Equestria Divided: Hardened Soil

Chapters

Sorrow's Overture
Before the Party
Sprinting Thief
Altruism

Sorrow's Overture

On the hill overlooking Canterlot, Commander Maud Pie oversees her soldiers as they carry on with their duties. Duties they've done so many times, they could be considered "chores". The blue sky accompanied by the white clouds providing shades against the burning suns, a good weather it is. The chirping of birds could be heard from afar, welcoming the new sunrise. A gentle breeze blew by the camp. All soldiers felt unease, this beauty had been all but alien to them after all they had endured, after all the battles they had fought, after all the atrocities they had commited. As silence of unfamiliar sensations filled the encampment, Maud reminisced. How did everything come up to this?

. . .The Disappearance. . .

The regal sisters, the ruling diarch of Equestria, they simply vanished that day. They were nowhere to be found in the Royal Palace. Many embraced the end of the world, while others panicked in fear. Without the princesses, who would control the twin celestial bodies that gave life to the land? No one, the cycle continues on even without its masters. There are many speculations to this, two of which are the most prominent. First, it is due to the sisters' powers that were embedded, the cycle continues on without their intendance. Second, the sisters lied about their powers over the Sun and Moon, using their deceit to rule Equestria, an unlegitimate regime under a facade.

Those who supported the latter conclusion would rise up in protests against the government. As time flies by, violence follows the revolts. Harmony dwindled as dissent were sown among the populace. The Frontiers to the south contained the most dissents, civil unrests ravaged the towns and cities. The Pie Rock Farm is no exception, protesters often come by to loot whatever they could find. Worried of her family, Maud abandoned her petrologist career to protect them. Often those who meant vile to her family got a stone-like hoof to the eye, the black blunt would last for months even with proper treating. Rumors quickly spread between the protesters to not visit the rock farm, fearing a hard beating or two from one of its inhabitants.

A week passed and no signs of any protests or anyone passing by, Igneous Rock waved to Maud from the cottage as she looks out for any signs of trouble.

"Maud!" he shouted. "I have something to tell the family, you included."

"Yes father," with her usual apathy in her tone, she trotted back to the cottage.

When she finally reached the cottage, she saw anxiousness in both of her sisters, and seriousness in both of her parents. "What's going on?" she asked as she hanged her frock by the door.

After Maud closed the door, she sat on her chair. The chair is nothing special, it's made of stone, specifically obsidian. It was after a volcanic eruption long ago. The unicorns from the disaster relief unit that was sent from Canterlot calmed the volcano down, and the pegasi fire brigade cooled all the lava with their rain clouds, leaving many obsidian behind. She had to admit that it was one of the most profitable sales the family made. The chairs were shaped from the surpluses by Marble, Maud always knew she had a knack for sculpting and smoothing it all out.

As for the table, it is made out of marble. Not long after the volcano incident, Lime dug out a peculier-shaped marble. She noticed an oddity of this marble when she was pulling it out, it was very light when the size is taken into account. She then tapped the rock with her hoof and concluded that it is hollowed inside. The shape of the marble made itself perfect for being a table. The unnaturally smooth surface of the rock is one of its many oddities. Even though Maud already knew the answers for all of the table's phenomenon, it is still a funny thing to think of. Cloudy Quartz felt a slight relief upon seeing her stoic eldest daughter's slight smirk.

To her right, sat at the head of the table, Igneous Rock, her father. To her far left, opposite from her father's perspective, Cloudy Quartz, her mother. Opposite from her perspective are her young sisters, Limestone Pie and Marble Pie. To her left was to be sat down by the youngest sister, Pinkie Pie. As the Element of Laughter, Pinkie Pie and the other Elements maintained order in Ponyville. Maud could only wish her sister's safety during the past week. Only a couple of days Pinkie would sent a letter or two to the farm. The rest of the week were silent, the farm never received any letters from her. They could only speculate that Pinkie was just very busy on keeping the town's order stable.

Igneous glanced over his family, particularly his daughters. "As you fillies know," he started. "times are changing."

"First of all, I have to thank you Maud," said Igneous. "you've been doing what was supposed to be my duty, protecting the family."

Cloudy followed, "We just felt that you've done more than enough, Mau-"

"Wait, what's going on here?" Marble interrupted.

Lime looked at her sister and said, "Can't you tell by the room? We're leaving."

The room is empty. There are things already packed and pieces of furniture that once filled the room were all gathered on one corner of the room.

"Why are we leaving?" asked Marble.

"We are about to find out," both the sisters turned their attention to their father.

"Ahem, as I was saying," said Igneous. "Maud, we appreciate your help on the farm, but we all know you are worried about Pinkie."

Cloudy again followed, "All of us are worried about Pinkie, so we want you to move to Ponyville."

"But-"

"No 'but' Maud," as Igneous slams his right hoof on the table, "Ponyville's not far from Canterlot, and it's starting to get more violent up at the mountains than down here in the Frontiers!

"Look Maud, we are all concerned of Pinkie's safety. If it's possible, bring her back with you. But if she insists to stay in her town, don't force her. Instead, help her with her tasks in Ponyville."

"Oh and don't worry about us dear," said Cloudy. "We'll be moving to Fillydelphia."

"Lately, the Pie Clan had gained much influence in that city," Igneous added. "we may be able to seek refuge there as family members."

"We should go and pack our bags now, right father?" asked Marble.

As the twins get to their rooms to pack their belongings, silence filled the room. "I'll go now then, the last train will leave soon."

"You can't use the trains I'm afraid," said Cloudy. "They were all derailed by the rioters two days ago."

"I'll trot then," said Maud. She took her frock and proceeded through the front door.

. . .later outside. . .

As Maud trotted through the rocky landscapes of her farm, she stopped upon hearing a combination of shouts made by her sisters.

"Maud! Wait!"

Lime and Marble followed Maud, only to slip a few rocks themselves along the way. Maud trotted to them.

"We made this for you," said Lime.

"A charm!" said Marble

The charm looked similar to the rock candy necklaces she used to make, only it was made out of a mix of Limestone and Marble. She took the charm and wore it under her frock. "Thank you," she told her sisters.

"Lime, Marble, you need to take care of the family now," said Maud. "and don't worry, I'll make sure Pinkie's okay, I promise."

The sisters stood and watched as Maud trotted away from the farm. Then Marble realized something, "Wait, she didn't take any supplies with her."

"And it would probably be two or three days to Ponyville from here," Lime added

Both sisters looked at each other and looked back to Maud, now disappearing to the horizon, "That's our sis!"

. . .night falls. . .

Maud is very conservative on her stamina. Unlike Pinkie who is always enthusiastic with her energies, especially with the parties, she prefers to save her's until necessity rises for them. Travelling to Ponyville is one of such necessities, as Pinkie's parties won't solve such problems in which seriousness had clouded any sparks of happiness and laughter. Even though night had veiled the landscapes, she still sprinted through black darkness, hoping to reach to Pinkie as fast as possible.

The fact that Pinkie made no contact with the farm during the past week has given her two speculations. One, communications throughout Equestria had been ceased by the Canterlot Council, the governmental body formed shortly after the disappearance of the sisters. Quite an unreasonable explanation due to the fact that all these riots occurred locally. It would make no sense for the locals to need any communications to outsiders. Two, something happened to either Ponyville or worse, Pinkie.

Maud quickly discard the thought from her mind. Pinkie would never be in danger. Her wonderful friends she had always mentioned in her letters would protect her from any harm. And all of them are the wielders of the Elements of Harmony, the most powerful magic in all of Equestria. What could possibly go wrong? She had to keep in mind that she had never visited Ponyville, and the only townsponies she knew are only those Pinkie had mentioned in her letters. Although they were all just described in her letters, Maud had confidence on Pinkie's writing skills, and she will now be putting them to the test as she stood on a hill overlooking the apple orchards of Sweet Apple Acres.

The coldness of the night grew stronger as time passed by. Maud might be strong, but she is still a pony. And a pony's body isn't designed to endure the cold for a long period of time. She trotted along the pathway of the orchard up to the farmhouse where one of Pinkie's friends, Applejack, lives. "The lively red farmhouse decorated with apples", not as lively as she expected. The lights are still on, meaning that the family might be having dinner. She knocked on the door.

She was greeted by a big red stallion whose description fits the eldest of the Apple siblings, Big McIntosh. His hulking appearance accompanied by the dark surroundings would've scared an average pony away. There was a delay of silence, Big Mac broke it with the same apathy of Maud's tone, "What is yer business here?"

Now it's her turn to speak, if she had any energy left to do so. When she opened her mouth to speak, her breath was the only thing that came out of it. She promptly fell down on her hooves as fatigue finally overwhelmed her; sprinting long distance non-stop would've ground a normal pony. Good thing that Maud was special in her own way, the same way Pinkie is, in her own way.

. . .dream. . .

Surrounding her were nothing but pitch black darkness, Maud was lost in it. She trotted, following the eerie laughter. The closer she got to the source, the more the laughter sounded familiar to her, like she had heard it from somewhere before, or from someone before. Then she finally realized that the tone, the unique pitch only one pony she knew had, Pinkie's. Her casual trot quickly became a restless sprint, Pinkie couldn't be far now. And then she felt it, the darkness below consuming her. Like quicksand, it sucked her legs into itself, slowly but steadily, and eventually reached her neck. Then everything stopped. The chronic laughter, the shadows below her, her own body, stopped.

In front of her, she could hear the sound of hoof steps coming towards her. Lights below illuminate the mysterious pony approaching her, it was none other than Pinkie Pie herself. She wasn't what Maud had remembered before she moved to Ponyville. She was missing her glee, her cheerfulness that made her special. Her mane laid flat, straight. Her carefree face replaced by sorrowful despair, the melancholy she had erased from her family in the past. She looked deep into Maud's eyes, Maud did the same to her teary eyes. When the first tear dropped from her it, the darkness that had been holding Maud consumed Pinkie. Maud watched in horror as her sister turned into a morbid creature whose laughter pierce deep into Maud's mind. She looked at the monster's face, it resembl-

. . .thud, thud, thud. . .

It was very painful, Maud jumped off her bed, only to slipped the blankets that were covering her, and hit the wall of the other side of the room. Lights of the new dawn shone through the window, slightly on Maud's muzzle. It was just a dream. Then a voice brought Maud to her senses. "She woken up!"

Maud stood up to her hooves and trotted back to the couch she had jumped from. A white mare trotted into the room, her face indicated that she was intrigued upon seeing Maud. Her mane pink, she was wearing a nursing cap. She could be Nurse Redheart, the Head Nurse of Ponyville Hospital. Following the nurse was an orange mare. Her mane yellow, she was wearing a brown appleloosan hat. "Is she one of the missing patients?" she said with worry in her eyes.

And that accent, no doubt she is none other than Applejack, bearer of the element of Honesty. The nurse replied to her, "Not one of the rioters, no. Are you sure she's the right mare?"

"Ya bet she is, her coat's still hanging over there!" said Applejack as she pointed her hoof to Maud's frock hanging on the hanger stand in the room.

Maud looked to her frock. She trotted there and started to wear it. Redheart interrupted. "Ahem, I'm afraid you can't leave yet miss..."

"Maud," she answered. "just call me Maud"

"Miss Maud, I was told that you suddenly went unconscious in the middle of the night," said Redheart. "Now of course you are not one of the missing patients we are looking for. Do you have any problems I could remedy?"

"Thank you," said Maud as she finished putting the frock on her body, "but I don't think that is needed."

Redheart thought for a moment and decided, "If you insist, then I shall take my leave. There are many ponies who got themselves hurt during these days, and the hospital is not going to tend its patients on its own."

"Hey!" shouted AJ, "I thought ya said ya need to take a look at her right away?"

"Miss Maud here has shown no symptoms that are needed to be worried about. I'd say she's a very healthy mare," said Redheart as she trotted out of the farmhouse. "if she insists that she's fine, then she'll recover by herself, no medical attention required."

"Well," said Applejack. "if ya say so."

"Now," Applejack turned to Maud, now fully dressed in her flock looking at AJ. "Maud, am I right?"

Maud nodded

"Um," Applejack scratched her head with her right hoof in confusion, "breakfast's ready if ya are hungry."

Maud nodded

Applejack trotted out of the farmhouse as Maud trotted to the dining room. On the table were apple oatmeals and mugs of cider, a simple breakfast. As she sat on the table, two ponies trotted in. One was AJ, and the other was Big Mac. After both of them sat on their chairs, "Now let me introduce oursel-"

"No need for that," said Maud. "Pinkie had already told me about all of you."

AJ gasped, "Ya knew Pinkie!?"

Maud nodded as she chew on her oatmeal.

AJ whispered to Big Mac, "Has Pinkie ever mentioned a grey girl with a cutie mark of a rock before?"

"Nope," answered Big Mac.

"Do ya think she's telling the truth?" asked AJ.

"Eeeyup," answered Big Mac.

"May I have a second serving?" said Maud as she put down her mug.

AJ and Big Mac wide-eyed at the empty bowl once full of oatmeal, "She must've been hungry," quoted AJ.

"Eeeyup," answered Big Mac.

Maud patiently looked at the couple with her unmoving eyes.

Startled by her stare, AJ replied, "Sure, uh, help yerself," pointing her hoof to the kitchen.

As Maud filled up her plate with her second serving, the siblings were shocked upon seeing how much oatmeal she had put on her plate, not to mention her three mugs of cider!

After putting her plate and mugs down on the table, Maud asked, "Where's Apple Bloom and Granny Smith?"

"Oh we had them moved to Appleloosa, I've heard the situation started to cool down down there," answered AJ.

"It has," replied Maud after she finished her first mug of cider.

The trio continued dining their breakfast in silence, two of which are reserved on their speech, and the other is just unsure of how to react to this unnaturally awkward situation.

"So," said AJ after she finished her plate. "What are yer plans for today, Maud?"

Maud, already finished with her plate answered, "How's Ponyville?"

"I, uh, it's, uh, um," AJ could only muttered these words.

"Nope," answered Big Mac.

"Uh, maybe ya would like to catch up with Pinkie, she's uh," Applejack hesitated. "she would really appreciate company right now."

Maud lifted one of her eyebrows, then she replied, "I would love to."

. . .later outside. . .

As the trios trotted along the pathway of the orchard, Maud asked AJ, "About your situation."

"Oh!" Applejack startled from the sudden break of silence, "A lot had happened in Ponyville, Maud, a lot had happened."

Indeed a lot had happened in Ponyville after the disappearance. As with the entire Equestria, many questioned the sisters' right to rule. The Ponyville Violence Counteract, generally known as the PVC, was founded by Twilight Sparkle to maintain civil order in Ponyville. The current members consist of all of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony and ponies who had neutral opinions toward the debate itself like Big McIntosh and Nurse Redheart.

As the pro-unicorn political party "White Horns" gained more power and support, as do as the loyalists in Ponyville. As a result, the opposition became more violent than ever before. At first the PVC handled minor disputes on the debate, but in time it finally escalated into violent protests. Arguments were things of the past now in the current situation.

Less violent disorders were generally handled by Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie. While more violent ones were handled by Applejack and Rainbow Dash. Twilight left the PVC to handle the situations in Canterlot with her family with their "Cautious Transformation", a political party supporting ideals against the racist "White Horns" party, she hadn't contacted back ever since she left.

Nurse Redheart and her crew of medical staffs would handle any injuries sustained after the chaos. Normally Big McIntosh and other big ponies would take over if situation gets out of hoof, but this is not the case anymore. Every members of the PVC had to learn equestrian martial arts to combat violent protesters. Time would tell for how long they would still be able to control the populace, as violence from the protesters increased every single day passed.

"It could've been worse," quoted Maud.

"Now that ah couldn't agree any better" said AJ. "you should try take that up on Rarity!"

"I can-" the conversation was interrupted a small group of protesters shouting about by one of the market stalls.

"Gosh, it's them again!" said AJ. "Big Mac?"

"Eeeyup," answered Big Mac.

And so Big McIntosh left the group to handle with violent protesters that seemed to be cauing trouble for a while.

"What was that, Maud?" said AJ asking Maud to repeat what she had said.

"I can help you and the PVC," said Maud.

"You would!?" said AJ.

Maud raised one of her eyebrows.

"Sorry gal," apologized Applejack. "it's just that we haven't got any new volunteers recently, and the old ones just keep leavin'."

"Is this Sugarcube Corner?" asked Maud.

"What? Um, yeah, I guess," answered AJ.

Yes indeed, this is Sugarcube Corner, albeit with mountains of confetti around its foundation and rooftops. Pinkie Pie would threw countless parties just to make everyone happy, cheering them out of their sadness. But this is different, that sadness came from realization of believing a delusion. Their trust betrayed, their sadness would become anger. To Pinkie's expertise, she would know that cheering the furious is harder than cheering the frown, but she would do it anyway.

"Ya see Maud, her latest party last night," said AJ. "it was probably worse than her first party. I mean you can't expect anything great from first timers, right?"

AJ reminded her of Pinkie's first party, it was actually one of the best she threw in Maud's heart. Without Pinkie, the family wouldn't have known the value of laughter and joy. "Yeah," Maud could only reply much to AJ.

"Now ah'll be on patrol now," said AJ. "our headquarter's at Golden Oak Library, Rarity and Spike are both stationed there after the boutique got wrecked by them protesters... yeah." AJ trotted away to perform her patrolling duties.

Maud trotted into the bakery, broken plates and chairs littered the floor. She trotted upstair and saw something that again placed her doubt to Pinkie's safety. It was hard to see when confetti covered most of the flooring, but it became clear as she went up the stairs, where confetti were less to be found. Red trails beginning from the stairwell up to the second floor, to the room that should be Pinkie's. Her heart raced as the trails became much larger as she got closer to the door to Pinkie's bedroom. When she finally reached the door, it had a crimson red hoof print on it. She spent no time to knock. She pushed the door open to what she would've never seen or heard from Pinkamena Diane Pie.

Before the Party

Pinkie was more than sad, Ponyville had always liked her parties. It's all her fault, she shouldn't have arranged that party. She invited representatives from both oppositions to attend her party, the "Peace for Ponyville" party. This violence between the townsponies had been going on for months. She joined the PVC to prevent and to stop the violence once and for all, but to no avail as it had escalated into protests against the authorities. Pinkie had dealt with many violent arguments, but lately they rarely resolved peacefully without a pony or two going straight to the Ponyville Hospital.

After Twilight left for Canterlot, Redheart was left in charge of the Management group. She prioritized the PVC to prevent any injuries between the ponies as much as possible, yet every day an injured or two would be admitted to the hospital. At first it was the Muscle and the Vigil groups that would handle any fighting occurred, but now every other groups are needed to handle it as well. The Care group would either apply first aid to the injured or take them to the hospital. Lately, they have only been doing the latter. The Charity group utilized a new strategy by giving items to resolve the arguments, the items used needed to be more precious every day passed, and budget have started to dry off as members diminished.

The last group is the Happy group, Pinkie's group. The group used to be the main instrument of the PVC, preventing violence by using happiness. As the situation had escalated, this method became obsolete to the ponies. Pinkie and her members tried again and again using the same concept. Even with different methods, the results were the same every time. Other groups would have to intervene and clean the mess, usually the hard way. Pinkie had been keeping her last method as her last resort, a party.

By the time Pinkie had put her final plan in motion, the protests had already begun. She had planned the party for weeks until she finally sets it in motion. First, she invited representatives from the protest groups, the loyalists and the revolutionaries, then the PVC. The party would be one of the best; she would give it all for this one, for what used to be Ponyville.

Pinkie stood in front of the Sugarcube Corner as the naturally moving Sun began to set. As the host of the party, it's her duty to greet the guests invited. She could see her friends from afar, the PVC. Applejack bought Bulk Biceps and Big McIntosh from her Muscle group. Rainbow Dash bought Cloudchaser and Flitter from her Vigil group. Fluttershy bought Zecora and Iron Will from her Care group. Rarity bought Lotus Blossom and Aloe from her Charity group. And Redheart bought Cheerilee and Time Turner from her Management group. For the Happy group, she bought Donut Joe to help bake the pastries with Mister and Missus Cake.

She asked her friends to bring at least two members from each group so that the party would have more security than any other places in Ponyville. She wanted her guests to feel comfortable and relaxed in her party. Bulk would guard the front door, while Big Mac would guard the back of the front door. Flitter would keep watch on the balcony of Pinkie's bedroom, while periodically swapping with Chaser who would patrol the surrounding streets. Iron Will would guard the backside of the establishment, while Zecora would help in the kitchen as well as mix the special beverages with her calm potion. Pinkie had already tried the potion many times and it worked, always. It would ease the mind to the same point, relaxation, which is exactly what Pinkie needed for her party.

Even though foods and beverages would be served in her traditional pastry buffet, Lotus and Aloe would serve the more special treats from the kitchen to each of the guests. Cheerilee and Turner would mediate the guests for peace before the finale negotiation between the protesters, the finale of the "Peace for Ponyville" party.

"Alright everyone!" shouted Pinkie. "Our guests would arrive in about an hour, so be prepared!"

Every members of the PVC did naught but sigh, obviously not having Pinkie's optimistic views of the situation. The PVC had only few successes in controlling the populace, let alone preventing violence during the past month. What would be the odds of this party being a success? Six mares, including Pinkie, stayed in the room. Pinkie asked, "What's the matter, girls?"

"What are we supposed to do?" asked RD.

"Well," said Pinkie with a smirk. "since you girls didn't get a role from me. You're free."

"What?!" asked RD. "but you managed to figure a role for everyone by less than a minute! Don't tell me you haven't had a role for us in mind!"

"Yep," answered Pinkie. "you're free!"

Yet again, Pinkie had successfully confused her friends with her randomness. "Um, would you like to clarify what you're trying to tell us?" asked Fluttershy.

"Well, all the roles I could think of have been filled," said Pinkie. "so I thought you girls would be able to lighten up the party on your own!"

"Look gal," said Applejack. "to be honest, we all don't share your point of view."

"Wha?" said Pinkie with disbelief in her tone.

"Pinkie, the situation is too much out of control," Redheart added. "we need to apply different methods."

"Darling, we can still back out now," said Rarity. "I'm worried about Spike being in the library on his own with all the protests going on."

"Nope," said Big Mac.

AJ answered him, "What was that, Big Mac?"

"Um, girls?" said Fluttershy as she looked out of the kitchen door. "I think canceling the party right now won't be such a good idea."

Fluttershy was right, the show must go on. The guests have arrived from both sides of Ponyville, but they also bought their uninvited guests, protesters. In front of Sugarcube Corner was a standoff between the protest groups, the awkward silence that could be broken by anyone, by any moment. The representative of the loyalists, Amethyst Star said to her opposition, "We both bought too much representatives, haven't we?"

The representative of the revolutionaries, Meadow Song answered, "It seems our leaders had the same idea."

Before the tension could rise any further, "CITIZENS OF PONYVILLE!"

It was Pinkie's shout no doubt, twelve pairs of eyes were allured by her voice. Pinkie then continue her speech to the group of ponies, "You have no idea how glad I am now for all of you to come here, I mean really!"

The loyalists' representatives are lead by Amethyst Star, her members are all unicorns, two stallions and three mares. The revolutionaries' representatives are lead by Meadow Song, only one member in the group wasn't an earth pony stallion. That pony is Minuette, a unicorn mare maned and coated in blue. Turner gazed at the mare from the bakery's window, earning a suspicion from his fellow member, "Why are you staring out of the window, Turner?"

"Oh it's you Miss Redheart," said Turner. "nothing I guess."

Redheart sighed, "It's her, isn't it?"

"It's not like I missed her or anything!" answered Turner. "well maybe actually. But it's something else, maybe I'm just skeptical."

"Well then," said Redheart. "as the leader of the Management group, I'd like to hear about it, Doctor."

"My goodness!" replied Turner. "and I thought Ditzy and Twilight were the inquisitors! Not you as well!"

Redheart giggled, "Speaking of her, how's Miss Doo lately?"

"We haven't talked much ever since this whole thing started," said Turner, "she was more concerned about Dinky, not to mention the increased communications between Canterlot and Ponyville making her busy delivering them most of the time she have in a day."

"I'm sure she'll be fine," consoled Redheart. "she's a hard-working mare after all."

"So that's who Dinky got her energy from," said Cheerilee as she joined the conversation. "she's always been a lively little filly."

"Ah, Miss Cheerilee," said Turner. "I've been meaning to ask, how's your child care going?"

"Oh, the colts and fillies are really jolly as you've said to be with," answered Cheerilee. "but I'm afraid the schoolhouse could only house so many."

"Then I suggest you move the orphanage to the library," suggested Redheart. "there's more than enough space after we cleared all the books, and I'm sure the foals would be more than delighted to help organizing all the tools and documents."

Turner added, "And of course, under you supervision, no offense."

"None taken," replied Cheerilee. "but I don't think the foals would want to abandon their crop patches, especially when the seedlings had just sprouted a couple of days ago. They were so happy seeing their hard work bloomed!"

There was a moment of silence after Cheerilee finished the last word of her sentence.

Turner broke the silence, "How are the two fillies doing, Miss Cheerilee?"

"Oh they're fine," answered Cheerilee. "they just became a bit more... quiet."

"They were best friends," Redheart added. "taking one away is just... wrong."

"Either way, Miss Cheerilee?" said Turner. "I've heard from Ditzy that Miss Carrot had designed a device that I'm sure would help moving the crop patches."

Cheerilee answered, "Oh that would be wonderful!"

Redheart added, "Oh, tell me about it."

As the trio continued their conversations, AJ watched them nearby, muttering to herself, "I'm so sorry, Apple Bloom. I'm so sorry, Cutie Mark Crusaders..."

meanwhile

". . . and that summarizes my opening speech," said Pinkie, ending her speech. "any questions, anypony?"

The group of protesters yawned in relief upon knowing that the most boring part of any formal parties, the opening speech, is over. Although many protesters fell asleep on the ground as a result, the "invited" guests did not, albeit yawning still. "None, may we enter the party room now?" answered Amethyst as she yawned with the others.

"YEAH!" shouted Bulk, waking every protesters in the vicinity.

As the guests trotted into the bakery, Flitter observed them from the balcony. The loyalists trotted in first and the first among them is Amethyst Star, pink mane and purple coat. The two white stallions following her wore a replica of S.E.U.P.A., Solar Earth-Unicorn-Pegasi Armor. She knew that they are wearing replicas because the PVC had confiscated a number of such armors in the past, which the Charity group quickly proved them to be cheap replicas, made somewhere else other than the Royal Arsenal. An authentic S.E.U.P.A. would turn the wearer's coat white, mane and tail blue. The stallions didn't wear the colors, as does the three mares following. They wore the L.E.U.P.A variant hidden under their cloaks. "Hmm" Flitter muttered.

"Since when you were so observative?" the mysterious voice pulled Flitter out of her concentration. She turned around to see who it was, no one. When she turned back, she quickly found out whose the mysterious voice was.

"The PVC had changed many of us, huh?" asked Thunderlane as he flew down to sit besides Flitter.

"Yeah," Flitter replied. "a bit of me is starting to doubt if this is the right thing for us to do."

"What do you mean?"

"We've hurt so many already," Flitter continued. "how does that make us any different from the others?"

Thunderlane sighed, "I thought we all have gone through this after the Care group bought that up."

"I know," Flitter sighed. "it's just a thought, that's all."

"Trying to pick up my sis again eh, Thunderlane?"

"NO!" Thunderlane yelled to Cloudchaser, who had flown back and landed next to her sister. "for now at least."

Both mares raised their one of their eyebrows, "For now?"

Red colored Thunderlane's face, the sisters giggled.

"Huh?"

"What is it, Flit?" asked Chaser.

"What?" said Flitter. "oh nothing, Chase."

"You sure?" asked Chaser.

"Of course!" answered Flitter. "I think it's my turn on patrol now."

Flitter took off from the balcony and headed to the streets. She did see something odd, but it's not odd enough to be any threat. "Why did Pinkie dance up and down like she was on salt in front of the protesters?"

back below

The protesters looked at Pinkie confusingly. All of them knew Pinkie's antics, but never have they ever saw a dance so awkward performed by Pinkie. Pinkie quickly ran to the side of the bakery, not hiding from the crowds out of embarrassment, but out of confusion. She sat down to contemplate, "What was that?"

Iron Will who was guarding the backdoor, saw Pinkie and asked, "What are you doing, Pinkie?"

"What?" Pinkie snapped back to reality, "oh it's you, Willis."

Iron Will smiled, "Still going to call me that, huh?"

"Or do you prefer 'Willy' more?"

"No comment," Will replied. "was that you?"

"You felt it too, huh?"

"Iron Will bet the ground shook to Fluttershy's shed!" Will exaggerated. "I mean, cottage. Iron Will hopes that it is not your doozy."

"I sure hope so," said Pinkie ". . . Fluttershy told you about my Pinkie Senses, didn't she?"

"She did," said WIll. "the tea party she invited Iron Will to join with a bunch of critters, and a draconequ-"

Pinkie shoved her hoof into Will's mouth, "Say no more! I think I can imagine what happened, both good and bad, I think."

Will pulled Pinkie's hoof out of his mouth, "So what will you do with your doozy? It happened just after the party started, should we cancel?"

"No!" shouted Pinkie. "this might be our only chance for peace! Who knows? The unexpected might be peace!"

Will rolled his eyes.

"Thank you, Willy," Pinkie smiled. "for returning my confidence to myself!"

As Pinkie trotted into the bakery through the backdoor, Will went back to his post and sighed, "When a pony wants confidence, make sure they have prudence. . . Iron Will learned this from Fluttershy, yet why Iron Will couldn't teach Pinkie Pie?"

a minute later

Pinkie rushed out of the kitchen door and shouted, "EVERYPONY!"

All the murmurs stopped, their attentions toward Pinkie. She then shouted, "Let The Party, BEGIN!"

The confetti burst out, a lot of confetti. The huge amount of confetti surprised both the guests and the PVC, but they later returned to their quiet discussions. "This is going to be harder than I thought," Pinkie thought to herself.

Sprinting Thief

The naturally controlled sun now in the center of the sky, dawn had passed and the time is noon. Citizens of Ponyville carried away with their daily tasks. Everything was peaceful, for a while. A scream of a mare gathered everypony's attentions, it came from afar.

"Thief!" the mare shouted, "that little colt stole my bag!"

The victim was a mare, white coated, light pink maned unicorn. She screamed for help as she tried to hit the little thief with her spell, the spell that would later be called "Magic Missile". The spell's formula was originally designed to magically launch a blunt projectile. But times are changing, most unicorns in Equestria would have to revise their formulas to fit the now much more violent scenario.

Since most unicorns aren't spell experts, most of the revised versions are flawed. There are notable versions of the spell, ice spikes and fireballs are good examples. The mare was using her own revised version of the spell; solid, conical projectiles made of wind travelling in a spiral manner.

The projectile itself is fast, but inaccurate still. Those with enough agility and dexterity would easily dodge them, and the colt was lucky to have enough of both. The crowds cleared away from their path, fearing of getting hit by any of the projectiles which would likely result in deep injuries. The earth pony colt ran by the path opened by the gathering crowds, with shrieks passing his ears often. He would just have to outrun the mare to savor his loot, like he always did. The path lead to Sugarcube Corner, a place he was fond of for their pastries. Knowing the place means knowing where to hide, he sets his sight to the bakery.

When the colt reached the entrance, he looked back. The mare was very far away, still trying to hit him with her spell. He quickly entered the bakery, some of the projectiles sticking to the door as he closed it with his hind legs. He quickly rushed into the storage room under the staircase. Not many knew the existence of the room due to lack of use and a deceptive door, it's a perfect place to hide. He shut the door close, letting the darkness filled his surroundings as he prepared his ears to monitor the outside.

He heard some noises outside, the mare no doubt trotting and looking for him. He now just have to hope that the mare whom he stole from does not know of this storage room. He closed his eyes tight as he thought what he would do, or be done if he were to be caught. Then he heard another noise of hoof steps coming from above. Now his chance of getting out of this clean has been significantly lowered.

Whoever trotted downstairs would either be Mister or Missus Cake, or Pinkie Pie. If any of them caught him, he would be reported, and he would be sent to the orphanage. He could turn himself in and try to escape later, but his loot of the morning would be for nothing. He didn't bothered to look inside the bag to know what his loot is obviously, as running without looking at the way would always results in disaster.

"Well," the colt thought to himself. "I might as well check the catch and see if it's wor-"

The saddlebag was nowhere to be found on him! He was sure that it was on him on the whole chase, where could it be? The bag had fallen off when he dashed for the room he is currently hiding. There's little time, he could still hear the sounds of ponies trotting outside, the mare is obviously still around. He could either snatch and dash away with the bag, or wait until everypony leaves and leave. If he do the latter, all his efforts would be wasted. So he dashed out of the storage room, only to be greeted by a hoof to his forehead, "Oh no"

The pony who trotted downstairs was neither the Cakes nor Pinkie, it was another mare. The hit on his forehead was so hard, he bounced back into the corner of the storage room and dizziness took the better of him. That was a hoof punch, the hardest he had ever took, ever since that orange filly hit him at the very same spot whilst chasing him with her scooter, ouch.

So he trotted out of the room, tumbling his hooves as to be expected. He lifted his head up to this, "insanely powerful" mare as he quoted her. The mare's expression showed no emotions. She looked down at him and asked, "So you're the supposed thief?"

The little poor colt trembled again, never had he ever heard such tone coming from any pony. It sounded aloof, cold. A trait he'd only known, not experienced. It was not just her tone that made him trembled. It was her eyes. Her gaze locked on to his eyes, his irises shrank by the stern intimidation. He'd only nodded twice as a reply, his voice refused to come out of his throat.

Her coat was grey, and her mane and tail were purple. She was wearing a frock, covering her cutie mark. Not a normal article for ponies to wear, but ponies here don't really care much about clothing anyway. Her eye lashes are thick, a very rare trait within the ponies. He remembered seeing a couple who had that very same trait when he and his friends sneaked into the spa, good times.

The mare continued her glare deep into his very soul. She asked, "Name?"

"Sprint!" without a second lost, the colt shouted his name, "Speedy Sprint!"

. . .a moment ago. . .

"Is that what you really want?"

Pinkie nodded with a smile, "That's what friends are for, right?"

As Maud turned to the door, "I'm sorry I didn't write any letters," said Pinkie.

"That's alright," Maud smiled. "they'll be glad to know that you're safe and happy."

Pinkie laughed, "Your first stop should be at Twilight's library, maybe you can settle there while I clean this whole place up!"

Maud gave a hug to Pinkie, "Stay safe."

THUD, THUD, THUD

The duo looked down to the source of the mysterious sound, "I should be going now."

Pinkie waved goodbye to Maud with her cheerful smile, enough to choke a giggle out of that stone face. As Maud trotted to the staircase, her expression turned from happiness to seriousness. Judging from the sound, whoever that came in the bakery most likely didn't bother to knock. Looters are an old friend to Maud, and she planned to give extra beatings to those that roamed in Ponyville.

As she went downstairs, she noticed a unicorn mare equipping her saddlebag. The mare signaled Maud to come in closer. She whispered, "A colt snatched this bag of mine back at the streets outside. I chased him up to here and it seems he's hiding somewhere."

Maud observed the bag. At first glance, it's just a normal bag. But at closer look, the texture is that of silk. The fabric is famed for its smooth texture and lavish price in the market. In all of the known world, only Chineigh produced silk in its best quality. There are many that tried to take advantage of its price by attempting to produce their own to sell in the market, but all failed to keep up with the quality of Chineigh's Silk. Consequently, most nations decided to only import silk directly from Chineigh, making the nation a monopoly in said fabric.

It has been years since Chineigh gained control of the silk market, the renowned Silk Junks being a testament to that. It would be nothing but an oddity for this silk saddlebag to not be made out of Chineigh's Silk. Pinkie was never the extravagant type, except for parties, so the possibility that she bought it is quite low. Although the bag itself might be given to her from one of her friends, Rarity. It might not be the case.

One of her last letters mentioned that Rarity had to put her business on hold to help in the peace-keeping. It would be unlikely for her to make Pinkie a new saddlebag during these circumstances. To consider that this was made before the chaos had erupted, Pinkie would've mentioned the bag in her daily letters. After all, a fancy gift from one of your best friends is definitely something to write about.

". . .so all and all," the mare concluded, "if you manage to find the little thief, can I trust that you would carry out 'appropriate' procedures on him?"

Not at all listening to this mare during the past minutes, Maud nodded anyway.

"A mare of few words, I see," the mare replied to Maud's silence, "I shall take my leave now, my group is waiting for me."

The mare left the bakery, leaving Maud alone with this mysterious thief who is hiding somewhere a midst the wreckage of what was supposed to be one of Pinkie Pie's greatest party. . .

Altruism

This is not a good day for Speedy Sprint, one of the unfortunate foals of Ponyville that had taken the trade of being a street urchin. As the result of this chaos, foals are limited to stay in their homes for their safety. A simple curfew should be enough for the young ones to obey, but not all chose to obey the new law enforced.

Deaths are usually the results of "Collateral Damages" made by protesters. Many young foals are left orphaned, their parents unwillingly left the world. The Ponyville Schoolhouse became in general, an orphanage as a response to the increasing death toll. The orphanage might be there to mend broken hearts of the young, but there are those exist who were inflicted with much sadness that scarred deep into their memories.

Sprint's case are applied here. For most foals who got themselves into the orphanage, their parents died when they were out. While for the rest, they saw their parents died firsthoof. Those in the latter would let the whole thing go after that zebran mare gave each of them a potion that made them forget the sorrowful pain. Sprint didn't take the potion because he was picky on what he would eat and drink back then. He spew the potion out of his mouth later when nopony was looking. Some of the solution did manage to get into him, so he do forget some details about his parents. Normally, he would have completely forgotten about his parents and live like any orphans who never met their parents before.

"It must have been hard for you."

"Yep, but I got used to it now," Sprint and his once-thought-to-be-the-devil savior, Maud, sat on a hill overlooking the clock tower.

A gentle breeze still hush them from behind as they shared their stories, "Now that I feel more comfortable around you, so...

"What's the deal?" Maud's expression didn't flinch from the the sudden change of tone.

"It was no doubt you that trotted down from the second floor, who are you?"

Maud ignored the colt by diverting her eye contact to the cyan horizon, "Hey!

"I've been telling you my story the entire morning!" Sprint puts the absence of his fear to good use. "Now you better tell yours, lady!"

Maud let out a smirk after witnessing this colt talking her back; a new social experience for her. Everypony she had met so far didn't dare to argue with her. Maud's never been an outgoing type, so she had only maintained a few friends. Accompany by seeing no other options to shut his demands up, Maud decides to tell her story. Sprint listens despite the monotone that eats away his attention every couple of minutes, "That explains a lot more than you might expected."

"Like?" Maud replied with slight curiosity in her tone.

"There are too many to choose from..." Sprint lingers in his thought for a few moments, muttering hmm as he decides, "Yeah! There were many times back then that I heard Pinkie shouted out your name!

Maud lets out another smirk, "And what does that explain?"

"Well, I thought she was making Mud Pies that morning," Sprint spoke in a-matter-of-fact-ly manner. "Imagine me crawling to the counter after some tiring races with my friends and telling her, "I want that delicious Mud Pie so bad. I'm gonna eat it all up!"; imagine some heavy breathing in there as well."

Normally, a mare would've blushed being referenced like this. But this particular mare just keeps smirking on this colt's lack of common sense.

"I should have known that there's no way she would've known the recipe. I mean, I've only ate a Mud Pie once at the only restaurant in the entire Equestria that plates them! Pinkie doesn't look anywhere near being posh. There's Sweetie Belle's big siste-"

"Where's this restaurant?" Maud paused the unlikely-going-to-stop chain of thoughts.

"..." Sprint reminisced for another moment, "Trottingham."

"Trottingham doesn't really cut out as posh."

"But every griffins I saw there are, especially the chef that made my pie. He was so rich that before we left the restaurant, I heard him talking to... someone that he's moving to Manehattan!"

"Someone?" Maud remarked the slight delay she noticed.

A moment of silence and then Sprint's expression grew pale, "No! Not just someone! My dad!"

Sprint grasped to Maud's right leg, "Please! I'm forgetting again! I don't want to forget my mom and dad! They're all I have left!"

Tears flowed from his eyes, "They're all I have left. Please... help me..."

Maud looked down to the colt. She was confused. Seconds ago, he was very brash and open to her. Now it has all turned into sorrow. After taking up with the shock of his sudden change of behavior, "I'll... see what I can do."

No one would have ever imagined to see a tree house becoming something of a refuge camp, but that's exactly what happened to Golden Oak Library. Colts and Fillies helped around organizing tools and equipment that were hastily moved in after an incident at the Carousel Boutique. Among the little ponies that are trotting around the library are Rarity and Spike, both coordinating the foals to their volunteered duties...

"No, no. Don't put the papers in the box that smells like flowers on the top shelf, Tipsy. Instead, take your team and go help Stem's move some other boxes out of the wagons.

"Got it," the filly and her group ran out to the wagons that are unloading various equipment. Rarity would be lying if she admits that managing foals to do organizing works is tiring...

Rarity sighed, "I am aware that you have a crush on one of the sisters, Bolt. But it is definitely Not an excuse for you to be sniffing the boxes in That manner!"

"Ahh!" and of course, plentiful supplies of mentally healthy humor.

"I wish I could help," said Spike whose body is covered with bandages. When rioters were cleared from the establishment. Spike was seen guarding Rarity's unconscious body. If it not had been for him...

"...I would have perished in that fire."

"But in the process, I hurt them," Spike looked into his once-bloodied claws. "I... I hope they don't hate me for that.

His speech suddenly paced, "But what they were going to do to you. I just can't stand there! I just went straight in! Oh, I hope they survived that. But what if they-"

Rarity placed her hoof on to Spike's mouth, "Hush, darling. Those stallions will be fine. I'm sure of that"

After spitting hooficure out of his mouth, "But what they did-"

"Spiky, I've been through worse with the Diamond Dogs," said Rarity as she used her telekinesis to put the latest reports from the Spa Sisters on her desk, the scent of Lily passed by her nostrils. "Ugh."

"Same as yesterday?"

"Yes," Rarity replied. "But also tell her to be really vigilant while I do the analysis. The scent is really strong this time."

"That bad?"

"I almost puked."

Spike chuckled. "Says the aesthetic mare who- OW!"

"My standards are limited by moderation, Spiky." Rarity smirked as she hovers the book-shaped paperweight she hit Spike with back to its rightful position, right on top the documents scheduled to be re-checked due to inconsistencies according to last week's reports.

As Spike wrote the letter, Rarity went on with her daily duties, administration. The only music that accompanied them were the cheerful sounds of colts and fillies working together with Cheerilee. It is hard to find serenity during these troubled times, so both of them tried to enjoy every second they can get.

Then everything went silent. The sudden lack of sounds disrupted the smooth motion of the duo's works. Spike quickly finishes his last letter, sent it, then walked to the already opened door to see what had happened.

Aside from the confused little dragon, Cheerilee and the kids do not know how to react. Upon them are two ponies. Though the mare, they are all strangers to. But the colt that stood besides her on a leash is their center of attention. They trotted together into the library, ignoring the stares they had gained.

"Um, Rarity!" shouted Spike after he came back from his confused thoughts. "Visitors! Two!"

Rarity turned to the visitors and said to them, "Have a seat somewhere while I finish this. Spiky, go and cheer the foals up. I don't know who these two are, but they managed to make them silent like that. They might not be something good. No offense, uh."

"Maud."

"Okay?" Rarity was stunned because she was expecting the regular "No Offense" as anypony would reply to.

After placing a log book she was writing on a second ago back on its shelf, "So I suppose you have business with us Miss Maud?"

"Yes," Maud replied. "I was wondering if you can find the parents of this colt. He was causing trouble this morning."

"Ah, the reports did mentioned this. The runaway colt if I'm correct," Rarity hovered another log book from its bookshelf to her desk and started to flip it to find a certain page.

While Rarity was finding the page she wanted, she noted the monotone of Maud's voice. Never have she ever heard of anyone speaking like that before. She pondered with it so much that the leashed colt shouted, "You just went passed mine!"

Rarity snapped back to reality. She remarked the colt, "My, you have a good eye... Speedy Sprint."

"Hmm, you were specially scheduled for... oh," Rarity paused as she read the details of his appointment.

"Miss Maud," said Rarity after she finished with her reading and decision making. "We appreciate that you assist us in bringing back this poor colt. We have been tracking him for weeks. I'm sure the foals will be glad that they will finally see him again."

"So what will happen to me now?"

"You will wait here until Cheerilee takes you to..." Rarity paused yet again. "prepare! Isn't that right?"

Cheerilee who was peaking from the opened door then replied, "Yes... it is."

Without any more word to say, Cheerilee went back to care the foals. Knowing that there aren't any more problems for her to deal with any longer, she resumes her daily work that could possibly be called chores at this rate.

"I'm still here."

Rarity looked away from her work that she had just begun and up to Maud, "I'm afraid that I didn't follow."

"You ponies must have been overworked." Maud stated the obvious. "I can take this colt to the place instead."

After a minute of deliberating, her hoof scratching her chin, "You are right. It is evident that we lack horsepower. I'll definitely take any help I can get."

Rarity then hovered one of the smaller scrolls stored on one of the book shelves behind her, "This is the map to the place. It is a tree house lived by a zebran mare, hard to miss if you ask me."

As Maud put the map into her saddlebag, "Tell her that Cheerilee sent you and she will take care of the rest. Providing that you are interested in a bit charity, you can come back here to discuss this with me later."

Retaining her silence, Maud took Sprint with her and trotted out of the library. As the duo disappeared into the streets, the foals resumed what they were doing as if this whole thing never happened; possibly having no idea what to say to the colt who they knew clearly, don't like them...

"Spiky?"

"Yes, Rarity?" Spike replied to her call as he dragged the items away, all related to his unsuccessful attempts to wake up the foals.

After giggling to the testaments of his failures, "What do you think about Maud, Spike?"

"What? Oh, I finished cleaning up after they left. Can't remember details of any of them. Though she does look kinda familiar."

"Well, I believe I should share my opinion on her too," Rarity flips another page of her log book with a quill hovering besides her. "Her frock is absolutely marvelous with her mane!"