Faux Mark: The Purple Balloon

Faux Mark

The Purple Balloon

Chapter 8: And the Gold Dubloon

“Come on, Pinkie!” Peppermint called. She galloped as fast as she could through the cobblestone streets. It was eerie, really, the way the sunlight shone on Coltport at the moment. Not just that the sun seemed to stand still, but that, once again, it was around sunset when Pinkie Pie and Peppermint were trying to race the guards through Coltport.

“I’m running as fast as I can!” Pinkie yelled back. “How do you even know this is the right way?”

“I don’t!” Pepper yelled.

Pinkie skidded to a halt. “What?!”

Pepper kept running. “It’s a hunch! Just trust me!” Pinkie just shook her head and tried to gallop forth to catch up. “I sure hope I’m right,” Pepper mumbled.

The buildings on their right eventually gave way to a wide open view. Peppermint knew this spot, but she’d never actually been here before: Overlook Bridge. They actually ran by a couple of ponies just there to watch the sunset. It was hard to tell, but Pepper thought it was a guy and a girl together.

Figures, she thought. Of course I’d have that guard stallion's blowing-me-off rubbed in my face.

She glanced over the side of the bridge and saw the mob of guards rushing by on the street below. They made a sharp left, now running parallel to the road Pinkie and Pepper were on. “Good,” said Pepper. “If they’re still tailing him, we’re headed the right way.”

“What’s your hunch, anyway?” Pinkie asked.

They paused, dodging on either side of a slow cart in the middle of the road. “I think he’s gonna give something back,” Pepper explained. “To Simple, or somepony up there in the mansion.”

Pinkie raised an eyebrow. “Why would he do that?”

“Maybe he feels bad? Like I said, it’s a hunch,” Pepper explained. “Just roll with it, alright?”

Pinkie rolled her eyes, but kept on running anyway.

At a fork in the road, Peppermint led them down an alley on the right. It got really narrow alarmingly fast. Pinkie was forced to back up behind Pepper instead of running alongside. “Where’s this take us?” Pinkie asked.

“It’s not really supposed to be here,” said Peppermint. “It’s like a gap between the buildings, but sometimes you can use it like a shortcut.” She gulped. There wasn’t even enough room to turn around anymore.

Something darted across the rooftops on the far side of the passage. “There he is!” Pinkie shouted.

Pepper gasped. “Run faster! Now!” The thundering sound of hooves started to build up from the street ahead. Pinkie suddenly realized what was coming this way: The mob of guardsponies.

Pepper popped out of the passage and shook the dirt off of her sides. Pinkie followed, pushing Pepper into the middle of the street. They both turned and gasped at the ponies barreling down on them.

Their hooves scraped on the stone a few times before actually finding any traction. Peppermint in particular got moving in the nick of time; her tail hung back into somepony’s face in the mob.

“Pff, hey!” the guard shouted. “Out of the way! We’re chasing a fugitive here!”

Pepper couldn’t respond. She just shut her eyes and pounded her hooves furiously in the dirt. Pinkie shouted something to her, but she could barely hear herself think over the guards’ hooves. It wasn’t until she felt herself pulled off of the road that Pepper had any idea what was going on.

“I said, ‘Stop!’” Pinkie yelled into Pepper’s face from the side alley. “I don’t wanna see you get trampled over a hunch!”

“W-wha...”

“It’s all fun and games until somepony gets squashed,” Pinkie recited.

Peppermint slumped to the ground, panting heavily. “I— Pinkie, I—” she stammered.

“Forget him!” said Pinkie. “He’s a thief, one way or the other. The question is, are you alright?”

“Y-yeah,” Pepper sighed. “Thanks.”

Pinkie put a hoof on Pepper’s shoulder. “Why do you care so much about getting to him first, anyway?” Pinkie asked. “I mean, he’s the reason we got in this mess, right? Why would you wanna help him?”

“Well if he really is just a dirty thief who framed us, then by all means the guards can just have him,” Pepper explained. “But I think it’s not that simple.”

“So he twitched,” said Pinkie. “Big whoop!”

“Remember what happens when I twitch?” Pepper insisted. “I know it’s far-fetched, but what if I’m right? What if he doesn’t have a choice?”

Pinkie’s eyes widened. “You think he’s got a cursed Cutie Pox Mark too?”

“Exactly. I mean it fits, right? Why he kept stealing stuff even with the guards right there, why he feels bad and gives stuff back—”

“We don’t know that he’s giving anything back,” said Pinkie.

“We won’t know unless we beat the guards to the Manor,” Pepper corrected. “That’s why we have to go. I mean, if there’s even the slightest chance—” She sniffled. “I just don’t want him to get in trouble for something that’s out of his control. I feel for him.”

Pinkie paused and frowned. She looked around the alley for a few seconds, turning her gaze and mumbling “Hmm” a few times. “Alright,” she finally said. “I think you could be on to somethin’.”

Pepper smiled. “Thanks. And if I’m wrong, we can just give him over to the guards. Deal?”

“Deal,” said Pinkie. “Now let’s hurry! Those guards got a head start now!”

“Well if you’re willing to get a bit more dirty,” Pepper mumbled, “I think I know another shortcut or two on the way.”

Pinkie gulped and brushed off her hooves.

Spit Shine sat in the hedge garden of the Coltport Seaside Manor, leaning over a fountain. He sighed as he stared at his reflection. “I hope Momma calms down soon...”

He hopped off the edge and slowly walked towards the window of the ballroom. Peering inside, he could still see the leftover streamers and cake from his birthday party. All of it was left untouched thanks to those stallions with their yellow tape. Spit knew it was so the police could investigate, but it was still a tantalizing sight.

His hoof stepped in something odd. It felt like a leaf, but when he gave it a second look he realized what it really was: a fragment of a water balloon.

The poor colt sat down and sniffled. “Ms. Pinkie and Ms. Pepper were so nice,” he mumbled to himself. “How could they be thieves?”

— — —

Just outside the now-unguarded gates of the Manor, Peppermint and Pinkie collapsed into the dirt path. They were panting and sweating heavily, not that the sun was helping.

“We... made... it!” Peppermint gasped. She saw a blurry shadow pass over her, headed into the Manor. She glanced up and saw the underside of a pegasus pony as they swooped down towards the garden. “Pinkie!” she said. “Come on! He’s here!”

“Five more minutes,” Pinkie mumbled. “I just need a... a breather...”

Peppermint forced herself onto wobbly hooves and shuffled forward. “We’re so close,” she said. “He’s right there...”

— — —

A flutter of feathers and a soft thud caught Spit Shine’s ear. “Who’s there?” he asked. “I-is it a birdie? Wanna keep me company?” He was caught completely off guard when the pegasus colt poked his head around the corner. Slowly and silently, the newcomer stepped around the hedge. Spit gasped, but the pegasus quickly held a hoof up to his mouth.

The pegasus slid a small pile of bit coins out from behind the hedge. Spit stared at them for a second, then back to the pegasus. “F-for me?” Spit asked.

The pegasus opened his mouth, but no sound came out. It took a few tries, but then he spoke, in a voice that almost sounded like a weak frog than a pony.

“Happy Birthday.”

Spit Shine stood frozen in place. The pegasus pushed the coins a little closer, but still nothing. He tilted his head, but this just made Spit Shine flinch. Eventually the pegasus just ducked his head in defeat.

“Th-thank you,” Spit Shine whimpered.

— — —

“What’d I miss?” Pinkie whispered. Peppermint nearly jumped through the hedge just from the surprise.

“Shh! He’s talking with Spit Shine,” Pepper explained. She pressed her ear back up to the hedge and listened closely. Pinkie did the same, just above where Pepper’s head was.

Had the two been thinking clearly, they probably would’ve remember that hedges weren’t built to support the weight of two full-grown ponies.

— — —

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Peppermint called as she collapsed through the bush.

Pinkie fell on top of her shortly afterward with an “Oomph!”

Spit Shine and the pegasus colt stared at the two with wide eyes. Neither one could move, yet both trembled.

The pegasus spread his wings and prepared to jump.

“Wait!” Peppermint cried. “Don’t go! Please!”

“Go away!” Spit Shine said. “I’ll get Mom!”

Peppermint ignored him. “I know why you steal things!”

The pegasus halted, then folded his wings back up. He stared at Peppermint quizzically.

“You can’t help it, can you?” Pepper asked.

“What are you—” Spit began, but Pinkie shook her head. She hopped off of Peppermint so she could move.

The pegasus stared at the ground, still silent.

“It’s like this itch you get,” Pepper added. He shuddered at the word “itch”. “You have to do it, no matter how hard you fight it.” With every word, he winced and shifted his eyes to a different part of the ground. Peppermint slowly walked towards him. “Little things help, but its nothing like what you want— what ‘it’ wants you to do. ‘It’ wants you to want it.”

A tear fell from the corner of his eye.

“What’s your name?” Pepper asked. He just shook his head. “Alright, well, what is your Cutie Mark then?” Pepper asked. “A coin?”

“Dubloon,” he croaked.

Pepper sat next to him and pat him on the back. “Can I call you that then? Dubloon?”

He nodded slowly.

“Well, Dubloon,” Pepper said softly. “How do you think I know what you’re going through?”

Dubloon just shook his head. He couldn’t make eye contact, not while he was still tearing up.

Pinkie chimed in this time. “It’s because she’s going through it too...” she muttered.

Dubloon suddenly perked up.

He looked to Peppermint in wonder. She smiled warmly back. “It’s true,” said Peppermint. “Not exactly the same thing, but close enough.” She stood up and showed her Cutie Mark. “This isn’t my real Mark, and that’s probably not yours. But you knew that, right?”

Dubloon nodded.

“But there’s a cure out there,” Pepper continued. “I know there is. And Pinkie here was gonna help me find it, right?”

Pinkie smiled and nodded. “Anything to help a friend,” she said.

“Would you want that? A cure for this curse?” Pepper asked Dubloon.

He nodded vigorously.

Pepper chuckled and hugged the poor colt. “Then I’d be happy to help,” she reassured him. “Once I find the cure for myself, I’d be happy to help you get it too. No, no, that’s not good enough.” Pepper cleared her throat. “I promise that I’ll help get you cured— if you promise to turn your talent into something productive in the meantime.”

“How?” Dubloon asked.

“Ohh! Ohh!” Pinkie spoke up again. “I have an idea!” She hopped up and balanced on one hoof. “You’re pretty quick, right? You can be a street performer!”

“That doesn’t cover the stealing part,” said Peppermint. “But uhh, it’s something. I know the store’s helped me...”

Dubloon started to smile.

“Maybe like... steal from the rich, give to the poor kinda thing?” Pepper offered. “But only when you have to.”

Dubloon nodded.

Pepper smiled back at him. “Does that sound doable?”

He nodded again.

“So wait,” Spit Shine chimed in. “I-I’m confused... didn’t you two steal the statue?”

Dubloon hung his head and mumbled, “No.”

“Oh didn’t they?” Everypony in the yard jumped at the shrill voice. Simple trudged around the corner of the hedges and glared at Peppermint. “Thieves!” she shouted. “I thought the guards would have you arrested by now. No matter, I—”

“Momma, wait!” Spit Shine jumped in. “I-I think—”

Pepper shot him a sideways glare. Compared to the look from his mother, however, that was nothing.

It was the look of despair on Dubloon’s face that convinced him to stay quiet.

“It was pirates!” Pinkie quickly blurted out. “The guards already got ‘em, so—”

“But you two were at the mansion!” Simple insisted. “None of the children could tell me where you were for at least twenty minutes! How do you explain that?”

“We, uhh...” Pinkie stammered.

“We were trying to get Dubloon into the party!” Peppermint said. “H-he didn’t make the guest list, but he really wanted to give Spit Shine a present.”

“That’s why we’re here now,” said Pinkie Pie. She pointed frantically at the pile of bit coins.

Simple sighed. “But I was so sure... did you say pirates?!”

“I couldn’t believe it either,” Peppermint grumbled. “But it’s true. Captain Redbuck and his crew, all caught up in stealing money and valuables from the rich folk.”

“How can you prove it?” Simple asked.

“The guards have them in custody already,” said Pepper. “Ask them! We helped with the capture!”

Pinkie shuddered. “Trust us, that was not fun.”

“But you— I don’t—”

“Momma, please,” said Spit Shine. “They just wanted to help. They’re nice ponies. Just like I thought.”

Simple growled and shook her head. “No, no, no! It’s just your word. What if you are the theives? Of course you’d lie to me!”

Pepper rolled her eyes. “Seriously? Just ask the guards. We helped find the statue.”

“A-ha!” Simple exclaimed. “So you know what was stolen!”

“Momma, please—”

“But the guards told us that’s what we were looking for,” Pinkie explained. “When we went to take it back. From the pirates!”

Simple sat down and sighed. “This all sounds too unbelievable. I’d like to believe you two, but there’s so much evidence against you.”

“So why not just trust us?” Pepper asked. “That’d be easier, right?”

“I’ll just have to talk to the guards,” Simple groaned. She stood back up and stomped towards the exit. “I, uhh,” she sighed, “I was hoping to bring good news when I next saw you two. I really do hope you’re telling the truth.”

“And why’s that?” Pepper asked.

Pinkie giggled. “Because you like us?”

Simple chuckled. “Because the money is in the mail. I’m a mare of my word, I’ll have you know. I just hope you two are too.”

Peppermint squealed happily. “Oh, yes, thank you very much ma’am.”

Pinkie giggled. “You know, the money’s nice, but I was really in it for the party. Now the Cakes on the other hoof, they’re gonna be happy about that.”

“Oh, yes, that reminds me,” said Simple. “You need to leave town again soon, don’t you Ms. Pie?”

“Well yes, but— Oh no, it’s past the last train of the day, isn’t it...”

Simple shook her head. “Even if it wasn’t, I’m not sure I could let you leave town just yet. The investigation—”

Pinkie looked at Peppermint, and they exchanged smiles. “That’s okay,” said Pinkie. “I can stay one more night.”

“As you wish,” said Simple. “Come along, Spit Shine. It’s almost supper time.”

“Can Dubloon come in, to— Where’d he go?” Spit asked.

Peppermint spun around in disbelief. “How’d he do that?!”

“Quick and quiet,” Pinkie whispered. “That’s his ‘talent’, right?”

“What a shame,” said Simple. “And here I was about to say ‘yes’. Oh well. Come along, before your food gets cold now.” She stomped away towards the gate and added, “And Momma has some guards to talk to.”

Spit Shine slowly trotted after her, but not without giving a last word to Pepper and Pinkie. “Thank you,” he said. “For the party, and for making Momma happy again.”

“You’re a-welcome!” Pinkie replied. They both waved after Spit Shine as he hurried after his mother.

It took twenty minutes of explaining from the guards, but eventually Simple resigned herself to defeat and let Pinkie and Peppermint leave the estate.

“Thank you!” said Pinkie. She bounced along the path as they left. “It was fun!”

Peppermint shook her head. “I think Simple’s head’s gonna be hurting after this, Pinkie. I’d keep it a little quieter.”

“Oh, right,” Pinkie mumbled. She turned around put her hooves around her mouth, shouting, “Sorry ‘bout the noise!”

Peppermint snickered. “Let’s just get going.”

“Okie-doke!” said Pinkie.

The two trotted down the path for a few minutes. Pinkie opened her mouth a few times, but decided not to speak up when she saw Pepper so lost in thought. “What’s cookin’, ‘loony?”

“I hope I see Dubloon again,” Peppermint mumbled. “And I hope I can bring him good news.”

Pinkie smiled. “Hopefully Zecora writes back soon,” she said. “Then you’ll know if you have good news or not.”

“True, true.” Peppermint stood up and yawned. “For now, though, I could go for a good rest.”

“Lead the way, ‘loony,” said Pinkie, motioning down the path. This time Peppermint couldn’t help but giggle along.

“Hey, careful there,” Pepper mocked. “We’re goin’ back home to my place now. Tons and tons of balloons.”

“Yeah, so?” Pinkie asked.

“Oh, nothing,” said Pepper. “Just lots of different colors is all. Red, blue... pink...”

Pinkie gasped, then shoved Pepper playfully. The two just couldn’t stop giggling for the rest of the way home, what with every bad joke and pun they kept coming up with.

The next morning at Pepper’s store, Peppermint awoke from the first peaceful night’s sleep she’d gotten in months. She slowly opened her eyes to the morning sunlight. No balloons, no belly puff, just herself and her bed sheets. Pepper’s smile stretched all the way across her face.

She sat up and stretched, letting the blankets fall loose around her. “Whelp,” she said. “Pinkie’s goin’ home today.” Pepper hopped out of bed and grabbed a comb from her saddlebags. She then lifted a window blind to look out at the street. Everypony looked so calm and collected, unaware of whatever had happened in the last few days. “Just the way it should be,” Pepper thought aloud.

While Peppermint changed her focus, using her reflection in the window to comb her hair, Pinkie Pie rolled around on a mat downstairs. She yawned and blinked her eyes halfway open. Only then did she remember where she was. “Whelp,” she said. “Gotta head home today.” She sat up and smiled. “I wonder if they missed me...”

Peppermint hopped down the stairs with her saddlebags on. “Pinkie? You up?” she asked.

“Yuppers!” Pinkie called, bouncing to her hooves. “And ready for breakfast!”

“I’m sure they’ll have something good on the train,” said Pepper.

Pinkie’s ears drooped. “What do you mean?”

“Your folks are probably worried sick,” said Peppermint. She smiled with sympathy. “I don’t wanna keep them waiting.”

Pinkie slowly walked toward the door to the store’s front. “So you’re just gonna kick me out?”

“Oh, no!” said Pepper. “Believe me Pinkie, it’s been great having you around! Definitely unforgettable at least.” She sighed. “But you live in Ponyville, and I live in here in Coltport. It’s time for everypony to go home and rest, don’t you think? I mean, don’t you have friends back at home?”

“Lots,” said Pinkie. “But what about you, here?”

Pepper scoffed. “I’ll be fine,” she said. “Maybe I’ll even visit sometime!”

“Do you promise?” Pinkie asked with big, pleading eyes.

“Of course,” said Peppermint. “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye, Pinkie Promise.”

Pinkie hugged Peppermint for a moment. “Thanks,” she muttered.

“Now go on!” said Peppermint. She hovered a bag over onto Pinkie’s shoulder. “There’s enough money in there to get you a ticket, a snack, and maybe a fake mustache if you want.”

“Thanks, Pepper,” said Pinkie. She opened the door and glanced back one more time. “It’s been fun! And don’t forget your promise!”

Pepper watched from the counter as Pinkie skipped away. “I won’t!” she called after. The door closed so fast that Pepper wasn’t even sure Pinkie heard. Pepper sighed and shook her head. “I really didn’t expect that to go so smoothly,” she told herself. “I mean, after how bad it was leaving home—”

She saw a pony trot up to the mailslot through the window by the door. Most days she’d just ignore it, since nopony ever wrote her besides her parents. But today she got at least three different letters at once. One barely fit through the mailslot.

“That’s odd,” Pepper remarked. She levitated the letters up to the counter and spread them out.

One was marked as a bill, from one of her suppliers. “Figures,” she said, tossing it aside for the moment.

The second was made of fancy parchment, and the name on the front was written in elaborate calligraphy. Pepper recognized the seal on the back from a few days ago. “Simple’s Cutie Mark,” she mumbled. Her eyes widened as she tore open the letter. Actually the letter itself just fell to the counter without a second glance from Peppermint. She was more focused on the check. “Wow,” she stammered in awe. “Th-that’s a lot of zeros...”

Pepper hopped over the counter and dropped the check in her saddlebag. “Gotta go deposit that,” she said. The third envelope caught on the breeze of her jump, and plopped down just noticeably onto her back. Pepper hovered it in front of her face and squinted.

“Everfree Forest?” she asked as she read off the return address. “Where’s tha— Zec... Zeycoo... Zecora? Where— Pinkie Pie!”

She frantically tore open the envelope and started to read over the letter. “What is this, a poem?” she asked after about half a page of skimming. Suddenly she gasped. “Oh no,” she said. Pepper hovered out a pouch of coins from her bag. She undid the tie and did a quick count with her eyes. “Close enough!”

Pepper burst through her front door with a few lingering packs from the shelves following behind her. As they found their way to stuff themselves into her bags, she shut the door and locked it. “Be back in a few days,” she told the store. “Maybe... Well we’ll see!”

“Next!” called the pony operating the ticket booth at the train station. Pinkie took another begrudging step forward in line, then sighed and hung her head.

“I’m going home,” she told herself. “Come on, Pinkie, be happy!” She snickered. “Wow, Pepper really did rub off on me...”

“Next!” Everypony took another step forward. Pinkie almost missed the cue. Again she sighed.

“Next!” Finally it was Pinkie’s turn at the booth. She stood there for a moment, dumbstruck. “Ma’am? How many and where?” asked the ticket booth pony.

“One, Ponyvil—” Pinkie started to say.

“Two!” Peppermint called out as she ran up to the booth. Pinkie gasped. “I’ve got money, don’t worry,” Pepper added.

The mare at the ticket booth shook her head. “Ma’am, you can’t just cut in l—”

“We’re together,” Pinkie blurted out. “Right?”

Pepper nodded quickly. “She was holding my place in line... or... something.” She and Pinkie smiled innocently.

“Oh, fine,” the ticket booth pony muttered. “Two for Ponyville? Thirty bits.”

The two frantically started pouring bit coins out onto the counter and shoving them through the slot. The mare’s eyes widened as they produced every single one, one bit at a time. “One, two... twenty... thirty!” she declared. “Alright, you two, here are your tickets.”

“Thanks! Bye!” both said in unison. As soon as they had the tickets in-hoof, they ran off out of the way of the rest of the line.

“What are you doing? Why are— You came back!” Pinkie stammered all at once. “You’re coming with me?!”

“I got Zecora’s letter,” Pepper explained, digging through her bag for the letter itself. “Without that, I wouldn’t be here.”

Once Pepper retrieved it, she held it open for Pinkie to read. Pinkie squinted, then began, in her best impression of Zecora’s voice:

“Dear Pinkie Pie,

I have read of your friend’s problem, but I must confess,

While I can understand it may be a source of great distress,

The cure you seek is a rather delicate brew,

And while I most certainly may concoct it for you,

Your friend must come here to receive the benefit.

I can not simply send it off or mail it.

If she wants to be forever rid of her curse,

She must come to me for the cure first.

My sincerest apologies,

Zecora”

Peppermint snickered. “Does she really talk that way?”

“I know, right? It’s weird!” said Pinkie. “But— So you’re coming with me! That’s great!” She bounced giddily in place. “Oh wait,” she added, suddenly stopping her celebration. “What about the shop?”

“Sunny’s gonna check on it while I’m gone,” said Pepper. “I caught her on the way over here. That’s why I was so close to being late.” Pepper winked at Pinkie. “Thanks for covering for me by the way. I mean, what’s up with that? You’re fine lying, but not stealing?”

“Well when it’s just a little white lie...”

Pepper held her hoof up. “Say no more, I understand.”

“All aboooard!!” called the conductor.

“Oh hey, we get to sit together,” said Peppermint. “Maybe you can give me a little ‘Intro to Ponyville’ lesson on the way.” A plastic pack slipped to the edge of Peppermint’s saddlebag.

Pinkie took one look at it and snickered. “Only if you make me some balloon animals,” she joked.

Peppermint smirked. “Deal.” She actually surprised Pinkie by popping open the pack and stretching out the first one with magic. “Just lemme know whatcha want.”

The two merged into the crowd boarding the train while Pinkie thought. Peppermint stowed the balloon at her side until they got through the bottleneck at the entrance. Once they were seated, Pepper slid over to the window, still passively stretching the balloon. Pinkie arrived a few minutes later with a snack of a pair of muffins. From the looks of her cheeks, there used to be a third.

“I wonder if I’ll miss Coltport while I’m gone,” said Peppermint. “Did you miss Ponyville?”

Pinkie nodded, then swallowed. “It wasn’t too bad though.”

“Really?” Pepper asked. Pinkie answered, but Peppermint was too busy watching the station leave them behind. Along with it, she could see the buildings of Coltport pass by quicker and quicker as the train picked up speed. Pepper sighed and put her hoof up to the glass.

“A moose!” Pinkie said suddenly, breaking the silence.

“What?!”

“A moose!” Pinkie repeated. “I wanna see ya do a b’loon animal moose!”

Pepper snickered. “Alright, alright. Gimme a minute...”

The train was already rolling far and away, out of sight of Coltport. But Peppermint was already thinking about new things. For one, what exactly a moose looked like. And for another, what Ponyville would be like.

Most importantly, short of Pinkie’s requests, Pepper’s mind was finally off of balloons and her Cutie Mark. For at least one train ride, she had something else to do, something else in her life. And Peppermint couldn’t remember the last time she felt so happy for it.