Pony:Kinderby PyrotechnicChaptersChapter One: Home AloneChapter Two: A Nasty WakeupChapter Three: The Friendship GameChapter One: Home Alone{Listen} Fimfiction PM studios presents: In Accordance with PM Alliance group A Bad_Seed_ 72 production Scream for Me, Sweetie Starring: Sweetie Belle Diamond Tiara Dinky Hooves Scootaloo and Apple Bloom With appearances by: Twilight Sparkle Cheerelee Silver Spoon Rumble and Featherweight [A phone cuts through the credits and pierces the silence and the music fades] ???: Hello? ???: Hey Dinky! Dinky: Oh, what is it Scootaloo? Scootaloo: Just thought I call you to see if you can come out for a party Sweetie is having at Rarity's Dinky: How did she manage to pull that off? {The screen opens and we see Dinky holding a phone with her magic power. She is running around, making some sort of food. Though for the time being, she is focused on the call} Scootaloo: Mostly by promising that it would only feature ponies Rarity herself is familiar with, and we can't invite boys. That sorta thing really! Rarity then agreed with minimal whining and or complaining. So can you make it or do you have some sort of excuse. Dinky: *In the kitchen popping some popcorn* Darn, you really have me figured out! Scootaloo: You know it, so can you go or do I have to forcibly remove you from the house? Dinky: I would go, but I am slammed with homework. You know what I am like when I drink. I can't take my alcohol. Unicorns in general can't really take their alcohol. Scootaloo: I never said there would be any. Rarity said that was one of the conditions to have this party. Dinky: *Stops popping the food, all time seems to stop as she stares wide eyed into space* Really so you can promise me that somepony else won't bring alcohol. Scootaloo: Uhh, none of the other Crusaders drink, and I heard Diamond Tiara will be there. Dinky: *pauses* Damn, now I feel really lame that I am missing out. I was supposed to hang out with her this weekend but Cheerelee likes to overload us on homework. I don't like doing it at the last minute so I pretty much have to do it as much as possible tonight. Sorry Scootaloo! Scootaloo: *There is a long pause* Tough shit Dinks, I need you here. I am pretty much living with you and I don't want to sit by myself while you waste away getting a good education. I should be there in five minutes. Dinky: Thanks for telling me the amount of time it will take to get here. I will try not to have anything happen in the meantime. I really should be left alone to get this done. Scootaloo: Screw homework! You should be out with friends instead of cooped up in the house. Plus the only ponies that will be there will be friends so it isn't like anything really rowdy can happen. Dinky: Fine, Scootaloo, you win! Just hurry up so when you get here, I am not invested in homework. I really hate it when you use that sisterly charm to hoodwink me into doing what you want. Scootaloo: Ain't that the best though? Dinky: Sure, now hurry up so I can eventually get to work on this. Princess Twilight also wants me to work on my levitation spells a little more. Using it to make phone calls doesn't cut it. I also need to apply it in the field. Scootaloo: Only you Dinks, can capture the eye of the newest princess. I didn't even know Twilight takes apprentices. Dinky: Lucky I was there to stop that rampaging carriage when she was too slow to react otherwise. She said something about magic being strong for a filly of my age. She decided after that to further tone my gift. Or at least that was what she called it anyway. Scootaloo: Yeah sure, now two of my friends are eggheads. Dinky: What about Dash? Scootaloo: I was thinking both Sweetie and Dash actually, and now you come to think of it. So all my friends are eggheads and Apple Bloom and I will slowly rot from the inside on how dumb we are... supposedly. Lucky Diamond doesn't give us a hard time any more or I would have just fed her fuel to give me a headache. Dinky: Yeah, so hurry up and hang up the phone already! Scootaloo: Whatever *hangs up the phone* Dinky: Huh, didn't mean it literally. *The phone, upon Dinky finishing this rings, causing Dinky to jump in alarm and slide the pan of popcorn a few feet on the oven* Dinky: *picking it up* Did you call to apologize or are you going to say goodbye to me properly. Scootaloo: Yeah sorry about that, I usually don't say goodbye to ponies on the phone. I am not actually used to this thing like you are. It is clearly a jump in technology since simple letters. Dinky: I forgive you, but you know you can always fall back on letters. I am sure Sweetie or maybe Spike can give you access to magical fire. Mom should be on her break at work. I am sure she would be honored to deliver that letter for you so you don't have your head explode on the phone. Scootaloo: Funny! Now I really do have to leave. I haven't left since talking to you five minutes ago. Bye Dinky! {Before Dinky could return the sentiment, Scootaloo hangs up the phone} Dinky: At least she actually said goodbye this time. Oh well! {The filly places the phone on the counter top near the oven. Making sure that no other distractions would occur, the filly focuses on cooking her snack. She knew she would eat at the party that Scootaloo was apparently forcing her to go to} {The phone rings yet again, and Dinky stares at it in confusion. She wasn't expecting anypony else to call her. None that she knew about anyway. So who could that possibly be} Dinky: *Answering the phone after a hesitant pause* Hello? ???: Hello Dinky! Dinky: Boy, you have a sexy voice who is this! ???: Oh, I don't know, you figure it out. I will give you a hint. You're dating her! Dinky: Diamond Tiara you are a Celestia send. I have terrible news. Diamond: What is it? Dinky: I wanted to ignore the call of social interaction to get a head start on my education, and Scootaloo decided to cancel those plans and force me to a party and hang out among all of you. Diamond: Oh that bitch, trying to keep you from getting an education. You want to know the worst part? Dinky: *Giggling* What's that? Diamond: I am going to be there! Dinky: Oh the horror! Hanging out with my fillyfriend and potentially making out with her as well? This night is going to suck. {The two giggle at the confusing line of conversation. Midway through their cheer, Dinky gets the call waiting tone. Dinky jumps at hearing it midway through her conversation not expecting any other calls} Dinky: That's odd. Diamond: *Noticing the serious tone* What? Dinky: Apparently I have a call waiting. Diamond: *Teasing* Maybe it's a colt Dinky: Why the hell should that matter to me? I am dating you. I love you! Why would I care if a colt comes to call. Unless he is really really hot and somehow takes the gay right out of me, I have eyes only for you babe! Diamond: What do you mean by if a really hot colt comes to call. I should be the only one in your life? Dinky: *Giggling* I should take this call! If you keep making me laugh I won't answer it and then the beep keeps yelling at me. Diamond: Fine, but stay on the line. I want to hear if you somehow aren't gay for me anymore. Dinky: Whatever! {Dinky flashes to the other line and tentatively answers the call. She has no idea who this pony is that would call her} Dinky: Hello? ???: *A feminine unknown voice answers the phone* Yes? Dinky: Huh! ???: Is this Dinky? Dinky: How can you call this line and not know who it is? ???: Conversation... it is nice, yes? Dinky: Look I think you have a wrong number! Who are you trying to call really? Maybe I can redirect you. I know everypony in Ponyville, and though I don't know as much as Pinkie, I still know enough. ???: I want to talk to you! It is important I speak to you. Dinky: Can you tell me your name at least. You don't sound like anypony I know! ???: Maybe Dinky: Look I am kind of busy, I am doing something really important and unless this is something I need to know, can you call back? ???: Really? You say you are busy? Dinky: Yeah, I am with my mare friend and we are super busy. ???: Because the way I see it, you are alone in that apartment and talking to one Diamond Tiara on the other line. Dinky: .... Please hold... ???: Don't.... {Dinky clicks off the line and goes over to a waiting Diamond Tiara} Dinky: Tiara, a freak just called me and I need you to call Scootaloo to hurry the fuck up and pick me up. ???: I'm sorry, Diamond Tiara can't come to the phone right now. If you would like to leave your name and number, I will be more than happy to ignore it and get back to her never. Dinky: What the fuck did you do to her? ???: Nothing yet {Dinky didn't like that yet part} ???: However, I can assure you that nothing will happen to you should you decide to cooperate and play a game with me. You should like the reward as it concerns you staying alive. Dinky: You're serious!? ???: Doubting me? Dinky: No ???: Good, the last thing I need is some stupid bitch questioning why I am doing the things I am doing. You're smart and I like that, but when all of this is over maybe you will reconsider. Dinky: You calling me dumb? I am the protege of Twilight Sparkle there isn't anything I don't know. ???: Really? Then you would know that you're front door is unlocked! Dinky: *Shouts* What!? {Dinky forgets about the phone hovering near her and gallops over to check. The wide open door stands tauntingly thrown open. Little bits of glass clutter the floor. How the hell had she not heard that?} {Listen} {A feminine voice giggles in Dinky's ear} ???: How did I manage to sneak my way inside the house? Do you know the answer? {Dinky's eyes widen and she turns her head in every direction as if hoping to see somepony sneaking up on her} ???: How boring of you Dinky! Trying to find something that is hidden. Dinky: Where the fuck are you, you bitch! Scootaloo is on her... ??? way? No I don't think so! You will find that I have made sure she will be delayed. Unless somepony that I am not aware of is in that house, you aren't being rescued. I have disabled all outgoing calls so that only I can talk to you. Dinky: Should I even bother? You sound like you are going to kill me regardless. ???: What fun is a revenge scheme if I don't get payback first. Dinky: What the fuck did I do to you? I don't even know who this is. Maybe if you reveal a name at least I can remember. You are being unfair. ???: .... Dinky: This is rigged to where I die anyway. You will play around with me because you are a sick fuck who get's their kicks from lonely filly's in their house with nopony to save them. ???: Not yet! I am fond of trivia! Are you? Dinky: Depends ???: How about scary movies? Do you like those? Dinky: Boring! Can't you be at least a little original? I am a filly! I have seen every classic known to ponykind. What, you can't think of an original topic? What kind of murder game is this? ???: How amusing! You have caught me out. But Dinky, I am not done with you yet. Dinky: And that's another thing. Why are you saying nothing but cliches. Really, what kind of filly do you take me for? ???: Who voiced Rarity? Dinky: Really? ???: .... Dinky: Are you some kind of idiot? Everypony knows that! ???: Then tell me if you are so smart! Dinky: *Bored*Tabitha St. Germain.... Next ???: That was of course an easy one! Dinky: Then why ask dumbass! ???: *Giggles* It's a warm-up silly. I wouldn't ask easy questions throughout this. Dinky: Why are you asking me questions if you are just going to kill me. I assume that's why you are here? Where ever you are? ???: *Giggles* Dinky: That isn't an answer... please answer me! ???: Next Question: This character's voice actress voices Trixie as well. Dinky: Queen Chrysalis! Easy as pie. Though I hope they bring her back. ???: Oh me too! But you are only half correct. Dinky: What!? But I could have sworn Queen Chrysalis was the only one. ???: You're in luck! I will give you a freebie. She voices the adult Hoops! As well as the announcer pony that tells everyone that they are to be ready in Season 1 Episode 16 of Sonic Rainboom. Dinky: Really? Was that absolutely necessary to ask me? Who cares about background Ponies like that? ???: You're mom is a Background pony, correct? Dinky: That doesn't count! Look, I am done with your stupid game ???: Then how about this? I answer you two more questions. Forestalling the huge game show I planned. Get them right, I let you leave when Scootaloo arrives. Get one wrong, and I kill you... How about that. Dinky: *scared* What did I do to you? I don't even fucking know you. ???: Revenge Dinky: What the fuck did I do to you? ???: You are dating Diamond Tiara. Dinky: Are you some kind of bigot or homophobe? I hate fucking ponies like that? You need to get your head out of your ass and realize that love is fucking love. ???: She is a bully! She made several ponies cry and hurt over the years. That is something you can't walk away from. I heard that a pony committed suicide because of her hurtful remarks. Dinky: Really? I never heard that and this is a pretty close knit society. Where's your proof? Can't a pony change or grow up? ???: Not this pony! But that is not the only reason I am doing this! Dinky: Do tell ???: No, how about I ask you a few questions! {As Dinky is talking, she is moving around the room, trying to spot clues to the intruder. Luckily, she isn't taunted by the mysterious pony on the phone. The door stands lonely in the wind still wide open. Seeing nothing outside and doubting that she could really escape, she stays inside for the time being} ???: Ready for the next question... it is a hard one? Dinky: Sure, you fucking bitch! ???: *Giggles* Dinky: Stop fucking laughing *Internally* I just have to keep her occupied till Scootaloo is able to get here. Surely this distraction won't fully prevent her from showing up. It will just delay her till it's too late. I just hope I can forestall her enough so that I can escape. ???: In the Smile song, how many times is the word smile used? *Giggles* Dinky: Shit.... ???: You have a minute to provide the correct answer! Dinky: You fucking bitch! That's way too specific ???: *Giggles* Give up? Dinky: No, I will win this... I just have to get a piece of paper. ???: Better hurry, you have only 45 seconds left. Dinky: Shit {She searches around the house frantically going over the words of the song in her head. It doesn't help that constant laughter is in her ear at persistent intervals. It's as if it is trying to distract her from concentrating} ???: 20 seconds! You are running out of time and my knife is getting rather hungry. {A door creaks open upstairs, and Dinky frantically tries to ignore the sound. It is just a distraction} ???: 10 Seconds... This is fun don't you think? {With time running out, she tries her best to go over what she remembers. She eventually becomes frantic with worry and decides to say the first number that pops into her head and hopes it is the correct answer. Dinky: Oh... uh.... damn 3...37? ???: ..... Dinky: A-A-A-Am I right? *Her heart is nearly in her throat and she is nearly drenched in sweat* ???: You certainly work well under pressure. You are also a good guesser. Dinky: So did I get it right! Did I fucking get the fucking right answer you fucking bitch? ???: For now Dinky: *Collapses in relief* ???: Now I wonder if you can guess where I am in the house? Am I hovering over you waiting, or what? Dinky: *Her heart nearly stops* That's not fair! No pony can possibly get that answer. I was right, you just want to kill me anyway. What was up with the fucking trivia questions then? ???: Now come on! You only just assume I am going to follow through with my plan of murder. Why don't you arm yourself and guess. It will be fun.... I promise! Dinky: The fucking closet at the top of the stairs you fucking cunt! {She launches the phone away with a kinetic blast from her horn. She has time to hear a loud curse from upstairs before the phone explodes against the wall} {Galloping frantically to the kitchen, where she knows her mother stores the knives, she searches for a nearby knife. If what she saw in various movies was true, she deduces that she has little to no time before she is well and truly fucked. To her horror, the knives she knows are there are now non-existent} ???: *close by* Looking for something? {Dinky gulps and whirls around to confront her new problem. Leaning against the counter is a costumed pony wearing a black costume. A Guy Fawkes mask hugs the mysterious pony's face. The knife Dinky was looking for is in it's hoof. Dinky: *Raising an eye* Seriously? ???: Leave me alone, it was all they had at the costume store. Dinky: *Smirking* Sounds like they ran out of Ghostface masks. It isn't nearly as threatening as that would have been. ???: Shut up Shut up SHUT UP!!! What I wear to go out murdering ponies that piss me off isn't your concern. Dinky: But a Guy Fawkes mask, seriously, you couldn't pick a Jasen Voorhees mask and be done with it. What you leave your Freddy knives at home. You aren't the least bit threatening! ???: It can be creepy! Dinky: I find it cool actually. The only way it's creepy is if I am drunk. ???: Are you drunk? Dinky: No, I would have been a little after the party, but they don't cater alcohol, and Scootaloo was on the way to pick me up. I would have been pressured into buying some with Scootaloo after the party. Plan better you fucker! ???: Shut up! *The mysterious mare throws the knife at Dinky, who rolls her eyes and she grabs it with her fledgling magic. She holds it up and waves it mockingly in front of the cursing masked pony* Dinky: Unicorn, mother fucker! {Dinky expels the knife violently towards the costumed pony who dodges it with pitiful ease} ???: What's the matter Dinky? Can't do magic properly? Dinky: Don't complain about Diamond Tiara if you are doing what you're doing. It's hypocritical! ???: I am not hypocritical. Diamond was a terror for 16 years. No pony changes truly. Now sit down and die. Dinky: Stop saying cheesy lines. They aren't original. {To Dinky's shock, the pony gallops towards her at a mind-numbing speed. Before Dinky can even process the speed of the unknown, it is already in front of her} ???: I am not to be messed with Dinky. For daring to fall in love with one of the worst ponies imaginable, you will be exceedingly fun. Dinky: What the hell happened to you to get you so angry? I don't even know you! ???: *Crazed* Yes you do. You all do, for ten years as a matter of fact. Dinky: Instead of being Miss Mysterious, why don't you actually say who you are. {Before the mysterious pony could do anything, Dinky, who recovered during the monologue, dashes forward and uses her magic to send a fairly strong blast toward the intruder who is caught off guard by the attack} Dinky: Get the hell out of my house you asshole! {Again she sends another blast toward the intruder who barely manages to avoid it} Dinky: So what if I like Diamond Tiara? Don't be a fucking bigot! {Another crash and the intruder finally gets hit by a stray blast crashing headlong into the wall. Somehow the costume still stays on. Dinky looks pissed as well as she should} {Horribly, the masked pony wearing the Guy Fawkes mask gets up as if never receiving a blow to the body} ???: Good, really good. This won't be as boring otherwise. {Before anything else can happen, a voice calls through the house} ???: Dinky, are you here? Diamond called me and said that your connection just died. You were saying something and it just cut off. Is everything alright. {Dinky, forgetting the costumed pony is there takes her focus off the struggling pony. Underneath the mask, the mysterious pony grins and readies the knife} Dinky: *Shouting* In the kitchen... Hur.... {A soul shattering explosion of pain shatters through Dinky's body and the filly yells in pain} {Listen} ???: Something to remember me by. You shouldn't have taken your eyes off the enemy. Too bad! {Dinky, blood leaking out of her like a faucet, tries to get a bloody hoof outstretched toward her enemy, but almost mockingly the intruder dodges swiftly away from Dinky and readies the knife to puncture the pony again. More pain enters Dinky's world as she tries again to get to her tormenter} Scootaloo: Hey, get away from Dinky you asshole! {A blur flies through the air and sends the mysterious pony flying through the air. Scootaloo, with rage in her eyes, had entered the kitchen as Dinky struggles desperately to contain the wound. Blood continues to make its appearance and her vision blurs} Scootaloo: *Still angry but recovering* Dinky, stay with me, please. {Dinky couldn't see Scootaloo, there was just too much pain flying around in her stomach and her vision swam nauseatingly. A sticky liquid touched her back} Scootaloo: Dammit, I wish I paid attention and first aid. Fuck, this sorta thing comes back to haunt you! {Dinky feeling one last wave of energy flow through her, decided to enter one last message} Dinky: *Incredibly weak* T-T-Tel-ll D-D-amond, I L-L-Loed her please! I love her so *cough* much Scootaloo: You better fucking hold on Dinky. I swear if you die on me, I will fucking murder you. {Dinky grins weakly, her eyes staring at the ceiling as if it was the answer to the universe. Her world fades to black} {Scootaloo hysterics increase violently when Dinky stops moving and blood seems to increase ten-fold} Scootaloo: Fuck, Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, please don't die on me! Phone, phone, I need a fucking phone. {She gets up slipping on the blood soaked floor and sent cruelly to the ground} Scootaloo: Dinky, why did you have to bleed so much. I have to fucking hurry. {She spots the a phone on the ground, pieces lying around it} Scootaloo: Please work please work please work {Frantically using her wings to support her mini sprint through the air, she struggles violently to pick up the pieces of the semi broken phone. She could feel an invisible clock in the air counting down the time left} {After what seemed like an eternity, Scootaloo picks up the hastily repaired phone and dials the first pony to pop into her head. She hoped desperately that whatever prevented Diamond and Dinky from talking did not happen again} Twilight: Twilight here? What seems to be the problem? I am so glad to finally answer this thing. It never rings! {Overwhelming relief torrents through the young filly's mind} Scootaloo: Twilight, thank Celestia you answered. Listen Dinky is in severe trouble and has lost a lot of blood. Can you not ask any questions and get the fuck over here and save my little sister? Twilight: *pause* Okay *Click* {That done, Scootaloo allows the phone to fall to the floor. Her terror and anxiety loosens her grip on the problematic device} Scootaloo: Please stay safe Dinky. I don't know what I will do if you die. I need you little sister. Please don't leave me {After some time, curiosity over Dinky's attacker enters her mind. Knowing it was a completely stupid thing to do, she walks over to the last known location of the pony. Walking over, reveals an empty house. Deciding not to leave Dinky unguarded should the attacker decide to finish the job, the Scootaloo decided to stand further watch over her little sister} Scootaloo: Please come back to me, I need you! Hell, Diamond Tiara needs you. Just don't be dead. Please don't let the fact that I ran into some delays be the reason. Dinky please! {At last, the situation becomes too powerful for the pegasus and she breaks down over Dinky, crying her eyes out} End of Chapter One Chapter Two: A Nasty Wakeup10 minutes earlier {All things considered, it was a very lovely party. Streamers, balloons, cake, hell Pinkie really outdid herself considering this wasn't really a party for anything specific. Sweetie wanted a way to relax after the grueling finals and reports that Cheerilee decided to share with her. Really, thought Sweetie to herself, she was just too kind sometimes} Scootaloo: Ah yeah, now this is how the Pegasus relaxes. We crash other pony's parties and mingle among our friends. Diamond Tiara: That makes no sense. I swear Scootaloo, you are getting high off the... surprisingly colorful decorations. {Silver Spoon surprisingly for the rather cultured filly was dancing up to high heaven. Her glasses were dancing with her and if the filly wasn't careful, they would have landed on the floor again. Her father kept telling her to watch her glasses as if they were the second most possession she owned after her life. Somehow, Silver Spoon forgot this and ended up breaking her glasses anyway. Snips, like always, could be seen gathered around the bespectacled filly. Watching as the filly seemed determined Much to Diamond Tiara's amusement, the once dorky colt seemed to hang around Silver rivaling her at times. Everywhere Silver went, Snips was sure to be close behind her. If Diamond herself didn't know better, she would have put a stop to this. That was the old Diamond Tiara however. The new one settled for giving the two ponies amused looks} Sweetie Belle: *walking up to Diamond Tiara* Do you think Silvie will ever realize why he hangs around her? Diamond: Probably not, she might think she is smart, but she really is quite dense to social awareness. Sweetie: Why does that sound like somepony I know? {Nearby, Twilight Sparkle, the local princess and Friendship expert was dancing almost as haphazardly as Silver Spoon herself. A look of ultimate satisfaction was on her features at mastering the art of the dance. Yes, Twilight totally got this! She was in control!} Diamond: No idea! Dinky should have been here ages ago. She promised me that she would not let homework get in the way of our special time together. Apple Bloom: *Sneaking up behind the two fillies* Yeah, about that, did you ever think you would ever date her? A year ago, you probably would have been in the center of the room taunting us for not wallowing in your greatness or something. Diamond: *Startled* Dammit Apple Bloom, don't fucking do that! You scared me! Apple Bloom: Hence why I do it, just keeping you on your hooves is all! Diamond: I swear, your cutie mark should be a shurikan. Apple Bloom: *wide, shit eating grin* I thank you kindly. But I am not that sneaky. You were just focused on your conversation with Sweetie. Anyway, you didn't answer the question. Diamond: Looking back, the old me probably would be the center of attention and giving everypony a hard time. I have since learned to overcome that. Sweetie: Are you ever going to tell us fully what you experienced? Scootaloo: *Materializing next to Sweetie* Sorry girls, but have any of you seen Dinky? She hasn't shown up. {When the others aren’t looking, she winks at Diamond Tiara who relaxes} Rumble: Maybe she was killed by some sorta freak! {Everypony glared at the small colt} Diamond: *Livid* Don't you fucking dare joke about something like that. This isn't one of your horror movies. Rumble: All I'm saying is maybe she was delayed into coming here by something important or deadly. Diamond: Then say that instead of giving me a reason to worry and kick your ass. Dinky is perfectly fine. She gets like this when she wants to get all her studying out of the way. Rumble: But in this situation, when all of the students are partying, the killer likes to stalk the alone mare. Diamond: Yeah, but this isn't a horror movie. Nopony is going to have sex... {Snips, overhearing turns his head, his ears lowering. He turns to look at a still convulsively dancing Silver Spoon} Diamond: or get themselves killed by a psycho wearing a mask with anger issues. Featherweight: *showing up to stand next to Rumble* You idiot, Rumble, I told you. Not everything can be related to our favorite movies. I swear, you are going to have us yelled at again. Rumble: Too late! Featherweight: Ugh, *facehoofs* You're hopeless. Silver: Oh that felt great! I swear there is nothing more important than dancing your ass off. Snips: You certainly did Spoon! Silver: So what's up. *Stands next to Snips* Where's Dinky? I could have sworn she would be here. Apple Bloom: She's studying! Silver: Do we know this for sure or are we just shooting off blind guesses? Diamond: That silly filly does nothing but study. Twilight: Hey, there is nothing wrong with studying. I studied all the time and I turned out great! I am a pretty pony princess in charge of weaponized friendship. Rainbow Dash: I swear, you are such an egghead. Twilight: Yeah, well this egghead is in charge of weaponized rainbows and sparkly magic. Rainbow: *coughs* Nerd Rarity: I must say Sweetie Belle, when you came to me with the idea of a party, I was hesitant to indulge. Sweetie: *smug* Yeeesss? Rarity: This is turning out to be just the thing I needed. I am sorry I doubted you. Sweetie: We are good responsible young ponies. What could we have possibly done to warrant your paranoia? {Diamond, Scootaloo, and Rainbow Dash cough innocently into their hooves and gave Rarity grins to rival the most innocent look imaginable} Rarity: Must you milk this for all it's worth? I just thought I be a little cautious is all. Teenagers are known for being rowdy and I figured I would gather ponies I trusted. Applejack: Easy there sugar, Sweetie and her friends are good ponies. I convinced Rarity to invite all your friends when originally she only wanted four ponies here. Rarity: Yes, but I can't afford all these hooves in my store and I really should have been working on that dress... Applejack: Come on Rarity, live a little. Sweetie is a good filly. Sweetie: Yes I am! Scootaloo: Yes she is! Rarity: I didn't say that, I am just saying I needed to work on my... Applejack: Yeah yeah, let the kids relax! You deserve a break as well Rarity! {As the two ponies huddled closer together, Scootaloo stared at Rarity with interest} Scootaloo: That reminds me of something! I don't care what Dinky's excuse is, she needs a break from work. I'm calling her! Diamond: How advanced are we that we can invent phones after so long without them. I swear the old me would have rubbed in the fact that I have one as well if not for the fact that I don't care. Silver: *Still hovering near Snips* I swear this thing is a fucking lifesaver. If Cheerilee is way too boring I can just sit in the back of the class and play Solitaire or talk to Snips. Diamond: Honestly Silver he is always next to you. You don't have to fucking text him. Silver: *irked* Like you don't do the same to Dinky. *giggles afterwards* Rumble: Feather, did you ever see the day where ponies like us can say they hang out with the popular filly at school? Featherweight: This kinda thing just doesn't happen. You don't befriend the beauty of school and she is usually the first to go. Everypony hates a bully! Diamond: Are you boys discussing inappropriately timed horror movie conversations? Both: No mam! *wide grinds* Diamond: Hmph, yeah, sure! I just believe that so much! Rumble: Yeah, we are like so trustworthy and shit. Scootaloo: Dammit, I keep forgetting how to use this thing. Hey Sweetie, can you assist? Sweetie: Honestly Scoots, I am not here just to help you do these things! What would you do if I wasn't here? Scootaloo: I wouldn't be nearly half as happy without you! Please and thank you *hugs Sweetie* Sweetie: Yeah whatever! *uses her magic to grab hold of the phone* You should get one of the more Pegasus friendly models instead of one that was made more for a unicorn. Scootaloo: Dinks had a spare and I didn't have enough money saved up so I used hers. Sweetie: That explains it! *uses her kinetic energy to punch in Dinky’s number and hands it back* Try to learn these things Scoots. I want to be known for more than just your button presser. Scootaloo: But you push my buttons so good baby *cheesy grin* Dash: Alright Scootaloo! {Twilight and Sweetie punch their respective mates for their input} Scootaloo: Ow, sorry, geeze! {The phone in her grip rings in the loud atmosphere of the party} Dinky: *picking up the phone on the first ring* Hello? Scootaloo: Hey Dinky! Dinky: Oh, what is it Scootaloo? {As Scootaloo talks to her younger sister, Diamond decided to pass the time by watching Silver and Snips and their admittedly awkward interactions with each other. Snips had always hung around Silver, even when she was in her bitch persona. Even then it was highly amusing to watch them being awkward and even a bitch like her loved watching the two. She wasn't nearly as nice about it as she is now, but the fact that Silver seemed to appreciate his company and be totally unaware of why he was doing what he was in the first place made for highly entertaining comedy when she was bored} Scootaloo: You know it, so can you go or do I have to forcibly remove you from the house? {That was another thing, just when had Dinky changed to be so much more? The former bully didn't exactly know but she wouldn't trade Dinky for anything. In more ways than one, Dinky was responsible for her change of heart} Scootaloo: Tough shit Dinks, I need you here. I am pretty much living with you and I don't want to sit by myself while you waste away getting a good education. I should be there in five minutes. Diamond: *Thinking* So Scootaloo is leaving to pick up Dinky? I should call her when she is done with the call. I could use my daily dosage of Dinky! Silver Spoon: So Snips, want to listen to my Ipod? This party music is kinda boring after a while. Snips: But I didn't bring a spare pair of earbuds. Silver: I got you covered buddy! We can share. Snips: *nervous* O-O-Okay Silver: So what do you want to listen to, I don't care {As Silver dug in her bags for the music device, Snips thought long and hard about his music preferences. It had to be perfect} Snips: How about Stand My Ground? I like the band that sings it. Silver: An excellent choice Snips! Luckily I have pretty much everything they do. {Silver plugs in a pair of earbuds to her music device and hands one of the buds to Snips who takes it with nervous hooves. Diamond smirks at the two and how endearing Snips looks when his face lit up with how close he was to Silver} Diamond: Honestly, Silver should just fucking wake up. It is so totally obvious to anypony who knows, that he likes her. {Diamonds grin widens when Silver leans her head on Snips's shoulder causing the colt to beam wide with suppressed glee} Diamond: Honestly, if I didn't know she was clueless, I would think she was doing it on purpose to mess with him. Scootaloo: I was thinking both Sweetie and Dash actually, and now you come to think of it. So all my friends are eggheads and Apple Bloom and I will slowly rot from the inside on how dumb we are... supposedly. Lucky Diamond doesn't give us a hard time any more or I would have just fed her fuel to give me a headache. Apple Bloom: *mock anger* What was this about me being dumb? {Scootaloo smiles at her and shakes her head to which Apple Bloom giggles. Scootaloo listens for a bit and rolls her eyes} Scootaloo: Whatever {Before she hangs up the phone} Sweetie: That was rude, Scoots. You should have at least said goodbye to her. Scootaloo: *Eyes wide* Oh fuck, I knew I was forgetting something. I hadn't actually meant to hang up. Sweetie: *Smiling* Here, let me redial her and you can set it straight. Scootaloo: Thanks Sweetie! {Sweetie dials the number and then levitates the phone in her direction with a sympathetic look in her eyes} Sweetie: You should learn how to use these. It isn't that hard and I am not always going to be here when you need to dial a number to somepony. Scootaloo: I know, but the phone is always so big for my hooves. I figure I just use your genius magic because it is always so handy. {After this, Sweetie makes a halfhearted swipe for Scootaloo, to which the Pegasus dodges, giggling} Scootaloo: *waits for Dinky to pick up.... and when that happens....* Yeah sorry about that, I usually don't say goodbye to ponies on the phone. I am not actually used to this thing like you are. It is clearly a jump in technology since simple letters. Twilight: Amen to that.... I swear, yesterday I was using Spike for everything. Now he just cleans my library. Rainbow: Twilight, you are getting drunk off the festivities again. You need to calm down. Twilight: Lighten up Rainbow. I didn't have any alcohol and I am just letting, how do you say it, my mane down and relax. Rainbow: Don't do it, it makes you look crazy. Twilight: I am crazy, you're crazy, and I swear everypony in this fucking town is crazy, but you know what, crazy is fucking delicious. Rainbow: Twilight, settle down and quit scaring the foals. Twilight: Okay! *takes a bite of her slice of pie with a happy grin on her face* Rainbow: Fucking nerds! Twilight: You love it Skittles! Rainbow: *facehoof* One fucking time I buy a bag of Skittles. One fucking time and you never let me hear the end of what I said. Leave me alone. Twilight: *leans in close* Oh cheer up Skittles, your rainbow center is all I need. Rainbow: This is the LAST fucking time she has sugar. I swear, Twilight and sugar are NOT a good combination. Pinkie: Is this related to how I am supposedly not allowed to have coffee. Rainbow: Ugh, Pinkie, you stay away from that. Pinkie: Why? Coffee sounds delicious and new, and you know how I like trying new things? Rainbow: Ugh Scootaloo: Funny! Now I really do have to leave. I haven't left since talking to you five minutes ago. Bye Dinky! *hangs up the phone and proceeds to the exit of the Boutique* Alright everypony, I have to pick up Dinky. Diamond: Thanks for sharing! Please make sure you round her up successfully. I need her here. Scootaloo: Never fear Tiara, I will round up your snuggle bunny and be back in ten seconds flat. Dash: Hey, I trademarked that. Don't use that unless you credit me! {Diamond blushes scarlet and everypony, except Silver and Snips who are in their own world, laugh at the slightly humiliated earth pony} Scootaloo: Oh wow, that was a riot. But seriously ponies, I have to depart. There is a filly somewhere that is getting a great education and I plan on putting it on hold. Twilight: Hey! {Before Twilight could fully rebuke Scootaloo, she departs for her sister's house, leaving the festive nature of the party behind her} Diamond: Now that Scootaloo is off the phone with her, I figure I can talk to her as well. I really need to hear her right now. {The pink filly takes out her own phone with Dinky's portrait that Silver drew for her on the back of it and dials her mare's number} Dinky: *Hesitant pause* Hello? Diamond: Hello Dinky!!! {As Diamond Tiara talks to her marefriend, Sweetie Belle is going around the room making the rest of her guests feel important or paid attention to} {Snips is staring into space with a huge grin on his face as Silver, lulled by the music, has her head on him. She is almost sleeping from the lull of the music. His withers have long since numbed, but to him, it is well worth it} Sweetie: *catching sight of the unaware couple* Adorable! Oh I wish I could go over there and just ship them together, but I learned my lesson the last time. I just hope Silver Spoon eventually catches his feelings for her. Diamond: *teasing* Maybe it's a colt? {Listen} {As Diamond hears whatever Dinky says, her giggle gets louder} Diamond: What do you mean by if a really hot colt comes to call. I should be the only one in your life? {Sweetie, hearing this last bit perks up. She trots over to stand next to Diamond to hear her side of the conversation better} Diamond: Fine, but stay on the line. I want to hear if you somehow aren't gay for me anymore. {At that last bit, Sweetie gives Diamond a very weird look. What the hell did that mean?} {Diamond Tiara waits patiently for Dinky to arrive back online.... then the phone picks up again} Diamond: *hearing the phone regain connection* Finally! So what happened are you gay for me still? ???: I am so very sorry Ms. Tiara, but Dinky is unable to come to the phone! Diamond: Who the hell are you lady? What happened to Dinky? ???: I am so very sorry, but Dinky is currently occupied. She is going to play a game! Diamond: *shouting slightly* What kind of game? Who the hell are you? ???: I am not surprised you don't know who this is. I wasn't really important now was I? {Sweetie, who had come for the gossip, instead stayed because her friend seemed ready to yell at some pony} Sweetie: What happened? Diamond: *Ignoring Sweetie* Just please tell me if she is alright! ???: She is.... for the moment, but that might change soon.. Now I have to go.. I have a game to play. But don't call this number again.... you have bigger things to worry about... {The phone clicks and before Diamond Tiara could do more than silently wonder the hell that even meant, the lights shut down. Everything is plunged into darkness and the shock of the lights going off awakens Silver and Snips from their impromptu nap} Silver: I'm awake! Why are the lights off? {Diamond yells in shock as the lights flash off at the exact moment the phone went dead. Chills shoot up her spine and her phone drops to the ground} Twilight: Please stay calm everypony, it is just a power outage. We should get this restarted in just a few minutes. Diamond: Something happened to Dinky! Somepony is at their house and disconnected me. Rumble: Listen to her everypony! She isn't crazy! Rarity: And how would you know young colt? {To Diamond} How could you possibly know that Diamond Tiara? Featherweight: Oh come on, like who hasn't seen something like this? It is like in every horror story ever. Diamond: Don't fucking joke about Dinky. This isn't funny. Something is definitely up at their house. Apple Bloom: Don't worry, Scootaloo is on her way to her house as we speak Sweetie: What even happened anyway? Diamond: No time, I have to do something first. Please let this work! {Taking a brief moment to hope Scootaloo could answer the phone, she picks up her dropped phone and dials her number. The ringer is a tease on her fractured nerves...} Scootaloo: *Frazzled* Hello? Diamond: Something terrible happened and Dinky is in danger! Scootaloo: What happened? Diamond: A mysterious pony answered the phone on Dinky's line and taunted me. She, at least she sounded like a mare, threatened that Dinky was in danger. Scootaloo, I need you to hurry your ass and get to Dinky's house. Scootaloo: That's a little hard Tiara! Diamond: *Hysterical* Why the fuck is it a problem? Dinky is my fucking marefriend! If anything happens to her.... Scootaloo: She's my fucking sister! You are asking nothing I don't already know. That isn't the fucking problem Tiara! Diamond: Then what fucking is? Scootaloo: The town is fucking growing this weird plant on its borders and I have been narrowly close to impaling myself on the stuff. It's blocking the town off or something. That isn't the worst of it. I haven't seen one fucking pony since leaving the Boutique. Diamond, the whole fucking town is gone! It looks dead. {That stopped Diamond's hysterics cold. No longer shouting, Diamond gulped nervously and asked Scootaloo another question} Diamond: How is that possible? Scootaloo: I don't know? The leaves on the trees are dead and gnarled, there is no sun and everything seems like a weird form of night. Ponyville turned into a ghost town. But houses aren't abandoned as I saw the curtains flicker closed as I passed, so maybe everypony is just hiding or something. Diamond: So what's the problem? Can you make it to Dinky's in time? Scootaloo: I don't know! But before you yell at me, let me explain. Ponyville is a lot mazier than it last was. I swear I have taken several wrong turns and ended up in a wrong area I shouldn't have ended up in. I somehow entered Sweet Apple Acres twice, even though Dinky is nowhere near the farm. Diamond, I think something is toying with me. I shouldn't have ended up at the farm. I should have been there by now. {She was losing it, little by little, the pink filly felt her composure dwindle} Scootaloo: *panicked* Oh Celestia, oh fuck no! Diamond: What? Scootaloo *Screams* Diamond: Scootaloo!!! {A shuffling sound can be heard, like the phone being rough handled and Scootaloo's labored frantic breathing, and then silence as the line clicks dead without warning} Diamond: Shit! {Hanging up briefly, she redials the number, ignoring the now frantic crowd in front of her. Instead of ringing, a busy signal greets the hysterical pony} Applejack: Sugercube, what the hell was that about? Fluttershy: Yes, what has gotten you so spooked. If you don't mind telling that is! Diamond: Scootaloo says Ponyville is a ghost town. Twilight: That can't be right! I was the last pony to arrive here and the sun was shining and I waved to Ditzy as she flew overhead. Diamond: Well Scootaloo says the town is deserted and some kinda plant is blocking access to some areas. Twilight: We shall see about that! {The Alicorn speeds to the door to the Boutique and ignoring Rarity's halfhearted protests, throws open the door. That's when her wings droop violently and the others hear her heavy gasp through the darkness} Rainbow: *Joining Twilight* What's the matter ...egg.....Bwhuh {Listen} {Upon hearing Rainbow's failure of the Equish language, the others venture over to the two stunned ponies} Pinkie: *big gasp* This is just as depressing and suppressive as the rock farm. I haven't seen this particular weather pattern at all. {Everypony turns to the pink pony in alarm} Twilight: You mean even you, the most random fucking pony I have ever known have no clue as to what is going on? Pinkie: *shrugs* This is ominous stuff. I haven't even seen this before. And I have seen a lot of crazy weather patterns in my time. Twilight: *Her mane unravels and her eye twitches* You mean, the Pinkie sense has nothing for this? We are operating blind and you have no input to provide. Oh dear Luna we are so screwed. {Twilight huddles into a fetal position and mutters something about it all being a lie} Pinkie: Geeze, you overreact more than Rarity! Rarity: Hey, I object to your.... perfectly.... valid... remark.... *sighs* Pinkie: This is obviously something that has happened in the last few minutes as nothing spooky occurred since then and while my Sense doesn't cover this kind of weather or occurrence, it would have warned me otherwise. That means that whatever did this, knows how to bypass my Sense and leave even me clueless. Twilight: Oh great! Pinkie: But I have good news everypony. Twilight: Oh praise Celestia! Pinkie: Whoever did this wants us to know that we are completely trapped in Ponyville. See, if you look straight over to the nearest vine there we can see a note on one of them on how we are trapped. {Indeed for as all the ponies turned to look at where the Pink One was pointing, they could indeed see a sign with the cryptic but ominous words "Boom goes the Pony to lay upon these vines" written in red marker} Twilight: *Makes a strangled noise and whines a little* Oh! Applejack: Now hang on there Twilight! This is not the time to panic! Twilight: This is the perfect time to panic. We are doomed! We can't get past these plants without exploding. I don't know if the Princesses are alright, and something is wrong with my protégé. How is this not the time to panic! Rarity: Applejack's right as she always is. We can't solve much by wandering around like a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off. Twilight: *twitches* Fantastic metaphor Rarity. That helped so much! Sweetie: Please calm down Twilight! For whatever reason we are alright and nothing bad has happened outside some scares. We will get through this, I know we can. {Before Twilight could even fathom a response to Sweetie, the ringing of the phone pierced through the silence like a knife and startled everypony. Even Dash, gave a small yelp of fear at the agonizing explosion to the silence just then} Twilight: Holy shit my phone is ringing! {She struggles to find the phone as if hoping that good news will be on the other side} Twilight: *Finding it and clicking it on* Twilight here? What seems to be the problem? I am so glad to finally answer this thing. It never rings! {The others face hoof at Twilight's answering of the phone, but don't get far in their mirth as they watch her face drain of all color five seconds later} {Listen} Twilight: *Toneless* Okay {Then she hangs up the phone and stares dead eyed into space} I have to go to Dinky's house, Scootaloo is frantic with hysterics and something seems to have happened! {Before she can move two steps though, Diamond Tiara interrupts her} Diamond: Did something happen to Dinky? Twilight: I don't know, Scootaloo didn't mention what happened outside losing a lot of blood. Diamond: WHAT!? {If it were possible, her voice exploded up two whole octaves, hurting several ponies, causing them to lower their ears in pain} Twilight: I have to go. I already wasted enough time as it is and Scootaloo sounded close to hysterics and barely functional. I am so sorry! {She teleported away, a small relief considering the circumstances. Diamond Tiara felt herself collapse and tears come unbidden to her eyes. Something happened to Dinky while she was here at a party. Was she too late in her warning of Scootaloo? Did Scootaloo come across a dead body? Was she bleeding because she was too slow? A million other inappropriate, fear inducing questions popped into her mind. Hooves wrapped themselves around her and she threw herself at her comforter, hoping it would be enough to stop the questions} Apple Bloom: It's okay, she will be fine. Dinky is a very strong pony and she loves you. Plus if she dies, I am kicking her ass for leaving you behind. It will be fine. Diamond: Do you think I was too slow? Did I do the right thing? Is she going to be fine? I don't want her to leave me if I should fail ..... Apple Bloom: Shhh, it will be fine. You were able to call Scootaloo in time and Twilight is a magical Alicorn. There is nothing that she can't do if she puts her mind to it. Silver Spoon: Yeah DT, I am sure she is probably healing her right now. Or at least on the way to a hospital. Rarity: Have some faith darling! Twilight will come through Diamond: I love you Dinky. I love you so much! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ {Twilight found herself winking into existence right in front of Ditzy's house. Diamond Tiara, for whatever reason was right in the sense that Ponyville appeared to be abandoned. Not a single pony was "felt" if she stretched her magic sense far enough. Normally each and every Pony had a magical signature that touched the unicorn, but for whatever reason, she couldn't feel anypony. It felt wrong, and she didn't like this new sensation} Twilight: Hello? Anypony here? {For a long moment there was silence, and Twilight found herself alarmed for her protégé and Scootaloo. Did something....} Scootaloo: *timidly* Yeah in here Twilight! It is bad.... {Relief flooded into Twilight's heart and she galloped frantically into the kitchen where the young filly's voice seemed to come from.... Only for it to explode painfully into tiny pieces. Scootaloo was drenched in blood. It covered her stomach region and some of it was on her muzzle and cheeks. The reason was painfully obvious after Twilight got a good look at the situation. Dinky was bleeding from two deep stab wounds from a wicked looking knife wound. Blood oozed from both wounds and Dinky had a fair sized puddle underneath her. The filly looked almost pale...} Twilight: Stand back Scootaloo Scootaloo: No, I can't leave her. Twilight: All I am going to do is see if I can clean up some of the blood and heal some of the wound so I can carry her in a magic bubble transport. I won't be able to heal her fully, but maybe I can enough to where she isn't in constant agony or something. Scootaloo: Will she be alright Twilight? {For one heartrending moment, Twilight considered lying and saying everything would be fine, but looking at her student's body and how small it looked, she didn't think she could stomach even a hopeful one} Twilight: I don't know Scoots. This is the worst I have ever seen somepony. But I can sure as Celestia try to help her. Scootaloo: There was a masked pony attacking her. I didn't get a good look at it, but it was standing over..... *breaks off into sobs* Twilight: *Her frantic look eases at the filly sobbing her eyes out* You go on ahead to the Boutique. I will patch her up and take her to the hospital. I fucking hope that Redheart or someone is there and that everypony is just hiding. Go on, I will be there... I promise. {The hesitation was there, but Scootaloo, too depressed to even pay much attention, didn't hear it. Scootaloo seems to give Dinky one final look, finding comfort in the small silver lining of still seeing her beloved younger sister still faintly breathing. Then she gives one final bloodstained kiss on the filly's head, ignoring the blood there before she gets up and heads for the door} {When the filly is gone, Twilight's dwindling good mood vanishes, replaced by mind numbing fear. She had finally gotten a student of her own, and something like this has to happen?} Twilight: Oh Celestia, give me strength. Please let everything here turn out alright! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ {Nurse Redheart had no fucking clue what the hell was going on. One minute she could see the sun shining down on her through the hospital windows and the next, nothing! It had been mind-numbingly slow all fucking day and she had nothing to keep herself busy. All her staff had gotten sick at precisely the same time and wouldn't even answer the fucking phone. Their machines wouldn't even pick up. She had no idea if she should be angry at the lazy bastards or concerned that she wasn't even able to complain to them. Then, as if that wasn't weird enough, several ponies, including five of the Elements of Harmony themselves, show up carrying a very visibly distraught Diamond Tiara and give her a story that Dinky Hooves was attacked and Twilight would be here shortly. Ordinarily, Redheart would have at least allowed some doctoral skepticism to show through, but frankly, excitement, even pointless excitement at this point would have been welcome. So the gang of ponies and one exceedingly bored and understaffed nurse sit down to wait. It wasn't a long wait by any means, but Diamond Tiara's sniffling and anxiety greeted everypony extending the amount of time it seemed to take. Finally, the doors burst open, and a blood splattered Twilight shuffles tiredly through the doorway} Twilight: Please help.... Dinky! {Before magical exhaustion, terror, and concern for Dinky drains what little energy the unicorn has allowing her to finally rest her hooves and sink directly into a dead faint} End of Chapter Two Chapter Three: The Friendship Game{The scene is the hospital. Nurse Redheart had been in the operating room for the past hour trying her best with no aides to save a filly. The scene in the waiting room is tense as one would rightfully expect for this kind of situation. Nopony in their right mind would be dancing or throwing parties for this kind of hell} Diamond: {Muttering to herself} Please recover Dinky. I don't know what I will do if you leave me. Sweetie: She'll be alright T, I know she will pull through. Dinky probably gave the attacker a hard time before what happened, happened. Dinky is a tough filly. Diamond: I know that, believe me Sweetie, I know. The Dinky I know, won't take shit from anypony without a fight. It's part of why I love her. She didn't give up on me even when I was a right bitch to her. She really doesn't take shit from anypony and for those she really doesn't, she ends up getting them to fall in love with her. I owe a lot to her and her family. Scootaloo took a long time to open up to me, but it is really Ditzy and her marefriend Trixie to really open their hearts to me. {Diamond was rambling and Sweetie knew it. She had a good reason to after all, but Sweetie said nothing and allowed her friend to ramble to break the tight stronghold of silence over them all} {Nearby, Twilight was pacing up a storm. All the nervous energy that Diamond probably wanted to bleed from her system was transferred over the Princess. Twilight had never had somepony look up to her that wasn't Spike. When Dinky was able to demonstrate an unusually high level of magic for a filly her age, Twilight knew that she had to kindle that talent and help it along. It wasn't easy for at first Dinky proved to be reluctant for somepony else to teach her. It hadn't been easy for Twilight, already a quite gifted young unicorn (now alicorn) to ignore such obvious talent. Ditzy and Scootaloo mentioned where the young filly came from, how she wasn't popular at the orphanage and bullied on a regular basis for being pretty much the only unicorn there. But after awhile, Dinky's faith in Twilight began to grow. Twilight, unlike thousands of other "teachers" didn't leave, didn't rush, or get upset at her. After awhile, a different relationship began to grow. One that reminded the elder of herself, and she now understood why Celestia did what she did. It was a need to see her friend flourish and become the greatest she could be. While Dinky wasn't nearly as isolated as Twilight had been, she wasn't quick to trust ponies. After years of being left to the sidelines, Dinky had stopped trusting ponies. Adoption had been a start at warming the unicorn up. Twilight had no idea what to do. No spell on Equestria soil could fix this. She could fix injuries so that they didn't bleed, but magical recovery of everything was impossible. Celestia wasn't responding to her. Spike {Twilight was nearly in tears when Spike was alright} had been called down so that she could send a letter to her beloved mentor, but nothing had been written back. This added a whole new level of agony for Twilight as now her protege and teacher were both down for the count} {As Twilight was left to her frantic pacing, Diamond left to cry quietly to herself, the time seemed to drag on forever} {Finally, after what felt like three hours, something different happened. Nurse Redheart stepped out of the operating room covered in blood. Twilight, Diamond, and Scootaloo rushed forward to crowd the exausted nurse while the others simply perked up. They were exhausted at the nervous energy crowded the room and that was all they were able to manage} Twilight: How is she doc? Diamond: Is she going to live? {She practically crowds the exhausted nurse in her frantic enthusiasm for news} {Apple Bloom, realizing that Diamond is practically smothering Redheart gently grabbed hold of the bouncing frantic Diamond to pull her back. Redheart smiles thankfully towards Apple Bloom and turns so she is facing the crowd of surviving ponies anxiously waiting for her to declare her verdict} Redheard: Well, since everypony is practically smothering me right now, I will go on and say that Dinky will make a full recovery. Twilight, you brought her just in time for if you waiting just a few seconds to hike over to the hospital, she might not have made it. {The collective sigh of relief is so strong that Redheart can feel herself leaning backward. Diamond collapses with relief and her worried sobs turn to ones of relief} Redheart: However, the point still stands that she lost a lot of blood and if the fact that Ponyville is deserted considering that nopony showed up for work and I couldn't even yell at them. What happened to cause such a young filly to lose so much blood in the first places. {Twilight looks at Scootaloo, the only pony in the room to witness what had happened to the filly. Scootaloo, after realizing that Twilight was looking at her, looked up towards Redheart} Scootaloo: I didn't see what happened other than a mysterious pony in the room. I was focused on Dinky and her scream and signs of fighting, but when I got there I was able to catch a glimpse of a masked pony. Rumble: In other words she was stabbed by the killer. It is a staple in every horror movie and it is what happened now. Featherweight: You idiot! {Smacks Rumble} How can you be so fucking insensitive. Try to learn some tact, dumbass. Rumble: Well, it's true. I don't mean to be the insensitive prick, but with the town being deserted, Dinky's injury, and the mysterious vines outside, it all adds up. All we need is to identify the killer. Too bad, that this one is masked! It will take awhile. At least with the others, we have a basis on who they are and this doesn't sound like Michael or Jason. Featherweight: Dummy, they don't exist! They are part of cheesy horror movies! This is real life! Some sick fuck just stabbed Dinky and all you can do is focus on some fantasy bull shit. For shame dude, for shame. {Despite just being reprimanded by Feather, Rumble has a wide grin on his face despite the circumstances} Redheart: Did you happen to see who this pony looked like? Twilight: Please Scootaloo, I need to know! Scootaloo: All I saw was a glimpse. Dinky had more exposure to the sick fuck. When can we see her? Redheart: Losing blood is exhausting, so Dinky is of course unconscious. She will wake, but it could be a few hours from now. At least she is stable. Diamond: Can we at least see her? {Redheart shakes her head} Redheart: Sorry dear, but regulations require me to keep her isolated for right now. When she wakes up, you will be the first to be notified. {So began another anxiety laden wait for Dinky to recover from her ordeal. Diamond, unlike the first time had strength enough to pace. Knowing how on edge she was no pony really gave her a hard time about it. Twilight was right up there with her, both wearing the floor thin with their frantic pacing} {Silver Spoon and Snips were huddled together in a small corner of the room. To keep her mind of her friend's plight, she listened to her music. Snips, of course, decided to join her and had one of the ear buds. If it were any other situation, somepony might have thrown an amused glance their way} {Rumble had fallen asleep on Featherweight's back and his friend stayed awake to keep watch. A fond smile appeared on Featherweight's face as his sleeping companion traveled to sleepy town. Soon, three hours passed since Redheart delivered the good news of Dinky's eventual recovery and Redheart came out of where ever she was during this whole time and said that they were now free to visit with the recovering unicorn} {Diamond and Twilight were among the first ponies to follow Redheart while a slower, more organized procession followed in their excited hoofsteps} Redheart: Her room is Room 8 on the left... not that it really matters. She is the only one there. If you will excuse me, I am going to the break room so I can get a drink. {Nopony heard her, but Redheart decided that she really didn't care. She was pleased in the long run that she was able to heal Dinky. This was especially palpable as she was the only one who showed up to work that day and had no extra help} {Dinky was awake and smiling at them when Diamond and Twilight entered the room followed closely by the others} Dinky: Yeah, what took you so long? I was waiting here for quite awhile! Twilight: We had to wait for you to recover! The nurse insisted that we wait a little bit for you to awaken and recover enough for visitors. Dinky: Figures! Diamond: DINKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh thank Celestia you're okay! {She galomps Dinky and cries happy, relief stricken tears as she buries her head into her mate's fur} Dinky: Easy, I am not going anywhere. Plus, you are getting snot on my fur. That's like a huge bitch to get out. {Despite her words, she is clearly relieved to feel her beloved on her. She gives a weak pat on the back of Diamond's head} Dinky: And the rest of you? How's it going? Dash: I can't complain given the circumstances. You have been through a hell of a lot though kid! You must be made of tough stuff! Dinky: Hah, getting stabbed isn't the worst thing that has happened to me. Diamond: It was so scary! I thought I lost you! Dinky: {blushing} Well, there was the thought I wouldn't see you again! That sucked. But I would do it again if it meant you were safe.. Rumble: You too are like so sickening sometimes {fakes a dry heave} Stop being so lovey dovey. Featherweight: {Shit eating smirk} Hypocrite! Scootaloo: Yeah, you are like the biggest softy imaginable. Rumble: S-S Shut it! Scootaloo: I also hear you give lots of cuddles and nuzzle all the time. Featherweight: It's true dude! You can get so affectionate and clingy. It's a wonder we can separate you at all! Rumble: {Violently red} You all suck! {This outburst causes Rainbow, Scootaloo, and Featherweight to break out in raucous laughter. This causes the poor colt to get more and more red the longer the three laugh} {Sweetie shakes her head at the outburst. Trying her best to ignore the joking, she went over to declare her own relief} Sweetie: Seriously though Dinky, its great to have you back. It wasn't the same without another smart pony at the party. Scootaloo: Hey, I'm smart! {Sweetie giggles at Scootaloo, while the latter sulks} Fluttershy: Are you okay Dinky? I bet it was really scary! Applejack: Course it was! I bet my right leg that nothing will ever be scarier than that! Dinky: It wasn't truly bad till that crazy pony actually became a threat. It was mostly stupid cliche shit that everypony knows. Once she actually stabbed me when I was otherwise distracted, things became serious. Twilight: I hate to put you on the spot dear, but do you remember what this pony looked like? Did you recognize the pony at all? Dinky: {Visibly struggles to recall what happened} All I remember was the pony had a mask on from that movie. Rumble: Oh no, it was a Jason mask wasn't it? Can't some ponies be original? Dinky: It was from that V for Vendetta movie actually! Bit odd considering.. Rumble: Seriously!? Dinky: Yep Rumble: Why?! That mask isn't even scary in the first place. The fucking movie wasn't even a fucking horror movie! Dinky: According to the pony, it was the only thing they could find in the costume store. Featherweight: I would rather it have been a Jason mask. He is ten times more iconic. Rumble: He didn't even appear until the second movie! And the mask wasn't even fucking worn until the third movie! I would say Michael Myers is ten times more iconic then Jason. Dinky: {Annoyed} They're both iconic numbnuts. My point is, she, (it was definitely a female pony) said that she wanted revenge. That was the gist of our entire confrontation. Diamond: Why would anypony attack you? Dinky: {Awkwardly pauses} Diamond, I am not blaming you by any means, but apperently that pony hates me for associating with you. Diamond: {Dejected} Really? But.... I have been with you for a few years now. I made up to everypony. Dinky: I know, but they seem to think that... {hesitates} you never changed. Apple Bloom: I can say that I was probably one of the worst off from Diamond's bullying and I forgave her..... eventually Sweetie: Ponies have the ability to change. To fully believe somepony is unable to grow up or change is silly. Scootaloo: Yeah, I probably hated you the most... {Sweetie glares at Scootaloo from behind Diamond} Scootaloo: Well I mean, I knew you were pretty serious when you apologized to me. If me and Apple Bloom can forgive you, then why can't anypony else. Diamond: It's Apple Bloom and I, Scoots.. Scootaloo: Dammit, not you too! I already have Sweetie correcting my grammar, I don't need you as well doing it! Diamond: But in all seriousness, not everypony can find it in their hearts to forgive their tormentors. It takes a huge amount of kindness to forgive your abuser if they should apologize. In some cases it just makes it worse. I cheated though. I went to an alternate Equestria where I was hated and bullied. That would traumatize anypony to the point of changing their way of life. Dinky: We've been over this! Diamond: I know, I am just saying that not everypony can forgive years of psychological abuse at the drop of a hat. This pony sounds like the grudge carrying kind. Twilight: But you're okay otherwise, right? Dinky: Yeah, thanks to you and the nurse! You probably did an excellent job patching me up! Twilight: I would do the same for anypony! But this was the first time I had a protege and something in me snapped. Dinky: It's okay, Twilight. I'm safe! Twilight: I know that now of course, but there was just too much blood! I had to do something. {It is around this point that Redheart pops in and makes the following announcement} Redheart: I know you all want to spend time with Dinky, but she needs her rest. Scootaloo: Seriously, your kicking us out? The whole place is a ghost town and for all we know, we can be killed if we leave. On the way to Dinky's house, I was attacked by something. There is no fucking way we are moving! It had so many eyes.... {shudders} Redheart: {Annoyed sigh} Don't you think I know that? All I meant was to give Dinky some space. Dinky: I would feel a little safer if they were with me to be honest Redheart: Are you sure? You did have a pretty heavy ordeal? Dinky: It's the little things like that, that make a huge difference! I doubt them being in the same room with me will open up or aggravate any of my wounds or bandages. Redheart: All of you know not to jump on Dinky or roughhouse with her, right! Scootaloo: Course I fucking do! Diamond: ..... {Blushes} Sweetie: Yeah, we can have a hospital sleepover! Apple Bloom: I can't believe you said that with a straight face! Sweetie: Neither do I! Redheart: If whatever passes for the morning now occurs and Dinky has some aggravated bandages, I will know something was up. So NO FUNNY BUSINESS! Diamond: Yeah yeah! No funny business! But upon her recovery... Redheart: So now that you all know not to upset or aggravate Dinky, I will go back to the break room. There is a biiiiiigg bottle with my name on it. I think I can pay myself in that for my services. If there is anything that you need during the night, please don't hesitate to let me know. Take care Dinky! {Dinky waves slowly as the nurse lets herself out of the room} Twilight: Take care Dinky! Goodnight everypony! Dinky: Where are you going? Twilight: I am going to search the rest of Ponyville and see if I can find any other ponies. Dash: I'm coming with you Twi! There is no fucking way I'm letting you do this on your own! Applejack: Count on me too! Pinkie: This sounds like so much fun! A wonderful epic adventure tracking down some giant, faceless meanie pants! Coming Flutterbutter? Fluttershy: Oh no! Pinkie: Come on Shy! I'll be there every step of the way! Fluttershy: Well, alright! But no scary monsters please! Dash: Hah, bring them on!!!! Rarity: I might as well join you. If only to keep an eye on Applejack! Applejack: Hah, I will be keeping an eye on Rainbow! But you can watch my rear! Rarity: {Wide eyed} What? Applejack: {Breaks out into laughter} I mean, watching Rainbow is a full time job. I might need some backup! Rainbow: Let's just go already! Dinky: No, you can't! I might never see you guys again! Rumble: Everypony knows what happens if you say you will be back! We are reasonably safe in the hospital. No pony is outside and all that this will lead to is heart break and madness. Twilight: Somepony has been watching too many movies! We will be fine! Rainbow: Plus, I will be there with her! With me on the team, nothing will get through! Rumble: That just makes it worse! Rainbow: {Frustrated} What's that supposed to mean? Rumble: Nothing against your character or anything! It's just, if you leave, you leave yourselves open to whatever is out there. Nothing ever attacks from inside buildings unless it has design weaknesses, or it was specifically called to happen. We would have been attacked already if something did want to attack the hospital. Rainbow: Still, we will be with Twilight! That only works if you are solo and none of us are stupid enough to go out alone. Rumble: I guess that's a good point. Stick to the buddy system and you should be fine. It may be a pain in the ass, but nopony dies in public or around other people. Rainbow: Exactly kid! We will stick to Twilight like glue! Twilight: We should be alright! If we see anypony, unlikely as it is, we will send them this way, so make sure to stay at this location. Sweetie: Okay! Stay safe! Dinky: If you see my mom, can you please send her this way! I'm worried about her! She would have been the first one here if she had heard I had been attacked by a psycho and the absense is worryingly. Trixie also should have been here but she too is gone. Twilight: Of course, but you shouldn't worry about Ditzy. Dash: That mare is tough! Rumble: Dash!!! That's jinxing it!!! Dash: Yeah, ordinarily that's true I guess, but Ditzy is ridiculously hard to injure! Scootaloo: Yeah, that piano fell on her and she once stabbed herself on a tree branch! Dinky: I remember that! She barely had a scratch and all that happened was an unwavering fear of trees for a while. It seems that mare is hard to kill even by pointy objects! Scootaloo: So, yeah, ordinarily that jinxes it, but Ditzy is fucking hard to kill.... not that I tried or anything, but she doesn't get anything worse than broken bones. Still, the fact that she isn't here is worrying, but she isn't dead. Rumble: Careful though anyway! Dash: You have no reason to fear for us kid! We are just going on a rescue mission to look for survivors! We will send them this way if we find anypony!! {After an additional pause as hugs are passed around, the six mares finally depart the hospital leaving the fillies and three colts behind. The atmosphere is rather tense as a weighty silence falls on them} Dinky: So what's the plan guys? Sweetie: Sleep, I guess! Snips: Snails is also missing! He hasn't shown up either. Scootaloo: Why the hell haven't you brought that up when we were discussing ponies we were concerned about earlier? Snips: Forgot Silver: We had a lot on our minds! From worry about Dinky to all the other happenings! Scootaloo: Whatever! Dinky: Sleep does sound good though! We should all try to get some sleep. Maybe we can head out tomorrow, to look for Snails. Rumble: Is that wise though? Featherweight: Probably not Dinky: Yeah, but we can't in good conscious leave anypony to the town. Whatever is out there is dangerous. Scootaloo: Sleep first, rescue later! {So the foals decide to sleep! Soon midnight strikes, though nopony has any real way of knowing that. Silver Spoon has holed up near the foot of the bed with Snips nearby. In her sleep she has grabbed hold of him. Dinky and Diamond are cuddled together with relived smiled on their faces at being reunited} {A small indistinct sound startles Sweetie awake. Scootaloo is using her stomach as a pillow and they had fallen asleep in each other's hooves} Sweetie: It is probably nothing! {A moan and a small groan shatters that notion} Sweetie: Redheart? {Ignoring common sense, the filly disentangles herself from Scootaloo's hooves and tiphooves out the small room} Sweetie: I probably should ignore this, but who in their right mind would ignore a pony in trouble. {Voices whisper in her ear, taunting her that she can't save whoever she heard. They ensnare the young pony and whisper dark thoughts into her ears} Sweetie: Shut up! I know this is a bad idea! But I can't just ignore this! ???: Bad idea little foal! Monsters have a way of trapping those that wonder into their midst! {That wasn't a voice from her head} ???: Try the door on the left! *giggle* {Listen} {The foal stops dead in her tracks at the voice that was most definitely not a mental torment of her consciousness} Sweetie: Did you attack Dinky? ???: Wow, we are smart cookies! Very good! Don't even think about preparing a spell little one! I can't be struck by such mediocre spells. Sweetie: What do you want? ???: I want many things! You can't provide them! But, if you want to play hero, try the door on the left! Sweetie: Why? Its going to kill me, whatever it is! ???: You aren't on my list! Why would I want to kill somepony who didn't do anything? No, you are merely going to get things started. Sweetie: What? ???: Knock knock little filly! {The door on the left swings open terrifying Sweetie. A spell is quickly shot off due to the filly's surprise} Redheart: Please help me! Sweetie: Nurse?! What happened!? Redheart: Please help me! {Without thinking of the cliched nature of the situation, she gallops frantically through the door! She is so preoccupied at playing noble hero, she doesn't hear the door slam shut or the high pitched giggle} {The room is pitch black and Sweetie is completely and totally blind. Ordinarily the light of the moon would light up the room} Scritch, Scritch, Scritch {Sweetie's whole body tenses at the noise} {Listen} Drip, Drip, Drip Sweetie: Redheart? Are you okay? {The screen slows down with two buttons on screen. Press X and B} {Sweetie tenses her entire body. Something is seriously wrong in this room and her body screams at her to dodge right. A sliding noise echos across the room and Sweetie feels something slide across the room toward her. The darkness around her vision increases her sense of hearing ten fold, and she weakly jump rolls out of the way of whatever is attacking her} Sweetie: Redheart, please snap out of it! It's me, Sweetie! ???: Do you honestly believe that to work? Sweetie: Let her go you bitch! ???: You can't even see! How do you expect to fight with your lousy magic? {Sweetie feels something wrap around her hooves, preventing her from moving!} {Mash the LT and RT as fast as you can!!!!} {Pain cuts through Sweetie's back as something starts chomping on her causing her to scream. Her horn lights, frantically trying to summon a spell. The young filly struggles frantically. Something wet slides down her face and the smell of metallic enters her nostrils} {Press X} {Sweetie's horn finally manages to light her horn with a knock back spell that all unicorn's possess. At dire moments, even an unskilled unicorn can pull off this basic of all spells. Something roars in her ears, and Sweetie's frantic struggles mange to free her hooves} ???: Very good! But can you truly free yourself from your fate? Sweetie: Shut it! ???: Rude much? {Something flies drastically through the darkness clouding Sweetie's vision} {Press B and Y} {Sweetie, in a blind panic attempts to use her magic to grab the unknown object out of the air. She is partly successful. A blinding flash of pain explodes and Sweetie groans as her magic catches the mysterious item thrown at her. Her magic can't grasp it safely without Sweetie getting hurt it seems. So as soon as she can, she expels it from her, hearing a far off clatter to the floor and a watery, guttural moan as her reward} ???: Meanie! But you really can't save yourself in the end. In the end, you will all die, and I will get my revenge! Sweetie: What did I do? ???: You should know! You did it! {As Sweetie recovers from whatever injured her, she feels a pressure on her throat and her blinded vision blurs} ???: Game Over Sweetie Belle! {MASH THE FUCK OUT OF THE A BUTTON!!!} {Sweetie can smell something rotten against her face and a giggle echo in the tiny room. The tiny unicorn struggles to knock off an attacker she couldn't see. She struggles valiantly to draw breathe, but whatever has hold over her, is too strong} ???: Nobody to help the poor little unicorn. Your friends are asleep, and there will be no one to come to your aide. Too bad really, but you deserve it! You all deserve to die! Even me come to think of it. How ironic is that!!! But I am long dead already and all I can do is bring eternal damnation upon you all for the misery you have caused me! {Sweetie can find herself unable to see. But as she continues to struggle valiantly to whoever is trying to choke her, she can faintly hear a voice off in the distance} Sweetie: hh-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-hh-h-heeellllllpp ???: It won't do you any good! It's just your imagination! ???: No it isn't! Get your fucking hooves off my friend, bitch! {From seemingly nowhere a new comer enters the dark room. Because of the darkness, Sweetie can't see who it is, but she recognizes the voice} Diamond: Snap out of it Sweetie! Use your magic to break free of Redheart's grip! Can't you see that she isn't the nurse we know! {The pressure on Sweetie's throat is gone at Diamond's words. The unicorn falls to the floor and violently coughs her lungs out. The lights then turn on a few moments later. There's Diamond Tiara looking concerned and drenched in blood alongside her} Sweetie: Hey, *cough* the lights came back on! When did you show up here Tiara? Diamond: {Concerned} The lights were on this whole time! The door was wide open and you were being choked to death by Redheart! That doesn't make sense. Why would she do that? {Sweetie, confused, turns to look at where Diamond Tiara was pointing and felt herself get sick} {Listen} Sweetie: Oh Luna! What happened to her! {Shocked, Sweetie falls to the ground in terror! The nurse's body was perhaps cruelly broken, and covered in stab wounds. Her eyes were wide with shock and horror at whatever happened or attacked her. A blood puddle was forming underneath the obviously dead nurse} Sweetie: {Crying} I heard her crying out to me! She was alive before that bitch attacked me. Diamond: Who? Sweetie: {Grabs Diamond roughly} I heard the killer! I think she did something to my perception. It was dark and I think something was controlling her. She was alive, Diamond! Diamond: No Sweetie, when I came into this room, the body had the stab wounds already. She was already long dead. I will agree with the controlling part of your story though. {Sweetie breaks down further in shock. Diamond comfortingly lays a hoof on the sobbing unicorn's back} Sweetie: Thank Celestia you were here Diamond! I think I could have died here tonight and you saved my life! Thank you so much! Thank you so much. Diamond: I couldn't sleep and when you went out of the room so suddenly, I followed you. I would have been here sooner, but it was a bitch trying to navigate the hallways. This room isn't that far from where we were staying, but it took so long trying to find it. I wasn't that far from you anyway. Several doors I tried on the way led to dead ends. Something was fucking with me! Sweetie: Let's go back to the others! I don't think we are as safe here as we thought. {Tired, the two fillies tentatively exit the room. For a long while, the body in the room is still, but soon a violently red light covers the Nurse's body. ???: {Voice over} My revenge against you, nurse has ended! Thanks for your cooperation! {The scene shifts over to the foals. By now, Sweetie and Tiara have made it back to Dinky's hospital room and after waking up everypony, they were informed of the news that Redheart was killed. Needless to say, the news isn't taking very well} Rumble: I fucking told you! We aren't safe anywhere! Why, Sweetie, did you feel a need to investigate? Don't you know that is the quickest way to the grave? Featherweight: Hush, Rumble. How was Sweetie just going to ignore a potential cry for help. How could anypony ignore that? Scootaloo: Dammit Rumble, you should know by now that even if Sweetie ignored the cry for help, something else would have arrived to get Sweetie to investigate. It would have persisted until whoever the fuck did this, got Sweetie out of bed and on her own. Don't you know anything? Rumble: That may be true, but it is still a trap. Scootaloo: Yeah, it may very well be a trap, and all of us will die off one by fucking one. The point still stands, that it is impossible to actively ignore any random noises or distractions. It's rigged against us. Dinky: All of you, quit discussing cliches. It's annoying! Snips: So what are we going to do now? Silver: Redheart had just healed Dinky and some sick fuck kills her? What the hell did Nurse Redheart do to anypony? ???: What indeed little ponies!! {Listen} {The voice laughs in an echo around them} ???: She deserved her death. But look around at all the gathered little ponies! I can crush each and every one of you right now! But what fun would that be? {The voice is soon revealed to be a pony standing silently in the corner. The pony is once again wearing the Guy Fawkes mask. One corner of the mask is covered in blood while the rest is clean. The kind of clean that has no blemishes or otherwise marks of any kind} Scootaloo: You attacked my little sister! I will fucking kill you! Diamond: Wait, Scootaloo!!! {But Scootaloo ignores the warning! Vengeance is on her mind and she takes off in blind rage toward her imagined tormentor} ???: Ah, Scootaloo! You were always quick to anger. But, I am not going to fall so easily. There is nothing that you can do to me! Scootaloo: {Charging} We'll see about that fucker!! {The mysterious pony giggles in amusement} ???: Clearly, you believe you can injure me with pitiful attacks! How juvenile and sad! {Before Scootaloo can lay one hoof on the mysterious attacker. Her hoof violently stops in midair directly in front of the pony} Scootaloo: What the fuck!? ???: Are you done? Scootaloo: What are you? ???: I said, are you done? Scootaloo: First tell me what you did? I should have beaten you by now! ???: *Sigh* How disappointing! Scootaloo, can you punch through air? Scootaloo: No? ???: Is that a question or are you really clueless? Scootaloo: You can't punch through air. But what does that.... ???: There is nothing you can do to harm me because I am already dead. {Silence echoes around the room as everypony is stunned} ???: But... I can hurt you! Want a demonstration? {But the mysterious pony doesn't allow an answer, Scootaloo's hoof shakes in the air before a resounding crack echoes and Scootaloo screams in violent agony} ???: Now shut up and let me talk! {Scootaloo falls back to the floor cradling her seemingly fine hoof to her chest. After awhile she feels the hoof in confusion and stares in wonderment at the mysterious pony in front of her. The pain is gone as quick as the pain started} Scootaloo: What ... ???: Never mind all that! We are going to play a game! I am going to kill you all! Every last one of you. you are going to die. But what fun is murder without first playing a little game. Sweetie? Sweetie: {Scared} W-W-what? ???: You will be the player tasked to save your friends! I will give you one chance and one chance only to save them. Save them properly before they die on their own blood, and I will let you keep them. I don't think I need to tell you what happens if you fail, do I? Sweetie: No mam! ???: Good! I like the sound of this game! We shall call it the Friendship Game. Friendship after all is about saving your loved ones and those you care about, right? Sweetie: Ye-yeah ???: But in the end, it's all meaningless! I will have them and they will be so happy with me. We will laugh, and sing, and be together forever! But that's not important. Do you think you can save your friends, Sweetie? Do you love your friends enough to save them? Sweetie: Ye-Ye-Yeah, I do! They mean the world to me! ???: No, I don't think you do. No one really cares about anypony! Let alone you! Not in the long run anyway! But anyway, I will catch you later! I have an old friend to see about a bear! It will be so exciting!!! Toodles! {The mysterious mare vanishes from sight with only the faint sound of her laughter giving away the sign that she was there at all} Dinky: What a fucking bitch! Scootaloo: She isn't what I pictured though. Diamond: What do you mean? Scootaloo: I thought she was somepony I knew. When Dinky described her, I thought that would make it easy to track down. She is a bigger threat then I was imagining. I felt my hoof break by some powerful force, and then once I realized that my hoof looked fine, I tested it. The pain quickly vanished after that. But it felt so real. It was so realistic, I felt short of breathe and it was just an illusion. Sweetie: But we are fine for right now! We are all here, safe, for now anyway! Dinky: Even still... Let's call out our names! You know, role call! I don't feel so good all of a sudden! Sweetie: Here Snips: Here Silver: Here Diamond: Here Rumble: Present Feather: Yeah Scootaloo: I know I'm here! Dinky: I'm here too {Silence} Sweetie: Apple Bloom? Scootaloo: Oh shit! Dinky: AB please for the love of fucking equinity, be hiding {Apple Bloom, not being present in the room, could not answer the desperate pleas of her traumatized friends} Dinky: Shit! Sweetie: Maybe she left a clue of her whereabouts somewhere. She is a smart filly, she wouldn't leave on her own like this without first warning about it. Diamond: Well we're in luck cause when I looked around the area, I found a note. Scootaloo: {Semi-jokenly} It isn't a ransom note is it? Diamond: Relax! It isn't even remotely close, but it still gives me an ill feeling! Guys, Appleajack came back to the hospital and decided to take me with her. I only had enough time to write this note to tell you where I was. It was pretty late at night, but she insisted. We were going back to the farm to check on Winona and then we were going to look for survivors. Sorry I couldn't wait up, Apple Bloom My List of Friends: Redheart (Winner) Apple Bloom Dinky Silver Spoon Scootaloo Featherweight Diamond Tiara Such good friends. I can't wait to play with them. Even though they hurt me and made me feel sad and lonely, I forgive them. The dead can't hurt anypony anymore. We will have so much fun together; I can't wait. One by one I will make them all my friends, forever together. With this list, I will keep track of everybody. They will all be winners of the Friendship game End of Chapter Three
Chapter One: Home Alone{Listen} Fimfiction PM studios presents: In Accordance with PM Alliance group A Bad_Seed_ 72 production Scream for Me, Sweetie Starring: Sweetie Belle Diamond Tiara Dinky Hooves Scootaloo and Apple Bloom With appearances by: Twilight Sparkle Cheerelee Silver Spoon Rumble and Featherweight [A phone cuts through the credits and pierces the silence and the music fades] ???: Hello? ???: Hey Dinky! Dinky: Oh, what is it Scootaloo? Scootaloo: Just thought I call you to see if you can come out for a party Sweetie is having at Rarity's Dinky: How did she manage to pull that off? {The screen opens and we see Dinky holding a phone with her magic power. She is running around, making some sort of food. Though for the time being, she is focused on the call} Scootaloo: Mostly by promising that it would only feature ponies Rarity herself is familiar with, and we can't invite boys. That sorta thing really! Rarity then agreed with minimal whining and or complaining. So can you make it or do you have some sort of excuse. Dinky: *In the kitchen popping some popcorn* Darn, you really have me figured out! Scootaloo: You know it, so can you go or do I have to forcibly remove you from the house? Dinky: I would go, but I am slammed with homework. You know what I am like when I drink. I can't take my alcohol. Unicorns in general can't really take their alcohol. Scootaloo: I never said there would be any. Rarity said that was one of the conditions to have this party. Dinky: *Stops popping the food, all time seems to stop as she stares wide eyed into space* Really so you can promise me that somepony else won't bring alcohol. Scootaloo: Uhh, none of the other Crusaders drink, and I heard Diamond Tiara will be there. Dinky: *pauses* Damn, now I feel really lame that I am missing out. I was supposed to hang out with her this weekend but Cheerelee likes to overload us on homework. I don't like doing it at the last minute so I pretty much have to do it as much as possible tonight. Sorry Scootaloo! Scootaloo: *There is a long pause* Tough shit Dinks, I need you here. I am pretty much living with you and I don't want to sit by myself while you waste away getting a good education. I should be there in five minutes. Dinky: Thanks for telling me the amount of time it will take to get here. I will try not to have anything happen in the meantime. I really should be left alone to get this done. Scootaloo: Screw homework! You should be out with friends instead of cooped up in the house. Plus the only ponies that will be there will be friends so it isn't like anything really rowdy can happen. Dinky: Fine, Scootaloo, you win! Just hurry up so when you get here, I am not invested in homework. I really hate it when you use that sisterly charm to hoodwink me into doing what you want. Scootaloo: Ain't that the best though? Dinky: Sure, now hurry up so I can eventually get to work on this. Princess Twilight also wants me to work on my levitation spells a little more. Using it to make phone calls doesn't cut it. I also need to apply it in the field. Scootaloo: Only you Dinks, can capture the eye of the newest princess. I didn't even know Twilight takes apprentices. Dinky: Lucky I was there to stop that rampaging carriage when she was too slow to react otherwise. She said something about magic being strong for a filly of my age. She decided after that to further tone my gift. Or at least that was what she called it anyway. Scootaloo: Yeah sure, now two of my friends are eggheads. Dinky: What about Dash? Scootaloo: I was thinking both Sweetie and Dash actually, and now you come to think of it. So all my friends are eggheads and Apple Bloom and I will slowly rot from the inside on how dumb we are... supposedly. Lucky Diamond doesn't give us a hard time any more or I would have just fed her fuel to give me a headache. Dinky: Yeah, so hurry up and hang up the phone already! Scootaloo: Whatever *hangs up the phone* Dinky: Huh, didn't mean it literally. *The phone, upon Dinky finishing this rings, causing Dinky to jump in alarm and slide the pan of popcorn a few feet on the oven* Dinky: *picking it up* Did you call to apologize or are you going to say goodbye to me properly. Scootaloo: Yeah sorry about that, I usually don't say goodbye to ponies on the phone. I am not actually used to this thing like you are. It is clearly a jump in technology since simple letters. Dinky: I forgive you, but you know you can always fall back on letters. I am sure Sweetie or maybe Spike can give you access to magical fire. Mom should be on her break at work. I am sure she would be honored to deliver that letter for you so you don't have your head explode on the phone. Scootaloo: Funny! Now I really do have to leave. I haven't left since talking to you five minutes ago. Bye Dinky! {Before Dinky could return the sentiment, Scootaloo hangs up the phone} Dinky: At least she actually said goodbye this time. Oh well! {The filly places the phone on the counter top near the oven. Making sure that no other distractions would occur, the filly focuses on cooking her snack. She knew she would eat at the party that Scootaloo was apparently forcing her to go to} {The phone rings yet again, and Dinky stares at it in confusion. She wasn't expecting anypony else to call her. None that she knew about anyway. So who could that possibly be} Dinky: *Answering the phone after a hesitant pause* Hello? ???: Hello Dinky! Dinky: Boy, you have a sexy voice who is this! ???: Oh, I don't know, you figure it out. I will give you a hint. You're dating her! Dinky: Diamond Tiara you are a Celestia send. I have terrible news. Diamond: What is it? Dinky: I wanted to ignore the call of social interaction to get a head start on my education, and Scootaloo decided to cancel those plans and force me to a party and hang out among all of you. Diamond: Oh that bitch, trying to keep you from getting an education. You want to know the worst part? Dinky: *Giggling* What's that? Diamond: I am going to be there! Dinky: Oh the horror! Hanging out with my fillyfriend and potentially making out with her as well? This night is going to suck. {The two giggle at the confusing line of conversation. Midway through their cheer, Dinky gets the call waiting tone. Dinky jumps at hearing it midway through her conversation not expecting any other calls} Dinky: That's odd. Diamond: *Noticing the serious tone* What? Dinky: Apparently I have a call waiting. Diamond: *Teasing* Maybe it's a colt Dinky: Why the hell should that matter to me? I am dating you. I love you! Why would I care if a colt comes to call. Unless he is really really hot and somehow takes the gay right out of me, I have eyes only for you babe! Diamond: What do you mean by if a really hot colt comes to call. I should be the only one in your life? Dinky: *Giggling* I should take this call! If you keep making me laugh I won't answer it and then the beep keeps yelling at me. Diamond: Fine, but stay on the line. I want to hear if you somehow aren't gay for me anymore. Dinky: Whatever! {Dinky flashes to the other line and tentatively answers the call. She has no idea who this pony is that would call her} Dinky: Hello? ???: *A feminine unknown voice answers the phone* Yes? Dinky: Huh! ???: Is this Dinky? Dinky: How can you call this line and not know who it is? ???: Conversation... it is nice, yes? Dinky: Look I think you have a wrong number! Who are you trying to call really? Maybe I can redirect you. I know everypony in Ponyville, and though I don't know as much as Pinkie, I still know enough. ???: I want to talk to you! It is important I speak to you. Dinky: Can you tell me your name at least. You don't sound like anypony I know! ???: Maybe Dinky: Look I am kind of busy, I am doing something really important and unless this is something I need to know, can you call back? ???: Really? You say you are busy? Dinky: Yeah, I am with my mare friend and we are super busy. ???: Because the way I see it, you are alone in that apartment and talking to one Diamond Tiara on the other line. Dinky: .... Please hold... ???: Don't.... {Dinky clicks off the line and goes over to a waiting Diamond Tiara} Dinky: Tiara, a freak just called me and I need you to call Scootaloo to hurry the fuck up and pick me up. ???: I'm sorry, Diamond Tiara can't come to the phone right now. If you would like to leave your name and number, I will be more than happy to ignore it and get back to her never. Dinky: What the fuck did you do to her? ???: Nothing yet {Dinky didn't like that yet part} ???: However, I can assure you that nothing will happen to you should you decide to cooperate and play a game with me. You should like the reward as it concerns you staying alive. Dinky: You're serious!? ???: Doubting me? Dinky: No ???: Good, the last thing I need is some stupid bitch questioning why I am doing the things I am doing. You're smart and I like that, but when all of this is over maybe you will reconsider. Dinky: You calling me dumb? I am the protege of Twilight Sparkle there isn't anything I don't know. ???: Really? Then you would know that you're front door is unlocked! Dinky: *Shouts* What!? {Dinky forgets about the phone hovering near her and gallops over to check. The wide open door stands tauntingly thrown open. Little bits of glass clutter the floor. How the hell had she not heard that?} {Listen} {A feminine voice giggles in Dinky's ear} ???: How did I manage to sneak my way inside the house? Do you know the answer? {Dinky's eyes widen and she turns her head in every direction as if hoping to see somepony sneaking up on her} ???: How boring of you Dinky! Trying to find something that is hidden. Dinky: Where the fuck are you, you bitch! Scootaloo is on her... ??? way? No I don't think so! You will find that I have made sure she will be delayed. Unless somepony that I am not aware of is in that house, you aren't being rescued. I have disabled all outgoing calls so that only I can talk to you. Dinky: Should I even bother? You sound like you are going to kill me regardless. ???: What fun is a revenge scheme if I don't get payback first. Dinky: What the fuck did I do to you? I don't even know who this is. Maybe if you reveal a name at least I can remember. You are being unfair. ???: .... Dinky: This is rigged to where I die anyway. You will play around with me because you are a sick fuck who get's their kicks from lonely filly's in their house with nopony to save them. ???: Not yet! I am fond of trivia! Are you? Dinky: Depends ???: How about scary movies? Do you like those? Dinky: Boring! Can't you be at least a little original? I am a filly! I have seen every classic known to ponykind. What, you can't think of an original topic? What kind of murder game is this? ???: How amusing! You have caught me out. But Dinky, I am not done with you yet. Dinky: And that's another thing. Why are you saying nothing but cliches. Really, what kind of filly do you take me for? ???: Who voiced Rarity? Dinky: Really? ???: .... Dinky: Are you some kind of idiot? Everypony knows that! ???: Then tell me if you are so smart! Dinky: *Bored*Tabitha St. Germain.... Next ???: That was of course an easy one! Dinky: Then why ask dumbass! ???: *Giggles* It's a warm-up silly. I wouldn't ask easy questions throughout this. Dinky: Why are you asking me questions if you are just going to kill me. I assume that's why you are here? Where ever you are? ???: *Giggles* Dinky: That isn't an answer... please answer me! ???: Next Question: This character's voice actress voices Trixie as well. Dinky: Queen Chrysalis! Easy as pie. Though I hope they bring her back. ???: Oh me too! But you are only half correct. Dinky: What!? But I could have sworn Queen Chrysalis was the only one. ???: You're in luck! I will give you a freebie. She voices the adult Hoops! As well as the announcer pony that tells everyone that they are to be ready in Season 1 Episode 16 of Sonic Rainboom. Dinky: Really? Was that absolutely necessary to ask me? Who cares about background Ponies like that? ???: You're mom is a Background pony, correct? Dinky: That doesn't count! Look, I am done with your stupid game ???: Then how about this? I answer you two more questions. Forestalling the huge game show I planned. Get them right, I let you leave when Scootaloo arrives. Get one wrong, and I kill you... How about that. Dinky: *scared* What did I do to you? I don't even fucking know you. ???: Revenge Dinky: What the fuck did I do to you? ???: You are dating Diamond Tiara. Dinky: Are you some kind of bigot or homophobe? I hate fucking ponies like that? You need to get your head out of your ass and realize that love is fucking love. ???: She is a bully! She made several ponies cry and hurt over the years. That is something you can't walk away from. I heard that a pony committed suicide because of her hurtful remarks. Dinky: Really? I never heard that and this is a pretty close knit society. Where's your proof? Can't a pony change or grow up? ???: Not this pony! But that is not the only reason I am doing this! Dinky: Do tell ???: No, how about I ask you a few questions! {As Dinky is talking, she is moving around the room, trying to spot clues to the intruder. Luckily, she isn't taunted by the mysterious pony on the phone. The door stands lonely in the wind still wide open. Seeing nothing outside and doubting that she could really escape, she stays inside for the time being} ???: Ready for the next question... it is a hard one? Dinky: Sure, you fucking bitch! ???: *Giggles* Dinky: Stop fucking laughing *Internally* I just have to keep her occupied till Scootaloo is able to get here. Surely this distraction won't fully prevent her from showing up. It will just delay her till it's too late. I just hope I can forestall her enough so that I can escape. ???: In the Smile song, how many times is the word smile used? *Giggles* Dinky: Shit.... ???: You have a minute to provide the correct answer! Dinky: You fucking bitch! That's way too specific ???: *Giggles* Give up? Dinky: No, I will win this... I just have to get a piece of paper. ???: Better hurry, you have only 45 seconds left. Dinky: Shit {She searches around the house frantically going over the words of the song in her head. It doesn't help that constant laughter is in her ear at persistent intervals. It's as if it is trying to distract her from concentrating} ???: 20 seconds! You are running out of time and my knife is getting rather hungry. {A door creaks open upstairs, and Dinky frantically tries to ignore the sound. It is just a distraction} ???: 10 Seconds... This is fun don't you think? {With time running out, she tries her best to go over what she remembers. She eventually becomes frantic with worry and decides to say the first number that pops into her head and hopes it is the correct answer. Dinky: Oh... uh.... damn 3...37? ???: ..... Dinky: A-A-A-Am I right? *Her heart is nearly in her throat and she is nearly drenched in sweat* ???: You certainly work well under pressure. You are also a good guesser. Dinky: So did I get it right! Did I fucking get the fucking right answer you fucking bitch? ???: For now Dinky: *Collapses in relief* ???: Now I wonder if you can guess where I am in the house? Am I hovering over you waiting, or what? Dinky: *Her heart nearly stops* That's not fair! No pony can possibly get that answer. I was right, you just want to kill me anyway. What was up with the fucking trivia questions then? ???: Now come on! You only just assume I am going to follow through with my plan of murder. Why don't you arm yourself and guess. It will be fun.... I promise! Dinky: The fucking closet at the top of the stairs you fucking cunt! {She launches the phone away with a kinetic blast from her horn. She has time to hear a loud curse from upstairs before the phone explodes against the wall} {Galloping frantically to the kitchen, where she knows her mother stores the knives, she searches for a nearby knife. If what she saw in various movies was true, she deduces that she has little to no time before she is well and truly fucked. To her horror, the knives she knows are there are now non-existent} ???: *close by* Looking for something? {Dinky gulps and whirls around to confront her new problem. Leaning against the counter is a costumed pony wearing a black costume. A Guy Fawkes mask hugs the mysterious pony's face. The knife Dinky was looking for is in it's hoof. Dinky: *Raising an eye* Seriously? ???: Leave me alone, it was all they had at the costume store. Dinky: *Smirking* Sounds like they ran out of Ghostface masks. It isn't nearly as threatening as that would have been. ???: Shut up Shut up SHUT UP!!! What I wear to go out murdering ponies that piss me off isn't your concern. Dinky: But a Guy Fawkes mask, seriously, you couldn't pick a Jasen Voorhees mask and be done with it. What you leave your Freddy knives at home. You aren't the least bit threatening! ???: It can be creepy! Dinky: I find it cool actually. The only way it's creepy is if I am drunk. ???: Are you drunk? Dinky: No, I would have been a little after the party, but they don't cater alcohol, and Scootaloo was on the way to pick me up. I would have been pressured into buying some with Scootaloo after the party. Plan better you fucker! ???: Shut up! *The mysterious mare throws the knife at Dinky, who rolls her eyes and she grabs it with her fledgling magic. She holds it up and waves it mockingly in front of the cursing masked pony* Dinky: Unicorn, mother fucker! {Dinky expels the knife violently towards the costumed pony who dodges it with pitiful ease} ???: What's the matter Dinky? Can't do magic properly? Dinky: Don't complain about Diamond Tiara if you are doing what you're doing. It's hypocritical! ???: I am not hypocritical. Diamond was a terror for 16 years. No pony changes truly. Now sit down and die. Dinky: Stop saying cheesy lines. They aren't original. {To Dinky's shock, the pony gallops towards her at a mind-numbing speed. Before Dinky can even process the speed of the unknown, it is already in front of her} ???: I am not to be messed with Dinky. For daring to fall in love with one of the worst ponies imaginable, you will be exceedingly fun. Dinky: What the hell happened to you to get you so angry? I don't even know you! ???: *Crazed* Yes you do. You all do, for ten years as a matter of fact. Dinky: Instead of being Miss Mysterious, why don't you actually say who you are. {Before the mysterious pony could do anything, Dinky, who recovered during the monologue, dashes forward and uses her magic to send a fairly strong blast toward the intruder who is caught off guard by the attack} Dinky: Get the hell out of my house you asshole! {Again she sends another blast toward the intruder who barely manages to avoid it} Dinky: So what if I like Diamond Tiara? Don't be a fucking bigot! {Another crash and the intruder finally gets hit by a stray blast crashing headlong into the wall. Somehow the costume still stays on. Dinky looks pissed as well as she should} {Horribly, the masked pony wearing the Guy Fawkes mask gets up as if never receiving a blow to the body} ???: Good, really good. This won't be as boring otherwise. {Before anything else can happen, a voice calls through the house} ???: Dinky, are you here? Diamond called me and said that your connection just died. You were saying something and it just cut off. Is everything alright. {Dinky, forgetting the costumed pony is there takes her focus off the struggling pony. Underneath the mask, the mysterious pony grins and readies the knife} Dinky: *Shouting* In the kitchen... Hur.... {A soul shattering explosion of pain shatters through Dinky's body and the filly yells in pain} {Listen} ???: Something to remember me by. You shouldn't have taken your eyes off the enemy. Too bad! {Dinky, blood leaking out of her like a faucet, tries to get a bloody hoof outstretched toward her enemy, but almost mockingly the intruder dodges swiftly away from Dinky and readies the knife to puncture the pony again. More pain enters Dinky's world as she tries again to get to her tormenter} Scootaloo: Hey, get away from Dinky you asshole! {A blur flies through the air and sends the mysterious pony flying through the air. Scootaloo, with rage in her eyes, had entered the kitchen as Dinky struggles desperately to contain the wound. Blood continues to make its appearance and her vision blurs} Scootaloo: *Still angry but recovering* Dinky, stay with me, please. {Dinky couldn't see Scootaloo, there was just too much pain flying around in her stomach and her vision swam nauseatingly. A sticky liquid touched her back} Scootaloo: Dammit, I wish I paid attention and first aid. Fuck, this sorta thing comes back to haunt you! {Dinky feeling one last wave of energy flow through her, decided to enter one last message} Dinky: *Incredibly weak* T-T-Tel-ll D-D-amond, I L-L-Loed her please! I love her so *cough* much Scootaloo: You better fucking hold on Dinky. I swear if you die on me, I will fucking murder you. {Dinky grins weakly, her eyes staring at the ceiling as if it was the answer to the universe. Her world fades to black} {Scootaloo hysterics increase violently when Dinky stops moving and blood seems to increase ten-fold} Scootaloo: Fuck, Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, please don't die on me! Phone, phone, I need a fucking phone. {She gets up slipping on the blood soaked floor and sent cruelly to the ground} Scootaloo: Dinky, why did you have to bleed so much. I have to fucking hurry. {She spots the a phone on the ground, pieces lying around it} Scootaloo: Please work please work please work {Frantically using her wings to support her mini sprint through the air, she struggles violently to pick up the pieces of the semi broken phone. She could feel an invisible clock in the air counting down the time left} {After what seemed like an eternity, Scootaloo picks up the hastily repaired phone and dials the first pony to pop into her head. She hoped desperately that whatever prevented Diamond and Dinky from talking did not happen again} Twilight: Twilight here? What seems to be the problem? I am so glad to finally answer this thing. It never rings! {Overwhelming relief torrents through the young filly's mind} Scootaloo: Twilight, thank Celestia you answered. Listen Dinky is in severe trouble and has lost a lot of blood. Can you not ask any questions and get the fuck over here and save my little sister? Twilight: *pause* Okay *Click* {That done, Scootaloo allows the phone to fall to the floor. Her terror and anxiety loosens her grip on the problematic device} Scootaloo: Please stay safe Dinky. I don't know what I will do if you die. I need you little sister. Please don't leave me {After some time, curiosity over Dinky's attacker enters her mind. Knowing it was a completely stupid thing to do, she walks over to the last known location of the pony. Walking over, reveals an empty house. Deciding not to leave Dinky unguarded should the attacker decide to finish the job, the Scootaloo decided to stand further watch over her little sister} Scootaloo: Please come back to me, I need you! Hell, Diamond Tiara needs you. Just don't be dead. Please don't let the fact that I ran into some delays be the reason. Dinky please! {At last, the situation becomes too powerful for the pegasus and she breaks down over Dinky, crying her eyes out} End of Chapter One
Chapter Two: A Nasty Wakeup10 minutes earlier {All things considered, it was a very lovely party. Streamers, balloons, cake, hell Pinkie really outdid herself considering this wasn't really a party for anything specific. Sweetie wanted a way to relax after the grueling finals and reports that Cheerilee decided to share with her. Really, thought Sweetie to herself, she was just too kind sometimes} Scootaloo: Ah yeah, now this is how the Pegasus relaxes. We crash other pony's parties and mingle among our friends. Diamond Tiara: That makes no sense. I swear Scootaloo, you are getting high off the... surprisingly colorful decorations. {Silver Spoon surprisingly for the rather cultured filly was dancing up to high heaven. Her glasses were dancing with her and if the filly wasn't careful, they would have landed on the floor again. Her father kept telling her to watch her glasses as if they were the second most possession she owned after her life. Somehow, Silver Spoon forgot this and ended up breaking her glasses anyway. Snips, like always, could be seen gathered around the bespectacled filly. Watching as the filly seemed determined Much to Diamond Tiara's amusement, the once dorky colt seemed to hang around Silver rivaling her at times. Everywhere Silver went, Snips was sure to be close behind her. If Diamond herself didn't know better, she would have put a stop to this. That was the old Diamond Tiara however. The new one settled for giving the two ponies amused looks} Sweetie Belle: *walking up to Diamond Tiara* Do you think Silvie will ever realize why he hangs around her? Diamond: Probably not, she might think she is smart, but she really is quite dense to social awareness. Sweetie: Why does that sound like somepony I know? {Nearby, Twilight Sparkle, the local princess and Friendship expert was dancing almost as haphazardly as Silver Spoon herself. A look of ultimate satisfaction was on her features at mastering the art of the dance. Yes, Twilight totally got this! She was in control!} Diamond: No idea! Dinky should have been here ages ago. She promised me that she would not let homework get in the way of our special time together. Apple Bloom: *Sneaking up behind the two fillies* Yeah, about that, did you ever think you would ever date her? A year ago, you probably would have been in the center of the room taunting us for not wallowing in your greatness or something. Diamond: *Startled* Dammit Apple Bloom, don't fucking do that! You scared me! Apple Bloom: Hence why I do it, just keeping you on your hooves is all! Diamond: I swear, your cutie mark should be a shurikan. Apple Bloom: *wide, shit eating grin* I thank you kindly. But I am not that sneaky. You were just focused on your conversation with Sweetie. Anyway, you didn't answer the question. Diamond: Looking back, the old me probably would be the center of attention and giving everypony a hard time. I have since learned to overcome that. Sweetie: Are you ever going to tell us fully what you experienced? Scootaloo: *Materializing next to Sweetie* Sorry girls, but have any of you seen Dinky? She hasn't shown up. {When the others aren’t looking, she winks at Diamond Tiara who relaxes} Rumble: Maybe she was killed by some sorta freak! {Everypony glared at the small colt} Diamond: *Livid* Don't you fucking dare joke about something like that. This isn't one of your horror movies. Rumble: All I'm saying is maybe she was delayed into coming here by something important or deadly. Diamond: Then say that instead of giving me a reason to worry and kick your ass. Dinky is perfectly fine. She gets like this when she wants to get all her studying out of the way. Rumble: But in this situation, when all of the students are partying, the killer likes to stalk the alone mare. Diamond: Yeah, but this isn't a horror movie. Nopony is going to have sex... {Snips, overhearing turns his head, his ears lowering. He turns to look at a still convulsively dancing Silver Spoon} Diamond: or get themselves killed by a psycho wearing a mask with anger issues. Featherweight: *showing up to stand next to Rumble* You idiot, Rumble, I told you. Not everything can be related to our favorite movies. I swear, you are going to have us yelled at again. Rumble: Too late! Featherweight: Ugh, *facehoofs* You're hopeless. Silver: Oh that felt great! I swear there is nothing more important than dancing your ass off. Snips: You certainly did Spoon! Silver: So what's up. *Stands next to Snips* Where's Dinky? I could have sworn she would be here. Apple Bloom: She's studying! Silver: Do we know this for sure or are we just shooting off blind guesses? Diamond: That silly filly does nothing but study. Twilight: Hey, there is nothing wrong with studying. I studied all the time and I turned out great! I am a pretty pony princess in charge of weaponized friendship. Rainbow Dash: I swear, you are such an egghead. Twilight: Yeah, well this egghead is in charge of weaponized rainbows and sparkly magic. Rainbow: *coughs* Nerd Rarity: I must say Sweetie Belle, when you came to me with the idea of a party, I was hesitant to indulge. Sweetie: *smug* Yeeesss? Rarity: This is turning out to be just the thing I needed. I am sorry I doubted you. Sweetie: We are good responsible young ponies. What could we have possibly done to warrant your paranoia? {Diamond, Scootaloo, and Rainbow Dash cough innocently into their hooves and gave Rarity grins to rival the most innocent look imaginable} Rarity: Must you milk this for all it's worth? I just thought I be a little cautious is all. Teenagers are known for being rowdy and I figured I would gather ponies I trusted. Applejack: Easy there sugar, Sweetie and her friends are good ponies. I convinced Rarity to invite all your friends when originally she only wanted four ponies here. Rarity: Yes, but I can't afford all these hooves in my store and I really should have been working on that dress... Applejack: Come on Rarity, live a little. Sweetie is a good filly. Sweetie: Yes I am! Scootaloo: Yes she is! Rarity: I didn't say that, I am just saying I needed to work on my... Applejack: Yeah yeah, let the kids relax! You deserve a break as well Rarity! {As the two ponies huddled closer together, Scootaloo stared at Rarity with interest} Scootaloo: That reminds me of something! I don't care what Dinky's excuse is, she needs a break from work. I'm calling her! Diamond: How advanced are we that we can invent phones after so long without them. I swear the old me would have rubbed in the fact that I have one as well if not for the fact that I don't care. Silver: *Still hovering near Snips* I swear this thing is a fucking lifesaver. If Cheerilee is way too boring I can just sit in the back of the class and play Solitaire or talk to Snips. Diamond: Honestly Silver he is always next to you. You don't have to fucking text him. Silver: *irked* Like you don't do the same to Dinky. *giggles afterwards* Rumble: Feather, did you ever see the day where ponies like us can say they hang out with the popular filly at school? Featherweight: This kinda thing just doesn't happen. You don't befriend the beauty of school and she is usually the first to go. Everypony hates a bully! Diamond: Are you boys discussing inappropriately timed horror movie conversations? Both: No mam! *wide grinds* Diamond: Hmph, yeah, sure! I just believe that so much! Rumble: Yeah, we are like so trustworthy and shit. Scootaloo: Dammit, I keep forgetting how to use this thing. Hey Sweetie, can you assist? Sweetie: Honestly Scoots, I am not here just to help you do these things! What would you do if I wasn't here? Scootaloo: I wouldn't be nearly half as happy without you! Please and thank you *hugs Sweetie* Sweetie: Yeah whatever! *uses her magic to grab hold of the phone* You should get one of the more Pegasus friendly models instead of one that was made more for a unicorn. Scootaloo: Dinks had a spare and I didn't have enough money saved up so I used hers. Sweetie: That explains it! *uses her kinetic energy to punch in Dinky’s number and hands it back* Try to learn these things Scoots. I want to be known for more than just your button presser. Scootaloo: But you push my buttons so good baby *cheesy grin* Dash: Alright Scootaloo! {Twilight and Sweetie punch their respective mates for their input} Scootaloo: Ow, sorry, geeze! {The phone in her grip rings in the loud atmosphere of the party} Dinky: *picking up the phone on the first ring* Hello? Scootaloo: Hey Dinky! Dinky: Oh, what is it Scootaloo? {As Scootaloo talks to her younger sister, Diamond decided to pass the time by watching Silver and Snips and their admittedly awkward interactions with each other. Snips had always hung around Silver, even when she was in her bitch persona. Even then it was highly amusing to watch them being awkward and even a bitch like her loved watching the two. She wasn't nearly as nice about it as she is now, but the fact that Silver seemed to appreciate his company and be totally unaware of why he was doing what he was in the first place made for highly entertaining comedy when she was bored} Scootaloo: You know it, so can you go or do I have to forcibly remove you from the house? {That was another thing, just when had Dinky changed to be so much more? The former bully didn't exactly know but she wouldn't trade Dinky for anything. In more ways than one, Dinky was responsible for her change of heart} Scootaloo: Tough shit Dinks, I need you here. I am pretty much living with you and I don't want to sit by myself while you waste away getting a good education. I should be there in five minutes. Diamond: *Thinking* So Scootaloo is leaving to pick up Dinky? I should call her when she is done with the call. I could use my daily dosage of Dinky! Silver Spoon: So Snips, want to listen to my Ipod? This party music is kinda boring after a while. Snips: But I didn't bring a spare pair of earbuds. Silver: I got you covered buddy! We can share. Snips: *nervous* O-O-Okay Silver: So what do you want to listen to, I don't care {As Silver dug in her bags for the music device, Snips thought long and hard about his music preferences. It had to be perfect} Snips: How about Stand My Ground? I like the band that sings it. Silver: An excellent choice Snips! Luckily I have pretty much everything they do. {Silver plugs in a pair of earbuds to her music device and hands one of the buds to Snips who takes it with nervous hooves. Diamond smirks at the two and how endearing Snips looks when his face lit up with how close he was to Silver} Diamond: Honestly, Silver should just fucking wake up. It is so totally obvious to anypony who knows, that he likes her. {Diamonds grin widens when Silver leans her head on Snips's shoulder causing the colt to beam wide with suppressed glee} Diamond: Honestly, if I didn't know she was clueless, I would think she was doing it on purpose to mess with him. Scootaloo: I was thinking both Sweetie and Dash actually, and now you come to think of it. So all my friends are eggheads and Apple Bloom and I will slowly rot from the inside on how dumb we are... supposedly. Lucky Diamond doesn't give us a hard time any more or I would have just fed her fuel to give me a headache. Apple Bloom: *mock anger* What was this about me being dumb? {Scootaloo smiles at her and shakes her head to which Apple Bloom giggles. Scootaloo listens for a bit and rolls her eyes} Scootaloo: Whatever {Before she hangs up the phone} Sweetie: That was rude, Scoots. You should have at least said goodbye to her. Scootaloo: *Eyes wide* Oh fuck, I knew I was forgetting something. I hadn't actually meant to hang up. Sweetie: *Smiling* Here, let me redial her and you can set it straight. Scootaloo: Thanks Sweetie! {Sweetie dials the number and then levitates the phone in her direction with a sympathetic look in her eyes} Sweetie: You should learn how to use these. It isn't that hard and I am not always going to be here when you need to dial a number to somepony. Scootaloo: I know, but the phone is always so big for my hooves. I figure I just use your genius magic because it is always so handy. {After this, Sweetie makes a halfhearted swipe for Scootaloo, to which the Pegasus dodges, giggling} Scootaloo: *waits for Dinky to pick up.... and when that happens....* Yeah sorry about that, I usually don't say goodbye to ponies on the phone. I am not actually used to this thing like you are. It is clearly a jump in technology since simple letters. Twilight: Amen to that.... I swear, yesterday I was using Spike for everything. Now he just cleans my library. Rainbow: Twilight, you are getting drunk off the festivities again. You need to calm down. Twilight: Lighten up Rainbow. I didn't have any alcohol and I am just letting, how do you say it, my mane down and relax. Rainbow: Don't do it, it makes you look crazy. Twilight: I am crazy, you're crazy, and I swear everypony in this fucking town is crazy, but you know what, crazy is fucking delicious. Rainbow: Twilight, settle down and quit scaring the foals. Twilight: Okay! *takes a bite of her slice of pie with a happy grin on her face* Rainbow: Fucking nerds! Twilight: You love it Skittles! Rainbow: *facehoof* One fucking time I buy a bag of Skittles. One fucking time and you never let me hear the end of what I said. Leave me alone. Twilight: *leans in close* Oh cheer up Skittles, your rainbow center is all I need. Rainbow: This is the LAST fucking time she has sugar. I swear, Twilight and sugar are NOT a good combination. Pinkie: Is this related to how I am supposedly not allowed to have coffee. Rainbow: Ugh, Pinkie, you stay away from that. Pinkie: Why? Coffee sounds delicious and new, and you know how I like trying new things? Rainbow: Ugh Scootaloo: Funny! Now I really do have to leave. I haven't left since talking to you five minutes ago. Bye Dinky! *hangs up the phone and proceeds to the exit of the Boutique* Alright everypony, I have to pick up Dinky. Diamond: Thanks for sharing! Please make sure you round her up successfully. I need her here. Scootaloo: Never fear Tiara, I will round up your snuggle bunny and be back in ten seconds flat. Dash: Hey, I trademarked that. Don't use that unless you credit me! {Diamond blushes scarlet and everypony, except Silver and Snips who are in their own world, laugh at the slightly humiliated earth pony} Scootaloo: Oh wow, that was a riot. But seriously ponies, I have to depart. There is a filly somewhere that is getting a great education and I plan on putting it on hold. Twilight: Hey! {Before Twilight could fully rebuke Scootaloo, she departs for her sister's house, leaving the festive nature of the party behind her} Diamond: Now that Scootaloo is off the phone with her, I figure I can talk to her as well. I really need to hear her right now. {The pink filly takes out her own phone with Dinky's portrait that Silver drew for her on the back of it and dials her mare's number} Dinky: *Hesitant pause* Hello? Diamond: Hello Dinky!!! {As Diamond Tiara talks to her marefriend, Sweetie Belle is going around the room making the rest of her guests feel important or paid attention to} {Snips is staring into space with a huge grin on his face as Silver, lulled by the music, has her head on him. She is almost sleeping from the lull of the music. His withers have long since numbed, but to him, it is well worth it} Sweetie: *catching sight of the unaware couple* Adorable! Oh I wish I could go over there and just ship them together, but I learned my lesson the last time. I just hope Silver Spoon eventually catches his feelings for her. Diamond: *teasing* Maybe it's a colt? {Listen} {As Diamond hears whatever Dinky says, her giggle gets louder} Diamond: What do you mean by if a really hot colt comes to call. I should be the only one in your life? {Sweetie, hearing this last bit perks up. She trots over to stand next to Diamond to hear her side of the conversation better} Diamond: Fine, but stay on the line. I want to hear if you somehow aren't gay for me anymore. {At that last bit, Sweetie gives Diamond a very weird look. What the hell did that mean?} {Diamond Tiara waits patiently for Dinky to arrive back online.... then the phone picks up again} Diamond: *hearing the phone regain connection* Finally! So what happened are you gay for me still? ???: I am so very sorry Ms. Tiara, but Dinky is unable to come to the phone! Diamond: Who the hell are you lady? What happened to Dinky? ???: I am so very sorry, but Dinky is currently occupied. She is going to play a game! Diamond: *shouting slightly* What kind of game? Who the hell are you? ???: I am not surprised you don't know who this is. I wasn't really important now was I? {Sweetie, who had come for the gossip, instead stayed because her friend seemed ready to yell at some pony} Sweetie: What happened? Diamond: *Ignoring Sweetie* Just please tell me if she is alright! ???: She is.... for the moment, but that might change soon.. Now I have to go.. I have a game to play. But don't call this number again.... you have bigger things to worry about... {The phone clicks and before Diamond Tiara could do more than silently wonder the hell that even meant, the lights shut down. Everything is plunged into darkness and the shock of the lights going off awakens Silver and Snips from their impromptu nap} Silver: I'm awake! Why are the lights off? {Diamond yells in shock as the lights flash off at the exact moment the phone went dead. Chills shoot up her spine and her phone drops to the ground} Twilight: Please stay calm everypony, it is just a power outage. We should get this restarted in just a few minutes. Diamond: Something happened to Dinky! Somepony is at their house and disconnected me. Rumble: Listen to her everypony! She isn't crazy! Rarity: And how would you know young colt? {To Diamond} How could you possibly know that Diamond Tiara? Featherweight: Oh come on, like who hasn't seen something like this? It is like in every horror story ever. Diamond: Don't fucking joke about Dinky. This isn't funny. Something is definitely up at their house. Apple Bloom: Don't worry, Scootaloo is on her way to her house as we speak Sweetie: What even happened anyway? Diamond: No time, I have to do something first. Please let this work! {Taking a brief moment to hope Scootaloo could answer the phone, she picks up her dropped phone and dials her number. The ringer is a tease on her fractured nerves...} Scootaloo: *Frazzled* Hello? Diamond: Something terrible happened and Dinky is in danger! Scootaloo: What happened? Diamond: A mysterious pony answered the phone on Dinky's line and taunted me. She, at least she sounded like a mare, threatened that Dinky was in danger. Scootaloo, I need you to hurry your ass and get to Dinky's house. Scootaloo: That's a little hard Tiara! Diamond: *Hysterical* Why the fuck is it a problem? Dinky is my fucking marefriend! If anything happens to her.... Scootaloo: She's my fucking sister! You are asking nothing I don't already know. That isn't the fucking problem Tiara! Diamond: Then what fucking is? Scootaloo: The town is fucking growing this weird plant on its borders and I have been narrowly close to impaling myself on the stuff. It's blocking the town off or something. That isn't the worst of it. I haven't seen one fucking pony since leaving the Boutique. Diamond, the whole fucking town is gone! It looks dead. {That stopped Diamond's hysterics cold. No longer shouting, Diamond gulped nervously and asked Scootaloo another question} Diamond: How is that possible? Scootaloo: I don't know? The leaves on the trees are dead and gnarled, there is no sun and everything seems like a weird form of night. Ponyville turned into a ghost town. But houses aren't abandoned as I saw the curtains flicker closed as I passed, so maybe everypony is just hiding or something. Diamond: So what's the problem? Can you make it to Dinky's in time? Scootaloo: I don't know! But before you yell at me, let me explain. Ponyville is a lot mazier than it last was. I swear I have taken several wrong turns and ended up in a wrong area I shouldn't have ended up in. I somehow entered Sweet Apple Acres twice, even though Dinky is nowhere near the farm. Diamond, I think something is toying with me. I shouldn't have ended up at the farm. I should have been there by now. {She was losing it, little by little, the pink filly felt her composure dwindle} Scootaloo: *panicked* Oh Celestia, oh fuck no! Diamond: What? Scootaloo *Screams* Diamond: Scootaloo!!! {A shuffling sound can be heard, like the phone being rough handled and Scootaloo's labored frantic breathing, and then silence as the line clicks dead without warning} Diamond: Shit! {Hanging up briefly, she redials the number, ignoring the now frantic crowd in front of her. Instead of ringing, a busy signal greets the hysterical pony} Applejack: Sugercube, what the hell was that about? Fluttershy: Yes, what has gotten you so spooked. If you don't mind telling that is! Diamond: Scootaloo says Ponyville is a ghost town. Twilight: That can't be right! I was the last pony to arrive here and the sun was shining and I waved to Ditzy as she flew overhead. Diamond: Well Scootaloo says the town is deserted and some kinda plant is blocking access to some areas. Twilight: We shall see about that! {The Alicorn speeds to the door to the Boutique and ignoring Rarity's halfhearted protests, throws open the door. That's when her wings droop violently and the others hear her heavy gasp through the darkness} Rainbow: *Joining Twilight* What's the matter ...egg.....Bwhuh {Listen} {Upon hearing Rainbow's failure of the Equish language, the others venture over to the two stunned ponies} Pinkie: *big gasp* This is just as depressing and suppressive as the rock farm. I haven't seen this particular weather pattern at all. {Everypony turns to the pink pony in alarm} Twilight: You mean even you, the most random fucking pony I have ever known have no clue as to what is going on? Pinkie: *shrugs* This is ominous stuff. I haven't even seen this before. And I have seen a lot of crazy weather patterns in my time. Twilight: *Her mane unravels and her eye twitches* You mean, the Pinkie sense has nothing for this? We are operating blind and you have no input to provide. Oh dear Luna we are so screwed. {Twilight huddles into a fetal position and mutters something about it all being a lie} Pinkie: Geeze, you overreact more than Rarity! Rarity: Hey, I object to your.... perfectly.... valid... remark.... *sighs* Pinkie: This is obviously something that has happened in the last few minutes as nothing spooky occurred since then and while my Sense doesn't cover this kind of weather or occurrence, it would have warned me otherwise. That means that whatever did this, knows how to bypass my Sense and leave even me clueless. Twilight: Oh great! Pinkie: But I have good news everypony. Twilight: Oh praise Celestia! Pinkie: Whoever did this wants us to know that we are completely trapped in Ponyville. See, if you look straight over to the nearest vine there we can see a note on one of them on how we are trapped. {Indeed for as all the ponies turned to look at where the Pink One was pointing, they could indeed see a sign with the cryptic but ominous words "Boom goes the Pony to lay upon these vines" written in red marker} Twilight: *Makes a strangled noise and whines a little* Oh! Applejack: Now hang on there Twilight! This is not the time to panic! Twilight: This is the perfect time to panic. We are doomed! We can't get past these plants without exploding. I don't know if the Princesses are alright, and something is wrong with my protégé. How is this not the time to panic! Rarity: Applejack's right as she always is. We can't solve much by wandering around like a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off. Twilight: *twitches* Fantastic metaphor Rarity. That helped so much! Sweetie: Please calm down Twilight! For whatever reason we are alright and nothing bad has happened outside some scares. We will get through this, I know we can. {Before Twilight could even fathom a response to Sweetie, the ringing of the phone pierced through the silence like a knife and startled everypony. Even Dash, gave a small yelp of fear at the agonizing explosion to the silence just then} Twilight: Holy shit my phone is ringing! {She struggles to find the phone as if hoping that good news will be on the other side} Twilight: *Finding it and clicking it on* Twilight here? What seems to be the problem? I am so glad to finally answer this thing. It never rings! {The others face hoof at Twilight's answering of the phone, but don't get far in their mirth as they watch her face drain of all color five seconds later} {Listen} Twilight: *Toneless* Okay {Then she hangs up the phone and stares dead eyed into space} I have to go to Dinky's house, Scootaloo is frantic with hysterics and something seems to have happened! {Before she can move two steps though, Diamond Tiara interrupts her} Diamond: Did something happen to Dinky? Twilight: I don't know, Scootaloo didn't mention what happened outside losing a lot of blood. Diamond: WHAT!? {If it were possible, her voice exploded up two whole octaves, hurting several ponies, causing them to lower their ears in pain} Twilight: I have to go. I already wasted enough time as it is and Scootaloo sounded close to hysterics and barely functional. I am so sorry! {She teleported away, a small relief considering the circumstances. Diamond Tiara felt herself collapse and tears come unbidden to her eyes. Something happened to Dinky while she was here at a party. Was she too late in her warning of Scootaloo? Did Scootaloo come across a dead body? Was she bleeding because she was too slow? A million other inappropriate, fear inducing questions popped into her mind. Hooves wrapped themselves around her and she threw herself at her comforter, hoping it would be enough to stop the questions} Apple Bloom: It's okay, she will be fine. Dinky is a very strong pony and she loves you. Plus if she dies, I am kicking her ass for leaving you behind. It will be fine. Diamond: Do you think I was too slow? Did I do the right thing? Is she going to be fine? I don't want her to leave me if I should fail ..... Apple Bloom: Shhh, it will be fine. You were able to call Scootaloo in time and Twilight is a magical Alicorn. There is nothing that she can't do if she puts her mind to it. Silver Spoon: Yeah DT, I am sure she is probably healing her right now. Or at least on the way to a hospital. Rarity: Have some faith darling! Twilight will come through Diamond: I love you Dinky. I love you so much! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ {Twilight found herself winking into existence right in front of Ditzy's house. Diamond Tiara, for whatever reason was right in the sense that Ponyville appeared to be abandoned. Not a single pony was "felt" if she stretched her magic sense far enough. Normally each and every Pony had a magical signature that touched the unicorn, but for whatever reason, she couldn't feel anypony. It felt wrong, and she didn't like this new sensation} Twilight: Hello? Anypony here? {For a long moment there was silence, and Twilight found herself alarmed for her protégé and Scootaloo. Did something....} Scootaloo: *timidly* Yeah in here Twilight! It is bad.... {Relief flooded into Twilight's heart and she galloped frantically into the kitchen where the young filly's voice seemed to come from.... Only for it to explode painfully into tiny pieces. Scootaloo was drenched in blood. It covered her stomach region and some of it was on her muzzle and cheeks. The reason was painfully obvious after Twilight got a good look at the situation. Dinky was bleeding from two deep stab wounds from a wicked looking knife wound. Blood oozed from both wounds and Dinky had a fair sized puddle underneath her. The filly looked almost pale...} Twilight: Stand back Scootaloo Scootaloo: No, I can't leave her. Twilight: All I am going to do is see if I can clean up some of the blood and heal some of the wound so I can carry her in a magic bubble transport. I won't be able to heal her fully, but maybe I can enough to where she isn't in constant agony or something. Scootaloo: Will she be alright Twilight? {For one heartrending moment, Twilight considered lying and saying everything would be fine, but looking at her student's body and how small it looked, she didn't think she could stomach even a hopeful one} Twilight: I don't know Scoots. This is the worst I have ever seen somepony. But I can sure as Celestia try to help her. Scootaloo: There was a masked pony attacking her. I didn't get a good look at it, but it was standing over..... *breaks off into sobs* Twilight: *Her frantic look eases at the filly sobbing her eyes out* You go on ahead to the Boutique. I will patch her up and take her to the hospital. I fucking hope that Redheart or someone is there and that everypony is just hiding. Go on, I will be there... I promise. {The hesitation was there, but Scootaloo, too depressed to even pay much attention, didn't hear it. Scootaloo seems to give Dinky one final look, finding comfort in the small silver lining of still seeing her beloved younger sister still faintly breathing. Then she gives one final bloodstained kiss on the filly's head, ignoring the blood there before she gets up and heads for the door} {When the filly is gone, Twilight's dwindling good mood vanishes, replaced by mind numbing fear. She had finally gotten a student of her own, and something like this has to happen?} Twilight: Oh Celestia, give me strength. Please let everything here turn out alright! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ {Nurse Redheart had no fucking clue what the hell was going on. One minute she could see the sun shining down on her through the hospital windows and the next, nothing! It had been mind-numbingly slow all fucking day and she had nothing to keep herself busy. All her staff had gotten sick at precisely the same time and wouldn't even answer the fucking phone. Their machines wouldn't even pick up. She had no idea if she should be angry at the lazy bastards or concerned that she wasn't even able to complain to them. Then, as if that wasn't weird enough, several ponies, including five of the Elements of Harmony themselves, show up carrying a very visibly distraught Diamond Tiara and give her a story that Dinky Hooves was attacked and Twilight would be here shortly. Ordinarily, Redheart would have at least allowed some doctoral skepticism to show through, but frankly, excitement, even pointless excitement at this point would have been welcome. So the gang of ponies and one exceedingly bored and understaffed nurse sit down to wait. It wasn't a long wait by any means, but Diamond Tiara's sniffling and anxiety greeted everypony extending the amount of time it seemed to take. Finally, the doors burst open, and a blood splattered Twilight shuffles tiredly through the doorway} Twilight: Please help.... Dinky! {Before magical exhaustion, terror, and concern for Dinky drains what little energy the unicorn has allowing her to finally rest her hooves and sink directly into a dead faint} End of Chapter Two
Chapter Three: The Friendship Game{The scene is the hospital. Nurse Redheart had been in the operating room for the past hour trying her best with no aides to save a filly. The scene in the waiting room is tense as one would rightfully expect for this kind of situation. Nopony in their right mind would be dancing or throwing parties for this kind of hell} Diamond: {Muttering to herself} Please recover Dinky. I don't know what I will do if you leave me. Sweetie: She'll be alright T, I know she will pull through. Dinky probably gave the attacker a hard time before what happened, happened. Dinky is a tough filly. Diamond: I know that, believe me Sweetie, I know. The Dinky I know, won't take shit from anypony without a fight. It's part of why I love her. She didn't give up on me even when I was a right bitch to her. She really doesn't take shit from anypony and for those she really doesn't, she ends up getting them to fall in love with her. I owe a lot to her and her family. Scootaloo took a long time to open up to me, but it is really Ditzy and her marefriend Trixie to really open their hearts to me. {Diamond was rambling and Sweetie knew it. She had a good reason to after all, but Sweetie said nothing and allowed her friend to ramble to break the tight stronghold of silence over them all} {Nearby, Twilight was pacing up a storm. All the nervous energy that Diamond probably wanted to bleed from her system was transferred over the Princess. Twilight had never had somepony look up to her that wasn't Spike. When Dinky was able to demonstrate an unusually high level of magic for a filly her age, Twilight knew that she had to kindle that talent and help it along. It wasn't easy for at first Dinky proved to be reluctant for somepony else to teach her. It hadn't been easy for Twilight, already a quite gifted young unicorn (now alicorn) to ignore such obvious talent. Ditzy and Scootaloo mentioned where the young filly came from, how she wasn't popular at the orphanage and bullied on a regular basis for being pretty much the only unicorn there. But after awhile, Dinky's faith in Twilight began to grow. Twilight, unlike thousands of other "teachers" didn't leave, didn't rush, or get upset at her. After awhile, a different relationship began to grow. One that reminded the elder of herself, and she now understood why Celestia did what she did. It was a need to see her friend flourish and become the greatest she could be. While Dinky wasn't nearly as isolated as Twilight had been, she wasn't quick to trust ponies. After years of being left to the sidelines, Dinky had stopped trusting ponies. Adoption had been a start at warming the unicorn up. Twilight had no idea what to do. No spell on Equestria soil could fix this. She could fix injuries so that they didn't bleed, but magical recovery of everything was impossible. Celestia wasn't responding to her. Spike {Twilight was nearly in tears when Spike was alright} had been called down so that she could send a letter to her beloved mentor, but nothing had been written back. This added a whole new level of agony for Twilight as now her protege and teacher were both down for the count} {As Twilight was left to her frantic pacing, Diamond left to cry quietly to herself, the time seemed to drag on forever} {Finally, after what felt like three hours, something different happened. Nurse Redheart stepped out of the operating room covered in blood. Twilight, Diamond, and Scootaloo rushed forward to crowd the exausted nurse while the others simply perked up. They were exhausted at the nervous energy crowded the room and that was all they were able to manage} Twilight: How is she doc? Diamond: Is she going to live? {She practically crowds the exhausted nurse in her frantic enthusiasm for news} {Apple Bloom, realizing that Diamond is practically smothering Redheart gently grabbed hold of the bouncing frantic Diamond to pull her back. Redheart smiles thankfully towards Apple Bloom and turns so she is facing the crowd of surviving ponies anxiously waiting for her to declare her verdict} Redheard: Well, since everypony is practically smothering me right now, I will go on and say that Dinky will make a full recovery. Twilight, you brought her just in time for if you waiting just a few seconds to hike over to the hospital, she might not have made it. {The collective sigh of relief is so strong that Redheart can feel herself leaning backward. Diamond collapses with relief and her worried sobs turn to ones of relief} Redheart: However, the point still stands that she lost a lot of blood and if the fact that Ponyville is deserted considering that nopony showed up for work and I couldn't even yell at them. What happened to cause such a young filly to lose so much blood in the first places. {Twilight looks at Scootaloo, the only pony in the room to witness what had happened to the filly. Scootaloo, after realizing that Twilight was looking at her, looked up towards Redheart} Scootaloo: I didn't see what happened other than a mysterious pony in the room. I was focused on Dinky and her scream and signs of fighting, but when I got there I was able to catch a glimpse of a masked pony. Rumble: In other words she was stabbed by the killer. It is a staple in every horror movie and it is what happened now. Featherweight: You idiot! {Smacks Rumble} How can you be so fucking insensitive. Try to learn some tact, dumbass. Rumble: Well, it's true. I don't mean to be the insensitive prick, but with the town being deserted, Dinky's injury, and the mysterious vines outside, it all adds up. All we need is to identify the killer. Too bad, that this one is masked! It will take awhile. At least with the others, we have a basis on who they are and this doesn't sound like Michael or Jason. Featherweight: Dummy, they don't exist! They are part of cheesy horror movies! This is real life! Some sick fuck just stabbed Dinky and all you can do is focus on some fantasy bull shit. For shame dude, for shame. {Despite just being reprimanded by Feather, Rumble has a wide grin on his face despite the circumstances} Redheart: Did you happen to see who this pony looked like? Twilight: Please Scootaloo, I need to know! Scootaloo: All I saw was a glimpse. Dinky had more exposure to the sick fuck. When can we see her? Redheart: Losing blood is exhausting, so Dinky is of course unconscious. She will wake, but it could be a few hours from now. At least she is stable. Diamond: Can we at least see her? {Redheart shakes her head} Redheart: Sorry dear, but regulations require me to keep her isolated for right now. When she wakes up, you will be the first to be notified. {So began another anxiety laden wait for Dinky to recover from her ordeal. Diamond, unlike the first time had strength enough to pace. Knowing how on edge she was no pony really gave her a hard time about it. Twilight was right up there with her, both wearing the floor thin with their frantic pacing} {Silver Spoon and Snips were huddled together in a small corner of the room. To keep her mind of her friend's plight, she listened to her music. Snips, of course, decided to join her and had one of the ear buds. If it were any other situation, somepony might have thrown an amused glance their way} {Rumble had fallen asleep on Featherweight's back and his friend stayed awake to keep watch. A fond smile appeared on Featherweight's face as his sleeping companion traveled to sleepy town. Soon, three hours passed since Redheart delivered the good news of Dinky's eventual recovery and Redheart came out of where ever she was during this whole time and said that they were now free to visit with the recovering unicorn} {Diamond and Twilight were among the first ponies to follow Redheart while a slower, more organized procession followed in their excited hoofsteps} Redheart: Her room is Room 8 on the left... not that it really matters. She is the only one there. If you will excuse me, I am going to the break room so I can get a drink. {Nopony heard her, but Redheart decided that she really didn't care. She was pleased in the long run that she was able to heal Dinky. This was especially palpable as she was the only one who showed up to work that day and had no extra help} {Dinky was awake and smiling at them when Diamond and Twilight entered the room followed closely by the others} Dinky: Yeah, what took you so long? I was waiting here for quite awhile! Twilight: We had to wait for you to recover! The nurse insisted that we wait a little bit for you to awaken and recover enough for visitors. Dinky: Figures! Diamond: DINKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh thank Celestia you're okay! {She galomps Dinky and cries happy, relief stricken tears as she buries her head into her mate's fur} Dinky: Easy, I am not going anywhere. Plus, you are getting snot on my fur. That's like a huge bitch to get out. {Despite her words, she is clearly relieved to feel her beloved on her. She gives a weak pat on the back of Diamond's head} Dinky: And the rest of you? How's it going? Dash: I can't complain given the circumstances. You have been through a hell of a lot though kid! You must be made of tough stuff! Dinky: Hah, getting stabbed isn't the worst thing that has happened to me. Diamond: It was so scary! I thought I lost you! Dinky: {blushing} Well, there was the thought I wouldn't see you again! That sucked. But I would do it again if it meant you were safe.. Rumble: You too are like so sickening sometimes {fakes a dry heave} Stop being so lovey dovey. Featherweight: {Shit eating smirk} Hypocrite! Scootaloo: Yeah, you are like the biggest softy imaginable. Rumble: S-S Shut it! Scootaloo: I also hear you give lots of cuddles and nuzzle all the time. Featherweight: It's true dude! You can get so affectionate and clingy. It's a wonder we can separate you at all! Rumble: {Violently red} You all suck! {This outburst causes Rainbow, Scootaloo, and Featherweight to break out in raucous laughter. This causes the poor colt to get more and more red the longer the three laugh} {Sweetie shakes her head at the outburst. Trying her best to ignore the joking, she went over to declare her own relief} Sweetie: Seriously though Dinky, its great to have you back. It wasn't the same without another smart pony at the party. Scootaloo: Hey, I'm smart! {Sweetie giggles at Scootaloo, while the latter sulks} Fluttershy: Are you okay Dinky? I bet it was really scary! Applejack: Course it was! I bet my right leg that nothing will ever be scarier than that! Dinky: It wasn't truly bad till that crazy pony actually became a threat. It was mostly stupid cliche shit that everypony knows. Once she actually stabbed me when I was otherwise distracted, things became serious. Twilight: I hate to put you on the spot dear, but do you remember what this pony looked like? Did you recognize the pony at all? Dinky: {Visibly struggles to recall what happened} All I remember was the pony had a mask on from that movie. Rumble: Oh no, it was a Jason mask wasn't it? Can't some ponies be original? Dinky: It was from that V for Vendetta movie actually! Bit odd considering.. Rumble: Seriously!? Dinky: Yep Rumble: Why?! That mask isn't even scary in the first place. The fucking movie wasn't even a fucking horror movie! Dinky: According to the pony, it was the only thing they could find in the costume store. Featherweight: I would rather it have been a Jason mask. He is ten times more iconic. Rumble: He didn't even appear until the second movie! And the mask wasn't even fucking worn until the third movie! I would say Michael Myers is ten times more iconic then Jason. Dinky: {Annoyed} They're both iconic numbnuts. My point is, she, (it was definitely a female pony) said that she wanted revenge. That was the gist of our entire confrontation. Diamond: Why would anypony attack you? Dinky: {Awkwardly pauses} Diamond, I am not blaming you by any means, but apperently that pony hates me for associating with you. Diamond: {Dejected} Really? But.... I have been with you for a few years now. I made up to everypony. Dinky: I know, but they seem to think that... {hesitates} you never changed. Apple Bloom: I can say that I was probably one of the worst off from Diamond's bullying and I forgave her..... eventually Sweetie: Ponies have the ability to change. To fully believe somepony is unable to grow up or change is silly. Scootaloo: Yeah, I probably hated you the most... {Sweetie glares at Scootaloo from behind Diamond} Scootaloo: Well I mean, I knew you were pretty serious when you apologized to me. If me and Apple Bloom can forgive you, then why can't anypony else. Diamond: It's Apple Bloom and I, Scoots.. Scootaloo: Dammit, not you too! I already have Sweetie correcting my grammar, I don't need you as well doing it! Diamond: But in all seriousness, not everypony can find it in their hearts to forgive their tormentors. It takes a huge amount of kindness to forgive your abuser if they should apologize. In some cases it just makes it worse. I cheated though. I went to an alternate Equestria where I was hated and bullied. That would traumatize anypony to the point of changing their way of life. Dinky: We've been over this! Diamond: I know, I am just saying that not everypony can forgive years of psychological abuse at the drop of a hat. This pony sounds like the grudge carrying kind. Twilight: But you're okay otherwise, right? Dinky: Yeah, thanks to you and the nurse! You probably did an excellent job patching me up! Twilight: I would do the same for anypony! But this was the first time I had a protege and something in me snapped. Dinky: It's okay, Twilight. I'm safe! Twilight: I know that now of course, but there was just too much blood! I had to do something. {It is around this point that Redheart pops in and makes the following announcement} Redheart: I know you all want to spend time with Dinky, but she needs her rest. Scootaloo: Seriously, your kicking us out? The whole place is a ghost town and for all we know, we can be killed if we leave. On the way to Dinky's house, I was attacked by something. There is no fucking way we are moving! It had so many eyes.... {shudders} Redheart: {Annoyed sigh} Don't you think I know that? All I meant was to give Dinky some space. Dinky: I would feel a little safer if they were with me to be honest Redheart: Are you sure? You did have a pretty heavy ordeal? Dinky: It's the little things like that, that make a huge difference! I doubt them being in the same room with me will open up or aggravate any of my wounds or bandages. Redheart: All of you know not to jump on Dinky or roughhouse with her, right! Scootaloo: Course I fucking do! Diamond: ..... {Blushes} Sweetie: Yeah, we can have a hospital sleepover! Apple Bloom: I can't believe you said that with a straight face! Sweetie: Neither do I! Redheart: If whatever passes for the morning now occurs and Dinky has some aggravated bandages, I will know something was up. So NO FUNNY BUSINESS! Diamond: Yeah yeah! No funny business! But upon her recovery... Redheart: So now that you all know not to upset or aggravate Dinky, I will go back to the break room. There is a biiiiiigg bottle with my name on it. I think I can pay myself in that for my services. If there is anything that you need during the night, please don't hesitate to let me know. Take care Dinky! {Dinky waves slowly as the nurse lets herself out of the room} Twilight: Take care Dinky! Goodnight everypony! Dinky: Where are you going? Twilight: I am going to search the rest of Ponyville and see if I can find any other ponies. Dash: I'm coming with you Twi! There is no fucking way I'm letting you do this on your own! Applejack: Count on me too! Pinkie: This sounds like so much fun! A wonderful epic adventure tracking down some giant, faceless meanie pants! Coming Flutterbutter? Fluttershy: Oh no! Pinkie: Come on Shy! I'll be there every step of the way! Fluttershy: Well, alright! But no scary monsters please! Dash: Hah, bring them on!!!! Rarity: I might as well join you. If only to keep an eye on Applejack! Applejack: Hah, I will be keeping an eye on Rainbow! But you can watch my rear! Rarity: {Wide eyed} What? Applejack: {Breaks out into laughter} I mean, watching Rainbow is a full time job. I might need some backup! Rainbow: Let's just go already! Dinky: No, you can't! I might never see you guys again! Rumble: Everypony knows what happens if you say you will be back! We are reasonably safe in the hospital. No pony is outside and all that this will lead to is heart break and madness. Twilight: Somepony has been watching too many movies! We will be fine! Rainbow: Plus, I will be there with her! With me on the team, nothing will get through! Rumble: That just makes it worse! Rainbow: {Frustrated} What's that supposed to mean? Rumble: Nothing against your character or anything! It's just, if you leave, you leave yourselves open to whatever is out there. Nothing ever attacks from inside buildings unless it has design weaknesses, or it was specifically called to happen. We would have been attacked already if something did want to attack the hospital. Rainbow: Still, we will be with Twilight! That only works if you are solo and none of us are stupid enough to go out alone. Rumble: I guess that's a good point. Stick to the buddy system and you should be fine. It may be a pain in the ass, but nopony dies in public or around other people. Rainbow: Exactly kid! We will stick to Twilight like glue! Twilight: We should be alright! If we see anypony, unlikely as it is, we will send them this way, so make sure to stay at this location. Sweetie: Okay! Stay safe! Dinky: If you see my mom, can you please send her this way! I'm worried about her! She would have been the first one here if she had heard I had been attacked by a psycho and the absense is worryingly. Trixie also should have been here but she too is gone. Twilight: Of course, but you shouldn't worry about Ditzy. Dash: That mare is tough! Rumble: Dash!!! That's jinxing it!!! Dash: Yeah, ordinarily that's true I guess, but Ditzy is ridiculously hard to injure! Scootaloo: Yeah, that piano fell on her and she once stabbed herself on a tree branch! Dinky: I remember that! She barely had a scratch and all that happened was an unwavering fear of trees for a while. It seems that mare is hard to kill even by pointy objects! Scootaloo: So, yeah, ordinarily that jinxes it, but Ditzy is fucking hard to kill.... not that I tried or anything, but she doesn't get anything worse than broken bones. Still, the fact that she isn't here is worrying, but she isn't dead. Rumble: Careful though anyway! Dash: You have no reason to fear for us kid! We are just going on a rescue mission to look for survivors! We will send them this way if we find anypony!! {After an additional pause as hugs are passed around, the six mares finally depart the hospital leaving the fillies and three colts behind. The atmosphere is rather tense as a weighty silence falls on them} Dinky: So what's the plan guys? Sweetie: Sleep, I guess! Snips: Snails is also missing! He hasn't shown up either. Scootaloo: Why the hell haven't you brought that up when we were discussing ponies we were concerned about earlier? Snips: Forgot Silver: We had a lot on our minds! From worry about Dinky to all the other happenings! Scootaloo: Whatever! Dinky: Sleep does sound good though! We should all try to get some sleep. Maybe we can head out tomorrow, to look for Snails. Rumble: Is that wise though? Featherweight: Probably not Dinky: Yeah, but we can't in good conscious leave anypony to the town. Whatever is out there is dangerous. Scootaloo: Sleep first, rescue later! {So the foals decide to sleep! Soon midnight strikes, though nopony has any real way of knowing that. Silver Spoon has holed up near the foot of the bed with Snips nearby. In her sleep she has grabbed hold of him. Dinky and Diamond are cuddled together with relived smiled on their faces at being reunited} {A small indistinct sound startles Sweetie awake. Scootaloo is using her stomach as a pillow and they had fallen asleep in each other's hooves} Sweetie: It is probably nothing! {A moan and a small groan shatters that notion} Sweetie: Redheart? {Ignoring common sense, the filly disentangles herself from Scootaloo's hooves and tiphooves out the small room} Sweetie: I probably should ignore this, but who in their right mind would ignore a pony in trouble. {Voices whisper in her ear, taunting her that she can't save whoever she heard. They ensnare the young pony and whisper dark thoughts into her ears} Sweetie: Shut up! I know this is a bad idea! But I can't just ignore this! ???: Bad idea little foal! Monsters have a way of trapping those that wonder into their midst! {That wasn't a voice from her head} ???: Try the door on the left! *giggle* {Listen} {The foal stops dead in her tracks at the voice that was most definitely not a mental torment of her consciousness} Sweetie: Did you attack Dinky? ???: Wow, we are smart cookies! Very good! Don't even think about preparing a spell little one! I can't be struck by such mediocre spells. Sweetie: What do you want? ???: I want many things! You can't provide them! But, if you want to play hero, try the door on the left! Sweetie: Why? Its going to kill me, whatever it is! ???: You aren't on my list! Why would I want to kill somepony who didn't do anything? No, you are merely going to get things started. Sweetie: What? ???: Knock knock little filly! {The door on the left swings open terrifying Sweetie. A spell is quickly shot off due to the filly's surprise} Redheart: Please help me! Sweetie: Nurse?! What happened!? Redheart: Please help me! {Without thinking of the cliched nature of the situation, she gallops frantically through the door! She is so preoccupied at playing noble hero, she doesn't hear the door slam shut or the high pitched giggle} {The room is pitch black and Sweetie is completely and totally blind. Ordinarily the light of the moon would light up the room} Scritch, Scritch, Scritch {Sweetie's whole body tenses at the noise} {Listen} Drip, Drip, Drip Sweetie: Redheart? Are you okay? {The screen slows down with two buttons on screen. Press X and B} {Sweetie tenses her entire body. Something is seriously wrong in this room and her body screams at her to dodge right. A sliding noise echos across the room and Sweetie feels something slide across the room toward her. The darkness around her vision increases her sense of hearing ten fold, and she weakly jump rolls out of the way of whatever is attacking her} Sweetie: Redheart, please snap out of it! It's me, Sweetie! ???: Do you honestly believe that to work? Sweetie: Let her go you bitch! ???: You can't even see! How do you expect to fight with your lousy magic? {Sweetie feels something wrap around her hooves, preventing her from moving!} {Mash the LT and RT as fast as you can!!!!} {Pain cuts through Sweetie's back as something starts chomping on her causing her to scream. Her horn lights, frantically trying to summon a spell. The young filly struggles frantically. Something wet slides down her face and the smell of metallic enters her nostrils} {Press X} {Sweetie's horn finally manages to light her horn with a knock back spell that all unicorn's possess. At dire moments, even an unskilled unicorn can pull off this basic of all spells. Something roars in her ears, and Sweetie's frantic struggles mange to free her hooves} ???: Very good! But can you truly free yourself from your fate? Sweetie: Shut it! ???: Rude much? {Something flies drastically through the darkness clouding Sweetie's vision} {Press B and Y} {Sweetie, in a blind panic attempts to use her magic to grab the unknown object out of the air. She is partly successful. A blinding flash of pain explodes and Sweetie groans as her magic catches the mysterious item thrown at her. Her magic can't grasp it safely without Sweetie getting hurt it seems. So as soon as she can, she expels it from her, hearing a far off clatter to the floor and a watery, guttural moan as her reward} ???: Meanie! But you really can't save yourself in the end. In the end, you will all die, and I will get my revenge! Sweetie: What did I do? ???: You should know! You did it! {As Sweetie recovers from whatever injured her, she feels a pressure on her throat and her blinded vision blurs} ???: Game Over Sweetie Belle! {MASH THE FUCK OUT OF THE A BUTTON!!!} {Sweetie can smell something rotten against her face and a giggle echo in the tiny room. The tiny unicorn struggles to knock off an attacker she couldn't see. She struggles valiantly to draw breathe, but whatever has hold over her, is too strong} ???: Nobody to help the poor little unicorn. Your friends are asleep, and there will be no one to come to your aide. Too bad really, but you deserve it! You all deserve to die! Even me come to think of it. How ironic is that!!! But I am long dead already and all I can do is bring eternal damnation upon you all for the misery you have caused me! {Sweetie can find herself unable to see. But as she continues to struggle valiantly to whoever is trying to choke her, she can faintly hear a voice off in the distance} Sweetie: hh-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-hh-h-heeellllllpp ???: It won't do you any good! It's just your imagination! ???: No it isn't! Get your fucking hooves off my friend, bitch! {From seemingly nowhere a new comer enters the dark room. Because of the darkness, Sweetie can't see who it is, but she recognizes the voice} Diamond: Snap out of it Sweetie! Use your magic to break free of Redheart's grip! Can't you see that she isn't the nurse we know! {The pressure on Sweetie's throat is gone at Diamond's words. The unicorn falls to the floor and violently coughs her lungs out. The lights then turn on a few moments later. There's Diamond Tiara looking concerned and drenched in blood alongside her} Sweetie: Hey, *cough* the lights came back on! When did you show up here Tiara? Diamond: {Concerned} The lights were on this whole time! The door was wide open and you were being choked to death by Redheart! That doesn't make sense. Why would she do that? {Sweetie, confused, turns to look at where Diamond Tiara was pointing and felt herself get sick} {Listen} Sweetie: Oh Luna! What happened to her! {Shocked, Sweetie falls to the ground in terror! The nurse's body was perhaps cruelly broken, and covered in stab wounds. Her eyes were wide with shock and horror at whatever happened or attacked her. A blood puddle was forming underneath the obviously dead nurse} Sweetie: {Crying} I heard her crying out to me! She was alive before that bitch attacked me. Diamond: Who? Sweetie: {Grabs Diamond roughly} I heard the killer! I think she did something to my perception. It was dark and I think something was controlling her. She was alive, Diamond! Diamond: No Sweetie, when I came into this room, the body had the stab wounds already. She was already long dead. I will agree with the controlling part of your story though. {Sweetie breaks down further in shock. Diamond comfortingly lays a hoof on the sobbing unicorn's back} Sweetie: Thank Celestia you were here Diamond! I think I could have died here tonight and you saved my life! Thank you so much! Thank you so much. Diamond: I couldn't sleep and when you went out of the room so suddenly, I followed you. I would have been here sooner, but it was a bitch trying to navigate the hallways. This room isn't that far from where we were staying, but it took so long trying to find it. I wasn't that far from you anyway. Several doors I tried on the way led to dead ends. Something was fucking with me! Sweetie: Let's go back to the others! I don't think we are as safe here as we thought. {Tired, the two fillies tentatively exit the room. For a long while, the body in the room is still, but soon a violently red light covers the Nurse's body. ???: {Voice over} My revenge against you, nurse has ended! Thanks for your cooperation! {The scene shifts over to the foals. By now, Sweetie and Tiara have made it back to Dinky's hospital room and after waking up everypony, they were informed of the news that Redheart was killed. Needless to say, the news isn't taking very well} Rumble: I fucking told you! We aren't safe anywhere! Why, Sweetie, did you feel a need to investigate? Don't you know that is the quickest way to the grave? Featherweight: Hush, Rumble. How was Sweetie just going to ignore a potential cry for help. How could anypony ignore that? Scootaloo: Dammit Rumble, you should know by now that even if Sweetie ignored the cry for help, something else would have arrived to get Sweetie to investigate. It would have persisted until whoever the fuck did this, got Sweetie out of bed and on her own. Don't you know anything? Rumble: That may be true, but it is still a trap. Scootaloo: Yeah, it may very well be a trap, and all of us will die off one by fucking one. The point still stands, that it is impossible to actively ignore any random noises or distractions. It's rigged against us. Dinky: All of you, quit discussing cliches. It's annoying! Snips: So what are we going to do now? Silver: Redheart had just healed Dinky and some sick fuck kills her? What the hell did Nurse Redheart do to anypony? ???: What indeed little ponies!! {Listen} {The voice laughs in an echo around them} ???: She deserved her death. But look around at all the gathered little ponies! I can crush each and every one of you right now! But what fun would that be? {The voice is soon revealed to be a pony standing silently in the corner. The pony is once again wearing the Guy Fawkes mask. One corner of the mask is covered in blood while the rest is clean. The kind of clean that has no blemishes or otherwise marks of any kind} Scootaloo: You attacked my little sister! I will fucking kill you! Diamond: Wait, Scootaloo!!! {But Scootaloo ignores the warning! Vengeance is on her mind and she takes off in blind rage toward her imagined tormentor} ???: Ah, Scootaloo! You were always quick to anger. But, I am not going to fall so easily. There is nothing that you can do to me! Scootaloo: {Charging} We'll see about that fucker!! {The mysterious pony giggles in amusement} ???: Clearly, you believe you can injure me with pitiful attacks! How juvenile and sad! {Before Scootaloo can lay one hoof on the mysterious attacker. Her hoof violently stops in midair directly in front of the pony} Scootaloo: What the fuck!? ???: Are you done? Scootaloo: What are you? ???: I said, are you done? Scootaloo: First tell me what you did? I should have beaten you by now! ???: *Sigh* How disappointing! Scootaloo, can you punch through air? Scootaloo: No? ???: Is that a question or are you really clueless? Scootaloo: You can't punch through air. But what does that.... ???: There is nothing you can do to harm me because I am already dead. {Silence echoes around the room as everypony is stunned} ???: But... I can hurt you! Want a demonstration? {But the mysterious pony doesn't allow an answer, Scootaloo's hoof shakes in the air before a resounding crack echoes and Scootaloo screams in violent agony} ???: Now shut up and let me talk! {Scootaloo falls back to the floor cradling her seemingly fine hoof to her chest. After awhile she feels the hoof in confusion and stares in wonderment at the mysterious pony in front of her. The pain is gone as quick as the pain started} Scootaloo: What ... ???: Never mind all that! We are going to play a game! I am going to kill you all! Every last one of you. you are going to die. But what fun is murder without first playing a little game. Sweetie? Sweetie: {Scared} W-W-what? ???: You will be the player tasked to save your friends! I will give you one chance and one chance only to save them. Save them properly before they die on their own blood, and I will let you keep them. I don't think I need to tell you what happens if you fail, do I? Sweetie: No mam! ???: Good! I like the sound of this game! We shall call it the Friendship Game. Friendship after all is about saving your loved ones and those you care about, right? Sweetie: Ye-yeah ???: But in the end, it's all meaningless! I will have them and they will be so happy with me. We will laugh, and sing, and be together forever! But that's not important. Do you think you can save your friends, Sweetie? Do you love your friends enough to save them? Sweetie: Ye-Ye-Yeah, I do! They mean the world to me! ???: No, I don't think you do. No one really cares about anypony! Let alone you! Not in the long run anyway! But anyway, I will catch you later! I have an old friend to see about a bear! It will be so exciting!!! Toodles! {The mysterious mare vanishes from sight with only the faint sound of her laughter giving away the sign that she was there at all} Dinky: What a fucking bitch! Scootaloo: She isn't what I pictured though. Diamond: What do you mean? Scootaloo: I thought she was somepony I knew. When Dinky described her, I thought that would make it easy to track down. She is a bigger threat then I was imagining. I felt my hoof break by some powerful force, and then once I realized that my hoof looked fine, I tested it. The pain quickly vanished after that. But it felt so real. It was so realistic, I felt short of breathe and it was just an illusion. Sweetie: But we are fine for right now! We are all here, safe, for now anyway! Dinky: Even still... Let's call out our names! You know, role call! I don't feel so good all of a sudden! Sweetie: Here Snips: Here Silver: Here Diamond: Here Rumble: Present Feather: Yeah Scootaloo: I know I'm here! Dinky: I'm here too {Silence} Sweetie: Apple Bloom? Scootaloo: Oh shit! Dinky: AB please for the love of fucking equinity, be hiding {Apple Bloom, not being present in the room, could not answer the desperate pleas of her traumatized friends} Dinky: Shit! Sweetie: Maybe she left a clue of her whereabouts somewhere. She is a smart filly, she wouldn't leave on her own like this without first warning about it. Diamond: Well we're in luck cause when I looked around the area, I found a note. Scootaloo: {Semi-jokenly} It isn't a ransom note is it? Diamond: Relax! It isn't even remotely close, but it still gives me an ill feeling! Guys, Appleajack came back to the hospital and decided to take me with her. I only had enough time to write this note to tell you where I was. It was pretty late at night, but she insisted. We were going back to the farm to check on Winona and then we were going to look for survivors. Sorry I couldn't wait up, Apple Bloom My List of Friends: Redheart (Winner) Apple Bloom Dinky Silver Spoon Scootaloo Featherweight Diamond Tiara Such good friends. I can't wait to play with them. Even though they hurt me and made me feel sad and lonely, I forgive them. The dead can't hurt anypony anymore. We will have so much fun together; I can't wait. One by one I will make them all my friends, forever together. With this list, I will keep track of everybody. They will all be winners of the Friendship game End of Chapter Three
