take another bite of pizza. The waitress walks away and continues her work.
I follow Sugarcoat from store to store as she leads me around downtown. Maud left us to visit a geode professor at the university, so it's just to the two of us. I don't mind at all, though, it's almost like a date. It isn't one of course, not that I'd mind if it was, but it isn't so it doesn't matter. “You've been staring at that mannequin for five minutes now.” Sugarcoat says. I blink and remove myself from my thoughts. I turn and walk away with a silly air of pride. “So? It's a very nice display.” I comment, and look at her very seriously. “It's naked.” She says, and I lose all composure. I bend over laughing, and notice that she even cracks a smile. She hides it when I straighten myself though, but I saw it. We walk to the next store side by side, and I hum the whole way. I stop to look at different displays, and sometimes I just look at her. Sugarcoat stops and I have to turn around to figure out why. She doesn't seem to be looking at anything in particular, but her face seems awfully shocked, and surprisingly cute.
“Sugarcoat?” I ask worriedly as I take a few steps towards her. “What's wrong?” I ask. I poke her in the face, arms, and sides in an attempt to get her attention. She shakes her head after a second and seems to blush a little.
“Just realized something important. It's not a priority at this moment.” She says nervously. I narrow my eyes at the strange reaction before smiling away cheerfully. “Okie dokie lokie!” I reply with cheer. Though the cheers not completely true, whatever caused her to act so strangely does have me worried, but if she won't tell me then I won't push it. I just hope it's nothing too horrible. Sugarcoat walks behind me now, and I watch her reflection in any glass we pass. Finally, we end up in another part of Dandelion Field, and Sugarcoat takes the lead again. The sun is much lower in the sky by now. Our day is almost over.
I look over at Sugarcoat, who has sat down and is looking up at the clouds. She looks so peaceful, so serene, so...beautiful. I chuckle at my mind wording. Beautiful? I guess she is. A lot of girls are beautiful. Rarity, Sunset, Fluttershy, all of us really. Why is it so weird to me that I thought of her as beautiful? “Because I knew that no matter how long I took to reply, you'd still insist on being friends. It meant you wouldn't give up even if I got too busy to indulge your obnoxious antics.” She says clearly. I almost hug her. This is the best compliment she's ever given me. My heart warms and I feel the happiness through my whole body.
She gives me a warning look and I do my best not to hug her, but I don't stop myself from squealing in excitement. “Thank you!” I say, gaining only an eye roll from her.
“You’re staring.” Sugarcoat says as she turns to me. I giggle and keep watching her. She sighs and looks away again. “You’re so weird Pinkie.” She adds.
“Thank you!” I exclaim. I wrap my arms around her and hug her tightly. She doesn’t pull away from the hug, but doesn’t particularly return it. I hug her for a bit longer and then pull away and smile at her.
“Did I worry you earlier?” Sugarcoat asks nervously. I shrug and eat a cupcake. I don’t know where or when I got it, but whatever. It’s gooooood! “I’m going to go home now. Goodbye Pinkie Pie.” Sugarcoat stands up and brushes the fluff off of her clothes. I feel a twinge in my heart and stand up as well. “Sugarcoat?” I call for some reason. Stop being selfish Pinkie! “Will you at least wait with me until Maud gets back?” I ask. She sighs and sits back down. “It’s starting to get dark. Scared?” She asks. She gives me a playful glance and I puff out my chance.
“Nope!” I giggle and sit down next to her, letting my own eyes wander up to the ever changing sky. “I just laugh at anything that scares me.” I watch the sky for a while, but my eyes eventually drift to the girl next to me. I smile widely as an idea comes to mind.
“You said my emails weren't a high priority,” I start with my best dejected tone and sad eyes. “Why?” Sugarcoat looks at me very seriously for half a second, and then looks back up to the sky with a slight blush. Why is she blushing?
“Because I knew that no matter how long I took to reply, you'd still insist on being friends. It meant you wouldn't give up even if I got too busy to indulge your obnoxious antics.” She says clearly. I almost hug her. This is the best compliment she's ever given me. My heart warms and I feel the happiness through my whole body.
She gives me a warning look and I do my best not to hug her, but I don't stop myself from squealing in excitement. I check my phone and look at the time. 6:45. The day is really almost over, I don’t want it to end. My heart hasn’t been this full in a long time, it feels like I’m overflowing with happiness.
"Your sister's here," Sugarcoat says matter-of-factly. I pull my eyes away from her to see my sister's car pull up. I run towards the car before turning back and pulling Sugarcoat into a hug.
"I can't wait to do this again." I say, cracking a huge grin. "We can't." She says, looking away from me. I take a shaky breath as my smile falls.
"W-Why not?" I ask, my voice betraying my feelings. It feels like I'm shattering.
"I'll be too busy, I won't have time to meet you again." She replies in clearly practiced words. How many times has she played this out in her head? I shake my head and pull away. I know my hair has already 'deflated'. I turn around to hide my now watering eyes.
"You don't know that." I plead softly, desperately. I never imagined any of this in the many, many scenarios for the day.
"I do," Sugarcoat places her hand on my shoulder. Her voice is soft and sounds like glass that can break at any moment. She sighs and continues, "I'm saving for University, for a big job, a big life." I shove my arm out of her grip and turn to her.
"So I just don't fit?" I ask, spitting the words at her. I can hear every ounce of pain in my voice. I ball my fist over my heart in an attempt to ease the pain. I don't really want to hear the answer, but I've already asked. "That's right." She replies harshly as she balls her fists at her sides. I narrow my eyes and grit my teeth. All the things she said, I don't know how she could even bear to think them. I look up into her eyes.
"So you just don't like me?" I snap at her. Anger and pain flows through me and out as words. She holds up her hands in protest. "I'm a bother? A nuisance!" I yell harshly. I take a few shaky breaths.
"Pinkie," She protests, every bit of pain in her voice deepens my own pain. Her eyes fill with tears, and my heart breaks at the sight. I turn and run towards the car as sobs escape my throat. "That's not, this isn't...Pinkie...Wait!" Sugarcoat yells desperately. I can't bear to look at her or hear her words. I get in the car and lock the door before pulling my legs up and sobbing into them. Maud doesn't start the car, and I can feel concern radiating from her.
"This isn't you." She comments, and I look up to her. I sniffle and turn my head back to my knees. I watch as tears fall onto them, the proof of the pain I feel emanating from my heart. Maud doesn't say anything else, but the car doesn't start so I know she wants me to do something. I look out the car window and watch as Sugarcoat cries silently in the middle of the park, looking up into the sky. The sight of her like this is almost worse than what just happened. I place my hand against the window and sigh shakily.
"I can't fix this," I say to Maud, replying to words she never actually said, but I know she implied them. I know how to read Maud's unspoken words, and I can't-I just can't fix this. I can't just sing a song, or tell a joke, or smile and have this magically get better. She isn't willing to find the time, or effort, to be my friend. There's nothing I can do about that.
"You can." Maud counters dryly, but with a pinch of encouragement and confidence that only a Pie could detect. She hits a button and my door unlocks and she reaches past me to open it. "Fix it Pinkie." She commands, and the feel of the command nearly forces me out the door - which she closes and locks behind me. I take a deep breath and look to Sugarcoat.
I take a tentative step forward, and another. Each step I take brings an ounce of confidence until I stop, only a foot away from her. "Sugarcoat, I uh..." I start, my voice confident and full of what I'm about to say - to do. Her head drops from it's position towards the heavens and turns towards me, her eyes locking on my own. Her cheeks are stained in tears and her eyes are puffy and red. Somehow she's still really pretty, how is that? "Pinkie! You -" She exclaims happily, bridging the gap between us in a single step and pulling me into a tight embrace. "You came back," She finishes in a near whisper. I let myself give in to the hug, and its comfort and mutual pain, hope, and...hope? Something else? I let the emotions of the hug wash over me.
"I'm sorry." We say together. I lean out of the hug a little to see her face, and a smile spreads across mine. She smiles in response and her whole face seems to light up, despite the puffiness.
"I should have let you explain," I whisper, just loud enough that the blue haired, amazing, girl in front of me could hear. She blinks away tears and sniffs.
"I shouldn't have tried to cut you out of my life," She responds, matching my tone. I giggle, a welcome change from all the crying. Her eyes soften in response.
"Oh, pah-lease. I've barely been a part of it," I remark playfully. She blushes for a moment, and I wonder what she's thinking about. She brushes a hair out of my face and then pulls away from the hug, placing her hands behind her back. "I've always had this plan for my life. Everything I did was to further myself along the path I had laid out. I-" Sugarcoat says, her eyes search mine, but I don't know what she's looking for. "I never could have predicted someone like you coming in and changing everything." I shrug, "What can I say, I'm unpredictable." I joke confidently. She laughs softly, and my heart skips a beat at the sound. Goodness, what is with my heart today? I giggle at my own thought, thinking it sounds more like Fluttershy than me. "You are unfocused, stubborn, weird, silly, and full of a bubbly happiness that is so volatile, so unpredictable that its, well I've never met anyone like you. When I'm with you," Sugarcoat grabs my hand and pulls me close to her again. I gasp slightly in surprise, and it turns into laughter as she spins me and then sets me back down. "When I'm with you I forget all about my plan. I don't just forget it, but I forget to care about it. It's a feeling of freedom that I haven't felt in such a long time." Her eyes lock on mine for a moment, and her eyes seem to dance with so many emotions that it sets my head spinning. Maybe that's just from her spinning me though. She closes her eyes and her smile falls. "Thats why I couldn't risk it. I knew even before today started that I could only do this once. I couldn't risk my whole life plan because of one weird, fun, amazing girl that I happened to meet." Sugarcoat opens her eyes again and they're brimming with tears. I reach up and wipe them away, and she leans in to my touch. "But when I sent you away I felt such pain, I couldn't remember why that future seemed so amazing - not when I had just thrown away something that was already amazing, that was right in front of me." She says, her voice soft and filling me with happiness. I smile up at her, my heart beating loudly in my ears. This is actually happening? "Sugarcoat," I whisper, my voice seeming to have escaped me. "I -" "Pinkie" Mauds voice calls, and I jump in surprise. Blush quickly takes over my face and neck, and one, very long, glance shows me that her reaction is similar. We say hurried 'goodbyes' and I ran back to the car. I sigh contentedly as my back hits the car seat.
