Darkness lay behind, the sun long having set. But ahead a light shone fierce, a beacon shining out over all of Equestria, drawing ponies from far and wide into the warm, welcoming glow of Canterlot Castle. They came in their hundreds, by hoof or by carriage, any and all who were wealthy or important or lucky enough to receive a ticket to the most anticipated event of the year.

The Grand Galloping Gala.

Some marched in, the symbol of class and sophistication, their heads held high, their pride practically radiating from their stature and outfits, only the very best money could buy of course. Others ran, skipped and bounced in, their joy and excitement at being able to attend a party such as this matched only by their extravagance in what they wore, every other figure making their own stamp on fashion with their jovial and eccentric attire.

She could see it all from her own carriage, her own insignificant carriage blending into the winding cue of taxis stretching down the mountainside. She saw the emotions etched in their face, represented in their every movement. Even those that tried so hard to maintain the façade of refinement, she saw, she knew how they really felt. Happiness. Excitement. Elation. Feelings she remembered having the first time she attended this celebration, feelings she longed to possess again, feelings she knew deep inside were a thing of her past.

Pinkie Pie sighed, turning her head away from the window of her carriage so she wouldn’t have to see all the happy attendees. She was going to have to suffer through them for an entire night, might as well make the most of her solitude while it lasted.

“How are you feeling?” the pony beside her asked, in her usual dreary, monotone voice. Perhaps solitude was the wrong word, but Pinkie Pie had never been bothered by her sister Maud’s company.

“Fine,” Pinkie mumbled back, trying not to think about whether that was true or not.

“I know it’s hard,” Maud continued, her voice unchanging, “but you know this is for the best.”

“I know,” Pinkie agreed reluctantly, “I just… don’t think I can face them.”

“If things get to be too much,” Maud stated, “we can leave early. But you have to make an attempt first, promise?”

“I promise,” Pinkie assured her, to an outsider it would have sounded like Maud’s voice had remained the same, but Pinkie knew she was using her big sister voice. “You didn’t have to come you know, I know how boring you find these fancy parties.”

“Pinkie, I’m your sister,” Maud replied, “I would never let you face your fears alone.”

Then after a tense moment, Maud slid over the seat and held Pinkie in a rigid hug. Pinkie placed her head into the nape of Maud’s neck, appreciating the sense of comfort her older sister gave her.

“Besides,” Maud continued still holding onto Pinkie, “I’m sure once you all get talking, you’ll feel better.”

Pinkie slid out of her sister’s embrace, not meeting her gaze.

I wish I could believe that.

The carriage gave a sudden jerk as they moved forward a few paces with the shifting line.

“We’re almost there!” Their driver shouted back into the compartment, Glancing a second time out the window, Pinkie saw they were creeping ever closer to the castle gates where the flood of ponies were still shuffling in. It wouldn’t be long before they too were part of that crowd. Pinkie nervously checked herself in the full length mirror opposite them.

She briefly remembered her first Gala, and how she had tried to straighten her hair only to have it bounce back into its usual curls. Somehow she wasn’t half surprised when she straightened it earlier that day, and it stayed perfectly straight. A part of her had almost hoped it would bounce back, but no, like Pinkie herself, her hair seemed to lack the enthusiasm it once had. Looking beyond her still poker straight mane and tale she looked to her dress.

She inwardly cringed at this, not because the dress was ugly, on the contrary, the red silk hugged her figure perfectly and flowed elegantly around her hind legs. And once she added the delicate sapphire linked belt and pendant in the shape of her cutie mark, even Pinkie had to admit she looked damn good. No, the reason she cringed was out of fear as to what the others would think of her showing up without the dress Rarity had made for her specifically for their first Grand Galloping Gala all that time ago.

The dress still fitted her well enough, it probably could use a bit of touching up, she had lost a bit of weight these past months. But when that morning came and the time to get ready was at hand, she just couldn’t bring herself to wear it, instead opting to wear the dress that she and Maud had bought on one of her few trips off the farm. Maud herself was wearing a matching dress, hers being navy with purple jewels comprising her belt and pendant, which was in the shape of a basic circle.

The carriage gave another jolt of movement, stopping again almost as quickly, but looking once more out the window Pinkie saw they were only one stop away from dismounting. As this realisation set in, her previous complacency began to slip away, replaced by a familiar feeling of dread. She was here, at the Gala, beyond those doors were her friends, the friends she hadn’t seen in months, and tonight would be the first time in a long time all six… no, five of them would be together again.

Pinkie’s hooves were shaking violently now, her breathing coming out in short, sharp gasps.

“Pinkie!” Maud exclaimed upon noticing her sister’s condition.

What am I doing here?! Why did I agree to do this?!

“Pinkie, you have to calm down!” Maud ordered, her normally bland voice slipping to reveal her panic. Pinkie didn’t hear her however, the only sound in her head being that of her own heart thumping furiously as if it were about to explode in her chest.

I can’t face them, I can’t! I can’t look them in the face and lie, but I can’t tell them that…

Pinkie's thoughts were quickly silenced as she felt herself slapped by a wave of water colliding with her face. Coughing and spluttering, Pinkie looked around wildly with no little amount of confusion. Her explanation came from an apologetic looking Maud holding a now empty bottle of drinking water.

“Alright ladies,” the driver announced opening the carriage doors. “Welcome to the Grand Galloping Gala.”

“Um, could we have a minute to get cleaned up?” Maud asked when the stallion noticed Pinkie’s drenched face.

~

“Sorry about that,” Pinkie said awkwardly as the pair shuffled along with the crowd towards the wide archway leading into the castle entrance hall.

“It’s alright Pinkie,” Maud insisted, “if I had a pebble for every time I’ve had to snap you out of a panic attack…”

Pinkie grimaced; the last several months had been trialling on her family, Maud most of all who had dropped out of her rock science course the moment news of Pinkie’s ordeal reached her parents at the rock farm. Pinkie lost count of the number of times she begged Maud to return to her degree, she felt rotten enough without the knowledge that her sister was throwing her career away to help her.

“Pinkie,” Maud said suddenly, coming to a stop. “Look…”

Pinkie followed Maud’s gaze to the sky hanging over the towers and spires of Canterlot Castle, seeing immediately what had caught her sister’s attention. The Wonderbolts streaked overhead, all five leaving their own distinctive trail in their wake. The two on the outside leaving a stream of wispy white clouds, the next two in leaving a trail of black clouds crackling with lightning and a trail of fire respectively. But it was the centre Wonderbolt that drew Pinkie’s gaze, her prismatic arch matching her rainbow mane and tail.

Pinkie couldn’t help but smile slightly seeing her old friend speed by alongside her idols, living her dream. As they flew, they each broke off into their own flight patterns, while the other four performed impressive stunts and manoeuvres of their own, it was Rainbow Dash Pinkie watched as she ascended into the sky, becoming nothing more than a twinkling speck hovering high above the castle.

The entire crowd outside had stopped pushing to get inside the castle, now encapsulated as Pinkie was with the Wonderbolt’s abrupt performance. As Rainbow Dash plummeted back down to the earth, Pinkie could almost visualise the cone forming around her, and began to brace herself in anticipation for the Sonic Rainboom. Perhaps it was nostalgia, but as the spectrum ring expanded across the night sky, illuminating the dark, Pinkie felt a warmth rise in her chest.

“So that’s the Sonic Rainboom,” Maud whispered in awe as the crowd around them burst into thunderous applause.

Pinkie nodded, when she had first told Maud of the first Sonic Rainboom that resulted in her getting her cutie mark, Maud was sure Pinkie had just imagined it. With their impromptu performance finished, the five Wonderbolts returned side by side, flying downwards. Most of the audience was already moving on, but Pinkie remained rooted to the spot, not because she expected to see more, but because something odd had caught her eye.

As the five flew into formation, the one ejecting the stream of dark clouds wavered slightly. The twitch in Pinkie’s tail was the only warning she got before the Wonderbolt lost control and began spiralling down, taking one of the outer pegasi with them. The other three rushed to their rescue, but they were out of site before Pinkie could see if they had managed to make it in time or not. Looking around Pinkie saw that very few ponies had witnesses this.

“I guess… that performance takes a lot out of them,” Maud suggested, looking concerned.

Pinkie didn’t answer, instead shuffling after Maud in silence.

Of course it’s fine, Rainbow’s saved Wonderbolts before from flying accidents.

Feeling confident that the situation would work itself out, Pinkie looked up to see that they had finally arrived at the tall double doors, currently wide open allowing the flood of guests to enter the entrance hall. Once the pair of them were beyond the door, the crowd quickly dispersed, leaving them with some breathing room. Pinkie looked around, wondering where she might find her friends, all the while silently hoping they didn’t run into each other at all during the night.

“I’ll get out of your hair,” Maud said, stepping away slightly. Then in response to Pinkie’s worried look, she added, “don’t worry, I’m just going to give you a little space. I’ll be close at hand all night if you need me for anything, otherwise just find your friends and try to enjoy yourself.”

Pinkie nodded, trying to swallow the apple sized lump that had formed in her throat. Turning away from her sister, Pinkie began navigating the sparse crowd, peering around for any familiar faces. When she reached the end of the entrance hall and found nopony of significance, she moved into the next room.

She now stood in another lavish hall, this one dominated by a wide staircase where a line of eager ponies was assembled. Pinkie only had to look to the top of the stairs to see what they were waiting for. Princess Celestia stood, regal as ever, greeting guest after guest. Without any hesitation Pinkie carried on through the hall to the opposite door she knew to lead outside to the VIP area. As she did however, she had a creeping feeling that Celestia was watching her. Despite this suspicion, Pinkie carried on walking, refusing to look back.

Once free of the hall and Celestia’s penetrating gaze, Pinkie gave a sigh of relief before looking around her new surroundings. The courtyard was packed to breaking point, ponies desperately pushing forward in the hopes of catching a glimpse of their favourite celebrities from across the velvet rope marking out the VIP area. Pinkie walked forward confidently, at least if there was one place she knew she would find Rainbow Dash, it would be here with the rest of the Wonderbolts.

She neared the entrance where two professional looking stallions stood keeping anybody less than very important out. She briefly wondered if they’d let her past, no doubt dozens of ponies claimed to know the Wonderbolts in the hopes of being allowed through. She was just about to bite the bullet and try as a voice behind her grabbed her attention.

“Ah Pinkie Pie,” a very familiar voice announced, “tis a pleasure to see you here this fine evening.”

Pinkie turned around, unsure how she felt at being addressed by the younger princess.

“Hello Luna,” Pinkie replied neutrally, half intentionally leaving out the title, but Luna didn’t seem bothered by this.

“We were concerned you might not attend,” Luna said walking closer to Pinkie, “sister dearest especially had her doubts.”

“Well, I suppose I didn’t exactly leave on the best of terms last time I was here,” Pinkie muttered, but to her surprise Luna sighed and nodded solemnly.

“You blame Celestia for what happened,” Luna stated, “I won’t argue with you, no doubt it helps having something to direct your anger towards.”

Luna began leading the way towards the VIP area, Pinkie following obediently.

“When I discovered what Celestia had done,” Luna continued, “I too was furious. But my anger didn’t last long as I was quick to remember that I once made terrible mistakes as a result of my pride and selfishness, mistakes which Celestia could have hated me for, but instead chose to forgive me.”

They arrived next to the stallions, who just stood resolutely.

“I’m not telling you to forgive her,” Luna explained, “if it helps you to hate her, then by all means continue. Just don’t forget that we’re all capable of making grievous mistakes, even princesses… especially princesses.”

With that final enigmatic statement, Luna gave a curt nod to the stallions who stepped aside to allow Pinkie to enter, before leaving the way she had come. Pinkie just stood there for a minute, staring at the spot Luna had previously occupied. The princess of the night had always been a bit of a mystery to Pinkie, but until now she hadn’t even considered Luna’s role in the events Celestia had told her about. Shaking her head of these new thoughts, Pinkie turned and entered the VIP area, trying to ignore the envious stares of the ponies leaning in over the barrier.

“Now, where is…” Pinkie began, looking around before a multi-coloured blur sped straight into her, and she felt the wind knocked from her.

“Oh my gosh, Pinkie, I didn’t think you’d come,” Rainbow gushed, squeezing Pinkie in a hug that even she would find hard to compete with.

“Yeah… I came…” Pinkie gasped, feeling herself go faint. Rainbow Dash seemed to click on at this point as she quickly released Pinkie.

“Oh, sorry Pinks,” she said laughing nervously.

As Pinkie got her breath back she looked up at her old friend. She pulled off the blue flight suit well, its yellow lightning patterns complimenting her tomboyish nature nicely. Beyond that she was just as Pinkie remembered, same namesake hair, same rose eyes, same winning smile.

“Wow, it’s been… seven months,” Rainbow said in awe, still smiling at Pinkie.

“More or less,” Pinkie mumbles back. The pair then stood there awkwardly, neither knowing what to say to one another.

Well I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.

“Oh, I just remembered,” Rainbow exclaimed, sounding excited again. “There’s somepony I want to you to meet.”

Without waiting for an answer, Rainbow grabbed Pinkie’s hoof and dragged her through the several small groups gathered around the area. They quickly reached a lonely table where a solitary figure sat nursing a glass of punch, looking downtrodden.

“Soarin!” Pinkie exclaimed, recognising the stallion immediately.

Soarin looked around curiously, his eyes widening when he saw Pinkie.

“Pinkie! Holy Celestia, I never thought I’d see you again,” Soarin said, sounding shocked.

“You two know each other?” Rainbow asked, looking rapidly between the pair of them.

“Yeah… we do,” Pinkie said as an uncomfortable silence descended upon the trio.

“Well, um,” Rainbow began, a mixture of confusion and suspicion on her face. “Well Pinkie, allow me to reintroduce you to Soarin, who is my…”

Pinkie didn’t get to find out what Soarin was, as at that moment a pair of voices began approaching them, arguing loudly. Pinkie swivelled around to see another two Wonderbolts marching over to the table, Pinkie recognised the orange manned mare to be Spitfire, she wasn’t so much marching as trying to keep up with the other white manned mare who was storming over to them.

“Soarin!” the other mare shouted, reaching their table and pushing through Pinkie and Rainbow. “What the hay was that about up there?! You nearly got Surprise killed.”

“Fleetfoot,” Spitfire interrupted, “it was an accident. Everyone messes up from time to time, including you.”

“Yeah, but when I mess up it’s during training,” Fleetfoot spat back, “not when we’re performing at the Grand Galloping Gala!”

“Hey, lay off him,” Rainbow said, pushing Fleetfoot away from Soarin and stepping between them. “You do nothing but give him grief.”

“And I’m the bad guy for that?!” Fleetfoot retorted, her anger now directed at Rainbow Dash. “He’s a mess! He takes weeks off at a time claiming it’s for health reasons, then shows up randomly and screws up all the most basic manoeuvres.”

Fleetfoot pushed past Rainbow, facing Soarin once more, who was shaking like a leaf.

“I don’t know what your problem is Soarin,” Fleetfoot finished, “but it’s time to get over it or get a different job!”

The effect was instantaneous, Soarin shot into the air, rocketing as far and fast away from the castle as he could. Rainbow shot Fleetfoot one last glare before speeding off after Soarin.

“Fleetfoot!” Spitfire exclaimed, “That was way out of line!”

“I just did what you should have done months ago,” Fleetfoot replied coldly. “Admit it Spitfire, you only keep him around because he’s your friend. You and I both know he’s not good enough to be a Wonderbolt, so why don’t you quit leading him on and cut him off before he damages us any further.”

“That is not for you to decide!” Spitfire shouted back, “and unless you want suspended, I suggest you keep your trap shut, starting now!”

“Whatever,” Fleetfoot said dismissively, putting on a pair of purple sunglasses and strutting past Spitfire.

Spitfire was seething as she turned around and noticed Pinkie for the first time.

“Oh, sorry you had to see that,” she said awkwardly before walking off, leaving Pinkie alone.

Well, I’m off to a swimming start.

~

Pinkie entered the ball room, opting not to burst into song this time. There had been nopony else she knew in the VIP section, not that it took long to discern that considering there were so few there at all. A waiter approached her, offering her a platter of miniscule food portions that wouldn’t fill a gerbil. Pinkie declined, allowing the waiter to continue his rounds.

“They’re okay,” Maud said, approaching Pinkie from the side, munching on a cracker thing of her own. “Although the waiters look out of it.”

Pinkie looked over at the waiter she had just acknowledged, indeed he and the few others she could see did look particularly dreary and tired looking.

“So did you find anyone in the VIP section?” Maud asked, no doubt in the dark having not been able to tail Pinkie in there.

“I saw Rainbow Dash,” Pinkie began, “but there was some problem with the other Wonderbolts and she left before we spoke much.”

“Well, you might see her again,” Maud suggested, “Also I think I saw your apple friend around here.”

“Applejack?” Pinkie asked, receiving a nod from Maud. “Well I guess I’d better get back to looking then.”

No sooner had she said it than Maud had left her side, melting into the crowd, leaving Pinkie alone once more. Pinkie looked around, once again not catching sight of any familiar faces. Deciding to get closer to the stage, Pinkie put one hoof forward, before she was hit in the face with an explosion of confetti.

“Pinkie Pie!” Cheese Sandwich declared, coming up uncomfortably close and dancing around her. “Boy am I super-duper happy to see you here. I almost didn’t recognise you with your hair like that, plus I’ve never seen you in a dress, you look kind of funny in, but a good kind of funny, like the kind of funny you get when Boneless steals your money and goes to Las Pegasus and gets hitched to a…”

“Not now Cheese,” Pinkie said, pushing past the over excitable stallion and carrying on her way towards the stage.

Dear lord, is that what I used to be like?! That guy is unbearable!

Crossing the ballroom floor which was completely absent of dancers as was usually the case, Pinkie approached the stage, looking up at the band playing their quartet of classical instruments. Pinkie was sure it was the same four ponies she had hijacked on her first time here, she cringed at the memory of how jumped up behind the cellist and forced her hoof back and forth across her instrument. Looking over at the grey mare wearing the same pink bowtie she looked the epitome of composure, the kind of mare who would never let such a trivial thing so long ago bother her to this…

Pinkie froze. For the second time that night, she had been sure the pony on her mind had been looking directly at her. But unlike Celestia, Pinkie could look freely at this mare, and she certainly wasn’t looking at Pinkie now. Shaking her head, trying to rid herself of the paranoid thought, Pinkie scanned the ballroom once more, this time picking out two very familiar faces.

Princess Cadance and Shining Armour were the image of the perfect couple, standing side by side and laughing merrily at something one of the many faceless nobles said to them. Pinkie approached them slowly, they had never been exactly close, but at the very least they might know where her friends were. As she got nearer, Cadance spotted her and waved her over. As Pinkie picked up the pace when she saw the couple excuse themselves from the ponies vying for their attention and come to meet her.

“Pinkie Pie,” Cadance said, “it’s wonderful to see you here. We were worried you wouldn’t be able to make it.”

“You and everypony else apparently,” Pinkie muttered before adding louder and clearer, “You too, how are you both?”

“Oh we’re very good,” Cadance assured her, “life in the Crystal Empire is still as wonderfully dull as ever. Honestly, not a day goes by I don’t wish for one of your parties to liven things up a bit.”

“I… don’t really do parties anymore,” Pinkie answered awkwardly.

“Oh,” Cadance replied equally as uncomfortable, “well you should still visit sometime, I’m sure a break would do you good. Don’t you agree honey?”

“Huh? Oh yeah, sure,” Shining Armour said, clearly not listening.

A waiter past by and Shining quickly scooped up the wine glass he was carrying in his telekinesis and began downing it.

“Oh Shining,” Cadance began, her voice sounding strained; “don’t you think you’ve had enough to drink?”

“I can drink however much I want Cadance!” Shining snapped out of nowhere. “And I don’t need you telling me what to do all the time!”

With that outburst, Shining Armour stormed off, leaving a bewildered Pinkie alone with the statue still Cadance.

“Um…” Pinkie began, unsure what to say at this point.

“Oh, stallions, you know how they get,” Cadance said in a nervous voice, giving a very forced laugh. “I, uh, think I should go see Auntie Celestia for a bit, but it was nice speaking to you Pinkie Pie.”

Pinkie only opened her mouth before Cadance hurried off, her head bent down, avoiding any and all attempts to lure her into conversation by the surrounding ponies.

I guess they only look like a perfect couple on the outside. I wonder what’s wrong with them…

Pinkie didn’t have time to ponder this however, as at that moment a group of ponies parted allowing her to see across the room to a buffet table where another recognisable figure stood. Weaving in and out of the gathered ponies, Pinkie made her way across the room to the table where the pony stood with their back to her. As she got closer she noticed how odd it was to see Applejack wearing a formal suit of all things, while this seemed bizarre, it did mean that Pinkie wasn’t the only one not wearing her original gala dress.

Once she was close enough behind Applejack, Pinkie braced herself and spoke up.

“Applejack.”

“For the last time Filthy,” Applejack said angrily without even turning around. “I ain’t sellin’ you an inch of Sweet Apple Acres, so you can take your money bags, and shove ‘em up your…”

Applejack cut off immediately as she turned around and saw who she was actually talking to.

“Actually, after that time I had your cutie mark,” Pinkie said casually, “I don’t really fancy buying your farm.”

“Pinkie…” Applejack breathed in disbelief. “You… you actually came.”

“Yeah, my family thought it would be good for me,” Pinkie explained, looking down at her hooves.

“Well ah’m glad,” Applejack said, her voice sounding more cheery now. “Ponyville just ain’t the same without you Pinkie.”

“So, uh…” Pinkie began, trying to change the topic to something smaller and more manageable. “What was that you were saying about Filthy?”

“Oh that,” Applejack said with a snort turning back to the buffet table where Pinkie joined her. “Well ever since Granny passed on, Filthy Rich has been pushin’ at me to sell the farm to him, sayin’ it’s for our own benefit, that we’d be able to expand under his company name. But the varmint’s just lookin’ out for his own interests, and he even had the nerve to come here to bug me about it just ‘cause he knew I couldn’t retaliate without gettin’ kicked out.”

Pinkie nodded along politely, but truthfully she wasn’t paying much attention beyond what Applejack had said about Granny Smith passing away. Pinkie had been aware of this, she’d been informed in one of the many letters she’d been sent after she moved back to the rock farm, one of the many she couldn’t bring herself to reply to.

“But enough about him,” Applejack continued, glancing over her shoulder at Filthy Rich who was indeed hovering nearby, none too subtly looking for an opening in their conversation. “How are you holding up Sugarcube? Last I saw of you I was afraid to leave you alone with a length of rope.”

“I’m… better,” Pinkie answered slowly, not entirely sure if she was lying or not. “Some days are worse than others.”

“I can imagine,” Applejack said gravely, “it must’ve been hard on you. But ah did tell Twilight not to be experimenting, ah told her no good could come of it, ah guess she was just as stubborn as me in the end, just awful that so many other ponies got dragged into it.”

Pinkie didn’t answer, there it was, the lie, right in front of her. Should she carry it on? Or should she be honest? Pinkie’s breathing began to increase rapidly, which Applejack picked up on quite quickly.

“Oh piss!” she exclaimed, drawing Pinkie into a one hoofed hug. “Ah'm sorry Pinkie, ah shouldn’t ‘ave brought that up, that was stupid of me!”

“It’s okay,” Pinkie tried to assure her, but her trembling said otherwise. “I just need some fresh air.”

“Of course Sugarcube,” Applejack said, abandoning her plate and leading Pinkie towards the open door to the Canterlot Gardens.

~

“Feelin’ any better?” Applejack asked, rubbing Pinkie’s back as they sat on an ornate stone bench.

“Yes,” Pinkie said honestly.

“Will you be able to stick it through for the rest of the night?” Maud asked from Pinkie’s other side.

“I think so,” Pinkie assured her.

“Alright then, Applejack could I speak with you for a moment?” Maud asked sternly. Applejack nodded, accepting her fate, and the pair walked a short distance away from the bench so that they were out of earshot of Pinkie.

She didn’t blame Applejack for her remark, as far as she knew that whole thing was an accident, the kind of thing that shouldn’t still bother ponies months afterwards. Leaning back against the tree that was directly behind the bench, Pinkie sighed and closed her eyes. This night was already turning out to be more stressful than her family had promised, she’d managed to speak to two of her friends and she barely got anywhere with them before things went south.

The stress must have been really affecting Pinkie, because for a moment she was convinced the trunk of the tree was moving against her back, the rough bark turning to soft fur.

Pinkie squealed and leapt off the bench as realisation of what was really happening dawned on her. Landing on her hooves she spun around to come face to face with a tall, serpentine figure comprised of various mismatched animal appendages.

“Discord!” Pinkie exclaimed, “Don’t do that!”

“Oh Pinkie, and here I thought you appreciated a good prank,” Discord said innocently, slinking around her.

“Well I don’t anymore,” Pinkie spat back, “now can you go away? I’m not in the mood.”

“And I thought we were friends…” Discord began, sounding hurt.

“We’re not,” Pinkie cut in.

“Some element of laughter you are,” Discord continued, now sounding annoyed at Pinkie’s attitude. “So Fluttershy wasn’t lying, you have changed.”

Pinkie began walking away, but the draconequus proved more determined, flying after her.

“And why is that?” he asked rhetorically, “from what I hear Twilight Sparkle had a little accident. All those poor ponies, victims of Twilight’s… experiment. But not you, you’re still alive, how did you manage that feat?”

Pinkie could tell Discord knew exactly what had really happened, and he was just baiting her for a reaction. Gritting her teeth, she picked up her pace, trying desperately to shake the spirit of chaos from her tail, receiving multiple confused looks from other guests. It wasn’t until she was well away from the bench where she had left Maud and Applejack, she was beginning to wonder if that wasn’t Discord’s intention, when she managed to catch sight of another familiar face, or two faces to be specific.

Rarity and Fluttershy were wearing their old gala dresses, and together the pair was surrounded by celebrities. Pinkie recognised Hoity Toity, but the rest were unknown to her, Rarity had them all raptured by whatever she was saying, every one of them visibly hanging on every word she said. Fluttershy on the other hand was looking more uncomfortable by every second that passed, looking like she was looking for any opening to slip away unnoticed.

Pinkie was just standing stalk still, watching the pair from afar when Rarity caught sight of her and ceased talking immediately. Pinkie saw her quickly apologise to her enamoured audience who began to reluctantly disperse before whispering something to Fluttershy, who immediately looked over in Pinkie’s direction, her eyes wide with surprise and no small amount of hope. Inhaling deeply, Pinkie walked forward to where the pair stood watching her with anticipation.

“Hello girls,” Pinkie said, her voice slightly shaky.

“Oh Pinkie,” Rarity said giving her a light hug and a kiss on both cheeks. “It’s so good to see you, and in that dress… it looks gorgeous on you.”

Pinkie flinched; she knew what Rarity had wanted to say when she hesitated.

“How have you been keeping darling?” Rarity asked, her voice thick with concern.

“I’ve been okay,” Pinkie answered simply.

“Well you look stunning,” Rarity added, sounding more believable this time, “you simply must tell me where you got that dress.”

“It was from a friend of Maud,” Pinkie explained, “we… got a good deal on it.”

The conversation immediately died as all three of them ran out of things to talk about. Pinkie scoured her mind for possible topics, finally settling on Ponyville.

“So, how’s everything back in Ponyville?” she asked.

“It’s…” Rarity began, grimacing as she realised she couldn’t honestly say ‘good’.

“Different,” Fluttershy finished.

“Indeed,” Rarity agreed, “everything just seems less lively without you.”

“I’m sorry,” Pinkie said feeling guilty.

“Don’t be, your health and happiness comes first,” Rarity insisted, “we all know you went through a lot, that you’re still going through a lot. But you know, if you ever need us you need only ask.”

“I know,” Pinkie replied, glancing around. “Is Spike here?”

Rarity immediately tensed up at this. “Uh, no, he’s not,” she began awkwardly. “He was… feeling a bit under the weather.”

Pinkie nodded slowly, unsure how to interpret Rarity’s terse answer.

“Why don’t I grab us some drinks and you can tell us about being back on the farm,” Rarity offered, trying to brighten the conversation. When neither of them objected, she waltzed off, looking for a waiter.

Pinkie looked over to Fluttershy, only seeing now that the Pegasus was eying her closely.

“You’re looking… nice,” Fluttershy began, “but maybe, just a little thin.”

“Yeah,” Pinkie replied awkwardly, “I haven’t been very hungry lately.”

Fluttershy just stared at her, understanding instantly what she really meant.

“You know,” Fluttershy continued, “the Cakes were asking after you, they said you hadn’t been replying to their letters… or mine for that matter.”

“Oh…” Pinkie began, looking down at her hooves. “It’s been really busy.”

“They still have your old room just as you left it,” Fluttershy informed her.

“Fluttershy…” Pinkie started before she was quickly cut off.

“And Gummy really misses you,” Fluttershy said, sounding desperate.

“Fluttershy, I just can’t…” Pinkie tried to say.

“Why not?!” Fluttershy asked, in an uncharacteristically hysterical voice, her eyes welling with tears. “We miss you! I miss you!”

“I miss you too…” Pinkie whispered, trembling now.

“Then come home,” Fluttershy begged. “Whatever’s wrong, we can help you. Whatever happened, we can make it better. We all miss Twilight, but…”

Pinkie jumped back from Fluttershy, giving a sharp intake of breath. Fluttershy starred pityingly at her.

“Pinkie, what happened at that manor?” Fluttershy asked softly.

“I…” Pinkie began, her head suddenly filled with the thundering sound of her heart pumping blood through her body at increasing speed. “I gotta go!”

And before Fluttershy could object, Pinkie bolted, pushing straight through several ponies chatting idly behind her in her desperate attempt to get as far away from her friend as she could. As she ran past the stone bench she heard somepony calling her name, but refused to look back, opting to carry on running into the castle.

Pinkie didn’t stop running until she found herself in a familiar hallway, the ground floor still occupied by dozens of guests, but the staircase now free of the cue of ponies that had been assembled on it during her last visit to this room. Looking up to the top of the stairs she saw Celestia was still standing there, but this time she wasn’t looking at Pinkie, instead she was deep in conversation with a tall, slender unicorn that Pinkie recognised all too well.

While she couldn’t hear what Fleur and Celestia were saying, judging from Fleur’s aggressive stance she guessed their discussion was rather heated. Even less reason to interact with Celestia tonight, but she might see about chatting with Fleur later if she saw her alone at some point. With this in mind Pinkie carried on through the hall, no real destination in mind but deciding the entrance hall was better than heading back the way she came.

“Pinkie Pie!” a voice called out as Pinkie reached the centre of the room. Pinkie turned expecting to see Maud having caught up with her; instead she caught sight of a grey Pegasus mare trying to angle through the crowd towards her.

The mare tripped and knocked into a couple ponies, apologising profusely before continuing towards Pinkie. What was most odd about this mare, was her distinct lack of formal attire, beyond her satchel she wore no clothes at all. This was earning her a lot of condescending looks from multiple guests, which she seemed blissfully unaware of as she continued to make her way over to Pinkie.

“Oh, uh, hi…” Pinkie began, scratching the surface of her memory for a name. The blonde mane, the bubbles on her flank, the intense yellow eyes starring off in different directions, Pinkie definitely remembered this Pegasus from Ponyville, if only ever so vaguely. “Derpy?”

“Hey Pinkie,” Derpy said coming to a halt in front of her, searching through her satchel for something. “I was asked to deliver a letter to you.”

“A letter?” Pinkie repeated, “who from?”

“Don’t know,” Derpy admitted, pulling an out of shape envelope from her bag. “But the post office is paying me overtime to deliver this to you here tonight.”

Pinkie accepted the envelope cautiously, as soon as she did Derpy carried on her way, squeezing back through the crowd. Looking at the envelop Pinkie found it bore her name in typed letters and nothing else. Curiously she tore it open and pulled a single folded sheet of paper free, opening she found it almost entirely blank, bar from two words printed in very small font in the centre of the page.

New Game?

Pinkie’s mind went blank as the two words began echoing through her head. It was only when she felt the ground trembling beneath her hooves and all sound die away from the ponies around her, that she knew all hell was about to break loose.

Author's Notes:

I'm back baby!
At long last, my exams are behind me and I can get back to writing for my relatively exclusive audience.
Just like last time, I'll aim to update this regularly over the next month or two, leaving plenty of time between updates for you to formulate your theories. That's right, we're playing the game again, and just as a warm up mini game, anyone who can correctly identify all the players from the prologue will receive a shout out in the author notes of the first chapter.
As always, criticism is welcome, and I hope you all enjoy.
Next part will be released on Sunday.