- Spike, could you fetch me that fae grass? It’s over there – Twilight Sparkle threw her hoof to the left and pointed at one of the crates standing at the wall. Her head did not even twitch, so intensely focused was Twilight on a small cauldron placed on a messy table before her. Apart from the cauldron and a tiny stove, the table was holding the weight of an old, dusty magic book, dry leaves, shiny gems, samples of colorful slimes, glass vials and many other things that any ordinary pony would have considered plainly strange or even suspicious. Working with an expression making her resemble a clock maker, Twilight was paying no attention to the rest of the circular room – the library’s cellar. Not only the table but the whole place was a mess. The room was stacked with books, boxes, steel and glass tools of unknown purpose and a bunch of empty bottles left on the floor. Had anypony entered the cellar, they would have smelled a distinctive odor of chemicals.

- This is gonna be fantastic, Spike… I’m really starting to think alchemy is my favorite kind of magic – Twilight carefully added another drop of purple liquid to the mixture in the cauldron. – Now steady… steady… just one more and…

- TWIIILIIIGHT!!! – Pinkie Pie barged into the room like a supersonic firework. Twilight’s concentration cracked, her eyes widened, she threw her head upwards and made a really wacky expression, as if somepony hurled a frog at her face. Then she stiffened and dropped the bottle containing the purple liquid, which instantly poured out and made a puddle on the floor.

- Oh… Twilight! Hi, Twilight! – even though she almost made Twilight suffer a heart attack, Pinkie Pie was as cheerful as always.

- Pinkie! – the liquid made a splashy sound when, after a few seconds of shock, Twilight Sparkle finally came to her senses, turned around and stomped in anger. She was panting. – Pinkie! You can’t even imagine what would have happened if this bottle had ended up in the cauldron. Thank Celestia the grim root extract is now staining my floor… and my hoof! The whole house could have been blown up into pieces!

- Now that was a close call – Spike managed to crawl out of a crate which he jumped into when Pinkie Pie yelled.

- No sweat Twilight, my left hind leg didn’t twitch an inch, today. Oh, you know, I’ve brought you some cake and… - Pinkie Pie stepped on one of the empty bottles lying on the floor and tripped. The rest resembled a chain of dominos. Pinkie leaped forward shuffling her hooves, she spun around like a ballet dancer, knocked Twilight down and crashed into the table smashing half of the items on it and sending the other half into the air. The floor was instantly flooded with colorful mixtures. Trashed glass and crushed remains of steel instruments were scattered all around. In the middle of all that, there was Pinkie Pie, drenched from tip to hoof in chemicals.

- Pinkie Pie…

- Aaa… Yes? Twilight? I think I… have made a little, tiny smashie–trashie… - Pinkie looked as though her mind went away somewhere.

- Pinkie Pie… - Twilight stood up, her gaze fixated at Pinkie was burning with rage. – Pinkie Pie! You’ve destroyed everything! The whole experiment, my experiment! The instruments, the ingredients, the mixture! Everything! Destroyed! … mmm… - Twilight’s rage suddenly stopped, she frowned. – Pinkie Pie, are you all right?

- Uuu… I really shouldn’t have disregarded that combo this morning… spinning, the world is spinning… Ah! Twilight! - suddenly, Pinkie opened her eyes wide and jumped up on her hooves, tears instantly filled her eyes and she started wailing. – Twilight! I’m sorry! SO SORRY! – the flow of Pinkie’s tears had no end, she crawled up to Twilight and shook her head making puppy eyes. Twilight made a tiny step back.

- Pinkie… - Twilight seemed both baffled and slightly disgusted ( maybe the reason was Pinkie’s coat, all covered in slimy substances and smelling like nothing Twilight had ever smelled before). She sighed loudly turning her gaze from Pinkie to the mess, the now begging pony had made. – Ok. Ok… I forgive you, but you have to help me clean up this mess…

- Okie dokie lokie! Right away Twilight! And… Thank you so very much for letting this slide. Sooo much! I will make you a huge dessert this afternoon!

- I didn’t say I’d let it slide just like that, I… - but Pinkie Pie didn’t listen anymore as she started sweeping glass shards with a broom Spike had brought downstairs a while ago.



- Then I’m going, Twilight. I have to think about that dessert now. Oh, and I left the cake upstairs, it's so yummy. Enjoy your cake, Twilight! See you, Spike! – Pinkie Pie was back to her usual self and smelled less funny. She grinned at Twilight and started bouncing upstairs.

- Pinkie, hold on a second. Are you really feeling all right? No dizziness, no butterflies in your tummy, or anything of that sort? – Twilight was observing Pinkie from different angles. Left, right, up and down, Twilight’s gaze wandered all around Pinkie’s body.

- Everything is A-OK, Twili! – one more time, Pinkie showed her teeth in a wide smile, which however, did not last long as the next second she stiffened, her stomach grumbled and Pinkie burped a small fireball.

- Pinkie! What was that?

- What was what?! – she pretended to sound surprised.

- The fire – Twilight’s voice became cold and she narrowed her eyes.

- What fire?

- You have spit fire just a second ago. Don’t tell me you didn’t notice that.

- I… I had a spicy breakfast! It’s nothing. I love chilies and jalapenos and… and.. and rainbows! – having yelled that, Pinkie dashed upstairs and ran out of Twilight’s house.

---

It was Tuesday, three days later. The Sun had been raised again and sunshine flooded the whole Ponyville. However, something was amiss. The town did not look the same as the day before. Overnight, the rooftops had been covered in huge amounts of confetti and streamers. Trees and shopping stalls around the town suffered the same terrible fate. And as if that was not enough, paint of various bright colors had been splashed everywhere. Not only the buildings were smeared with paint, over half of Ponyville’s paint supply had been poured along the town’s streets. The horrid mess brought shock, fear and tears to the faces of ponies. No culprit had been seen nor heard and everypony became suspicious of their neighbors and friends.

The next day came as no relief, as another wave of chaos was brought upon Ponyville during the night. Broken fences, destroyed stalls, once beautiful trees covered in sticky paint and more colorful streamers, all that destruction added up to even more misery of the Ponyville folk. The situation seemed to be a really sick joke, as if someone decided to throw a party of chaos.

---

- That’s it! We have to put an end to this. Somepony is rampaging around Ponyville, breaking things and we can do nothing about that!? They’ve painted the whole town hall green, it looks like a Christmas tree now. Rainbow Dash won’t allow this to continue! – Rainbow Dash was visibly agitated, making angry faces and attacking an invisible enemy. Twilight Sparkle was pacing around with a stern look on her face. Rainbow Dash and Applejack had been invited over to the library, so that the trio could discuss the recent events.

- Any idea, Twilight? – Applejack seemed unexpectedly anxious and somewhat impatient. – Rarity’s already sworn to do really nasty things to anypony responsible for paintin’ her house in polka-dot and Fluttershy’s been in tears since this mornin’, when she saw all that animal food scattered all ‘round her place. Even my barn has a giant, ugly doughnut painted on the wall. Granny Smith almost literary hit the roof!

- Yea! And they attacked Sugarcube Corner too!

-There is something – said Twilight. – I have a theory but we lack evidence. As of yet, nopony has ever seen the one responsible for this chaos – Twilight turned her face to Applejack and Rainbow Dash. – There is only one option, we have to go hunting.

- Let’s do this. Whoever it is, they’ll get what they deserve! – Rainbow Dash made a wild pony–fu pose in the air.

---

The night came quickly. Twilight Sparkle, Applejack and Rainbow Dash had been waiting in a narrow alley nearby the marketplace since the sunset. The market was the only place that had not been vandalized and according to Twilight, the place where the culprit would show up that night. The streets of Ponyville were empty, silent and dark. Everypony feared whoever it was that came at night to wreak chaos, only the three ponies were brave and curious enough to go out into the darkness and face the villain.

- C’mon, how long is it gonna take? - Rainbow Dash was about to burst after an hour and a half of waiting.

- Stop it, Rainbow – hissed Applejack, her legs were shaking a bit.

- Be quiet, girls, I’ve heard something – Twilight made a step forward to get a better view of the market square.

A big dark shadow jumped out from the darkness, a shadow over two times the height of an ordinary pony. Huge hooves, sharp teeth, thick, puffy fur covering the whole body - the beast seemed extremely dangerous and was towering over the surroundings. Slowly, it stomped forward into the dim moonlight. The three ponies noticed it was dragging a large bag.

- What’s it doing? – whispered Rainbow Dash.

- Y… you should ask what it is – Applejack was stuttering. The giant seemed excited. Suddenly, it opened the bag and started to jump throwing confetti around the place. The trio froze in shock, while the creature was dancing around and covering the streets with colorful streamers.

- That’s enough! Whatever it is, I’ll take care of it! - having said that, Rainbow Dash stormed out of the alley and launched a kick at the beast. It was clear that she could not wait any longer, neither could she contain her irritation. The beast dodged, turned around and caught Rainbow by her hind leg. Twilight and Applejack rushed at the monster as well. Applejack threw her lasso, but the creature caught it midair and forcefully pulled the surprised pony forward. Applejack ended up in dirt, while Rainbow Dash was still dangling upside down. The situation was difficult, but Twilight Sparkle remained cool, she tried to use her magic to stop the monster. The unicorn’s horn sparkled in the darkness sending waves of magic. Unfortunately, no spell had any effect on the giant. Twilight Sparkle was powerless.

- The hay are you?! Let me go, let me go! – kicking the air, Rainbow Dash still could not break free. The monster was in rage, roaring and baring its teeth. When Applejack leaped to kick it, the beast threw Rainbow at her and started running away. A loud swoosh was heard and Applejack was lying in dirt again, this time with dizzy Rainbow Dash on top of her.

- AJ, Rainbow, are you alright? We have to chase after it – Twilight’s voice was full of concern.

- Wha... where is it?

- Get off, pardner. We’ve gotta run or it’ll get away.



The beast was fast, almost too fast for the ponies, covering over two meters with each step. It was suddenly changing directions and could even climb buildings. Twilight could not keep up and was quickly left behind. After ten minutes of exhausting pursuit all around Ponyville, Rainbow Dash finally managed to land on the giant’s back. They started struggling, Rainbow clung to the thick fur of the beast, which did not even slow down. Soon, it became obvious that the struggle would not last long and after a few seconds, Rainbow Dash was shook off. Leaving behind a faint colorful trail, the poor pony fell under the hooves of Applejack who was frantically dashing behind. Both ponies ended up on the ground again and could do nothing but give up, the culprit roared and vanished in the shadows.

- What’s… What’s happened? – it was Twilight, she was panting heavily and her eyes showed a great deal of fatigue.

- Sorry, sugarcube but we couldn’t… we couldn’t stop them.

- So nothing? All that waiting and running for nothing! We should’ve been more aggressive, we should’ve set up a trap – Rainbow Dash was up on her hooves again, complaining and visibly angry.

- A trap? We didn’t even know if it was gonna come, so cut the talk.

- Oh yeah? Then what are we gonna do now? Any ideas?

- Calm down, girls. I think, I know what we need to do now. Look at this – Twilight pointed at a pile of hair lying on the ground, the hair was pink. The color was hardly visible in the darkness of the night.

- It’s just hair, how is it gonna help us?

- Now that I’ve seen her I can connect the dots. Also, with this hair I can make an antidote.

- Twili, what do you mean by HER? – Applejack sounded slightly confused.

- We will have to visit Pinkie Pie tomorrow.

- Pinkie Pie?! – both Applejack and Rainbow Dash turned their heads in surprise.

- It makes no sense, Twili. What does Pinkie have to do with this?

- Unfortunately, everything. And I feel responsible too… I should have known what was going on from the very beginning. Now let’s go, there is a lot of work I have to do.

---

The lights in the library were burning for the rest of the night. Twilight Sparkle was tirelessly mixing alchemical ingredients and hoping that the potion would relieve Ponyville from chaos. For a pony like her, it was simple to figure out what had happened during the past two days. Hair they had found was the final proof and the base for Twilight’s elixir. Spike was already sound asleep so she had to work alone. Even though she could barely stay focused, she never gave up until the potion was finished. She really felt responsible.

---

The next morning the three ponies entered Sugarcube Corner. Twilight’s plan was simple: to make Pinkie Pie drink the antidote.

- Are you sure about this? I mean, what we saw yesterday didn’t resemble Pinkie at all. It was big and fat, with hooves and teeth that nopony could have – said Rainbow Dash.

- I think she’s right, sugarcube. There is no way Pinkie could have grown into that thing just like that.

- I didn’t tell you about something yesterday. I had considered it unimportant… until I saw her last night. You see, Pinkie brought me some cake last week, I was trying to do same alchemy on that day. She… she knocked over the table with chemicals. She was all covered in magical ingredients. I let her go home… I should’ve known better. I ignored the consequences. What was I thinking? It could have been much worse… It’s all my fault… I…

- Calm down, sugarcube. We know you didn’t want anythin’ bad to happen, and Pinkie… if anythin’ really happened to her, she should’ve come to you right away – said Applejack in a calm voice.

- Oh my, Twilight! You look as if you haven’t slept at all last night. Is it insomnia? - it was Mrs. Cake, she looked rather anxious.

- No, I’m fine Mrs. Cake. I was just… busy last night. Yes. Is Pinkie Pie at home? – hearing Twilight’s question Mrs. Cake made a troubled expression.

- I’m sorry, Twilight. She hasn’t returned home last night, we are really worried about her. Actually, we hoped you would tell us what’s going on. She hasn’t been acting like her usual self recently.

- We have to find her. Rainbow Dash, it’s important, get some pegasi to fly around Ponyville. Me and AJ will ask other ponies to help us look for Pinkie.

- Dear, has something happened to her?

- Don’t worry, Mrs. Cake. We have the situation… under control. For now, we just have to find Pinkie Pie. Come on everypony – Twilight and Applejack ran out of the bakery leaving Rainbow Dash behind.

- Oh for Celestia’s sake! – Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and followed.

---

The citizens of Ponyville went out to the streets, mares and stallions, fillies and colts. Pegasi were soaring through the skies and everypony else was patrolling the streets, fields, and even outskirts of Ponyville. Even though Twilight Sparkle did not reveal the whole truth about Pinkie's condition, many ponies readily joined the search when they heard that she is in danger. Everypony knew Pinkie Pie, she had always wanted to be everypony's friend. That feeling of friendship was stronger than Twilight thought, it made the ponies of Ponyville unite.



- Attention everypony! As you know Pinkie Pie has to be found and brought to me. She’s in great danger. Also, only with her help can we finally stop the night attacks. If she resists, you will have to capture her… it’s for her own good. Together we can do it, Pinkie needs our help – ponies gathered around Twilight Sparkle nodded their heads and started walking in different directions, a group of pegasi pierced the clouds above them leaving behind only the sound of their wings. The only ones left were Applejack and Fluttershy.

- It’s almost evenin’, Twilight. We’ve been at this the whole day and nopony has seen Pinkie, even Rainbow’s group of best flyers found nothing that could tell us where she is. Maybe… maybe she’s left to Manehattan or Fillydelphia. As hard as it is for me to say, Twilight… we might not see her again – having put her feelings into words, Applejack hung her head.

- No, I won’t believe that. Pinkie would never leave Ponyville... Sugarcube Corner, her neighbors and us, her friends. We must continue the search, it is our duty. Friends do not abandon each other, that’s what I learned here in Ponyville.

- I agree with Twilight… she wouldn’t do that… she wouldn’t go - Fluttershy raised her head and gave Applejack a very meaningfull look. Her eyes were filled with hope and determination.

- Yea… you’re right. I’m going. I'll... I'll just check the apple fields again.

---

In a few hours, the sun set and the sky turned black, only a few lone stars were scattered on it. Shadows enveloped the town once again bringing only sadness and a feeling of resignation, because nopony had seen Pinkie Pie the whole day. They had been looking for her everywhere, in their houses, on the streets, in the vast apple fields, even at the edge of the Everfree Forest. No traces of Pinkie were found and many tired ponies simply gave up.

- That’s all we can do, dear. Pinkie, she must have… Oh, I don’t even want to think about it – Rarity made a dramatically sad face. She looked sleepy and completely worn out, her usually perfectly hoofacured hooves were all dirty after a whole day of running around Ponyville. After hours of searching without any results, Rarity and many other tired ponies gathered in front of the town hall, they were all asking each other what to do next.

- That’s just not right, we can’t just give up like that! – Twilight Sparkle was there as well, she seemed nervous, as if she was irritated because of her helplessness.

- But Twilight, we have been everywhere. Even Zecora knew nothing about Pinkie’s whereabouts.

- Then what? Are we supposed to just ignore the problem and abandon her! Rarity, as her friends we can’t do that… I can’t do that… I know it’s late and we don’t know where she is, but I am the one responsible and I have to find her… to fix what I did wrong. I must… – tears flowed to Twilight’s eyes, she looked miserable and desperate.

- Twilight, what are you talking… - Rarity never finished her sentence, somepony was galloping while loudly yelling Twilight’s name. After a few seconds, everypony realized it was Mr. Cake.

- Twilight! Thank Celestia I’ve found you… It’s about Pinkie, she’s in her room at Sugarcube Corner.

Such words Twilight desperately hoped to hear. Like an arrow, she instantly rushed towards the bakery, everypony else could hardly keep up with her. Twilight felt that it was her only chance to save Pinkie Pie, the only chance to silence her regrets.



The crowd of ponies galloped through Ponyville, earthponies and unicorns, soon, pegasi led by Rainbow Dash fell from the sky and joined them too. Everypony was heading for Sugarcube Corner, where they hoped to finally find Pinkie Pie.

---

- Now we have to be careful, everypony. No yelling or complaining, just let me speak to her, understood? – Twilight Sparkle turned her face to Rainbow Dash just to see her frown. They stood in front of Pinkie’s room, Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy came as well. Muffled sobbing could be heard from behind the door.

- Pinkie Pie, are you there? We… I just want to talk – Twilight tried her best to make her voice sound as soothing as possible.

- Leave me alone! Just go… - the voice inside the room was hoarse and cold. – You can’t help me. I have a few screws loose right now, I know it. And I don’t own a cat, do I? I can’t even become a crazy cat lady!

- Pinkie, everypony has come here for you. If you could just come out for a while, we would be able to help you… I’ve made an antidote and…

- No! Stop it, Twilight. There is nothing you can do. I… did it. It’s all my fault. I don’t want to see other ponies cry, but the voice in my head is sooo annoying. It says I should make all of you tremble in fear. It wants chaos and destruction. I tried to escape, run away… Now I realize I can’t. There would be nothing left of me if I did so.

Pinkie Pie, there is nothing to be afraid of… - Twilight Sparkle suddenly stopped talking and pushed her head against the door. Pinkie Pie went completely silent, it seemed unnatural, suspicious. Twilight was just about to ask her what was going on, but the whole floor started shaking. The giant, pink monster, which the ponies had been chasing the previous night, smashed the door and jumped outside, the impact threw Twilight and others to the ground. The Pinkie-beast quickly ran downstairs and escaped the building.



- After her! – when the ponies managed to stand up, they all rushed outside. Pinkie Pie stood there, surrounded by a crowd of shocked ponies, growling and angrily looking around. Many nervous whispers could be heard from the crowd.

- Pinkie, don’t you remember all those happy times when we could all smile together – Applejack made a few steps forward.

- And when you saved Ponyville from all those nasty parasprites – Rarity and Fluttershy were right behind her.

- Yea, and all those jokes we pulled off together, it wouldn’t have been the same without you, Pinkie – Rainbow Dash made a toothy grin.

- We all want the usual Pinkie Pie back, Pinkie Pie who never stops smiling, even in most absurd situations. Pinkie who knows how to make everybody laugh and throws the best parties a pony can imagine. Please Pinkie Pie, come back to us, we love you no matter what. We are your friends – the last pony to come out of Sugarcube Corner was Twilight Sparkle. She stopped before Pinkie and raised her head. The look in her eyes was calm and despite all her fatigue, she was still smiling warmly. Pinke Pie noticed Twilight’s face almost instantly, her bulky, covered with thick fur limbs froze. She was standing motionless, as if fighting with herself. The next minute seemed to last ages, second by second, everypony was waiting for Pinkie’s next move. Finally, the Pinkie–beast shrugged and hung her head as if to show that she had surrendered herself to Twilight. In that instant, Twilight Sparkle used her magic to spray the antidote all over Pinkie Pie’s body.

- Grrr – Pikie Pie roared and fell to the ground, her body started to shrink. Her mane and coat quickly returned to normal. After a few seconds, the pony lying before the crowd was her usual self, all brightly pink and with a fluffy mane on her head. She slowly opened her eyes and looked around with a confused look on her face. A while later, when she finally came to her senses and understood what was going on, Pinkie Pie covered her face with her hooves, curled up and began to sob.

- Pinkie Pie, are you all right?! – everypony jumped to Pinkie, but she shivered and started wailing louder.

- I’m sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry! I confess, it's all my fault! I will understand if want to banish me from Ponyville or throw me into prison, or throw me into prison in the place you will banish me to! Do you want me to dig up gems for the rest of my life, or bake hundreds of cupcakes every day?! I’m going to agree to anything! Sniff… Please, just don’t make me a dragon snack! I don't want to be gobbled up!

- Pinkie! Calm down, nopony is gonna throw you into prison or banish you, right everypony? – all ponies lively agreed with Twilight’s words, their voices were full of relief and joy. – We have spent the whole day looking for you, everypony was so worried about our Pinkie Pie.

- Really? Like really, really? Aren’t you angry even a little, itsy – bitsy bit? – Pinkie Pie took a quick glance around.

- Of course not, we are glad you have returned to normal. After all, one should hate the deed, not the person. And also… - Twilight Sparkle turned towards the crowd of ponies and bowed to the ground. – I didn't tell you the whole truth. The events of the last three days are entirely my fault. Last week, I played around with alchemy, it was risky, dangerous. When Pinkie Pie came, there was an accident and she got covered in chemicals. That's why she changed... Pinkie Pie is innocent. If I hadn’t been doing all those nasty experiments, nopony would have suffered and nothing would have happened to Ponyville. I’m terribly sorry, everypony and I will acctept any punishment you choose for me.

- So it was all just an accident, wasn't it? I don’t think any punishment will be necessary at all. As you've said, we should hate the deed, not the person, right everypony? – said Applejack. The crowd of ponies suddenly started to cheer, wildly stomping the ground with their hooves. Twilight Sparkle closed her eyes and finally let out a sigh of relief.

- Thank you, thank you so very much! You are the bestest of the best among the best of the best friends! I feel so warm inside! I can smile again! Oh, I'm so happy I'm gonna burst – Pinkie Pie started to jump around throwing her hooves in the air. A wide and truly beautiful smile spread across her face – And do you guys know what I wanna shout out right now?!

- Go ahead Pinkie Pie!

- Let’s have a party!!!

---

Dear Princess Celestia

Over the past few days, we had to face chaos and our own inner fears. Fortunately, we managed to overcome all the problems before sadness and resignation corrupted our hearts. I have learned that those who want to call themselves true friends must never abandon nor doubt each other. They must stand together and never give up. No matter what trouble you get into, true friends will always be there to support you and help you stand up again. Their sincere smiles and merry laughter are important treasures you should cherish every day.

Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle

P.S. Pinkie Pie is throwing a huge party this week. She wants everypony to come, including you and Princess Luna.

THE END.