Blood Diamonds

Chapter 4: Traps and Prisons

Rarity huffed. Alright, that should be it. She had spent the last two hours going through her house from attic to basement, searching for any other possible traps. All she found was a box of expired cereal in the back of a cupboard, and while it could have been a particularly devious attempt to poison her, she had doubts that they would try this approach. They probably thought one trap was enough. They won’t make the same mistake twice, I’d wager.

At least she’d figured out how they got inside her house. The fact that it was unlocked didn’t hit her as strange at first, as it had been that way at almost all times, but the boutique had been closed the previous day. Either Sweetie forgot to lock the door, or they knew how to pick it. Regardless, it didn’t really matter that much. Even if she fortified the door and bought the best locking mechanism available, they could still just break a window. And she wasn’t about to ruin her home’s visage by putting bars on them like some kind of prison!

This, however, raised the question of how she was going to survive the following night. The likeliness of them trying to catch her when she was asleep was nearing that of Sweetie messing up tomorrow’s breakfast again, after all. Perhaps if she made some traps of her own? Yes, just something that would wake her up should anypony open the door or a window, then she’ll take care of things herself. Normally, that would be achieved with just a simple spell, but such spells could be disabled by any competent magic user. No, she had to do this differently.

Now, how does one make a trap? She’d never had a reason to learn to make any; why should she, after all? She, however, did read; especially to Sweetie when she put her to bed. And how could The Adventures of Rascal the Trickster be wrong? With a few empty cans and a rope, she could create some primitive alarm system. Or she could attach a little bell to a thread and tie the thread to the door handle. Crude, but quite effective.

Or I could try asking Twilight if I can sleep over at the library. She shook her head. Did she really just consider taking advice from some foal’s book? All that stress must have started taking its toll. Or perhaps it was because she really, really didn’t want to ask Twilight for a favour yet again.

She’s going to press for information, I’m sure, but it’ll be better than spending the whole day tying together garbage. Not to mention they won’t be looking for me there, so I’ll still be safer than here. Twilight was the obvious choice, right? Right. Definitely. Without a doubt. What were the cons anyway? Twilight putting two and two together, realising Rarity’s bound, trying to help her by breaking the ritual’s effects, and being massacred when the spell orders Rarity to prevent her from doing that? Like that was going to happen. The spell couldn’t be that powerful, no?

Graybond’s words from earlier resonated inside her head. Even if one of those was to kill your own mother, you would still do it, no matter how much you’d resist. Twilight mustn’t find out.

On the other hoof, what other choice did she have? Sleeping at Pinkie’s was a no-go, as she’d probably find out even easier being a vampony and all, and Rarity couldn’t drag her other friends into this mess. It was either staying at home or at Twilight’s, hoping she wouldn’t piece things together.

With a sigh, she opened the door and headed towards the library. Risking her life was one thing, but she couldn’t put Sweetie in danger. Or at least not more than was absolutely necessary. Besides, she’d fooled Twilight once, who said she couldn’t do it again?

She was about halfway towards her destination when she saw the purple unicorn trotting side-by-side with Pinkie Pie. “Twilight, I was just looking for you. Would you mind if I–“

“Rarity, I was just looking for you too!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed. “I have to show something to you two.”

Rarity cocked her brow and looked and Twilight, who shook her head. “I have no idea what’s going on either. All I know is she nearly broke down my door and said that something really important has happened and that I have to come with her.”

Rarity massaged her temples with her hooves. “Pinkie, I really don’t have the time for this right now. I promise I’ll come la–“

“I said it’s important.” Pinkie furrowed her brow, her whole expression darkening. She walked towards Rarity and leaned right in her face. “And when I say something’s important, I mean it.”

Rarity took an involuntary step back. “I... I suppose I can spare a few minutes.”

———

Half an hour earlier.

Pinkie stood in the Sugarcube Corner kitchen, kneading dough for cupcakes. It was a simple job, albeit one a bit boring, that gave her time to think. And Celestia knew she needed a break from the constant partying and chatting sometimes. Usually, her mind was full of recipes or party plans, but not today. Today, she focused her whole attention on two of her friends – Twilight and Rarity.

Twilight seemed rather tense as of late. Investigating everything, running around the town and chasing for rumours – ones she usually invented herself – reporting things...

Pinkie hit the dough with her hoof. I can’t believe she ran to the Guard minutes after I told her not to! She didn’t mention any vamponies, she had to give her that, but it still could have reignited the hysteria of the last few weeks. And with hysteria came rumours, such as the one about Lyra being a vampony. A very popular one that was; enough to make a few ponies come together and start calling themselves ‘vampony hunters.’ Fortunately, that had happened merely a day before Lyra was killed and they didn’t manage to do more than come up with that lame name and get horribly drunk to ‘celebrate the founding.’ The only reason Pinkie even knew about it was because one of them told her on a We’re-happy-it’s-over party as an example of just how paranoid he was at the time.

They wouldn’t have discovered her anyway, of that she was sure. They’d have their heads full of myths and walk around the town with mirrors and such, she bet. But the chance was there, and ponies could start remembering about just who walked into Lyra’s house together with the Guard, and how come they survived when all the guards were massacred. No, that ‘baseless’ rumour had to stay one. She and Twilight might have to have yet another little chat.

Then there was Rarity. Pinkie might have babbled a bit at times and perhaps laughed a bit more than was the norm, but that was only because she chose to – her wide grin could lighten up the mood of anypony seeing her, and that was what she wanted. It was better to laugh with somepony than to laugh alone, after all. Some misunderstood it and thought her stupid or childish, but that often turned out to be yet another advantage – if any vampony hunt really started, she would be the last one they‘d suspect. That even Rarity fell for it, however, was a surprise. One would think that this accidental ‘disguise’ would only work once, but no. Rarity acted like Pinkie was the infantile child that so many saw her as despite all they went through together. Why else would she think she could fool her with such a blatant lie?

The stroll Pinkie would believe. Blood could be very invigorating and the urge to move was often quite overpowering – Pinkie usually just bounced around the whole day instead of walking. But the nap? One wouldn’t get tired so soon after feeding, no matter how sleepy they felt before. And even if she somehow did, a meadow? Rarity not just lying, but voluntarily sleeping on the ground was a thing of fiction.

What are you hiding from me, Rarity? She could spy a bit on her... No, that would be wrong; she’d just be repeating the mistake she made during her birthday. And besides, however annoying Rarity might have been sometimes, she was still her friend. She would tell her once she felt like it. Now, how do I make her feel like telling me? I could try annoying her until she told me, or maybe try to strike a deal – there are some sapphires in the back for Spike’s cupcakes. A bag of them could make her change her mind.

The door bell rang, and Pinkie swung around, wide smile appearing on her face when she spotted a young, brown earth pony. “Hi! I’ve never seen you around here, and I know everypony living in Ponyville. Did you just move in? Are you just passing through?”

The stallion nodded. “Yes, passing through.”

“Are you in a hurry? Because if not, I could throw you a party if you’d like.”

“Oh, I won’t be here long, I’m afraid.”

“Too bad.” Pinkie’s smile died down a little, only to return again after a second. “At least I’ll give you some cupcakes! That’s why you’re here, no? To buy cupcakes.”

“Actually,” – the stallion approached the counter – “that’s not why I’m here.”

“Oh. Some cakes then? They’re yummy, but I don’t see how you plan to fit one into your saddlebags.”

He smiled and shook his head. “No, I’m not here for the cakes either. Or any other pastries for that matter.”

Pinkie took a step back, her smile vanishing for good this time. “What do you want here then?”

His smile revealed two long fangs. “You.”

He lunged at her, tackling her to the ground, dug his teeth into her neck, and watched as her body slowly went limp. Or at least that’s what he had probably planned. What really happened was Pinkie jumping over the counter, kicking him into his face, and then slamming his head against the nearby wall repeatedly until she could feel no more resistance coming from him.

No...

She released him from her grasp and looked at the motionless body with her eyes widened. Not again. Not again! She checked the pulse. Fortunately, it was still there. I have to get the girls. She ran to the door, pressed the handle, and stopped. She looked at the bloody mess behind her. Right after I clean this up.

———

“So, what is it you want to show us, Darling?” Rarity asked when they entered the bakery.

Pinkie pointed at a door in the back of the room. “He’s in the basement.”

Rarity exchanged a long look with Twilight. “He?”

“Just take a look for yourself!” Pinkie opened the door and motioned them in.

Despite the various magic-fuelled lanterns on the walls, the inside was dim. It didn’t take a genius to see why – there were piles upon piles of boxes and sacks of all sizes, probably sufficient to keep Sugarcube Corner running for a whole year without restocking. “Why do you have so many supplies here?” Twilight asked. “You can’t possibly use it all up before it spoils!”

“What?” Pinkie frowned. “This won’t last me for more than a month. Do you have any idea how much food ponies eat at just one party?”

If by ‘ponies’ she means herself and by ‘party’ every single day, then sure. Rarity giggled.

“Quiet!” Pinkie said in a hushed voice. “I don’t want the Cakes asking me why were we in their basement.”

“And why are we here again?” Twilight asked. “It’s not like I don’t enjoy trotting through some old basement,” – she looked at Rarity and rolled her eyes– “but I don’t have all day for this.”

“We are here because of him.” Pinkie pointed at a lying, tied up figure hidden behind some large boxes.

Rarity took a few steps forward and saw the red mishmash his muzzle was turned into. “By Celestia... is... is he...?”

“No. Just unconscious.” Pinkie scowled at him. “Shouldn’t have attacked me.”

“You were attacked?” Twilight asked, leaning over him and looking at his wounds.

“Yes. He didn’t expect me to be a vampony too, though.”

At that moment, Twilight jumped back from the body, and Rarity gasped. “He’s a vampony?” they asked in unison.

“Well, duh! If he wasn’t, I’d just give him over to the Guard and be done with it. Why else would I drag you two here?”

“Oh my gosh... I was right!” Twilight’s breathing quickened. “There really are more vamponies trotting around Ponyville. It didn’t end with Lyra! What if–“

Pinkie laid her hoof on Twilight’s mouth. “Shh! Calm down. Or do you want to find out what will happen if the Cakes find a beaten up pony in their basement? Besides, maybe he’s alone. I bet he’s the one who turned Lyra and I just stopped him from doing something like it again.”

“What do you plan to do with him?” Rarity asked, she herself wondering about the same. Could this be the decisive lead?

“I guess we’ll just wait for him to wake up and then ask him some questions.”

Seeing as how he’s almost certainly bound, that conversation probably won’t be much fruitful. “What if he refuses to talk?”

Pinkie smiled. “Then I’ll convince him to start.”

“Pinkie, you don’t mean you’re going to... torture him, do you?” Twilight asked, eyes wide. “I won’t allow you to do that!”

“What? No! I’ll just leave him tied up in here, gag him, and hide him in the corner behind a load of crates. I’m sure he’ll change his mind after a few days of doing absolutely nothing.”

Twilight shook her head. “That’s still torture in a way. Better than most other kinds, but still.”

“Well, do you have a better idea?” Pinkie frowned at her. “I can’t exactly let him go, so unless you have some sort of secret prison hidden at the library, this is the best I can do!”

There was a moment of silence. “I actually do have a better idea,” Twilight said. “If we moved out all my scientific devices out of my basement, we could put him there. I’m the only one who ever goes there – well, apart from Spike, but I’d tell him not to. Plus I’d cast a bubble around this vampony that wouldn’t let him out, and make my door sound-proof, so we wouldn’t have to gag or tie him like he was some kind of animal. It’d be safer and much less cruel.”

Pinkie scratched her chin. “We could wait until it gets dark and then carry him there in some bag. Yes, why not?”

A smile appeared on Twilight’s face. “Great. I’ll just go prepare things then.” She started walking towards the door.

“What if he isn’t alone?” Rarity asked. She had to warn them somehow – if Pinkie was attacked, they probably planned to continue where Lyra had stopped; why else would she be a target? Or maybe they just saw her talking with Rarity, figured they’re friends, and planned to kidnap her. That seemed more likely... But did it also mean everypony she talked with from then on was in danger?

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked, turning around. “I know I said something like that at first, but I was panicking. Pinkie’s right – there can’t be any more. If he turned more ponies in town, he would have to bind them, because not all would cooperate. However, there weren’t any ponies missing, so how would he perform the ritual? He’d be missing the sacrifice.”

“He could turn the travellers. You yourself said you saw one get attacked and told the guard!”

“This again?” Pinkie frowned.

“One, I did not see it, but heard it. Two, I scanned for any residual magic afterwards to make sure and picked up nothing – if a ritual really took place, it wasn’t anywhere nearby. If he was so afraid of doing it here because of the Guard, why do it at all? There’s plenty of other, smaller towns that have next to none protection. Three, we are literally just after a murder streak. Ponies are still near-paranoid! Anything even vaguely suspicious would be the center of rumours immediately. Come to think of it,” – she looked at the beaten-up body and shook her head – “he’s quite stupid he even tried something like that here. Even if Pinkie wasn’t a vampony and he succeeded in turning her, do you think nopony would notice she was missing for the rest of the day?”

“But what if he’s part of some bigger party?” Rarity asked, beginning to sweat. “Perhaps they go from town to town, attacking once and leaving before they’re caught.”

Twilight cocked her brow. “A vampony raiding party? Seriously?”

“It’s... possible.”

“I’m pretty sure somepony would’ve noticed that wherever a band of certain shady characters goes, ponies start missing. Especially considering the binding ritual would act like a giant pointer.”

Curse you, Twilight, I’m trying to protect you here! “Perhaps they didn’t use a pony for the sacrifice? A, let’s say, changeling wouldn’t be missed by anypony, and if they cleaned up the magic after themselves...”

Twilight’s eyes widened. “Oh my gosh, you’re right! The ritual in the forest did use a changeling!”

“Come on,” Pinkie said, “that doesn’t mean there are other vamponies here, no?”

Twilight shook her head. “No, but it means there could be. But still, there weren’t any murders so far. There would be if that was the case, right?”

“Or,” Rarity said, “they’re slowly turning the populace without killing anypony, building a small army.”

“No way! We would have noticed. Right, Twilight?”

“Like we’ve noticed Lyra?” Twilight asked with her head held low.

“I don’t say they are doing that, only that it’s a possibility and we should all take care. Even when around ponies we know.”

Twilight went a bit pale. “It could be anypony.”

“Precisely! That’s why we have to stick together and–” The bell tower rang, announcing quarter to twelve; five minutes before school ended. “I really have to go now. Take care! And trust nopony!” She galloped out of the basement and towards the schoolhouse.