The mayor of Ponyville spoke with a tone that suited the melancholic event "Today marks three years of the disappearance of the life and soul of this town of Ponyville. Many search teams have been dispatched to try and find her. But it's been to no avail. It is my unfortunate duty to pronounce her as being no longer part of this world. By no means is she dead, she will be forever alive in all out hearts, all our memories with her, and all our thoughts. May we take a minute silence for the pony we all loved and lost. Take time to remember our time with her".

The minute dragged on. Each second felt like a minute in itself. For five ponies in particular who had gathered in there friends memory. Fluttershy was completely inconsolable. Rarity faring no better. Twilight tried to maintain a calm demeanor, a wing each around the two ponies that were worse off. Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Applejack blamed herself, and Rainbow trying to come to terms with the fact the mare she fell in love with three years ago, and still loved had died. However hard she tried, she just couldn't. The five had remained strong for each other, and Twilight had stuck strong to her word that no pony was told what the other said on that night. Of course they tried to force it out of her, but they eventually gave up when Twilight always refused.

The minute of Silence had passed and the mayor spoke again "Pinkamena Diane Pie, you may be gone, but never will you be forgotten. You will never be forgotten by family and friends alike. The town is not, and will never be the same again. Goodbye Pinkie Pie". A rumbling echo of many disheartened ponies repeated the words "Goodbye Pinkie Pie". The mayor was right. With Pinkie Pie gone, conditions in the town were miserable. Without the Pink pony in question around to cheer everypony up, it remained that way.

"It is with great pleasure I announce the unveiling of the shrine, a small tribute to our friend, lest we forget of her" With that, two ponies pulled a large black veil off a medium sized statue. The craftsmanship was most commendable. It must have taken hours to carve, and a ton of granite to get it spot on. It was the color of natural granite, carved in perfection to match Pinkie Pies look. Embedded on each side of the statues flank were three jewels, expertly carved to match the three balloon shapes of her cutie mark. Two blue stones and one yellow per side. It stood on a black plinth made from black marble, on which sat a golden plate with an inscription.

***

------------------------------
In loving memory
Pinkamena Diane Pie
Beloved resident of Ponyville
Daughter, Sister, and friend to many
Sorely missed by all

Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by laughing in the face of danger represents the spirit of:
Laughter

May my memory guide you all through the thick and thin, because everypony is my friend, and i love to see my friends smile. Never let your smiles fade away
------------------------------

***

Many of towns ponies stood and sat around the memorial for hours. Some offering there silent company, others speaking words in memory. As hours past, many ponies became nine. Mr Cake, Mrs Cake, Pound Cake, Pumpkin Cake, and Pinkie Pie's five best friends. Soon it became just her friends, before leaving just Applejack, Twilight and Rainbow Dash. Applejack and Rainbow Dash still under a wing of Twilight's each.

Applejack spoke before leaving "This is all mah fault". She walked off, head hanging low. Twilight and Rainbow Dash sat in front of the monument alone. Rainbow finally found the words to speak between sobs

"So that's all she is to everpony now, words engraved in granite. I loved her Twi, I still do"

"I know you do Rainbow, and she's far from that, she was a loved friend to many and always will be"

Rainbow put on a brave face "Shes not dead Twilight, I just know it"

Twilight bowed her head "sometimes we just have to accept a loss Rainbow, if she was alive, she

"can you walk on clouds now your part pegasus?"

"yes Rainbow, why?"

"I need a favor, can you stay at mine tonight, it's been so lonely lately and I don't know if I can take much more of it"

"let me just pop in on Spike and leave him a note then ill be up"

The remaining two ponies left the monument.

***

The night was well on course now. Back at Sweet Apple Acres, there was one pony who was too restless to sleep. She wasn't usually one for leaving the comfort of her home at night, but perhaps she could speak to the monument in private for just a little closure.

Gingerly she crept down the farmhouse stairs being careful not to wake Applebloom, Big Mackintosh or Granny Smith. However, her hope of not being caught was short lived when she tried to leave the front door

"where ya goin' AJ?" her brother spoke

"just somethin' I gotta do bro"

"you goin' to the statue of your friend?"

"Yeah Big Mac, I jus' can't help but feel it was my fault in the first place, I lied to her Mac, I thought if I covered the truth, she might feel better, but it don't work like that does it"

"mnope"

"I jus' gotta go an' see her alone, won't be too long"

"eeyup"

***

There she stood. No pony else at the monument, she had a chance to say everything she wanted to say in private now. Only herself and the monument, as well as the forced air of solemnity.

"Pinkie, ah'm so sorry ah lied to you, ah really am. Figuring Twi told you ah had feelings for Dash, ah thought a lie might make you feel better. Ah don't know where you are right now, but we have to come to terms your not coming back, and it's all mah fault. No one's takin' this lightly, Twi's just bein' strong for the rest of us, ah know she is. Ah kind of figured your the mare Dash had feelings for, but ah ain't mad cus she told me the truth, that her eyes were on another mare, like ah should have to you. Ah miss ya Pinkie, we all do. Ah hope you found peace away from us, and Ah hope your watchin' over the others, ah know ah don't deserve your spirit guidin' me"

Suddenly, a flash of light appeared and a new voice behind her "Applejack, you must stop blaming yourself". Applejack turned round to be greeted by a tall pure white alicorn with an ethereal mane and tail, looking as regal as ever

"Princess Celestia" she bowed before the Princess before rising and continuing "Scuse me Princess, but it is mah fault, and Ah knew even if she was still here, she would never forgive me for lying"

Princess Celestia's eyes lit up. She didn't speak any words of command, but Applejack felt she should look at the monument, or rather the plaque with the inscription. The last two lines glowed. A brilliant white, making it stand out from the rest of the inscription

May my memory guide you all through the thick and thin, because everypony is my friend, and i love to see my friends smile. Never let your smiles fade away

Princess Celestia now spoke "Do you think she would want you blaming yourself, living in sadness? The inscription says otherwise, it does not say 'everypony is my friend apart from Applejack' The inscription wasn't written by Pinkie Pie herself, but through Pinkie Pie's mind frame"

Applejack found a bit of comfort in the Princess' words. However she had to ask something "Princess Celestia, forgive me, ah don't know if ah should be askin' you this, but ah think Dash had feelings for Pinkie, do yah think ah should tell her what happened. Twi spoke to the three of us the last day Pinkie was here, and Ah figured that might be what Dash told her"

Princess Celestia let out a faint chuckle, "Applejack, I would much like to help the six of you through anything, but I can't make these choices for you. If you think telling Rainbow Dash is the right thing to do, then do it, if you think it's the wrong thing to do, dont"

"Ah think it might be, mahself and Dash have been tryin' to get what we said that night from Twi, but ah think ah've figured out what was on Dash's mind that night, that's why ah think ah should come clean with her"

"If it is your choosing to tell Rainbow Dash, then you must do it. I have come to pay respect to one of our heroes, I wanted to see the other five of you individually to see what can and shall be done, I must go and check on Twilight Sparkle now. I will not mention anything to any of the others of our interaction." with that Princess Celestia moved towards the statue of Pinkie Pie, and placed a replication of her element necklace around the statues neck, before bowing silently and leaving to see her prized protégé.

***

Twilight proof read her note to spike to make sure she didn't miss anything out

Dear Spike

Going to keep Rainbow Dash company for the night. You can open and take charge of the library in the morning. Should be back about noon

Love Twilight Sparkle

P.s-don't think I haven't checked the ice cream, you may have a bit if you like, but not too much

She smiled, satisfied she hadn't missed anything out. Before leaving the library and locking up for the night. There was a spare key underneath the Trojan pony head, Spike knew where it was so he'd have no problem opening up in the morning. She turned around to see her mentor standing a comfortable distance away

"Princess Celestia" she spoke with a bow. She almost forgot she was a Princess sometimes, it often confused her when Princess Celestia bowed back to her

"Princess Twilight Sparkle. Are you well?"

She bowed her head to look at the ground. She knew her friends were starting to catch onto her a bit, but only two ponies could read her like an open book, and she was speaking to one of them now, there was no point in lying, Princess Celestia could probably already tell what the answer to her question was "Not really Princess Celestia, but I have to stay strong for my friends. Especially Applejack and Rainbow Dash, I think they are the feeling the worst of it"

Princess Celestia spoke in her usual calm tone "It's quite ok to grieve a loss, having been around for a long time, and due to be around forever more, I have experienced the loss of many friends, family and subjects, I understand your pain Twilight. Are you going to the monument now?"

"I've been, I promised Rainbow Dash I'd keep her company tonight, she asked me to"

"as caring as ever Twilight. I have spoken to Applejack, as I plan to speak to the rest of you. She was at the monument and she blames herself. Tell me Twilight, what were the events prior to Pinkie Pie's disappearance, Applejack told me you Spoke to her, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie the night before. I must stress that not a word will reach anypony else"

Twilight knew she could trust Princess Celestia, if she said the details of the conversation won't reach anypony else, then thy wouldn't "Pinkie was at the library talking to me, because she told Applejack she loved her and Applejack felt bad, Pinkie wanted to cheer her up. Then Rainbow Dash came in, said she needed to tell me something, and Applejack come in telling me she also needed to tell me something. Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash clearly felt awkward, so I spoke to the three individually. I told Pinkie that I though Applejack might have lied to her. Applejack confirmed it, that she lied, and told me she had eyes for Rainbow Dash, then Dash told me Applejack told her that she loved her, but she only had eyes for Pinkie. Applejack then asked me to tell Pinkie that she lied. I did and she disappeared. And now she's been pronounced dead"

Celestia spoke, looking a bit disturbed "A love triangle, never ends well for anypony involved, but with a lie, the problem inflates tenfold, did you say you were going to stop with Rainbow Dash for the night?"

"Yes I did. Spikes a bit more responsible, I've left him in charge of the morning shift"

"If it wouldn't be too much of an inconvenience, I need to speak with Rainbow Dash" Twilight nodded in agreement and with that the pair of alicorns took flight to Rainbow Dash's home

***

Rainbow Dash paced the bedroom of her cloud home. She had already set up a cloud bed for the alicorn that had agreed to spend the night, and was now waiting for her. She knew it was unlike Twilight to take long. Well ok sometimes she did frantically organize things, but really, how long could writing a note take.

A knock at the door filled her with hope that her friend might have arrived. She ran to the door as quick as possible to see her friend. But her friend had company. Princess Celestia.

"Princess Celestia" she bowed. She was surprised, and Celestia noticed this

"Rainbow Dash, there's no cause for alarm. I know what today is. How hard it is for you all."

Rainbow Dash heard this. She didn't disregard it but she felt she had almost lost her manners "Oh excuse me, do come in". With that the pair of alicorns made there way in

"I won't be staying long, but I've spoken to Applejack and Twilight, and Twilight told me she was keeping you company for the night. I know it must be hard, and as the five of you have been faithful subjects, it's my duty to come and see your all well" She paused "Or as well as you can be"

Rainbow Dash tried to fight it, tried to fight an outburst in front of two Princesses. She almost did. She though she did. But when she allowed herself to speak, it showed different. She started crying. Rainbow Dash never cried, and here she was bawling in front of two members of royalty. She just wanted Pinkie Pie back her Pinkie Pie back.

"I'm sorry, I just can't do it. It slipped out in front of Twilight earlier, but I know Pinkie is alive, I just KNOW it"

Both Princesses looked at each other anxiously. They did not know what to say without further upsetting Rainbow Dash. Princess Celestia took it upon herself "Rainbow Dash, look at me" Rainbow Dash fixed her tear filled eyes on the larger white alicorn. Princess Celestia's next words came as a shock to Twilight and Dash alike. "I do not wish to fill you with false hope, but there is one last thing we can try. It will determine if she's alive only, not where she may be if she is"

Whilst Twilight looked absolutely shocked, a small ray of hope lit upon Rainbow Dash's face "Whatever it is, I will try it, no matter what"

"you may or may not know my sister, Princess Luna is the guardian of dreams."

Twilight realized what this was her face lit up "and if Pinkie Pie is still alive it stands to reason she will still be able to dream. If Luna enters her dream, she must be alive. That's it!" Celestia nodded and smiled

This gave Rainbow Dash a bit of hope "and you think it will work"

Celestia replied "It is as I say, I do not wish to fill you with false hope, and if she is alive, there is still the task of finding her"

Rainbow Dash had now stopped crying. She now had the opposite problem. Hiding her glee. She wasn't one for lovey dovey stuff, but she knew for a fact that if Pinkie Pie had dies, her heart would have died rather than ached. "Thankyou Princess Celestia"

"Think nothing of it my little pony. The time is getting on now, I will see Rarity and Fluttershy at noon tomorrow. For now I will leave you Two to rest and return to Canterlot to set Luna on her task"

"Good bye Princess Celestia" Said Twilight and Rainbow Dash almost at once. Celestia vanished into thin air. Presumably teleporting to Canterlot. Rainbow Dash and Twilight headed for Rainbow Dash's bedroom, where Rainbow Dash had set up a spare bed for Twilight.

***

At the bedroom of Rainbow Dash's cloud home slept two ponies. Well, one. Twilight felt restless. She knew Celestia's words had brought Rainbow Dash some comfort, but it wasn't a promise. What if Rainbow Dash was being happy on false hope. What if Luna couldn't enter Pinkie Pie's dream? What would Rainbow Dash do if she had to accept that the mare she loved had died. It would simply devastate her. In a way, Twilight wished Princess Celestia hadn't said the words that gave Rainbow Dash hope.

Of course Twilight had a bit of hope, she really wanted to see Pinkie Pie back. Then another thought crossed her mind. Will things be the same? Will everypony be upset with her? How much might she have changed? Sometimes, as smart as she was, Twilight accepted her own brain as her own worst enemy. This would mean now a few more hours without sleep. Sleep she much needed. She was one tired pony.

She would have to talk to Rainbow Dash in the morning. It would be unfair if Rainbow Dash slipped the plan and gave anypony else false hope. She had decided that, rather than falling asleep naturally, she would use a light sleeping spell on herself. It would have to be a light one though. She risked light sleep that she could easily wake up from rather than using a stronger spell. She was slightly rusty with sleeping spells. A strong one may cause several days sleep. Not the best thing to do at the moment. She coated herself in a purple field of magic. On casting the spell, the field drew into her before disappearing beneath her fur, into the flesh, then splitting up into the organs it was needed. Heart rate and breathing slowed, followed by brain activity. Before she knew it, she had nodded off.

***

Princess Celestia arrived back in Canterlot. She was not unnerved by the task she needed to set her younger sister. Despite how ridiculous it sounded to even herself, Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy and Rarity were her most faithful subjects. Whilst most ponies often questioned the benevolent leaders motives, these six ponies, as well as Spike got things done without question, knowing the Princess would never deliberately endanger their lives.

She had now arrived at the younger alicorn's chamber, she knocked on the door, courtesy for her sister is what she would want from Luna so she showed her sister courtesy.

"Enter" spoke the alicorn of the night.

Celestia opened the door and walked into the room to see her sister watching the night sky "Sister, not too busy I see"

"No sister, what is on your mind"

"you may be aware of the disappearance of the holder of the element of Laughter, Pinkie Pie?"

"Oh yes, a most grieving occurrence for everypony"

"I had thought about it, and said nothing to any of her friends, but she may still be alive yet. The power of the elements of harmony still seems as strong as ever. I need to confirm this"

"how so sister?"

"I need you to try and find her dreams. The holder of the element of Loyalty also seems to believe there may still be some hope of Pinkie Pie being alive yet. It's the least we can do for the six ponies who reunited us. We must try and reunite the five with the sixth"

"A noble request indeed sister, but as you may be aware, it will only determine if she is alive, not where she might be"

"Yes Luna, and i have informed Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle"

"Very well sister, I shall start looking for her immediately"