Equestrian Chronicles: The Sparkle Experiment

I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t bloody believe it. Of all the ponies in Equestria, Big Macintosh was the one with answers. But why him? He didn’t seem the type of stallion to have this information. Was this why he was always so quiet? No wonder. I wasn’t the only one to be shocked either. Rarity, Pinkie, Rainbow, even Shining were sharing the same expression as me. Especially Applejack. This was obviously something she didn’t know about. Who knows what was going through her head at that moment...

“Ah’m mighty sorry I alarmed y’all, but it’s true. I was part of the ESF. I will never forgive myself for being part of that sick corpora-“ Big Mac was cut off when he noticed that Applejack had just slammed the barn door behind him. Almost as if she was infuriated. She was heard running into the house, and another door slammed. More loud hoofsteps thundered up the stairs, and finally...

SLAM

I turned to Big Macintosh, who seemed to be extremely worried and confused at the same time.

“It’s a lot for her to take in. Not just for her, also for us. Maybe even for you.” I tried reassuring him. This only caused him to storm out of the barn and after Applejack. I couldn’t help but follow him inside. Neither could the rest. As I trotted up the stairs, I could hear various cries, shouting and thudding from Applejack’s room.

Suddenly a massive thud shook the house. Silence. I pressed my ear up to the door. I could hear what sounded like Big Mac groaning, as if Applejack had struck him. Silence once again. Then I started hearing some cabinet doors being moved. This was followed by some rather familiar clicking sounds. They sounded as if it was coming from a-

BANG

I grabbed my ear and cried in pain as I felt warm blood trickle down the side of my head. I staggered and fell down the stairs, not helping my already excruciating pain. Rarity raced down the stairs towards me, making sure I was OK, whilst Rainbow Dash entered the room the bang had come from.

She froze.

“Come... here... now...”

I was stunned. “What do you me-“

“NOW!”

I struggled to get up the stairs, but when I finally reached the top, I met a gruesome sight. Big Mac was bleeding from his right ear, tears pouring from his eyes as he slowly manoeuvred himself away from the corner with whatever strength he had left at that moment. Then I turned to look at the corner.

In all my years of being a detective, I had seen some gruesome sights. But this... this was...

I broke down. I didn’t care how weak it made me look. I just couldn’t take the sight.

It was real. It was so real.

I wanted to believe the blood that splattered the cupboards was fake. I wanted to believe the brains were fake. I wanted to believe Applejack’s lifeless corpse was fake.

It had been six hours since we had ran away from the barn. We were in the middle of nowhere. But at least it was better than being in a jail cell for the rest of our lives. I was getting tired. So were the others. I wish I stayed at the barn. But I knew well enough that another suicide in the same day would be too coincidental, especially considering the fact that both of the victims were elements. We sat down next to a small tree. The others were either eating or comforting each other. I was just contemplating the last six hours. Why was I here?

SIX HOURS EARLIER

All I heard were screams. Loud screams mixed in with tears. I didn't want to stare at Applejack, but I couldn't take my eyes away. The blood slowly trickled down her muzzle, and down her chest. She was barely recognisable. I felt sick to my stomach. With the strength I had left in my vocal cords, I yelled for everyone to get downstairs. Still shaking and crying, they all stumbled downstairs. I followed, not without looking at the mess one last time. It was funny. Of course it wouldn't be the last time.

"Sit down. All of you." I demanded. They followed my orders, still clearly shocked.

"Right. Two of us are already dead. They both died today. They are both elements. Once the police discover Applejack, they'll be on our asses."

"SO YOU'RE SAYING INSTEAD OF GIVING HER A RESPECTFUL BURIAL, YOU'RE SAYING WE SHOULD HIDE HER?" Big Mac yelled, getting up from his seat.

"I didn't mean that at all!" I replied.

"Then what did you mean?"

I sat back down. "We're going to have to run away from Ponyville altogether."

Everyone's eyes widened. "Bu-but we can't leave! I have to take care of Applebloom! Rarity needs to take care of Sweetie Belle! And I already told you, the ESF facility is here!" Big Mac argued.

"No, you said it was behind Celestia's castle. But then again, Canterlot is far too close. Also, can't Granny Smith take care of Applebloom?"

Big Mac sat back down. His head drooped. I could see he was frowning.

"What? What did I say?"

Big Mac looked up, tears beginning to form again. "She's dead, now tell me how we're gonna get away or you'll end up just like my sister." Everyone slightly moved away from him.

I gulped. "Well, we're gonna have to head to a clothes store, a barber shop and then we'll head to Manehatten. We'll go on from there, but we'll have to end up in Canterlot at some point."

Shining rose up. "We have only a week. I escaped a week ago. I remember hearing through the speaker that next week, we would all be released. But I don't trust him."

Big Mac chimed in. "Yeah, 'released' is basically the code word for 'killed' at the ESP."

"You're really not helping, Mac."

Rarity then stood up. "WAIT! If we went to the barber, wouldn't they inform the police about us?"

I'm such an idiot. Why didn't I think of that?

"Well, aren't ya a barber?" Big Mac asked.

"WHAT? NO! I'M A FASHIONISTA! But, I do know one thing or two about... YES! I COULD DO IT!"

I looked at the clock. "Well, you better get started then."