Evading the Inevitable

The loud ringing of the alarm clock awoke the pale cream-colored pony from her peaceful sleep. Returning the favor, she quickly hit the annoyance with a quick slap of the hoof, deactivating it. “Uuugh...” No matter how many times that thing woke her, she would never get used to it. She lay still for a few moments, contemplating the possibilities for dreams she could still have been having in her subconscious, though she knew she couldn’t have them anytime soon if she wanted to keep her job. She eventually slumped out of her bed, and took a quick glance at the clock. “5:30 AM,” she thought, “should not be the time a pony wakes up.”

She was never a morning pony, but her job required her to be awake at the crack of dawn. Making candy by hoof was a long process, and it wasn’t going to make itself. At least she wasn’t in the Apple family. The thought of waking up and working countless amounts of times harder than she did before the sun had even peeked over the horizon made her shudder. After a quick breakfast of Wheat Flakes and a shower, she set off for Sugarcube Corner. Her dark-blue mane with pink highlights bounced to her side as she briskly walked to her destination in the dimly lit town, a weak wind occasionally blowing it back. After a short walk, she reached the hot pink door of the bakery and confectionery.

As she pulled out the key from her saddlebags, she looked at the outside of the store. It looked like any house in Ponyville at eye-level, but from the roof up, it was definitely different. A gingerbread-looking roof with a cupcake on top, decorated with false frosting and candy look-a-likes. It looked edible. After fumbling with the key in her flat hooves, she finally managed to get a good hold on it. “What idiot designed these things, anyway?” She thought as she inserted the key into the lock and turned. After hearing a small “Click!” from the door, she put the key away and entered the store.

The smell of baked goods immediately hit her nose as she stepped through. “Hello, there, Bon Bon!” Chimed Mrs. Cake, “Are you ready to get going?”

“Yep!” Bon Bon replied, though in the back of her mind, she always wondered how it was possible to be this cheery this early in the morning. She strolled over to the back of the store, where the pastries and candy were made. There was a list of things she was to make over the course of the day. “Gumdrops, fudge, caramel candies, chocolate bars...” She read the list aloud, memorizing what she had to make. “Salt water taffy, and... Kompeito?” She finished.

Bon Bon chuckled at the last item, for it was written in hasty, pink crayon. Obviously Pinkie Pie’s work. The pink pony with a seemingly unlimited amount of energy was usually hopping around at this time of day, but was upstairs, protecting the still sleeping young Cake twins in their cribs upstairs. Bon Bon usually would put this off as Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie, but there was a clear reason, and she knew what it was. She quickly pushed the thought into the back of her mind and focused on the hand at task. “Let’s see, gumdrops, fudge, caramel apples...” Something seemed off. She quickly looked at the list again, and sighed deeply while thinking “It’s going to be a long day.”

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Her shift finally over, Bon Bon left Sugarcube Corner and headed toward the market. Sitting there, playing the same instrument that adorned her flank, was Lyra. Lyra was easily Bon Bon’s best friend, and the two usually spent most of their spare time together, doing numerous activities, but today was starkly different. Instead of Lyra’s usual upbeat and catchy songs matching her gleeful smile, she was struggling to move the corners of her lips up, and was fumbling with her songs. “What’s wrong, Lyra?” Lyra stopped plucking the strings with her magical powers and turned to face Bon Bon. Lyra’s false smile faded and she allowed her true feelings to show. “You can read me like a book, Bon Bon.” She stated. “As for why I’m so down in the dumps...” Her voice trailed off and her face showed more depression than ever before.

“Come on, Lyra,” Bon Bon said, “you can share your feelings with me. I’m your best friend!” Lyra was silent for a moment and then spoke. “My Mother... She died yesterday.”

“That’s terrible! What happened?” Although Bon Bon already knew. The rumor had spread across Ponyville like a wildfire, as did most things that the town heard. With  the amount of customers chatting at Sugarcube Corner, she had overheard the news many times during the making of her sweets. Lyra held her head down. “She was... Murdered.” Lyra suddenly burst into tears, burying her face into Bon Bon’s shoulder. Tears streamed down the aquamarine pony’s face and into the coat of Bon Bon, who was trying to calm the pony down. Some onlookers glanced at the spectacle that had suddenly occurred, but quickly went back to their everyday work. A few minutes passed before the sobs started to clear.

After regaining her composure, Lyra looked over towards the marketplace, and all the busy ponies, then turned her head back towards Bon Bon. “It’s so unnerving knowing that any of the lovely ponies here could be gone the next day. Erased from our world without a moment’s notice.” She looked at the ground. Bon Bon knew well what was going on. A murderer was on the loose in Equestria. Ponies were being killed almost daily now, causing news sources to broadcast the loss of a new soul every time. Bon Bon put on a calming expression. “Lyra, calm down. Justice will eventually be brought to this thing, whoever or whatever it is.” Bon Bon calmly stated. “You need to relax. How about some time at the Ponyville Spa? On me, of course.” “That... That sounds wonderful.” Lyra said, wiping the remaining streaks of tears. The two ponies set off for the Spa, hoping that simple comforts would wipe their minds of recent events.

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Lyra and Bon Bon left the Spa, feeling revitalized from their earlier talk. It had almost completely slipped their minds, and they hoped it would stay this way. Gossip of gruesome deaths to the hooves or claws of some mysterious being was probably one of the least favorable daily conversation topics. Their day was a pleasant one afterwards, talking about the news that hadn’t reached the front pages, sharing a few sweets Bon Bon had “accidentally” made extras of, listening to new tunes Lyra had made up for her favorite instrument, and some of their other normal activities. Eventually, the hour turned late, and the sun began to sink back to the position it was in before everypony awoke. Lyra notified Bon Bon that she was heading home. After a quick goodbye, Lyra departed.

The sky, thanks to Rainbow Dash and the rest of the weather team, was completely clear of clouds. Bon Bon traveled up to one of the larger hills near Ponyville to see the last rays of sunlight depart to the horizon. She then quickly turned around to see the moon rise. One of the most beautiful parts of the world, in Bon Bon’s opinion, was the rising and setting of sun and moon. She didn’t want to miss this perfect opportunity to see them at their best. The moon slowly rose over Ponyville, and graced each pony with the pale light of the night. Bon Bon definitely appreciated the princess’ work, but it was late. She descended the hill and trotted towards her home and her comfortable bed, awaiting her with pleasant dreams. Little did she know she was being followed by a highly stealthy pegasus, its wings sounding like no more than a slight breeze that blended perfectly with the wind. The pegasus stalked her from an arial view all the way to Bon Bon’s house until it chose to strike. Bon Bon was steps away from her home, prepared to lay her head down to rest, when the dark figure landed menacingly directly in front of Bon Bon.

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