Author's Note: Hi all! I wrote a fic once when I was 14. I've never tried again, even though it was reasonably well-received (especially since I was 14...). I have a bit of time on my hands, so I figure I might as well give it another shot. MLP is of course the property of Hasbro and the characters are clearly not my intellectual property. Just in case you were wondering. Also, fair warning, I'm totally making this up as I go along, though I do have a loose plan. So if I take a while to write chapters, that's totally why.
"I can't believe that the two most frivolous ponies in Ponyville are trying to tell new Fluttershy how to live her life when they are throwing their own lives away on pointless pursuits that nopony else gives a flying feather about!"
Long after Fluttershy had learned to be properly assertive, those words haunted Pinkie Pie. She would hear them in her head, as she restlessly tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
"Why do you exist?"
Though she kept trying to maintain a smile for her friends, Pinkie soon found herself unable to answer this question.
As her friends grew older, many of them became closer with each other than they were with her. Her relationship with Fluttershy had never been quite the same after her training with Iron Will. Pinkie knew that Rarity didn't really understand her jokes, or her parties. She wasn't blind to how Rainbow Dash would prioritize the Wonderbolts, or even Applejack and Fluttershy, over her.
Despair became her constant companion. And for Pinkie, the worst part was this: not a single one of her friends seemed to notice. Her dear friends, for whom she would gladly face any danger, completely failed to notice her less than gradual descent into darkness.
"You know, I'm thinking of going back to Canterlot," said Twilight, over tea one afternoon. At once, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Applejack began to choke on their less-than-dainty-sized sips.
"WHAT?!" Rainbow exclaimed, as she leapt about three feet into the air.
"You can't leave now!" blurted Pinkie, as she tried to keep the desperation out of her voice. And the tea from her lungs. "Man, tea in your lungs really HURTS".
"What about yer duties as the Element of Magic?"
"Girls, please," said Twilight, with a slightly irritated look on her face. "Do you really think I would shirk on my responsibilities to you and all of Equestria?"
With that said, Twilight quickly launched into "speech mode". She stood up and began to pace, tapping her feet for emphasis.
"Furthermore, it is actually very important that I take my magical training seriously. I am after all, the personal protégée of Princess Celestia herself," with that said, Twilight paused her pacing and gave her friends a very serious glance.
"Education is an IMPORTANT matter. We are all of approximately the correct age for university studies. I suggest that you all investigate programs that may be of interest to you".
Rarity shied away from Twilight's intense glance, Pinkie noticed. Rainbow Dash, predictably, rolled her eyes. Fluttershy was listening, with apparent interest.
"Sorry hon, but fancy university learnin' isn't really a reality for us Apples" said Applejack. "I appreciate your advice though, all the same".
"You can enjoy EGGHEAD school, but you know I'm WAAAAY too cool for that 'university' junk". Rainbow waved a hoof dismissively.
"I might think about it. Maybe a nice veterinary program might help me learn to take better care of the animals around here," replied Fluttershy, a thoughtful look on her face.
"All those new ponies though…" she shuddered.
Rarity still appeared to be avoiding both Twilight's eyes and the conversation going on around her. She seemed to be picking at the ground with her hoof. Pinkie could tell that she was the only one who noticed her friend's odd behaviour, however, as the others were paying more attention to Twilight than Rarity.
Pinkie sighed, quietly enough that she was sure no one would hear.
"What sorts of programs do you think might be out there for an Earth Pony like me?" asked Pinkie.
Twilight was clearly trying to contain her shock.
"You see, my sister, Maud, does Advanced Sedimentology at the University of Waterneigh. They do a lot of environmental analyses. My sister sure does want to make the world a cleaner place!" Pinkie smiled as she thought of her sister, who was using their terribly dismal background to try to improve Equestria's environmental practices.
"Wow, Pinkie, I had no idea you had a scholar in your family!" Twilight's eyes gleamed excitedly.
"Yeah, Maud's pretty great," replied Pinkie, glowing with pride.
Twilight paused for a moment, brows furrowed in thought.
"…well, if you're interested in science like your sister, I've heard about a new program that's starting over in Hooferton. They call it 'Harmonious Science'. They say they want to work on scientific problems using a variety of different thinking styles. And with your capacity for flexible thinking, you might be a good fit!"
Twilight's eyes shone as she made this recommendation. It was clear that she thought "Harmonious Science" was cool beyond cool.
"…do you really think they'd take someone like me?" asked Pinkie, doubtfully.
"Of course they would! You're one of the ELEMENTS OF HARMONY. You've got a good working resume from your time with The Cakes, too," Twilight stomped a hoof excitedly.
"…I might just look into it then," said Pinkie, softly, a small smile reaching her lips.
