"You know I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important, Princess."
Celestia shook her head, "I'm sorry Twilight. But I cannot assist you. What you have observed may simply be grief. Everypony deals with death differently."
"But Princess-!" Twilight begged.
"No, Twilight. I've been patient with you, but you must realize that not everything can be cured right away." Twilight hung her head in shame and defeat. Celestia gave Twilight a small smile, softening her voice, "However, you can help. Just show her that you are there for her if she needs anything. Be supportive and patient. She'll come around."
Twilight growled at the memory. Celestia was just denying Pinkie Pie's problem. Twilight sent Celestia regular updates on Pinkie until she had told her to stop. Twilight refused to give up on her friend. It couldn't have been just grief. Every book Twilight had read only lead her to believe something more was happening. At first, Twilight had thought possibly depression. But threw that out as soon as Pinkie had threatened Rainbow Dash. The Pegasus excused it, knowing Pinkie was having a rough time, but Twilight knew there was more to that threat than words. There was true promise.
None of her friends were willing to help Twilight, Celestia denied help, even Luna was afraid to keep trying. Apparently Pinkie's dreams were scary even for Luna. Zecora had been suspicious, however she regretfully knew nothing that could help. Twilight searched her library, Spike always close at hand, of anything that could explain Pinkie's condition.
"Twilight!"
"Huh?" Twilight looked from her book to Spike, who stood beside her, worry on his face, "Oh, sorry Spike."
Spike had been the only one who had agreed something was off with Pinkie, and it wasn't grief. Spike had been much younger when it happened, but Twilight's grandmother had passed away shortly after her acceptance into the School for Gifted Unicorns. Twilight still felt some emotion, but she had been able to move on. Shining Armor and their parents all dealt with Grandmommy's death differently, but they had all gotten past it. Pinkie's family wasn't as open as Twilight's, but that didn't explain Pinkie's reaction to her own Granny Pie's death.
"Twilight, are you sure you should be looking that far back in history? Stories evolve in time. It probably won't be the same thing," Spike often voiced his opinion, but Twilight never minded. She loved that her number one assistant was so curious.
"I have to Spike," Twilight replied, "even a small lead could help us. I just hope its not too late when we find it."
"Whatever it is, if anypony can find it, you can, Twilight," Spike assured.
"Thanks, Spike."
Fluttershy was clearly frightened more than before. Pinkie's aggressiveness had increased. If only Twilight knew what was causing it all.
"I'm not sure Pinkie wants any of us there," Fluttershy expressed, "Maybe we should give her some space."
"No other pony is going to visit Pinkie Pie right now," Rainbow Dash explained, "If we don't, she might not get out of her funk."
"Rainbow's right. We're her friends. We need to support her," Rarity agreed.
Twilight felt proud of her friends for their generous loyalty. If only that could help Pinkie.
"What're you thinkin' about, Twi?" Applejack trotted beside her, curiosity in her eyes.
Twilight knew Applejack thought it was a waste of time, but she had updated the mare on her findings. "There are some strict rulers of different empires that may have been in Pinkie's situation. Nothing says how they got over it, though.
"How did you get over it?" Applejack knew about Twilight 's grandmommy.
Twilight answered nuetrally, "I had the support of my family."
Applejack nodded, "I think that's just it. Pinkie doesn't have a family like that. They ain't very good expressin' their emotions. Pinkie is probably just doing what her family would do. Grieve alone. Some of Apple family is like that, too. Big Macintosh bein' one of 'em."
Twilight knew there was a story behind that last sentence, but didn't pry, "I just don't understand why she's been so aggressive. It's not like her at all."
Sugarcube Corner, the home of Pinkie Pie and the Cake family. Not for the first time, Twilight worried about the babies when around Pinkie. Hopefully Mr. and Mrs. Cake had it under control.
"Is that Pinkie?" Fluttershy asked, seeing a pink pony stalking towards the group. Rainbow flew to her, asking what was wrong. Pinkie snapped at her harshly, making Rainbow frustrated. Rainbow returned shortly, bearing her anger.
"She was kicked out of the bakery and she's going back to the rock farm. I told her that was stupid and she should just stay with one of us. Man, is she crabby!"
"The rock farm?" Rarity echoed, "You mean back to her parents?"
"Yep."
Twilight, followed closely by her friends, galloped to Pinkie, "Pinkie Pie! You don't have to leave. You can stay with one of us. We'll take care of you."
Pinkie screamed in Twilight's face, "I do not need to be taken care of! I am fine! Go away!" Twilight gasped as soon as she realized it. Pinkie's mane and tail had gone flat. She was no longer the Pinkie Pie Ponyville knew.
Twilight glanced at each of her friends before speaking, "Pinkie Pie still needs our help. I think I have found a way to help her out."
"Not again!" Rainbow Dash complained, not bothering to censor her annoyance.
Rarity took a step forward, "Twilight, we know you are trying to help, and we all think you may have been on to something, but this is the third time you've called us all here. We can't keep going back and forth between here and the Pie's Farm."
Twilight, excited about her discovery, tried not to let Rarity's words get to her. "But I've got it this time! I've found a spell-"
"Twilight, that's enough!" Applejack ordered. Twilight froze, confused. "I'm sorry, Twi, I know you think you're helpin', but maybe its just making it harder for poor Pinkie."
Twilight tried to persuade her friends, "But I've really got it this time. I just need-"
"Just let Pinkie Pie deal with this on her own," Rainbow turned towards the door, "All she needs is time." Applejack followed Rainbow Dash, but Spike blocked the exit.
"Just hear her out?" Spike lowered his voice to a whisper, "She's been really stessed out and she's really excited about this. I think she's on to something."
Rainbow and Applejack exchanged a glance, turning back to Twilight. "Alright, we'll hear what you've got, but we ain't promisin' anything."
Twilight began immediately, "I found this spell that summons the very essence of comedy. The author explains that its almost never the same form, but comes in multiple forms and is chosen at random. 'Anyone in need of Laughter would only benefit from this.' I know this will work. It has to work."
The four mares glanced at each other, not convinced. Frankly, they thought Twilight was beginning to lose it.
Rarity sighed, "I'm willing to try this one last thing."
Applejack shook her head, "I'm sorry, Twi, but I just don't think magic is going to help Pinkie's problem."
"I'm with AJ on this one," Rainbow added. Twilight looked to Fluttershy. She had been quiet, and the spotlight didn't help now, "Like I've said before, I think she wants to be left alone..."
Twilight became furious. How could parts of the Elements of Harmony not help their friend? The idea was foreign to the unicorn.
"Fine! Rarity, Spike, and I will help Pinkie Pie. Now I have a spell to perform. I would be very thankful if you three left." Twilight turned her back to her friends.
Rarity gave the three a disapproving look, "I'm dissapointed in you all. Not only is Pinkie Pie suffering, but Twilight is exhausting herself trying to help her. The least the rest of us can do is help Twilight since helping Pinkie isn't working."
Fluttershy nodded, agreeing with Rarity, "You're right. I'll stay and help. That is, if you'll have me, Twilight."
Twilight twisted her head, "Of course, Fluttershy. I'm greatfull for any help I can get."
Rainbow trotted out he door, "Well don't count me in, I have clouds to chase off."
Applejack apologized before trotting out, "I'm sorry Twi, but I really don't really don't believe this way to help."
Once the two mares were gone, Rarity offered her services, "What do you need us to do, Twilight?"
"I need you to make a large circle on the floor with this chalk. Fluttershy, can you spread these flowers around the circle? Spike,I want you to let me know if anything looks wrong. But stay away, I don't want you to get hurt."
Each pony and dragon did as asked. Once the circle and flowers were set, Twilight began the spell. Her horn glowed its normal purple color. The circle glowed too, making the flowers twitch. The glow began to darken, growing slowly. The magic circle rose up, creating a dome over the effected floor. Twilights eyes shut tightly, concentrating. Spike watched carefully, hoping nothing went wrong. Rarity watched in awe as Fluttershy shook a little, also in awe.
The magic swirled in the dome, darkening again. Smoke began to collect inside. Spike gently prodded Twilight, "Twilight, you didn't say anything about smoke! There's smoke in it. Twilight!"
She couldn't hear him. Twilights mind was filling with laughter. She could barely keep the spell going, but it had taken her over by now, anyway. Images filled her lidded vision. She saw many things being chased, lots if explosions, a few minor pranks, and plenty of stars as the beings were hit on the head. Music and singing blended together in a horrible symphony. Then screams of surprise and anger called, one after another. All of it clamored for Twilights attention until it all stopped.
The dome disappeared, but the smoke had yet to dissipate. Rarity and Fluttershy held up Twilight on each side, while Spike watched her sparking horn and searched for anything in the smoke.
There was no warning.