The Clydesdale Chronicles

Chapters

Blindsight
Ribbon of Memories
A Thorny Situation
An Inky Mind

Blindsight

It was a refreshing spring morning, and the sun was just peaking over the mountains, casting its warm rays over the valley and the town that sat at the base. The town had been dubbed Clydesdale, due to the large size of its settlers centuries ago, though its citizens now were no bigger than any other pony. The river lazily flowed by the town on its never ending quest to reach the ocean. The flowers slowly began to bloom, in a vast amount of vibrant colors. Slowly the little town began to stir, and ponies began to venture out of their homes to start the day. At the far end of town though, a faint bark could be heard from the Inn.

“Hush, Nights. Just a few more minutes,” a pastel blue earth pony muttered sleepily as she buried herself under the covers of the bed. The black Labrador whined a bit and let out another small bark at her owner and pawed at the sheets. The pony grumbled and pulled the pillow over her head. The dog whined as she grabbed the blanket and yanked it off her owner and barked at her yet again.

“Alright, alright I’m getting up,” the pony sighed in defeat and smiled slightly as she carefully climbed out of bed, not bothering to open her eyes yet. She stretched and shook out her midnight blue tail and straightened her bob of a mane. Nights pulled up beside her owner and licked her leg affectionately, giving another small whine.

“I know Nights, let’s go,” she giggled as she carefully headed for the door. Nights poked her nose through the crack, opening it mostly before the earth pony stepped through. She followed the canine down the hall and slowly down the stairs, her eyes still closed. As she started to walk through the lobby the innkeeper, an orange brown earth pony looked up and smiled.

“Good morning miss! Did you sleep well?” he called cheerfully. The Earth pony stopped and finally opened her eyes and turned towards the pony.

“Very well indeed thank you.” She smiled. The pony took a step back.

“O-oh I um. Do you need anything miss…?” He stuttered a bit as he looked at her, transfixed on her eyes.

“Dreamweaver. It’s quite all right. Thank you for the offer though.” Dreamweaver smiled as her gray eyes stared emptily off into space in his general direction.

“N-no problem. Let me know if you need help with anything.” He called as she slipped out the front door with the Labrador, closing her eyes again.

Dreamweaver sighed a bit as she walked with the guide dog down the street carefully, her ears at attention for every little sound.

“Always the same reaction huh Nights?” She asked as she paused, feeling the pooch had stopped to take care of business. The dog looked back at her and gave a small bark and wagged its tail as she meandered back over and nuzzled her leg.

“It seems like a really nice day today, shall we head to the town park? I’m sure there are plenty of ponies there on a nice day like this,” she smiled as the dog’s tail thumped against her leg as the canine led her off to the park.

It was a beautiful spring morning, and indeed ponies were already there, enjoying the morning in the park. Dreamweaver smiled a bit as she walked into the park with Nights, making her way over to one of the benches and sat down. Nights took a seat next to her owner and licked her leg.

“Go on and play Nights, I’ll call if we need to go.” Dreamweaver smiled as she crossed her hooves, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her body, and the smell of the flowers nearby that were clearly in bloom. Nights wagged her tail and cautiously wandered off to explore the park around her owner. The earth pony sighed as she listened to the sound of foals playing just a bit of a ways away from her. Their voices stopped for a moment.

“Excuse me, Miss, can you toss us our ball back?” one of them asked quietly, this time quite a bit closer. She opened her eyes and looked towards him, causing the young one to jump, the shuffling of his hooves told her he had backed up quite a bit.

“I would if I knew where it was.” Dreamweaver gave a slight smile.

“But it’s right there under the bench,” the foal offered quietly, a bit of confusion in his voice. “You can’t tell?”

“Basket, are you bothering ponies again?” A mare’s voice called as she walked over, and looked up at Dreamweaver.

“I’m terribly sorry he doesn’t know any better,” she offered, carefully retrieving the colt’s ball. The mare was a unicorn. She had a mustard yellow coat with a crimson red mane with a lighter stripe through it. Her hair was styled into a braid this fine day.

“Oh it’s quiet alright, I’m used to it,” she smiled and closed her eyes. The mare looked at her as she shooed her foal off to go play.

“I don’t believe I’ve seen you here before, are you new in town?” the unicorn asked as Nights ran back to her owner and growled defensively.

“Hush Nights! Don’t be rude,” Dreamweaver scolded before looking back towards the mare. “I arrived last night, I was hoping to possibly find a room for rent till I could start working.”

“Oh I see. Well, I think I know of a pony looking to rent out a room. Her name is Flashback and she lives over in the market district of town. I could take you over there if you’d like,” the mare offered.

“If you’d be so kind,” Dreamweaver smiled as she carefully got down from the bench.

“It’s no problem at all. Basket come on now, we’re leaving.”

“Aw mom! But we just got here!”

“We’ll come back later. Say goodbye to your friends.”

The colt grumbled a bit but followed after his mother. Nights wagged her tail as she followed after her owner and the unicorn back into town.

Dreamweaver smiled as she kept her eyes closed for the walk, to avoid startling anymore ponies for the time being.

“I don’t believe I caught your name,” Dreamweaver wondered aloud as she turned towards the unicorn mare.

“Oh, you can call me Stitches. I work at the hospital.”

“I see, I hear it’s a very rewarding career. My name is Dreamweaver, I interpret dreams.”

“Interpret dreams? Really? How interesting.”

“It can be! There are certainly plenty of stories. But those are for another time. What can you tell me about Clydesdale?”

“Oh it’s such a nice town, very modern. So many talented ponies have made their homes in the market district, like Flashback for instance. It is defiantly the smaller of our districts and yet most of the ponies live there. Our second district is reserved for farmers and their crops across the river.”

“That sounds beautiful, I’d love to visit when the fruit blossoms are in bloom.”

“The market district is what brings all the money into town despite the farms being plentiful.”

“Seems like a decent balance. What can you tell me about this pony you told me about?”

“Flashback? She’s a Pegasus and defiantly has her head up in the clouds, she’s an amazing photographer, and the wedding photos she takes are simply beautiful.”

“I can only imagine!”

“Mom we’re here.”

Basket poked his mother and looked up at her. They were indeed already in the market district, in front of the little business Flashback to the Past.

“Oh! So we are,” Stitches chuckled. “I do apologize for rambling.”

“Oh no it’s quite alright, I learned a lot.” Dreamweaver giggled as Nights led her inside while Stitches held the door open for her.

“Flashback, are you there?” Stitches called as she walked up to the counter. “I brought somepony looking to rent.”

The room was decorated with all sorts of pictures, from wedding pictures to ponies achieving their goals. All of them were stunning in a sepia color scheme. The counter had a book with a list of options and prices for photographs.

“I’m coming! Just one moment please!” a voice called from the back room. Dreamweaver pulled up beside Stitches, keeping her eyes closed. After a couple minutes an sepia toned pegasus trotted out of the back room. She looked like she had walked out of one of the many pictures on the wall.

“Ah Stitches! So good to see you! Now what were you saying? I was wrapped up in the back,” she laughed.

“This is Dreamweaver, she is looking for a place to stay till she can start working, and last I heard, you said you were looking to rent a room.” Stitches explained, motioning towards the blue earth pony beside her.

“I see. Well I have the questionnaire lying around here somewhere, if you’d be so kind as to fill it out. Then we can head on upstairs and chat for a bit,” the pegasus smiled as she found the paper she was looking for and set it on the counter.

“Uh, Flashback, that might be a bit of a problem,” Stitches muttered as she leaned over and whispered into the pony’s ear. Flashback looked at her funny.

“What do you mean she can’t see? Of course she can’t see. She has her eyes closed!”

Dreamweaver opened her eyes and looked towards her.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know having them closed bothered you. Usually ponies are more disturbed when I have my eyes open.” Dreamweaver offered apologetically. Flashback looked at her as her cheeks flushed a bright pink.

“Oh that’s what you meant! That explains the dog a bit more. I’m sorry for being so inconsiderate. We can just move on upstairs. Do you need any help at all?” Flashback asked, clearly embarrassed.

“It’s alright I can find my way. Thank you for the offer though,” Dreamweaver gave a small smile. “Just head on up and Nights will lead me there.”

“Alright then,” Flashback looked at Stitches. “Thanks for showing her the way here.”

“Any time Flashback. Come along Basket, I have a few things I need to pick up while we’re over here.”

“Aw mom do we have to?” Basket complained as he followed his mother out of the shop.

Flashback sighed as she looked at the blind pony in front of her.

“Well, Nights you said its name was? The stairs are this way.” She called sweetly as she walked towards the stairs. Nights sat down and growled slightly. Dreamweaver glared and nudged the dog.

“Knock it off. You’re still on duty. You can throw your little hissy fit later.” She scolded. The black lab growled but got up and followed after the Pegasus.

“I take it she doesn’t like me very much?” She questioned with a nervous laugh as she headed upstairs.

“No it’s not that, she’s a little wary of strangers sometimes. Don’t worry I’m sure she’ll warm up to you soon enough.”

“O-oh. Sorry.” She sat down on the couch. “There’s a chair across from me you can sit in if you want.”

Nights barked at her owner as she sat beside the chair. Dreamweaver sat down in it and smiled.

“I really do apologize for the, inconvenience.” Flashback offered once more.

“It’s no problem at all. Now what was this questionnaire you mentioned? I may not be able to write my answers but I can still complete it vocally yes?”

“Oh that, well, I don’t think I’ll have to worry about you trying to steal any of my work or my possessions. It was mostly things like that, my last roommate, ended up being quite the thief unfortunately, so I’ve had to be a bit picky.”

“That’s understandable, and I have no reason to try and take anything from you anyway. Not like I can see what’s of value even if I wanted to.”

Both of them gave a bit of a nervous chuckle, followed by an awkward silence.

“Stitches mentioned you need a room till you could start paying rent, what exactly is it you do?” Flashback questioned as she looked over at the earth pony.

“I interpret dreams. Lots of ponies have odd dreams that they want explained to them. I tell them what they mean, what they can do to resolve whatever issue their subconscious is trying to bring to their attention.”

“That is defiantly something I haven’t heard of before. Certainly sounds interesting. Did ponies really pay you to do that?”

“Mhm. Lots of ponies were confused or frightened by their dreams and came to me seeking answers.”

“Do you think you’d be able to cover expenses with that?”

“I used to do so just fine before I moved.”

“Why did you move anyway?”

“I decided it was time for me to set out on my own and make a new start, where nopony was giving me business because they felt sorry for me and were doing me a favor.”

“Wow, that’s kind of low.”

“My parents were the main culprits, asking their friends to come in with their ‘troubling dreams’”

“Oh I see. Well I certainly wouldn’t do anything like that. If you’re any good you’ll pull in your own customers.”

Dreamweaver’s ears twitched slightly towards the Pegasus.

“I really do need to get that room rented,” Flashback sighed with a slight smile as she looked towards her. “So I don’t see why not to let you have it.”

“Thank you so much! I assure you I won’t cause any problems.”

“Too late for that, I don’t have a spare room cleaned out for you to set your work area up.”

“I can just use my room if that’s alright. I don’t need much space; most of it is just atmosphere and decoration.”

“That’ll work till we figure something else out, but there is one last concern. The dog is, housebroken right?”

“Of course Nights is house broken. She lets me know when she has to go.”

“Alright then I guess that’s settled. Your room is this way.”

Flashback stood and led her off to a room in the back of the apartment. It was fairly plain and a tad dusty from lack of use.

“Sorry for the dust, I can have it cleaned and set up for you by tonight.” Flashback offered.

“Thank you that’d be much appreciated. I have a few errands I need to run now, so I’ll be out of your hair while you work,” Dreamweaver replied as she walked around the room to get a feel for the size of it. “I really must thank you for this; I wasn’t expecting this to happen so quickly.”

“It’s no problem. I always try to help a pony when they need it and it’s not like this room was being used anyway. As long as you keep up your half of the rent I don’t mind at all. Go on and get those errands done, your room will be clean by the time you get back.”

“Alright then. Thank you once more, Flashback, for your kindness.”

With that Dreamweaver started to head off out of the shop.

It wasn’t till after Princess Luna’s moon had taken its place in the night sky that Dreamweaver and Nights returned to the shop. Her ears perked at the sound of conversation upstairs as she slipped through the front door. Nights let out a slight whine as she led Dreamweaver up the stairs into the apartment.

“So that’s what I have written so far Flashback, what do you think?” A mare’s voice asked. It belonged to a unicorn with a cream colored coat and a bicolored mane of a dirty brown and shade of black. She had stunning icy blue eyes that looked at Flashback excitedly as the Pegasus’s eyes looked over the small stack of papers in front of her.

“I think it’s really good Inkblot, as always. That crazy imagination of yours has a use!” Flashback teased, her eyes moving from the unicorn over to the earth pony when she entered the room. Inkblot looked up at the pastel blue pony curiously. Dreamweaver kept her eyes closed for the time being.

“Inkblot this is the pony I was telling you about, Dreamweaver. Dreamweaver, this is my friend Inkblot. She tends to live in her own imagination so she can write it down for her novels.” Flashback teased

“I do not live in my own imagination!” Inkblot retorted playfully.

“Yes you do. Anyway, Dreamweaver, your room is all cleaned up and ready for you.” Flashback grinned.

“Thank you Flashback. Inkblot, was it? It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Dreamweaver greeted with a small smile. Inkblot nodded and smiled back at her.

“The pleasure is all mine!” Inkblot said simply. She paused for a few moments as she looked at the Labrador while it faithfully sat by Dreamweaver’s side. Her face lit up as she gasped.

“Oh my gosh you just gave me the most brilliant idea for a story!” She squealed, hopping in place enthusiastically. “I would love to stay and chat more but I have to get home and start writing before the brain eaters of Narre steal the idea from me! It was wonderful meeting you Dreamweaver; I can’t wait to talk with you again soon!”

With that said the unicorn had darted down the stairs and out the door. Dreamweaver blinked a few times as she turned towards the stairs when Inkblot ran off. Flashback sighed and shook her head with a smile.

“Well that was Inkblot. She’s a real nice pony, but as you can see she sometimes lets her imagination run off with her.” Flashback explained with a laugh as she walked over to the earth pony. “Do you need help with anything?”

“No, I think I have it handled, thank you.” Dreamweaver responded, turning back towards the Pegasus with a smile. “Good night Flashback.” She gently nudged the canine beside her before heading into her room. She smiled as she walked around the room, seeing how much space she had to work with. After a few laps around the room she finally settled down on the bed. All she had to do now was set up her room for business, but that could wait till tomorrow. Dreamweaver let out a yawn as she allowed her head to rest on the pillow and permitted herself to fall asleep.

Over the next couple of weeks Dreamweaver started to pull in a little business, mostly curious ponie. Some were understandably skeptical of her talent but those that stayed were impressed. Word soon began to spread around Clydesdale about this new pony that explained their dreams and helped stop their nightmares by dealing with things in their everyday lives. Dreamweaver was especially pleased that she was having genuine business and that she got to use her talent to help the ponies in her new home.

“Thank you so much, Miss Dreamweaver, I’ll be sure to change up my recipe. I’ll bring by a batch of cookies later for you if you want.” A Pegasus stallion offered as he walked down the stairs into the photography shop.

“That’s quite alright; the cookie you brought was more than enough for me Snicker Doodle. Thank you though, and remember if you have any more problems you can come right back.” Dreamweaver called as he headed out the door.

“I will! Thank you once again!” He called before he closed the door to the shop and headed off down the street. Dreamweaver smiled as the satisfied customer left the shop. Her ears turned slightly, listening for the sounds of her roommate in the shop.

“Flashback, are you here?” she called. “I need a little help cleaning up the room before my next client shows if that’s alright. Flashback?”

Dreamweaver was met with silence as her ears swiveled around. Nights wandered over to a sheet covering a door behind the counter and barked. Dreamweaver followed after the canine slowly.

“Is she back here girl?” She asked as she moved the sheet aside and opened the door. “Flashback? Are you in here?”

Once more she was met with silence. Dreamweaver shrugged and closed the door and let the sheet fall back into place.

“I guess she isn’t home right now.” She muttered to herself as she nudged the black Labrador to take her back upstairs. Dreamweaver went back to her room and began to get it ready for the next client.

A few hours later, around sunset Dreamweaver was in the middle of a session with another client. The filly was just starting to explain their dream to the earth pony when an ear piercing scream was heard from down stairs.

“What in Equestria?” Dreamweaver asked as she stood and looked towards the door.

“I-I can come back,” the timid filly offered as she quickly got up and sprinted out the door.

“No it’s okay I’m-“Dreamweaver started, but the filly was already gone. She sighed and headed out the door and headed down stairs with Nights. The canine whined as the sounds of frantic shuffling and muttering were heard coming from that back room.

“No! This can’t be happening! I must be dreaming! Oh Celestia let me be dreaming!” Flashback’s anxious voice cried as she paced inside the room.

“Flashback what’s going on?” Dreamweaver asked as she approached the door way.

“My dark room! Someone let light into the dark room and ruined all of my photos!” Flashback cried as she rushed out the room.

“Dark room?”

“It’s a room with little light because the photos are sensitive to light, and they need to develop in the dark room.”

“Oh. I didn’t know that, where is this dark room?”

“Right here! Right behind me! You- You let light into the dark room didn’t you?!”

Dreamweaver’s ears fell as she looked towards Flashback.

“I didn’t mean to, I was just trying to find you and I thought you might have been in there,” she admitted quietly.

“Do you have any idea what you’ve done?! I can’t retake those photos! Those photos were this month’s rent and groceries! What am I going to do now! This is all your fault!” Flashback yelled furiously at the blind pony. “You’re, you’re worse than a thief! You’re a saboteur!”

Dreamweaver’s eyes began to fill with tears as she backed away from the manic pony.

“I-” she whimpered before closing her eyes and running out the door, Nights close beside her. The blue pony wept as she ran down the street, across the river and into one of the orchards. She let out a yelp as she tripped over a rock and tumbled down a small hill. Nights barked and whimpered as she ran to her owner’s side, licking her face in concern. Dreamweaver slowly curled up there and sobbed.

“If only I had known, this wouldn’t have happened, if I hadn’t come here, this wouldn’t have happened, if only, if only I wasn’t blind!” She cried to nopony in particular. It wasn’t much longer before the blue earth pony slipped into a deep sleep in the orchard.

“Momma my eyes hurt,” a young filly whined.

“I know my little one I know. Don’t rub your eyes it’ll only make it worse,” a mare cooed softly as the young filly continued to whine and squirm. Dreamweaver sighed to herself as she sat down. She knew this memory. This was one of the last things she remembered seeing before she had lost her sight as a filly. The doctor would be in any moment now, only to say there was nothing that could be done. Her mother would wail and beg the doctor for something to save her child’s sight. Dreamweaver sat back as she watched the familiar scene play out. It always played out like this. There was never a variation.

“A tragedy for one so young to be deprived of their sight,” an unfamiliar voice stated from behind her. Dreamweaver’s ears turned towards the older mare’s voice, but only found a blurry shape from where the voice had come from.

“Who’s there?” she asked confused. The dream had never strayed from its set path before.

“Calm yourself my little pony. I only come to help,” the mare offered. “I am Princess Luna, I come to aid you in your struggles. You have struggled for a long time without your sight.”

“Princess it is an honor for you to meet me in your realm,” Dreamweaver stated as she stood and bowed in the direction of the Princess of the Night. She let out a sigh as she turned towards the scene once more.

“Princess with all due respect, isn’t there some other pony who needs you more than I do?” She asked cautiously.

“I have seen you have this dream many times before. You know the reason for your dream, yet you do not seek to end your suffering. It was time I stepped in to lend a helping hoof,” Princess Luna stated as she watched the earth pony.

“I know the reason for my dream but I do not see a solution Princess. I have tried to find a solution but I cannot find one,” Dreamweaver sighed as she tore her gaze from the only sight she could have. “The only thing I can think of is the return of my sight, but that’s impossible. None of the doctors can return my sight. My mother tried, and as did I when I became older,”

“You believe the return of your sight will solve your problems Dreamweaver?” Princess Luna asked. Dreamweaver paused for a moment.

“I’m not sure Princess,” she admitted.

“Then allow me to offer you this. I can return your sight to you. But you must be quick with your decision; by tomorrow night I will be unable to grant you this gift,” The Princess offered as voice began to fade. “Choose wisely.”

“Princess Luna?” Dreamweaver called as everything began to go back to the familiar darkness.

Dreamweaver woke with a start as Nights began to bark at her. Dreamweaver groaned as she slowly began to stand, wiping her eyes. She could feel the sun’s rays on her coat as it rose up over the mountains. Nights whined and pawed at her. She nuzzled the dog gently.

“Come on girl, we better get back,” she muttered as the dog happily began to lead her off back towards Flashback’s shop and her home. It didn’t take her very long to return to the shop. She quietly slipped inside, hoping to avoid Flashback for the time being. She had enough on her mind, what with the Princess’s offer. The shop was oddly quiet as Dreamweaver slipped inside. There didn’t seem to be anypony around at all as she headed up stairs and into her room. She sat down on one of the cushions and gently pet Nights as she lay beside her.

“What do you think I should do Nights?” she asked the canine as her hoof ran through her black fur. “Why am I having such trouble deciding on what to do? I should be jumping at the chance to have my sight back.”

Dreamweaver sat there for a few hours, thinking over her dream continuously trying to decide. She was sure she could take it at face value, there didn’t seem to be any other explanation she could find. It wasn’t till she heard the bell down stairs that signaled ponies were in the shop that she was brought back to reality. The voices of ponies could be heard coming up the stairs into the apartment.

“I can’t believe you blew up at her like that!” Inkblot growled as she stormed into the apartment. “And you called her such an awful thing! It’s not like she did it on purpose Flashback!”

“I know! I feel horrible about it! I spent all night trying to find her and she’s just nowhere to be found!” Flashback whined. “I didn’t mean to I was just so angry. I panicked and I took it out on her, and now she’s gone.”

“I don’t blame her,” Inkblot grumbled. “You need to get out there and find her before something happens to her, cause if something does, it’s your fault!”

Dreamweaver cautiously walked over to the door and opened it, causing both of the other ponies to jump and look at her.

“Dreamweaver!” They both explained and rushed the earth pony, hugging her tightly.

“Oh thank Celestia you’re okay! You are okay aren’t you? I’m so sorry for yesterday I was heartless and rude and mean and-“ Flashback rambled as tears formed in her eyes

“Girls, I can’t really breathe,” Dreamweaver gasped. The two let her go and looked at her. Dreamweaver looked down towards the floor and pawed at it slightly.

“I’m, I’m really sorry for ruining your photos Flashback I’ll do whatever I can to make up for the costs. I’m sorry I ran off like that and didn’t come back,” she said quietly.

“I’m the one who should be apologizing. I shouldn’t have said those horrible things to you. There is no excuse for the way I acted,” Flashback replied and put a hoof on Dreamweaver’s shoulder. “Please forgive me for my rudeness.”

Dreamweaver hesitated for a moment before smiling slightly and nodding her head.

“I forgive you if you can forgive me,” She grinned and hugged the Pegasus. Inkblot smiled and hugged them both, glad that things had been resolved. Dreamweaver eventually let the sepia toned pony go as the bell downstairs rang with somepony walking through the door.

“Um, I’m looking for the dream pony?” the timid voice of a filly rang out into the empty shop. Dreamweaver smiled.

“Looks like I better get to work.” She chuckled as she went to go meet her client.

Dreamweaver sat herself down on the cushion across the table from the colt from the day before. The little Colt fidgeted across from her.

“First off, I’d like to apologize for the interruption yesterday,” Dreamweaver stated. “Second, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Dreamweaver and I interpret dreams.”

“It’s okay. I’m Warden. So, how does this work? Do you read my mind?” the filly asked. Dreamweaver chuckled.

“No nothing like that. This is how we do this. You tell me everything you remember about your dream, no details spared. Please remember that none of this is concrete fact and is only one interpretation to what was seen in your subconscious.” Dreamweaver explained.

“Oh okay then. So, what I remember is that it started in the middle of this big open field, like the ones across the river. These rose buds hadn’t bloomed yet, and they were being attacked by these other plants. They were dying, and then this big blooming rose pops up out of nowhere and all the other plants shriveled up and died, leaving the rose buds, and slowly they started blooming. After that I woke up. That’s all I can remember,” she explained. Dreamweaver paused for an instant, thinking over the information for a moment before relaxing.

“Are you ready for my interpretation of what I think your dream is trying to tell you?” she asked.

“I am.” Warden replied quietly.

“I believe the rose buds that haven’t bloomed, are your friends at school, they are having trouble with something in their lives. The big blooming rose is you. You can help your friends with their troubles somehow.” Dreamweaver stated. Warden stared at her for a moment.

“That’s it? Really? That simple?” she asked curiously. Dreamweaver nodded.

“That simple,” Dreamweaver replied as the clattering of bits on the table could be heard.

“Okay then. Thank you Miss Dreamweaver,” she called before heading out of the room and leaving the apartment.

“You’re welcome Warden,” Dreamweaver called as she put the bits away. She walked out of the room with Nights. Inkblot and Flashback were around the table talking. Inkblot glanced over at Dreamweaver as she walked out.

“Dreamweaver, we’re going out to lunch would you like to join us? My treat,” Inkblot offered. Dreamweaver nodded and grinned. The unicorn smiled as she stood and headed out with the other two for lunch.

It was about sunset when the three ponies walked back towards the shop. Warden was waiting outside of the shop.

“There she is mom!” The young filly exclaimed and started to run over to Dreamweaver. The three ponies stopped and looked towards the filly as she ran over and hugged Dreamweaver.

“I did what you said! I stood up to the bullies at my school, and helped my friends, and I earned my cutie mark!” she squealed happily. Dreamweaver smiled down at her.

“Well congratulations then, Warden.” She chuckled as the filly hugged her once more.

“I just wanted to say thanks before I headed home so, thank you!” she giggled before turning. “See you around Miss Dreamweaver!”

Dreamweaver smiled as she heard the filly dash off down the street.

“I suppose I better get home myself before the stars fall and destroy the town,” Inkblot yawned. “Good night you two.”

“Good night Inkblot. We’ll start brainstorming some more tomorrow.” Flashback called as the cream unicorn walked off towards her home. The two remaining ponies and canine walked into the shop and headed straight up to the apartment. Flashback looked back at Dreamweaver as she hesitated in the entryway to the apartment.

“What’s up Dreamweaver? You’re still not down about yesterday are you?” she asked. Dreamweaver shook her head as she walked into the living room, her eyes gazing down towards the floor.

“No it’s not that. It’s just the dream I had last night,” Dreamweaver started as she took a seat on the couch. “It was really different.”

“Different dreams can be fun to hear about. So spill!” Flashback smiled as she jumped up onto the couch and laid down, looking at the earth pony impatiently. Dreamweaver smiled as she began to tell Flashback about her dream, how it had started out as a recurring dream, only to have the Princess of the Night herself appear and have her offer to return her sight. When she finished Flashback was wide eyed.

“Oh my gosh that would be so cool if you got your sight back!” she giggled as she stood and jumped on the couch. “I mean you could actually help me with my work, we could take photos, we could go to the movies, and we could do so many other cool things!”

Dreamweaver looked in her general direction as the Pegasus jumped on the couch excitedly. She smiled slightly.

“Actually Flashback, I don’t think I want my sight back. I have seen more in the world than I would have been able to see with my sight. I help ponies every day with things they cannot understand, and I am only able to do so because I do not have my sight. In my case, I think my sight would be a hindrance. I would be distracted in what I was seeing, I would not be able to see the meaning behind what was seen. I see now that my blindness is my strength, and I would not be the pony I am today if I had my sight.” She explained. Flashback ceased her jumping and looked down at the earth pony as her words sunk in.

“You have a good point. Where most ponies see a disability, you found a gift. Without your ability to see, you can see what things mean,” Flashback replied. Dreamweaver nodded as she stifled a yawn.

“Exactly. It’s getting pretty late though. We best get to bed,” the blue pony offered as she slipped off the couch.

“You’re right. There’s a lot to do tomorrow. Good night Dreamweaver. See you in the morning. Oh, and if you ever want to talk again about stuff, let me know,” Flashback grinned as she got off the couch before heading off to her room.

“Good night Flashback, and I will,” Dreamweaver called as she glided into her room. She lay down on her bed and exhaled with a smile. Tonight was the start of a new beginning for Dreamweaver. Tonight there was a new outlook on her life, to always value the strength she was fortunate to obtain. She let out a yawn as she laid her head on her pillow and began to drift off to give the Princess her answer. +)��"�>

Ribbon of Memories

It was another chilly winter's day, and the sun shone brightly on the town of Clydesdale. The small town was nestled in a valley on the opposite side of the mountain range that held the grand capitol of Canterlot. Not a single cloud was in the sky this fine day and the snow shimmered brightly in the sunlight. The bluebirds in the trees sang their songs cheerfully, without a care in the world.

"Ah, what a wonderful afternoon!" a cream colored unicorn sighed dreamily as she trotted down the road, clearly lost in thought. She smiled to herself as she headed down the road casually, slightly looking down at her hooves as she walked.

"Hey, Inkblot!" a sepia toned pegasus called as she flew by. She quickly turned and started to follow her. Inkblot kept walking, apparently oblivious to the pony speaking to her. The pegasus slapped her hoof to her face and rolled her eyes.

"INKBLOT!" she yelled, causing the unicorn to jump and dash right into the nearest tree. She cringed as the snow up on the branches above fell on her.

"Sorry," the pegasus muttered sheepishly.

"Oh! It's only you, Flashback. Do forgive me, I thought you were Mad Vick back for his revenge for being banished in the Draconic Volcano," Inkblot sighed with relief. The pegasus smiled a bit and rolled her eyes yet again.

"Uh, no… I was just wondering what happened. You're over an hour late to our monthly girl's day. Dreamweaver was getting worried you were buried in a bookalanche again and needed rescuing," Flashback chuckled.

"I'm so sorry! I got caught up in my writing, and before I knew it, it was already half past noon, and then I got distracted when Cleo got into that vicious battle with the-"

"So you're okay. That's good. But really, Inkblot, try to spend a little more time in reality would you? Now come on! We agreed we were getting our Manes done today," the pegasus grinned as she landed and walked with her friend to the local Hair Salon.

Flashback smiled as she slipped into the salon, Inkblot right behind her. A pastel bluish purple earth pony sat quietly in the corner with her eyes closed, a black Labrador was napping beside her. Its ears perked as the two ponies walked in and let out a little bark at them.

"Is someone there, Nights?" she asked softly, her eyes remained closed.

"Just us, Dreamweaver," Flashback called. "She had her head stuck up in the clouds again."

"Well, that's better than what we were expecting," she giggled as she stood and started towards them slowly, finally opening her grey cloudy eyes. Nights stood and followed her owner.

"I'm really sorry, Dreamweaver, I didn't mean to make you wait so long. I just got distracted when Cleo-"

"We know, Inkblot," Dreamweaver interrupted with a knowing smile. "Don't worry about it. Come on now, we have lots we can talk about while we get our manes done."

The earth pony smiled gently as they were led off into the back, seeing as Flashback had gone ahead of them. Inkblot smiled sheepishly as she followed after the earth pony.

"This was so overdue," Flashback sighed as she leaned back, letting the stylist brush out her dark brown hair. Dreamweaver giggled and nodded.

"Although I'm not sure why you insisted I come along. It's not like I care that much how I look," she teased.

"Well, we care! Just because you can't see yourself doesn't mean you can't look great! Besides, it's our monthly girls' day, you have to come or it's just another simple outing." Flashback explained. "I mean, it's not like we can take you to the movies."

"Movies are just so boring. I don't see the appeal."

"That's, kinda the point, you have to see it," Inkblot giggled. Flashback nodded, watching her friend as her light tan and black mane was taken out of its sapphire blue ribbon, her tail soon followed. She eyed the old, worn out silk ribbons. Inkblot had been using those same ribbons ever since they met several years ago, and who knows how much longer before that! They had seen better days, their color was fading, they had several stains and the ends were starting to unravel. There were a couple rips here and there as well.

"Would you like some new ribbons this afternoon?" One of the stylist ponies asked as the other's worked on washing and brushing out her hair.

"No, thank you." Inkblot smiled. "Just use the old ones please."

The pony nodded and headed off to get the scissors. Dreamweaver sighed, slightly annoyed as they started to brush out her short midnight blue tail. Her mane didn't need that much work, seeing as it had already been cut so short, there wasn't really much of anything to brush or trim. Flashback leaned in and whispered something into the pastel pony's ear. Dreamweaver opened her eyes and looked towards her a bit confused and whispered something back. Flashback smiled and nodded, before saying one last thing and settling back down.

"What are you two whispering about?" Inkblot grinned. "If you're going to gossip, at least include me!"

"Oh, it's nothing, Inkblot. Flashback just had a question for me," Dreamweaver replied quickly as she turned towards the unicorn. "Just work is all, although I would appreciate it if you had waited till we were done." She sent a slight glare in the direction of the pegasus.

"Heh sorry, it's just, been bugging me all morning," Flashback muttered slowly.

"Is it that dream where your wings are being eaten by carrots again?" Inkblot asked curiously.

"No, it is not!" Flashback snapped defensively, her wings opening at the outburst. Inkblot just gave her a sly grin.

"Okay maybe it was. But it was rabid vampire carrots this time," she grumbled as she looked away and crossed her hooves. Inkblot giggled as the stylist finished trimming her mane and tail.

"That's so much better," she sighed as they tied the old ribbons back into her hair "It was starting to get a bit unruly."

Flashback watched quietly as they finished on her mane and tail as well, thought it still looked like a mess. Dreamweaver stood and shook out her tail. Nights stood and followed the three ponies out of the salon.

"That was certainly refreshing," Dreamweaver smiled

"Agreed. Now all that's left is the sleep over!" Inkblot squealed excitedly, bouncing a bit on her hooves. Flashback grinned and rolled her eyes.

"Yes, yes, the sleep over. We just need to go home and grab our things. We'll be at your house around sunset.”

"That sounds like a reasonable time," Dreamweaver piped in. "Come on, now, Flashback, we need to make sure you don't pack silly things again."

"I'm telling you, we could have used that waffle iron for waffles! Waffles are awesome! Are you ever going to let me live that down?"

"Probably not." Inkblot laughed as she turned "Well, I better get on home and prepare the guest room and snacks!"

"See you then," Dreamweaver smiled as she closed her eyes and started to walk off with Nights and Flashback.

Flashback glanced over her shoulder as Inkblot slipped out of sight.

"Alright, she's gone. So where are we going then?" She asked as walked beside her friend.

"I heard of a store where they sell all sorts of accessories," Dreamweaver replied as she continued down the road. "It's supposed to be on the edge of town near the river."

"I know where that is, but I've never heard of any shop like that."

"That's because none of us ever buy accessories. One of my clients told me about it."

"Well, that's a bit weird."

"It was one of the more interesting cases."

"Sounds like it. Well, we better get our flanks over there, we have packing to do."

Dreamweaver smirked and gave a bit of a sigh as they walked off to the southern part of town where the river marked the edge of town as it made its way to the sea. The two ponies walked onto one of the shops sitting next to the bridge leading out of town.

"Welcome! What can I help you two with?" A unicorn asked as they walked inside. "Looking for a new saddle bag, perhaps?"

"Not today. We're looking for some new hair ribbons, do you have any?" Flashback asked as she walked up to the counter. Dreamweaver pretended to browse the wares, staring emptily at the various racks. Nights sniffed around her owner, as far as the leash would let her anyway.

"Ribbons, ah yes! I just made a few yesterday. Is there any specific kind you're looking for?" the unicorn asked as she started towards the back room.

"Sapphire blue, silk preferably."

"I believe I made a few of that type, just give me a moment and I'll see if I can find them for you."

Dreamweaver walked up beside Flashback and looked towards her.

"Are you sure about this? I mean, she didn't want new ones this afternoon."

"Maybe she just didn't have the extra bits for them. Writers don't always make a lot of money."

"I know that, Flashback, but maybe she just doesn't want new ribbons…"

"Oh, stop worrying, Dreamweaver! I'm sure she'll absolutely love it!"

Dreamweaver sighed as the store clerk walked out with a couple pairs of ribbons.

"Are these what you're looking for?" She asked as she set them on the counter.

"Perfect! We'll take two, please," Flashback grinned as the ribbons were put in a little box and she handed over the bits for them. She took the box and stuck it under her wing before walking out with Dreamweaver.

"Alright then, back home to pack," Flashback grinned. Dreamweaver nodded.

"We better hurry up, it's going to take a while, I can tell." Dreamweaver teased as she led Flashback home. The sepia toned Pegasus rolled her eyes with a small grin as she followed after her friend.

Later that night after everypony got settled into the guest room, and only the sounds of a sleeping pony could be heard, Flashback quietly rose from her sleeping bag and crept over to the earth pony.

"Psssst, Dreamweaver, you still awake?" She whispered softly.

"I'm awake." Dreamweaver replied as she opened her gray eyes and slowly stood. Nights raised her head for a moment. Dreamweaver pet her gently before the dog laid her head back down and went back to sleep.

"Go on and get the box," The Pegasus grinned as she crept over to the night stand where the old worn out ribbons laid. She carefully picked up the old ribbons, exchanging them with the box with the new ribbons Dreamweaver was holding. Flashback smiled and raised her hoof for a high hoof, and waited for Dreamweaver's half. She just emptily stared at her.

"Is there something on my face or can we go back to bed?" the earth pony asked.

"Oh. Let's get back to bed." The Pegasus cheeks flared slightly with embarrassment as she put her hoof back down and went to dispose of the old ribbons before heading back to bed.

The two ponies were both woken the next morning by quite a ruckus coming from the next room. Flashback noted that the room they had been sleeping in was in state of disarray. They both got up and Flashback poked her head out of the room, only to see the room had been turned upside down and inside out, with one frantic unicorn in the middle of it. Her hair hadn't been put up either by the looks of it.

"Uh, Inkblot? Is everything alright?" Flashback asked as she stepped out of the room. Inkblot looked over to her friend a bit panicked.

"No! Everything's not alright! I can't find my ribbons!" She cried in distress, still looking around the room franticly. "I've been looking everywhere for them! All that I could find was that box somepony left with some new ones!"

“Surprise?" Flashback offered meekly with a weak smile. If looks could kill, Flashback would be in her grave from the glare Inkblot gave her.

"Where are my old ribbons!" she demanded.

"Y-you don't like the new ones..?"

"I like them just fine and I appreciate the gift," she started slowly "But, my old ribbons belonged to my mother, which she gave to me before our town was invaded by space ponies and slaughtered everyone who couldn't make it into the bunkers before they closed for the next five years!"

She yelled in a single breath on the verge of tears. Flashback's ears fell as she looked at her friend, taking a step back.

"Where are my ribbons!" Inkblot demanded again, starting to grow desperate. Flashback swallowed her pride as her ears fell.

"I-I threw them out with the garbage," she responded quietly. Inkblot's eyes widened in shock.

"Y-you, You threw my mother's ribbons, in the garbage?" she gasped in disbelief, barely above a whisper.

"I'm so sorry Inkblot it's just, they were so old and beaten up I thought we'd surprise you with some new ribbons," Flashback explained quietly as she looked up at the unicorn. Inkblot was quiet as she looked at the Pegasus in disbelief. Dreamweaver fidgeted a bit as she had finally maneuvered out of the room. She moved her gaze between the two mares, feeling the tension even without her sight.

"Inkblot, she didn't mean any harm by it," Dreamweaver said as she took a step forward.

"Please, just go. I want to be alone," Inkblot muttered quietly as she turned away from the two ponies.

"Inkblot-"

"Just go!" She snapped as she closed her eyes tightly, fighting back tears. Dreamweaver's ears fell as she looked towards her friend, before calling for Nights to lead her out of the house.

"Come on Flashback, you heard her," Dreamweaver called as she headed out of the house with Nights. Flashback hung her head as she followed after the earth pony out of the house.

The two ponies were silent as they walked down the snowy path, a fresh blanket of snow having fallen during the night. They headed out into the park and took a seat on one of the many benches.

"Well, that didn't go as planned," Dreamweaver sighed.

"Now she hates me." Flashback muttered as she laid her head down. "I can't believe I didn't think of something like that before buying them! I'm such a foal."

"Don't be too hard on yourself now. No pony knew how special they were to her."

"There has to be a way to fix this."

"I think you've tried to fix enough for one day, Flashback."

"What if I got them back? That would help!"

"But its garbage day."

"They should still be in the trash can though!" She quickly spread her wings and zoomed off.

"Flashback you can't be serious we won't get there in time. Flashback? Flashback?! Ugh."

Dreamweaver groaned as she realized she had been left behind.

"Let's go Nights, back to Inkblot's," she sighed as she started to run back to her friend's house.

When she arrived Flashback had gotten there just a little while before her, and the trash cart was long gone. Dreamweaver pulled up beside her friend, a bit out of breath.

"Darn it Flashback don't fly off without me!" Dreamweaver scolded.

"I'm sorry but I was sure I could get here before the trash cart came by. It couldn't have left too long ago, I bet if we hurry we can still find it!"

"And where do you suggest we even start? It's not like I can see it."

"Well they usually start as far from the dump as possible and move towards it. All we need to do is head towards the dump."

"Very well then, don't run off without me this time."

The two ponies quickly ran through the streets of Clydesdale, desperate to find any trace of the cart that held the ribbons. All they found were empty bins and tracks that eventually led them to the Clydesdale Dump."

"Ugh what is that horrible smell?" Dreamweaver grumbled as she put her hoof to her nose.

"The dump," Flashback whimpered in response, staring at the week's piles of trash yet to be dealt with.

"What are we supposed to do now?" Flashback asked, quickly losing hope. Dreamweaver paused and looked down towards her canine companion.

"Nights. She could try to sniff them out, I don't promise any results though."

"It's better than nothing." Flashback muttered and looked down at the black canine as she scratched her ear.

"I'm sorry girl, go find Inkblot's ribbons." She sighed. The Labrador looked up at her and started to whimper and whine, pawing at her master's side.

"No ifs ands or buts! Go!" Dreamweaver ordered and stomped her hoof. The dog whimpered a bit before scampering off.

"Go on and follow her Flashback, I'll wait here,"

The Pegasus nodded as she took off and followed the canine from above. After several minutes of the canine zig zagging through the snow and the garbage Nights hesitated in a pile of trash and started to dig through it.

"Did you find them girl?" Flashback asked as she landed beside the dog, her eyes scanning over the mess for the ribbons. She started to dig with the canine until after what seemed like hours, the remains of the ribbons were found. They had taken quite a beating on their trip over and were in several small pieces, hardly fit to be called ribbons anymore.

"Well, so much for that idea," she grumbled disheartened as her ears fell. "Go on Nights, get back to Dreamweaver."

She gathered the pieces the best she could before walking back to the earth pony.

Dreamweaver had sat down near the entrance to the dump, waiting patiently for their return. Nights barked as she ran over, tail wagging as she licked her face. Flashback hovered above her.

"Did you find them?" she asked as she stared ahead.

"Yes, in pieces," she replied sadly. Dreamweaver's ears fell a bit.

"Oh, I see," Dreamweaver sighed and paused for a moment. "Maybe we should just head home, it's been a long day," she offered as she stood.

"If you don't mind."

"Flashback, I don't mind. Besides, it's partially my fault for not stopping you in the first place. Now come on."

Nights took her place beside her owner's side as the two ponies headed back to Flashback's apartment in the market district. The sun was slipping down below the horizon, and the dark shadow fell over the valley. The moon slowly rose over the mountains to take its place in the dark sky. Dreamweaver slipped in and turned on the lights for her friend. Flashback walked in as well and sighed.

"I don't know what to do," she muttered quietly as she put the scraps down on the table.

"Try taking a step back from the situation for a moment, and come back to it a bit later. Maybe we'll have an idea of what to do then."

"How much later? The longer we wait the worse this is going to get! Already she's probably never going to speak to me again!"

"Well getting frustrated and upset over it isn't going to fix anything now is it?"

“You have a point."

Nights barked up at them as she sat herself down on her cushion in the corner.

"Can I get you anything?" Dreamweaver offered. "I just went shopping recently."

"No thanks. I don't think I can eat right now," Flashback sighed as she sat down.

"You haven't eaten all day, you should eat at least something."

"I'm not really that hungry, Dreamweaver."

"Flashback."

The pegasus looked up at her friends face, stern yet full of concern. She sighed in defeat and gave a slight smile.

"Alright you win," she exhaled as she stood. "I'll have an apple."

"Well, it is better than nothing." Dreamweaver sighed with a smile as she grabbed her one and set it down on the table carefully.

"Thanks," she muttered as she took it and took a bite of the apple quietly. Dreamweaver sat on the opposite side of the table and nibbled at her apple. Both ponies ate in silence, seemingly stalling for more time to think, or avoiding discussing the issue further. But an apple will only buy so much time, and soon nothing but the cores remained. Flashback stood and disposed of the cores with a sigh.

"I'm going to turn in for the night, I'll catch you in the morning, Dreams." Flashback muttered as headed off towards her bedroom.

"Sleep well," Dreamweaver offered, though she doubted either of them would get much sleep this night.

Flashback slipped into her room. She let out an exasperated groan and kicked a spare pillow across the room in frustration as she made her way over to the window.

"Princess Luna help me, I really messed up this time." She prayed as she cast her gaze up to the night sky and the Princess's moon. She stayed there for a while, just looking up at the stars as if they had the solution to her problem. She eventually tore her gaze away and slipped into bed, hoping to get at least some sleep tonight.

"Flashback sweetie it's so good to see you!" a warm voice chuckled as Flashback walked into a familiar old sewing room. An elderly Pegasus mare stood over a table littered with many different pieces of cloth. The entire area was in a sepia color scheme, like one of her photographs.

"It is good to see you too, Nana, it has been too long." Flashback smiled as she nuzzled the elderly mare affectionately "Do you need any help on this blanket?"

"This is no ordinary blanket sweetie, it's a quilt," Nana explained as she picked up a small blue dress.

"This is my play dress from when I was a filly, why do you still have this? It's totally ruined," Flashback asked as she watched her Nana work.

"So I could add it to my quilt. It may not be fit to be worn anymore, but it can become part of something else. With a lot of different things, it can come together to make something new." Nana smiled, starting to cut a square from the dress. Flashback looked over the pieces that had already been sewn into the quilt.

"All of these, are things I had as a filly?" She questioned. Nana simply nodded and smiled.

"I was hoping to surprise you with a finished quilt on your next birthday, but I'm afraid, it won't be finished."

"What do you mean? Nana is something wrong?" Flashback questioned as the elderly mare slowly sat down, coughing.

"You already know Flashback. But I promise, not matter what happen I'll always be there for you."

The elderly mare gave a small, pained smile as a tear formed in her eye.

"No Nana, don't, don't go," Flashback whimpered, tears quickly forming, and she struggled to breathe as the room started to darken and move away from her, taking her beloved Nana with it.

Flashback sat up with a gasp, looking around her room wildly, as if expecting to be returned to the sepia room. Her heart soon calmed and she took a deep breath.

“It was, just a dream,” she said aloud, mostly to convince herself. She quickly pulled herself out of bed, least it try and pull her back into another similar nightmare. The Pegasus wandered into the kitchen with a groan as she sat at the table, rubbing her head. Dreamweaver was already awake and was working on making breakfast. Her ears twitched at the sound of the hoofsteps behind her.

“Flashback is that you?” She asked as she turned away from the stove, towards the sound.

“Morning Dreamweaver,” Flashback muttered.

“Are you alright? You sound, worn out.”

“I didn’t sleep very well.”

“Lack of sleep or?”

“Bad dream.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“Can it wait till I’ve woken up a bit?”

“It’d be best to talk about it as soon as possible. The longer you’re awake, the less of your dream you are likely to remember.”

“But I’m hungry!”

“Breakfast can wait a few minutes. I just want to help.”

Flashback let out a defeated groan as Dreamweaver turned away from the counter and sat at the other end of the table.

“So, just to remind you, this is how it goes, you tell me everything you remember from your dream, no details spared.” Dreamweaver reminded as her eyes closed, as usual during one of her interpreting sessions. “Please remember that none of this is concrete fact and is only one explanation to what was seen in your subconscious.”

“We’ve done this, how many times now?” Flashback blinked as she looked at the earth pony across from her.

“You know I have to say it. So begin when ready.” Dreamweaver crossed her hooves patiently. Flashback leaned back in her chair and exhaled.

“It started when I walked into my Nana’s old sewing room. She was there, sewing like she always used to. She was working on this blanket of some sort, there were all these different pieces of cloth in it. She, pulled out an old torn up dress of mine and cut a square out of it, added it to the blanket. She told me something, I can’t really remember the rest of it.”

“Okay. A few questions then if I may?”

“Ask away Dreamweaver.”

“First thing, tell me a little bit about your Nana? Were you two close?”

“Very close, she practically raised me as a filly since my dad was always traveling due to work.”

“And what happened to your Nana?”

“She, got really sick, and since she was so old she never recovered and passed away. I was old enough to take care of myself by that point so my dad didn’t bother coming back to look after me.”

“I’m sorry for your losses. If I may continue though, you said your Nana was sewing a blanket made of many different pieces of cloth? Can you remember if there was anything special about those pieces of cloth?”

“They were all mine from some point or another in my foalhood, some I had worn out, others I got too big for. Why have you figured something out?”

“I’ll explain in a moment. Now what about the one dress, anything that made that specific one stand out to you?”

“It was blue. Everything else was, in sepia, mostly brown tones like in some of my photographs.”

Dreamweaver nodded and paused for a moment, thinking over the information. Flashback fidgeted a bit, trying to remember if she missed anything, and if she could fill her growling stomach soon.

“Are you ready for my interpretation of what your dream is trying to tell you?” Dreamweaver asked. Flashback nodded and looked at her expectantly. Dreamweaver waited for a moment.

“Oh! I meant yes, yes I am.” Flashback stuttered a bit, cheeks flushing in embarrassment from forgetting, yet again that the pastel pony couldn’t see. Dreamweaver chuckled a bit.

“Okay. Here, is what I think. Your Nana came to you, to comfort you like she did when she was alive, by guiding you to an answer to a problem. The cutting of the old dress, to make a new blanket, is suggesting doing the same. Make something new out of something old. The variety of cloth is suggesting more than one. The color blue, is the hint to what the problem is.” Dreamweaver explained and reopened her eyes. Flashback was quiet, thinking hard about the information.

“The ribbons.” She finally stated “Remake the old ribbons into new ones, in several pairs and present them as a new gift back to Inkblot.”

“That is what I thought as well, but again it could mean other things.”

“I don’t think so in this case. Do you think that accessory shop could do something like this?”

“I don’t see why we can’t ask.”

Flashback’s stomach let out a rather large growl.

“After we eat of course.” Dreamweaver giggled. Flashback grinned as she got up and went to continue making breakfast.

After breakfast the two ponies and canine made their way to the accessory shop with the scraps of ribbon they had. Flashback led the way into the shop and headed up to the counter. The unicorn from before looked over at them.

“Welcome back! What can I do for you two today?” she asked cheerfully.

“Can you make new ribbons out of old scraps?” Flashback questioned as she set the box holding said scraps on the counter. The shop owner opened the box, crinkling her nose as she looked inside at the remains.

“You weren’t kidding about scraps. I’m afraid there isn’t enough material here for me to make ribbons out of.” The mare sighed “I’m sorry.”

“What about using parts of it with new material? Can you make a few pairs like that?” Dreamweaver asked.

“I suppose I could, but it would take some time. Come back after lunch and I should have the results,” the mare replied as she took the box.

“Thank you, it is very much appreciated,” Flashback beamed as she nudged Dreamweaver and headed out of the shop. Dreamweaver followed after her with Nights.

“So what do you want to do till lunch?” Flashback asked, looking over at the earth pony.

“Honestly, I’d like to check on Inkblot, but I highly doubt she is taking any visitors right now. I’ll leave the choice to you,” Dreamweaver replied with a sigh.

“I’m drawing a blank; I was hoping you had an idea,” Flashback admitted.

“Well there are some other things on my mind, but it can wait.”

“We have nothing better to do. What is it?”

“It can wait Flashback, this is hardly the time to deal with it.”

“Oh come on! Just tell me and we’ll do it later then.”

“You know what they say about cats and curiosity Flashback.”

“Yeah. So? Tell me anyway.”

Dreamweaver sighed as she stopped and looked towards her friend.

“Did your Nana leave you anything when she passed on?” The blue pony asked bluntly. The Pegasus’s wings extended in surprise as she turned to the earth pony.

“I, she, excuse me?” She asked, stumbling over her words. Dreamweaver sat till her friend sorted through her thoughts. Flashback folded her wings back and looked away a bit.

“Well, she left me this chest that had been in her sewing room. It’s been up in the attic for the past four years, I haven’t been able to bring myself to open it,” Flashback responded quietly.

“I see. I’d like to have a ‘look’ at this chest after we deliver the ribbons if that is alright.”

“Y-yeah it’s no problem. I mean, it’s about time I opened that old thing.”

“That’s settled then. How about we grab some coffee while we wait?” Dreamweaver offered continued walking down the path way towards town. Flashback let out a little grunt but followed the earth pony towards the coffee shop.

It was half past noon before the two ponies finally made it back to the accessory shop. The mare behind the counter looked up at them.

“I’m sorry, I did the best I could but I was unable to remake the ribbons.” She said apologetically. “No charge.”

“O-oh. Thank you anyway,” Flashback muttered as her ears lowered and she took the box she was handed. “What do we do now?”

“How big are the scraps exactly?” Dreamweaver asked

“Not very big, they are horribly frayed. Why?” Flashback asked.

“I have an idea. May we go see that chest now?”

“Now doesn’t seem like the best time.”

Dreamweaver smiled toward her friend.

“Trust me. I think this will work.”

Later that evening as Celestia’s sun began to set behind the horizon, Dreamweaver knocked on the door to Inkblot’s home.

“Inkblot, its Dreamweaver. Please answer the door,” she called. After the sounds of shuffling for a few minutes the door opened.

“Dreamweaver now really isn’t a good time,” A saddened yet irritated Inkblot answered.

“I know I’m very sorry for the incident yesterday, but please, allow us to try and make it up to you,” Dreamweaver insisted remorsefully. Inkblot paused for a moment before opening the door.

“Very well. Be careful, The Bats of Tok trashed the place,” she muttered as she stepped over piles of books around the room. Dreamweaver nodded towards the clouds and the Pegasus flew down to the ground before following her cautiously inside with a package. Inkblot cast the sepia toned pony a glare as she stepped into her home but kept silent otherwise.

“We brought something for you,” Dreamweaver stated as she offered the remains of the ribbons to the unicorn. Inkblot levitated the remains out of the box and her eyes began to tear.

“You came here to insult my mother’s memory even more by bringing me shredded remains?” She choked.

“No, we didn’t. We came to add them to a new memory. The threads are still mostly intact. They can be used,” Dreamweaver explained as she offered the other package Flashback had brought in. Inkblot hesitantly opened it and pulled out its contents.

“An old quilt?” she questioned.

“The last quilt my Nana worked on, she left it to me to finish. I was, hoping we could add your mother’s ribbons to the quilt, and that maybe in time we can finish it together as friends. I know it doesn’t make up for my thoughtlessness or my disregard for your personal things but this is all we could think of to try and make it up to you.” Flashback explained, trying to pick her words carefully. Inkblot looked at both of them as her expression softened.

“This way they can still carry on. Your mother’s memory will be honored on this quilt.” Dreamweaver added. Inkblot’s gaze switched between the tattered ribbons and the quilt before smiling slightly.

“I, I’d like that very much.” She muttered quietly, a couple tears escaping her eyes. “Thank you, you two.”

Flashback smiled as she hugged her friend tight, tears escaping her eyes as well.

“I’m sorry I was such an idiot Inkblot. I never meant to hurt you,” she sniffled. Inkblot hugged her back. “It’s going to be okay now. Let me go get the needles. I know they are around here somewhere,” she muttered wiping her eyes and going to go find them.

By the end of the night, Liberty Record’s name was inscribed with the blue remains of the ribbons on the old quilt along with her cutie mark of an old scroll, and the rest of the quilt finally finished. The three ponies hung the quilt over Inkblot’s writing desk. Flashback smiled as she gazed upon it, a sense of peace washing over her.

“Thanks, Nana,” she sighed as she turned away from the quilt and went to rejoin her friends in the next room.

A Thorny Situation

It was a crisp autumn afternoon in Clydesdale. The leaves on the trees were dawned in every color from red to bright gold, and the cardinals on their branches sang their song cheerfully in the chilly air. The squirrels chattered away as they dashed around looking for nuts for the coming winter. The town was already wide awake this fine morning. Three of these ponies were standing on a platform for the stage coach. Dreamweaver was getting ready to leave with Flashback to head to a nearby town for some interpreting sessions. Flashback was going with her not only to be her guide but to possibly get some business as well. Inkblot looked at her two friends and smiled as she held the leash Nights was attached to.

“Are you sure it’s alright? “ Dreamweaver asked Inkblot. She seemed rather worried as her gray eyes stared in the general direction of the unicorn.

“It’s perfectly alright Dreamweaver. I’ll take good care of Nights,” the unicorn replied with a smile, her icy blue eyes twinkling with excitement. “Nights and I will have a blast!”

“Just don’t stay up too late and end up sleeping in Inkblot,” Fashback teased. Inkblot glared at the pegasus playfully.

“I won’t Flashback. Everything will be fine. Dreamweaver will do her interpreting sessions out there and you will be the guide dog,” Inkblot teased the pegasus. Flashback laughed and nodded.

“Yeah I guess I will be since the clients are allergic to dogs,” Flashback smiled.

“Don’t remind me,” Dreamweaver sighed as she reached out for the black Labrador by the unicorn. “I have to go now Nights. You be good for Inkblot you hear? I’ll be back tomorrow night okay?”

The canine whined as she brushed her head against her owner’s leg. Dreamweaver smiled and pet her gently. Flashback gently nudged the earth pony, signaling the end of their goodbyes.

“Bye you two! Have fun while you’re out there! Don’t let your carriage crash and burn in a smoldering heap!” Inkblot called as the two ponies hopped into the stage coach and it carried them away. Inkblot stayed on the platform with Nights till the stage coach was out of sight. She looked down at the dog and smiled.

“This is going to be so much fun! I always wanted a pet but could never afford one,” She giggled and ruffled the dog’s fur. The black dog whined as she tugged on her leash, trying to follow after the stage coach. She barked and looked back at Inkblot pleadingly.

“Aw it’s okay girl. She’ll be back, I promise. Now come on. I have a few errands to run before we get you settled in back at home,” Inkblot stated as she gently tugged on the leash till Nights followed after her back into town.

It wasn’t till later that night that Inkblot led the canine into her home with a smile. She unhooked the dog’s leash and let her off to roam around her home. The front room was covered with stacks of papers, quills, and books. Inkblot blushed a bit as she walked into her home, forgetting she had left it a mess.

“Sorry for the mess, I didn’t really have the time to clean up yet!” she chuckled nervously as she dropped of her saddle bag in the kitchen. “Now let’s see here, we have, dog toys, dog chews, dog leash, dog ball, dog brush, and here it is, dog food! Let’s get you fed and then we’ll play a bit okay, Nights? Nights?”

Inkblot poked her head out of the kitchen and looked about for the black Labrador, only to have her eyes fall upon the wide open front door. Her heart sunk in her chest as her eyes frantically scanned the room for her friend’s beloved canine.

“Nights?! Come here girl! Come here!” she called as she quickly closed the front door before scouring her home for the Labrador, to no avail. She threw the front door open and dashed into her front yard. Her eyes shot across the street, trying to find some sign of where Nights might have gone. Her ears perked as some barking could be heard from the left.

“Nights! Nights come here! Come girl!” che called as she took off down the street to the left. She ran as fast as she could, her eyes darting across the scenes in front of her, looking desperately for the black dog. She stopped at the end of the street and swiveled her ears around, searching for another hint of where the missing pooch was. She was greeted with silence. Inkblot gritted her teeth and cursed to herself as she ran off to continue searching for the dog.

Celestia’s sun was just beginning to dawn up over the mountains as Inkblot stopped at the edge of the forest. She had been up all night searching for Nights, with no luck. She sniffled as she looked about hopelessly, not sure where else to look. She had already scoured the farms and the market district. The forest was the last place to look, but it was too dangerous to venture into the forest due to the carnivorous wild animals that would gladly make a snack out of a pony. Inkblot gulped as she looked at the intimidating trees and began to walk into the forest, when something caught her eye. She walked over to one of the bushes and eyed it carefully. There was no doubt about it, there was a lot of black wet fur caught in the thorns of the bushes. The direction the fur was pulled seemed to suggest the creature had headed into the forest. Inkblot gulped and looked at the fur as she pulled some of it off the thorn, finding the liquid to be red. Inkblot’s pupils shrunk.

“Oh no, if Nights went in there,” she whimpered, looking towards the trees. “Dreamweaver will never forgive me for letting Night’s get out into the forest! Oh Celestia, what have I done? How could I have been so careless!”

She backed away from the trees as her eyes filled with tears. She turned away and quietly headed back to her home.

Inkblot cried all the way back to her home, unable to believe she had not only lost her friend’s beloved pet and companion, but that it would have easily died in the forest.

“What am I going to tell Dreamweaver? “ she mused solemnly to herself as she laid down on her couch, unable to find sleep. She laid there for who knows how long before she finally looked up to see the time. It was a quarter to noon, fifteen minutes till Inkblot was supposed to meet Dreamweaver and Flashback at the station. She wiped her eyes as she slowly got off the couch and started to head off for the station. It took her about thirty minutes for her to get to the station. Dreamweaver and Flashback were already there, waiting for her. Flashback looked over, smiled, and waved.

“There you are! We were wondering why you weren’t here when we got here. Where’s Nights?” Flashback inquired as she walked over to the unicorn.

“Night’s isn’t with you?” Dreamweaver asked confused. Inkblot’s ears fell and she looked away from her friends.

“I, I,” she whimpered quietly, struggling to spit out the truth.

“Inkblot, what’s wrong?” Flashback asked as she took a step closer to the flustered unicorn.

“N-nights is gone. She got out last night after we got back to my house. I tried to find her I swear, I spent all night looking but I’m certain she ran into the forest and,” she sobbed almost hysterically. “I’m sorry, I’m so so sorry Dreamweaver. I didn’t mean to let her get out,”

Dreamweaver just stared in the direction of the distraught unicorn in disbelief.

“She’s, she’s gone?” the earth pony whispered quietly as her ears fell. “But I trusted you to take good care of her, and now she’s gone?”

Flashback watched both ponies for a moment before gently nudging Dreamweaver who remained silent otherwise.

“Come on Dreams lets get you home okay?” She offered sincerely. Inkblot opened her mouth to say something only to close it as Flashback glared at her and shook her head. Inkblot sank to her haunches as the Pegasus led the blind pony off to their home. Inkblot sniffled as she watched them leave. She hung her head sadly, eventually rising back to her hooves and starting on her way home.

The distraught unicorn hung her head as she quietly walked down the streets of Clydesdale. She glanced over at the forest as she began to walk past it. She stopped in her tracks and looks at the intimidating trees. She wiped her eyes of their tears.

“I’m going to find you Nights, or whatever is left of you,” she muttered to herself, determined to do just that. With that, she found her hooves taking her into the forest to find the lost companion.

It was a few minutes later thank Inkblot realized the mistake she made, walking into the forest while sleep deprived. But it was too late now and adrenaline was pumping through her system. She kept her hooves moving forward and her ears alert as she looks for signs of the lost canine. She stopped once she reached a clearing. Her ears perked to the sounds of whimpering for the other side of it.

“Nights? Girl is that you?” she called softly as she walked across the clearing cautiously. In the thorny bushes was a black furry shape. It let out a small bark as Inkblot came closer. Inkblot would know that bark anywhere. She peered into the bushes down at the canine as it struggled in the thorn bush. The canine whimpered and whined in pain as she squirmed, trying to get to the unicorn.

“Shhh its okay girl I’m here, let me help you,” she said softly as her horn lit up and the branches began to pull away from the dog, allowing her to escape the bush at last. Inkblot let the magic fade away and she hugged the elated canine.

“You crazy dog! I thought you were gone for good!” she laughed, tears forming in her eyes again as the canine licked her face happily. “Come on, we better get you back home and cleaned up.”

Inkblot turned around, glancing back at the canine as it followed after her. She smiled with relief as she started to head back across the clearing, when a low growl met her ears. Inkblot froze and looked down at Nights. The canine whimpered and moved closer to her.

“Please tell me that was you,” she gulped quietly, as a couple sets of green glowing eyes appeared in the darkness behind them. She was shaking, her heartbeat pounding in her ears. Her pupils shrank as two timber wolves stepped out into the clearing, snarling and growling as they started towards the canine and pony slowly. Inkblot glanced down at the frightened dog then back to the wolves.

“Well there’s only one thing to do,” she muttered to the canine. “Run!”

With that said the unicorn pushed the dog in front of her, towards the town and started running. The timber wolves howled as they gave chase after the two. Inkblot ran as fast as she could through the forest, Nights right beside her, refusing to leave her side. The timber wolves were hot on her tail, she could almost feel them nipping at her haunches, trying to sink their wooden teeth into her. She smiled slightly with hope as she saw a break in the trees, running towards it with Night’s close beside her. As she broke through the trees, the ground below her seemed to disappear and gravity took effect, sending her plummeting down a rather steep hill. She let out a scream as she tumbled down the hill. She cringed as she came to rest at the foot of the hill, Nights whimpered as she licked the unicorn’s face. Inkblot glanced behind her, the timber wolves were on their way down the hill after her. In front of her was the town, just within reach. If she could get into town! She quickly started to get back onto her hooves, but a horrible shooting pain shot up through her back right leg.

“Oh Celestia no, no no no, please no!” She prayed, tears forming in her eyes as she glanced back to the timber wolves. Nights growled and began to bark at the timber wolves as they drew ever closer.

“Hey! You mangy beasts get out of here!” a stallion yelled as he ran towards the injured unicorn. The fellow unicorn took a stance between her and the wooden beasts, striking his stick he carried upon the ground, causing it to spark and catch fire. He waved it in front of them menacingly, causing the wolves to stop in the tracks and growl at the stallion. The stallion glared as he continued to wave the torch at them, slowly advancing towards them. The wolves backed up, keeping their distance from the flames. A few more ponies began to rally behind him, throwing whatever they could get their hooves on at the beasts. One of them ran to Inkblot, helping her get away from the wolves.

“Come on now, let’s get you and your dog out of here, the others can handle the likes of them,” he comforted as he led her off towards the hospital. Inkblot threw one last glance back at the wolves as they turned tail and retreated away from the angry mob of ponies back into the forest.

Inkblot let out a sigh as she laid in the hospital bed, Nights was asleep beside her. Upon closer inspection the dog had only obtained minor scratches that would heal without any problem, if not a small scar. Inkblot on the other hand, had fractured her leg in the tumble down the hill. Her leg was now in a cast and on its way to recovery. The unicorn was just starting to drift off into some much needed sleep when there was a knock at the hospital room door. Inkblot groaned as she opened her sleepy eyes to see the doctor standing in the doorway.

“You have visitors.” She stated as Flashback and Dreamweaver walked in. Nights raised her head and barked as she ran over to Dreamweaver. She whined as she licked her face happily. Dreamweaver smiled as she hugged her companion.

“Nights! I can hardly believe you’re back!” she whimpered as she held the canine close. Flashback glared at Inkblot while Dreamweaver reunited with her companion.

“What in Equestria were you thinking!?” the Pegasus snapped at the unicorn. “Going into the forest alone and unprepared, you’re lucky to be alive with just a fractured leg!”

“I was exhausted and not thinking straight. I wanted to find Nights so bad I didn’t think of what could happen,” Inkblot muttered quietly as her ears fell and she looked away. Dreamweaver looked towards the injured unicorn.

“Thank you Inkblot,” Dreamweaver started. “It doesn’t fully make up for what happened, but this is a start.”

“Can you ever forgive me for my carelessness?” Inkblot asked quietly as she glance at the blind pony. Dreamweaver paused for a moment before slowly nodding.

“I can. But I think I’ll leave Nights with Flashback next time and bring you with me as the guide pony instead,” she chuckled.

“That’s fine with me. Pet watching just not my forte,” Inkblot smiled, relieved. Flashback glared at the unicorn, punching her lightly.

“Don’t EVER do something like this again and scare us half to death,” she threatened.

“Trust me, I’ve had my share of real adventure for a while, though this does give me a good idea for a story,” Inkblot beamed. Flashback laughed and rolled her eyes.

“You get some sleep, Celestia knows you need it,” Dreamweaver said as she pet Nights. “Thank you again Inkblot. This means a lot to me.”

“You would have done similar things for me,” Inkblot yawned as she nestled down into the hospital bed sleepily. The Pegasus led the earth pony and canine out of the room quietly as the unicorn quickly drifted off into a much needed slumber.

An Inky Mind

It was a warm summer’s afternoon in Clydesdale. Cicadas were buzzing in the vividly green trees while the squirrels and rabbits darted across the old beaten path. Birds and pegasi alike flew through the skies above the town without a care in the world, simply enjoying the warm summer sun. One sepia toned Pegasus however, was walking with a pastel blue earth pony across the river back towards town. Beside them was a black Labrador that followed closely to the earth pony.

“So what do you want to do now Flashback?” the earth pony asked as she looked towards the Pegasus with her gray eyes.

“I was thinking of heading on over to Inkblot’s place. Do you want me to drop you and Nights off at home or do you want to come with me Dreamweaver?” Flashback asked.

“I’d love to come with you. I haven’t heard from her in a few days and I want to make sure she’s alright. It’s unlike her to be so quiet,” Dreamweaver replied with a smile as she closed her eyes and continued walking. Flashback followed after the blind pony off through the Market District of town towards Inkblot’s home.

The two ponies lazily made their way to the end of the Market District where Inkblot’s home resided. Flashback knocked on the door and took a step back. After a few moments she knocked again.

“Inkblot? Are you there?” she called at the house. She was preparing to knock one last time when the door opened and a cream colored unicorn looked at the two guests on her porch.

“Oh it’s you two,” Inkblot yawned with a smile. “I’m sorry I was just catching a nap, I didn’t hear you knocking. Please come inside.”

Inkblot stepped aside, allowing the two ponies to step into her home. As per usual the one story home was a bit of a mess with papers and books scattered about the living room. Inkblot’s horn lit up as she cleaned up the room a bit so it was at least able to be navigated. Flashback, Dreamweaver, and the Labrador took a seat on the couch. Flashback looked at the unicorn as she sleepily walked over and took a seat on one of the cushions lying around. Her mane was a complete mess and she looked utterly worn out.

“Are you okay Inkblot?” Flashback asked. “You’ve been gone a few days.”

“Huh? Me? I’m fine. I’ve just been busy working,” Inkblot replied with a forced smile.

“You don’t sound fine,” Dreamweaver chimed in, looking towards the unicorn. “You sound like you haven’t been sleeping well.”

Inkblot sighed with a smile and looked away, knowing there was no use trying to hide from her friends.

“I haven’t. It’s been really restless and I don’t remember dreaming,” she admitted. “I’m sorry I can’t really give you something to interpret Dreamweaver.”

“It’s alright. I’m sure we can get to the bottom of this,” Dreamweaver replied. “Has anything happened lately?”

“No, nothing big has happened, except Faria made it through the dungeon of Hokma and recovered the Sacred Chalice.”

“Inkblot please, try to stay in reality here. What about an anniversary?”

Inkblot thought for a moment before a look of nostalgia came over her.

“Well, it was my mother’s birthday,” she stated casually.

“Did you buy her something nice?” Flashback questioned curiously.

“Oh no of course not. She was carried off by the kobold minions of Mad Vick years ago,” Inkblot replied simply. It was not the first outrageous story they had heard from their friend. The other two glanced towards each other. This sort of story was a bit out the ordinary though.

“ Inkblot, what happened to your mother?” Dreamweaver asked curiously.

“I just told you, she lives in a thriving city on the ocean floor to the west.” Inkblot responded cheerfully.

“Inkblot, what happened to your mother?” Dreamweaver asked once more.

“Again, I just told you. Are you having trouble hearing me Dreamweaver? I said she’s living up in the space station protecting Equestria from hostile lifeforms that keep trying to invade.” Inkblot answered, her eyes looking at her friends clearly confused if not slightly agitated that she had to ‘repeat’ herself. Flashback looked at the unicorn confused.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Flashback asked. Inkblot merely nodded. Dreamweaver looked concerned as she looked towards her friend.

“Inkblot you’re certainly not alright,” the earth pony stated. “You just gave me three outrageous stories that are odd even for you. That’s not alright Inkblot. Something is wrong.”

“I’m perfectly fine, I swear.” Inkblot insisted as she looked at the two ponies, both of which seemed extremely concerned for their friend. Her ears fell as she slowly fell to her haunches.

“Okay, maybe there is something wrong,” she muttered quietly as she looked off to the side and then down at the floor. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Dreamweaver sighed as Flashback turned towards her.

“So what do we do now? She won’t tell us what is really going on,” the Pegasus stated.

“We need to find the underlying cause for these stories. I suggest we should go back to where this all started.” Dreamweaver replied, looking towards her other friend. “Do you remember when this all started? You’ve known her longer than I have.”

“She’s, always been like this ever since she moved here. She’s never really discussed her mother before though, the first I ever heard about her was when we bought her those ribbons, and it was a crazy story then too.”

“I’m right here you know.” Inkblot grumbled as she glared at the two ponies. Dreamweaver turned back towards the unicorn.

“Well we need to get to the bottom of this, and this problem seems to have started before you moved here. So we need to retrace your steps, figure this out and face it if you’re ever going to move past this, and find some peace,” Dreamweaver explained as she stood and looked at her friend. “Please Inkblot, let us help you.”

Inkblot gazed at the floor for a few moments before closing her eyes and let out a sigh.

“I’ll try to,” she muttered.

“That is a good start at least,” Dreamweaver said with a soft smile. “Now, I think we need to go where you were before you came to Clydesdale.”

“Can anypony say road trip?!” Flashback grinned as she stood, flapping her wings a couple times in excitement. “You mentioned it once. You said you grew up in some town on the other side of the White Tail Woods right?”

Inkblot slowly nodded as she looked up at the Pegasus.

“That’s settled then.” Flashback smiled. “All we have to do is go pack. Then tomorrow we catch the early train towards the woods, and we should be there by evening.”

“Is that alright with you Inkblot?” Dreamweaver asked.

“I-I don’t want to go,” the unicorn admitted. “You two can go I’ll be fine here.”

“Oh no, we aren’t leaving you here by yourself. You’re coming with us if we’re going,” Dreamweaver said sternly.

“Alright, I’ll go. I’ll meet you girls back here tomorrow morning then, around dawn,” Inkblot sighed as she headed to the door. The two ponies and canine followed after her.

“Sounds like a plan then. We will see you back here at dawn tomorrow, “Dreamweaver started. “In the meantime, please try to get some rest.”

“I will. See you two later.”

With that, Flashback and Dreamweaver left Inkblot’s home and headed back to their apartment to begin packing for the trip ahead.

The next morning, the two ponies arrived back at Inkblot’s home right as the sun peeked over the mountains. Inkblot opened the door and followed them to the station with her luggage. The three ponies boarded the station wagon, and were on their way to the train station. Inkblot was rather quiet, her gaze focused out the window for the duration of the trip. Flashback and Dreamweaver left the unicorn with her thoughts. Before long they were boarding the train that would take them across Equestria. Inkblot didn’t say a word as she grudgingly boarded the train. Dreamweaver put a hoof on the unicorn’s shoulder and smiled softly towards her.

“It’s going to be alright. You aren’t alone in this,” she comforted as she followed Flashback’s hoofsteps to their seats. Inkblot gave a slight smile as she settled down in her seat.

“So question, where exactly are we starting when we get there?” Flashback asked.

“I figured we would start in the library, look up some information on the town and the surrounding area,” Dreamweaver offered.

“There isn’t a library. It’s a small town.” Inkblot grumbled quietly.

“Oh. Well there has to be somewhere that has historical records.” Dreamweaver replied.

Inkblot pawed at the seat slightly and looked down at the floor. Clearly she still wasn’t happy about being dragged along. Flashback looked at Inkblot.

“Aw come on, cheer up Inkblot. I mean when was the last time you were back home? Isn’t it exciting?” she asked with a smile.

“I left for a reason,” Inkblot stated gloomily. Flashback whined a bit but left it at that. Dreamweaver exhaled and looked towards the unicorn concerned, but did not pester her any further.

It was nightfall by the time the train pulled into the station. The three ponies gathered their belongings and headed into the small town of Foalbrook as the moon rose into the sky. They headed into the Inn and settled down into their room. Inkblot tossed her bag into the corner and curled up on one of the beds, her back to the other two ponies.

“Inkblot, I know this is really hard for you, but we don’t want to see you suffer any more. You’ll be better off having worked through whatever happened. Everything will work itself out,” Dreamweaver reassured as she carefully settled onto one of the other beds. Flashback took the last bed and grinned.

“It’s like Dreams said. It’ll work out just fine. I have a good feeling about this,” she beamed towards the unicorn. Inkblot looked towards her friends as they settled down for the night and nodded.

“I hope so,” she murmured as she turned the light off. It didn’t take long for the sounds of sleeping ponies to fill the room.

The next morning Inkblot woke with a start as she was catapulted out of her bed and onto the floor.

“Morning!” Flashback shouted and smiled at her friend. “We’re going to Town Hall to see what we can find.”

“Flashback I said to wake her up gently, not give her a heart attack!” Dreamweaver scolded in her direction. Inkblot groaned as she got up and rubbed her head, glaring at the Pegasus.

“Can I at least get breakfast first?” she protested as she got to her hooves. Flashback handed her an apple which she quickly devoured. With her stomach sated for now, she followed Flashback and Dreamweaver out of the Inn. Flashback looked back towards her as the two ponies hesitated, waiting for the unicorn. Inkblot hung her head with an exasperated sigh as she took the lead and led them off to the center of town where the Town Hall was located. The earth pony and Pegasus passed up the unicorn and began to head inside Town Hall. Flashback stopped and looked back at Inkblot as she waited at the bottom of the stairs.

“I’m waiting here,” she stated stubbornly. “I don’t want to go in there.”

Flashback covered her face with her hoof and groaned.

“Inkblot we need your help. We don’t really know what we’re looking for here. We’re here for you after all,” Dreamweaver specified. Inkblot stomped her hoof and looked away.

“No. I’m not going in there,” she repeated. Flashback glared slightly.

“Come on! We need you! How are we supposed to help you if you won’t help yourself?!” she yelled.

“I said NO!” Inkblot insisted as she planted her flank on the ground and looked away from her friends. Flashback took a step towards her only to have Dreamweaver put a hoof on her back.

“Leave her Flashback. We can’t make her do what she doesn’t want to do. It would be detrimental to what we’re trying to do,” Dreamweaver started before turning to Inkblot. “Inkblot will you at least wait here for us to return?”

“I will wait for you right here,” Inkblot said as she hit the ground with her hoof. She looked towards the two ponies, her ears falling a bit. “I’m… I’m sorry but I just can’t.”

“We understand. We’ll be back as soon as we can,” the earth pony replied as the pegasus led her up the rest of the steps and into the building.

Dreamweaver and Flashback walked up to the front desk where a unicorn sat, clearly busy talking with an earth pony stallion. He was a dark red pony, and his black mane was starting to show signs of his age. He wore a black ascot around his neck.

“Yes sir, right away, Mayor Rabble Rouser.” She confirmed as she quickly scribbled something down on the notepad in front of her. The stallion nodded, before looking towards the two new comers.

“You two don’t look familiar, have you just moved here?” he asked curiously.

“Oh no, we’re just visiting.” Dreamweaver explained. “We’re just looking for some information regarding a pony.”

“Oh?” He questioned curiously. “And what would you tourists like to know?”

“We’re looking for information regarding a pony named Liberty Records,” Flashback piped in as she walked up to the counter. The secretary behind the desk looked at them deep in thought.

“Liberty Records… Liberty Records… Let me head into the back and see what I can find alright?” She stated as she stood and did just that. Rabble Rouser watched them curiously as they waited for the secretary to return.

“Why are tourists looking up that particular pony?” He questioned.

“We’re trying to help our friend.” Flashback answered. The stallion nodded slowly.

“I see. Well if you two would excuse me, I have an important meeting to get to across town. Good luck in your search girls,” he smiled as he headed off down one of the corridors.

The secretary returned with a small box.

“This is everything we have on the pony Liberty Records.” She stated. “You may look through its contents in the next room.”

“Thank you,” Flashback replied as she took the box and led Dreamweaver over into the next room. It had a simple table and a few chairs around it, but that was about it. Flashback helped Dreamweaver into a chair before setting the box down and looking inside it. Her ears fell in disappointment.

“There’s like, five pieces of paper in here and that’s it,” Flashback muttered as she riffled through the papers, looking for more in the box. “I was wondering why it was so light.”

“It’s better than nothing. What are the papers?” Dreamweaver questioned.

“Let’s see. One is a newspaper article, one is Liberty Record’s birth certificate, Inkblot’s birth certificate, a written letter, and a photo.”

“What does that news article say?”

“It’s basically recognition for some community service she did around town. One of those articles you know?”

“What about the letter?”

“One moment. It’s just a thank you letter addressed to her for her community service.”

“What is the photo of?”

“Looks like Inkblot as a filly and her mom in front of a house.”

Dreamweaver hesitated for a few moments before exhaling.

“Let’s see if Inkblot knows anything about any of these things.” Dreamweaver stated as she stood. Flashback helped Dreamweaver out of the room. After returning what was left in the contents of the box they left the building. Inkblot hadn’t moved an inch from what Flashback could tell as the two ponies walked down to her. Inkblot was staring up at the clouds as the two ponies approached. Her ears moved to trace their movements, but she didn’t remove her gaze from the sky.

“Did you girls find anything?” She asked curiously.

“Not much. What do you know about your mother and community service?” Dreamweaver asked. Inkblot hesitated a bit before tearing her gaze from the sky and looked towards her friends.

“I don’t really remember. It’s really fuzzy,” she admitted slowly, as if struggling to get the words out properly.

“Oh. There was a photo of you and her when you were younger in front of some house,” Flashback offered. “We couldn’t bring it with us but maybe you know the photo.”

“I remember that photo. It was the only photo taken of us, it was in front of my house just before she was sent away to the coal mines,” Inkblot explained. Dreamweaver sighed and shook her head.

“I suppose your old home would be our next stop,” Dreamweaver said.

“Let’s not go and say we did,” Inkblot grumbled as she looked at the ground.

“Oh come on! Work with us here.” Flashback groaned.

“Fine, fine. I believe it’s this way,” Inkblot sighed gloomily as she stood up and slowly started down the dirt road.

The three ponies soon came upon a simple worn out building that had once been Inkblot’s home. The building had seen better days. The windows were broken and the roof had numerous holes in it, over all the building looked broken. Flashback walked up to the door, finding a couple notices on it.

“Danger. This structure is declared unsafe for pony occupancy or use. It is unlawful for any pony to enter or occupy this building,” Flashback read aloud. “There’s a demolition notice.”

“Well so much for that idea,” Dreamweaver sighed as she sat down, trying to think of what to do next. Inkblot looked at the two ponies before glaring at the door. She walked over and opened the door.

“Inkblot what are you doing? Didn’t you hear what the notice said? We’ll get in trouble!” Flashback scolded.

“You two wanted me to come along on this wild goose chase. If you want to get to the bottom of this, we’re going inside,” she stated stubbornly as she ventured into the building. “You can either follow or stay outside, but I’m going in.”

Flashback groaned and covered her face with her hoof.

“NOW you want to help? Gosh darn it Inkblot make up your mind!” Flashback grumbled.

“We better follow her and make sure she doesn’t get hurt.” Dreamweaver said as she stood and slowly started towards the door. Flashback led her inside after the unicorn. Inkblot had stopped in the entry way to look about her home. It was empty, with just a few forgotten books and papers scattered about. The old building creaked, as if threatening to come down on their heads at any moment. Inkblot looked back at her friends as they followed inside. She slowly made her way into the living room.

“I remember playing in here when I was just a filly,” she muttered quietly as she looked at the state of disrepair her old home was in. Flashback looked about the room as well, as Inkblot slowly made her way towards the kitchen area. She stopped where the tile began, her eyes surveying the area. Even through the dirt and grime, a dark stain could be seen in the middle of the kitchen. Inkblot slowly sat on her haunches as she eyed the stain quietly. The tension in the air could be cut with a knife as Inkblot stared at the stain.

“Is something wrong Inkblot?” Dreamweaver asked nervously.

“No,.” Inkblot lied, her voice strained from fighting back tears.

“What are you fillies doing in here? This building is condemned,” a stallion’s voice stated. The three ponies jumped and looked towards the sound of the voice. Out of the shadows a dark red stallion with a greying mane stepped out and looked down at them with disapproval.

“I suggest you three leave immediately before you hurt yourselves,” he said.

“Mayor Rabble Rouser? What are you doing in here?” Flashback asked confused.

“I saw you three entering the property. Seeing as you’re new comers, I figured I’d warn you myself before calling the police,” he replied simply. Inkblot stared at him quietly. Her expression quickly shifted to one of rage.

“Y-you,” she growled as she stood and stepped towards the stallion. “It’s, it’s your fault!”

“Excuse me?” He asked, clearly confused. Dreamweaver and Flashback looked towards their friend.

“It’s your fault!” she yelled as she lowered her head and started to charge. Flashback quickly grabbed her friend.

“Dreamweaver grab her!” Flashback urgently yelled as the earth pony quickly joined in holding their friend back.

“It’s your fault! It’s your fault she’s gone!” Inkblot screamed, tears in her eyes as her horn lit up. The various forgotten books around her began to levitate and launch themselves at the politician. The stallion growled as the first book struck him.

“This is assault!” he snapped as he dodged the books. “I will have you arrested!”

“You’re the one who should be arrested! If it wasn’t for you, she’d still be here!” Inkblot yelled, tears streaming down her face as she struggled against her friends to get her hooves on Rabble Rouser. He glared at her as she thrashed about.

“You’re Liberty’s filly aren’t you? It all makes sense now,” he sighed as Inkblot ran out of things to throw at him. “You two were trying to help this poor deranged mare. I’m afraid you’ve wasted your time. You can’t believe a word that pony says.”

“Inkblot is our friend. She doesn’t get this hysterical over nothing,” Flashback snapped. “What did you do?”

“I did nothing. She’s mentally insane,” he responded as he stomped his hoof forcefully, causing the ground to shake slightly. “You three are going to be arrested for trespassing and-“

He was cut off as a beam from above came crashing down between them. The wall began to bend and splinter.

“The building is collapsing, we need to get out of here, now!” Flashback yelled as she pulled on Inkblot. “Inkblot leave him!”

Inkblot glared as the debris began to fall rapidly from the ceiling. Her ears fell as she closed her eyes and turned away.

“This way.” She shouted as she helped Flashback quickly lead Dreamweaver out the back door just as the entryway gave way. They ran from the building as it collapsed in on itself. They stopped and looked back at the ruins, looking for any sign of Rabble Rouser. They didn’t see him anywhere. Inkblot looked at the remains of her home, refusing to leave the site. It wasn’t very long before the fireponies and police arrived on the scene. Flashback and Dreamweaver answered their questions as best they could, while Inkblot stayed silent for the duration.

“So let me get this straight. Your friend here ignored the notice and went inside anyway, you two followed her, then Mayor Rabble Rouser found you three and your friend went berserk and attacked him, and then the building collapsed,” the police pony asked to which the two mares nodded. The police pony sighed.

“Well I’m going to have to take you girls in for trespassing and your friend there for assaulting the Mayor,” the police pony stated as she pulled out the hoof cuffs. Inkblot looked up at the police pony as she went to put the cuffs around her friends.

“It was all my fault.” She stated as she stood and walked over. “They were just trying to help me and I messed everything up. I went inside because I used to live there, I attacked the mayor, Flashback and Dreamweaver didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Wait a second. You used to live here?” the police pony asked, examining her closely for a moment. “You’re Inkblot, Liberty’s filly.”

“I am. If it’s not too late, I’d like to give my side of the story of what happened to my mother.” Inkblot said quietly. The pony looked at her and glanced at the other two ponies.

“Since you two are just tourists you’ll probably just get a fine. You though,” she said, pointing to the unicorn “We have much to discuss. We’ve been trying to crack that case ever since you disappeared.”

Inkblot nodded as the three of them followed after the police pony down to the station.

Inkblot fidgeted nervously as she sat in the steel chair in the room. A stallion sat across from her patiently.

“Begin whenever you’re ready Inkblot. Just tell us what happened that night,” he said calmly as he listened carefully to her. Inkblot took a breath and nodded.

“I can do this, I can do this.” she muttered to herself as she closed her eyes.

“It all started when it was storming that night. I was playing in the living room when there was a knock at the door. My mother stopped what she was doing in the kitchen and went to see who it was. I ran over curiously and poked out from behind her leg. It was Rabble Rouser. I remember the glare my mother gave him as he walked inside and headed into the kitchen. He had a case with him. He set it on the kitchen table and began to talk to my mother. It was something to do about the election, and he wanted my mother to be quiet about something. He opened the case but I wasn’t able to see what was inside. My mother glared at him even more as she slammed the case shut and pushed it towards him, demanding he take his ‘filthy money’ and leave. Rabble Rouser refused to leave and started to yell at my mother that she had better stay quiet. My mother began to escort me into the other room. I turned around to see what he was doing. He had reared up, and then forcefully brought his hooves down upon my mother’s backside. I remember screaming as I ran away to the corner and stared at him as he rose again and again, bringing his hooves down on my mother. She screamed with every blow, but then she stopped screaming, stopped moving. Rabble continued to bring his hooves down on her till finally he stopped, panting as he looked at her. He cursed as he grabbed his case and left through the back door. I approached my mother and nosed her. She didn’t respond in any way. I remember sitting there calling for her, begging her to wake up. She never did. I remember it wasn’t till morning that the neighbor came over for some sugar that he contacted the police. I was put in the orphanage, I found that after a while I couldn’t say what really happened. I had to lie and make up stories to cope with what had happened. No matter how many times the police ponies asked me questions, I couldn’t tell them this story. After I earned my cutie mark, I ran away from the orphanage and moved to Clydesdale. This place brought up too many memories.”

The detective looked at Inkblot as she finished relaying her story.

“You’re saying Rabble Rouser killed your mother?” he asked cautiously. Inkblot nodded.

“I know now he was trying to bribe my mother into silence for something to do with the election.” She added. “But that’s all I remember.”

The detective nodded and sighed as he stood up and shook her hoof.

“Well it was a pleasure to meet you Inkblot, and I’m glad you were finally able to tell us the truth of what happened that night. I’m very sorry for your loss,” he stated.

“What will happen now?” Inkblot asked as she stood and followed him out of the room.

“Rabble Rouser was pulled out of the building. He’s in the hospital now, but he will be brought up on charges for murder,” he replied. “This crime has gone unpunished for long enough. It’s time you finally received some justice.”

Inkblot nodded and remained silent as she was let out into the lobby where Flashback and Dreamweaver were waiting. Inkblot walked over quietly and gave a small smile as the tears formed in her eyes. Flashback hugged her tight.

“We knew you could do it,” Dreamweaver smiled as she stood and hugged the unicorn as well.

“I did. No more stories about her,” Inkblot sniffled as she finally let her friends go.

“So what do you want to do now Inkblot? We don’t have to stay here anymore if you don’t want to,” Flashback offered. Inkblot smiled and shook her head.

“No, it’s okay. If it’s alright with you girls I want to stay for a while. I want to see him see face justice to the fullest extent of the law,” She responded. Dreamweaver smiled at her friend as she stood and looked towards her.

“Then we’ll stay as well. We’re with you till the very end Inkblot,” the blind pony stated as she hugged her friend once more. “Come on, it’s been a long day. Let’s get back to the hotel and order room service.”

“Sounds good to me!” Flashback laughed as she led Dreamweaver out of the police station and followed Inkblot back to their room at the Inn.

It was about a week later that former mayor, Rabble Rouser, was put on trial for the murder of Liberty Records. Inkblot sat in the crowd, between Flashback and Dreamweaver as the trial proceeded. The jury was just returning to give their verdict on the defendant.

“We the jury, find the defendant, Rabble Rouser, guilty of altering the ballots for his election, and guilty of the murder of Liberty Records.” The spokespony stated. The judge nodded as he looked down at the former mayor.

“In that case, I sentence you, Rabble Rouser, to life in prison.” He said simple before letting the gavel fall. “Case dismissed.”

The court room buzzed with conversation as Rabble Rouser was led away. He growled and grumbled to himself as he was led out of the court room. Inkblot gave a small smile as a couple tears fell from her eyes. Flashback nudged her and grinned as Inkblot gently nudged Dreamweaver to follow as they left the court house. They stopped once they got to the bottom of the stairs.

“Now what?” Flashback questioned.

“I believe that is up to Inkblot,” Dreamweaver replied. Inkblot smiled at her friends and hugged them tight.

“I believe it’s time we went home,” she sighed with a smile. The other two smiled as they walked with her back towards the Inn to pack for the trip home.