I lay in an awkward heap on the floor of my home. My ears were hurting and a wave of nausea was threatening to overtake me. The spell I had been attempting had backfired spectacularly and the results were somewhat catastrophic. The books I had been reading were flung to the far reaches of my library while I had been thrown into a bookshelf.
With shaky legs, I fought back another wave of nausea as I stood up, letting the books that had fallen on me fall to the floor, and examined the rest of my library. The damage was minimal, thankfully. A few of my books had been rustled loose, a few of my scrolls were in disarray, and there were scorch marks on my floor but other than that everything was fine.
I spun around, earning more protests from my stomach, when I felt a claw touch my side. As expected, it was only my friend/helper Spike checking up on me. For a moment, I wondered why he wasn't asking what had happened when I realized that he was speaking. I could see his mouth moving but I couldn't hear any words. Come to think of it, I didn't hear the books that were on me clatter to the floor or my moans as I stood up (and I was certain that I had).
A wave of fear spread through me as I realized that I had gone deaf. My fear must have been shown as Spike's body language became more frantic and worried but I didn't care about that at the moment. I was too busy worrying about the future to care about the here and now. I knew of a few ways to circumvent the drawbacks of being deaf but most of those would take at least a couple of years to learn. For a horrifying moment, I saw my friends' disappointed faces and Princess Celestia shaking her head, obviously disappointed by her failure of a student. Thankfully, these fears were unfounded as I slowly began to hear Spikes voice.
"Twilight!" For a moment I wondered how loud he had been yelling but quickly pushed the thought aside. "I can hear you Spike." I reassured him. I could barely hear myself but the improvement was enough to make me giddy with relief. Spike seemed to share my feelings and wiped his brow of imaginary sweat. We sat there for a minute as I let myself recover. Before long Spike began to get fidgety and it was only a matter of moments before he looked at me in concern.
"Are you sure you're alright Twilight?" He asked making a point of looking me over for injuries.
"I'm sure Spike, just a little shaken up." The moment of terror over Spike set himself to cleaning up the mess I had made. This wasn't the first time one of my experiments had gone wrong after all.
"You have to be more careful! One of these days your going to hurt yourself and I might not be able to pick up the pieces." Shaking my head I allowed myself a small smile.
"You're right Spike, I'll try and be more careful next time. I certainly don't want you picking up any pieces of me." Standing slowly I groaned. "I think I'm going to go for a little walk to clear my head. Keep an eye on things while I'm gone." Spike snapped off a small salute.
"Yes ma'am!"
Walking outside I was welcomed by a blast of cold air. I shivered for a minute, the change in temperature sending goosebumps down my body. It was late autumn and most of the leaves were gone from the trees, winter wasn't far off. As I walked down the street I quickly became thankful for the cold air. It helped clear my mind and that much faster. A fact I was glad about. The overcast skies promised rain but I didn't know when the pegasi would start the storm. Not wanting to get caught outside when the rain started I picked up the pace, turning my slow walk into a brisk trot.
My walk was a short one and soon I found myself heading for home. I was feeling much better and was ready to help Spike clean up the mess I had made. As I made my way around the last turn a colorful poster caught my eye. I didn't know why, out of all of the posters in town, this one drew my attention but there was something tantalizingly familiar about it. I looked it over carefully. It advertised the tour of a singer that had been making her way through all of Equestria starting in Canterlot. Apparently Ponyville was the next on the list and she would be there within the week. I searched my mind, trying to figure out what had drawn me to it until finally it hit me. High Note, the singers name I had heard it before.
The rest of the walk home, I desperately tried to remember where I had heard that name before. I knew it had been something important, something that I should have remembered. But no matter how hard I tried the answer stayed stubbornly out of my reach. The closer I got to the library the more frustrated I became.I felt so close to the answer! Like it was a treasure just beyond the reach of my hooves. I couldn't take it anymore. Breaking into a run I galloped through the streets, earning me more than a few strange looks from the ponies still outside. Bursting into the library I felt a sense of relief, if the answers were to be found they would somewhere in my books.
I wasted no time finding Spike if I was going to try and find the answers I was looking for I would rather have my number one assistant at my side. I didn't have to look long, the sounds of him eating ice cream from the kitchen brought me to him within seconds.
"Spike there you are," I exclaimed. The dragon jumped, no doubt horrified that I had caught him spoiling his dinner. I would have to talk to him later but at the moment I had bigger concerns.
"Twilight! I thought you would be out longer."
"I can tell. Put the ice cream up and meet me by the biographies." Not waiting for an answer I trotted off. Even then I couldn't figure out where I had heard that singers name before. A part of me wondered if I had just heard about her from a pony on the street but I quickly pushed the thought aside. This was different. I hadn't heard from just some pony off the street. I wouldn't have gotten the sense of urgency I had now from that. But no matter how hard I tried I just couldn't remember where I had heard it and I didn't like it. I was a very organized pony, almost all of the information I had memorized was at my beck and call. If I had read it I could give an answer about it at a moments notice. So why was I having so much trouble with this?
Walking into the main room of the library I was shocked at the transformation that had taken place. Every trace of my accident earlier was gone. Every book was back in its place and the scorch marks were barely visible. Spike had been busy while I had been gone and I had been so caught up in my thoughts that I had missed it. I made a mental note to reward him for his hard work and then prepared myself for a long day of work. Just as I opened my first book Spike walked into the room.
"What's got you so wound up Twilight? I haven't seen you this anxious since," he paused for a second in thought. "Well a lot of the time actually. What is it this time?"
"I was out walking and I saw a poster." I explained not looking up from the book I was reading. "It was about a singer named High Note. I just know I've heard that name before but I can't remember where. I have a feeling it was something important. Do you know anything about her?"
"Not really. Last time I was over at Rarity's Sweetie Belle was talking about her but I really wasn't paying attention. I might have a little distracted at the time. But what can I say I was in the middle of something important." I suppressed a chuckle at that one. Put Spike in a room with Rarity and he could barely focus on anything else. Though I really wished he had been paying attention. The information he could have learned from Sweetie could have helped me greatly. "Well I'm sure Rarity appreciated the help, but right now I could really use yours. Start going through the books and see if you can find anything about High Note. We'll start in biographies and move on from there."
Hours passed as Spike and I made our way through the books. Outside the Pegasi had started the storm they had been working on all day. The sound if the rain pounding the side of my home filled the air adding a note of dreariness to the task I had set for us. At first we had been enthusiastic pulling off one book after another with a passion that was not put off by the rain. But as time wore on each book became more of a chore than the last. What the gloom of the weather outside could not touch time wore away. Eventually I could barely muster the will to pick up another book, there was no more point to it. We had already gone through all of the books that would have helped us and we hadn't found a single word on her. All we had succeeded in doing was wasting a perfectly good afternoon. And I wasn't the only who was feeling the effects of the fruitless study session. Spike sat in his own little nest of books looking at the pages in front of him with one of the most bored looks I could imagine. We were getting nowhere, if I was going to find the answers I was looking for I was going to have to change my tactics, but to what I didn't know.
"This is hopeless." I growled putting my book back on the shelf. "We're just wasting time." Rubbing my temples I tried to drive my aggravation away. It wasn't often that I came up with nothing after a long study session. From the elements of harmony to the Ursa Minor I had almost always been able to learn what I needed. But sitting there in the library with nothing to show for my hard work just felt wrong.
Getting up from his pile of books Spike walked over to my side.
"Oh come on Twilight there's bound to be something about her out there. Even if the books were a bust I'm sure there are plenty of ponies out there that will be able to help."
"You're right Spike. If she's coming here than there would be ponies that are preparing for her arrival. I'm sure the mayor would know something."
"That's the spirit! You should stop by Rarity's place as well. Sweetie Belle seemed to know a lot about her and Rarity keeps track of famous ponies for her fashion. I'd say it's one of your best bets." In an instant my enthusiasm roared back to life. Once again I had a plan and it was one that had a good chance of working. Out of the three ponies I planned to talk to at least one of them would known something. Whether or not it would help me make the connection I had been looking for I had no clue, but at least I had something to go on. "I'll head to Rarity's first. Its on the way to the mayors anyways. Maybe if I'm lucky I'll learn enough there that I won't I have to stay out in that rain for too long."
It took all of five seconds for me to wish I was back in the library. The rain was coming down in sheets, soaking me to the skin in a matter of moments. Coupled with the cold of the late autumn afternoon I found myself beginning to shiver as I made my way down the street. The town might as well have been deserted for all the ponies that were out on the streets. It seemed that I was the only pony crazy enough to be outside in the storm. A blinding flash of lightning split the skies causing me to blink away spots. It was miserable and I was already missing the comforts of my home. But as much as I wanted to go back an even bigger part of me told me to keep going. The weather may have been terrible but it wouldn't kill me. The only danger came from the lightning and I had already cast a spell to protect me from it before I had left the house. If anything it was just an inconvenience. Setting myself for the journey I began trotting through the gale. Not once did it ever become any less miserable but with every foot I traveled I came that much closer to my friends house.
Finally I could see the boutique through the rain. Not wanting to be outside any longer I broke into a full gallop closing the distance between myself and the promise of shelter in a matter of moments. Knocking on the door I was relieved to hear a voice from the other side.
"Sorry we're closed right now. Come back in the morning and we'll be open again." Rarity's voice could barely be heard over the rain but I was just glad she was there. Knocking louder I shivered in the rain wanting nothing more than to just be inside.
"Alright I'm coming!" She sounded throughly annoyed but at that point I could care less. After the trouble I had gone through she could spend ten seconds letting me in. The door swung open revealing Rarity looking like she had run a marathon. Her normally perfect purple mane was in shambles and her coat was ruffled in places. As soon as she saw me her annoyed scowl melted into concern.
"Oh, Twilight, darling, I had no idea it was you. Hurry, you have to get out of the rain. I'll have you dried up in a couple of moments." As I walked into the familiar interior of the boutique I realized just how cold I was. My entire body was shaking and my legs felt heavy. The moment I was inside Rarity's horn lit up, closing the door behind me.
"What were you thinking coming all this way in such terrible weather. Whatever it was I'm sure it could have waited until the morning." Concern filled her voice as she floated a towel to me. Accepting it with grateful hooves I began drying myself off.
"Well I could have but-"
"Not a word until we get you warmed up," she said cutting me off. "You look frozen to the bone. We don't want you catching a cold, now do we? Come on I have some tea waiting in the kitchen."
Sitting in the kitchen I had to admit that I felt much better. The tea was going a long way to warming me up and Rarity certainly didn't seem to mind the company. She sat across the table from me chatting away about her current project.
"Sixteen dresses, and they said they wanted them done in two days. I've been running myself ragged trying to fill the order but this amount of business is not something to just turn down. Actually I'm glad you did interrupt me. I've gone the last six hours without a break and probably have gone quite a bit further." Taking a sip of her tea she placed her glass on the table.
"Now I doubt you would have come all this way through a storm for a social visit, not that I don't mind the company. So what brings you here?"
For a moment I couldn't help but think that the whole thing was silly, going through everything that I had to satisfy a simple case of deja vu, but I had come this far and I certainly wasn't going to stop then. I explained everything to her starting from the moment my spell had backfired to my walk to her house. The entire time she sat there, listening intently to my story without so much as a word. Once I finished she let out a soft sigh.
"I hate to say it Twilight but I don't think I'll be much help. I know about her but not much more than the basics. From what I hear she started singing on the streets in Canterlot until she caught a big break. Now she's touring the country to promote her new album. Thats about all I know myself."
I felt myself deflate a little at her words. The thought that I had come all this way for nothing was more than a little depressing but I had known that it could be a reality from the start. That was why I hadn't placed all my eggs in one basket and had other ponies to ask.
"No that really doesn't help. But what about Sweetie Belle? Spike said she knew a lot about High Note." I thought I imagined it but for a second I could have sworn I saw Rarity's face darken with concern.
"Yes she does. Our parents took her to one of her concerts the last time they went to Canterlot. Ever since then my sister has been obsessed with her. Its strange really, sometimes she misses out on crusading with her friends to go to the fan club she helped make for High Note. It's really not like her."
I had to admit it was strange. Though I hardly knew the crusaders I knew that they were very close friends. The thought of them doing something apart from each other just seemed wrong to me. Suddenly my resolve to learn more about the singer on the poster became that much harder. Something just wasn't right about what I was hearing.
"That does sound odd. Last time I checked she was just as obsessed with getting her cutie mark as the other crusaders. Its hard to believe she would miss any chance to try for it."
"Yes it has me worried. When this High Note comes to town I will have to go see her for myself. I want to know just what my sisters sees in her." Looking at her half empty cup of tea she pushed it away with a sigh.
"If you want to talk with Sweetie Belle she's in her room. I need to get back to work. If I want to get a good nights sleep I'll need to get a lot further." Getting up from the table she began gathering her things. Not wanting to get in her way I finished my tea in a single gulp and than pushed myself away from the table. Just as I was about to leave the room Rarity called out to me.
"And Twilight, if you find out anything about Sweetie Belle, let me know."
Like Rarity said I found Sweetie Belle in her room. The door was open and she sat on her bed, hooves deep in homework. I briefly considered leaving and coming back when she was done but thinking of the storm I had to walk through to make it here I pushed the thought to the side. I had come here for a reason and I wasn't going to leave without learning everything knew. Clearing my throat I gently knocked on the frame of her door. Looking up from the papers in front of her she looked at me in confusion.
"Twilight? What are you doing here? If you want to talk to my sister she's downstairs."
Shaking my head I walked over to her. "Actually I came here to see you. Your sister told me that you know a lot about High Note. Is this true?" The little filly's face lit up like I had never seen before. Excitement practically oozed from her as her eyes shone with enthusiasm.
"Know a lot about her? I'm the leader of the town fan club! I'm the biggest fan she has!" Her voice cracking she all but pulled me over to her bookshelf. Taking out a thick photo album she opened it up and put it on the floor in front of me.
"This is the scrap book I made. Every newspaper and magazine article about her I can get my hooves goes in here. And since Diamond Tiara is a part of the fan club she has her dad get newspapers from everywhere, even Canterlot! I also have all of her albums and pre-ordered the new one! So what did you want to know?" I let out a sigh of relief as I looked at the resources that Sweetie Belle had given me.
"I want to know everything you could tell me." I said sitting down next to her.
Sweetie Belle barely took a breath as she told me everything that she knew. Most of it was about the singer's history, how she had appeared out of nowhere singing on the streets of Canterlot until she had been found by an agent. How her career had taken off in a matter of months and her rise to become one of the most popular singers in all of Equestria. Though it was interesting to listen to I was dissapointed when she had finsihed and I was still no closer to satisfying my curiosity. I began to consider throwing in the towel and going home. I had let my obsession take hours of my day and so far it had done nothing but make me walk through a storm empty hooved. If things were going to keep going the way they were I was just wasting time.
"Thanks Sweetie Belle this has been interesting but I don't think you have what I wanted to know. I think it's time I got back to Spike at the library." Standing up I streched my back and began walking out the door. Before I could make it more than a couple of steps Sweetie Belle was in my way the scrap book she had showed me before held in her front hooves.
"Don't go yet. I might not have been able to help you but I'm sure what's in here could! I have articles going almost all the way back to when High Note became a star. I'm sure there's something in here that can help you!" Sighing I sat down again as the filly laid the book at my hooves. I was certain that this would just end up being another dead end and I was beginning to wonder if I would ever actually find what I was looking for. What if I was just chasing something I only thought I had seen before? What if there wasn't actually anything there to find? I decided then and there that this was going to be my last try. I had wasted enough on this search and wasting more wouldn't help anyone.
Opening the book I quickly began scanning through article after article. Most of it was dry information about where she was performing or one of many charity concerts that she ran for the royal guard and other law keepers through the nation. Others were tabloids spouting ridiculous claims of how she was a lost realitive of Princess Celestia or other nonesense. But as I made my way through the book one article made me stop the moment I saw it. As I read it my blood ran cold as what I had been searching for all day finally came to me. I remembered exactly where I had heard the singers name before and I found no comfort in my sudden discovery. It had been the last time I had visited my brother in the Crystal Empire. He had been working hooves deep in a major case when I had found him. He didn't tell me much and had quickly changed the subject, but now looking at the page in front of me I wished I had asked more, because I was looking at not one, but two missing pony reports. And just like my brothers case, they had both gone missing at one of High Notes concerts.
Author's Note
Well this is the first story I have really ever written. Constructive criticism is not only welcome but encouraged.
I sat in front of the scrapbook, my mind reeling at the discovery. When I had started my search I had felt that I was looking for something important, but nothing as big as this. Ponies were disappearing at High Notes concerts. I didn't know if she was the one behind them but I wanted to find out. She was going to perform in Ponyville within the week and if the town was in danger I wanted to be able to warn everypony. But I didn't have a lot to go on, only two newspaper articles, I needed more proof. And unlike the rest of my search that day, I knew exactly who to ask.
"Sweetie Belle, what do you know about these articles?" Sliding the book over to her. Taking it from me she began going over the pages, her face slowly becoming a frown. The seconds slowly dragged on into minutes as I waited. With every moment I found myself growing more impatient and I had to stop myself from tapping my hoof. Finally she sighed and shook her head.
"I’m sorry Twilight. I wish I could help you but I don't know anything about these." My heart sank in my chest. Sweetie Belle was the only pony i knew that had any real information on High Note. If she didn't know anything than my options had become much more limited.
"That’s alright Sweetie Belle. You've been a great help already and I am very grateful for everything." Standing up I stretched my legs, which had become stiff from laying in one place for so long. Taking a quick look at the clock I was surprised to see that I had been talking to Sweetie Belle to over an hour. I had to get headed home, and soon. By then Spike had to be getting worried, and with the storm raging as storm as ever outside he had plenty of reason to be worried. I could imagine him pacing back and forth wringing his claws as he looked at the clock, worrying if I had even made it to Rarity's house or if I had gotten hurt in the downpour.
"Well I should get going. I’m sure I've distracted you from your homework enough. Thank you for all the help."
As I walked down the stairs my mind was racing. The implications of what I had found were terrifying to say the least. What made it worse was I had no clue what was going on. The disappearances could have been because of High Note herself, or a pony targeting the concerts because of the crowds. And the most chilling thought was of the missing ponies themselves. Anything could have happened to them, and my imagination had no problem thinking of the worst things that could have happened to them. For all I knew they could be dead. I shuddered and shook my head, trying to clear the morbid thoughts from my mind. Wild speculation wasn't going to get me anywhere. I needed to remain calm and focused, but as I reached the bottom of the stairs I knew that wouldn't be easy.
The stairs led out into the main room of the entire building, Rarity's workspace. As expected she was hard at work filling out the order that had kept her busy throughout the day. I couldn't help but admire her handiwork. Even though only a few of the dresses had been completed the ones had been finished were beautiful. I had no idea who had placed the order, but they had good taste in clothing.
"Beautiful aren't they?" Rarity said not looking up from the stitch she was finishing. "The mare that ordered them was very specific about what she wanted. Though she refused to tell me what they were for. Can you believe she had the nerve to say it wasn't the place of a lowly dress maker to know? If she had paid double the asking price I never would have accepted." With a sigh she finished the stitch. Putting the needle to the side she began rubbing her temples.
"But enough about that. Tell me Twilight, did you find what you were looking for?" It was the question I had hoped to avoid. Not because I didn't want Rarity to know, it was because of her and Sweetie Belle I had remembered all of this. I just wasn't sure how to answer the question. I could already imagination Rarity pulling her fainting couch over and falling into it. But as she turned to me I knew I couldn't avoid answering it, not with her so worried about her sister. So taking a deep breath I sat down and told her what I had found. The missing pony reports, what my brother had been investigating when we were in the Crystal Empire, all of it.
To my surprise Rarity didn't faint. She just sat there absorbing every word, too shocked for melodrama. I watched as her face slowly fell, becoming more and more concerned as she learned the same news I had just found. When I finished she sat back, shaking her head.
"This is terrible. All Sweetie Belle has been talking about is going to that concert. What if the disappearances are still happening and she goes missing too?" Sighing she looked up at the stairs. "She's not going to like me for this but I can't let her g-"
"Rarity!" Sweetie Belle's voice called from the top of the stairs. Her hooves clattered as she ran down the stairs. "Rarity I'm done with my homework! Can I have that ice cream now?" Coming around the corner she stopped in her tracks once she saw the concerned looked on Rarity's face. "Is something wrong?"
Giving me a quick look that practically screamed wish me luck Rarity walked over to her little sister. "Sweetie Belle, I've been talking to Twilight and she just told me some terrible news." Sweetie Belle shot me a look full of venom, no doubt connecting the dots between her talk with me and the tone in Rarity's voice. "She told me that ponies have been going missing. And that they've gone missing while at High Note's concerts. I'm sorry Sweetie Belle but I can't risk you disappearing, I'm afraid I cannot allow you to go to the concert this weekend."
"But you said if I got good grades and did all my chores I could go!" Sweetie Belle looked hurt, tears welling up in her eyes. "I've gotten nothing but straight A's and I haven't missed a chore in weeks!"
"I know Sweetie Belle, I'm very proud of you and I promise I'll find a way to make it up to yo-"
"NO!" She shouted, the tears in eyes gone. In their place was an anger I could never have imagined in the once sweet filly. "You promised me I could go! You said if I was a good filly and behaved I would get to go!"
"That was before I heard about this. What kind of sister would I be if I just let you go? What if you went missing just like those other ponies? You think I would he all to forgive myself? And what about mother and father? They would be devastated if something happened to you. Please listen to me. I'm doing this because I care about you."
"I don't care! I was going to bring Scootaloo and Applebloom to the concert! Maybe even Twist or Silver Spoon! But you're ruining all of that! I have to go!" Something changed in Sweetie Belle. The anger in her eyes exploded, morphing into a rage I had never seen in a pony before. Just looking at her scared me. She looked unstable, her breathing quick and hard as she literally shook in her anger. "I hate you!" Sweetie Belle launched herself at her sister screaming in a feral, almost animal way. Rarity was still reeling from Sweetie Belle's words and didn't move, just watching as Sweetie Belle slammed her hoof into her sister's face.
The sound of the punch echoed throughout the room, everything else silent. I was horrified by what I had seen. Though I didn’t know Sweetie Belle very well she had never struck me as a pony to hit any pony. Whenever I had seen her she had been sweet and one of the most innocent ponies I had ever seen. To see her react so against everything I knew of her was scary to say the least.
Raising her hoof to hit Rarity again Sweetie Belle swung. At first I thought I would have to step in and stop the little filly before she went even further, but Rarity had snapped out of her shock. A bruise forming around her eye she gave her little sister an almost indifferent look, as though she was bored with what was going on. Her horn flared to life and stopped Sweetie's hoof an inch from her face. When Sweetie Belle swung with her other hoof Rarity caught it with the same calm efficiency. Lifting Sweetie Belle up by her hooves Rarity carried her to the stairs and gently lowered her until she was sitting on her rump.
"Sweetie Belle, you are going to listen to me very carefully." Rarity's voice was calm and controlled, not a hint of anger or sadness. But there was an authority behind that voice that somehow made it scarier than if she had been yelling. "From this point on you are grounded. You are not allowed to play with your friends. You are not allowed to play any games or watch any movies. And if you are willing to attack me over this singer then I will not allow her in my home,"
It was only then that Sweetie Belle began to loom afraid of her punishment. When it had been her friends she had been Indifferent, when Rarity had taken away her entertainment she couldn't have cared less. But when she even mentioned that she might take away anything about High Note Sweetie looked like her entire world was being taken away.
"I want you to go to your room and take everything even remotely related to her and pack it up. It is yours so I will not throw it away, but neither will I allow it in my home. You can may ask one of your friends to hold onto it for you until mother and father return."
"But that's not until next mon-"
"Furthermore," Rarity said not giving the filly the chance to speak. "You will be on your best behavior, one outburst, one angry word, one piece of trash on your floor and I will personally drag you by your mane to mother and father and let them know why they have to cut their vacation short to look after you." Rarity's self-control was disappearing, her true emotions about what Sweetie Belle had done breaking through the careful mask she had been maintaining. Slowly her voice was rising, anger and hurt beginning to find their way into her words until she was screaming. "Now you are going to turn around, march up to your room, and not make a sound until the morning. NOW GO!"
Sweetie Belle turned and began climbing the stairs. Halfway up she looked over her shoulder, and in a low, angry tone gave her sister one last remark. "I’m going to that concert. And nothing you do will stop me."
Author's Note
Sorry this took so long. It took about three rewrites before I found the direction I wanted. I hope you all enjoy this!
The sound of Sweetie Belle's door slamming shut echoed through the small boutique like thunder. The sheer anger and force behind the act causing me to flinch and fold my ears back. Rarity on the other hoof barely reacted at all. She didn't flinch or draw back, she just stood there panting with her rage. And then her fury seemed to drain from her. Her shoulders slumped as she hung her head. Her scowl disappeared into a vacant, hollow expression as she turned and walked to her work room. I followed behind at a respectful distance, wanting to make sure she was alright. She didn't walk with her usual grace and poise, though. Instead, her movements were stiff and robotic, reminding me of a windup toy.
When Rarity told me she had been busy trying to keep up with the large order she had received I could tell she hadn't been joking. It looked like a tornado had gone through the room and scattered things everywhere. Empty spools for thread were scattered around like she had just tossed them over her shoulder before grabbing the next one. A small pile of discard fabric sat near a wastebin that was overflowing to the point that pieces of trash were spilling out. In the corner was Rarity's mirror that she kept so that clients could see themselves in the garments they were thinking of buying. It was covered in loose threads and rags that would have made it impossible for me to see my reflection in. The only semi neat place in the room was her work table where she had a half finished dress laid out. It was made of a soft sky blue fabric with stitches of gold and silver colored threads. They were woven in an intricate pattern from the collar to half way down the dress where she had stopped. No wonder she was so stressed. To have to work make so many dresses of such complexity, I wasn't sure if she was going to be able to keep up with them all. I could envision her frantically working away, stitch after stitch done as fast as she could, but with that precision she had that I could only call art. The reality as she began to work however, was far different. As she threaded the needle with more of her gold thread her body began to shake gently. It was subtle and I almost missed it but she was shaking with every breath. She began working the needle through the cloth. Unlike the frantic pace I had imagined her stitch work was slow and sure, the needle poking through the fabric with careful, measured movements. It wasn't her. I remembered watching her making my dress for the grand galloping gala. I remembered the ease she commanded the needle in her magic. Almost making it dance as it twirled it's way back and forth through the abomination I had asked her to make.
She continued with the dress until suddenly she stopped and examined the stitch she had just finished. To my eye it looked flawless, but she saw something I didn't. She let out a tense, strained chuckle. "Would you look at that?" she said her voice thick and shaky. "I made a mistake." The needle fell from her magic as she hung her head and cried. I had seen her cry many times before. She was a bit of a drama queen and was given to fits of melodramatic crying where she would grab some ice cream and a couch. But this was something completely different. She didn't wail or throw herself onto her fainting couch. She just sat there, shaking as her body was wracked by broken sobs. Tears fell from her face onto the dress she had been working on, marking the beautiful fabric with spots of darker colors. Sweetie had done more than given her a black eye when she had struck her, she had broken Rarity's heart. I couldn't imagine what it was like; though my older brother and I had exchanged harsh words at his wedding it had never been hateful. And there had been hate as Sweetie launched herself at her older sister. I could still the venom in her wide eyes.
Quietly I walked up to her. I wasn't sure what I could do for her in the blubbering state she was in but if I could do something for her I would. "Rar-" I began but before I could finish the sentence she whirled on me. The movement sent the dress off the table, and I was just barely able to catch it before it hit the ground, the soft purple of my magic enveloping it and stopping it midair. She threw her hooves around me and pulled me to her in a tight hug as she buried her face into my shoulder and weeped. I could feel the wetness of her tears and ruined make-up soaking into my fur. As well as a sticky mucus from her running nose that I was less than thrilled to have on me. But I ignored the gross feeling and returned her embrace. Clinging to her as I did the only thing I could, give her a shoulder to cry on. It wasn't a great deal but as she continued to sob I could tell it was what she needed. She had to get all of the hurt out before she could start to deal with it.
It took some time but eventually she began to calm down. Her choking sobs slowly became short gasps and then soft whimpers, then nothing. Her grip on me relaxed as she let out a final sigh and let me go.
"Thank you Twilight. It never hurts having a shoulder to cry on." She said. Her face was a mess of tears, running make-up, and snot. Her horn flared to life. The blue of her magic enveloped one of the ruined scraps of fabric from the nearby pile to her. She took the rag in hoof and began to clean her face. As the make-up cleared, I could see the black eye her sister had given her more clearly and I couldn't stifle a gasp at what I saw.
"Its bad isn't it?" Rarity asked. It was bad. The skin her eye had turned a sickly shade of purple. The entire area was slightly swollen and had a slight shininess to it that was visible even through her fur. The eye itself hadn't escaped unscathed, it was bloodshot with a broad red swath around the lower edge if it. It was then I realized just how hard her little sister had struck her and just how much rage had been behind that strike. I was starting to believe what Sweetie had said. I believed that she really did hate her sister for trying to bar her from going to the concert. Why else would she hit her so hard?
"It's bad." I gently said moving her hoof away to get a better look. "I don't think you are going to be able to cover that up. Does it hurt?"
"Only when I touch it darling. I'll be fine. Don't worry. I may be a lady, but I am made from stern stuff," she said walking to the cluttered mirror. Her horn lit, and all of the debris concealing it floated away, letting her see herself unimpeded. She let out a small hiss as she leaned in close to really examine her eye. Her lip began to quiver at the damage that had been done. Her already puffy eyes began to water again, but she closed her eyes and took a breath and then it was over. "I believe you are right dear. I don't think I am going to be able to cover this up with just some makeup." she said letting out a long sigh.
"I cannot believe she did this. Ever since she went to that concert she just hasn't been the same. It feels like all she cares about is that singer. High Note is all she'll talk about anymore. She will play those records all day if I permit it and she started a fan club with fillies that used to tease her. This is more than just an obsession. I know what it is like to be obsessed with a pop star or a colt. I used to be a filly too. But it's like she worships her now. She's not the same sweet, kind pony she used to be and it scares me. I feel like I'm losing my sister and I don't know what to do."
"I don't know what to say Rarity. I don't know your sister well, but she never seemed like the kind to hit somepony. To me she seemed more like the kind to cry instead of fight. From what I know of her this seems to be out of her normal character, and you say this change in behavior started after she went to this concert?" I asked trying to figure out what had happened to the sweet and caring filly I had known.
"Yes. The day she got back from that concert it was like she wanted her entire life to revolve around High Note. Which was strange, at first she didn't really even want to go to the concert. My Sweetie Belle has never been one for pop music. She has more preferred show tunes and was actually trying to talk Mother and Father into taking her to Hinny of the Hills instead. But they were so adamant about bring her to see High Note. They said she would love her if she saw her live. Well I guess they were right about that. She loves her alright and she seems to be all Sweetie loves anymore."
Throwing up her hooves she let out a noise of frustration.
"And then I learn about the disappearances as well. I don't know what the deal with this singer is but trouble seems to follow her wherever she goes. I'm not sure I want her coming to this town Twilight. I think the whole of Ponyville would be better off if she never came here." Walking back to her work table she unthreaded her needle and began undoing the last few stitches she had done. I walked to her side and sat, not wanting to have to talk from across the room.
"I'm not sure I want her coming her either. Those reports in Sweetie's scrap book weren't the only disappearances that have happened. The Crystal Empire had ponies go missing as well." I said putting my hoof to my chin in thought. "Shining Armor had been working on that case at the time. But he seemed more concerned about talking to me than actually looking into him. I couldn't even get him to tell me about them. If ponies are going missing at more than one of her concerts it could mean she has something to do with them. Or it could mean someone is following her tour and making these ponies disappear."
"And either way it bodes poorly for Ponyville." By now Rarity had rethreaded her needle and had gotten back to work. The slow and methodical movements were gone, and Rarity was quickly getting back to her usual stitchwork. Each needle mark quick and sure. Each pass hitting exactly where it needle too and I could watch the intricate stitching being crafted in front of me. "I think one of us should have a talk with the mayor about this."
"I was actually going visit the mayor after I had talked with you and Sweetie Belle. I figured if anyone would know more about High Note it would be her. But if I am going to the mayor about this I would like to bring those reports with me. If I can present evidence that something is wrong with High Note's concerts, I might be able to get Mayor Mare to look into it. She might be able to find something we can't."
"I am not sure Sweetie will want you anywhere near her right now darling. But it is worth a try." Rarity said as she tied off the silver thread before turning to face me. "I have enjoyed your company Twilight, even if things got ugly. But if I am going to get this order done, I really must focus. I have a lot to do and not much time to do it in. When I am done with this, I will do whatever I can to assist you. But for now dear, have a good night. And good luck."
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With a hug me and Rarity parted ways and I had made my to Sweetie's door. Inside her room I could hear the sounds of things being shuffled around and slammed, all the while accompanied by angry muttering. I stood there, hoof raised to knock on the door, but I hesitated. Just from the sounds inside the room I could tell Sweetie Belle hadn't calmed down much from her outburst. And I wasn't sure now would be the right time to try and talk her into giving me the thing that had caused all this trouble for her. But as I heard the sound of paper being ripped on the other side of the door, I realized this might be my only chance to get it. She could be destroying the reports I needed right now. I knocked on the door. Before the sound of my first knock faded Sweetie responded.
"Go away!" she yelled.
"Sweetie Belle it's Twilight. I was hoping I could borrow those missing pony reports we found." Inside the sound of tearing only grew louder before the door flung itself open. Inside the room was a mess. The posters and memorabilia that had covered it had been taken down and was now in the process of being carefully packed away in boxes. Anything that had been in the way had been carelessly thrown to the side. Books, trinkets, toys, all strewn across the room in a mess. Sweetie herself looked disheveled. Her curly mane and tail were unkempt, as though she had been running her hooves through it repeatedly. Her eyes were puffy and red, tear streaks covered the fur on her face. She didn't look sad, however, her mouth was set in a scowl and her eyes were narrowed as she stared at me in hatred. She was breathing hard and fast through her nose.
"You want them?" she hissed at me making me take a step back from the sheer venom in those words. "Then take them!" she screamed her horn flaring to life with a soft green glow as she hurled a ball of shredded paper into my face.
I watched as the reports, the only evidence I had, fluttered through the air like confetti. I could feel my heart sink as bits of the ripped paper clung to the fur of my face. They were ruined. Sweetie had done more than just tear them. In her anger she had shredded them to the point that almost no two letters were connected. I couldn't put them back together, there were hundreds of tiny shards smaller than a grain of rice. The only proof I had that there was something bad going on was now little more than a pile of dust on the ground.
"Never talk to me again." Sweetie snarled before slamming the door in my face.
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In magic there exist many rules, each spell having their own that had to be taken into account when casting them. Disregarding these rules could end with the spell simply failing and sputtering out, all the way to it backfiring and injuring the caster. The more complicated the spell the more rules it had. Teleportation was a spell with relatively few rules and one rule stood out. Put simply, the farther the teleportation the more magic was required to pull it off. A short-range teleportation of a couple of feet was easy, with little magic required, and could be done many times in succession with little drain on the caster. More considerable distances, like jumping from one town to the next, required much more magic and could easily drain the reserves of many unicorns. I had managed to pull off a teleportation that had brought my friends and from the dragon lands, all the way to the edge of the Forest. However, the cost on my magic had been so immense I hadn't been able to use magic of any kind for a week. Even levitating a book had been more than I was able to pull off. This rule was the reason I had chosen to walk to Rarity's, I could have appeared there in a second if I hadn’t expended a lot of my magic in the spell I had failed earlier that day. And I didn't want to tax my magic. The walk had been miserable and had left me wet and shivering. And with the storm still raising and the sun having set, I didn't want to go through it again. So when I appeared in the library in a flash, I couldn't help but feel a little weak. My magic reserves had been given time to recover in the hours I had spent at Rarity's but still needed more. I would feel better in the morning.
Spike gave a yelp of surprise, falling from the bookshelf he had been working on and into a pile of books that had been left over from the impromptu study session we had. The room was still covered in them, but I could tell he had been working while I had been gone. Many of the books had been put back into their place and those that hadn't had been organized in front of the shelf they went on. "You're back! I wasn't expecting you to be gone so long. How did it go? Did you find anything?" He must have been able to tell I was anxious because one look at my face caused his mouth to turn into a frown.
Spike prepared us a small meal of daisy and daffodil sandwiches and I explained to him everything that had happened while I was over at Carousel boutique. Though tired he listened to every word. His face moved at first to an expression of worry as I explained Sweetie Belle's obsession. then to shock as I recounted her blowing up and attacking Rarity. And finally worry as I told him about Sweetie destroying the reports. When I was finished he just sat there, chewing the last of his sandwich in silence, too stunned to speak. My own sandwich sat half eaten before me and I pushed it away. The days events had caused me to lose my appetite. For a moment there was only the sound of the rain beating against the side of the house and the howling of the wind. Spike finally found his voice.
"She hit Rarity?"
"She did. It was terrible to watch. And she was going to hit her again too! Rarity had to stop her with her magic." I said shuddering at the memory. "I've never seen a pony so hateful over such a small thing before."
"It doesn't sound like a small thing to her Twilight. Heck with how she has been acting lately High Note is the most important thing in the world to her. It's like that with all the members of her fan club."
"What do you mean Spike?"
"Well, every time I see a member of that club they always ask if I have listened to her music. Everytime I say no they always say I should either listen to her or see her live, and I mean every time. Sweetie herself has invited me to that club more times than I can count. I never brought it up because until now it seemed like such a small thing." he said as reached over to try and grab my half eaten sandwich. I pushed it over to him, and he quickly took a large bite out of it.
"It sounds like they are all as obsessed as Sweetie Belle is. What has made her so popular with the children?"
He shook his head, holding up a claw until he swallowed his mouthful of food. "It's not just kids Twilight. Most the club is made up of adults. In fact Filthy Rich is one of them and he has the meetings held at his house." I cocked an eyebrow at that. Filthy Rich was the richest pony in the entire town. His family had started doing business with the Apple family around the time the town had been founded. They had struck a deal over the zap apple jam that only the Apple family knew how to make and both of their families profited. It was from there that the town had really gotten its start. If he was a member of the group then they could have almost anything they wanted. An idea hit me.
"I think they might be able to help us."
"Hmm?" Spike asked around the last of his meal.
"Well If they are funded by Filthy Rich then they could have anything there. Books, newspapers, records, anything related to her. And if they have the same fanatical devotion Sweetie Belle has they would have a lot. Since Sweetie destroyed the evidence I was going to take to the Mayor about ponies going missing, we might be able to find something there!" I said feeling my spirits rising as I realized I may well have found a way around my set back.
"No offense Twilight, but after your part in Sweetie Belle's grounding I don't think they will be throwing the doors open to welcome you. In fact I think they might try throwing you out the nearest window if you try going in." I felt my heart sink a little as I realized he was right. He must have seen concern on his face because he held up his claw and gave me a smile. "Though we do have a way around that! A certain dragon did get invited multiple times! If I was to go saying that Sweetie invited me I should be able to go in and look for the evidence you are looking for!"
I smiled back to him. "That would be a huge help Spike! I shouldn't expect any less from my number one assistant! When is the next meeting?" The crash of thunder sounded off outside, nearly drowning out my question. The storm was getting worse. Now I was more glad than ever I hadn't decided to walk home.
"Tomorrow afternoon." Spike said holding his hand in front of his mouth as he let out a yawn. "But for now I think I am going to go to bed. It has been a busy day, and I am tired." I nodded to him as I used my levitation spell to grab the dishes from the table.
"Go ahead Spike. I'll clean up after dinner and make some tea. It's been a long day for me too and I think I'll be headed to be soon as well."
"Alright. Night Twilight." As he made his way up the stairs, I walked to the kitchen. There wasn't much of a mess. The bread had been left out and there was a small pile of dishes in the sink, but I got it done in quick order. Putting the last of the dishes up I turned to the bread. Closing it, I put it in the pantry. While I was there I took stock of what we had. For the most part we were good, lots of canned vegetables, fruits, and soups. When I got to the teas I noticed that one of the boxes felt light. Pulling out a small ornate wooden box, I opened it to see that the it was almost empty, only a small layer of the loose, ground leaves covered the bottom. I was almost out of one of my favorite teas and I was going to have to visit Zecora to get more.
Zecora was a zebra, the only one who lived near Ponyville, and also one of my friends. We had met shortly after I had moved to the small town and became quick friends. She lived out in the Everfree forest so getting to her place took some time but the route was generally safe. Barring an incident with a cockatrice. She was also a very intelligent equine who had a sage wisdom about her. Many times when I couldn't find the answer to my problems, she had managed to help me through it. Whether with it was with wise words, one of her potions, or just listening as I talked. Well if I was going to be visiting her anyways I might as well tell her about what was going on. Maybe she would be able to provide a perspective to the problem that I couldn't see. But that would be in the morning. Brewing up the last of the tea I settled down with the current book I was reading and wound down, letting the events of the day drift away.
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The next day was a flurry of activity. After explaining my plan to visit Zecora to Spike we shared a hasty breakfast before we left for our task. Spike heading for the Rich family mansion and me for the Everfree forest. I pulled the jacket I had put on tighter and tightened my saddlesbags as I made my way towards the wall of trees ahead of me. The storm from the night before may have ended but it's effects were clear. Clouds still hung in the sky casting everything in a gray light and the wind tore at me. I shivered as another blast of frosty air struck me and lowered my head, trudging through the thin layer of mud and the puddles that littered the ground. Ahead of me was the Everfree forest, a vast expanse of trees that bordered the town. It was a dangerous place with feral monsters and strange magics roaming around it and most ponies avoided it. And Zecora lived in it. I didn't know how she managed but her house, as well as the path that lead to it, were usually safe from the main dangers of the forest.
As I entered the forest most of the sky was blocked from my view. The thick canopy of branches and what little leaves remained cast a maze of shadows on the ground and it quickly got darker. Even in the best of times the forest could seem as dark as night. Thankfully the thick cover of trees also blocked much of the wind. Allowing me to relax and let out a breath as the biting cold of the late autumn winds stopped buffeting me. Unlike Ponyville the forest was almost completely dry with very little mud and water so I was able to move faster. The Everfree forest was like nowhere else in Equestria in that the clouds and the weather took care of itself without any help from the pegasi. I didn't like it; it was unnatural. But for once it was a blessing as I trod through the forest towards my zebra friend's house.
I picked up my pace to a prance and walked up to the door, knocking my hoof against it three times. Inside I heard the sound of things being shuffled around and something glass being set down before the door opened to reveal Zecora. She was roughly the same size as me, though the mohawk she kept her hair in made her look taller, and covered in gold jewelry. She had five gold bands on around her neck and five more on her right fore legs. Large earrings hung from each of her ears. When she saw me her face lit up in a smile, her deep blue eyes twinkling in delight.
"Is it Twilight I see? Have you come to see little old me?" She asked in that strange rhyming way she spoke. As glad as I was to see my friend yesterday's events still hung heavily on my mind. I tried to return the smile, but I can tell it looked forced.
"Yes Zecora. I went through my pantry yesterday and noticed I was running out of tea." My horn lit as I used my magic to open my saddlebags and pull out the wooden box she had given me as a gift so long ago. "I figured it would be a good enough excuse to come visit a friend."
"I am happy you so enjoy my tea, but I feel it is not the only reason you have come to see me. I feel something weighs on your mind, what it is I hope to soon find." She said opening the door and motioning for me to come in.
"How did you know?" I asked as I levitated my saddle bags on a nearby table. The inside of the house was much like the outside. Bottles and flasks of all shapes and sizes hung from the ceiling and covered shelves that lined the room. Masks also hung on the wall, ones that I knew from experience all had their own meanings. On a long table sat a variety of herbs in different containers, along with a mortar and pestle she used to grind them. In the middle of the room was the cauldron that Zecora used in her potion mixing and herb mixing. It was something that I had come to have a lot of respect for. Zecora's skill in her botany had saved Ponyville from disaster more than once.
"I could see it in your eyes, there is a worry in them that your smile belies." Walking over to a small container she pulled a small assortment of leaves from it and deposited them in the mortar. Slowly she began crushing them with practiced ease, the smell of the leaves filling the room with the familiar scent of the tea she made me. "I am not sure what bothers you so, but if it is enough to make you come all that way out here I feel I should know."
"Well," I began and then explained to her everything that had happened. Not long into my story she had finished the tea. Taking the box from me, she filled it and than gave it back. Never once did she interrupt me, listening intently to my recounting of events. When I was finished, she nodded to herself.
"A strange turn of events indeed, I can see now that you are in need. I do not know what is causing ponies to disappear, but it is of growing concern as the concert draws near. And this in young Sweetie Belle, such a difference in behavior does not bode well. But I am reminded of a spell of yours, that then when cast had all of Ponyville fighting in scores." I blushed at the mention of that fiasco. A while back I was late on turning in a friendship report to Celestia. And in my panic at disappointing my mentor I had cast a spell that had caused everyone who had seen one of my old toys to fight over it. By the end nearly every pony in town had been effected.
"The want it need it spell?"
"The very same. But I do not think it is to blame. The effects of the spell were much worse, causing most of Ponyville to fight, quarrel, and curse. But if a similar spell were to be used, it could explain the behavior that caused Rarity to be abused." Zecora began going through the many plants and herbs she had in her hut. Grabbing a bunch of flowers and a root, she began to mix them into the pot. "I might have a way to see if there is magic at work in Sweetie Belle's mind. If we are lucky than a cure might be easy to find. If not then there may be many groans. It could just be the young fillies hormones." I deadpanned at that.
"Are you saying it could just be her getting moody from hitting puberty?" The zebra shrugged and chuckled.
"All children tend to lash out, when their turn for adulthood comes about. I myself was not always so wise, when I was young I was far from a prize. In my youthful anger I rebelled. And in my anger my doom was almost spelled. After a fight with my father, I ran away from home. Through the fields and forests of my homeland carelessly did I roam. Until in the late hours of the night I came across a beast, who almost made of me a feast. The only reason I survived is because my father soon arrived. Using only a broken spear, he skewered the monster through both ears. It was than I learned the error of my ways and saw how my anger ran ablaze. I learned to control my youthful rage and in doing so I began to learn the wisdom that comes with age." She smiled at me as she stirred the bubbling cauldron. The mixture inside was a strange shade of brown and had a strong, earthy odor to it. I couldn't imagine anyone drinking it willingly.
"I hope that's the case. Cause if it's something else I doubt she will want to drink this for us to find out." I said watching a large bubble in the brew grow and pop audibly.
"Do not worry, I can make it taste better in a hurry." Taking the last bits of leaves she stirring them in. The entire mixture bubbled violently for a moment before the contents changed. The liquid turning from a muddy, dirt brown to a subdued purple. The scent changed as well, going from the scent of boiling lawn clipping to something sweet and somewhat sugary. She continued boiling the mixture for a few more minutes before she took out a spoonful. The potion was thick and clung to the spoon, only a few drops falling heavily down back into the pot. Bringing the spoon to her mouth, she sniffed at it before tasting it. She must have found it to be done because she nodded to herself.
"If you would be so kind as to hand me a jug, this potion is ready for young Sweetie Belle to chug." she said pointing at one of the shelves on the wall behind me. My horn lit up and I grabbed a small green ceramic jar in my magic.
"Will this do?" I asked, levitating it to her.
"It will do. It will be enough to carry my brew." She said carefully ladling the mixture into the jug, each spoonful plopping into the container with a wet plop. When it was half full, she shut it tight with a cork. "This will be able to tell if there is magic at work on her mind. And if there is, it might be able to tell us what kind. From there I may be able to find a cure. If not I cannot say what we can do for sure. Now let us go we must make haste, for the potion will soon go bad and go to waste."
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With Zecora at my side, the walk back to Ponyville was much faster. Though I knew the way to and from her hut Zecora was far more comfortable with the forest. She never seemed to stop or hesitate, even when I thought I had heard a monster nearby she had told me it was just something loud from far away. In nearly half the time we had walked from the dry forest to the wet and muddy streets of the town. The sun was nearing its apex in the sky and as the day had gone on more ponies had come out of their homes. The streets were filled with ponies wearing jackets and coats to keep them warm as the hustle and bustle of the day was ramping up for the day. In the skies above us, the weather teams worked to clear the clouds of the day before. For a moment I could even make out my rainbow maned friend Rainbow Dash flying from cloud to cloud, kicking them away into a burst of vapor. She didn't see me however, only paying attention to her work to clear the sky quickly and to avoid running into other members of the weather team.
We made our way through the town, exchanging greetings with the townsfolk until we finally arrived at Carousel Boutique. As we walked closer to the circular building I saw a small sign hanging from one of the windows in the door. As we got closer I could make out what it said. 'Closed for the day. Come back later.' I ignored it though, once Rarity heard why we were here I knew she would let us in. Walking up to the door I knocked on it gently. Everything was quiet for a moment before a faint voice called out.
"I am very sorry but we are closed. Come back again tomorrow, and I will be able to help you then." I shook my head with a smile and knocked again. After the huge order I had heard about last night I knew she would be busy. However, I knew if I knocked she enough would come to see who it was.
"I am very sorry I cannot help you!" came a more irritated response.
"It might be wise to come back later. It seems we only serve to agitate her." Zecora said before looking at the potion under her cloak. "Though I may have to but together another batch, though more ingredients I will have to snatch."
"No, she'll answer. She's as concerned about her sister as we are, probably more so. Once we explain what we are here for she'll let us in." I said knocking on the door one more time. Inside I heard a very unlady like groan of annoyance, followed by quick hoof steps to the door.
"I am sorry I-" her voice trailed away as she saw Zecora and I, a look of shock on her face. "Oh Twilight, I wasn't expecting to see you here after yesterday. And Zecora! What brings your to my home!" She looked even more tired than she did yesterday. Her hair was unwashed and had lost most of its glossy shine. The bruise around her eye had grown worse and had swollen to the point she couldn't open her eyelids all the way. Heavy bags hung under her other eye. She looked exhausted.
"I have heard of the behavior of your sister. I was hoping I could find a way to assist her." Zecora he replied tipping her head to our friend.
"Zecora believes that there might be some kind of spell on Sweetie Belle that is causing her to act so strangely. Well either that or she thinks Sweetie might be hitting puberty." I don't know which of the two thoughts scared Rarity more but her eyes widened in horror at what I was saying.
"She has been acting strange lately but do you think it could be as serious as all of that?" she asked stepping aside and letting us into her home. It was even more of a mess than it was the day before. The dishes that had been in the sink the night before were still there and the pile had only grown bigger. The pile large enough that it had started to climb above the rim. The tea set she had used to serve us when I had visited was still on the table and her cup still had a little tea in the bottom. From what I could see of the work room from here it was worse as well, with a ruined dress hanging from the top of her work table.
"It may well be or worse, but I may be able to find what causes her to act so adverse. You say her behavior started when she came back from a concert, through her a bigger problem we might be able to divert. Ponies have gone missing at these concerts as well, I can use this potion," she said pulling out the vile of liquid. Inside the potion had grown to a darker color, and it had also grown thinner. Before it was thick enough to cling to a spoon, now it was more the consistency of a smoothie. "To see if she is under a spell."
Rarity regarded it for a second before giving us a smile. I could see a hope in her eyes as she realized what it meant. "If there is a chance Sweetie Belle has been affected by a spell than I would want to know. I would much rather her lashing out as she did last night be the result of some strange magic. Rather than her being so hateful as to strike me over some silly concert."
"Then I shall go and see if she will drink. Hopefully, we can find a cause that we can link."
"You go right ahead Zecora. After yesterday I don't think it would end well if I went up there. I think she kinda hates me for telling Rarity about the disappearances." I told her rubbing the back of my neck.
"Very well then I shall go, when it comes to having fillies take their medicine I am a pro." With that she turned and trotted out of the room. After she disappeared up the stairs Rarity turned to me with a small smile.
"Thank you for trying to find out what is wrong with Sweetie Belle. I have been worried for quite some time now. If Zecora does find anything then maybe she can do something to help. I want my old sister back."
I was about to respond when the front door burst open with a loud bang. In the door frame stood Spike. His entire body was covered in sweat and his chest heaved in fast, heavy pants like he had been running for a long time. In his hands were a number of crushed up newspaper pages, like he had crumpled them up in a hurry to try and keep them from being seen. Closing the door, he turned around, eyes wildly darting from side to side before finally they settled on me. He seemed to relax, his breathing slowing and his wild eyes focusing. I got up and quickly rushed to his side.
"Spike are you alright?" I asked, but he was still panting to hard to really answer. Instead, he handed me the papers. The aura of my magic unfolded them one by one, the sound of rustling paper the only sound besides Spike's labored breath. I scanned over them. Each paper was from a different town or city, and my heart sank as I realized each and every one of them reported a pony going missing. All of them the same day as one of High Note's concerts. Some only reported a single pony missing, but some told of as many as three. I realized I was right to be worried. Things were much worse than I thought. As I read through them Spike's breathing became smoother and slower until he was able to speak.
"Something freaky is going on."
Author's Note
Well has it been a while. Had to put writing on hold. Family drama and many moves, including one to a new state, in quick succession made writing a low priority. But things have begun to stabilize and I am hoping to write far more often. As always constructive criticism is not only welcome, it is greatly encouraged.
