An entire week without Sunset alone was torture for some, less for others. Pinkie was unfortunately along with the former rather than the latter. The early morning was only moments from starting, the luminescence of the moon just barely tucking itself in the shadow of the now rising sunset. The sound of cars and people alike beginning their morning only added to the sound of birds chirping throughout the neighborhood. It was peaceful…and that was unusual. Pinkie’s house was silent, as if something in the universe just wasn’t right. The inside lay dormant, strewn with streamers and confetti, a giant cake sitting half eaten on the kitchen counter. The upstairs was fearfully quiet, save for Maud’s audible snoring. It wasn’t any different from a normal morning, of course it’d be silent, but this isn’t a normal girl we’re talking about here. Pinkie was sound asleep in her bed, the beams of the sun’s first light finally peeking through her curtains. The sound of a car passing quietly by roused the young girl from her sleep, lazily popping one eye open to the light now slightly blinding her before sitting up and letting out a well needed yawn. Like an old person with too many joint problems, she proceeded to stand up and stretch, an audible pop coming from her bones. “Breakfast…” she groaned.

Maud, who had just exited her room, noticed the groggy Pinkie descending the steps, with even less energy the normal. Although creepily not present in her expression, she was curious about Pinkie’s slowed pace. “Boulder, does Pinkie seem okay to you?” No response to any normal person…but to Maud, “You’re right. Maybe she’s just tired.” Or so she thought, until Pinkie came back up the stairs. Her posture was slouched and her hair, completely deflated. “Uh oh.” Maud was quick to her room, the phone immediately in her hand as she dialed the one number she could think of. “Hello…yes, it’s about Pinkie. What’s wrong? Does hair deflation do it for you? See you in ten.” There was knock at the door right on time, Maud opening the door and gesturing the figure inside. “She’s upstairs still in her room. Hasn’t made a hyperactive move in more time than I’ve ever seen.”

“That don’t sound right. Don’t worry, I’ll snap her out of it.”

A knock came to Pinkie’s door, her eyes only reacting to the sound a moment after. “Come in…”

Pinkie turned to see Applejack standing there, a concerned look of her face for obvious reasons. She gave a surprised whistle at the sight of the once vibrant party girl. “Wow Pinkie, looking…good?”

“I look terrible I know.”

“Terrible, no way. You look outstanding. The best in the entire place if I was the judge.”

“I’ve got bags under my eyes and my hair looks like the bottom end of a ragdoll.”

“…Ok, you’re depressed.”

“Now we’re on the same page.”

“So…” Applejack said sitting next to Pinkie. “What’s got ya all tuckered out?” Pinkie dropped back into bed, face first into the pillow before sighing into it. “Is it Sunset?” She grunted in agreement. “You wanna talk about it?” This time she grunted in annoyance. “I can’t hear you Pinkie.”

Pinkie turned to face Applejack’s lap right in front of her. “Is she still gone for another week?”

“Just about. You really miss her don’t ya?”

“More than I miss my 10^th birthday party, and I’ve been throwing parties every night since she left just to get through it.”

“You’ve…been doing what now? No wonder you look like you’re just plain dead.”

“I haven’t gotten any good sleep since she left.”

“You’re gonna drop dead if you don’t get some rest Pinkie.”

“The magical frogs of frosting island are battling the darkness for supremacy.” Applejack only blinked in confusion making Pinkie nervously laugh before dropping the smile instantly. “I think I broke something.”

“If I put in a good word with the principle and get you excused, will you please get some shut-eye?”

“Promise, well not like I have a choice either way. But wait, doesn’t you team have practice today?”

“We have practice everyday until she gets back Pinkie, you won’t miss a chance to cheer us on.”

“Oh no, I can’t miss that, not for the world.”

Like a rocket, she had thrown on her clothes and emerged with smile…The bags under her eyes were still obvious. They both emerged from her house, walking to school with an extremely slowed pace. By the time they arrived at the school, Pinkie was halfway asleep. A passing Rainbow took note. “Hey guys—Pinkie, you look…”

“Terrible.”

“Deflated.”

“But…”

“Good.”

Her hair poofed up, in the moment only. “R-really.”

“Well…Kind of…no.”

“You’re a liar and you should feel bad.” She responded with harsh apathetic voice, her hair once again straightening.

“Sorry about that. Well you know what, maybe we can recharge your batteries with some food.”

Everyone could only stare at Pinkie in her horrid state, all the way to the band room. Inside sat Rarity and Fluttershy tending to their instruments. With a gasp, Rarity rushed to Pinkie’s side. “Pinkie, what on earth happened to you.”

“Lot’s of partying.” She responded happily. “But I’m tired both mentally and physically, and I’m sure that monkey in the corner is playing the Tuba.” Everyone looked back to each other for confirmation to which Pinkie slightly chuckled. “I’m currently dying inside…please help.”

Rarity nervously laughed. “It’s alright darling, we’ll just get you some food…or sleep, whichever one comes first.”

“Did ya ever find Twilight after yesterday?” Applejack asked.

“Not even a clue, as if she just disappeared of the face of the planet. We checked everywhere, even her house.”

Fluttershy looked to be on the verge of tears as she continued to think about it. “What if she was kidnapped…or worse.”

“Let’s not jump to conclusions Flutt—”

Rarity’s entire thought process was halted as the one and only strolled right into the room, a book in hand and her eyes equally glued to it. “If I take that variable into account however, then the entire project falls apart, it just doesn’t make sense.”

Rainbow quickly stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. “T-Twilight?”

“Hmm? Oh, hey guys…”

“That’s all we get is a hey guys? Where have you been?” Twilight was hesitant to answer the question, simply turning back to her book. “Twilight, we haven’t seen you since yesterday morning.”

“You missed Sunset’s departure dear.”

She instantly closed the book, her eyes wide and shocked. “I…did?”

Inside the lunchroom, everyone, especially Pinkie, was chowing down on whatever they served for breakfast, except Twilight. The idea of missing something so important was eating at her like rabid animal, even more so than Pinkie was tearing into her own food. “I can’t believe I missed her leaving. I was so caught up with my studies that I completely forgot about it.”

“It’s ok Twilight, you’ll get a chance to apologize at the awesome welcome back party I’m throwing.” Pinkie said finishing off the last off her food. “Wowee, that hit the spot.”

“And you got your splendid poofy hair back, the Pinkie we all know and love.”

“Yep, but now…”

“But what?” Fluttershy questioned.

“Energy doesn’t equal consciousness.” she said before dropping face first asleep into the table.

“Well there she goes.” Applejack said jokingly. “Who’s putting a word for her with the first period teacher?”

Rainbow shrugged. “I’ll do it I guess.”

Rarity began messing with Pinkie’s hair, twirling a strand around her finger. “What are you up after school Twilight?”

“I still have to study for an experiment I’m performing tomorrow so I won’t be available.”

“I suppose planning decorations for the coming home party will do me better now than later.”

The bell signaled everyone to clear out to the classrooms soon after, Rainbow carrying a drained Pinkie to class while everyone else took separated to their own classes. Chemistry class was quiet for Twilight, mainly because she was lost in her own mind the entire time plus during the rest of her classes as well. The end of the day rushed in like a blue blur, the gang hanging by the statue soon after. Twilight exited the front doors, everyone taking note and waving to her. To their surprise however, she had the expression of pure anxiety on her face. “Twilight are you ok?” Fluttershy asked.

“F-fine. Just ready to get a little rest is all.”

“Some shut-eye is always good, but you look like you’ve seen a ghost. You sure you’re ok?”

“I’m fine really see you guys tomorrow.”

With almost no time to respond, she speeded directly past the group and right down the street, in record Pinkie time might I add. Rainbow nervously laughed. “She doesn’t seem ok.”

“More panicked and fidgety than just fine.” Fluttershy added.

The questioning silence was ironically broken by Pinkie jumping up and down. “Only 6 more days until the most fantastic, spectacular, absolutely awesome day of my life!”

“Pinkie, you finally woke up.”

“A week of nothing but hardcore partying will do that to you. I can’t stay asleep forever though, I got a party to plan.”

Applejack started to take her leave waving back to the group. “See ya’ll later, got to get to back to the farm if I want those apples ready by the next week.”

“I shall join you.” Rarity said as she rushed to her side. “I have some amazing ideas for your dress that I wanted to show you.”

“And I’ve got a party to plan!” Pinkie exclaimed as she dashed off in a fit of unrivaled speed. Just as fast, she dashed back taking hold of Fluttershy’s arm. “I’m gonna need you!” Only the sound of Fluttershy’s screams could be heard in the distance as everyone split up.

The night was peaceful around the school at least, not so much around Pinkie’s or even Rainbow’s homes. However, a trio of footsteps broke the silence. They circled the surrounding area until it was obvious the coast was clear and began to make their presence known. “You brought the extra battery, right?”

“I’m not dumb Trixie, course I did.”

“Then turn it on, would you?”

“I swear…alright here we go.” The young lady pointed to cue the recording had started. “3…2…1…and—”

“Hello all you admiring fans, the Great and Powerful Trixie here to stun and amaze you. After the battle of the bands, I realized just how many of loved the song we performed. So, as a tribute to such an occasion, I will be performing the song personally for you, live and all with my own talent.”

The girl behind the camera cleared her throat making Trixie look up. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”

“(sigh) With the help of my lovely assistants and backups, there you happy.”

“Names would have been nice, but close enough.”

The other girl set up the ladder to allow Trixie access to top of the statue’s base and the video began. Trixie began to sing, for whatever’s that worth, and the other girl provided the back up vocals and dancing on the ground. ”You better believe I got tricks up my sleeve and I captivate cause I’m powerful and great.” Trixie was lost in the moment about halfway through her song, until a vibration caught her attention. “What in the world? I thought I told you not to touch the statue.” Trixie angrily stated towards the girl dancing.

“I didn’t, plus it would hurt if I did it while dancing, so I stood a good foot away.”

The camera girl was quick to point out the usual assumptions. “Is that statue as sturdy as you think it is?”

“Of course, it’s a statue idiot. Sturdy as a rock.”

“Then why is it moving again?”

“I don’t feel any—” Trixie was suddenly cut off when the vibration made her lose her footing. Her fall was successfully stopped by her so called partners, but the statue still continued its motion. At this point, it was visibly vibrating, as if it was moving faster and faster every second. “What’s happening to it?” The two girls shrugged with no clue. “Well then, I suppose I should…investigate.” She neared the statue, a single drop of nervous sweat upon her forehead. She reached out slowly, her so called partners in crime curiously backing up toward the street as she continued to near the statue. Contact…then nothing. No vibration, no craziness, just nothing. “See you big babies, nothing worry abo—” Trixie stopped to view her reflection in the mirror. Her false bravery sunk in her chest when she noticed her reflection had sharp fangs, red eyes and bat wings. She jumped back like a kangaroo, the two girls joining her in their distress. “Perhaps Trixie was wrong about this being a good spot to film.”

“I think so too.” The three of them looked to each other knowing full well that wasn’t any of their voices. Instead, a hand slowly emerged from the base of the statue followed by a full figure blackened by the shadows despite the moonlight shining down. The figure turned its head toward the trio and uttered a quiet, “Boo.” All three girls took of in Pinkie record time down the street leaving the figure to admire its form. “That was easier than I thought. Hahahaha!”

The sound of silence made its way around the home of young Twilight Sparkle, all except for her own room. Her supposed studying had soon turned into something much more as her book was clearly against the wall in a fit of rage and tears streamed from her eyes. “I’m so dumb…I knew she was going…I knew it and I still got lost. Some friend I am…”

“Twilight honey.” There was a knock at door, a motherly voice on the other side. “Are you alright? I heard a loud bang earlier.”

She was quick to wipe her tears, picking the book off the ground and opening the door. “F-fine mom, I was just a little frustrated at the experiment I’m working on, that’s all.”

The mother smiled. “Oh, my little scientist.” She said pinching Twilight’s cheeks a little. “Dinner is ready when you can take a break.”

“Thank you, mom.” The mother gave one last gaze to Twilight before exiting back down the stairs. Twilight took one last look at the book in her hand, before tossing it on the bed. “She’ll be back in a week, I can apologize, and this will all be better. I hope.” The door closed upon Twilight’s footsteps downward, the book resting softly on the bed, albeit with a few dents here and there. The book had closed upon it’s impact on the bed, the title now plain to see, Clannad.