Author's note: This is going to be a short chapter, but the next one will be longer. I would also like to thank those that have sent me their thoughts on how the story should go, it has given me many ideas on how to proceed that I haven't thought of. If I do end up using one of your ideas, you will be credited.

Also I am debating if I should pair Chrome with Pinkie or Twilight, what do you lot think?

Chapter 21: Sad Sad Pinkie

Discord's book is… unusual. It is less on about how the ponies developed, but by how they have been aided.

This book is like the hidden history of forces beyond the ponies' control has been helping them since they have first arrived in Equestria. And there have been repeated references to somepony only known as the Spirit of Harmony, but it never goes into detail of whom that really is. This Spirit of Harmony always just seems to appear whenever disaster strikes, and helps them, only to disappear.

The very way that Discord writes of this Spirit is like he has some form of respect towards both the Spirit of Harmony, and the Spirit of Chaos.

What I find even odder is that the Spirit of Harmony could be found in the other books I found. This Spirit hasn't been around since Equestria, he predates it.

Suddenly a knock on the door knocks me out of my train of thought, and I go to answer it.

At the door is Pinkie the Clown, face paint and all.

Pinkie starts to sing, "This is your singing telegram

I hope it finds you well

You're invited to a party

'Cause we think you're really swell

Gummy's turning one year old

So help us celebrate

The cake will be delicious

The festivities first-rate

There will be games and dancing

Bob for apples, cut a rug

And when the party's over

We'll gather 'round for a group hug

No need to bring a gift

Being there will be enough

Birthdays mean having fun with friends

Not getting lots of stuff

It won't be the same without you

So we hope that you say yes

So, please, oh please R.S.V.P.

And come, and be our guest!"

Pinkie finishes, breathing rather hardly, like she had been doing this for a while now.

"Yes, I will come to Gummy's party," I told her. "Now come inside and get something to drink, you look ready to pass out," I said, letting her inside.

Pinkie slowly goes to the kitchen and lays her head down on the table. I have never seen Pinkie without energy before.

I pour her a glass of water, and she takes it, and quickly chugs it down. "Thanks Chrome, I needed that," She said.

"You look as if you have run all around Ponyville," I commented, wondering if something was wrong.

"Yeah, you are the last pony I invited with a song. It is really tiring," She said as she got up. "Thanks for the drink Chrome, I got to go prepare the party." And with that she walked out the door.

With her gone, I could get back to Discord's book.

Wait, what do you get an alligator for his birthday?

I arrived at the party on time, and was greeted by Pinkie's odd taste in music.

"Hey Chromie, are you having fun?" Pinkie asked, bouncing over.

"It is quite a nice party you have thrown," I commented.

"Well duh, I always give a hundred and ten and one half percent," Pinkie said in her own way. She then bounced away to ask the girls how they were doing.

Since there wasn't really much for me to really do, I just stood by and watched the girls have fun… and Twilight and Fluttershy get stuck in a wall from Pinkie's dancing.

We all ended up staying till it got late at night, and we all left as a group.

"Hoo-wee! I am beat! I haven't danced that much since... Well, since your last party. Thanks again for the invite!" Applejack commented as we left.

"See ya later, birthday alligator!" Rainbow called back as she flew off.

"Bravo for hosting yet another delightful soiree," Rarity said in her usual manner.

"It's been lovely," Fluttershy said as she left.

"You sure you don't wanna stay? There's still some cake left," Pinkie called out from her window.

"Uh, I think I'm gonna pass. Great party though. We should do this again soon," Twilight replied.

Twilight and I ended up walking together since our homes are close by.

"You remember what tomorrow is?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, it is the pink firecracker's birthday," I replied. "Her gift will be here by tomorrow as well."

"That's good," Twilight commented as the quite returned.

"Twilight, have you heard of the Spirit of Harmony?" I asked, I couldn't get it out of my head.

"Hmm, you've been reading into old mares tales?" Twilight jokingly asked. "The Spirit of Harmony is basically a mythical figure that appears every so many years when ponies need help, you know, like that other mare's tale about "The Doctor".

Oh? So he is a mare's tale as well? Guess that shows these myths they have tend to be true.

"Thanks for the info," I tell her, as our paths have diverged now. "Night Twilight," I call out as she reached the library.

With Twilight gone, I continue to walk to my house, but heard something odd. I could hear somepony walking nearby, so I turned around to see if anyone was there.

When I did, I saw someone duck between two houses, trying to hide from me. Why am I being followed?

I pretended like I didn't see anything, and continued walking, but I could hear my stalker's hoof steps.

I continued walking about 20 feet, and came to a stop, and so did my stalker. "I know you are there, come out!" I called out over my shoulder. After a few moments of nothing, the hoof beat approached me. The hoof beats stopped close behind me, so I calmly turned around to see who it was.

All I saw was some hooded pony. "Why are you following me?" I questioned.

"I know what you are, foul human," she hissed at me. What? How did she know what I was? "My master wishes you gone, before you force our hand." she threatened me.

"What do proof do you have I am what you claim?" I ask. How does she know?

"My master knows much about you, Daniel," The pony chuckled, saying my human name. "And if you are not the human spirit, then remove your mask."

I knew I was trapped, that all the proof ponies would need to know I wasn't one of them.

"What is it you want of me?" I asked.

"We want you gone," She repeated. "You will have one week to disappear, or your friends will pay the price."

"Leave them out of this," I growled. "No one will hurt my friends."

"Ah, but you are only one sprit, and can't be everywhere," she said calmly. "One week Daniel," she then walked away into the night.

Life can never be simple, can it?

I didn't read at all last night. I have just been trying to think of some way to keep everypony safe, but there was no answer.

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. I went to open it to reveal a happy Pinkie

"Hi Chromie, I came to invite you to Gummy's 'after-birthday' party. This afternoon at 3 o'clock," Pinkie stated. "All our bestest friends are invited, and there's gonna be dancing, and games, and cake, and ice-cream, and punch!"

This afternoon? Isn't her party this afternoon as well?

"I will try to make it Pinkie," I told her. I hope the girls will understand me not being able to show up and help.

"Yay!" Pinkie shouted, "You are the only one who has agreed." Only one? I guess that means they will all be preparing.

With the knowledge that I was showing up, Pinkie zoomed off to prepare.

If I can't stay, I will do what I can to make them happy before I leave.

I came to Sugercube Corner at 3, and walked upstairs to Pinkie's room, and… it was rather creepy Pinkie's mane was flat, and her colors seemed darkened. She had also prepared a table with 'guests'; Rocks, turnips, a bag of flour, and a dust bunny.

I just stood in the door way watching Pinkie's descent into madness.

"Thank you all so much for coming! It means so much to Gummy," Pinkie called out to her 'guest'.

"Could I have some more punch?" Pinkie asked in an odd voice, talking for the turnips

"Well, of course you can have some more punch, Mr. Turnip," Pinkie said happily, but twitched.

"This is one great pahty! You really outdone yourself!" She spoke for the rocks.

"Why, thank you, Rocky," Pinkie replied.

"I'm having a delightful time as well," she said for the dust bunny.

"I'm so glad, Sir Lintsalot," Suddenly Pinkie made a dinging sound.

"Might I trouble you for anozer slice of cake?" She said for the flour.

"Anything for you, Madame le Flour," Pinkie said.

"I'm just glad none o' them ponies showed up," 'Rocky' said.

"Oh, they're not so bad," Pinkie said with a twitch, and her eyes went odd.

"Um, Pinkie?" I decided to let myself known.

Pinkie quickly looked over to me. "Oh hello Chrome," She said, and began to have each 'guest' great me as well.

This is just getting creeper.

"Why are you here?" She asked harshly.

"Um, your invited me," I said.

"Why then? You and everyone else don't want to be my friends anymore," She asked, and had some of the things agree with her.

"Pinkie what is wrong with you," I asked. "You are off, more than usual."

"Oh? I am off? Well the rest of you decided to turn off being my friends!" Pinkie shouted.

At this point, Pinkie began talking with the items about me, and our other friends. I had to put a stop to this, so I did the only thing I knew that would reset her mind.

I walked over to Pinkie, ignoring her rambling, and took hold of her. "Sorry about this Pinkie," I said before I slapped her.

Pinkie held her face, shocked at what I did.

"Pinkie, I am disappointed in you," I told her. "The one moment that your friends want to do something by themselves, you abandoned them, and quickly replace them." Pinkie had the decency to look saddened by my words. "Does their friendship mean so little that you would be willing to throw away friends who truly care for you?" Pinkie started crying at this point. "Now Pinkie tell me what caused you to behave in such a way?" I asked gently.

"I-I-I," Pinkie stuttered, "I thought that you guys were all avoiding me, because you didn't want to be my friends anymore. So I-I-…" Pinkie grabbed onto me, and wept on my shoulder. "I'm sorry for doubting you guys. I was scare. I was afraid I had lost my friends," she cried.

I put my hoof on her back, trying to calm her down. "Don't worry Pinkie," I told her. "We all care for you greatly."

Pinkie's crying didn't calm down, so I tried something else.

"Pinkie, do you know why I came to the party?" I asked, but got no reply, but the sobbing slowed down. "I came here to make sure you smiled." Pinkie looked up at me. "You are one of my closest friends, and all I wish is for you to be happy Pinkie." I spoke honestly

"Do-do you mean that?" Pinkie asked.

"Yes I do Pinkie," I told her. "And never question for a moment that any of us would do something to make you sad."

Pinkie just hugged me once I said that, and remained there for a while.

After a few minutes, somepony knocked on the door, but neither of us moved.

"Hey there, Pinkie Pie! Sorry I was in such a rush earlier. Had some place to be and couldn't slow down and say… "Hello"?" Rainbow said as she saw us in the room. "Um, what happened in here?"

"Just helping a friend in need," I replied. "Pinkie, Rainbow is here," I whispered gently, causing her to look up.

"Oh, um hey Rainbow," Pinkie greeted softly

"Um, hey Pinkie," Rainbow said nervously

"Yeah... so, why don't you come with me over to Sweet Apple Acres?" Rainbow offered

"Alright," Pinkie said as she let me go, and got up to follow Rainbow.

Now free, I followed Pinkie closely as we head out.

"We're here," Rainbow declared once we arrived.

Rainbow and I then led Pinkie into the barn where the others laid in wait.

"Surprise!" the girls shouted once Pinkie entered, causing Pinkie to be startled. She then subconsciously moved closer to me.

"I really thought she'd be more excited," Fluttershy commented.

"Hmm, I think she forgot," I commented, getting a quizzical look from Pinkie. I then turn to face her, "Happy Birthday, Pinkie," I said.

After a few moments, the gears in Pinkie's head moved, and she realized what today was. Suddenly her mane, and tail poofed .

"It's my birthday! Ooh, how could I have forgotten my own birthday?" Pinkie said happily bouncing around ,and the ponies let out a sigh of relief. "And you like me so much you decided to throw me a surprise party! You girls are the best friends ever!" Pinkie said, forcing us all into a group hug.

"All right, girls! Enough of this gab. Let's party!" Applejack declared, and the party began.

The music started, and the ponies began to dance, along with Spike, and whatever you call Gummy's movement. Oddly enough, the girls somehow started a conga line.

"You girls wouldn't mind if we celebrated Gummy's after-birthday party too, would you? His party was cut short, and he's pretty upset about it," Pinkie asked us, pointing at Gummy chewing on a ballon.

"Oh, definitely," Fluttershy agreed.

"Aww, he was upset?" Rarity asked

"Uh-huh, sure!" Applejack said.

"For Gummy, yeah!" Rainbow agreed.

"Yeah, why not? Let's have a party for Gummy," Twilight giggled.

Where was that package I asked for?

Suddenly, a knock was heard on the door. None of the others heard it over the music, so I went over to open it. There I saw was a crate, and Derpy standing next to it. Post-Doctor or Pre-Doctor I wonder.

"Um, hello sir," Derpy said, getting my answer of Post. "I have a delivery for you."

"Thank you Miss Hooves," I thank her, and push the crate inside.

Right as soon as I walked in, Pinkie glomped onto the crate

"Oooh! I wonder what it is?" Pinkie wondered out loud.

"Open it and find out," I said, moving away from the crate. Pinkie then pulled out a crowbar from her mane, and began to pry it open. Once it opened, it let out a wave of packaging nuts, burying Pinkie.

"Um, Pinkie?" Applejack asked, not seeing Pinkie.

Suddenly a loud bang was heard, flinging both Pinkie, and the packing nuts away revealing the present. Standing there was a baby blue cannon, with large flowers on the wheels.

"Oh, I love it," Pinkie said as she reappeared next to it. "It's a real party cannon!" Pinkie joked, as she pulled the string on the back, sending confetti at the girls.

"Thanks Chromie!" Pinkie shouted, as she hugged me again.

"No problem Pinkie," I told, her as she let me go. Pinkie then rolled around on the cannon, and randomly fired at the girls, covering them with confetti.

I was about to go back to my spot, when I noticed something else was in the crate: a red book, with a metal binding. I picked it up, and didn't see any title on it, so I opened it up to the first page.

"Hello Daniel, I am you," Was written on the very first page.

What the buck?