Day 392 in Equestria.
>You had to make a detour before actually coming home the previous night, no sense on leading possible minions to your base, after all.
>Said detour consisted of a 6 mile sprint to Apple Acres, looping back into town, then home.
>It may have been a bit much, but one can never underestimate Its foul legion, or to what extents it would go!
>That being said, by the time you reached your abode, you were flatly exhausted, and, somehow, still wreaked of smoke.
>Fumbling with your myriad of locks, coupled with exhaustion, led you to forcing your door open perhaps, a bit too roughly, nearly breaking it from its hinges.
>At the time, however, you were too tired to really care, and slouched forward as you gripped the door frame to stabilize yourself, looking up to find Scootaloo running towards you.
>She seemed full of energy, she must have been happy to have you home. You'd been gone the entire day you realize, mentally slapping yourself for not thinking of the filly sooner.
>Once she gets closer, however, her eyes lock with yours and she appears to examine your hunched form.
>All the excitement she seemed to have washed away in an instant as her pupils shrunk, filling with something new.
>Worry, perhaps? Oh the poor dear, she must have been worried about your appearance.
>You saw her take a light sniff as her eyes shrunk even further, slowly turning her head to the window as the last wisps of smoke rose from Ponyville, turning back to you as she began backing away slowly.
"Scootaloo, it's okay, I'm sorry for leaving you alone so long." You pull yourself from your position and take a deep breath, shutting the door behind you as you move towards her.
>She backed into a wall as you reached her, crouching down.
"I'll make sure to never leave you for so long again, okay? You'll always be safe here, with me." You picked her up and hugged her tightly. "You're freezing! Let's get you to bed."
>The pegasus remained completely silent on the way to your room, you set her to bed.
"Don't worry, I'll be here for you the rest of the night."
>Her head snapped to you as you smiled. She then rolled away from you and slowly, but assuredly, began to snore lightly.
>You patted her head lightly as you brought a chair over to the bed and took a seat.
>From there is where you drifted off.
>Though you did have an odd memory before you finally went out. At one point Scootaloo apparently stopped snoring and turned to look at you, before rapidly returning to her side and, snoring once more.
>It was probably just the exhaustion.
>In either case, by the time you had woken up, she was already trying her hardest to open the door, fumbling with one of the bolts.
>Kids are always so full of energy.
>You stumbled behind her as she fell to the ground, catching her as she continues looking ahead.
>She must want to get on with the day, perhaps you had slept a bit too long.
>After taking care of the normal morning routine, she has asked if she could ride her scooter a bit.
>And that, is where you're at now.
 
>You turn to her from slicing a few vegetables, knife still in hand as you spin is absentmindedly.
"Of course you can Scootaloo, just give me a moment to open up the basement."
>Turning to the door leading to the cellar, you're stopped by the small pegasus standing in front of you.
>"A-actually.. I was hoping we could-" she gulps, "g-go outside? Yea..."
>This filly, even though she experienced first-hoof what horrors lurk in the world, she still doesn't want to let that hold her back.
>What a champ.
>However, you're not entirely sure she's ready.
>Of course she's recovered, by a large margin in fact. She didn't even scream herself awake this morning! And you had promised not to leave her for so long again, so taking her with you would solve that issue.
>"A-anon?"
>Pulling from your thoughts, you realize you've been staring down at the filly, knife still spinning in hand.
>You turn rapidly, slinging the blade into the cutting board before turning to the filly, herself wide-eyed and recoiling slightly.
>She must be realizing the gravity of Ponyville's condition. However, you believe her ready enough. After all, as you said before, she has to do what she can on her own.
"Okay." You begin walking to the door.
>"O-okay? Okay what?"
>Undoing the locks, you smile back at her.
"Grab your scooter, we're going to Sugarcube Corner."
 
>You are Chrysalis.
>Currently, you believe you are on the edge of contracting diabetes.
>After last night's... incident, at Carousel Boutique, you found that you had used quite a bit more energy than you had thought at the time.
>Not that such a lowly display of power tired you by any means, it was more-so keeping your own flames from instantly tearing the place apart.
>That was always a thing of yours, explosive power, little control. You were at least capable of funneling it to specific targets, but for greater manipulation such as then, it takes quite a lot out of you.
>Which is why you decided to, recharge, so to speak.
>And what better way of doing so than with a buffet? This line of thought led you to Sugarcube Corner.
>Between the cheerfulness in the air, the taps of satisfaction, and overall pleasant atmosphere... a feast had been laid out and waiting.
>That being said, though you could find yourself content with the energy, you'd be lying if you said you didn't enjoy certain other indulgences.
>One such treat, was perhaps the most beautiful thing you had ever seen in your time in this world.
>Cakes made of cookie.
>Formed in the shape of hearts.
>Perhaps there is a truly divine being somewhere in the universe.
>How else would such magnificence come to be?
 
>After apparently zoning out and staring at the confectioneries behind the glass prison for an untold eternity, you were forced from your fantasies by a familiar pink poof.
>"Hey Chrissy! What'cha been up to huh? Oooo, guessing you like the cookie-cakes. Can't say I blame ya, Changelings have been buying these things like hot cakes! Which is kind of true actually since they're fresh and all and-"
"Pink one!"
>She looks up at you in surprise, "Oh! What can I do for ya?"
"Reveal to me the creator of such... magnificence.." You begin eyeing the cakes once more.
>Her smile grows, "That's me! I knew how Changelings like to eat love and all that, so I thought, why not put more love into the cooking! And since I didn't know how to do that since I already love baking and do everything I can to make everyp0ny happy, I just shaped them into hearts and replaced most of the actual cake with cookie." She squees.
>It takes a few moments for your brain to catch up with everything, but once it does.
"You, created these?"
>"Mhmm, absotivealutadudely!"
>You pull her into a hug, sending the party pony into a fit of giggles.
"You're a genius Pinkie, a true, undeniable genius."
>She continues chuckling lightly as you set her down.
>"So -snorts- Want to try one out?" She opens the case from her side and pulls a smaller one out, letting you levitate it to yourself.
>You take a bite, and chew slowly.
>Pinkie looks on, her expression slowly faltering as she watches yours.
>What was once sheer, and absolute excitement, slowly, but assuredly grew into shock as you chewed.
>You look towards the heavens as you begin to swallow. You know not what supposed grace may exist, but you wish to thank it for everything it has ever done at this moment.
>As it reaches stomach, you look down once more as you see the multiple heart-shaped cookie-cakes in the display case, your entire body shivering as you plant a hoof on it for balance, fluttering your wings to aid you.
>You came. Hard.
>You have no shame in admitting to this.
 
>"Chrissy? You okay there?" She pokes your horn a few times.
>You snap your head up to her as you inhale the rest of the sample she provided, savouring its taste as your eyes nearly begin to water.
>This sends Pinkie into yet another fit.
>"You should see the look on your face -giggles- you must REALLY love these things." She takes a moment to breath. "H-How about I give you one on the house?"
>You're pulled from your ecstasy as your eyes lock with the pink pony's.
"Hah.. hah.. I wouldn't find it wise to joke about such things."
>"Joke? About cookies? What kind of mare do you think I am?!" She crosses her hooves in a pout before remembering her offer and pulling a box out from behind the counter, smiling as she does so.
>You stand there for a moment in disbelief before pulling the box to yourself, opening it slowly to confir-IT'S A LARGE.
>Slamming the box shut, you look at the mare once more, your gaze solemn before wrenching her into yet another hug.
>You love this pony.
>Speaking of that deity, you should probably come up with a name for it, whatever it may be... Zuul sounds nice.
>You're not entirely sure what or who Zuul is, but he appears to be a benevolent lord.
>At this point, you realize you should probably put Pinkie down. You swear you see a hint of a pout when you let go...that's adorable.
>Regardless, you resolve take the box to one of the tables and open it.
>What happens next is a complete and utter blur, but when you come to again, the delight is gone.
>Your first response, undeniable wrath, is quelled as you notice the delicious, delicious aftertaste.
>You've made your decision.
 
>Walking out of the building for a moment, you let out a loud whistle, one of yours guards immediately appearing.
"Retrieve emergency fund number 12."
>The servant flies off as you wait for his return, humming to yourself.
>You never were able to get that wedding song out of your head, not that you were complaining, but it did become somewhat incessant.
>Ah, looks like he's back already.
>Taking the funds, you thank the guard and allow him the rest of the day off.
>Returning to the counter, chest in tow, you ring the bell.
>To have Pinkie drop from the ceiling.
>Normally you'd ask, but right now there are more important things on the line.
"I'd like to purchase all of them."
>She raises an eyebrow at this. "All the heart-shaped cookie-cakes?" You nod. "But that's... eight!"
>Your eyes stretch in shock.
"You only have eight in stock?"
>"Well, I mean, I have some in the oven, and I could easily make more, but are you sure you-
>Dropping the chest on the table pops it open, revealing a small fortune in bits.
>Getting slightly antsy, your voice's speed picks up a bit.
"How many would this secure?"
>Pinkie seems somewhat deterred, "Chrissy, this is WAY more than what I could make even with our ENTIRE back-up supplies. I can make as many as I can, but-
"It's fine keep whatever isn't used for them as a bonus for service."
>This causes her to gasp, "Ooooh, we could probably finally afford that new oven I mean the one we have is good and all but one of the burners is all burnt out so it can't really burn as well so we've been looking for a replacement but we couldn't really get one because they cost SOOOOOO much but with-" She stops, calming down as she looks up to you and smiling softly. "Still... I can't take that much from you."
>The mare begins dividing the bits as you look on, confused.
>Levitating the bits she'd taken out, you place them back into the chest before sealing it and pressing it to her.
>"Chris-"
"Take it, as a favour. For a friend."
>This sets her smile from ear to ear as she begins bouncing, "Oh thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyousomuchyouhavenoideahowmuchthis-"
"It's fine, it's fine. Besides, if you're going to get this order filled, you may want to get started, right?"
>She stops to think, "You know Chrissy, this is probably going to take all day, you should probably go home, I'll bring it over when everything is ready." Smiling, she turns and begins walking to the kitchen. "I'll go ahead and bring out what you ca-" She noticed you following her.
"I'll eat them here, and considering how much you may be making, you may need some help."
>Sharing a smile with one another, you enter the kitchen.
 
>You are Anonymous
>For the last half hour you've been on a sprint with Scootaloo.
>Not long after you had left the house, she rushed ahead at full speed and has been trying as hard as she can to stay ahead of you.
>She must love racing.
>However, since you still want to watch over her somewhat, you've made sure to stay directly behind her the majority of the time. Every once in awhile she'll check to see if you're still there and manage to somehow pull a bit more speed out.
>Must be really competitive.
>By the time you've gone around Fluttershy's cottage and into Ponyville, she finally begins to slow down.
>Taking a deep breath, you begin walking next to her.
"That.. was good exercise, haven't run like that since, well.. last night actually."
>You look to the pegasus as you see her laying face-down on the scooter, her hooves still gripping the handles as her back rises and falls with breathing.
"You okay there?"
>Her head twists till her gaze meets yours. She tries to speak a bit, but her gasps for air keep her from doing so.
"Exhausted, eh? Here, let me help you out."
>Picking her up, you set the pegasus on top of your head as you sling the Judicator over your shoulder, and continue walking into town till you see the bakery.
>Setting the filly down at one of the tables with the Judicator, you stand in front of the counter and ring the bell, and, after waiting for a bit, wonder why nobody answers.
>Looking around for a moment, your gaze passing over Scootaloo as she lies on her back, still gasping, you see the entrance to the kitchen, and walk towards it.
>As you near the entrance, you hear that oh so dreaded voice.
>"Come now, we need to get these finished by the night as least."
>Your blood chills as you peek into the room
>"We're going as fast as we can Chrissy! I told you it'd take the entire supply."
>You pull yourself from the edge of the door and dash to Scootaloo, tearing the filly from her seat along with her board as you vacate the building, all the while forming your plan.
>Setting the her on the scooter across the street, you begin.
>If even a hundredth of a piece of Pinkie still has some control, she'd have to respond.
"WHO WOULD HAVE KNOWN IT WAS SCOOTALOO'S BIRTHDAY!? SHE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE A PARTY PLANNED OR ANYTHING!"
>As you drop your hands from the call, Pinkie is already standing in front of you.
>"It's Scootaloo's birthday?! But nobody told me about that oh my gosh I have to get a cake ready and games and oh what about decorations does she like streamers oh I hope she likes streamers 'cause I got like a whole box of those and they're always fun an-
>You pick the pink mare up and set her in front of the barely conscious filly as she continues her rambling.
>Taking the opportunity to escape, you run back to Sugarcube Corner and begin your work.
 
>You are Chrysalis.
>Currently, you are confused. You had been informed that only unicorns were capable of magic.
>Pinkie Pie, however, appears to laugh at this notion, as she has apparently teleported.
>Well, okay then.
>Following through with what you had watched the mare do a few times already, you continue her work.
>Though, you had to admit, you didn't quite have the knack for it that she did. Nonetheless, you continued in her stead.
>That was when you noticed a hint of... something in the air.
>It had quite a peculiar mixture to it, especially considering where you were.
>You try to identify the flavours...fear... courage.. and ooo, dedication! That was a rare one.
>You were about to trace the current when one of the timers went off, and instead choose to rush to release the Zuul-gifted treat.
>Opening the oven, you notice a few things.
>One, believe you were starting to get addicted to these things.
>And two, as a fireball begins rolling towards and around you, you probably should have followed those feelings.
 
>You are Pinkie Pie.
>Currently, you have set up a party in the middle of Ponyville and are dancing around a partially comatose pegasus.
>You're sure she'll pick up soon though, she must feel awful for not having had a party.
>Shame on you Pinkie! You're supposed to make everypony smile! How are you going to do that if you didn't even remember their birthdays?!
>Oh well, just means you have to party- Oh Anon's back!
"Hey Anon! I got everything set up while you were doing whatever you were doing! It's a little on the spot but I think it's pretty good, just needs a few mor- h-hey! Where are you going?!"
>He picks up the board, Scootaloo still laying on it.
>"Pinkie, whatever you do, always be yourself okay? Don't let anyone change you." He pats you on your head, forcing you to giggle a bit.
"Well of course I'll be me silly filly, I mean, if I wasn't me, then who would I be? Then who would throw all these parties?"
>Smiling, Anon begins walking away, "Don't ever change Pinkie. Oh, and great party!"
>Oh that Anon, he was a little odd at times, but he's always been a good guy.
>Your smile it suddenly shot as an explosion rings out from behind you, forcing you to turn to see a large section of the bakery gone, and, including a large hole in the roof.
>None of those things should be there.
>Oh no! Chriss-
>A whistling sound, a couple actually. You look up to see the queen falling as she passes your vision, landing in front of you.
>Looking down into the crater, you call.
"C-Chrissy? Are you okay?"
>Suddenly the hole starts to glow a bright green, forcing you to jump back.
>You did so right in time as the area around where Chrissy landed explodes, revealing a not-so happy queen holding a box to herself tightly in the newly-formed crater.
>Her expression lightens up though, falling from absolute rage, to worry as she sets the box down and opens it. Relief now fills her as you see a large, heart-shaped cookie-cake laying in the box.
>She smiles as she begins to take a piece.
>Only for the cookie to burst into flames and turn to cinder in the time span of a few seconds.
>At that instant, Chrissy looked like she was about to burst into tears.
>She throws her head to the sky.
>"WHY ZUUL!? WHYYY?! YOU HAD NO REASON FOR THIS!"
>Giving her a moment to grieve you feel you need to ask.
"Ummm, excuse me, Chrissy, but, who the buck is Zuul?"