Chapters Prologue: The Perfect Gift
Prologue: The Perfect Gift
It was raining heavily on the peaceful town of Ponyville. Everypony had stayed indoors as the huge thunderstorm raged outside of their town. Families enjoyed drinking hot chocolate with each other and sitting by the cozy fireplace in their homes. It was soon to be Hearth’s Warming Eve, within the next day the first drops of snow would blanket the town in a winter wonderland for all of the little fillies and colts to play in. Ponyville is known to be a town that is heavily into the spirit of Hearth’s Warming Eve, far more so than any other place in Equestria.
All of the ponies had rushed into their homes before the storm started. All but a certain white unicorn mare with three Lozenge diamonds for a cutie mark. Rarity had unfortunately been caught in the storm when it started as she was visiting her friend Twilight Sparkle for a rare book on gems. Thankfully for her, she obviously came prepared with a very fashionable looking umbrella.
“Oh dear, of all the times for me to be stranded out in the middle of storm. Just perfect, and I just came from the spa earlier today! Oh I hope my mane will be intact. Best avoid the muddy areas too,” Rarity said to these unfortunate events that had befallen her. As Rarity walked to her home she decided to take a shortcut through an alleyway that connected to her boutique.
Rarity continued her way to her home when she spotted a peculiar sight. A doll was sitting inside of an old and dirty looking cardboard box. The doll was a little colt with a ginger mane and tail. Its eyes were bright blue and it had an adorable little smile. It also had a light tan coat. The doll was wearing blue overalls with two big red buttons. On the front of the overalls were the words “Good Guys” written on it. Little pictures of construction hats and baseball bats and many other designs were etched onto the overalls. The shirt under was multicolored with red and green and blue being the main colors. As well as four little red shoes with white shoelaces on the hooves, which was odd as normally ponies don’t wear shoes. Rarity didn't know why, but she was intrigued by the little doll. When suddenly...
“Gasp , ideaaa!” Rarity picked up the doll using her magic and proceeded on her way home. This doll would be the perfect gift for Sweetie Belle! Thought Rarity. Rarity made it back to her home and workplace, the Carousel Boutique.
Sweetie Belle was already fast asleep by the time Rarity came home. This provided the perfect opportunity to work on Sweetie’s gift early. Rarity began to scrub the doll down until it was spotless. Celestia knows how long that doll had been there in that alley. Next, she began brushing its ginger hair to make it look more presentable. After that she brought a box and gently placed the doll down into the box and covered the opening with the lid. Now, Rarity had to decide on what wrapping to use for the box.
“Hmm, no that won’t do. Green!? Gah I would rather die. Hmm, ah perfect!” Rarity selected a nice blue and red wrap that she picked out based on the doll’s mane and overall colors. Grabbing a pair of scissors she snipped away at the wrapping paper and then started covering the box with the paper. Lifting some tape from her counter with a levitation spell Rarity applied the tape to the wrapped up box.
A job well done in her book Rarity lifted the box and went upstairs into her room. There she hid the box somewhere that she knew Sweetie Belle would not find it. The day to open up Hearth’s Warming Eve presents was not until another two days. Rarity knew however, that Sweetie Belle would absolutely love the gift that she got for her. Rarity knew, that this was going to be a Hearth’s Warming Eve to remember for many years to come.
Rarity walked into Sweetie Belle’s room to check up on her. There in the bed laid a little white filly sleeping soundly and peacefully, with a cute and small smile adorned on her face. As if she had not a worry in the world. Rarity could not help but smile at the adorable sight before her. She leaned downward and gave Sweetie Belle a little kiss on her forehead.
“Goodnight darling,” Rarity made sure that Sweetie Belle was tucked in and her blanket covered her body fully. Rarity then slowly and silently left her room and closed the door softly to avoid waking up her little sister.
Heading towards her kitchen Rarity decided that she needed something quick to eat before heading for bed. She made a simple dandelion sandwich and had a drink of water to go along with it. Rarity had to admit though that sometimes the silence in her home makes her feel uneasy. She didn't know why, but that feeling seemed to be getting worse today than usual. She just shrugged and thought that she was being silly.
Just then Rarity heard what sounded like laughter, a sort of maniacal laughter when she listened more closely. Rarity didn't pay it no mind and believed that Sweetie Belle was probably dreaming. With her meal done, Rarity decided that now was the time to turn in for the night. She went upstairs again and prepared herself to get ready for bed. The first thing though was that she needed a bath to relax herself first. Rarity turned on the bathtub and poured in bubbles for her bath. After an hour in the bathtub she dried herself and headed to her bedchambers.
Rarity put on a sleeping robe and placed a face mask on top of her head. She hopped onto the bed and covered herself with her blankets. Using her magic, she lowered the face mask over her eyes and all she saw was darkness. Finally, Rarity let out a yawn and closed her eyes and embraced the comfort of sleep.
In the secret compartment in Rarity’s room, a sound could be heard through the door. The sound was a hushed laughter coming from inside of the wrapped gift box. A voice could be heard from inside of the gift wrapped present.
“Hehehehe, they don’t know what’s fucking coming, hahahahaha…”
Author's Note
Well this is my second story so I hope it's not too bad or anything. So enjoy and tell me what you like and dislike about it. I'm gonna go slow with this one so the more exciting stuff won't happen right away, maybe after Sweetie gets her gift.
The next day came and signaled the beginning of Hearth’s Warming Eve. Rarity awoke with a soft yawn and removed her sleeping mask. She looked out her window to see the streets of Ponyville covered in snow. Children began rushing out of their homes to play in the snow. Epic snowball battles were waged, snow ponies being built and given their own personal style, and two very familiar unicorn colts getting their tongues stuck on a lamp post. Yes, it was a very typical day for this time of year.
Rarity went downstairs to make some breakfast for her and Sweetie Belle. A few moments later, Sweetie came downstairs while wiping the sleep from her eyes.
“Oh, morning sis,” said Sweetie Belle as she sat down at the table.
“Good morning Sweetie Belle, how did you sleep last night?”
“It was fine, the thunderstorm kept me up a little, but thankfully it died down,”
“Yes, it was such a ghastly storm wasn't it. I swear, I ought to give those weather ponies a piece of my mind for nearly ruining my fur!” Sweetie Belle simply rolled her eyes at the over dramatic display her big sister was giving.
Rarity quickly and eloquently made sunny side up eggs with toast, and a glass of orange juice. She made it a point to wake up earlier than Sweetie Belle to avoid any more kitchen fires like the last three times it happened. During their breakfast, Sweetie Belle talked about the crusaders new plans to obtain their cutie marks, some of the plans they had included snowboarding, skiing, and many other dangerous stunts for these little fillies. Rarity however, knew that they were growing up so she couldn't tell Sweetie what to do all of the time. As much as she would like to.
After they finished eating Sweetie Belle got a pink and white scarf and went outside to meet up with her friends Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Rarity on the other hand, had to work on her new winter line up of clothes for some very important clients, she was about half way done with her new line, and she hoped that it might get done today. Rarity went back upstairs into her studio. Inside was a array of clothing, fabrics, and other material all over the room. As Rarity called it, it was organized chaos.
Using her magic she began gathering the necessary materials needed for her clothes. Rarity was fully devoted to the task at hoof and absolutely nothing was going to interrupt her.
A few hours later…
“Just one little snip, annnnd done!” said Rarity, it was finally over! After much painstaking work Rarity was finally done with her clothes. Now all she had to do was get these dresses to the postal service and she would be free for the rest of the day. Grabbing her dresses, she placed them all into a box and wrapped it up. She grabbed her scarf and headed out to the post office.
Upon reaching the office Rarity was greeted by Ponyville’s chief mail mare, the lovable Derpy Hooves. Despite a few minor incidents Derpy was diligent in her job and had a nearly perfect record. Which led her being promoted to chief mail mare and becoming a beloved and respected member of Ponyville.
“Hiya Rarity, how ya doing today?” asked Derpy.
“Positively fabulous darling, I've finally completed my work for this winter and I was hoping that you could possibly deliver it to this list of clients for me,”
“Sure, you know us mail mares, whether rain or shine or snow, no matter what gets in our way, we ensure that all packages reach their destinations,”
“Indeed! You must be super busy this time of year. Oh I could only imagine what poor Dinky must be feeling,”
“She knows that her mom has a job to do, my little muffin is tough. Besides, I’ll be home soon, my vacation starts tomorrow until the end of winter wrap up. So I’ll have plenty of time to spend with her,”
“That’s reassuring, well I hope that… Oh dear what happened to your uniform!” Derpy’s uniform had a few holes and tears on the outer jacket with a few seams coming out from the front right leg.
“Oh, this? Just a stupid accident yesterday, the thunderstorm made it hard to see and I got caught in a few branches from a tree, it’s no big deal really,”
“I disagree, this will not stand I shall repair this jacket immediately!”
“Rarity, there’s no need to-” Derpy was cut off as her jacket was pulled off of her by Rarity’s magic.
“Ah ah ah not another word, I insist that I fix this for you. Something as beautifully made such as this jacket can not be allowed to remain in this state! It will be a simple and quick fix, and I shall drop it off at your home tomorrow when you return,”
“Ha ha, alright then Rarity if you’re sure. Well, I better get going if I want to deliver this package of yours on time, I’ll see you tomorrow Rarity!” Derpy flew off after waving goodbye to the white mare to deliver the dresses. Rarity smiled and headed back home to work on repairing Derpy’s jacket.
Rarity walked back to her home, and as she did she looked around to see ponies going about their day. Ponies in the market buying some special seasonal items and ornaments from the vendors. Sugarcube Corner had a long line of ponies wanting to try the new gingerbread themed pastries that were for sale. Bon Bon’s candy shop had ponies coming out with her candy houses and new multi - flavored candy canes. Another sight was seeing her sister and her friends also walking the streets. Sweetie Belle and the other crusaders were going around and singing Hearth’s Warming Eve songs to ponies. With very good results she might add.
Returning home Rarity went back to her studio and began fixing Derpy’s mail jacket. It wasn't a difficult task, just a few stitches here, and a little extra seams and fabric there, and it was good as new. She left the jacket hanging on the rack and went downstairs for some lunch.
Later on in the day Sweetie Belle came back home.
“Hello Sweetie Belle, how was your day?”
“Fine I guess. We tried snowboarding first, but me and Apple Bloom kept falling down on our faces. Skiing wasn't so bad and it was actually kind of fun. Then we went caroling, but we still didn't get our cutie marks,” Rarity wrapped a hoof around her younger sibling.
“Don’t worry Sweetie, you’ll get your cutie mark one day, you just need a little more patience. Now enough talking let’s go and drink some hot cocoa,” Sweetie Belle smiled and they went into the kitchen.
After drinking their hot cocoa it was time for bed. Rarity put Sweetie to bed and she headed to her own room to rest. Tomorrow was the day to open Hearth’s Warming Eve presents, and Rarity could not wait to see the look on Sweetie Belle’s face when she opened up her present. Rarity closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep...
Author's Note
I decided to make the opening of gifts happen early on because it would have taken forever to get to the parts of the story that were important. I probably couldn't have come up with enough filler to get through twenty five days of nothing happening in the story ha ha. Next chapter is when we introduce Sweetie Belle to her new friend till the end.
Chapter 2: Hidey - Ho
Morning came, the sun shone brighter than usual today. Today was the day that all of the ponies across Equestria would be able to open up their Hearth’s Warming Eve presents. Rarity yawned as the day came to a start, when all of a sudden she felt somepony jumping on her stomach.
“Oof!” Rarity removed her face mask to reveal her little sister jumping up and down excitedly on her chest.
“Come on sis, I wanna open presents already!” Sweetie Belle could not contain her excitement. Rarity believed that Sweetie might have been more excited than Pinkie Pie would on this day. Rarity had to chuckle though at her little sister’s cute display.
“Alright Sweetie, go downstairs and wait for me. I've got something really special for you,” Sweetie gave a large smile and dashed immediately downstairs. Going over to her secret cabinet, Rarity pulled out the red and blue box and proceeded to head downstairs to the impatient little filly.
Sweetie Belle waited in the living room area of the boutique and watched as Rarity descended from the stairs carrying a big blue and red present with her magic. She had never gotten a present this big before! She couldn't wait to see what could be inside. Rarity placed the box on the floor in front of Sweetie.
“Happy Hearth’s Warming Eve Sweetie Belle, I do hope you like your gift,” Sweetie Belle began unwrapping the present and opened the box. She gasped at what laid inside, she picked up the doll with her hoofs and to Rarity it seemed like her smile got even bigger.
“Oh he’s so adorable! I love him, thank you soooo much Rarity!” Rarity chuckled.
“It was no trouble at all dear sister, I found the poor dear outside during that thunderstorm and I could not leave such a beautifully made item out in the rain,” Sweetie Belle put down the doll and gave Rarity a hug, one which she happily returned. Sweetie Belle picked up the doll again.
“Hi there, my name’s Sweetie Belle,” almost as if it were a response the doll blinked twice and suddenly began to talk!
“Hi, I’m Chucky and I’m your friend till the end. Hidey - ho, ha ha ha,” Rarity was shocked, she had no idea that the doll could talk. She heard about dolls in Manehatten that were able to talk. They were extremely expensive though, what pony in their right mind would waste all of their bits on this doll, just to throw it away later on? Sweetie Belle however, didn't care and was even more happy.
“Oh wow, I didn't know he could talk! This is the best Hearth’s Warming Eve ever!” another thing Rarity noticed was the doll’s name. Chucky, it was a pretty unusual name for a pony, much less a doll. Though then again the same could be said for “Tom” a strange name for a boulder, even if Rarity was the one who named it. Rarity still didn't know where that name came from. Ah well as long as Sweetie Belle was happy then Rarity didn't need to pry more into the matter. Sweetie Belle then pulled out a large roll of paper and hoofed it to Rarity.
“Here sis, I made this for you!” Rarity unrolled the paper to reveal a drawing of Rarity, Sweetie Belle, and their parents. The background had a large heart around them. Rarity smiled at the drawing, she did wish that her parents could come for the holidays but they like to travel a lot so they could not make it this year.
“Thank you Sweetie, it’s lovely,” Rarity levitated the drawing and headed upstairs to her studio. She placed the drawing on her table and grabbed Derpy’s jacket, she headed out to give Derpy her jacket back. Rarity approached the front door and yelled out to Sweetie Belle.
“Sweetie darling, I’m heading out for a bit. I’ll be back later, and please try to keep the boutique clean,” Sweetie Belle nodded and said bye to her sister and continued to play with Chucky.
Rarity walked to Derpy’s house, along the way she could hear the screams of happy fillies and colts playing with their new toys. It always made Rarity smile when she saw how happy everypony was during this time of year.
Finally reaching Derpy’s home Rarity knocked on the door and waited for it’s owner to open. As she waited Rarity looked at the home that Derpy lived in. It was a yellow house with a blue roof, the door had a symbol of a muffin on it. It was no secret how much the Hooves family loved muffins, almost as much as Pinkie Pie loves cupcakes.
The door opened and a little unicorn filly looked up at Rarity.
“Hello there Dinky, is your mother around?” Dinky nodded and went to go get her mother. A few seconds later, Derpy came to the front door.
“Hey there Rarity, what’s going on?”
“Hello darling, I've come to return your mail mare jacket back to you. It was a simple job really,” Rarity gave Derpy the box containing the jacket back to her.
“Oh thank you so much Rarity, I don’t know how to repay you!” Rarity shook her head.
“Nonsense darling, I was more than happy to repair such an outfit. Well I should be off, I dread to think about the trouble Sweetie Belle might be getting into back at home, good day to you and happy Hearth’s Warming Eve,” Rarity waved goodbye and headed back home.
Reaching the boutique, Rarity approached the front door. She swore however, that she heard noise coming from inside. It sounded like somepony was inside of her home. She carefully opened the door and called out for Sweetie Belle.
“Sweetie Belle? Are you here?” a few seconds passed before Rarity heard a reply.
“I’m in the living room sis!” Sweetie’s voice called out to her. Rarity went into the living room to see Sweetie Belle playing with Chucky.
“Hi sis!”
“Eh, hello uh Sweetie Belle. Are you alright?” Sweetie tilted her head to the side.
“Yeah, why wouldn't I be?”
“Well, I had thought I heard somepony inside our home and thought you were in trouble,”
“Oh, no I was talking to Chucky! We talked about a lot of things, like he told me that Chucky was a nickname for him. He says his real name is Charles Lee Ray,”
“Oh, uh I see. I guess I had forgotten that he could talk. Uh that’s nice Sweetie, well I’m going to make us some food, so I’ll call you when it’s ready,” Sweetie Belle nodded.
“Okay sis,” Rarity went into the kitchen to prepare some food.
However, Rarity could not get rid of the sense that something was terribly wrong. Charles Lee Ray? Never had she heard a name like that before. Rarity didn't want to turn nothing into something however, so she just assumed it was something that Sweetie had come up with. After all she did have a grand imagination, plus that doll only seemed to say a few sentences so Rarity doubted that it could hold a real conversation with her sister. Rarity knew that everything would be alright...
Author's Note
Another chapter done, hopefully the more interesting parts of the story will be happening soon. Hope you all enjoyed this new chapter.
Chapter 3: Bad Day To Be A Babysitter
The next day came by quickly, the sun shined on throughout Equestria as all of the ponies began to wrap up their Hearth’s Warming decorations. Next week was winter wrap up, the day where all of the ponies in Equestria clean up Winter, and allow Spring to come. Rarity went downstairs as usual, and made sure to cook breakfast before Sweetie Belle woke up. Rarity did not have a good night’s sleep however, she was still thinking about what happened on the previous day. She could not help but think about the strange voice that she had heard inside of her home, her home where her little sister also lived. She tried to forget, and yet it seemed like the odd and dangerous feeling she had would not go away. It was as if something was going to happen. Something bad.
After eating their breakfast Rarity was going to be out of town until close to night time to personally deliver an order for a very rich client that lived in the outskirts of Ponyville. The client wanted to meet the pony responsible of creating their clothing (it was also as an excuse to yell at the pony who might mess up their order) for them. Rarity knew she could not leave Sweetie Belle alone for that long period of time, she knew her sister could take care of her self, but it was just to be on the safe side. She went around asking her friends if they could watch over her, but none of them were available to help for the whole day.
Finally after much time was wasted, Rarity finally had found a pony who could watch over her little sister. The pony’s name was Sea Swirl, she was a unicorn mare with a lilac coat, raspberry rose eyes, her mane was an iris color, with a cutie mark of two encircling dolphins. Sea Swirl is most known for her time spent in the bowling alley, she was made champion during last year’s tournament. Other than that Rarity didn't know too much about her, though she had interacted with her when Sea Swirl ordered a gorgeous dress from her.
“Oh I can’t thank you enough darling for agreeing to watch over my sister,” Rarity said.
“It’s nothing Rarity, I’m happy to help. Besides, I want to help return the favor when you made that dress for me a few months ago,”
“Oh yes that was simply divine, one of my best works if I do say so. Now when taking care of Sweetie you shou-”
“Rarity I know how to take care of kids, I used to do it before when I was a little filly, had to get bits somehow, and it was pretty easy. Don’t worry about anything alright? I've got everything under control,” Rarity made an unconvinced frown.
“Well, if you’re absolutely sure. I will see you when I return later tonight, I’ll be sure to pay you when I return,” Rarity walked off to the road leading out of Ponyville to the hilltops where her client lived at. It was an old mansion made a few years after Ponyville had been settled, no pony knew much about the current owner as they rarely came out if at all. Usually only servants would come out from that mansion into Ponyville.
At Rarity’s home, Sweetie Belle was playing with Chucky as usual before she heard a knock on the door. Walking up to it she opened the door.
“Hey there kid, I’m Sea Swirl. Your sis asked me to look after ya until she came back, soooo looks like you’re stuck with me for the rest of the day,” Sweetie Belle smiled.
“Nice to meet you, come on in,” Sweetie opened the door wider for Sea Swirl and allowed her into her home.
“Wow, forgot how nice this place was. Oh, who’s this little guy?” Sea Swirl saw the ginger haired doll that the little Sweetie Belle had. Upon walking closer to it Chucky sprung to life.
“Hi I’m Chucky, and I’m your friend till the end. Hidey - ho hahaha,”
“Wow, I heard about these dolls that talked. At first I thought they were cool, but looking at it now is kinda scaring me, especially with that permanent smile it has,” Sea Swirl said.
“Oh Chucky’s not that scary looking, he’s adorable!” Sweetie hugged Chucky. Sea Swirl just rolled her eyes.
“Whatever kid, so you like games? How about we go play something?” Sweetie jumped up at the mention of games.
“Ooh what kind of games?” asked Sweetie Belle. For the rest of the day Sweetie and Swirl played games, watched a few movies on Rarity’s old projector (mostly cheap romance movies) and had a cheese pizza for dinner. Soon it was time for bed for the little unicorn. Sweetie Belle yawned after finishing her glass of water.
“Sound like someone’s tired, come on kiddo time to hit the hay stack,”
“Why would you hit a hays…” Sweetie fell asleep right before finishing that sentence, and began to lightly snore. Using her levitation spell, Sea Swirl lifted the filly up, and placed her in bed and covered her up with the blankets.
After tucking her in, Sea Swirl went back downstairs to wait for Rarity to come back home. As she was sitting on the couch Sea Swirl thought she heard a noise coming from the kitchen. She figured that a pot or something must have fallen off. Getting up from the couch Swirl went to the kitchen and sure enough a pot was on the floor. Picking it up she placed back it back on the rack it was supposed to be on. Turning around she was muzzle to muzzle with Chucky.
“AAAH!” startled Sea Swirl jumped back a bit. She caught her breath and frowned.
“Okay, that was not cool. I don’t care what Sweetie Belle said, you’re really creepy and pretty ugly too,” Swirl went to get a cup to drink some water from the faucet.
“Fuck you,” a voice said from behind Swirl. Swirl turned around only to have a kitchen knife stab her in the throat. Blood oozed and trickled from her mouth, she was unable to speak. She looked in horror as the little ugly doll smiled menacingly at her.
“What was that about being ugly? Ya dumb ass animal,” Sea Swirl fell to the floor, the knife sticking out from her throat. She was dead as a pool of blood formed around her.
“Another dead babysitter, they sure seem to line up for me hahahahahaha!” Chucky walked away from the body little bloody hoof prints marked the steps he took. Chucky went up to Sweetie Belle’s room and wiped off the blood from his shoes using a napkin on her bed drawer.
Chucky smiled evilly at the sleeping filly. Sweetie opened her eyes from the sudden movement on the bed.
“Wha- Chucky?” Sweetie said tiredly.
“Shhh, go back to sleep kid you got a big day tomorrow,” Sweetie nodded and closed her eyes and went back to sleep.
“Soon, you won’t ever see another sunshine again hahahahaha,”
Rarity came back home an hour later. She saw no pony anywhere around the house.
“Sea Swirl I’m back, are you here?” Rarity walked in further and began to smell something awful.
“Ugh, what is that dreadful stench! What have these two been doing in here?” Rarity noticed the red hoof prints that came from her kitchen. Angry, Rarity stormed into the kitchen demanding answers for why her home was in such a poor state.
“Alright Sea Swirl what is the meaning… of… this…?” Rarity saw the blood slowly flowing along the lines in her tiled floor. A dead Sea Swirl was all she saw in the kitchen. Her eyes wide open in a horrifying expression, with a kitchen knife in her throat and little droplets of blood hitting the ground.
Rarity screamed...
Author's Note
Well after what a four months hiatus I've finally come back and written another chapter for this. I am really really sorry about the long wait, I have been extremely busy with school and other personal stuff going on in my life. Plus I wasn't really feeling like writing you know? Like ever since season 4 ended I've been slowly losing my interest in MLP. Now that does not mean I am going to abandon the fandom or writing these stories. Rainbow Rocks helped out a little with getting back into it. Who knows maybe when season 5 comes out I'll get that drive again. I might go back and forth between this and The Gift Maker since I haven't written anything for that either. Oh well, so I hope you enjoy this new chapter. I don't think it's as good as the other ones that I have done but whatever. This is TitansBane signing out, until the next chapter, whenever the hell that might be.
