Epilogue: Cheerfully Melancholy
"'Cheerfully Melancholy',"
Pinkie recited the self-contradicting mantra to Gummy. While her alligator displayed subtle showings of emotion as always, an earnest twinkle crossed Pinkie's right eye as she said it.
"That's what I am, 'Cheerfully Melancholy'," repeating the phrase once more for good measure, she placed her pet beside her and shifted her legs off the bed. "I do my best to reassure Ponyville that everything will be okay, that there won't be a 'Pony civil war' or anything crazy like that, and I believe it. But, inside, I have this really bad feeling things are gonna take a turn for the worst."
She glanced out the window. Just about a week ago, a letter had arrived in the Cakes' mailbox revealing news she wasn't expecting to hear.
Areson Gaeon was returning to Pony Ville.
About a month after the Rebellion's first appearance in town, Areson disappeared. There was no trace of him having moved out; the only items Pinkie noticed were gone when she peeked through his unlocked house were a hardcover journal she'd seen him furiously scribble in several times.
Then, she'd felt betrayed. After having finally befriended the socially weary colt, he had vanished without stopping to say good-bye.
She hadn't had much time to think about such manners, however. While the efforts of Princesses Twilight, Celestia, and Luna had prevented a mass conversion of Equestria's populous, the number who joined the organization after speeches was greater than those who deserted.
Twilight had reminded her then that this wasn't unusual. However, that time, three months before Areson was scheduled to return, she was confident that the movement would fizzle quickly.
Unfortunately, for a lot of ponies, impassioned speeches about friendship weren't enough to convince them that a 'social hierarchy' as Twilight called it didn't exist in Equestria.
Pinkie thought back to when she and her friends had performed for a production of Equestria's early days on Hearth's Warming Eve. In those days, each race of pony, Pegasus, Unicorn, and Earth Pony, held bitter resentment towards on another. The Earth Ponies were disgusted at having to be the ones to till the land food day after day. The Unicorns despised Earth Ponies for their discontentment and Pegasi for their supposed laziness. Pegasi, much like Earth Ponies, felt their scrutiny was undeserved, attributing the animosity of their comrades to jealousy over their natural ability to fly.
Such conflict held strong until the day later known as Hearth's Warming Eve. There, friendship prompted the three tribes to forget their conflict and form the revered nation of Equestria, the largest realm on the continent.
Pinkie, a firm believer in the Magic of Friendship, saw the tale as a reaffirmation of how kindness, honesty, generosity, loyalty, and laughter could turn bitter enemies into best friends.
For a reason she could hardly comprehend, Readson was trying to juxtapose the harmony Equestria had to achieve. Pinkie wasn't stupid; she'd considered several times if Areson had been one of his supporters, explaining his bizarre behavior. It would also elaborate on why he's letter was so cryptic and insisted on meeting the pink-furred mare alone.
She wondered if the Cakes would grant him access to the restaurant; after all, why would they let a deceitful informant into their home?
Then again . . . With everything they've gone through, they probably haven't thought twice about Areson since he left.
Yes. That made sense. While her friends liked Areson, she was the only one who'd grown close to him. The only one who'd ever kissed him . . .
Huh . . . Pinkie threw her head back against her bed. Just thinking about the possibility he had become her friend for Readson's sake was depressing.
Yesterday, she'd voiced some of her concerns about their efforts to Rainbow Dash.
"Instead of playing this wild game of 'cat and mouse', figuring out who supports who, why can't we just let them be? Once ponies realize Princess Celestia's not gonna step down, they'll lose hope, right?"
"It's not that simple," Rainbow Dash grimaced. "From what I've heard, Readson's alluded to the possibility of starting a violent rebellion to compel Princess Celestia to step down."
Pinkie's entire body had quivered. A nauseating ache took hold of her insides. "He's going to start a war?"
Normally, she would've yelled this. Instructions from Twilight had taken this instinct from her.
"He may just be psyching us to rile up the crowd," Rainbow Dash shook her head, the veins in her hooves tensing. "How could ponies still follow him after that? Do they wanna see people die because of this?"
The words horrified her. Even thinking about them sent that same shiver pulsating through her nerves.
There's no doubt about it.
She nodded her head confidently.
If Areson's with them, then our friendship has to end.
A knock from downstairs. Pinkie zoomed to the door and listened from the top of the stairs.
"A-Areson," Mr. Cake's raspy voice questioned. "You're back?"
"I sent a letter to Pinkie," He's so stoic . . . How could he not be with them. "Is she here?"
"Why, yes," Mrs. Cake giggled awkwardly. "I think she'd love to see you,"
"Is it alright if I talk to her alone?"
Pinkie knew the Cakes well enough; they'd exchange glances and say "Of course you may,"
Pinkie shuffled back to her room and shut the door. "Thank you,"
Hooves crawled up the stairs. Bracing her legs against the floor, Pinkie leveled a tense glare towards the door.
After about a minute, he knocked.
"Pinkie?"
"The door's unlocked," Why am I this tense? Even if he is with them, I might be able to convince him to help us?
A moment passed. Areson pushed open the door.
He looked fit for a reunion; he was clean-shaven, wore a snappy tuxedo he'd purchased from Rarity's boutique, and stood straight. That cheesy smile he'd used to allure shined ever brighter on his face.
It was gone in an instant.
"You know, don't you?"
"I do," Pinkie sighed. "You were here to gather information for Readson, right?"
"Yes,"
"Our friendship was fake, then?"
"It started out that way," he raised a hoof in defense. "But it wasn't a lie. I grew to care about you."
"Not enough to tell me the truth," she snapped. "Not enough to put away this stupid scheme? Not enough to realize how much it hurt when you left?"
Tears bit into her eyes. Areson wanted to comfort her; he knew she did. Even so, he realized how manipulative that would be considering every word she'd said was true.
"I made mistakes," he admitted. "But I didn't think you'd accept me if I told you the truth."
Pinkie cast a sad look at the stallion she once loved. Wiping the tears from her eyes, she stood firmly on her bedroom floor. "I want to be friends with you Areson; I really do. I want to give you a second chance."
He gazed hopefully into her eyes.
"But," She pointed a hoof at him. "Readson isn't protesting for equality; he wants to throw Equestria into civil war."
He flinched. "You mean when he alluded to taking action if Princess Celestia refused his requests?"
"Yes," Pinkie nodded, her determination not wavering in the slightest. "This foal's dream isn't worth war."
"It isn't fair, Pinkie," Areson stamped his hoof on the ground. "Nobility, even distant relatives of Princess Celestia, getting treated like gods on Earth because of their blood. They don't earn their title or prestige; they get it for a chance happening. How can you live when such injustice exists?"
"You don't know them," Pinkie countered. "How do you know whether they work hard or not? You obviously don't understand Princess Celestia and Luna's contributions to Equestria; besides raising the sun and moon, they have brought Equestria harmony."
"I'd like to see you try and argue Prince Blueblood is a respectable individual," a vicious smirk crossed his face. "And even if he was, it doesn't change how foolhardy Princess Celestia and Luna have been; releasing Discord, the spirit of Chaos, on the off-chance he might be reformed?"
"It worked, didn't it?" Pinkie grinned.
"What if it hadn't?"
He rehashed his words gently, in a similar yet slyer way than she knew Fluttershy would. While an admirable attempt to sway her with an emotional appeal, Pinkie Pie wasn't convinced.
"It shows her good judgment that she was right. Princess Celestia would never have let him out if she thought he could never reform."
Areson stared down at the floor for a moment.
"We may not have the Elements of Harmony anymore, but surely we could find a way to-"
"You don't have them?" Areson quirked an eyebrow. "How do you plan to control him if he goes rogue?"
"He's Fluttershy's friend," Pinkie glowered. "When we tested him, Fluttershy proved he wouldn't go back to his old ways if it meant their friendship would end. Besides,"
Her eyelashes fluttered fiercely. "You still haven't explained why this is worth going to war over."
"I won't have my life be judged by one pony!" Areson snarls. "We in Equestria are the one's whose lives hang in the balance whenever the Princesses make a decision; why should they rule over us? Why can't we determine the way we live for ourselves?"
"Prince Celestia and Luna have proven they can protect Equestria," Pinkie rebuffed casually. "They've earned their post."
The conversation lulled for what felt like minutes. Finally, Areson sighed.
"You're not budging,"
"I know what's right."
"Soon, you won't be sure."
"You don't have to follow him."
"Pinkie, I would die for this cause," he met her eye, desperation reeking from his face. "Its like I said to you months ago; I've spent my whole life wondering how I could make a difference in ordinary ponies' lives. I believe stronger than anyone in Readson's cause; and someday, when he's in charge, you'll realize it too."
"I'm sorry, Areson," Pinkie turned her head away. "I won't force you to change; but if you aren't willing to give up, we can't be friends anymore."
Pinkie's cynicism dawned on Areson. Apparently, he had underestimated how grave this situation had made everypony. Heck, Pinkie wasn't used to how serious her tone was.
But Twilight was right; these ponies were dangerous.
There was no way she could support their agenda.
"Then, there's nothing else to talk about," He walked to the door and stopped for a moment. "Good-bye, Pinkie,"
The door slid shut. After a few minutes of silent meditation, a single drop of water flew from Pinkie's right eye.
That would be the last time she would ever look back on that fateful afternoon.
A/N: As the title suggests, this is the final chapter of Cheerful Melancholy. Sometime in the future, I will write the yet to be titled sequel. For those who've read this story, thanks a bunch for taking the time to read my work!