Pony:Kinder

10 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