Pink Stripe Part 3

Endgame Chapter

>Pinkie breathes in and out slowly as she hesitates to lift a large tray of cupcakes; behind her is a long line of stallions and mares on the other side of the counter.
>Each one is talking over the other as the stallion in front of the register frowns upset, “Is this going to be any longer? I’m late for work.”
>Pinkie looks back and smiles weakly, “Just a moment~” She grins before going back to looking at the cupcakes, Twist working the register looks back worriedly, “Mitheth. Pie, you don’t look stho good.”
>”I’m fine, just…just need a moment, and up we go.” In one quick motion she lifts the tray and turns around only to pass out and fall onto the ground, landing on the cupcakes and coating herself in their icing.
>”Mitheth Pie!”

>In the hospital, Pinkie pants in and out under the sheets of the bed as sweat rolls down her face. You sit by her and rub your face in exasperation as the nurse mare comes in and flips through some papers, “Mr. Pie?”
“Yes?”
>”She’s gonna be fine, she just needs lots of rest and to drink plenty of liquids.”
“Whats wrong with her?”
>”Well…I’m not really sure, the test results brought up nothing, but she shows symptoms of exhaustion. It could be her diet, has she eaten anything strange?”
>It wasn’t right, but you kinda lashed out at her with a snide, sarcastic growl.
“Besides the 400 pounds of candy?”
>You sigh and look back at Pinkie before rubbing her hoof as she slowly opens her eyes and looks over at you with a tired smile, “Its 300, hehehe.”
“Pinkie, this is serious. You gotta take better care of your health.”
>”Is it really the candy?”
>The mare taps on her clipboard and looks over at her, “It might be, ponies need a proper diet to maintain their health Mrs. Pie, especially the older they get. I mean, not calling you old or anything I just..”
“Its ok, we get it. Do you have any pamphlets?”

>Opening the door to your home, you guide Pinkie in as she slowly shuffles in. You lead her to the stairs and help her up before taking her to her room. Tucking her in bed, you exhale and walk out.
>Going down the steps, you sit at the table and wait.

>Cherry, Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo all come walking up to Sugar Cube Corner chatting and laughing. Coming inside, they slowly realize that something is off as you come walking up.
“Hey girls, look, I know you guys probably don’t know this, but Pinkie isn’t doing so good today. You guys can stay, but just keep it down.”
>”What’s wrong with mom?”
“She passed out, she’s better now but she still needs lots of rest.”
>Sweetie Belle speaks up before anyone else, “We’ll keep it down Anon, we promise.”
“Thanks.”
>With that, you look around and walk away as Cherry looks at the ground in thought. Applebloom looks over at her, “Ya all right?”
>”Fine.” Cherry walks away and towards the living room as the rest follow behind, and sit by her. Sweetie Belle rests a hoof on her shoulder.
>”Hey, she’ll be all right.” Though she doesn’t answer, Scootaloo decides to intervene.
>”You know what would be a great idea?!” Sweetie shushes her as Scootaloo covers her mouth and smiles sheepishly “Sorry.” Before whispering, “We should try and get our cutie marks as nurses. I bet Pinkie is gonna need all kinds of help around the house.”
>Sweetie Belle gasps “That’s a great idea.” As Cherry exhales annoyed, and frowns upset.
>”Just forget it, leave my mom alone. She needs her rest.”
>Sweetie catches her irritation and tries to downplay her insensitivity, “Sorry, we didn’t mean it like that.”
>With the mood soured, Scootaloo and Sweetie hang their heads and try to find something else to do. Applebloom looks over at Cherry, but can tell she is clearly upset.
>Before she can make a call on her, Cherry speaks out almost coldly “Can we hang out another time?”
>Sweetie Belle gives an understanding “Sure.” as Scootaloo nods and gets up as Applebloom looks her over once before getting up as well.
>Walking themselves out, the door closes behind them as the three continue to walk to their respectful homes together. While they walk, Applebloom thinks to herself a bit before speaking out “Anyp0ny notice how odd Cherry has been acting?”
>Sweetie Belle gives her an exhausted glare a moment, “Not this again.”
>”Ahm serious, did ya see her do that 180 right now? She was all smiles and sunshine before.”
>”Her mother is sick, what did you expect?”
>”Ok, but what about that other stuff?”
>”What other stuff?”
>”You know, how she always keeps to herself and goes off on her own, always is reading all tha time, like she’s searchin for sumthin.”
>Scootaloo snickers “Sounds like Twilight.”
>”Ahm bein serious! Look, follow me.”
>The two roll their eyes, but still humor their friend as she leads them to Sweet Apple Acres. Inside the treehouse, Applebloom swings open the door and tosses her bag to the side as the rest take it easy and sit down.
>Applebloom shuffles some papers together before bringing up a table and setting them down, “Now look, this is her art when she first got here tah Ponyville, and this, is what she was drawin bout 4 days ago.” The two pictures show a very detailed picture of some ponies as the other shows a very crudely drawn apple and background, “And ah have not seen her draw a single detailed thing, in fact, I think she has stopped drawin.”
>Sweetie Belle holds one of the papers and looks it over, “I don’t think its that odd, I mean, Rarity loses her inspiration all the time. And not every dress she makes is perfect.”
>”Oh c’mon, I can’t be the only pony who thinks its odd.”
>Scootaloo in her matter of fact tone replies “Sounds like you are, and even so, what are you trying to get at? What is she hiding?” Applebloom sighs and sits back on her butt.
>”Ah don’t know, it’s just…she doesn’t seem right.”

>Cherry sulks in the living room by herself when you come up behind her.
“Hey.”
>”…”
“Uhh..what do you wanna eat?”
>”I’m not hungry.” Cherry’s icy demeanor was greater than even Maud’s, but with Maud, you at least took comfort in that she was like that with everyone. With Cherry, she only ever seemed to be cross with you.
>It wasn’t right, but you rubbed your forehead and replied in a very firm, upset manner.
“Cherry, Pinkie is really sick, and I don’t want her worrying any more than she has to. So what do you wanna eat?”
>With a deep sigh, she looks away “Apple pies are fine.”
“Ok.”
>Before you can even think of checking the fridge she blurts ”From Applejack.”
“That’s on the otherside of town!”
>”I..I just really want one.” You groan annoyed but still make for the door, Pinkie would only strain herself if Cherry were to say anything.
“I’ll be right back.”
>You head to the door and let yourself out as Cherry sits there for a few moments before going to the window and peeking out a bit. She sees you walking off and closes the blind before walking up the steps.
>Pinkie sleeps peacefully in bed as the door opens and she lets herself in. Closing it behind her, she goes to the bed and sits herself by it. Watching Pinkie sleep, she leans in and hugs her, “I’m sorry.”

>At Sweet Apple Acres, you and Applejack walk across the yard while you hold two large apple pies in your hands.
“Thanks for the pies AJ.”
>”Ah think nuthin of it, anything fer family. Ah cant very well charge ya when Pinkie aint doin so well, how is she anyway?”
“She was sleeping when I left; doc said it was extreme exhaustion. Possibly because her body isn’t getting the nutrients she needs, ya know, cause she eats candy all the damn time. Anyway she needs lots of rest.”
>AJ sighs in shared frustration at Pinkie’s situation “So what are ya gonna do?”
“What else can we do? We’re gonna change her diet. Pinkie’s gonna be pissed, but she’s gonna have to get over it.”
>She nods in agreement as the two of you reach the fence before stopping, “Tell ya what Anon, how about I go over tomorrow and make ya’ll some nice, healthy farm food?”
“Oh you aint gotta do that.”
>”Ah don’t, but I wanna. Sides, YOU any good at cookin?”
“No, not really.”
>”And Pinkie sure as hay can’t do it, so I guess it’s settled?”
“Hahaha, I guess so. Thanks AJ.”
>”Don’t mention it Anon, we’re family.” She gives you a little hug as you pat her awkwardly on the back before standing upright and waving her goodbye. As you walk away, you look towards the town and smile a moment before sighing and frowning sadly. Here comes the part you hate.

>The sun slowly comes up from the horizon as a far off rooster sings his hellos to the start of the new day. And off in the still dark home of Sugar Cube Corner sleeps Cherry.
>Downstairs the sizzling of bacon, and the aroma of freshly baked hay slowly snaps Cherry out of her rest. She gives a small displeased groan while rubbing her eyes, suddenly realizing something she quickly scoots off the bed and down the steps.
>”Mom?” She calls out quickly looking to the kitchen as she stops, before her was not the pink flank she was expecting, but an orange one. The mare turns to reveal Applejack.
>”Heya squirt, sorry if I woke ya, but ahm just cookin ya’ll sum breakfast before school.”
>The small filly makes no comment, but does little to hide her disappointment. Suddenly her stomach growls out, and she holds herself with a pained wince before looking to the side. Sitting at the table is a perplexed Applebloom, “Are you all right?”
>Cherry quickly replies “I’m fine.” Before stonewalling her and heading back up to her room.
>As soon as Applebloom knows she is out of earshot, she looks towards her older sister and frankly asks “What was that about?”
>AJ flips over a pancake and lets it sizzle while replying “She just thought I wuz her mother, probably felt embarrassed is all.” She states before looking back and smiling knowingly “Ya know, you’ve called granny “mom” a few times yerself, and ya always flush bright red.”
>”S.shut up, I was little back then.”
>”Ya still are.”
>With the two talking and laughing in the distance, Cherry quietly walks down the hall, and into a room. Slowly she peeks her head in and sees two figures on the bed before waiting a moment, and going in.
>Passing you, she goes to the other side and sees Pinkie sleeping on her stomach; though the labored breathing has stopped, she can tell her body is still in exhaustion.
>Pinkie’s eyes slowly open as she blinks a few times for the focus to set in, seeing Cherry she weakly smiles “Hey sweetie, why are you awake so early?” She asks as she slowly extends a hoof out to ruffle her mane.
>”No reason.” She answers avoiding eye contact, when Pinkie stops her ruffling and brings back her hoof, Cherry looks back to see Pinkie curling up under the sheets.
>”Don’t worry sweetie, I’ll be fine. You…” she pauses a moment to yawn before resuming “..you just worry about school.”
>Cherry waits a moment before going up and hugging her, Pinkie returns the gesture and squeezes as hard as she can before letting go and resting herself.

>Closing the door, she walks down the hall and into her room to pack. Coming out with her backpack over her, she takes a few steps and notices AJ and Applebloom waiting.
>Applejack gives her a nod “You ready to go?”
>”Yeah.”
>It looks like the rain paid an overnight visit as the ground is packed with puddles of water, and the sky pelts the earth with little droplets of rain. Applebloom and her friends happily frolic in the rain as Cherry continues to watch from afar.
>Sweetie Belle glances over and motions for her to come join them, shaking her head she politely declines as Sweetie gives a troubled smile before playing on. Applejack taps her to get her attention “Why so gloom girl? Its only natural to be worried but Pinkie is in good hooves, she’ll get better lickity split. Ah promise.”
>(“Of course she’s gonna get better.”) Thought the changeling, (“I’m not feeding on her anymore.”)
>Reaching the school, the group passes some colts and fillies playing hoofball. Among them was Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. The two naturally made some off handed remarks and snickered as Cherry did her best to ignore them.
>Suddenly the leather ball comes flying over and hits her on the side of her stomach, she winces and looks over angrily only to see the kids staring and laughing at her. Diamond mean spiritedly replies “Ooops, sorry, that was an ACCIDENT.” She smirks.
>Cherry swallows her resentment and continues walking while thinking (“Nobody would miss her if she was gone a few days.”)

>Back at home, you groan awake before stretching and rolling off the bed. Careful not to disturb Pinkie, you quietly sneak out and close the door. Heading to the bathroom, you pull down your boxers and bleed the lizard. Done, you flush and wait a moment as you notice the water swirl, but remain in place.
>It begins to rise up a bit as you immideatly back away.
“Nonononononono!” You stammer as the water comes within an inch of overflowing before coming to a stop “Oh for the fucking love of..”
>You sigh tiredly before walking out and heading back into your room. Opening the closet door you dust off your dirty blue uniform.
“Time to go back to work.”

>A shovel breaks the damp soil as you dig it in and lift, tossing it to the side your buddy looks at you dig the hole. “Good to have you back man; it’s been so boring around here without ya.”
“Of course, cause I’m awesome.” You remark with a grunt.
>The rain water mixed with the backed up sewage, and ground formed an unrecognizable sludge as you dig deeper, and deeper. Your friend looks side to side perplexed before looking at you “What did you flush, a blanket? I thought you were smarter than that.”
“Don’t look at me; I know how to take care of my shit. It was probably Cherry if anything.”
>”Cherry? Oh yeah, your kid. Tahaha, kids, you know how they are.”
“Mmm.” You reply unenthusiastically while shoveling out a large collection of slush and tossing it to the side.
>As you do, the black goop slides over and reveals a thick, slimy green substance to which your co-worker sneers in disgust “Colt, what is that!?”
“Huh? Ugh, I don’t know, good question. Probably some shit Pinkie uses for cooking.”
>”What could she POSSIBLY make with that?”
“I don’t know.” You shrug, “You wanna scoop that shit up and ask? Just forget it, I think I hit the bottom here, help me up.”

>Pinkie sleeps peacefully in bed and moans with a smile before a sudden loud whirring wakes her, startled, she snorts awake and looks around before feeling her head.
>Going to the window, she looks out and sees you with a work pony funneling out stuff from the ground. The engine attached to the hose shakes violently as it sputters smoke and roars.
>Pinkie feels her head with a grimace frown before walking away and going to the bathroom. Opening the medicine cabinet, she hoofs up a bottle of aspirin and shakes two of the pills into her mouth.
>Turning the facet on, she ducks her head down and slurps up some water. Exiting back into the room, she goes to the hallway and enters the kitchen before tiredly looking at all the dishes.
>With that she instead walks to the living room and tosses herself onto the couch.

>Outside, the last of the muck is sucked up by the hose as you sigh tiredly.
“Damn that was overdue for a cleaning.”
>Tossing the hose on the floor, you go to turn off the machine as your friend comes up, “So, you wanna grab a drink today?”
“Nah, cant. Gotta make sure Pinkie’s all right.”
>”Oh, ok.”
“…Say, how about we have some drinks here? I cant really leave the home you know.”
>”Yeah sure, but uhh..” He stops to smell his uniform, “I kinda smell right now.”
“We have a shower man, don’t worry about it.”
>”Thanks.” Walking to the house, you open the door for him and let him pass as he looks over your place, “Nice digs Anon, you guys must make some serious bank.”
“We do all right, we recently renovated, that’s why everything looks so nice.”
>”Ah.” He admires with a nod, “That’s cool.”
“Showers this way.”
>Leading him to the bakery side of the house, you take him to the silver, pristine kitchen and walk down to a small storage area. By it is a little open shower, complete with hamper.
“We kinda use this to wash off without having to go upstairs.”
>”Cool.”
“Well, I’ll go shower upstairs real quick and I’ll meet you in the living room.”
>”Ok.”

>Leaving him, you head out and spot Pinkie sleeping on the couch. Walking over, you gently nudge her awake.
“Pinkie, Pinkie?”
>”Mmm?” She drowsily replies.
“Me and my co-worker are gonna have some drinks here, but I wanted to make sure you were all right first.”
>She stretches a bit and rubs her watery eyes as she looks at you, “Oh, that’s nice. And yeah, I’m fine. I took some aspirin a while back, so I’m feeling better.”
>You manage a smile as she slowly sits herself upright and yawns, giving her a hug, she smiles and hugs you back before sniffing, “P! U! Anon! You reek!” She winces pushing you away for a moment before bringing you back in with a smile “Take a shower and we can pick up where we left off.”
>Not saying anything you smile and kiss her on the nose before getting up.