The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows

Writing anything has been incredibly hard. It's not easy to be creative when you're haunted by the reality that I may lose someone close to me.

Still, I am glad for your patience; it has made things easier.

I am healing, though slowly, and honestly, I do not know if everything will crash if that loved one loses this battle. I hope not, but nothing is certain at the moment.

Aside from the personal drama, DraconicDuelist: I've read all of your recent comments, and although I cannot answer them all at the moment. I can reveal that my grammatical errors happen since my native grammar is quite different compared to English, and sometimes I cannot see the mistake. But overall, I am happy you enjoyed the story, even if my grammar mistakes put you off from time to time.

Now to the story.

The story is made from the episode "The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows"


And here, Cadence thought she was the only one who would be giving her family some happy news, but it turns out someone else is waiting to reveal their little secret. "Oh, that's wonderful news!" Cadence beams to this big earth pony, happily surprised by this reveal. Zhanna nods, smiling like she did when she got the news. "When are you planning on telling the others?"

"Very soon, not sure how." Zhanna admits, for honestly, "I tell them later. You have big party."

Cadence wouldn't call it big, but she and Shining Armor did want this to be special. "It's very thoughtful—" an idea suddenly comes to Cadence, one she thinks will make this just as special for Zhanna's family as it would for her. "Oh, would you mind sharing this surprise party with Shining Armor and me?" The big earth pony blinks; Cadence knows it's a bit sudden, but since they had to cancel the catering order and now have to find another who can bake the cake. "It would make your reveal as special as ours, a day you and your family can look fondly back to."

This suggestion takes her by surprise, Zhanna hadn't expected this when she realized this princess and she had this little thing in common. "You want to share this with me?" Cadence nods with a genuine smile that she indeed stands by this suggestion. "Very kind of you."

"It's no problem. Everypony deserves a chance to share their joy with others." Cadence is more than happy to share the spotlight with this other pony, especially when she is family and together with two of the second Element of Harmony bearers. Those beings from another world deserve some happy news.

Now, that does leave a slight issue. "I hope the local baker will have enough time to bake this new cake. I hear he's busy baking for the upcoming Nightmare Night."

She hasn't been on this holiday, but her brother has told her about it and how important it is for another royal pony. It's a holiday to scare others for fun, to dress up in either scary or silly ways. Zhanna knows Misha enjoys that part of the year, he has told them stories about a crazy wizard and how her beloved Soldier would piss the guy off each year, and they then have to fight the undead. Her brother admitted it was fun. Doubt it's going to happen in the pony world, but there are other ways to have a fun time.

Which reminds her, "Pinkie Pie can bake, ask if she can make the cake."

It is possible, but Cadence thinks she will first see if the empire's baker can do this, for Cadence does not want to ruin the surprise for Pinkie Pie. She thanks Zhanna and leaves to speak with the baker.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

At the Crusty Top bakery, Pinkie Pie is showing off her baking skills to the assistance of the place, helping the crystal pony out how to make the spooky treats for the approaching Nightmare Night.

She finishes up the last icing of the cupcakes, "There! This is how you make the bat cupcakes! And with some Crystal Empire flare." she sprinkles crushed crystals over the icings.

The assistant has been writing everything down, and with the last note written, "Thank you so much for showing me this." She says, and with the notebook in hoof, the assistant trots over to make her own bat cupcakes. "I sure hope I can make them as perfect as yours."

"Practice makes perfect." Pinkie beams; she walks over to help the assistant, not noticing that Cadence has entered the bakery's counter, talking to the owner of the place.

She only does when the stallion gasps loudly with: "I can't believe it! And you want me to bake it for you?"

Pinkie and the assistant look over to the door that leads to the shop; here, they hear Cadence's voice: "If you don't have too much on your plate."

"Unfortunately, I do. I have several deliveries and, with my assistance busy preparing for Nightmare Night…"

"Oh…" Cadence sounds so sad; Pinkie knows in that instant that she must help out so everyone can get what they want. She leaves and pops her head out to the counter. "I can help you out!" She declares.

Cadence is surprised to see her, does gets replaced with a thoughtful frown as the owner asks her, "if you can bake the princesses—" Cadence taps his shoulder and whispers something into his ear. The stallion's eyes widened ever so slightly and, with a nod to her, corrects himself. "Ehm, never mind, I'll handle this cake. Miss Pie, could you instead do my deliveries?"

Pinkie didn't notice the brief awkwardness; she's just happy she can help this pony out so Cadence can get this cake she wants. "No problem! You can count on me!"

"I'll take my leave, and remember," Cadence smiles to the owner, "it's a secret."

"My lips are sealed." The owner replies. The princess leaves, and he hurries over to give Pinkie the list of deliveries. "Here's the list. Now, if you'll excuse me, this special order needs to be as flawless as a diamond!" He speeds off to their supply room so fast that he accidentally drops the catering paper from Cadence.

Wanting to return the paper, Pinkie picks it up, "You dropped the—" and by that, she figures out what this cake is for: that Cadence and Zhanna each are going to have a baby. Pinkie gasps at what she reads and is about to cry out the news that both Cadence and Zhanna are going to have a party that both are expecting. But right as she's about to, Pinkie remembers Cadence's words: that this reveal party is a secret.

"A top secret surprise?!" The assistant looks at her, curious about what this surprise is. Pinkie gulps, knowing she cannot even share this with her new friend, not even her close best friends or their partners… "That means I have to keep the exciting news...to myself…"

She quickly returns the paper to the owner, then zips out to do the deliveries, for at least there she won't accidentally spill the beams for the assistance.

Right as Pinkie Pie runs out, she bumps into Twilight's partner, and he gives her a wicked grin. "Oh, what a big secret this is." Right there, Pinkie Pie realizes that he knows about this secret, and from how he smiles down at her, "I wonder if you know how to keep it under wrap, knowing how much you like to share this wonderful news."

Pinkie gulps at the menacingly grinning Medic. "No idea what you're talking about." She laughs embarrassingly, "Got no huge big secret here." she backs away, before zipping over to do the delivery.

Medic smirks, knowing full well he's going to have fun watching Pinkie's torment and the madness there will ensure of her going against this part of her very nature. He lets out a quick laugh. "Of course not, miss Pie. Only," he steps over to the pink pony, saying quietly and all giddy that he can torment her with this secret. "a simple royal reveal, alongside Soldier's girlfriend." He walks around the nervous pony as if they are just having a normal conversation. "Can't have we reveal this little fact before time, now can we?" Pinkie laughs weakly, quickly sets up in gear and runs off with the delivery wagon. Medic watches her speed away, already knowing this is going to be a fun day for him.

Away from Twilight's partner, Pinkie, sets to a trot, musing to herself, "Even though I didn't technically make a Pinkie Promise to Cadence, I can't tell Twilight or anypony the big news!" her walk comes to a stop at what it would make her if she did tell the others. "That would make me a... a... a big old surprise ruiner!" As Medic said, "It's too big of a surprise."

"Oh, are you doing a surprise party, Pinkie?" Rarity's voice startling Pinkie that somepony heard her talking to herself.

Pinkie's mind goes into a panic state and shows it by moving around like her Pinkie sense is going off. "What? Who? What? Who said something about a party?!" Pinkie exclaims, hanging on top of the delivery cart.

A bit taken aback, but this sort of behavior is common for Pinkie Pie, so Rarity does not pay it that much mind other than a slightly raised eyebrow in confusion. "You did, Ms. Pie, just now." She points out to her friend and asks since Pinkie does look stressed, "Do you need any help setting it up?" but instead, Pinkie cries out she needs to do deliveries and runs off before Rarity can say anything else. "Hm, guess this party is for one of us." Rarity muses and decides not to tell the others since Pinkie did mention it is a big surprise.

Pinkie is in such a hurry that she doesn't see where she is going, which means she comes to a sudden stop when running straight into Pyro's tail. It almost made all of the deliveries fly out, but fortunately, they stayed inside the wagon. Eyes are rolling from the impact and taken utterly off guard by the sudden stop. "Oh, sorry about that, Pinkie." Engineer's voice and Pinkie shakes her eyes back in place at knowing another of her friends is here. Engineer turns to her, having Pyro look at her— or rather, the wagon full of cakes. "Didn't know you would come this way. But what a surprise."

That single word is more than enough to trigger Pinkie in the secret she's keeping. "Surprise?!" She exclaims, then notices the confused look on Rarity's partner. She laughs nervously, "What kind of surprise?" hoping it will make Engineer stop looking at her like that.

"Well, that you're the pony doing the deliveries." Engineer replies, somewhat hesitant. He looks up to the hungry-looking Pyro. "I promised Pyro a snack if she stayed on her best behavior. She did, so who would I be in not keeping my word?"

Again a word that reminded Pinkie of her secret, which made her REAAALLLY want to tell him— everypony that Cadence and Zhanna are expecting. And would telling, let's say, Engie the news be such a bad idea? "Right, say Engie." She grabs the cake meant for Pyro, and as she hands him the cake. "What if somepony wanted to tell about a surprise and is so super-duper excited about this surprise that a pony can't keep it in any longer." With him holding the cake, she drops over Pyro's tail like a ragdoll cat, still trying to voice without saying directly what dilemma she finds herself in. "She has to tell the pony standing next to her what it is, or she might explode?!"

Didn't fool Engineer, though; he knows that Pinkie is keeping some sort of secret, Which sounds like she's keeping it for someone else. He figures it's for the royal couple, for they have been acting quite secretive, and especially Shining Armor has gotten a burst of excitement. He looks up at Pyro; she does not look like she heard Pinkie. Once again, in her own little world, happily eating the cake he promised her. Perhaps that's a good thing; Pyro has a tendency to be rather pushy when learning someone is holding a secret. It makes him wonder if Pyro would've been on Spy's case if she had been her former self. Maybe, but it's not like he ever will know. It's a sad thought, and one Engie does not like to think about. So, instead, he turns his focus back to Pinkie. "Well, I would say to that pony that ruining someone else's surprise for their own need wouldn't make them look good." He gestures to the once again nervous standing Pinkie. "You can tell this pony that I wouldn't trust them with surprise parties in the future if she ends up revealing the surprise before time."

Engineer's words make sense; Pinkie Pie can see that it would ruin the surprise if everypony already knew about it. But it only makes it so much harder for Pinkie, meaning she has to keep her mouth shut and not tell anyone. She laughs nervously and feels the urge to spill the beans, "Gotta bounce!" she exclaims and bounces away. Does remember the wagons and nervously returns, grabs it before the eyebrow-raised Engineer, and runs off.

When far enough away, Pinkie sets herself on a trot. "Phew, that was close! Too close." She sighs loudly and realizes how close of a call that was. "I almost spilled the beans. Beans that would be really hard to clean up! I obviously can't be around my friends right now. Or anypony for that matter!" So she should stay out of everypony's way, but that's where she realizes that she's surrounded by ponies and with the deliveries… Pinkie gulps, fearing she will explode before the day's end. Still, she must carry on with her great wish to tell about the surprise but cannot tell everypony "It's time to kick this operation into hyper-hoof and avoid all ponies by any means necessary!" Pinkie declares, set on doing the deliveries AND not ruining the surprise from Cadance and Zhanna.

Pinkie Pie goes out of her way to deliver each cake by hanging on the roof instead of simply providing the packages before the door.

Avoid her friends.

"Borrowing" Sniper's bow for the job to shoot an arrow and a rope, and slide the cake through the window at those living on the second floor.

Avoid other of her friends.

Hide under the snow, reveal the cake to the birthday colt, and dig all the way back without coming up one single time, even if her hair has practically frozen solid.

Avoid her friends once again.

Finally, with the deliveries done, though, Pinkie Pie does not feel very proud of herself. "It didn't feel good ignoring my friends like that... " She muses to herself, leaving the wagon beside the Crusty Cake bakery. "Maybe I can tell just one little pony the surprise?"

From the reflection of the building's crystal surface, she sees Engineer's face reminds her: "I wouldn't trust them with surprise parties in the future if she ends up revealing the surprise before time."

Pinkie turns away from the reflection, "You're right, spooky-reflection-of-Engie-that-I-know-is-actually-my-own-imagination. I can't tell anypony at all!" she sighs loudly at knowing this, but it didn't make her feel much better. She drops to the ground, lamenting, "Then they would tell Twilight, and she wouldn't be surprised, and it would be all my fault."

"It is a dreary thought to think that we worry for your well-being is your fault." Pinkie snaps her head backward, already worried, when Zecora and Fluttershy manage to approach her this time around. The zebra walks up to her side with; "Perhaps if you share your thoughts, we can help you feel less at loss." But all that does is make her feel like wanting to tell them more, and she can't.

Instead, she tries to avert the conversation from her and toward these to "What are you two doing? I'm not doing much, only helping the ponies in the Crusty Cake out." She beams with droplets trickling down her forehead, begging inwardly that they won't ask her further about what's demanding to be voiced.

Fluttershy and Zecora exchange a look with one another; like the zebra, Fluttershy can see something troubling their party pony friend, but by the sounds of it, she does not want to talk about it. Guess she will when ready. "Oh, you were in such a hurry that we didn't get the chance to ask you if you happen to know where to find baby carrots."

It made Pinkie Pie tense up and get a weird expression on her face. Fluttershy has no idea what's the case for this, so a bit nervous, she explains, "You see, they are Shining Armor's favorites."

"And it so happens; my girls love them like most pony like apples," Zecora says, but before she can explain why they are looking for more. Pinkie exclaims, "Mine too!" and goes on, "Baby carrots are kinda like big carrots but smaller, kinda like how foals are tiny versions of their parents but smaller and cuter and— crystal sheep!" Fluttershy instantly turns to look for this sheep, while Zecora is left very confused by Pinkie running away as if she got chased by a Timberwolf.

Noticing that Pinkie Pie is gone and there's no of these adorable crystal animals around. "I wonder what's up with Pinkie." She voices Zecora, who can only shrug that she has no idea either.


The story is more or less the same, the only changes are that the whole thing happens in the Crystal Empire and Medic is being a giant pain in the neck by deliberating tormenting Pinkie into revealing the big surprise.

I already have the next chapter ready, but even correcting the script is hard, so I ask you to bear with me.