Fill My Heart Up With Sunshine:by PonyessChaptersA Bright Day: 1The Lost Guard: 3Eagerly Awaited: 4A Filly's Party: 5Reversing Fortunes: 6A Day Knows no Happiness: 7In the Clouds: 8Late For School: 9Family Matters: 10Up There – Down There: 11A Go-To - the Counsellor 12Just A Laughter Away: 2A Bright Day: 1Author's Note Pinkie Pie's POV A Bright Day: 1 I woke up early in the morning, with an uncharacteristically wide smile, and started to laugh manically. It's a new day, and I need to create a few more smiles today. If I didn't, I would have failed. I knew how that made me feel, not something I could take. I look out the window, the sun is actually up and shine eagerly on me and everything else in site. Then it is time, breakfast, so I pick a batch of Cup-Cakes, slip the paper off of them, one by one and munch on it in my own good time, until I had swallowed the last of them. Then I wash it down with a glass of juice. Since my breakfast had met its destiny, it is time to get moving, and I had an idea, just where to. Only had to pull one of my more obscure tricks on reality in order to get there. This time I just pull down the sipper and stepped through. I'm the perfect pony to perform, what I was about to do, none other could get away with it, I knew as much. To get away is a matter of a clean getaway, and that's why I'm doing it. I don't leave any traces behind, just a dead pony. On the other side, I see the sleeping form of a male pony, a Stallion. I slowly move towards him, quietly as to not walk anypony up. I don't want to alert anypony to what I'm up to, it would ruin my idea. Just as I'm a step away from him, and it is still the Stallion I had in mind, he is Prince Blueblood. This is just perfect. I'm giving up a maniacal laugh making him wake up. Hysterically he is looking around until his eyes meat mine. The fact that my mane is flat escaped his mind. What ruined his composure is my presence. I'm not exactly on the list of ponies he'd invite, and even less so, after the debatable of the grand Galloping gala. If he thought he could get away with insulting or mistreating my friends, it is time to make it clear, that isn't going to happen, not if I could help it. I just laugh as I draw the blade, I had apparently picked up this trick at the castle, as I was there a week prior. Only since the blade isn't exactly a physical object, there is no sign of a blade, or dagger missing. That's the beauty of it all, isn't it. Now I stare down on his male form. He never was the kind of pony I ever would like, and now he never will be, since I'm cutting his chance short. “Smile!” I just hissed at him, before I demonstrated the blade and slowly lowered it towards his throat. “Oh sorry, but I guess I'll allow you to die like the prick you are, so I'll leave it in place!” I then laughed at him. “I'm not a prick, I'm a prince!” he stammered, as it dawned on him what was about to happen, but too late. “A good Prince doesn't trample another ponies feelings, or insult his fellow ponies. Besides, I know who you are, and what you're up to, don't even bother denying any of it!” I explained to him. The blade soon touched the skin of his throat. I linger, but soon press it forwards and his skin split as if eager to comply with a request. Red blood soon started to flow and his eyes went up before he lost consciousness. “I guess you're not a Blue Blood, after all!” I mused, as his blood left him behind, as if it wanted nothing to do with him. At this point I pressed the blade the rest of the way, clearly separating his head from his body. Then I simply turned my back on him, trotting back to where I came from and sipped close behind me before leaving his lifeless body where it lay. “That should teach him!” I just muttered as I left him behind. The Lost Guard: 3Author's Note The Prosecutor's POV The Lost Guard: 3 I had been informed of the situation, and the crime that had been committed. I had been told of the guard, found by his bedside. The Stallion had been better off dead, by the looks of it. Oh well, that's not my problem. His mental state is for another to care for. My duty is to interrogate him, which is more than bad enough. I can't enjoy it, how could I. I have a heart and I intend to make it stay that way. I'm just yet another unfortunate soul, on whose shoulders the responsibility falls, and squarely so. “I take it you could as well seek a new job, and not just a new employer, since he is as dead as dust!” I pointed out. “Yeah, isn't that why I'm here!” he merely moaned in a sorry excuse for a voice. “I'm afraid that's why we're both here. He was confirmed dead on arrival, no question about it, yet no blade was found, and no other sign on what caused his death. His blood on the floor, his head completely severed from his body. There was nothing more. You were found on the scene of the crime, apparently devastated. I have clear and irrefutable confirmation that it was your job, your duty to guard him, his door. Am I to take it you found him in this state?” I enquired in a mild and as friendly a voice as I could muster. It was my duty to guard him, and the door. I found him ruined. I saw nothing as I entered the room in order to wake him at the appointed time. The rest is a blank, after that!” the poor Stallion, or rather the remains of one sobbed. “If you did not see anything remarkable once you entered the room, did you by any chance hear or see anything prior to your horrific discovery?” I continued in hope I could have anything to go on. “There is the one thing I heard, a demented laughter, it was short, and then nothing. I neither heard, nor saw any enter, nor exit the room. Nothing. Just the laughter!” he confessed, as if it had been his own mother he had just sold. “Just a Demented laughter? That is all you heard!” I responded, in order to confirm what I thought I had heard. “If a pony laughed like that, she's seriously demented!” he squealed in anguish. “Now I am worried about you. Either you heard some really demented pony, or you're totally losing it. There's the risk of both. I really wish it wasn't my place to torment you further on this point, but somepony has to ask the questions, and it fell upon my shoulders!” I pointed out, clearly cringing. “Right now, I wish I had never woken up, or that this had at least not been my night by the door!” he merely whined, before closing his eyes, as if trying to make it all go away, before breaking out in a renewed sobbing. By the looks, I could as well take him to a protective custody, he would need it, and with hope against hope, it may do him some good. As I looked up from the file, just a moment later, I realised he was to give me nothing further. I could as well send him out, keeping him wouldn't help me solving this case. “Guards, take him to a secure cell on plane three. Make sure he is safe, clean and cared for. Even if I may never get another word out of him, he is to be cared for and safe!” I pronounced. “Yes!” the first of the guards replied, before they escorted the charge out of the room, and to the room I had directed them to. Then I noticed something, the room where the victim had been sleeping only have a small window towards the inner yard. Very little hope for any pony, or any other to either enter, or exit, even if it had not been observed from the outside. If he hadn't done it, could he have closed the window after the culprit? That should be evident soon, since we would catch him in his act, if he was protecting a culprit. Eagerly Awaited: 4Author's Note Pinkie Pie's POV Eagerly Awaited: 4 I had had a shower and enjoyed a few Muffins before I head down to start my day at work. Customers would be eagerly awaiting me down at Sugar-Cube Corner. I have a job to do, simple as that, isn't it. With a freshly groomed coat, I had set off, starting the day. I love baking, since everypony love a good Muffin, do I need more reasons. I feel it is all I need. I'm making the day for somepony, and I get a wide grin for it. I need the first batches of pastries ready before we could open up shop for the day. With that, I pull out the ingredients, and equipment. Then I follow the recipe, creating the base for the first batch of Muffins. Lemon Surprise, Chocolate, Apple, Blueberry, they're all great Muffins. I just mix in the added ingredients, Lemon, Chocolate, Apple, or Blueberry, before I pour the dough into the small white paper form for each and every kind of Muffin, before I slip them into the oven. Once the first batch cooled off, the next went into the oven, and while the third was baking the first went into the shop. Simple and easy, no problems on my part. The Cakes had taught me the routine quite well. I had finally gotten the last batch of pastries into the shop, and it's time to open for the day. Just as I open for the day I spotted the first customer, no surprise there. “A dozen Lemon Surprise Muffins, please!” Ditzy stated. “I picked up the Muffins she had asked for, one at the time, before I slipped them into her paper box, and binding the string around it, before hoofing it over. “Here you go!” I said. She poured bits onto my counted and I picked them up. “You're a saviour, Pinkie!” Ditzy pronounced. “Thanks, and welcome back!” I said, as she hastily rushed off, in order to have her breakfast with her daughter Dinkie at her home. For a moment, I just looked after her as she left, it is early, so I had the time. I like her, she's such a sweet and caring Pony. If only every Pony could be more like her. “Naturally, I'm the more to fix this little problem!” I just told myself, thinking of the party I had to plan for, to make the night special for the little fillies of Ponyville. “Oh yes, this will be a very special night for one filly, I just hope she will remember it with the bliss it deserves!” I mumbled under my breath, just before the next customer slipped in, causing the chime to go off in its customary merry way. “Hiya, Twillie. What're you up for this beautiful morning!” I pointed out. “Would you by any chance have these delicious Coffee Cup-Cakes?” she responded, looking up at my cheerful expression. “The Coffee Cup-Cakes, oh yeah. I have a batch of these, something told me you would like some of these today. How many would you have today?” I enquired. “Half a dozen would be nice, and half a dozen of the chocolate variety would be great!” she explained, looking dreaming at the displayed pastries I had placed there, less than half an hour earlier. Okely dokely. Coming right up!” I responded, with a cheerful grin. “Thanks!” she responded, as she slipped a pile of bits on the counter. “You're welcome. Anything for a friend, you know!” I beamed away, as she quietly left the shop, on her way back home for yet more study. “Seven Apple and Cinnamon Cup-Cakes, Please!” Filthy pronounced in his usual manner. “Okely Dokely, coming right up!” I responded. “Thanks!” he uttered as she poured up the bits before me, and I slipped them into the counter as he looked at me. “Have a nice day, and welcome back!” I told him in my hyper voice. Then I was hit by a quaking laugher, just after the door closed him out, as he left for his home, to serve breakfast for his family. I guess I could grant them a last moment of joy? A Filly's Party: 5First things first. I had place a huge Piñata in the middle of the large room. This is for the Fillies to enjoy. I had also prepared a large cake for everyone to feast on, that is mandatory in my book. Naturally, I had placed a large supply of assorted pastries on a small table, which is for everypony to enjoy. Parents would most likely accompany the fillies, but the fillies would most likely enjoy them too. I had even painted a huge 'Diamond Tiara' over the entrance to the door. Aside from that, I had written; 'Happy Birthday, Diamond Tiara', in order to make this as special as possible. Since this is still a party for a Filly, I went with the candy, cake and such. Just as I had managed to build a fairly good replica of Celestias very own royal throne for her to sit in, for the duration of the party. If this wasn't her best day ever, something would be off. With Diamond Tiara, it had to be a major social event, so I made this into something akin to a royal gala, she may not know what they're like, but what she is aspiring to, still warranted it, in a very different way. Now I am paying homage to it. Maybe I could allow her to feel like a princess. At least for this one night, her night. I had placed a table for the gifts to her, and even placed a few on it, before she had even entered the room. I hope it will make her feel special, she will need it. Maybe it can at least dampen the sorrow, if for just a short while. Only I couldn't tell her about anything. It's like a surprise party, only there is no party or fun, just the surprise. I had invited numerous colts and fillies, and told them to make this as special as they possibly could. I know they may not all be her best friends, but this had to be a very special day. I just couldn't explain the details, and made this out to be just one more of my unexplainable antics. They would know by tomorrow. It's just one more party on an already wildly excessive account of mine, thankfully I have all the backings I need, in part due to what I've already done for not just the community of Ponyville, but for Equestria at large, as little as they may know about it. I'm happy to keep it this way. Parties are my thing, not the hollow worshipping of countless Ponies who have no idea as to who I am. I had given every foal instructions where to sit, and made this into a royal event. Just placing them close to the once I knew they would enjoy chatting with. With that, Silver Spoon would have her right side. Then I had placed Snips and Snails, on the right and left, thus shielding her from the Cutie Mark Crusaders, who for some reason I'm not going into, are not exactly the best of friends, they seem to be antagonistic towards one another. Leaving this field open would make the effort for nought. If I am to make this into a Royal party, there is but this one more thing required, I need Unicorns as waiting on the Foals. I know I have more than enough Unicorns as friends in our little community, some of which may even be great at this job, if they had not been better at doing anything else. I had enlisted my best friends Twilight Sparkle and Rarity, everyone know they would be great at it. Then I had found a few more, just to make sure I had enough waiters for the event. Naturally, Rarity would be the main event, not just because she is nice, and is great with magic, and levitation in general, but because I trust her, for one. I left out most of the details on purpose, since it had been expected in the first place. There is a plate at each and every seat by the table, and a glass of orange juice. I knew prominent ponies had a fancy for this. Maybe it would lighten her mood up, since I know she will need that in the coming days and weeks. There is also a pile of plates on the table by the cake, and pitchers of juice and cider. I intended for them to choose what to drink, once this party had caught momentum. Some of them may actually still prefer the cider, after all. Finally, the moment I had been waiting for, and the party is to start up. I knew the time she was to arrive, and here she is coming. “Greetings, Diamond Tiara, and welcome to your very own party!” I cheered as I saw her by the door. “Hi, Pinkie Pie. You're just as upbeat as ever. I take it you've prepared everything for my party!” she responded, with her usual expression on her face. “Certainly, everything is by the book. This should be your finest party to date. I hope you will enjoy and appreciate the royal sprinkles I put into this for you!” I informed her. As I said Royal, she couldn't help but giggle, it is after all a mere filly party, not the 'Galloping Gala', but she is bound to grow up into the real world, son enough. She just did not know it, just yet. “I'll be sufficiently impressed, when I see what you've put into it. Even though you're known for your parties!” she continued., her style showing. “Today, you'll be the Princess of this Gala!” I informed her. “Did you say 'Princess'?” she enquired with a more curious voice, I had apparently peaked something within her. “Yes, I certainly did, and you'd come to understand more of it, as the night progresses!” I informed her. “Oh yeah, I remember you actually was at the 'Grand Galloping Gala' with your friends, a Pony like me has to keep track of important events. Then you would know what an event like that is like, and how to be tactful with class?” she enquired. “I've seen more than enough of it to know how to make your party into something above and beyond your previous expectations. Though most of us wouldn't really enjoy such an event, but you would have been groomed into understanding and enjoying them by now!” I pointed out. “I am an important Pony, every Pony know it!” she just sneezed. “I know, I keep track of everything. Knowing Ponies is part of who I am, now, let's get to your throne!” I continued. Only this time, the balloons and confetti is limited to one half of the room, as large as it is. The other half is emulating the feel of a grand Gala, as was due. “But, there are no balloons on this side of the room. There is even a Chello in the corner, placed on what may be taken for a scene?” Diamond Tiara commented. “That is correct. I've invited a very special Pony to entertain us tonight, I hope this will please you, my Princess!” I stated. “Now you're talking, this starts to sound like a party I can enjoy Royally!” she responded. “I certainly hope so, considering just how much effort has been put into this enterprise. Even with my common parties in consideration, that is!” I responded. “Ah yeah, I've been to a few of them. You may very well have outdone yourself, this time!” she acknowledged, with a small smile on her face. “There is one small detail, since you are the Princess and host of this party, you'll be greeting every Pony in a graceful and Royal manner. I know how that is, since Twilight Sparkle explained it after the Gala. It isn't fun, but it should give you a perspective on what you're aspiring to. Besides, it could make the rest stand out even further!” I pointed out. “Wait, that can't by any chance be 'Orange Juice', could it?” she enquired, as if it wasn't something she had expected, at least not from me. “It certainly is, and it is fine juice, not the cheap stuff every pony drink either. Would have been beneath me to present that on an occasion like this. Oh, and here comes the Guest Pony, the Chelloist. Octavia!” I pronounced. “You can start to tune your instrument, so that you can start your performance!” I then instructed her. Octavia soon found her stage, picked up her Chello and started tuning it, before she started to warm up, in a playful manner. “Here comes the Waitresses!” I pointed out, as a line of Unicorns entered the room, then lined up by the table. “There's Twilight Sparkle and Rarity. They're going to be waitresses on my party?” she pointed out with a small giggle on her voice. “Certainly, I know they will perform the role gallantly. Wouldn't like to see juice spilt on your Royal Highness, now would we!” I teased. “Certainly not!” she throned, with some level of indignation. “Good. Now it is time to for you to prepare, and greet the guests. They will be here shortly!” I continued. She chanced a brief glance at the table where the gifts had been stacked. Musing on what she guessed could be inside of them. Just not lingering on the scene for too long. Only now the sounds of the Chello could clearly be heard, as Octavia had started to play. “Yes, the guests!” Diamond Tiara intoned as a reflection, as she moved towards the door in her best impression of the class of a royal Pony. “Welcome to my Royal Party, Silver Spoon!” she greeted her friend. “Wow, I had never expected anything quite like this. Not in Ponyvile, and not from Pinkie Pie!” Silver Spoon responded, as she moved along towards her designated seat. “Welcome to my Royal Party, Snips!” she continued as Snips came next. “Welcome to my Royal Party, Snails!” she continued, as Snails came next. The two unicorn foals just gawked at what they saw inside of the room. This is what a Royal Party looks like!” they then chorused on their way to where they were supposed to sit. Now the first tune of Octavia's concert was on the air, lightening the mood of the room. She actually made it all a very playful mood, and she did show, just how well she knew her instrument. There even was a feel to it, that told just how much she loves her Chello. Several more fillies and colts entered the room, one by one given a personal greeting from Diamond Tiara, and the responses were just as awkward as the first had been. One by one they found their seats. Most was also taken aback by finding the fine Orange Juice in the glasses on the table. Apple Bloom among others, was particularly happy to see the pitchers with Cider, maybe she knew where it came from, since there is little to no point, bringing in Cider from out of town, and the best and finest Cider still came from the orchard of her family. One by one, each foal placed a gift on the table intended for the purpose, and the table filled up fairly well as they all had left something a little extra. Only none knew just how special this was intended to be. Once she had taken her seat, she raised her glass. “Cheers!” Diamond Tiara pronounced. “Cheers!” the other foals responded, rising their glasses, cheering her on. This is the moment where I slide to the background, just enjoying the music, waiting for the next moment to act. So long as every pony was happy, so am I. Nothing more to do, right now. I had instructed the Unicorns to serve the foals, every time they gave a sign they wanted something. “May I fill up your glass, Diamond Tiara?” Twilight Sparkle enquired, as she noticed the glass was empty. “Yes, Please!” she merely responded, nodding her head towards the Waitress. The first pitcher of Juice soon floated to the table, and the juice slowly started to fill up on the glass. Then the pitcher moved back to the original position, with just a little bit less of its content. “May I fill up your glasses?” Rarity enquired, as the three of the Cutie Mark Crusaders glasses was empties. “Yes, Please!” Sweetie Belle responded for all three of them. “I still like the Cider better, as fancy and expensive as the Juice may be!” Apple Bloom pointed out. “No Problem, Apple Bloom!” Rarity responded. Two pitchers floated to the table, and the three glasses filled up, one by one, before the pitchers floated back to their position. “Time to serve the cake!” I announce. “Yes!” Twilight responded, before she cuts the cake in slices, floated them onto the small plates, and placed them onto the table, starting with the place for Diamond Tiara, following up with Silver Spoon, then Snips and Snails, continuing down the line until all had been served. “Time to sing!” I then continued, just as Octavia finished one of her many tunes. “Happy Birthday..!” I started out, and everyone stood up, singing for our Princess of the day. Octavia play the tune on her Chello along with us. The tune ended, and everyone cheered for Diamond Tiara, who managed to present a royal grin for all her 'Subjects'. This only did make the event even more memorable for all of us. Maybe she could carry some of the joy of the day with her in the days to come, or at least I had tried to do something for her. Now both cake and pastries was freely available, to any and all who wanted more. Twilight Sparkle and Rarity handled most of it, since they are the best handling it, though the remaining Unicorns did pull the remainder just in order to make sure none had to wait more than reasonable, for the small portion of joy. “Call forth the Piñata!” I called. Diamond Tiara came forth, and I hoofed her the 'bat' she was to smash the Piñata with, and blindfolded her, before sending her off towards the treats. Apparently she managed tog et almost right, as she started out hitting for the Piñata. Several tries later, she made the first hit. “That's a Royal bust!” Silver Spoon giggled at her seat, where she was looking at the spectacle, just like every pony else. A few more hits, and the candy rained down all over her, and the foals quickly gathered around, snatching as much as they could, choosing what looked the most tasty. “That was a hit, Pinkie Pie!” Twilight giggled, as she saw the foals in a pile on and around where the candy and sweets had fallen. “Seems I still know how to throw a party. Besides, this can't be avoided if it is a party for foals!” I responded, giggling away. “You certainly know Party throwing, and foals!” Rarity interjected with a wide smile on her face. At this point, there wasn't a sour face in the room. The foals now tried their best, pulling the spoils with them to the respective seats. Some sweets were consumed on the way, who could resist? Then they finally managed to get back. The mood around the table was just as cheerful as I had anticipated. More juice and Cider was served, more Cake and pastries eaten. “You really like the Muffins?” I asked Dinkie, where she sat with a mountain of Muffin peels behind her plate. “Yes, Pinkie Pie, I sure love the Muffins!” she responded. A few hours the sun was setting, and everyone was stuffed to the brink, making a few grins as reaction, otherwise, the roof is way up in the sky. “I'll have to ask Rainbow Dash to fetch the roof by tomorrow!” I teased Twilight Sparkle. Both Twilight Sparkle and Rarity laughed at that, just as I had expected. Reversing Fortunes: 6Apparently, I had woken up early, just like I did yesterday. Just like then, my mane is flat. I realised, there was something I had to do, and some pony wouldn't exactly be ecstatic about, what I'm about to do, either. I could say as much. I went downstairs, picking up a few Cup-Cakes, peeled hem off and chewed them down, only to wash them down with a glass of juice. After I had cleaned up after myself, I went upstairs. Once I had closed the door to my room, I unceremoniously open the sipper, and step through, only to find myself in the bed room of Filthy Rich. Naturally I knew where I am, but they don't know I'm here, not just yet. Here's the shocker, he had a Mistress in the room with him, and she lay by his side. I guess I couldn't blame him, right. Not for the Mistress, but for everything else, and now he will have time to regret it, even if he may not realise why, just yet. I stepped up to the side of his Mistress, readied the blade and placed it on her belly, just down between her legs. She didn't feel it, before I pressed it in and pulled it all the way up to her throat. Inside I found something that may have been a surprise, but I pulled out the foal, cut her free and placed her on Filthy's belly. Now, if her pregnancy wasn't a surprise to him, the foal on his belly sure should ruin his mood, wouldn't it? If it didn't, it would prove just what kind of a Stallion he was. “Sorry Mistress, but this is how this cookie crumbled!” I told her, before I slipped out of the room and sipped behind me. Thankfully, I had managed not to spill a single drop of her blood on the floor, and none on the floor of my room either. Any other pony would call it miraculous, by any account, but I had even managed to wash myself off, before I went down to have a glass of juice, before I started my day. Thankfully the poor mare had lost consciousness, mere seconds later, since the pain from her belly would have been pure hell on her, had she stayed conscious for any longer. Blood flowed freely from the long cut all the way along her body, she was losing it pretty quickly, and by the time Filthy woke up, it was basically too late. His Mistress never had a chance to speak a word of what she was told. If it had made any difference on Filthy Rich, aside from the detail, knowing who had ripped his family apart. What had woken him up, is the wet body on his belly. A poor fillie, never to know her mother. The fillie whose father would never know peace, ever again. Filthy Rich had never been a cold Stallion, he is merely taking care of his business the best he could and it had forced him to do what had to be done, even when it made him step on hooves, or even trample ponies right and left. Only this morning was the time for him to pay for his deeds, and see what he was doing, and it certainly wasn't pretty. He tried to stay quiet, sobbing over what he could never have. He saw the blood of his mistress, and then her cut up belly. There was no saving her, and the day is ruined. He simply lacked the will to rise out of his bed. Why bother going up? Only then the unthinkable happened, but it was inevitable. The door slid up and Diamond Tiara sneak into the room, maybe she had knocked, none had listened, he had not cared. What came next is the scream, as she saw her father heartbroken on the bed. All the blood not just covering the bed and his mistress. Blood was under the bed, since the mattress couldn't contain it all. A scream was all she could muster, she wasn't expecting all the blood. Her father just lay limply, sobbing, which only made her worry all the more. What could possibly have happened. Aside from the two limp adult ponies, only the incredibly small filly was moving. If this filly lay on her fathers bead, it had to be her sister. Only that's when Diamond finally caught wind of what had happened. She just stopped dead in her tracks. Her father's business wasn't something she pried into, knowing it was best leaving him to handle it. A Day Knows no Happiness: 7Author's Note Diamond Tiara's POV A Day Knows no Happiness: 7 I guess my joy had been spilt, right there with the blood of my father's joy. I had never really gotten to know her, but if it tore my father up like this, it screwed my day up royally too. Maybe I never saw that much of him, but to see him and the macabre scene, it just ruined it all for me. In the end, I had managed to carry the little filly out of the room. Ofhorse, I knew it wouldn't change anything for my poor father, but at least the filly wouldn't be covered in blood, so I could see her, then washed her off, in hope the blood could rinse with a portion of my bad luck? To my surprise, I found a white filly in my hooves. Since she had barely been born, she was bound to have her flanks blank, I guess there is no shame in that. We're all born with blank flanks, even Celestia and Luna had to have been like this, for a while. Good thing with fillies this age, they are pretty easy to carry around since they are so light weight. Once I had managed to carry her into the bathroom, I carefully washed her off with a wet cloth I had to drench in water every other minute. It felt as if it was to take forever. At least she is quiet, but she is warm and moves about a little, so I think she is going to do okey. If my father isn't getting up, I'm bound to care for my little sister, since she can't make it on her own. I then dried her off and wrapped her in a small towel, just to keep her warm. Then I noticed, she was looking up at me. I had closed the door to his bedroom, not to disturb him in his pain and sorrow, I have more than enough on my hooves as it was. I can't abandon her in this time of need. Now I do have a problem, I can produce no milk for her, and her mother lies dead, knowing there is no 'Formula' around, I could prepare for her, but she was to need to eat soon. This only left me with a single option, I had to go out and leave my home. I realised I couldn't ask Mrs. Dazzle Cake, as convenient as this may have been, just as I could never ask Pinkie Pie, in part since she lives with, and work for the Cakes. As much as I had loved the party she arranged for me. Just the day before this? The next Mare on my list would be Rarity. At least she has class, as annoying as the filly she is caring for may be, in part due to her friends, the Cutie mark crusaders. My sister needs me to feed her, and I had very few options, I could as well bite the sour apple before me and be done with it. Since this is my only option, I picked her up, trotted out and closed the door behind me, before I trotted off towards Rarity's Boutique, in hopes she is actually there and had a moment to spare for me. As I trotted along the road, thoughts swirled around in my head, trying their best to burst out and crack my skull open. I knew I couldn't go to Silver Spoon's house, it isn't something I could ask of them. I had avoided Apple Jack, since she lives by the Everfree forest, Flutter Shy living on the other end of town, way out in the forest wasn't my idea of where to go right now. My life is tough enough as it was. I still do feel warmth from my sister, or if it is a half sister, since I don't know who my mother was. I guess she couldn't live with the life my father made for himself. As it were, the warmth from her was all that kept me going. In the end, I managed to go where I intended to go, but to my surprise, the door is open and Rarity stand inside, smiling. I just couldn't see why, maybe I should go in, since I had no other place to go, no matter what. My sister demanded this out of me, even if she couldn't speak the words, not for months to come. “Hi, Rarity!” I said, putting up as brave a face as I could muster. “Greetings, Diamond Tiara!” she replied, looking at me. “My sister needs to be fed, could you help her in any way?” I enquired, trying my best to hold it together. “Come on in, Diamond. I'm sure I have something I could help you with!” she responded, as she leads me inside, behind the Boutique. Apparently, the last of the once who had been with her had left, just before I stumbled in. Guess this is convenient on my part, since I wouldn't like ponies to see me right now. I'm alone and desperate, I had none to turn to, other than Rarity, it seems. She is after all known as the element of Generosity. “Oh, there is it. The bottle I fed Sweetie Belle with. There is even a package of formula. Guess there was a reason to keep it around. Good thing these powders stay good forever!” she said as she mixed up a portion for a newborn fillie, which is fairly close to the truth. I just couldn't put myself up to explain the hideous details of what had happened. How could I ever face, what had been pushed up into my face? If I could push it before me, I'd happily do so, for as long as I could. I placed my little sister on a table, where she just lay, moving slightly, breathing. Rarity heated the formula, once she had made sure it was properly mixed. As it was just the right temperature, she hoofed over the bottle to me, and I slipped the rubbery top of it into her mouth. To my surprise, she managed to suck hard enough to actually get something into her mouth, though it seems as if it would take her forever. “This certainly is the smallest fillie, I have ever seen!” Rarity confirmed as she looked at her, sucking. “She may have been born prematurely. But for as long as there is life, I'm not giving up on her!” I responded, trying to make a point of my position. “You know, this is almost too close to how I felt, when I cared for my sister, back when I moved in!” Rarity consoled. “Woah!” I mouthed as my thoughts were swirling away, my hooves threatened to give out from right under me, without actually giving away what actually was behind my desperation. Good thing I had not approached Pinkie Pie, she would have been spilling the beans before I could have given the first sign, although she would have made her pantomime, never to utter a word. In the Clouds: 8Author's Note Pinkie Pie's POV In the Clouds: 8 I had gotten up early, breakfast will have to wait. Though I gulped down a glass of fine Orange Juice. This was going to be such a fine day, even if the sun had not gotten up yet. A new day, and a new deed. My mane is just as flat as it had been the other day, and I knew what this means. I had another pony to care for. I guess this would spoil the day for some pony. As I stepped through, I placed my hooves on the belly of a Pegasus, how curious. I guess I should have made a crazy laugh, but I could spare it. I started out, cutting up the chest of the Stallion, pulling his heart out, before placing it in his mouth. This was going to be painful on him, but not for long. I then cut his wings off of his back, seeing as his blood gushed out of his body. Then I moved on to his wife, laying by his side. I chose to cut her up the same way, before I pulled her heart out, slipping it into her mouth. That ought to teach them not to be mean to poor fillies? Good thing I had the trick for what is before me, levitation works in the clouds, just as well as it had, as I paid respect to Rainbow Dash. With that, I moved to the next room, where the foals lay sleeping. I opened the door, slide in and the next moment I stand before the bed. I just made a few incisions, and the wings came loose. Just leaving the foal as it lay. Moving to the next room, finding the next foal. Laying on the belly, so I simply repeated the process. That's another Pegasus, never to be mean to a filly who isn't a strong flyer. Funny thing, I have never heard of a Pegasus died, or what happened to them. Would they drop to the ground? In this case, I could clearly see a pool of blood both in the respective bed, and just under the bed. Since it was all the Ponies in the family, I am done here, or so they would have thought. There is the one thing I had to do first. I need to make a statement, sending a message to the Pegasi, for this to hit home as I had intended. With that, I picked up a single feather from the left wing of the youngest of the fillies, dipped it in her very own blood, before I wrote the message on the cover from her very own pillow. I had pulled it off of her pillow, placing it on the floor before me, before I wrote the words; “Remember the fate of Flutter Shy?”. Once the message had been placed squarely in view in the middle of her floor, I pulled the feathers off of her now free wings and gathered them up in another pillowcase. I carry the new pillow out to the dining table. I soon carried the rest of the pillows to lie by its side. I just pulled each and every feather of their lost wings, before making a new pillow of a pillowcase for them. For a final gesture, I slipped the now feather-free wings inside of the Mare of the house, leaving her with a pregnant look, though she is dead as dust at this point. What is to become of the family, or what remains of it is out of my hooves. I have no more to do with them, or the fate of the two foals. Why linger. If their parents wouldn't be missed soon enough, their foals are expected in school in about an hour. I guess that would have to make due. Good thing with being in the clouds, there can be no hoof prints. Since I had performed, I gathered myself and went back to where I had come from, merely slipping out, before I closed the gap through which I had entered, thus leaving the last hit as to where it all came from. Oh wait, I have a party to plan for, and chores to perform. I need my breakfast in order to do all that. With that, I rushed down the stairs, to where the muffins lay, waiting for me. I slipped the peel off of them, before hastily chewing them down, swallowing the last crumbs, while drinking another glass of juice. Cleaning up after my breakfast, checking what was required and ticked off the list, before I left the house, trotting towards the first shop on the list. Late For School: 9Author's Note The Social Worker's POV Late For School: 9 It wasn't like them to be late for school. Strange. Just as their parents were tidy and punctual, how could they have failed to send the two foals to school. Fillies would be fillies, as they say, but this was still way out of their characters. If there had been a note of some kind, any sign of what had happened, but nothing. In the end, somepony had to do something. That some pony was me, which I had to point out, is something I deeply regret, right now. Why did this have to fall upon my shoulders? What had I done wrong to deserve, what I was about to face? I had knocked on the door, nothing, silent. Then I had knocked again, yet not a single noise from inside. I had to resort to more brute measures. After knocking a third time, this time insistent and loud, much more so than the etiquette would call for, if not for the fact that I had been summoned in order to investigate the absence of the fillies. They had never been seen at school during the entire day. Absence without due cause or even a lame excuse is intolerable, after all. We have a reputation to live up to. Once I had given up on getting any response from inside, I did what I had been called in for, I forced my way inside. Good thing I am alone. There was none behind me, even if I may have enjoyed the company of a fellow guard to lean against, as touch as I may like to be seen, at least in public. I have a reputation to uphold, as a guard, more so than the common Cloudsdale Pegasus. Heading for the parents bedroom first, in hope to see someone there, maybe they had had fallen ill and thus been prevented from responding? I guess I would have preferred that right now. I am not a Stallion to enjoy the sight of death, a dead pony made me sick to my stomach. They are in their bed, al-right. Dead as dust. That is the pleasant part of it. They are not just dead. Some pony, or something had been in their room. Their wings cut off, cleanly. Who or what ever had done it, knew how to perform the surgical incisions in order to remove the wings with a minimum of effort. Then it hit me, it looks as if the Mare was pregnant, from a few months back. I just wanted to scream, to turn tail and fly off, never to be seen. Yet, there are the two fillies to find. With that, I moved on and moved in, into the room. There they lay. I took note of the scene, the pair of adult ponies laying side by side, just as they had as they went to sleep, never to wake up, ever again. Prevented, by death, a death caused by foul play as the term went. From there, I moved to the next stop, the respective rooms of the two missing foals. I found them where I had expected them to be, on their respective beds, wings cut off, as it would seem. Once I came into the younger foal's room, I found a pillow casing on the floor, with a gruesome message written in what appears to be blood, possibly from the fillie herself? There was a pool of blood under her bed. My obligation is to the living. Maybe I should manage to confirm a little fillie still among us. I also do have an obligation towards Cloudsdale and the guards who sent me off. In the end, I managed to make myself moving to the room where the younger of the two had been, the one I thought most likely to be alive. Seems she had not died, not yet. With this one, on the surface happy thought I left the building as it stood, flying back and reported what I had seen. The words I had never wanted to say, about the things I certainly had never wanted to see. It all disturbed me to the core. “What!” the Captain responded, as he saw me slipping in through the door. “Sorry, I couldn't really find the parents. Although a small fillie seems to be alive!” I mumbled. “You couldn't find them? Had they just flown off, or died?” he enquired, now picking up on my sorry state. “As dust. Send your most hardened medics. Don't bother the soft hearted once, it will crush them. Yet, they need to go, just in case and to mop up the scene. Seal off the building too!” I responded. “Wait, you mean to say? Both parents are dead? Just don't tell me they were murdered?” he continued. “Brutally so, and maimed. Some pony is mocking us. Seriously rubbing it in. Who ever is going there will see!” I pointed out. “Mocking us, how so?” he enquired. “Stuffing pillowcases with the deceaseds' feathers, how does that make sense? Aside from spelling out a message on a pillowcase, most likely in blood?” I pointed out, now looking down at the floor below me. “Good thing you warned me. I could have sent some nice guards and nurses in there, but it wouldn't be nice, even if it is a matter of duty to clean it up!” he pondered. “I would restrict information, just in case. Either fear of copycats. Neither is good, right now!” I continued. “I think you should go, see the counsellor. I had not intended for you to see anything on this level!” he responded. I tried to fly off in haste, only to wobble about, but finally did make it to where I was going without too much notice or problems. Family Matters: 10Author's Note Diamond Tiara's POV Family Matters: 10 I had stayed over at Raritys Boutique over the day. Then I had sobbed myself to sleep. Guess sleep finally did catch me, somewhere in the smallest of hours. Filthy could survive on his own, unless he chose not to. At least for these few hours, it isn't as if he was to starve to death. If he just lay still, which I was pretty sure he would, dehydration wasn't that bad, from just these few hours. In the end, I still had to go home. Not so much that I did care about school, right now, it is about as far from my mind as it could get. I had managed to feed my diminutive sister, or half sister. I have no idea and it isn't as if I really did care. She is family, which is about as far as my cares would reach, right now. Rarity had promised I could use up the last of the formula. She would even help me buy some more. I guess it is her generosity speaking. For once, I wouldn't have a care in the world. Sweetie Belle had even promised to tell Cherilie that I would be absent for a few days. That left me with the one all encompassing care and worry. First for my sister and secondly for my father. I couldn't just leave him to die, now could I? With my father in his present state, I seem to be the only Pony left to care for the diminutive infant. The exact state of her position in my direct family could be left on the sidelines for now. She is apparently all I have, as it stands. Since the infant had been fed, I could afford myself the luxury of a few more hours of sleep, for what little good it could do for me at this present time. Even if I was oblivious of the world, while I sleep. I chose the option and slipped into my bed. Thankfully, what I am to refer to as my sister for now chose to take my example and soon fell asleep beside me. With that, I guess I could at least sleep. Once I actually did manage to sleep, my dreams are scary; the sun is crimson, the water is in pink hues, right along with the clouds. To my surprise, I was granted a rare honour, Luna showed up. She stayed with me the entire time. As I finally did wake up, the sky from my dreams are out the window. At least to me, it does look pink to crimson, even if any other Pony would vehemently deny it if they were asked. Another part of the sky had apparently chosen to manifest on my pillow as I slept, since it is clearly soaking wet from the tears I had been shedding, weeping for hours. My cheeks still wet and red. Little to no point in drying them, now is there. I feel an imaginary black thunder cloud over my head, as if it constantly had been raining on me, leaving the trails of tears on my cheeks. I had little to no appetite. Only then I realised I had to eat something, while thinking of the large stash of candy I had from the party Pinkie Pie threw me on my birthday, was that yesterday, or an eternity back in time, guess that was little to no difference. I picked up some of the candy from the other day, more or less randomly. Once I had removed the thrice damned wrappings, I chewed them down, a few at the time, before I moved out into the kitchen. Once there I managed to catch a pot and filled it with water I soon managed to heat up. I mixed a portion of the remainder of the formula for my sister, before I heated it to a comforting temperature for her to eat. From there I carried the bottle into my room, where she still lay where I had left her. Apparently, a foal her age doesn't really move around all that much. I guess it is convenient, even if it made me worry, from time to time. She is after all awfully young and small, what if she didn't make it? What if I found her dead, next moment I was looking at her? Not that the problem of preparing a portion of formula too much bothered me, it was to see my sister dead that terrified me. Just another corps of a deceased member of my family would still pain me, but to see my sister dead? Could I take it, or would I simply die right then and there? My thoughts shied away from the mere thought in terrors. I pushed the past and what I had seen out of my mind the best I could. Trying to focus on the one thing before me. I have a sister who needs my care. She couldn't make it on her own. That much was only too obvious to me. If it gave me an excuse to skip out of school wasn't all that enticing a thought, right now. Then I could see she was actually moving, she is clearly awake. She made tentative baby noises, quiet, as if she tried to be considerate of my still pained, but alive father, currently out of reach to me. As if seeing him right now wouldn't just pain me even more. I pulled the one important burden out of his sight, more for my own sanity than the care for him. He knew as well as I, just how much I used to care for him, but now wasn't the time to dwell or dawdle upon the matter. He is an adult, he could survive on his own. If he couldn't, what could I have done for him? If he felt the need, he could ask me for it. I helped my sister up into a sitting position and slipped the intended bottle into her grasp for her to suck as best she could. I had seen her eating the other day, was it. Faint noises was heard from her, as she slowly got the liquid food into her mouth and swallowed greedily, like an infant should. I guess seeing her was indeed the best thing I could do, right now. I am content in just seeing her eat, or play in her foalish ways, if content is the right word in this situation of pain and grief, in my lonely state. There is little to nothing I could do at anything or for any Pony. The one thing I could do right now, is to feed and in general care for and look over my sister, ignoring any and every thing else, including myself to a great part. She did not know or understand what was going on around her. The details surrounding her birth are out there, she had no knowledge, care or understanding of these things. They are merely the pain or poison to me and my father. The mistress on my father's side, or if she was indeed my mother is no more. She had been forced to give up, not merely her position in my father's heart and life, but her very own life and daughter in the process. There was nothing to be done for her. I could but feel the sting, merely thinking of how it had affected my father. Most of the time, I lay on top of my bed, just laying there, looking at and after my sister, what else could I do. Then I was leaving the bed in order to prepare the one thing I could do, before coming back to my room and feed her. What ever was her name, some Pony had to think of it. Just that I am not in the mood right now, even if it was my place. From time to time, I had chewed on candy from the other day, stashed away in the heat of the joy from the party. Would I ever feel the joy again, would I be strong enough to even treasure the one last chance on happiness I was ever to have? Then I simply fell asleep as my eyes had grown too heavy and my sight too blurry. I had simply slipped off into the realm of dreams. Luna's domains. Maybe, could I take some comfort in her graceful presence? Only the cares are for another day, if I ever managed to raise to my hooves and walk out into the light of day, ever again. Luna was apparently still with me, she had not given up on me. At least not yet. I guess I had that to be thankful of? She was there with me the entire night, but busy chasing off the beasts bent on having me for a meal, by the looks of it. Then I woke up, eventually. That is something else I guess I had to have been expecting. Looking up, my sister is still where I had left her the other night. I hear her breath, as weak as her breath is, but I guess that is to be expected for a foal her age and size. Up There – Down There: 11Author's Note Suri Polomare's POV Up There – Down There: 11 I had gone to bed, like any other night. I need my sleep, just as I need my bits. What I don't need, is an assistant that abandons me, for what ever silly nonsense notion got to her this time. If not for her, I would have been claiming the prise, just like was my right to. I am tired and sleepy, the day had been long and demanding. Striving for success is not an easy feat, it sucks the marrow out of your bones. I have worked hard to get, where I am now. Don't even bother trying to take that away from me. The door to my bedroom is closed, the outer door securely locked. Finally I could have a moment of well deserved sleep, couldn't I. I had slipped in under the welcoming quilt, closing my eyes, feeling the day coming to an end. There is something wrong, but I can barely open my eyes or care at this point. Only then I hear steps on my floor, she doesn't even bother hiding. I could clearly hear her as she closed in on me. Where did she come from? How did she manage to be in my home, let alone my bedroom and at this time of night? How did she even know where I live? My mind turned into a blur of endless question I was never to have an answer to. I barely knew her or recognised her. The pink mare confidently moved up to my bed, looking down on me. Why would she have that toothy grin on her face? “No, but see who is here!” Pinkie Pie hissed in a strange tone of voice, merely confusing me even further, although she was starting to scare me. “Suri Polomare, wasn't it? Yes, with the stressed emphasis on was, you heard that right!” she then went on. I just looked up, something was very wrong here, as if I had been seeing a horror movie, only I am the victim of the scene. I certainly didn't like hat it was starting to look like here. I just couldn't quite rouse myself up enough to react, or act on what was before me. Then the next insane notion hit me, as if it had been a scene from the latest “Nightmare on Elm-street”? I wanted to scream, to raise to my hooves and try to bolt out of the room, past the cruelly calm Pony slowly moving towards my bed, as if she was here to wake me up in order for me to get up to the next appointment. Did I have an appointment tomorrow, or was it a day off? I had no idea. As slow as she may have been, all of a sudden, she was beside the bed. Only then she drew a blade. It isn't a knife, dagger or sward. It's a magical blade, as if forged out of darkness. There would be nothing leading back to the mare before me, no more than the nightmare phantom of the old horror movies. Why had I seen any of them, back when I had been the little fillie. I guess fillies doesn't do as they were told, more than colts did. Why would either, they are merely foalish foals, not knowing what was good for them. I had been one of these fillies, back in the day. The good old days, as it turned out. Then I thought I heard a demented laughter. Insane. Who or what ever it was before me, could be no Pony. Ponies just couldn't maintain such calm, then give off such a laughter. “Oh, but you know me. You know of me. You know who I am!” the pink mare pronounced in an evil taunt as she moved closer. “Since you will not remember who I am, I could as well tell you right now. You see, I am Pinkie Pie. Yes, my hair was curly when you last saw me, wasn't it?” she went straight to the point. By now I had mustered as much as a weak nod. Was it the last reaction out of me? “Ah yeah, I do see you do recall me, after all. As much as you may want to deny it. If not for me, but just as much for yourself. You want to see yourself as a good Pony, don't you?” she pressed on, with that demented look, as hard as steel. I merely nodded, too weak to even mumble anything coherent enough even for myself to recognise it for speech. She certainly had scared the light out of me. In the name of the darkness behind Luna in her guise as Nightmare Moon, what had I been trampling for this? “I just so happen to know, I have all the time I could possibly want with you. There will be none to bother us, for the little time you have left amongst the living!” she pushed even further, clarifying both intent and situation. “Wh-what?” I managed to stammer, only too weak to actually get any further in what I had originally intended to say. “Good thing I stopped you, before you had a foal. Even Manehattan, as large a city as it may be is too small even for a single one like you. I am cutting your time short here. Right now!” she declared, as if she was saving me, rather than killing me? “Do I need to explain what you are, any further?” she pointed out. The blade she had produced now mere inches from my throat. I knew where this was going, I already felt the taste of blood in my mouth. Soon, the blade touched me and the last of my doubts died along with my hope, my hopes and dreams. All the dreams for myself, my business and the fillie I had hoped to raise one day, not too far from now. I merely needed to find the right Stallion to, to sire the foal I had desired to have. The mere thought of the Stallion I had hoped to sire my foal brought up a fresh pang of regret. There would be no Stallion for me and I would have no fillie. Just as what I had built up would die right along with me. I didn't even have an apprentice or assistant on my side. I am utterly alone. “Oh, don't worry about any worldly woes. You will not even have much time to be bothered with the pain of your passing. Don't even worry about the blood that is about to cover your bed, soak it and then seep through and drip onto the floor. These are for others to be bothered with!” she expressed in what seems mockery, more than actually care for me. Although I may be wrong on that point? I certainly had been wrong on the point of that white Unicorn who had been foolish enough to go up against me. That error had cost me my assistant, aside from other opportunities, since the debacle had cast doubts on not just my honesty, but my capabilities and my work in general. Then, all of a sudden she cut the thought short. The blade pressing against my skin, cutting the flow of air too thin for me to think clearly for more than the short moment. “Guess it is your time. Time to say good-bye to what ever you hold dear, like your life, your home and what ever friends you may have had?” she pressed on. My eyes went up wide for an instant, then I gave up. I realised this race was over and I had lost. This mare knew what she was doing. She had obviously had it all planned out, far in advance. She seems to be the mare who knows everything and never slipped or fell, no matter what you threw at her. The first drop of blood fell on my snow white bed sheets. The sign of what was to come. My time was running out. Now it was truly the end. I still felt the blade relentlessly press on, slowly insistently slipping through my flesh. She was slitting my throat and there was nothing I could ever have done about it. My tears slowly started to fall. “You know what? Even if you had chosen to move to any other location, or tried to hide, I would still have found you. It would have changed nothing. At least, you lived out your last day bravely, for what little comfort there is in it?” she denounced, neither mocking not comforting, merely pointing out the inevitable in the situation. Something in her voice told me, she knew it was true, there would have been no point, had I known what was to come. What had befallen upon me, this very night. Then I felt the actual taste of blood in my mouth, as she blade penetrated my throat. I felt the blood slow down my throat. Her incredibly sharp blade apparently sliced so carefully, it didn't numb me with pain as I had imagined it inevitably had to do. Why had I not gone out? I should have been unconscious by now, but apparently I stubbornly refused, as if I did not know there was no point. I am already dead, even if I did not know it, or the fact had not quite reached me. Feeling the blade slowly move down, further and further. There was nothing I could do at this point. She had only barely managed to rouse me enough to know I am dying, why? Images flickered in and out before my eyes. Images of memories, images of ideas and dreams, the blurry images of what was going on before me in my very room at this very instant. Images, merely images. Nothing but pointless image of no consequence to me. I am not going to remember any of this by tomorrow as Celestia raises the sun, like every other day. She is lowering my sun, just as Luna is raising my moon. The day is at an end and so am I. Was there yet more regret, but I can no longer see the images of what it is. “Good bye, Suri Polomare. This is your very last instant in Celestias Equestria. You are bound to see Serberous in Tartarous!” she merely pronounced, as if she had been sitting judge over me and my life. “Our aqueintance was sort and not very pleasant on either of us. I guess you will be just as happy, never to see me ever again?” she pointed out. “Funny, she is right on that one. As much as I hated to admit it!” I thought. Then her blade hit my spine, cutting my neck, then my head fell down onto the pillow, no longer mine. A corpse doesn't own material things. Once the head had fallen off of the Pony, once known as Suri Polomare, Pinkie Pie resolutely withdrew her blade and the last trace of her presence was erased. She moved back to the abomination to nature she had left open. Once she stepped through, she closed the gap. There is nothing more to lead back to who had been in the room. A dead body lay on the bed belonging to the late mare Suri Polomare. The message to who ever was to enter the room. A warning to other Ponies, driven by greed. An object to be picked up for burial. A Go-To - the Counsellor 12I had just entered my office. A nice and sunny day had been predicted, I guess this wasn't for me. As much as I may commonly enjoy the sunny days up here in Cloudsdale, but there are things I couldn't prepare for, things that ruins a perfectly fine day. I was about to have this thrown in my face and down my throat. My job is commonly easy. I just sit and wait for the next Mare or Stallion who had a tough break. Nothing serious or fundamental, just heart breaking on the poor Pony's side. I could usually slip out of it as I close the door to my office at the end of the day. Not that I am the heartless Mare, or anything, I am just not paid to bring home the trouble of other Ponies. If I go down for every little problem of others, what help would I be to them? Sadly, this is a very different day. I was rudely awakened from my daydream, known as reality. I could see her from miles away, not that I was gracing the sky with my undivided attention. “Welcome to my office!” I just spoke as she planted her hooves on the cloud, mere few yards from me. I knew this was serious from the demeanor and the wobbling flight, you get to learn to recognise the signs in this line of work. “Thanks, I need to be welcome, where I don't need to see anything or care!” she responded with a weak voice, as if she did not quite dare to say, what she had on her mind. “Since every Pony is welcome at my office, so are you. What ever hold you down, I am here to help. It is what I am paid for!” I returned. “Paid for, yes. The pay I will get for this day's work will never cover the horrors of what I had to see. I was supposed to pick up two fillies for a day at school, but what I saw, isn't something meant for eyes of mere civilians like us. Why did this have to hit my shoulders?” she moaned. “We are all paid to do our job. The jobs we were supposed to do. Apparently, the pay isn't the best reason to take the job, if it wasn't right for you. Sounds as if you saw something bloody awful today!” I responded. “On days like thins, I am thankful for the fact that my life is short, as opposed to Celestia, who had to exile her very own sister!” I thought, never uttering a sound. “Guess I can as well explain it. Trying my best to get the bloody images off of my chest, right? You are paid for it, but at least, you don't have to see the scene I just left!” he explained. “Wait, when you said bloody images, you are not using colourful imagery, you do mean this in a literary sense, right? Just to make it clear what we are talking about!” I enquired. “To be perfectly clear, both are correct, there was a bloody mess. Since I am supposed to be blunt with you here, for you to do your job. Besides, I guess I don't need to worry about any delicate details leaking out to the press, while I explain my problem and what I just saw!” he clarified. “If it was a bloody mess at the scene, it is a gore feast. Now I can see clearly, why you are so upset. I sure would have been, if I had been in your place. If you could detail what we are looking at? Any Pony to go in there to finish this will have to be prepared for what they are getting into, from what I can see. I don't want to see another Pony coming in here, because of what you saw, if I could help. Yet, it has to be dealt with and cleaned up, sooner, rather than later!” I put forth. “Well, two missing foals sounds innocent enough for the regular Pony, if this had been all there was to it. I would have loved to find them home sick, but very much alive. Even if I had contracted whatever they came down with and forced me to stay home in a week's misery, because of it. That would have been a clean and pleasant scene I could leave without any nightmares!” he continued. “Then you mean to say that the foals were dead? I can see how that would be upsetting. Just that something tells me that this isn't the end of what you saw there?” I urged him forwards. “I don't exactly like to see dead Ponies. Corpses are uncomfortably reminding us of what is to come. Yet, these were murder victims, not mere corpses of once living Ponies. There is a very sick mind behind this. There is possibly a message spelled out in the few details carefully laid out in the home of these Ponies!” he stammered in pain, thinking back at what he so recently had stumbled upon. “A message? Now you are scaring me, seriously. Do you mean to say that this is a message board to the murderer, whatever the message is? I guess I could see a murder as a message and a warning to some Pony you were an enemy off, from a strictly business psychological stance!” I pondered. “The entire family had had their wings surgically removed, for lack of better expressions. From what I saw, the wings had had every feather plucked, in order to extract the feathers for pillow stuffing, then the remainder of the wings had been used to simulate a pregnancy of the mare of the family. Each and every Pony left bleeding in their respective beds. Dead or dying?” he whispered, as if just pronouncing the words could bring forth more pain and suffering, if not to himself, then to me or other Ponies. “That is indeed a horror to behold, I am pressed to agree. What could possibly drive any Pony to perform such acts against fellow Ponies?” I responded in a weaker voice. “They taught us in school, Ponies were incapable of such acts. Even if they never mentioned this in particular, to just carve out a message in living or dead Ponies?” he continued. “To surgically remove the wings of a Pegasus? You don't suggest that this is a surgeon's work, right? If not, how could a Pony remove the wings with such accuracy? If it was a surgeon, what brought her or him down to such a level as to actually do this? Plucking feathers to stuff pillows, but killing Ponies in order to do it?” I pondered in horror. “This kind of questions are indeed abhorrent. Why are we even considering it? Who could possibly push us this far into this line of inquiries?” he continued. “I will have to send you to a psychologist. Furthermore, I will have to alert the authorities of what has transpired at the scene of this crime. Both to protect the once who would otherwise stumble across the scene, and for the good of the investigation of the crimes committed there!” I complained. “Then you take the responsibility of the investigation off of my shoulders? Thanks. If you know of a Psychologist better suited to help me, I guess I am grateful for that too. Can I go home, or would you give me a recommendation right now? Someone to talk to, I hope!” he suggested. “Right now, I would tell you to see Helping Hoof, the receptionist can give you the directions!” I responded. “Ah, thanks!” he uttered. “I hope she can help you with the immediate worries and ward the worst of your nightmares. She will send you on, if need be!” I stated as he left my office. Author's Note Pinkie Pie's POV Blooblood's Guard's POV The Prosecutor's POV The Social Worker's POV The Counselor's POV Pinkie Pie's POV Pinkie Pie's POV Just A Laughter Away: 2Author's Note Blooblood's Guard's POV Just A Laughter Away: 2 I had been guarding his door, sitting just outside of his room. I had expected it to be an easy job, who wouldn't? I know he isn't the most popular of all the Ponies of Equestria, but he isn't exactly hated. At least, not to my knowledge. I had heard a laughter from his bed, and it sure wasn't his. Just that I'm guarding his door, not his window. I couldn't imagine any Pony sneaking in through his window, even if it may have been opened. Breaking in isn't overly common here. Not entering through a window. Maybe it was presumptuous of me to expect the window to be guarded, but it was after all the door I'm guarding. If I had suspected what was passing in his room, I would have burst in, in hopes to save him, or at least protect him. Even if it had cost me my life, it would have been preferable. I missed even that chance. Now I'll be the laughing stock among guards. I had missed my chance, and now it was all flowing down the drain, just as my master's blood dripping down on the floor, unseen, unheard. He is lost to us all. I can't save him, not even if I had been the best of doctors, not even Celestia could have saved him, when I realised what had happened. At the appointed time, I open the door to his room, it is dark and gloomy. There is a smell of fresh blood, but not a sound from him. He isn't there, since he had been replaced by a corps, his body. Why did it have to be me, why did I have to be the one to find this empty room, devoid of life and joy? If I had not cared about him, cared for him, it had still been a devastating discovery on my part. At first I refused to believe my eyes, since it is simply impossible. Only then it hit me, like a bolt of lightning from a clear sky, or a crate of bricks from the roof of a very tall building. I'm done for and finished. It was my duty to make sure none was going past me in order to enter the room. As I had looked closer in order to see what I knew couldn't be there, I had realised the horrendous truth, but the only thing proving what had happened, is a large pool of blood in and under the bed, his bed. I simply collapsed on the floor, wailing as if I had seen a ghost in the middle of the day. This is where I had been found, still lost in tears, shuddering, still wailing, but with a hoarse voice.
A Bright Day: 1Author's Note Pinkie Pie's POV A Bright Day: 1 I woke up early in the morning, with an uncharacteristically wide smile, and started to laugh manically. It's a new day, and I need to create a few more smiles today. If I didn't, I would have failed. I knew how that made me feel, not something I could take. I look out the window, the sun is actually up and shine eagerly on me and everything else in site. Then it is time, breakfast, so I pick a batch of Cup-Cakes, slip the paper off of them, one by one and munch on it in my own good time, until I had swallowed the last of them. Then I wash it down with a glass of juice. Since my breakfast had met its destiny, it is time to get moving, and I had an idea, just where to. Only had to pull one of my more obscure tricks on reality in order to get there. This time I just pull down the sipper and stepped through. I'm the perfect pony to perform, what I was about to do, none other could get away with it, I knew as much. To get away is a matter of a clean getaway, and that's why I'm doing it. I don't leave any traces behind, just a dead pony. On the other side, I see the sleeping form of a male pony, a Stallion. I slowly move towards him, quietly as to not walk anypony up. I don't want to alert anypony to what I'm up to, it would ruin my idea. Just as I'm a step away from him, and it is still the Stallion I had in mind, he is Prince Blueblood. This is just perfect. I'm giving up a maniacal laugh making him wake up. Hysterically he is looking around until his eyes meat mine. The fact that my mane is flat escaped his mind. What ruined his composure is my presence. I'm not exactly on the list of ponies he'd invite, and even less so, after the debatable of the grand Galloping gala. If he thought he could get away with insulting or mistreating my friends, it is time to make it clear, that isn't going to happen, not if I could help it. I just laugh as I draw the blade, I had apparently picked up this trick at the castle, as I was there a week prior. Only since the blade isn't exactly a physical object, there is no sign of a blade, or dagger missing. That's the beauty of it all, isn't it. Now I stare down on his male form. He never was the kind of pony I ever would like, and now he never will be, since I'm cutting his chance short. “Smile!” I just hissed at him, before I demonstrated the blade and slowly lowered it towards his throat. “Oh sorry, but I guess I'll allow you to die like the prick you are, so I'll leave it in place!” I then laughed at him. “I'm not a prick, I'm a prince!” he stammered, as it dawned on him what was about to happen, but too late. “A good Prince doesn't trample another ponies feelings, or insult his fellow ponies. Besides, I know who you are, and what you're up to, don't even bother denying any of it!” I explained to him. The blade soon touched the skin of his throat. I linger, but soon press it forwards and his skin split as if eager to comply with a request. Red blood soon started to flow and his eyes went up before he lost consciousness. “I guess you're not a Blue Blood, after all!” I mused, as his blood left him behind, as if it wanted nothing to do with him. At this point I pressed the blade the rest of the way, clearly separating his head from his body. Then I simply turned my back on him, trotting back to where I came from and sipped close behind me before leaving his lifeless body where it lay. “That should teach him!” I just muttered as I left him behind.
The Lost Guard: 3Author's Note The Prosecutor's POV The Lost Guard: 3 I had been informed of the situation, and the crime that had been committed. I had been told of the guard, found by his bedside. The Stallion had been better off dead, by the looks of it. Oh well, that's not my problem. His mental state is for another to care for. My duty is to interrogate him, which is more than bad enough. I can't enjoy it, how could I. I have a heart and I intend to make it stay that way. I'm just yet another unfortunate soul, on whose shoulders the responsibility falls, and squarely so. “I take it you could as well seek a new job, and not just a new employer, since he is as dead as dust!” I pointed out. “Yeah, isn't that why I'm here!” he merely moaned in a sorry excuse for a voice. “I'm afraid that's why we're both here. He was confirmed dead on arrival, no question about it, yet no blade was found, and no other sign on what caused his death. His blood on the floor, his head completely severed from his body. There was nothing more. You were found on the scene of the crime, apparently devastated. I have clear and irrefutable confirmation that it was your job, your duty to guard him, his door. Am I to take it you found him in this state?” I enquired in a mild and as friendly a voice as I could muster. It was my duty to guard him, and the door. I found him ruined. I saw nothing as I entered the room in order to wake him at the appointed time. The rest is a blank, after that!” the poor Stallion, or rather the remains of one sobbed. “If you did not see anything remarkable once you entered the room, did you by any chance hear or see anything prior to your horrific discovery?” I continued in hope I could have anything to go on. “There is the one thing I heard, a demented laughter, it was short, and then nothing. I neither heard, nor saw any enter, nor exit the room. Nothing. Just the laughter!” he confessed, as if it had been his own mother he had just sold. “Just a Demented laughter? That is all you heard!” I responded, in order to confirm what I thought I had heard. “If a pony laughed like that, she's seriously demented!” he squealed in anguish. “Now I am worried about you. Either you heard some really demented pony, or you're totally losing it. There's the risk of both. I really wish it wasn't my place to torment you further on this point, but somepony has to ask the questions, and it fell upon my shoulders!” I pointed out, clearly cringing. “Right now, I wish I had never woken up, or that this had at least not been my night by the door!” he merely whined, before closing his eyes, as if trying to make it all go away, before breaking out in a renewed sobbing. By the looks, I could as well take him to a protective custody, he would need it, and with hope against hope, it may do him some good. As I looked up from the file, just a moment later, I realised he was to give me nothing further. I could as well send him out, keeping him wouldn't help me solving this case. “Guards, take him to a secure cell on plane three. Make sure he is safe, clean and cared for. Even if I may never get another word out of him, he is to be cared for and safe!” I pronounced. “Yes!” the first of the guards replied, before they escorted the charge out of the room, and to the room I had directed them to. Then I noticed something, the room where the victim had been sleeping only have a small window towards the inner yard. Very little hope for any pony, or any other to either enter, or exit, even if it had not been observed from the outside. If he hadn't done it, could he have closed the window after the culprit? That should be evident soon, since we would catch him in his act, if he was protecting a culprit.
Eagerly Awaited: 4Author's Note Pinkie Pie's POV Eagerly Awaited: 4 I had had a shower and enjoyed a few Muffins before I head down to start my day at work. Customers would be eagerly awaiting me down at Sugar-Cube Corner. I have a job to do, simple as that, isn't it. With a freshly groomed coat, I had set off, starting the day. I love baking, since everypony love a good Muffin, do I need more reasons. I feel it is all I need. I'm making the day for somepony, and I get a wide grin for it. I need the first batches of pastries ready before we could open up shop for the day. With that, I pull out the ingredients, and equipment. Then I follow the recipe, creating the base for the first batch of Muffins. Lemon Surprise, Chocolate, Apple, Blueberry, they're all great Muffins. I just mix in the added ingredients, Lemon, Chocolate, Apple, or Blueberry, before I pour the dough into the small white paper form for each and every kind of Muffin, before I slip them into the oven. Once the first batch cooled off, the next went into the oven, and while the third was baking the first went into the shop. Simple and easy, no problems on my part. The Cakes had taught me the routine quite well. I had finally gotten the last batch of pastries into the shop, and it's time to open for the day. Just as I open for the day I spotted the first customer, no surprise there. “A dozen Lemon Surprise Muffins, please!” Ditzy stated. “I picked up the Muffins she had asked for, one at the time, before I slipped them into her paper box, and binding the string around it, before hoofing it over. “Here you go!” I said. She poured bits onto my counted and I picked them up. “You're a saviour, Pinkie!” Ditzy pronounced. “Thanks, and welcome back!” I said, as she hastily rushed off, in order to have her breakfast with her daughter Dinkie at her home. For a moment, I just looked after her as she left, it is early, so I had the time. I like her, she's such a sweet and caring Pony. If only every Pony could be more like her. “Naturally, I'm the more to fix this little problem!” I just told myself, thinking of the party I had to plan for, to make the night special for the little fillies of Ponyville. “Oh yes, this will be a very special night for one filly, I just hope she will remember it with the bliss it deserves!” I mumbled under my breath, just before the next customer slipped in, causing the chime to go off in its customary merry way. “Hiya, Twillie. What're you up for this beautiful morning!” I pointed out. “Would you by any chance have these delicious Coffee Cup-Cakes?” she responded, looking up at my cheerful expression. “The Coffee Cup-Cakes, oh yeah. I have a batch of these, something told me you would like some of these today. How many would you have today?” I enquired. “Half a dozen would be nice, and half a dozen of the chocolate variety would be great!” she explained, looking dreaming at the displayed pastries I had placed there, less than half an hour earlier. Okely dokely. Coming right up!” I responded, with a cheerful grin. “Thanks!” she responded, as she slipped a pile of bits on the counter. “You're welcome. Anything for a friend, you know!” I beamed away, as she quietly left the shop, on her way back home for yet more study. “Seven Apple and Cinnamon Cup-Cakes, Please!” Filthy pronounced in his usual manner. “Okely Dokely, coming right up!” I responded. “Thanks!” he uttered as she poured up the bits before me, and I slipped them into the counter as he looked at me. “Have a nice day, and welcome back!” I told him in my hyper voice. Then I was hit by a quaking laugher, just after the door closed him out, as he left for his home, to serve breakfast for his family. I guess I could grant them a last moment of joy?
A Filly's Party: 5First things first. I had place a huge Piñata in the middle of the large room. This is for the Fillies to enjoy. I had also prepared a large cake for everyone to feast on, that is mandatory in my book. Naturally, I had placed a large supply of assorted pastries on a small table, which is for everypony to enjoy. Parents would most likely accompany the fillies, but the fillies would most likely enjoy them too. I had even painted a huge 'Diamond Tiara' over the entrance to the door. Aside from that, I had written; 'Happy Birthday, Diamond Tiara', in order to make this as special as possible. Since this is still a party for a Filly, I went with the candy, cake and such. Just as I had managed to build a fairly good replica of Celestias very own royal throne for her to sit in, for the duration of the party. If this wasn't her best day ever, something would be off. With Diamond Tiara, it had to be a major social event, so I made this into something akin to a royal gala, she may not know what they're like, but what she is aspiring to, still warranted it, in a very different way. Now I am paying homage to it. Maybe I could allow her to feel like a princess. At least for this one night, her night. I had placed a table for the gifts to her, and even placed a few on it, before she had even entered the room. I hope it will make her feel special, she will need it. Maybe it can at least dampen the sorrow, if for just a short while. Only I couldn't tell her about anything. It's like a surprise party, only there is no party or fun, just the surprise. I had invited numerous colts and fillies, and told them to make this as special as they possibly could. I know they may not all be her best friends, but this had to be a very special day. I just couldn't explain the details, and made this out to be just one more of my unexplainable antics. They would know by tomorrow. It's just one more party on an already wildly excessive account of mine, thankfully I have all the backings I need, in part due to what I've already done for not just the community of Ponyville, but for Equestria at large, as little as they may know about it. I'm happy to keep it this way. Parties are my thing, not the hollow worshipping of countless Ponies who have no idea as to who I am. I had given every foal instructions where to sit, and made this into a royal event. Just placing them close to the once I knew they would enjoy chatting with. With that, Silver Spoon would have her right side. Then I had placed Snips and Snails, on the right and left, thus shielding her from the Cutie Mark Crusaders, who for some reason I'm not going into, are not exactly the best of friends, they seem to be antagonistic towards one another. Leaving this field open would make the effort for nought. If I am to make this into a Royal party, there is but this one more thing required, I need Unicorns as waiting on the Foals. I know I have more than enough Unicorns as friends in our little community, some of which may even be great at this job, if they had not been better at doing anything else. I had enlisted my best friends Twilight Sparkle and Rarity, everyone know they would be great at it. Then I had found a few more, just to make sure I had enough waiters for the event. Naturally, Rarity would be the main event, not just because she is nice, and is great with magic, and levitation in general, but because I trust her, for one. I left out most of the details on purpose, since it had been expected in the first place. There is a plate at each and every seat by the table, and a glass of orange juice. I knew prominent ponies had a fancy for this. Maybe it would lighten her mood up, since I know she will need that in the coming days and weeks. There is also a pile of plates on the table by the cake, and pitchers of juice and cider. I intended for them to choose what to drink, once this party had caught momentum. Some of them may actually still prefer the cider, after all. Finally, the moment I had been waiting for, and the party is to start up. I knew the time she was to arrive, and here she is coming. “Greetings, Diamond Tiara, and welcome to your very own party!” I cheered as I saw her by the door. “Hi, Pinkie Pie. You're just as upbeat as ever. I take it you've prepared everything for my party!” she responded, with her usual expression on her face. “Certainly, everything is by the book. This should be your finest party to date. I hope you will enjoy and appreciate the royal sprinkles I put into this for you!” I informed her. As I said Royal, she couldn't help but giggle, it is after all a mere filly party, not the 'Galloping Gala', but she is bound to grow up into the real world, son enough. She just did not know it, just yet. “I'll be sufficiently impressed, when I see what you've put into it. Even though you're known for your parties!” she continued., her style showing. “Today, you'll be the Princess of this Gala!” I informed her. “Did you say 'Princess'?” she enquired with a more curious voice, I had apparently peaked something within her. “Yes, I certainly did, and you'd come to understand more of it, as the night progresses!” I informed her. “Oh yeah, I remember you actually was at the 'Grand Galloping Gala' with your friends, a Pony like me has to keep track of important events. Then you would know what an event like that is like, and how to be tactful with class?” she enquired. “I've seen more than enough of it to know how to make your party into something above and beyond your previous expectations. Though most of us wouldn't really enjoy such an event, but you would have been groomed into understanding and enjoying them by now!” I pointed out. “I am an important Pony, every Pony know it!” she just sneezed. “I know, I keep track of everything. Knowing Ponies is part of who I am, now, let's get to your throne!” I continued. Only this time, the balloons and confetti is limited to one half of the room, as large as it is. The other half is emulating the feel of a grand Gala, as was due. “But, there are no balloons on this side of the room. There is even a Chello in the corner, placed on what may be taken for a scene?” Diamond Tiara commented. “That is correct. I've invited a very special Pony to entertain us tonight, I hope this will please you, my Princess!” I stated. “Now you're talking, this starts to sound like a party I can enjoy Royally!” she responded. “I certainly hope so, considering just how much effort has been put into this enterprise. Even with my common parties in consideration, that is!” I responded. “Ah yeah, I've been to a few of them. You may very well have outdone yourself, this time!” she acknowledged, with a small smile on her face. “There is one small detail, since you are the Princess and host of this party, you'll be greeting every Pony in a graceful and Royal manner. I know how that is, since Twilight Sparkle explained it after the Gala. It isn't fun, but it should give you a perspective on what you're aspiring to. Besides, it could make the rest stand out even further!” I pointed out. “Wait, that can't by any chance be 'Orange Juice', could it?” she enquired, as if it wasn't something she had expected, at least not from me. “It certainly is, and it is fine juice, not the cheap stuff every pony drink either. Would have been beneath me to present that on an occasion like this. Oh, and here comes the Guest Pony, the Chelloist. Octavia!” I pronounced. “You can start to tune your instrument, so that you can start your performance!” I then instructed her. Octavia soon found her stage, picked up her Chello and started tuning it, before she started to warm up, in a playful manner. “Here comes the Waitresses!” I pointed out, as a line of Unicorns entered the room, then lined up by the table. “There's Twilight Sparkle and Rarity. They're going to be waitresses on my party?” she pointed out with a small giggle on her voice. “Certainly, I know they will perform the role gallantly. Wouldn't like to see juice spilt on your Royal Highness, now would we!” I teased. “Certainly not!” she throned, with some level of indignation. “Good. Now it is time to for you to prepare, and greet the guests. They will be here shortly!” I continued. She chanced a brief glance at the table where the gifts had been stacked. Musing on what she guessed could be inside of them. Just not lingering on the scene for too long. Only now the sounds of the Chello could clearly be heard, as Octavia had started to play. “Yes, the guests!” Diamond Tiara intoned as a reflection, as she moved towards the door in her best impression of the class of a royal Pony. “Welcome to my Royal Party, Silver Spoon!” she greeted her friend. “Wow, I had never expected anything quite like this. Not in Ponyvile, and not from Pinkie Pie!” Silver Spoon responded, as she moved along towards her designated seat. “Welcome to my Royal Party, Snips!” she continued as Snips came next. “Welcome to my Royal Party, Snails!” she continued, as Snails came next. The two unicorn foals just gawked at what they saw inside of the room. This is what a Royal Party looks like!” they then chorused on their way to where they were supposed to sit. Now the first tune of Octavia's concert was on the air, lightening the mood of the room. She actually made it all a very playful mood, and she did show, just how well she knew her instrument. There even was a feel to it, that told just how much she loves her Chello. Several more fillies and colts entered the room, one by one given a personal greeting from Diamond Tiara, and the responses were just as awkward as the first had been. One by one they found their seats. Most was also taken aback by finding the fine Orange Juice in the glasses on the table. Apple Bloom among others, was particularly happy to see the pitchers with Cider, maybe she knew where it came from, since there is little to no point, bringing in Cider from out of town, and the best and finest Cider still came from the orchard of her family. One by one, each foal placed a gift on the table intended for the purpose, and the table filled up fairly well as they all had left something a little extra. Only none knew just how special this was intended to be. Once she had taken her seat, she raised her glass. “Cheers!” Diamond Tiara pronounced. “Cheers!” the other foals responded, rising their glasses, cheering her on. This is the moment where I slide to the background, just enjoying the music, waiting for the next moment to act. So long as every pony was happy, so am I. Nothing more to do, right now. I had instructed the Unicorns to serve the foals, every time they gave a sign they wanted something. “May I fill up your glass, Diamond Tiara?” Twilight Sparkle enquired, as she noticed the glass was empty. “Yes, Please!” she merely responded, nodding her head towards the Waitress. The first pitcher of Juice soon floated to the table, and the juice slowly started to fill up on the glass. Then the pitcher moved back to the original position, with just a little bit less of its content. “May I fill up your glasses?” Rarity enquired, as the three of the Cutie Mark Crusaders glasses was empties. “Yes, Please!” Sweetie Belle responded for all three of them. “I still like the Cider better, as fancy and expensive as the Juice may be!” Apple Bloom pointed out. “No Problem, Apple Bloom!” Rarity responded. Two pitchers floated to the table, and the three glasses filled up, one by one, before the pitchers floated back to their position. “Time to serve the cake!” I announce. “Yes!” Twilight responded, before she cuts the cake in slices, floated them onto the small plates, and placed them onto the table, starting with the place for Diamond Tiara, following up with Silver Spoon, then Snips and Snails, continuing down the line until all had been served. “Time to sing!” I then continued, just as Octavia finished one of her many tunes. “Happy Birthday..!” I started out, and everyone stood up, singing for our Princess of the day. Octavia play the tune on her Chello along with us. The tune ended, and everyone cheered for Diamond Tiara, who managed to present a royal grin for all her 'Subjects'. This only did make the event even more memorable for all of us. Maybe she could carry some of the joy of the day with her in the days to come, or at least I had tried to do something for her. Now both cake and pastries was freely available, to any and all who wanted more. Twilight Sparkle and Rarity handled most of it, since they are the best handling it, though the remaining Unicorns did pull the remainder just in order to make sure none had to wait more than reasonable, for the small portion of joy. “Call forth the Piñata!” I called. Diamond Tiara came forth, and I hoofed her the 'bat' she was to smash the Piñata with, and blindfolded her, before sending her off towards the treats. Apparently she managed tog et almost right, as she started out hitting for the Piñata. Several tries later, she made the first hit. “That's a Royal bust!” Silver Spoon giggled at her seat, where she was looking at the spectacle, just like every pony else. A few more hits, and the candy rained down all over her, and the foals quickly gathered around, snatching as much as they could, choosing what looked the most tasty. “That was a hit, Pinkie Pie!” Twilight giggled, as she saw the foals in a pile on and around where the candy and sweets had fallen. “Seems I still know how to throw a party. Besides, this can't be avoided if it is a party for foals!” I responded, giggling away. “You certainly know Party throwing, and foals!” Rarity interjected with a wide smile on her face. At this point, there wasn't a sour face in the room. The foals now tried their best, pulling the spoils with them to the respective seats. Some sweets were consumed on the way, who could resist? Then they finally managed to get back. The mood around the table was just as cheerful as I had anticipated. More juice and Cider was served, more Cake and pastries eaten. “You really like the Muffins?” I asked Dinkie, where she sat with a mountain of Muffin peels behind her plate. “Yes, Pinkie Pie, I sure love the Muffins!” she responded. A few hours the sun was setting, and everyone was stuffed to the brink, making a few grins as reaction, otherwise, the roof is way up in the sky. “I'll have to ask Rainbow Dash to fetch the roof by tomorrow!” I teased Twilight Sparkle. Both Twilight Sparkle and Rarity laughed at that, just as I had expected.
Reversing Fortunes: 6Apparently, I had woken up early, just like I did yesterday. Just like then, my mane is flat. I realised, there was something I had to do, and some pony wouldn't exactly be ecstatic about, what I'm about to do, either. I could say as much. I went downstairs, picking up a few Cup-Cakes, peeled hem off and chewed them down, only to wash them down with a glass of juice. After I had cleaned up after myself, I went upstairs. Once I had closed the door to my room, I unceremoniously open the sipper, and step through, only to find myself in the bed room of Filthy Rich. Naturally I knew where I am, but they don't know I'm here, not just yet. Here's the shocker, he had a Mistress in the room with him, and she lay by his side. I guess I couldn't blame him, right. Not for the Mistress, but for everything else, and now he will have time to regret it, even if he may not realise why, just yet. I stepped up to the side of his Mistress, readied the blade and placed it on her belly, just down between her legs. She didn't feel it, before I pressed it in and pulled it all the way up to her throat. Inside I found something that may have been a surprise, but I pulled out the foal, cut her free and placed her on Filthy's belly. Now, if her pregnancy wasn't a surprise to him, the foal on his belly sure should ruin his mood, wouldn't it? If it didn't, it would prove just what kind of a Stallion he was. “Sorry Mistress, but this is how this cookie crumbled!” I told her, before I slipped out of the room and sipped behind me. Thankfully, I had managed not to spill a single drop of her blood on the floor, and none on the floor of my room either. Any other pony would call it miraculous, by any account, but I had even managed to wash myself off, before I went down to have a glass of juice, before I started my day. Thankfully the poor mare had lost consciousness, mere seconds later, since the pain from her belly would have been pure hell on her, had she stayed conscious for any longer. Blood flowed freely from the long cut all the way along her body, she was losing it pretty quickly, and by the time Filthy woke up, it was basically too late. His Mistress never had a chance to speak a word of what she was told. If it had made any difference on Filthy Rich, aside from the detail, knowing who had ripped his family apart. What had woken him up, is the wet body on his belly. A poor fillie, never to know her mother. The fillie whose father would never know peace, ever again. Filthy Rich had never been a cold Stallion, he is merely taking care of his business the best he could and it had forced him to do what had to be done, even when it made him step on hooves, or even trample ponies right and left. Only this morning was the time for him to pay for his deeds, and see what he was doing, and it certainly wasn't pretty. He tried to stay quiet, sobbing over what he could never have. He saw the blood of his mistress, and then her cut up belly. There was no saving her, and the day is ruined. He simply lacked the will to rise out of his bed. Why bother going up? Only then the unthinkable happened, but it was inevitable. The door slid up and Diamond Tiara sneak into the room, maybe she had knocked, none had listened, he had not cared. What came next is the scream, as she saw her father heartbroken on the bed. All the blood not just covering the bed and his mistress. Blood was under the bed, since the mattress couldn't contain it all. A scream was all she could muster, she wasn't expecting all the blood. Her father just lay limply, sobbing, which only made her worry all the more. What could possibly have happened. Aside from the two limp adult ponies, only the incredibly small filly was moving. If this filly lay on her fathers bead, it had to be her sister. Only that's when Diamond finally caught wind of what had happened. She just stopped dead in her tracks. Her father's business wasn't something she pried into, knowing it was best leaving him to handle it.
A Day Knows no Happiness: 7Author's Note Diamond Tiara's POV A Day Knows no Happiness: 7 I guess my joy had been spilt, right there with the blood of my father's joy. I had never really gotten to know her, but if it tore my father up like this, it screwed my day up royally too. Maybe I never saw that much of him, but to see him and the macabre scene, it just ruined it all for me. In the end, I had managed to carry the little filly out of the room. Ofhorse, I knew it wouldn't change anything for my poor father, but at least the filly wouldn't be covered in blood, so I could see her, then washed her off, in hope the blood could rinse with a portion of my bad luck? To my surprise, I found a white filly in my hooves. Since she had barely been born, she was bound to have her flanks blank, I guess there is no shame in that. We're all born with blank flanks, even Celestia and Luna had to have been like this, for a while. Good thing with fillies this age, they are pretty easy to carry around since they are so light weight. Once I had managed to carry her into the bathroom, I carefully washed her off with a wet cloth I had to drench in water every other minute. It felt as if it was to take forever. At least she is quiet, but she is warm and moves about a little, so I think she is going to do okey. If my father isn't getting up, I'm bound to care for my little sister, since she can't make it on her own. I then dried her off and wrapped her in a small towel, just to keep her warm. Then I noticed, she was looking up at me. I had closed the door to his bedroom, not to disturb him in his pain and sorrow, I have more than enough on my hooves as it was. I can't abandon her in this time of need. Now I do have a problem, I can produce no milk for her, and her mother lies dead, knowing there is no 'Formula' around, I could prepare for her, but she was to need to eat soon. This only left me with a single option, I had to go out and leave my home. I realised I couldn't ask Mrs. Dazzle Cake, as convenient as this may have been, just as I could never ask Pinkie Pie, in part since she lives with, and work for the Cakes. As much as I had loved the party she arranged for me. Just the day before this? The next Mare on my list would be Rarity. At least she has class, as annoying as the filly she is caring for may be, in part due to her friends, the Cutie mark crusaders. My sister needs me to feed her, and I had very few options, I could as well bite the sour apple before me and be done with it. Since this is my only option, I picked her up, trotted out and closed the door behind me, before I trotted off towards Rarity's Boutique, in hopes she is actually there and had a moment to spare for me. As I trotted along the road, thoughts swirled around in my head, trying their best to burst out and crack my skull open. I knew I couldn't go to Silver Spoon's house, it isn't something I could ask of them. I had avoided Apple Jack, since she lives by the Everfree forest, Flutter Shy living on the other end of town, way out in the forest wasn't my idea of where to go right now. My life is tough enough as it was. I still do feel warmth from my sister, or if it is a half sister, since I don't know who my mother was. I guess she couldn't live with the life my father made for himself. As it were, the warmth from her was all that kept me going. In the end, I managed to go where I intended to go, but to my surprise, the door is open and Rarity stand inside, smiling. I just couldn't see why, maybe I should go in, since I had no other place to go, no matter what. My sister demanded this out of me, even if she couldn't speak the words, not for months to come. “Hi, Rarity!” I said, putting up as brave a face as I could muster. “Greetings, Diamond Tiara!” she replied, looking at me. “My sister needs to be fed, could you help her in any way?” I enquired, trying my best to hold it together. “Come on in, Diamond. I'm sure I have something I could help you with!” she responded, as she leads me inside, behind the Boutique. Apparently, the last of the once who had been with her had left, just before I stumbled in. Guess this is convenient on my part, since I wouldn't like ponies to see me right now. I'm alone and desperate, I had none to turn to, other than Rarity, it seems. She is after all known as the element of Generosity. “Oh, there is it. The bottle I fed Sweetie Belle with. There is even a package of formula. Guess there was a reason to keep it around. Good thing these powders stay good forever!” she said as she mixed up a portion for a newborn fillie, which is fairly close to the truth. I just couldn't put myself up to explain the hideous details of what had happened. How could I ever face, what had been pushed up into my face? If I could push it before me, I'd happily do so, for as long as I could. I placed my little sister on a table, where she just lay, moving slightly, breathing. Rarity heated the formula, once she had made sure it was properly mixed. As it was just the right temperature, she hoofed over the bottle to me, and I slipped the rubbery top of it into her mouth. To my surprise, she managed to suck hard enough to actually get something into her mouth, though it seems as if it would take her forever. “This certainly is the smallest fillie, I have ever seen!” Rarity confirmed as she looked at her, sucking. “She may have been born prematurely. But for as long as there is life, I'm not giving up on her!” I responded, trying to make a point of my position. “You know, this is almost too close to how I felt, when I cared for my sister, back when I moved in!” Rarity consoled. “Woah!” I mouthed as my thoughts were swirling away, my hooves threatened to give out from right under me, without actually giving away what actually was behind my desperation. Good thing I had not approached Pinkie Pie, she would have been spilling the beans before I could have given the first sign, although she would have made her pantomime, never to utter a word.
In the Clouds: 8Author's Note Pinkie Pie's POV In the Clouds: 8 I had gotten up early, breakfast will have to wait. Though I gulped down a glass of fine Orange Juice. This was going to be such a fine day, even if the sun had not gotten up yet. A new day, and a new deed. My mane is just as flat as it had been the other day, and I knew what this means. I had another pony to care for. I guess this would spoil the day for some pony. As I stepped through, I placed my hooves on the belly of a Pegasus, how curious. I guess I should have made a crazy laugh, but I could spare it. I started out, cutting up the chest of the Stallion, pulling his heart out, before placing it in his mouth. This was going to be painful on him, but not for long. I then cut his wings off of his back, seeing as his blood gushed out of his body. Then I moved on to his wife, laying by his side. I chose to cut her up the same way, before I pulled her heart out, slipping it into her mouth. That ought to teach them not to be mean to poor fillies? Good thing I had the trick for what is before me, levitation works in the clouds, just as well as it had, as I paid respect to Rainbow Dash. With that, I moved to the next room, where the foals lay sleeping. I opened the door, slide in and the next moment I stand before the bed. I just made a few incisions, and the wings came loose. Just leaving the foal as it lay. Moving to the next room, finding the next foal. Laying on the belly, so I simply repeated the process. That's another Pegasus, never to be mean to a filly who isn't a strong flyer. Funny thing, I have never heard of a Pegasus died, or what happened to them. Would they drop to the ground? In this case, I could clearly see a pool of blood both in the respective bed, and just under the bed. Since it was all the Ponies in the family, I am done here, or so they would have thought. There is the one thing I had to do first. I need to make a statement, sending a message to the Pegasi, for this to hit home as I had intended. With that, I picked up a single feather from the left wing of the youngest of the fillies, dipped it in her very own blood, before I wrote the message on the cover from her very own pillow. I had pulled it off of her pillow, placing it on the floor before me, before I wrote the words; “Remember the fate of Flutter Shy?”. Once the message had been placed squarely in view in the middle of her floor, I pulled the feathers off of her now free wings and gathered them up in another pillowcase. I carry the new pillow out to the dining table. I soon carried the rest of the pillows to lie by its side. I just pulled each and every feather of their lost wings, before making a new pillow of a pillowcase for them. For a final gesture, I slipped the now feather-free wings inside of the Mare of the house, leaving her with a pregnant look, though she is dead as dust at this point. What is to become of the family, or what remains of it is out of my hooves. I have no more to do with them, or the fate of the two foals. Why linger. If their parents wouldn't be missed soon enough, their foals are expected in school in about an hour. I guess that would have to make due. Good thing with being in the clouds, there can be no hoof prints. Since I had performed, I gathered myself and went back to where I had come from, merely slipping out, before I closed the gap through which I had entered, thus leaving the last hit as to where it all came from. Oh wait, I have a party to plan for, and chores to perform. I need my breakfast in order to do all that. With that, I rushed down the stairs, to where the muffins lay, waiting for me. I slipped the peel off of them, before hastily chewing them down, swallowing the last crumbs, while drinking another glass of juice. Cleaning up after my breakfast, checking what was required and ticked off the list, before I left the house, trotting towards the first shop on the list.
Late For School: 9Author's Note The Social Worker's POV Late For School: 9 It wasn't like them to be late for school. Strange. Just as their parents were tidy and punctual, how could they have failed to send the two foals to school. Fillies would be fillies, as they say, but this was still way out of their characters. If there had been a note of some kind, any sign of what had happened, but nothing. In the end, somepony had to do something. That some pony was me, which I had to point out, is something I deeply regret, right now. Why did this have to fall upon my shoulders? What had I done wrong to deserve, what I was about to face? I had knocked on the door, nothing, silent. Then I had knocked again, yet not a single noise from inside. I had to resort to more brute measures. After knocking a third time, this time insistent and loud, much more so than the etiquette would call for, if not for the fact that I had been summoned in order to investigate the absence of the fillies. They had never been seen at school during the entire day. Absence without due cause or even a lame excuse is intolerable, after all. We have a reputation to live up to. Once I had given up on getting any response from inside, I did what I had been called in for, I forced my way inside. Good thing I am alone. There was none behind me, even if I may have enjoyed the company of a fellow guard to lean against, as touch as I may like to be seen, at least in public. I have a reputation to uphold, as a guard, more so than the common Cloudsdale Pegasus. Heading for the parents bedroom first, in hope to see someone there, maybe they had had fallen ill and thus been prevented from responding? I guess I would have preferred that right now. I am not a Stallion to enjoy the sight of death, a dead pony made me sick to my stomach. They are in their bed, al-right. Dead as dust. That is the pleasant part of it. They are not just dead. Some pony, or something had been in their room. Their wings cut off, cleanly. Who or what ever had done it, knew how to perform the surgical incisions in order to remove the wings with a minimum of effort. Then it hit me, it looks as if the Mare was pregnant, from a few months back. I just wanted to scream, to turn tail and fly off, never to be seen. Yet, there are the two fillies to find. With that, I moved on and moved in, into the room. There they lay. I took note of the scene, the pair of adult ponies laying side by side, just as they had as they went to sleep, never to wake up, ever again. Prevented, by death, a death caused by foul play as the term went. From there, I moved to the next stop, the respective rooms of the two missing foals. I found them where I had expected them to be, on their respective beds, wings cut off, as it would seem. Once I came into the younger foal's room, I found a pillow casing on the floor, with a gruesome message written in what appears to be blood, possibly from the fillie herself? There was a pool of blood under her bed. My obligation is to the living. Maybe I should manage to confirm a little fillie still among us. I also do have an obligation towards Cloudsdale and the guards who sent me off. In the end, I managed to make myself moving to the room where the younger of the two had been, the one I thought most likely to be alive. Seems she had not died, not yet. With this one, on the surface happy thought I left the building as it stood, flying back and reported what I had seen. The words I had never wanted to say, about the things I certainly had never wanted to see. It all disturbed me to the core. “What!” the Captain responded, as he saw me slipping in through the door. “Sorry, I couldn't really find the parents. Although a small fillie seems to be alive!” I mumbled. “You couldn't find them? Had they just flown off, or died?” he enquired, now picking up on my sorry state. “As dust. Send your most hardened medics. Don't bother the soft hearted once, it will crush them. Yet, they need to go, just in case and to mop up the scene. Seal off the building too!” I responded. “Wait, you mean to say? Both parents are dead? Just don't tell me they were murdered?” he continued. “Brutally so, and maimed. Some pony is mocking us. Seriously rubbing it in. Who ever is going there will see!” I pointed out. “Mocking us, how so?” he enquired. “Stuffing pillowcases with the deceaseds' feathers, how does that make sense? Aside from spelling out a message on a pillowcase, most likely in blood?” I pointed out, now looking down at the floor below me. “Good thing you warned me. I could have sent some nice guards and nurses in there, but it wouldn't be nice, even if it is a matter of duty to clean it up!” he pondered. “I would restrict information, just in case. Either fear of copycats. Neither is good, right now!” I continued. “I think you should go, see the counsellor. I had not intended for you to see anything on this level!” he responded. I tried to fly off in haste, only to wobble about, but finally did make it to where I was going without too much notice or problems.
Family Matters: 10Author's Note Diamond Tiara's POV Family Matters: 10 I had stayed over at Raritys Boutique over the day. Then I had sobbed myself to sleep. Guess sleep finally did catch me, somewhere in the smallest of hours. Filthy could survive on his own, unless he chose not to. At least for these few hours, it isn't as if he was to starve to death. If he just lay still, which I was pretty sure he would, dehydration wasn't that bad, from just these few hours. In the end, I still had to go home. Not so much that I did care about school, right now, it is about as far from my mind as it could get. I had managed to feed my diminutive sister, or half sister. I have no idea and it isn't as if I really did care. She is family, which is about as far as my cares would reach, right now. Rarity had promised I could use up the last of the formula. She would even help me buy some more. I guess it is her generosity speaking. For once, I wouldn't have a care in the world. Sweetie Belle had even promised to tell Cherilie that I would be absent for a few days. That left me with the one all encompassing care and worry. First for my sister and secondly for my father. I couldn't just leave him to die, now could I? With my father in his present state, I seem to be the only Pony left to care for the diminutive infant. The exact state of her position in my direct family could be left on the sidelines for now. She is apparently all I have, as it stands. Since the infant had been fed, I could afford myself the luxury of a few more hours of sleep, for what little good it could do for me at this present time. Even if I was oblivious of the world, while I sleep. I chose the option and slipped into my bed. Thankfully, what I am to refer to as my sister for now chose to take my example and soon fell asleep beside me. With that, I guess I could at least sleep. Once I actually did manage to sleep, my dreams are scary; the sun is crimson, the water is in pink hues, right along with the clouds. To my surprise, I was granted a rare honour, Luna showed up. She stayed with me the entire time. As I finally did wake up, the sky from my dreams are out the window. At least to me, it does look pink to crimson, even if any other Pony would vehemently deny it if they were asked. Another part of the sky had apparently chosen to manifest on my pillow as I slept, since it is clearly soaking wet from the tears I had been shedding, weeping for hours. My cheeks still wet and red. Little to no point in drying them, now is there. I feel an imaginary black thunder cloud over my head, as if it constantly had been raining on me, leaving the trails of tears on my cheeks. I had little to no appetite. Only then I realised I had to eat something, while thinking of the large stash of candy I had from the party Pinkie Pie threw me on my birthday, was that yesterday, or an eternity back in time, guess that was little to no difference. I picked up some of the candy from the other day, more or less randomly. Once I had removed the thrice damned wrappings, I chewed them down, a few at the time, before I moved out into the kitchen. Once there I managed to catch a pot and filled it with water I soon managed to heat up. I mixed a portion of the remainder of the formula for my sister, before I heated it to a comforting temperature for her to eat. From there I carried the bottle into my room, where she still lay where I had left her. Apparently, a foal her age doesn't really move around all that much. I guess it is convenient, even if it made me worry, from time to time. She is after all awfully young and small, what if she didn't make it? What if I found her dead, next moment I was looking at her? Not that the problem of preparing a portion of formula too much bothered me, it was to see my sister dead that terrified me. Just another corps of a deceased member of my family would still pain me, but to see my sister dead? Could I take it, or would I simply die right then and there? My thoughts shied away from the mere thought in terrors. I pushed the past and what I had seen out of my mind the best I could. Trying to focus on the one thing before me. I have a sister who needs my care. She couldn't make it on her own. That much was only too obvious to me. If it gave me an excuse to skip out of school wasn't all that enticing a thought, right now. Then I could see she was actually moving, she is clearly awake. She made tentative baby noises, quiet, as if she tried to be considerate of my still pained, but alive father, currently out of reach to me. As if seeing him right now wouldn't just pain me even more. I pulled the one important burden out of his sight, more for my own sanity than the care for him. He knew as well as I, just how much I used to care for him, but now wasn't the time to dwell or dawdle upon the matter. He is an adult, he could survive on his own. If he couldn't, what could I have done for him? If he felt the need, he could ask me for it. I helped my sister up into a sitting position and slipped the intended bottle into her grasp for her to suck as best she could. I had seen her eating the other day, was it. Faint noises was heard from her, as she slowly got the liquid food into her mouth and swallowed greedily, like an infant should. I guess seeing her was indeed the best thing I could do, right now. I am content in just seeing her eat, or play in her foalish ways, if content is the right word in this situation of pain and grief, in my lonely state. There is little to nothing I could do at anything or for any Pony. The one thing I could do right now, is to feed and in general care for and look over my sister, ignoring any and every thing else, including myself to a great part. She did not know or understand what was going on around her. The details surrounding her birth are out there, she had no knowledge, care or understanding of these things. They are merely the pain or poison to me and my father. The mistress on my father's side, or if she was indeed my mother is no more. She had been forced to give up, not merely her position in my father's heart and life, but her very own life and daughter in the process. There was nothing to be done for her. I could but feel the sting, merely thinking of how it had affected my father. Most of the time, I lay on top of my bed, just laying there, looking at and after my sister, what else could I do. Then I was leaving the bed in order to prepare the one thing I could do, before coming back to my room and feed her. What ever was her name, some Pony had to think of it. Just that I am not in the mood right now, even if it was my place. From time to time, I had chewed on candy from the other day, stashed away in the heat of the joy from the party. Would I ever feel the joy again, would I be strong enough to even treasure the one last chance on happiness I was ever to have? Then I simply fell asleep as my eyes had grown too heavy and my sight too blurry. I had simply slipped off into the realm of dreams. Luna's domains. Maybe, could I take some comfort in her graceful presence? Only the cares are for another day, if I ever managed to raise to my hooves and walk out into the light of day, ever again. Luna was apparently still with me, she had not given up on me. At least not yet. I guess I had that to be thankful of? She was there with me the entire night, but busy chasing off the beasts bent on having me for a meal, by the looks of it. Then I woke up, eventually. That is something else I guess I had to have been expecting. Looking up, my sister is still where I had left her the other night. I hear her breath, as weak as her breath is, but I guess that is to be expected for a foal her age and size.
Up There – Down There: 11Author's Note Suri Polomare's POV Up There – Down There: 11 I had gone to bed, like any other night. I need my sleep, just as I need my bits. What I don't need, is an assistant that abandons me, for what ever silly nonsense notion got to her this time. If not for her, I would have been claiming the prise, just like was my right to. I am tired and sleepy, the day had been long and demanding. Striving for success is not an easy feat, it sucks the marrow out of your bones. I have worked hard to get, where I am now. Don't even bother trying to take that away from me. The door to my bedroom is closed, the outer door securely locked. Finally I could have a moment of well deserved sleep, couldn't I. I had slipped in under the welcoming quilt, closing my eyes, feeling the day coming to an end. There is something wrong, but I can barely open my eyes or care at this point. Only then I hear steps on my floor, she doesn't even bother hiding. I could clearly hear her as she closed in on me. Where did she come from? How did she manage to be in my home, let alone my bedroom and at this time of night? How did she even know where I live? My mind turned into a blur of endless question I was never to have an answer to. I barely knew her or recognised her. The pink mare confidently moved up to my bed, looking down on me. Why would she have that toothy grin on her face? “No, but see who is here!” Pinkie Pie hissed in a strange tone of voice, merely confusing me even further, although she was starting to scare me. “Suri Polomare, wasn't it? Yes, with the stressed emphasis on was, you heard that right!” she then went on. I just looked up, something was very wrong here, as if I had been seeing a horror movie, only I am the victim of the scene. I certainly didn't like hat it was starting to look like here. I just couldn't quite rouse myself up enough to react, or act on what was before me. Then the next insane notion hit me, as if it had been a scene from the latest “Nightmare on Elm-street”? I wanted to scream, to raise to my hooves and try to bolt out of the room, past the cruelly calm Pony slowly moving towards my bed, as if she was here to wake me up in order for me to get up to the next appointment. Did I have an appointment tomorrow, or was it a day off? I had no idea. As slow as she may have been, all of a sudden, she was beside the bed. Only then she drew a blade. It isn't a knife, dagger or sward. It's a magical blade, as if forged out of darkness. There would be nothing leading back to the mare before me, no more than the nightmare phantom of the old horror movies. Why had I seen any of them, back when I had been the little fillie. I guess fillies doesn't do as they were told, more than colts did. Why would either, they are merely foalish foals, not knowing what was good for them. I had been one of these fillies, back in the day. The good old days, as it turned out. Then I thought I heard a demented laughter. Insane. Who or what ever it was before me, could be no Pony. Ponies just couldn't maintain such calm, then give off such a laughter. “Oh, but you know me. You know of me. You know who I am!” the pink mare pronounced in an evil taunt as she moved closer. “Since you will not remember who I am, I could as well tell you right now. You see, I am Pinkie Pie. Yes, my hair was curly when you last saw me, wasn't it?” she went straight to the point. By now I had mustered as much as a weak nod. Was it the last reaction out of me? “Ah yeah, I do see you do recall me, after all. As much as you may want to deny it. If not for me, but just as much for yourself. You want to see yourself as a good Pony, don't you?” she pressed on, with that demented look, as hard as steel. I merely nodded, too weak to even mumble anything coherent enough even for myself to recognise it for speech. She certainly had scared the light out of me. In the name of the darkness behind Luna in her guise as Nightmare Moon, what had I been trampling for this? “I just so happen to know, I have all the time I could possibly want with you. There will be none to bother us, for the little time you have left amongst the living!” she pushed even further, clarifying both intent and situation. “Wh-what?” I managed to stammer, only too weak to actually get any further in what I had originally intended to say. “Good thing I stopped you, before you had a foal. Even Manehattan, as large a city as it may be is too small even for a single one like you. I am cutting your time short here. Right now!” she declared, as if she was saving me, rather than killing me? “Do I need to explain what you are, any further?” she pointed out. The blade she had produced now mere inches from my throat. I knew where this was going, I already felt the taste of blood in my mouth. Soon, the blade touched me and the last of my doubts died along with my hope, my hopes and dreams. All the dreams for myself, my business and the fillie I had hoped to raise one day, not too far from now. I merely needed to find the right Stallion to, to sire the foal I had desired to have. The mere thought of the Stallion I had hoped to sire my foal brought up a fresh pang of regret. There would be no Stallion for me and I would have no fillie. Just as what I had built up would die right along with me. I didn't even have an apprentice or assistant on my side. I am utterly alone. “Oh, don't worry about any worldly woes. You will not even have much time to be bothered with the pain of your passing. Don't even worry about the blood that is about to cover your bed, soak it and then seep through and drip onto the floor. These are for others to be bothered with!” she expressed in what seems mockery, more than actually care for me. Although I may be wrong on that point? I certainly had been wrong on the point of that white Unicorn who had been foolish enough to go up against me. That error had cost me my assistant, aside from other opportunities, since the debacle had cast doubts on not just my honesty, but my capabilities and my work in general. Then, all of a sudden she cut the thought short. The blade pressing against my skin, cutting the flow of air too thin for me to think clearly for more than the short moment. “Guess it is your time. Time to say good-bye to what ever you hold dear, like your life, your home and what ever friends you may have had?” she pressed on. My eyes went up wide for an instant, then I gave up. I realised this race was over and I had lost. This mare knew what she was doing. She had obviously had it all planned out, far in advance. She seems to be the mare who knows everything and never slipped or fell, no matter what you threw at her. The first drop of blood fell on my snow white bed sheets. The sign of what was to come. My time was running out. Now it was truly the end. I still felt the blade relentlessly press on, slowly insistently slipping through my flesh. She was slitting my throat and there was nothing I could ever have done about it. My tears slowly started to fall. “You know what? Even if you had chosen to move to any other location, or tried to hide, I would still have found you. It would have changed nothing. At least, you lived out your last day bravely, for what little comfort there is in it?” she denounced, neither mocking not comforting, merely pointing out the inevitable in the situation. Something in her voice told me, she knew it was true, there would have been no point, had I known what was to come. What had befallen upon me, this very night. Then I felt the actual taste of blood in my mouth, as she blade penetrated my throat. I felt the blood slow down my throat. Her incredibly sharp blade apparently sliced so carefully, it didn't numb me with pain as I had imagined it inevitably had to do. Why had I not gone out? I should have been unconscious by now, but apparently I stubbornly refused, as if I did not know there was no point. I am already dead, even if I did not know it, or the fact had not quite reached me. Feeling the blade slowly move down, further and further. There was nothing I could do at this point. She had only barely managed to rouse me enough to know I am dying, why? Images flickered in and out before my eyes. Images of memories, images of ideas and dreams, the blurry images of what was going on before me in my very room at this very instant. Images, merely images. Nothing but pointless image of no consequence to me. I am not going to remember any of this by tomorrow as Celestia raises the sun, like every other day. She is lowering my sun, just as Luna is raising my moon. The day is at an end and so am I. Was there yet more regret, but I can no longer see the images of what it is. “Good bye, Suri Polomare. This is your very last instant in Celestias Equestria. You are bound to see Serberous in Tartarous!” she merely pronounced, as if she had been sitting judge over me and my life. “Our aqueintance was sort and not very pleasant on either of us. I guess you will be just as happy, never to see me ever again?” she pointed out. “Funny, she is right on that one. As much as I hated to admit it!” I thought. Then her blade hit my spine, cutting my neck, then my head fell down onto the pillow, no longer mine. A corpse doesn't own material things. Once the head had fallen off of the Pony, once known as Suri Polomare, Pinkie Pie resolutely withdrew her blade and the last trace of her presence was erased. She moved back to the abomination to nature she had left open. Once she stepped through, she closed the gap. There is nothing more to lead back to who had been in the room. A dead body lay on the bed belonging to the late mare Suri Polomare. The message to who ever was to enter the room. A warning to other Ponies, driven by greed. An object to be picked up for burial.
A Go-To - the Counsellor 12I had just entered my office. A nice and sunny day had been predicted, I guess this wasn't for me. As much as I may commonly enjoy the sunny days up here in Cloudsdale, but there are things I couldn't prepare for, things that ruins a perfectly fine day. I was about to have this thrown in my face and down my throat. My job is commonly easy. I just sit and wait for the next Mare or Stallion who had a tough break. Nothing serious or fundamental, just heart breaking on the poor Pony's side. I could usually slip out of it as I close the door to my office at the end of the day. Not that I am the heartless Mare, or anything, I am just not paid to bring home the trouble of other Ponies. If I go down for every little problem of others, what help would I be to them? Sadly, this is a very different day. I was rudely awakened from my daydream, known as reality. I could see her from miles away, not that I was gracing the sky with my undivided attention. “Welcome to my office!” I just spoke as she planted her hooves on the cloud, mere few yards from me. I knew this was serious from the demeanor and the wobbling flight, you get to learn to recognise the signs in this line of work. “Thanks, I need to be welcome, where I don't need to see anything or care!” she responded with a weak voice, as if she did not quite dare to say, what she had on her mind. “Since every Pony is welcome at my office, so are you. What ever hold you down, I am here to help. It is what I am paid for!” I returned. “Paid for, yes. The pay I will get for this day's work will never cover the horrors of what I had to see. I was supposed to pick up two fillies for a day at school, but what I saw, isn't something meant for eyes of mere civilians like us. Why did this have to hit my shoulders?” she moaned. “We are all paid to do our job. The jobs we were supposed to do. Apparently, the pay isn't the best reason to take the job, if it wasn't right for you. Sounds as if you saw something bloody awful today!” I responded. “On days like thins, I am thankful for the fact that my life is short, as opposed to Celestia, who had to exile her very own sister!” I thought, never uttering a sound. “Guess I can as well explain it. Trying my best to get the bloody images off of my chest, right? You are paid for it, but at least, you don't have to see the scene I just left!” he explained. “Wait, when you said bloody images, you are not using colourful imagery, you do mean this in a literary sense, right? Just to make it clear what we are talking about!” I enquired. “To be perfectly clear, both are correct, there was a bloody mess. Since I am supposed to be blunt with you here, for you to do your job. Besides, I guess I don't need to worry about any delicate details leaking out to the press, while I explain my problem and what I just saw!” he clarified. “If it was a bloody mess at the scene, it is a gore feast. Now I can see clearly, why you are so upset. I sure would have been, if I had been in your place. If you could detail what we are looking at? Any Pony to go in there to finish this will have to be prepared for what they are getting into, from what I can see. I don't want to see another Pony coming in here, because of what you saw, if I could help. Yet, it has to be dealt with and cleaned up, sooner, rather than later!” I put forth. “Well, two missing foals sounds innocent enough for the regular Pony, if this had been all there was to it. I would have loved to find them home sick, but very much alive. Even if I had contracted whatever they came down with and forced me to stay home in a week's misery, because of it. That would have been a clean and pleasant scene I could leave without any nightmares!” he continued. “Then you mean to say that the foals were dead? I can see how that would be upsetting. Just that something tells me that this isn't the end of what you saw there?” I urged him forwards. “I don't exactly like to see dead Ponies. Corpses are uncomfortably reminding us of what is to come. Yet, these were murder victims, not mere corpses of once living Ponies. There is a very sick mind behind this. There is possibly a message spelled out in the few details carefully laid out in the home of these Ponies!” he stammered in pain, thinking back at what he so recently had stumbled upon. “A message? Now you are scaring me, seriously. Do you mean to say that this is a message board to the murderer, whatever the message is? I guess I could see a murder as a message and a warning to some Pony you were an enemy off, from a strictly business psychological stance!” I pondered. “The entire family had had their wings surgically removed, for lack of better expressions. From what I saw, the wings had had every feather plucked, in order to extract the feathers for pillow stuffing, then the remainder of the wings had been used to simulate a pregnancy of the mare of the family. Each and every Pony left bleeding in their respective beds. Dead or dying?” he whispered, as if just pronouncing the words could bring forth more pain and suffering, if not to himself, then to me or other Ponies. “That is indeed a horror to behold, I am pressed to agree. What could possibly drive any Pony to perform such acts against fellow Ponies?” I responded in a weaker voice. “They taught us in school, Ponies were incapable of such acts. Even if they never mentioned this in particular, to just carve out a message in living or dead Ponies?” he continued. “To surgically remove the wings of a Pegasus? You don't suggest that this is a surgeon's work, right? If not, how could a Pony remove the wings with such accuracy? If it was a surgeon, what brought her or him down to such a level as to actually do this? Plucking feathers to stuff pillows, but killing Ponies in order to do it?” I pondered in horror. “This kind of questions are indeed abhorrent. Why are we even considering it? Who could possibly push us this far into this line of inquiries?” he continued. “I will have to send you to a psychologist. Furthermore, I will have to alert the authorities of what has transpired at the scene of this crime. Both to protect the once who would otherwise stumble across the scene, and for the good of the investigation of the crimes committed there!” I complained. “Then you take the responsibility of the investigation off of my shoulders? Thanks. If you know of a Psychologist better suited to help me, I guess I am grateful for that too. Can I go home, or would you give me a recommendation right now? Someone to talk to, I hope!” he suggested. “Right now, I would tell you to see Helping Hoof, the receptionist can give you the directions!” I responded. “Ah, thanks!” he uttered. “I hope she can help you with the immediate worries and ward the worst of your nightmares. She will send you on, if need be!” I stated as he left my office. Author's Note Pinkie Pie's POV Blooblood's Guard's POV The Prosecutor's POV The Social Worker's POV The Counselor's POV Pinkie Pie's POV Pinkie Pie's POV
Just A Laughter Away: 2Author's Note Blooblood's Guard's POV Just A Laughter Away: 2 I had been guarding his door, sitting just outside of his room. I had expected it to be an easy job, who wouldn't? I know he isn't the most popular of all the Ponies of Equestria, but he isn't exactly hated. At least, not to my knowledge. I had heard a laughter from his bed, and it sure wasn't his. Just that I'm guarding his door, not his window. I couldn't imagine any Pony sneaking in through his window, even if it may have been opened. Breaking in isn't overly common here. Not entering through a window. Maybe it was presumptuous of me to expect the window to be guarded, but it was after all the door I'm guarding. If I had suspected what was passing in his room, I would have burst in, in hopes to save him, or at least protect him. Even if it had cost me my life, it would have been preferable. I missed even that chance. Now I'll be the laughing stock among guards. I had missed my chance, and now it was all flowing down the drain, just as my master's blood dripping down on the floor, unseen, unheard. He is lost to us all. I can't save him, not even if I had been the best of doctors, not even Celestia could have saved him, when I realised what had happened. At the appointed time, I open the door to his room, it is dark and gloomy. There is a smell of fresh blood, but not a sound from him. He isn't there, since he had been replaced by a corps, his body. Why did it have to be me, why did I have to be the one to find this empty room, devoid of life and joy? If I had not cared about him, cared for him, it had still been a devastating discovery on my part. At first I refused to believe my eyes, since it is simply impossible. Only then it hit me, like a bolt of lightning from a clear sky, or a crate of bricks from the roof of a very tall building. I'm done for and finished. It was my duty to make sure none was going past me in order to enter the room. As I had looked closer in order to see what I knew couldn't be there, I had realised the horrendous truth, but the only thing proving what had happened, is a large pool of blood in and under the bed, his bed. I simply collapsed on the floor, wailing as if I had seen a ghost in the middle of the day. This is where I had been found, still lost in tears, shuddering, still wailing, but with a hoarse voice.
