Chapter 1: Return to Ponyville
This is one of the first times I was reborn. Magnum had been gone for a few days to visit a sick relative. They pulled through in the end, so when he finally returned Magnum was pretty glad. But from this point forward, this story will be told through his perspective. You see, I also have the ability to access the memories of my friends. So now let Magnum tell his story…
My name is Magnum. I moved to Ponyville from Manehatten about 4 weeks ago now. There isn’t much here. There are no convenience stores and no restaurants, but life here isn’t so bad. There’s fresh air and you won’t find anypony as friendly as the ponies here.
I had to go back to Manehatten for three days to visit my sick grandfather. He miraculously got better in the end. But I wanted to get back so badly. So I guess you could say I really like life here in Ponyville. And the reason for that…
“Howdy, Magnum! Did’ja wake up late again?”
This is Apple Crisp. She’s an earth pony, like me. She lives at Sweet Apple Acres. I have to pass by there to get to town, so she waits for me and we walk to school together.
“Apple Crisp, you’re always up so early. How long have you been waiting?”
“Only about 10 minutes”
“Well, if you overslept I’d leave you behind without a second thought!”
It’s pretty fun to tease her.
“Jeez, Magnum! You’re so mean!”
It’s funny to watch her take it so seriously and get all worked up. Now it’s time to take it from a different direction.
“I’m just kidding Apple Crisp. I’d wait for you, however long it’d take,” I said with a big grin.
“Oh, well, I um… Thanks,” she stood there, blushing.
She apparently just loves lines like these.
“C’mon, we can’t keep Jade waiting!” I ran on ahead.
As we crossed the bridge into Ponyville, we thought we heard something underneath. We took a peek and saw nothing. We assumed it was just a stray dog. So we continued on our way. Then a light pink Pegasus started circling us. She created a whirlwind that lifted us in the air several feet and then dropped us.
“Ha! You’re both so slow!” the pegasus said.
It was Jade.
Apple started to get up. “Ow. Good Morning Jade. I know we’re late, but did you really have to do that?” she asked.
“Well, of course! You shouldn’t keep such a lovely lady waiting!” She turned to me. “Well, hello there Magnum. How many months has it been since I last saw you?” she asked sarcastically.
I crossed my arms, “It’s only been three days, Jade.” I remarked.
“To some people three days is an eternity! Look at how much faster I’ve gotten in three days. I betcha I can clear the skies in ten seconds flat!” she boasted.
I smirked, “You’re on. Five bits says you can’t.”
“Get ready to eat your words!”
She crouched close to the ground, started flapping her wings, and bolted into the sky. Ten. She started with the clouds over Sweet Apple Acres. Nine. She really has gotten faster. Eight. She soared towards Ponyville and began rounding up the clouds. Seven. There’s no way she can win. Six. She was zipping all around the sky I lost track of her. Five. She missed a cloud near the Acres! Looks like I’ve got this bet in the bag! Four.
Jade spotted the cloud. She stared flying as swiftly as she could. She went so fast she actually broke the sound barrier! The sonic boom nearly busted our ear drums.
“Damn,” I groaned.
Jade gently fluttered to the ground. She sneered “So, who’s the best flyer in Ponyville, no, all of Equestria?”
I sighed, “You are” and offered her my bits.
She quickly snatched from my hoof and said, “And don’t ya forget it!” she grinned.
“Wow, Jade! Ya really are a mighty fine flyer!” Apple praised her.
“Thanks, AC!”
If you can’t tell by now, this pink pegasus with the indigo mane is Jade. She’s a year older than AC and I. Although you may not think it, she’s kinda the leader of our class.
“Alright, you two! We have to hurry, or we’ll be late for class again! We don’t want to make Miss Roxy angry!” Jade galloped ahead.
We may seem close, as though as we’ve known each other for years, but it hasn't even been a month since we first met. It’s easy to tell they’re trying to be considerate to help me fit in better.
Ponyville really is a small town. I guess that’s to be expected, since it’s only been around for 20 years. There is only one class with only a few students in each grade. When we get to the door to the classroom I noticed that the door was cracked. Probably the work of Airheart. Well, I won’t let her get me this time!
“Nice try!” I shouted, and then I kicked open the door. A bucket of water fell to the floor. I trotted in with a triumphant look on my face. But then I tripped on her jump rope trap and fell face first into a tray of blue paint.
“Ah ha ha! You honestly thought I wouldn’t have a back-up trap?” Airheart giggled.
Fate approached me, “There there. Magnum. The paint will wash off.”
The blue Pegasus is Airheart. She a prankster, and usually I'm the one she pranks. It gets a bit irritating at times. The white unicorn is Fate. She’s such a good filly, never hurting anyone. Both of their parents died a few years back, so the two live together in a house near the Everfree Forest.
“Aargh, Airheart! I’ll get you!” I picked up a chalkboard eraser and threw it at her. She dodged and it hit Miss Roxy.
“… MAGNUM!! I expect a 500 word essay about why you shouldn’t throw things at your teacher on my desk Monday!”
I whispered to Airheart, “I’ll get back at you for this.”
When class ended, I started to gather my things when Apple Crisp came over to me.
“Umm, Magnum, are you, uh, doing anything tomorrow?”
“Uh.” It’s not like her to be so straight-forward. It caught me off-guard a little bit.
“Oh, no no! I don’t mean it as a date or anything! I just thought maybe I’d show you around Ponyville, if'n it’s okay with you…”
“Hmm, well it’s true I haven’t really been anywhere but Sweet Apple Acres or school.” I pondered.
“So, will you? I mean, you don’t have to if you don’t want… “
“Okay, sure!”
“Oh, yay!” she beamed. “Just meet me at the gate to Sweet Apple Acres at noon. We can have a picnic! I’ll invite Jade and Airheart and Fate too!”
It was a beautiful day for a picnic. The sun was shining and there was a gentle breeze blowing. However, at the same time it was a bit eerie. As I walked to the Acres I had this feeling I was being watched. It felt like I was being followed. Every time I looked around there was nopony there, so I assumed it was just my imagination. When I reached the Acres, Apple Crisp was sitting on the fence waiting for me. She turned to me.
“Oh my, Magnum. You’re early for once. That ain’t like you.” She sounded surprised
.
“Well, I didn’t think it’d be right to keep you waiting since you were nice enough to offer to show me around the town. Besides, I thought it’d be a nice change of pace since I usually am late.” I answered.
“Well!” she leaped off the fence, “ Let’s get going!”
As we left I still felt like I was being watched. Then I heard rustling in the bush behind us! When I looked I saw a grey Pegasus fly away towards the Everfree Forest.
“Hey, Apple Crisp! Did you see that Pegasus?” I cried.
“Hmm, what? I didn’t see a thing.” She looked puzzled.
“Uh, what!? They flew towards the Everfree Forest!” I howled.
“Now just calm down, Magnum. I’m sure you just saw a bird or something.” She was a bit startled.
“Ah… Whatever. Sorry. So, where are we headed anyway?” I asked.
She looked back at me, “Well, since Nightmare Night is in 3 days from now I thought we would visit the Nightmare Moon statue.”
“A statue, huh? Back in Manehatten we just went door-to-door and got candy.”
“Well, it’s a bit different here. We do that too, but it’s more like a festival. A giant party in the streets! Then we have to go to the statue of Nightmare Moon and offer her some candy so she doesn’t come down and eat us!” there was a hint of distress when she mentioned Nightmare Moon. I think she actually believes Nightmare Moon would come from the moon to eat her.
“Oh, please! Everpony knows that’s just an old mares tale.” I laughed.
She quickly shot back with, “It is true.” There was no emotion in her voice. I was taken aback a bit by this.
The rest of the walk was quiet, the awkwardness almost palpable. But when we arrived the tension was relieved by everypony else. Jade, Airheart and Fate were all gathered around the statue of Nightmare Moon. It was bigger than what I was expecting; it was quite a sight to behold. On top of a pedestal was a monstrous pony that stood at least five feet high. Her coat darker than a moonless night and her mane reminiscent of the night sky. The three ponies finally noticed our presence.
“Oh! Magnum, Apple Crisp! We didn’t think you’d be here early! We were just admiring the statue.” Jade said cheerfully.
“Yeah. We didn’t have anything like this in Manehatten.” I gawked. “It’s an incredible spectacle.”
“Well!” Apple Crisp interjected, “Let’s start this pinic.”
We all sat down on a blanket in front of the statue.
“This is quite the spread you’ve prepared for us Apple Crisp!” I declared.
There was HLT sandwiches and apple chips and apple cobbler and apple fritters and apple tarts and apple cake and apple strudel and apple pie!
“Thank you for the food!” I immediately dug in, and so did everypony else.
When everypony stopped eating there was one fritter left. So I took it upon myself to make sure there were no leftovers. I reached out with my hoof and grabbed it, but so did Airheart.
“Let go Airheart! This fritter will be mine!” I hissed.
“Oh ho ho! I don’t think so!” she giggled.
Apple Crisp pleaded, “Please, you two! Can’t you just share?”
“I have an idea: let’s race to that tree and back. Whoever gets back first wins the fritter!” Airheart grinned.
“Ha! I’m nearly twice your size! I hardly think this is fair.”
“Don’t worry, I think I’ll be fine.” She insisted.
“Okay. But you can’t say I didn’t warn you! Ready? Set? Go!”
Airheart zoomed towards the tree. Ugh, I should have said no wings! Oh well, just because she got a head start doesn’t mean I can’t win! I started to push myself harder than I ever had. I passed Airheart just before the tree and I raced back to the statue. It was getting close as Airheart and I were neck-in-neck! But in the end I beat her!
“Ha ha! YEAH! I beat you Airheart… Huh?” The plate was empty. “… Wh-What happened to the fritter?” I asked.
Jade was eating the fritter. “Oh, sorry. Were you racing for this fritter?” she smirked.
I collapsed on the ground and groaned,” I’m too tired to be mad.” Everypony laughed.
After I rested for a few minutes we packed up and they showed me around town. We saw town hall, the library, the café, and the clinic. There really isn’t much here, but I suppose there’s enough.
“And that is what we call Ponyville. Manehatten, it is not, but it does all right for us.” Apple Crisp affirmed.
Jade “Well guys, I really should get home. It’s already 5:30 and I said I’d be back to help make dinner.”
We all said goodbye and Jade went on her way.
“Hey, Magnum! Ya wanna see something cool?” Apple Crisp asked. “Do ya?”
“Hmm, well that depends, what is it?”
“There are these really old ruins near the Everfree Forest. I just love to go there to see what I can find. So, you wanna come?”
“Sure, it sounds like fun!”
AC turned to Airheart and Fate, “How about it girls? Y’all wanna come with us?”
Fate thought for a second, “I don’t think so, Apple. Air and I are tired. But we will walk with you until our house.”
“That’s right, you two live together, don’t you? I don’t think I’ve ever seen your house.” I said.
“Well, let’s get going!” Apple Crisp exclaimed. “Their house isn’t that far from the ruins.”
We walked past the Acres and went down a road that splits off towards the forest. It didn’t take long to get to Fate and Airheart’s home. The house was situated in a small grove not far from the forest. It was an odd looking building. It looked more like a shed than a house, except it had two floors.
“Thanks for walking us home!” They both said.
“Goodbye!” I said.
“See y’all later!” Apple said.
As we turned to leave I felt a tug at my tail. I twisted around to see it was Fate.
“Magnum… Please be careful.” She whispered to me.
Her voice was different. Instead of her usual high voice, it was deeper, more mature.
“Uh, don’t worry Fate. I’m sure we’ll be fine.” I assured her.
It was a bit of a walk to get to these ruins. But when we got there I was speechless. It was incredible. There were toppled columns and crumbling obelisks. But was really amazing is that this place was built inside of a mountain! It appeared most of the outside area had been picked clean, I’m guessing by Apple Crisp. I approached the entrance and saw there was a lot of debris in the way.
“How can we get in?” I asked. I did what any macho stallion would do and tried to move some of it myself, to no avail.
“Oh, stop trying to be tough, Mr. Macho Stallion.” Apple Crisp scolded, “I have some shovels and pixaxes hidden away. It’ll take a bit for me to fetch them, so you can rest for a while. I’m sure ya pulled something, ya silly.”
After about five minutes I got bored and decided to explore a bit. I climbed the hill that was next to the ruins. Atop it I saw a unicorn stallion painting. As I got closer I noticed he was painting Ponyville. When I got within about four feet I stepped on a twig. It must have startled him because he jumped out of his seat and readied his horn.
“Oh, you’re just a kid.” He raised his head. “Sorry if I scared you.”
“Oh, no. I should be sorry. I should have said something. Or been more obvious.” I laughed.
“Hmm, I don’t think we’ve met. I thought I knew everypony in Ponyville. My name is Pastel.” He told me.
“I’m Magnum.” I introduced myself. “I moved here about a month ago.”
“That explains it.” He turned back to his canvas and returned to painting. “I only come here in the fall and spring. The scenery is breathtaking during those times.”
“Maaaagnuuuum! Where are you?” Apple Crisp called for me.
“Oh, so you’re here with Apple Crisp, eh? Exploring the ruins? I wonder what she does in that place…?” he thought out loud.
I’m starting to wonder the same thing. It looks like there is nothing but dirt and broken stones.
“I dunno. Maybe she making sure the pieces of the dead body she killed and hid is still there.” I joked.
“That… Was a terrible incident, wasn’t it?” Pastel grimaced.
“Eh…?” I was confused.
Pastel continued painting without looking at me. “They still haven’t found the head, have they?”
What…? What is he talking about?
“Apparently the killing took place in digging site.” he said.
“Umm, Pastel? What in Equestria are you…?”
“Magnum! There you are! I was looking everywhere for you!” she noticed the painter, “Oh, Pastel. Hello! Haven’t seen you since spring.”
“Well, hello there Apple Crisp” he grinned, “It has been a while. Magnum and I were just talking about how beautiful Ponyville is at sunset.”
“Is that right? Well, Magnum, are you ready to dig?” Apple looked at me with excited eyes.
“Actually, Apple Crisp, I’m kinda tired. You think we could head back? It is getting late.” I said.
“Oh…” She looked at the ground and kicked up some dust. “I guess we can head back. It was good seeing you again Pastel.”
“Same here, Apple. I’ll see you later.” Pastel turned towards me, “Oh, and Magnum. I hope I didn’t scare you too much.”
“Uh, n-not at all.” I quipped.
I was very quiet while we walked home. I just couldn’t get what Pastel said out of my head. There was a murder here? A murder in this peaceful village? I find it hard to believe. Hmm, I wonder if AC would know anything.
“Umm… Magnum? Are ya all right? You haven’t said anything since we left the ruins.” She seemed concerned.
Well… Apple Crisp. Back at those ruins, did something happen?” I asked.
“I heard there was a team of archeologists digging around those ruins.”
“So, did anything happen at the dig site? Like an accident… Or any trouble?”
“I don’t know” There it was again. No emotion. And it wasn’t so much of an answer as it was an outright rejection.
“U-uh…” I studdered.
“You see, I was living with my relatives in Appleloosa until a year ago. So, I really don’t know what happened.” She smiled at me, “I’m sorry.”
Does she really not know anything? It’s not just she doesn’t want to talk about it? But, what if what Pastel said is true? What the hell really happened in Ponyville…?
It was the day before Nightmare Night. After school the gang decided to let me join their club. It isn’t much of a club, really. All they do is play various games.
“Alright guys! Today we play Old Maid!” Jade declared.
I was first to deal. As I was dealing I noticed these cards were particularly old.
“Wow, these cards are pretty beat up. I bet you can tell what card is what by just looking at the tears and folds!” I laughed.
Everypony else gave me an evil grin. “Uh, wait… Are you telling me you can!?”
“Let’s just play and you will find out.” Jade sneered.
They beat me every round. What they didn’t tell me is that the loser must be punished. Luckily they kept the penalty light; they just drew all over my body. Apple Crisp had to hurry home to prepare to return to the ruins, so it was just Jade and me walking home. I told Apple I’d meet her at the Acres and help her. I was still thinking about what Pastel told me. I wonder if Jade knows anything…
“Hey… Jade?” I paused for a moment “Those old ruins Apple loves so much, there was an excavation, right?”
“Wow, Magnum. You’re pretty well informed!” she was surprised, “Who did you hear that from?”
“Pastel told me.” I frowned, “Did anything happen there?”
“Well, I guess it’d be all right for you to know.” She looked at the ground, “A few years back there were some archeologists at those ruins. Ponyville was against it because we had always been told that place was cursed. So eventually we got through to them and they packed up and left.”
“So, there was no violence?” I asked, “Like an assault or a murder?”
She shot me a disturbing grin, “None.”
Just like Apple Crisp. A complete rejection.
We walked over the bridge. “Well, see you tomorrow Magnum! I need to finish my costume for Nightmare Night.”
Are they keeping it just from me? I feel a bit alienated. It may not be true, but it feels like I’m the only one being left out. Well, whatever. I have to go help AC.
I walked into house and called for Apple Crisp, “Apple! Are you ready to go?”
She walked down the stairs. She had on a vest with multiple pockets, a red scarf, and a tan fedora. She looked kinda cute in it.
“Wow, you almost look like a real archeologist!” I complemented.
“Ya really think so?” She jumped with excitement. “I’m nearly ready. I just need to grab some equipment from the barn. You can just wait here.”
“Wait.” I interjected, “Do you have any old newspapers? I need some for my Nightmare Night costume.”
“Well, sure! I think we have some in the attic. Here, lemme show you.” We walked up the stairs and she opened the way to the attic. “There should be a stack in the corner. Now I’m going to the barn, I’ll be back soon.”
Here we go! If they won’t tell me anything about it, I’ll have to research it myself. There is no way they wouldn’t talk about a murder in the newspaper, and in this mountain there has got to be one from that time. I’m sure it would be the headlines so I just have to look at the front of each paper. No… Not here… Next paper… No. No. No! Maybe there wasn’t an incident and Pastel just wanted to scare me. Wait… What’s this? ‘PONY MURDERED THEN DISMEMBERED. HEAD STILL MISSING AND REMAINING SUSPECT STILL LOOSE. A brutal killing in which a stallion was hammered with hatchets and pickaxes. Furthermore, the culprits proceeded to divide the body into six parts: head, torso, left front leg, right front leg, left back leg, right back leg. The leader has not been found and the head is still missing.’ So... There really was a murder...
“’That… Was a terrible incident, wasn’t it?’” I whispered to myself. “Huh…”
“Magnum…” I heard a voice call me.
I turned around to see Apple Crisp standing behind me with a pickaxe in hoof. I freaked out and knocked over the tower of papers.
“Oh! Did I scare you? I’m sorry!” Apple apologized.
“Ah, you nearly gave me a heart attack, Apple!” My heart was racing. “What’s with the pickaxe?”
“Well, I thought it’d help us get into those ruins. Was it a bad idea?” She looked at me with sad puppy eyes.
“No, no, I’m sure it will help. Are you ready to go?” I asked.
“Sure, but what about your newspapers?”
“Oh, I’ll, uh, just drop them off at my house and meet you at the ruins.” I, of course, didn’t have any need for them anymore, but it’d be strange if I didn’t take them. As we walked outside we were greeted by Jade.
“Hey guys! I hate to rain on your parade, but the Pegasus ponies had to schedule an emergency shower right now. I thought you should know since you two were planning on going to the ruins.” She warned us. “I have to go help now. Bye!”
“Aww” AC frowned, she was really disappointed.
I was delighted at this fact. I kinda didn’t feel like going there now that I know a murder really did happen there.
“Well, see you tomorrow Magnum. I hope ya finish your costume in time.” Apple said farewell.
I walked back to my house, alone. See you tomorrow… Huh. There really was severed body in this small peaceful village of Ponyville. And Jade and Apple Crisp are deliberately trying to keep it from me? Are they trying to be nice, in consideration of my feelings? Or is there a different reason? I want to know the truth!
And I will uncover it. No matter the cost…
