Stranger Friendsby Tangerine BlastChaptersThe Vanishing of Spike the DragonT_e Va_i_hin_ o_ Sp_k_ the _r_gonThe Weirdo in Ponyville SquareThe Vanishing of Spike the DragonIt wasn’t her fault. None of it was. She had tried to warn them. She had told them that it would all go wrong. Told them if they messed with things beyond their comprehension long enough those things would start messing back. But they hadn’t listened this time. They just hit her and zapped her again and told her to be quiet. So it wasn’t her fault when everything went straight to Tartarus. And it wasn’t her fault that those ponies had died. The… the thing that had come out of the rip in space and time had lashed out immediately. Some ponies had simply fallen over, the life snuffed out like a candle, while others were torn apart until they were nothing more than blood splatters on the wall. There was no time to think, let alone move to help, before they were dead. It was only the creature’s seeming relish in the kills that let anypony else escape at all. She couldn’t be blamed for running. Everypony was running. Now that they had let the thing out there seemed to be no way to put it back in and, even if there was, panic had turned rational ponies into a mindless stampede. It wasn’t her fault she never stopped either. That she didn’t hear when he called to her. Screamed at her. Ordered her. There was so much screaming. Screams of panic, of pain, of blaring alarms. There was no way she heard him over it. No way she felt the icy terror of his enraged voice seep into her veins. She could still feel the thing chasing her, anyway. Locking on to her, lashing at her with attacks that seemed to go past her body entirely and straight into her mind. She only stopped running when she tripped and skidded across wet mud and leaves and sticks. By that time she was already deep in the unfamiliar safe haven of the forest. And she couldn’t be blamed for not going back. She had been running blind and any normal pony would be completely lost in the dense, sprawling woods around her. She had been told stories of this forest. Stories of monsters and twisting pathways. Ponies would get lost their whole lives--which weren’t likely to be long. She couldn’t help a relieved laugh escaping her, knowing she was totally and completely lost. It wasn’t her fault. It couldn’t be. She just hoped when he found her that he would understand that. For even though she had just seen a creature of more shadow than mass tear a pony apart like a wood chipper, she was a quaking mess at the thought of that eventual when. When her master would find her. She almost hoped the creature would get to her first. *** “And when you enter the cave you see only smoke as a sense of dread washes over you. It’s your greatest fears staring you straight in the eye for, in the chamber that smells like death, you aren’t sure you’re even alive… is anyone even listening?” Sweetie Belle’s head jerked up at the sudden change of subject. The pencil she had been trying to levitate clattered noisily across the room and smacked into Scootaloo’s side. The Pegasus snorted and blearily blinked her eyes open--rudely awakened from her impromptu nap. Apple Bloom took the distraction to slid her O&O character sheet back over the homework she had been doing. She shot Spike a guilty smile as he glared at the three of them from behind his Board Master stand. “Uh, sorry Spike, keep goin’ it was just startin’ to get good.” Spike gave her a flat look. “Do you even know where your party is at this point?” The three shared nervous glances before Scootaloo finally dared guess. “A tavern?” Spike rolled his eyes and snapped his book shut. “You know if you guys didn’t want to play you could have just said so.” “Aw, come on,” Sweetie Belle protested, “We really did want to play with you... at first.” “Yeah,” Scootaloo agreed, rolling onto her back, “You said this game was going to be, like, fighting ogres and looting castles and stuff not…” She stuck her tongue out. “not math and reading and junk.” “It is about that stuff,” Spike snapped back, “you just have to think things through and use your imagination.” Scootaloo rolled her eyes and splayed her legs in a sweeping gesture. “Then why couldn’t we have done that stuff outside. You know, play pretend?” “Because it’s more fun with rules and charts!” Scootaloo groaned and the other two fillies giggled. “Sorry Spike,” Sweetie Belle said, “I think she makes a better point than you.” Spike’s shoulders slumped as he carefully started to gather his O&O equipment and put it back in the box. “Fine… I’m sorry guys, I didn’t mean to bore you. I just wanted to hang out.” “We still wanna hang out with ya!” Apple Bloom protested, helping Spike pack up, “Just cause this game didn’t work out doesn’t mean something else won’t.” “Yeah,” Scootaloo piped up, “We could go to the bakery and brainstorm games we can all play.” Sweetie Belle stuck out her tongue. “Uhg, but they downsized when they couldn’t hire a new baker. That place only sells, like, bread now.” “Hey! I like bread,” Scootaloo protested. Apple Bloom chuckled. “Sweetie’s got a point, Scoots. If we want a real snack why don’t we just go back ta my place and get some fritters?” She flashed a grin at their dragon friend. “What do ya say, Spike?” Spike simply shrugged and looked away. “Eh, I think I should be heading home, actually. It’s getting dark out and Twilight always gets annoyed when I come home late.” The three friends exchanged worried glances. “Are ya sure?” Applebloom insisted, “We really do like ta hang with ya.” “Oh, I know,” Spike said, flashing her a reassuring smile, “We always have fun playing Power Ponies. I just thought I’d try this at least once. You can’t really play O&O by yourself.” “You’re still coming to movie night tomorrow, right?” Sweetie asked as Spike headed to the door. The dragon turned to her and gave a thumbs up. “Of course! I’d never miss it.” “More like you’d never miss spending time around, Rarity,” Scootaloo teased with a cheeky grin. Spike rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide his faint blush. “Hey, I can be friends with other ponies too, you know. But I really gotta get going. Twilight’ll throw a fit if I’m not home for dinner.” He opened the door to the clubhouse and was immediately hit by a gust of cold, wet, wind. “Oh geez, it’s starting to rain. Uh, can I leave my game here? I don’t want it to get ruined.” “Of course,” Apple Bloom answered, taking the box from him and setting it on a nearby table. I’ll bring it ta Sweetie’s house tomorrow.” “Thanks guys, I’ll see you all then!” Spike called over the wind as he walked out of the clubhouse. The rain wasn’t particularly heavy but the roaring wind made it plaster him from every angle, soaking his scales in only a few moments. He held a claw over his eyes to keep the water out. He knew the path home by heart but he’d rather not trip on any debris that had blown through in the storm. He walked onward for a few more minutes, fighting the wind the whole way, before he stopped and squinted at his surroundings. He was still on the path out of Sweet Apple Acres... but that’s what bothered him. By now he should have been leaving the orchard behind and getting into Ponyville proper, but no matter how far ahead he squinted he could only see trees lining the winding path. He glanced backward. The clubhouse was out of sight too. Just trees in either direction. He didn’t think it was possible he had made a wrong turn. As far as he could remember the path led straight from town to the Apple’s house. A sudden chill wound up his spine that had nothing to do with the freezing rain. He thought he saw something move in the trees. A shadow weaving in and out of the trunks. Lightning lit up the sky, making him jump, and yet the shadows didn’t get any lighter. He could see his bright purple scales and the path behind him glow in the flash but everything else, the trees, the road ahead, even the sky, didn’t get any brighter. A moment later the thunder sounded and Spike couldn’t stop himself sprinting towards town in desperation. The thunder had sounded like laughter. Laughter that was only growing louder. Dread filled his chest with every step. The rain blinded him and the wind seemed to be pushing him back. There was something chasing him, and he was sure if he paused for a moment it would- A root in the middle of the path tripped him just as another flash exploded across the sky. Moments later the wind slowed and the rain lessened. The clouds thinned with one last peal of thunder and the moonlight illuminated an empty road, no pony or dragon in sight and only a couple paces from Ponyville proper. Author's Note Next Chapter Release Date: ~~Nov. 19th~~ Nov. 14th While this is basically 'stranger things but with ponies' the characters won't always be a one to one of each other and the story will be a little different. It's more important that the role in the story gets filled than the personalities match up exactly. T_e Va_i_hin_ o_ Sp_k_ the _r_gonT_e Va_i_hin_ o_ Sp_k_ the _r_gon Scootaloo rolled up to the clubhouse early the next morning. Her home was too boring to spend more time than necessary in so she usually wasted the early hours of the day planning crusades or practicing tricks in Sweet Apple Acres. But, while this part of the farm was usually empty before noon, today there were the telltale sounds of someone rustling around in the clubhouse. “Where is it? Oh, come on, where could it have gone?” Came the unmistakable voice of one of her best friends. Curious, Scootaloo took off her helmet and trotted up the ramp. She had to duck a book flying over her head, the fluttering pages barely grazing her mane as it soared through the open door. Apple Bloom was frantically combing through every nook and cranny, opening drawers and throwing random knick-knacks over her shoulder in her search. She hadn’t noticed Scootaloo’s presence and seemed to be growing more frantic by the moment. “Argh! Where the hay could it be?” “Hey, Apple Bloom,” Scootaloo spoke up before her friend accidentally decapitated her, “What’s wrong? What are you looking for?” Apple Bloom quickly whipped around, startled, but relaxed when she saw who it was. “Oh, Scoots. Sorry, I didn’t see ya there.” “Yeah, obviously,” Scootaloo snickered, entering the clubhouse now that the threat of flying objects had been removed, “What’s got you in such a frenzy, anyway?” Apple Bloom’s ears dropped as she gazed around the trashed clubhouse. “Ah, well it’s just that I can’t find that game Spike left here last night.” Scootaloo scratched her head idly. “You mean that really boring one he was trying to get us to play?” Apple Bloom shot her a scolding look. “What?” Scootaloo huffed with indignation, “It was! You were doing homework during it.” Apple Bloom’s ears quickly flattened onto her head as her cheeks turned pink. “Uh, well, anyway. I thought I’d get it back ta him early today, just cause he seemed real upset last night. But now I can’t find it anywhere!” She bit her lip and shook her head. “I know I left it right here. He’s gonna be so mad if I lost it.” Scootaloo waved a hoof dismissively. “Oh, don’t worry so much. I bet your sister just came in to clean and took it to the house. Or Sweetie stopped by and got it in advance.” She shrugged. “Either way, it’ll turn up.” Apple Bloom’s panic slowly faded away as Scootaloo’s words sunk in. She let out an embarrassed chuckle and scuffed the floorboard with her hoof. “I suppose yer right. Guess ah’m just real worried about him. I don’t want to upset him any further.” “I didn’t think he seemed that down. He’ll bounce back by tonight.” Apple Bloom shook her head. “Still, I want to make it up to him somehow. Let’s go ask Applejack if she’s seen the game. I don’t want ta get to Sweetie’s house and have it be missin’.” *** “Sorry, Apple Bloom,” Applejack said as she stirred a pot of soup, “Ah haven’t been ta the clubhouse recently and ah sure ain’t seen no game.” Apple Bloom’s ears dropped at the news. She had really hoped it would be that simple. “Aw that’s, okay,” Scootaloo said, draping a hoof over Apple Bloom’s withers, “That just means it’s almost definitely at Rarity’s place.” Apple Bloom gave her friend a small smile. “I suppose so. We should head over there and double-check.” Applejack looked up from her cooking, giving the foals her full attention. “Wait… you all goin’ ta Rarity’s?” “Yeah.” Apple Bloom rolled her eyes as she detected the faintest of blushes on her sister’s face. “That’s where the movie night is, remember?” “Ah, right. Well, could you give her somethin’ for me?” Applejack moved to a cupboard and extracted a shiny bottle of zap apple jam, an elegant purple and white bow, complete with a swirling design of laces, perched on top. “We had some extra jam from this zap apple season and ah thought she might need it for her fancy toast and the like.” Apple Bloom reluctantly took the jar and placed it in her saddlebags. “Sure, Applejack, we’ll make sure she gets it.” “Thanks for the help, anyway,” Scootaloo added as the two headed to the door. Applejack waved them off with a quick wish of luck and turned back to her cooking. Once the door had shut and the two fillies were certain they were out of earshot Scootaloo turned to Apple Bloom with an incredulous expression. “Could your sister be any less subtle?” Apple Bloom sighed and shook her head. “I’m pretty sure she’s in denial. Doesn’t even realize she’s doin’ anything weird most the time.” Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “I guess I can see why. Almost everyone’s got a crush on Rarity. Doesn’t anypony realize she’s dating Rainbow Dash exclusively?” Apple Bloom shrugged. “I know Applejack’s oblivious at least. Come on, let’s get ta Sweetie Belle’s. We gotta deliver this and find that game.” *** “I didn’t take the game.” “What?!?” Apple Bloom cried in dismay, sinking to the ground as Sweetie Belle watched on in confusion. “What am I gonna do now? Spike’s gonna hate me forever!” “Maybe Spike came back and picked it up?” Sweetie Belle suggested, “I mean, he might have changed his mind after we went inside.” Scootaloo rolled her eyes at the filly on the ground. “Yeah, Apple Bloom, you’re getting way too worked up over this. Spike’s probably had it this whole time.” “And I’m sure he won’t be angry if it turns out you did lose it,” Sweetie added, much to Apple Bloom’s terror and Scootaloo’s annoyance. “Who won’t be angry?” Another voice called from further in Carousel Boutique. Rarity peeked her head around the corner and her eyes widened at the sight of the three fillies. “Oh, girls. I thought you three weren’t going to be here until later tonight.” “The kids are here?” A second voice added and Rainbow Dash’s head soon appeared next to Rarity’s. She waved lazily when she saw who it was. “Hey, Squirt.” Scootaloo’s irritation instantly vanished as she gushed, “Hi, Rainbow Dash!” “Apple Bloom lost Spike’s game that he left in the clubhouse last night,” Sweetie Belle answered Rarity’s question, causing Apple Bloom to groan in dismay and cover her face with her hooves. “Who’s Spike?” Rainbow asked with a head tilt, following Rarity fully into the room. “Oh, you know him, dear.” Rarity nuzzled Dash’s cheek affectionately as she explained. “He’s that adorable little dragon that plays with the girls and offers to do me favors.” Rainbow’s eyes widened. “Whoa really?” She turned to the Crusaders. “You girls are friends with a dragon? How come I’ve never met him?” Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes with a huff. “You have, Rainbow Dash. He comes over all the time. He heated your cocoa once.” “Huh, weird,” Dash said, scratching the back of her mane, “I feel like I’d remember meeting a dragon.” Rarity pecked her on the cheek, drawing her marefriend’s attention back to her. “You were probably just distracted at the moment, darling. You’ll meet him again tonight when we set up their little movie party.” Rainbow’s eyelid’s lowered as a grin spread across her muzzle. She wrapped Rarity in her wings and hugged her close. “I remember that at least. After Fluttershy comes to take care of the squirts, you and me are gonna have some alone time.” “Dashie,” Rarity giggled, playfully pushing Rainbow off her, “Not in front of the fillies.” “Ah, come on babe,” Rainbow nibbled her neck, “they’re big ponies. They can handle a little PDA.” The fillies in question rolled their eyes so hard they were sure to get stuck. But they didn’t have to suffer the display for long as the door to Rarity’s boutique flung open and a very angry purple Unicorn stomped in. “Rarity! Have you-” Twilight Sparkle, town librarian and Spike’s older sister, stopped short when she saw the Crusaders in the hallway. She snorted loudly and glared daggers at them. “You three! Very funny prank. Now tell me where he is!” The Crusaders all glanced between each other and even at Rarity and Rainbow. Every pony seemed equally confused. “Twilight, darling, what are you going on about?” Rarity asked the other Unicorn politely. “Oh they know what I’m talking about,” Twilight sneered, pointing an accusatory hoof at the baffled fillies, “I thought it was weird when Spike didn’t come home yesterday; he usually doesn’t stay the night no matter how late it gets; but then I wake up and not only has no one seen him all day, but half of Ponyville hasn’t even heard of him? Really elaborate prank fillies. I bet you even got Rainbow Dash here to help with this prank of the century. But it needs to end now.” “Wait…” Sweetie spoke up as the others tried to understand just what Twilight was ranting about, “Spike didn’t come home last night? But we saw him leave!” Twilight glared at her. “Save it. I figured out that he stayed overnight at Apple Bloom’s and then you all somehow convinced the town to go along with your silly prank. Everypony’s acting like I’m crazy for saying a dragon lives in town.” “She’s tellin’ the truth Miss Twilight!” Apple Bloom spoke up in her friend’s defense, “Spike went home last night. He didn’t stay with us, you can even ask Applejack.” Twilight’s glare flattered as she looked into the three worried children’s eyes. “He didn’t? But then…” “And why do you think I had anything to do with this?” Rainbow interrupted, giving Twilight an annoyed glare. “I’ve never even met this Spike guy.” “Wait what?” Twilight cried, whirling to face the Pegasus. “Never… Yes you have!” Dash crossed her hooves and shook her head. “That’s what everyone keeps saying but they’re wrong. I don’t remember any of it!” Twilight groaned loudly and buried her head in her hooves. “Not you too! Why is everypony doing this?” “Regardless of who has met who,” Rarity spoke up, putting herself between her marefriend and Twilight, “I would say the biggest issue is that poor Spikey Wikey seems to have gone missing.” Twilight’s face melted from frustration to horror. “You’re right. If he’s not with you girls or hiding somewhere then… then where is he?” Rarity moved to put a comforting hoof on the other Unicorn’s shoulder. “Think, darling, is there any place he could have stayed the night?” Twilight shook her head slowly. “No… no, I already asked around town. Nopony has seen him all day.” “Maybe he’s not in town?” Scootaloo piped up, causing the adults to turn to her, “I know when I wanna get away I go visit my Aunts in the next town over. Does he know anyone like that?” Twilight bit her lip. “Anypony he could go to out of town? The only pony I could think of would be my brother. But he lives all the way in Canterlot!” Rarity nodded. “Even so, I think it would be a good idea to check with him. In the meantime, Rainbow and I will do our own search around town. We, no offense darling, have larger social circles than you and will be even more likely to find any information on his whereabouts.” “Wait. We’re doing what?” Rainbow gawked, “But… but what about date night?” Rarity rolled her eyes. “Honestly, Dash, there are more important things at stake. Now come! Our search awaits!” Rainbow huffed but obediently followed Rarity out the door at a low hover. “How am I gonna help search? I don’t even know what he looks like.” “He’s a dragon, darling. I’m sure you’ll know it when you see him.” “I… thank you!” Twilight quickly called as Rarity’s front door slammed shut behind the couple. The purple Unicorn turned back to the three fillies and gave them an apologetic look. “Hey, I’m sorry for blaming you girls. I know your Spike’s friends and wouldn’t do anything to get him in trouble. I’m just… really worried about him.” Apple Bloom gave her a comforting smile and patted the older pony’s leg. “It’s okay, Twilight. Knowing he’s missin’... we all are.” “We can ask some of the other fillies and colts if they’ve seen him!” Sweetie Belle added. Twilight smiled at them. “Thanks girls. Hopefully there’s nothing to worry about.” *** The bakery was on the edge of town. Carrot Cake had never wanted it to be there. There was a nice looking building in the center he’d had his eyes on for years now, but just hadn’t managed to save enough money for the down payment. With just the two of them, he and his wife could barely keep up with their workflow as it was. Working harder to expand was simply out of the question. So they lived and worked at the edge of town, selling bread and scones to the Ponyvillians who didn’t mind going out of their way for a cup of coffee. His wife was out of town at the moment. She had gone to Canterlot to try and negotiate a new deal with their sugar supplier and wouldn’t be back until tomorrow afternoon. Tonight, he was alone in closing up the shop and was humming in content as he swept the floor. It was later than he usually would have gone to sleep. He was just about to call it a night, floor only half swept, when a sound caught his attention. A distinct rattling outside. Mr. Cake paused and glanced to his back door. He was relatively close to the Everfree so any number of nasty critters could be rooting around in his trashcans and causing a mess. But even still, he couldn’t risk damage to the store if the creature managed to find a way in during the night. Brandishing his broom like a club, Carrot slowly moved to the back door. Closer, he could make out the clanging of metal and shifting of papers that gave weight to his theory of some animal going through the trash. Steeling himself to potentially fight off sharp little teeth and claws, Mr. Cake flung the door open and waved the broom in front of himself widely. “Out! Get out of here you little beasts!” What greeted him was a very un-animalistic scream and one of the trash cans falling over with a sharp bang. Carrot stared in shock at what had just tripped over his garbage. A pony, not long past Marking Age, gazed up at him with large, terrified, blue eyes that pierced into his soul. She was small for an Earth Pony her age and unnaturally skinny. Her pink coat was matted and covered in mud while her straight, waterfall-like mane was full of sticks and twigs and trash. “Oh, sweet Celestia…” Carrot muttered, throwing his broom behind him and racing over to crouch next to the filly. She squeaked, startled, and tried to scramble to her hooves. “Hey hey hey,” Carrot said quickly, trying to keep his voice as soft as possible, “It’s okay. It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.” It seemed enough to make her hesitate, at least, though her eyes flickered from his face to the yawning forest behind her. “What are you doing here? Are you lost?” Mr. Cake asked, reaching out to touch her shoulder. The filly flinched away, ducking her head so her face was hidden behind her mane. Carrot licked his lips and glanced back towards the inviting light coming from his home. There was no way he could just leave this filly out here to go through someone else's trash. “Are you hungry?” He asked, backing away from her and towards Sugarcube Corner, “Do you want to come in and eat something? I have lots of fresh baked goods. Much better than the stuff in the garbage.” One bright blue eye peeked through the curtain of a mane and Mr. Cake made sure to smile as reassuringly as possible. He then turned away to trot back inside and over to the counter. Fishing a few slices of cold apple pie from where it was still resting, unsold, he set up one of the empty tables with the treat and a glass of water. When was finished he turned to find the filly standing in the doorway, gazing around the room with a mix of trepidation and awe. “Have a seat,” Carrot offered, “You can have as much as you want, free of charge.” The filly eyed the pie wearily but trotted over and took a hesitant nibble none-the-less. Her face immediately lit upon tasting it. She quickly took a seat and started scarfing down the dessert as if her life depended on it. Mr. Cake chuckled softly to himself. “Don’t eat it so fast, you’ll give yourself a stomach ache.” He glanced over his shoulder to the back of the shop before giving the filly a calming look. “I’ll be right back, okay? You just enjoy your pie and I’ll come back in a moment.” The filly’s eyes flickered to him briefly before going back to devouring the dessert. So Mr. Cake left, for only a few minutes to make a phone call, and when he returned the filly was already done with the whole pie and staring longingly at the rest of the cakes on display. “Do you want more?” He asked, a bit redundantly as he was already grabbing a hoof-full of pastries. The filly didn’t answer besides nodding rapidly, and as soon as Mr. Cake sat down with the food, she took it from him with gusto. Mr. Cake watched in silence for a moment, honestly worried she would choke if he distracted her, before finally speaking up. “So where did you come from? It’s not every day I find a little filly raiding my trash cans.” The filly swallowed heavily before pointing out the door, her eyes never leaving his for a moment. “The trees! The forest. I was in the middle and then ran ran ran away. One’s distracted but the other will never be. Should be. There’s a monster on the loose but I won’t kill anyone.” She pouted, as if annoyed by what she just said. Or maybe she had a stomach ache. “Um…” Mr. Cake answered, completely baffled by that rapid-fire assault of words. With how jumpy she had been he honestly had expected her not to answer. Not that what she gave him was really an answer, anyway. It was… concerning, but if she had survived a monster attack then he didn’t want to pry into what was sure to be traumatizing memories. “Oookay… uh... Hey, who are you, anyway? I’ve never seen you in town before.” She took another bite of cake and gestured to her body like she was presenting a sign he should have already read. “Pink.” Carrot cocked his head. “You’re name is ‘Pink’?” She shook her’s rapidly. “Not a name. Called. Others have names.” She thrusted a bright pink hoof into his face, as if he hadn’t noticed it before. “I am pink so I’m called Pink.” Mr. Cake’s face twisted for just a moment before he forced it back to a pleasant, if not uncomfortable, smile. “Well, I think you should have a proper name. Everypony needs one, what do you think?” She blinked at him, eyes wide with shock, before she smiled widely and nodded so quickly her head blurred. Mr. Cake chuckled. “Okay, then wha-” He was interrupted by Pink jumping. Her ears perked upright and back straightened as if she had just been shocked. She pulled one her legs close to her chest and whimpered, rubbing it gently. “What’s wrong?” Mr. Cake asked, leaning forward to try and see the filly better, “Did you hurt your leg?” Pink didn’t get to answer before a knock rang loudly at the front door. Mr. Cake breathed a sigh of relief even as Pink’s eyes shrunk to terrified pinpricks. “It’s okay,” He tried to soothe her, “Those are just some friends from town hall I called. They’re going to help you.” It didn’t work. Pink shook her head rapidly and made a choked sound of distress as Mr. Cake got up from the table. “Everything’s alright,” Mr. Cake said once more before focusing fully on the door. He opened it to find two ponies he didn’t know standing at his doorstep. Both were Unicorns clad in official-looking suits with some sort of seal stitched into the pocket. “Mr. Carrot Cake?” The mare of the duo asked, looking him up and down, “You called about a lost filly?” Mr. Cake nodded and turned to lead them inside. “Yes, thank you for coming so quickly. Some of the things she’s been saying have really started to worry m-HRK!” He was cut off by strong hooves grabbing his neck and yanking him back. He didn’t even have time to scream before a dark magical aura surrounded his head and a spell activating made his vision start to fade. The last thing he saw before blacking out was a pair of large, terrified, blue eyes that pierced into his soul. Author's Note I can upload early but I won't let myself be late! Next Chapter Release Date: Jan. 8th The Weirdo in Ponyville Square“So you’re filing this one as a monster attack?” Shining Armor asked, surveying the crime scene with a professional air of distaste. It was definitely messier than any scene he’d find in Canterlot but at the same time cleaner than he expected for a supposed violent strike by a monstrous animal. There was blood smeared on the ground like something had been injured and dragged across the floor but it was thin, dried, and already flaking off. Claw marks dented the wood around the blood and on the edges of the door frame, but nothing had actually been destroyed. In fact, besides the flipped table near the center of the room, it barely looked like there had been a struggle at all. “Yes sir,” the local head of police, Closed Case, confirmed. He shook his head as he solemnly took in the scene. “They aren’t very common but once or twice some critter will stalk out of that there forest and harass the town folk. Must've smelled the food being baked. It completely tore through the garbage out back.” “And we’re unlikely to even find a body if it’s been eaten…” Shining muttered to himself, feeling a pang of regret that he couldn’t help the family of the victim with even something as simple as a proper funeral. “You know, sir,” Closed Case spoke up, snapping Shining out of his musings, “It’s mighty nice that you came all the way down from Canterlot to investigate this tragedy but it’s a pretty open and shut case for around here. Not something to get the royal guard captain involved in.” Shining turned to him with a smile that didn’t stretch to his eyes but made the officer relax some. “You’re right. I’m actually just in Ponyville to visit my sister. I heard about this as I was walking over and decided to stop and take a look.” “Well, it was certainly a pleasure, sir. I think we’re just about wrapped up here so I won’t hold up any more of your time.” “Thanks. It was nice meeting you.” Shining Armor dipped his head and made his leave, trusting the local police to clean up the crime scene. Still… something bugged him about that monster attack. He couldn’t put a hoof on it but he felt as if there was more that Closed Case wasn’t telling him. He pushed the thought out of his mind as he easily navigated the Ponyville streets towards its center. He had never spent much time in the small town, much to his own disappointment. Even though Twilight and Spike had moved here years ago, Shining's schedule as the Captain of the Guard had kept him from visiting his siblings more than once or twice a year. But, even though he was unfamiliar with the town, the roads had that simple straightforward ease to them that couldn’t be found in the twisting streets of Canterlot. Plus, it was relatively easy to find a giant hollow tree in the middle of the village. The moment Shining knocked on the door it flew inward in a burst of purple magic and Twilight was right there, staring at him with wide, scared eyes. “Shining! You’re here!” Twilight threw her arms around her brother in a bear hug before drawing back again almost immediately. “Is Spike with you?” While Shining loved his sister dearly he also knew when it was time for family and time for duty and so he put on his best comforting-a-concerned-citizen voice as he answered. “No, Twi, as I said in my letter, I haven’t seen him in months.” Another piece of hair popped out of place on Twilight’s head. There was a worrying number already askew. “Oh! Right. Right right. That means he’s been gone for over 48 hours now which is officially when we can start being worried. But I can’t file an official report because no one remembers who he is! And now his stuff is disappearing and I feel like I’m falling apart!” “Twilight!” Shining put a hoof on his sister’s back as she quickly began to hyperventilate, “Twi, hey hey, just breath. Breath okay?” Twilight obediently took a few deep breaths until she seemed to come back to reality. “Sorry. Sorry, I’m freaking out just a little. But a cool head will find Spike faster than a panic attack.” She turned to give her brother a soft, calmer smile. “Thanks for coming on such short notice, Shining. I’m sure you’re going to be a big help.” Shining smiled back as reassuringly as he could. “I’ll do what I can. Why don’t you tell me everything about the situation? You said in your letter that ‘no one remembers him’. What does that mean, exactly?” Twilight grimaced and shook her head, gesturing for Shining to come more fully inside. “That’s just the thing; I have no idea. If the town simply didn’t remember him I’d know just the counterspell to what would obviously someone’s very sick idea of a joke. But it seems random who remembers him and who doesn’t and, to top it all off, I can’t find any of his things!” “His things?” Shining echoed, gazing around the tree library that was his sister’s and brother’s home. Besides the books, it wasn’t highly furnished. Neither Spike nor Twilight ever seemed to have need for lots of knick-knacks, so just by looking around, Shining couldn’t see anything to indicate there was less nothing than usual. “Yes!” Twilight cried, flinging a table to the ceiling to check under it before letting it crash back to the ground. “His basket is missing. As well as all the comic books he hides under his blankets.” Shining pursed his lips. “If he ran away then maybe he took them with him?” “When would he have done that?” Twilight snapped back, “The last time I saw him he only had a board game with him. Nothing about this is making sense!” She started pacing, her horn sparking randomly with stress. “The Mayor just acted confused when I asked her for help and so have most ponies in town. He disappeared right off of Sweet Apple Acres where Apple Bloom and her friends would have surely noticed if he was attacked by a creature. His things have vanished into thin air! And to top it all off I’ve had a splitting headache all day… like there's excess magic in the air I just can’t grasp. Something horrible has happened I just know it!” “Twilight, Twily!” Shining Armor yelled again, grabbing his sister before she could talk herself into a full break down. “Twily, I know this isn’t what you want to hear but I honestly think you’re overreacting.” She tried to jerk away from him in offended disgust but Shining held on tightly to her foreleg. “Spike is missing and that is bad but you’re blowing it out of proportion by thinking too much. Remember when we had an earthquake and you were convinced Tirek was coming out of Tartarus for revenge?” Twilight blushed deeply at the memory. “T-this is different. I’m not saying the world’s going to end. But Spike’s been taken-” “Maybe,” Shining interrupted, making sure to keep his voice steady and devoid of any strong emotions. His sister needed him to be her rock, and he couldn’t do that by scoffing at her ideas. “But statistically not likely. And certainly not by a… a memory wiping monster or something.” “Then how do you explain-” “Spike’s not very popular is he?” Shining prodded, not letting her get a word into freak herself out further, “He’s a nerd like the rest of us and stays inside a lot. It makes sense that he doesn’t make a big impression with a lot of ponies in town, even with being a dragon. I mean, you remember him, don’t you? And so do his friends?” Twilight completely stopped struggling now. She sat still as her eyes darted around in thought. “That… that’s true… he doesn’t really get out much… but then how do you explain-” “If he wanted to run away,” Shining continued, anticipating her next question, “it would make sense for him to sneak back here once you had gone to sleep to get some of his things. And as for the weird magic…” he shrugged, “You live by the Everfree Forest, Twily. Magic fluctuates weirdly all the time here.” Twilight didn’t look completely convinced, but she no longer looked like she’d blow up her house in panic either so Shining considered that progress. “I… I guess that makes sense. But that still doesn’t tell us where he is…. Or why he would run away...” Shining Armor shook his head in agreement. “No, it doesn’t. But that’s why I’m going to organize the police force to help search for him. Who knows, maybe he was trying to visit me but just didn’t take the train. We’ll start looking on the road to Canterlot first.” “Okay.” Twilight took a long, deep breath and nodded. “Okay. That… that sounds like a plan. I can work with a plan. We’ll find him.” She hugged her brother tightly around the neck. “Thank you, Shining.” He hugged her back gently. He didn’t mention the wild monster attack that had occurred last night. Most creatures in the forest wouldn’t dream of attacking a dragon and even if one had… he didn’t need Twilight worrying about something else right now. Even so, he frowned over Twilight’s shoulder where he was sure his sister couldn't see. *** “You want us to go where?” Sweetie Belle asked with a squeak, watching with wide eyes as Apple Bloom loaded up Scootaloo’s wagon. “You heard what everpony’s been saying’,” Apple Bloom said, not looking up, “They’re thinkin’ Spike was taken by the same monster that took Mr. Cake. No one’s willin’ to go into the Everfree and check, though. So it’s up to us to find him.” “But… but those are just rumors! And even so...” Sweetie’s voice dropped into something less than a whisper, “...if it was a monster then he’s probably-” “Don’t say that!” Apple Bloom barked, whirling away from her task to glare at the Unicorn, “Don’t even think that! Spike’s a dragon and there was no blood on the path to Ponyville. He’s fine!” “Yeah, Sweetie,” Scootaloo scoffed, stepping onto her scooter and adjusting the strap that connected the wagon, “We already have half the town completely giving up on him. We can’t lose you too.” “I’m not giving up on him!” Sweetie protested, glancing away with a pout, “I’m just trying to be realistic about how much good us running into the forest is going to do.” “We gotta try somethin’!” Apple Bloom insisted, “We can’t just sit around and let the big ponies go crazy while our friend could be in danger!” Sweetie bit her lip and swallowed thickly but nodded anyway. “I… guess he did disappear right around here…” “Exactly,” Scootaloo said, strapping her helmet on, “And we’re his best friends. If he, like, ran away from home or something he’d totally tell us.” Sweetie Belle gasped. “Ran away? Why would he do something like that?” Scootaloo shrugged. “I dunno. I’ve thought about doing it plenty of times. Maybe his dragon instincts told him to migrate. But my point is that he probably didn’t. Something took him and we gotta take him back!” “It don’t matter why he ran away,” Apple Bloom interrupted, climbing into the wagon, “What matters is that we do everything we can ta get him back. We’re his friends! He got lost on my property. It’s my responsibility ta find him.” Sweetie Belle let out a high pitched whine but clambered in next to Apple Bloom. “You know this isn’t your fault, right? He isn’t gone because of the game, okay?” Apple Bloom wouldn’t make eye contact. “Sure. Hey Scoots, I think we’re ready to go.” “Alright!” Scootaloo revved her wings and crouched down into a more aerodynamic position. “Operation Save Spike is a go!” With a squeal of the wheels, she sped off like a bolt away from the neat rows of apple trees and into the shade of the crowded Everfree forest, Sweetie Belle shrieking the entire way as they bumped over sticks and rocks. “Good idea, Sweetie Belle!” Apple Bloom shouted over her friend and the rushing wind. “We gotta let him know we’re here! Spike! Spike where are you?” Sweetie wasn’t sure how long or far they searched. The trees and time zipped by in a blur but it seemed like hours before Scootaloo stopped the wagon in a relatively clear area and leaned over her handlebars, panting. “Okay,” she said after a few seconds to catch her breath, “I think it’s time for a break.” “A break?” Sweetie Belle squeaked as Apple Bloom fished out the snacks she had brought, “We’re going to keep going? But it’s getting dark!” “It always gets dark fast in the Everfree,” Scootaloo answered as she took some water from Apple Bloom, “It isn’t that late, yet.” Sweetie Belle bit her lip as she glanced around their unfamiliar surroundings and rows and rows of identical trees. She couldn't even tell which way they had come from at this point. “Even still… we’ve covered a lot of ground and we’ll get in trouble if anyone finds us out here. Maybe we should head back?” Apple Bloom whirled on her so fast Sweetie Belle stumbled back a few steps in surprise. “What’s your problem, huh? Do you wanna find Spike or not?” “Of course I want to find Spike!” Sweetie shot back, “I just don’t think this is the best way to go about it!” Apple Bloom shoved her face into Sweetie’s until the two were bumping snouts. “Oh yeah? Well, ta me it sounds like you’d just rather give up on him then spend five minutes gettin’ your hooves dirty!” Sweetie Belle stood her ground. “That’s not true! I’d do anything to find him. But adding three more missing ponies isn’t going to help!” “Do anything?” Apple Bloom yelled, “You’ve done nothing!” “Guys, shut up for a second!” Scootaloo cried, slapped her hooves on both her friends’ muzzles. Sweetie Belle was just about to smack her hoof away when her ears perked up. There was a crashing and snapping sound echoing through the trees. A sound that was steadily getting louder. “What is that?” Apple Bloom asked, brushing Scootaloo aside. Sweetie Belle gulped. “Something big. We should-” “Raaaaaaah!” That’s when a manticore crashed into the clearing, ripping trees out of the way and whipping its head about as if looking for something. The monster was huge. At least twice the size of even Big Macintosh. It snarled with a cracked tooth and black eye, as if it had just been in a fight, and blood dripped from its claws. The crusaders stood frozen as the great beast locked its gaze on them. It growled deeply and stalked forwards, looking like it was sizing up which filly to eat first. Sweetie tried to will her legs to run. Or her mouth to scream and snap the others out of their terror. But she couldn’t move. She felt trapped beneath the piercing gaze of the manticore, steadily inching closer. The manticore opened its gaping maw wide and Sweetie’s eyes filled with tears. They were going to die. But, just as the monster leaned down to swallow the fillies whole, a hollow clunk sound rang out through the still forest and the manticore froze in place. For a few moments that felt like hours, Sweetie Belle couldn’t understand what had just happened. It wasn’t until she glanced past those razor-sharp teeth did she notice the giant anvil perched on the manticore’s head like a jaunty cap. The manticore’s eyes rolled to the back of its head and its tongue lulled out of its mouth. With a groan, the beast collapsed onto its side, revealing a panting pony, eyes more intense than the manticore’s had been just moments before, standing right behind it. Sweetie, now with the immediate threat gone, felt like she could breathe again. But, no use letting pent up terror go to waste. “Aaaaaaah!” Not to be outdone, her friends screamed with her. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” Rang the trifecta of terrified fillies. “Gaaaah!” The strange fourth pony screamed back at them, the intensity in her eyes blinking away as she scrambled backward. She didn’t get far, however, before letting out a pained yelp and falling out of sight, back behind the manticore’s bulk. No one moved for a few heartbeats as the three fillies processed what had just happened. Apple Bloom acted first. She untangled herself from the huddle the crusaders had squeezed themselves into and galloped around the manticore, giving the monster a wide breath as she circled to its other side. Scootaloo dashed after Apple Bloom, hot on her heels, and Sweetie had no choice but to follow. When they got to the other side the strange pony was still there, curled into a tight ball and crying her eyes out. It was obviously an Earth Pony mare but in the dying light Sweetie couldn’t make out anything more from the huddled figure. “H-hey, are you alright, there?” Apple Bloom asked, slowly approaching the sobbing pony, “W-was that manticore chasing you?” The pony glanced up, wide puffy eyes peeking out from a long straight mane. She nodded slowly at Apple Bloom, slightly relaxing at the Earth Pony’s nervous tone and soft posture. “Did it get you?” Scootaloo asked, causing the pony’s eyes to snap to her, “There was blood on its claws…” The mare didn’t answer but she did uncurl from her fetal position and extended her left foreleg, as if offering it to Scootaloo. However, it had quickly gotten too dark in the shadow of the trees to make out almost any specifics of what exactly she was trying to show them. Sweetie Belle leaned forward and shakily lit her horn in a very basic light spell that barely cast a bright enough glow to illuminate the four ponies. As soon as the first spark emerged from Sweetie’s horn the mare gasped and scrambled back a few feet, resuming her tightly curled posture and shaking even harder now. In the light of Sweetie’s spell, it was much easier to see details. Contrary to what Sweetie first assumed, the mare was not an adult pony. She was a young teenager, only a little older than Spike, and was incredibly small and thin. It looked like she hadn’t eaten in days and the mud and dirt in her mane and coat made it seem like she had been living in the woods for weeks on end. The worst thing of all though, was her leg. It was twitching sporadically at her side as blood pooled down it, matting the fur and causing a small puddle beneath her. The three fillies gasped at the sight of it and Sweetie Belle almost wretched. “That doesn’t look good…” Scootaloo muttered, trotting over to the prone pony’s side and examining the injuring without touching it. The teenager didn’t move as Scootaloo examined her. She stayed stiff, her gaze never moving from Sweetie’s glowing horn. Scootaloo looked to her two friends, worry in her eyes. “Guys, I don’t think she should be walking on this. We need to get her out of the forest. Fast.” “Should we take her to a hospital?” Sweetie asked, taking a step forward to better offer her light. The mare on the ground cringed back and Sweetie instantly stopped in her tracks. “That… that seems pretty serious.” Apple Bloom glanced between the dark sky and the even darker forest. “Erhm… I don’t think that’s such a good idea this late at night. I don’t know if we’ll even be able to find our way back…” “We have to try!” Scootaloo insisted, pushing herself under the teenager’s good leg, “Help me get her in the wagon, Apple Bloom. Sweetie, keep that light going.” Applebloom moved to the other side of the prone pony and gently pressed against her ribs, helping her into a shaky standing position. Sweetie stood by awkwardly, feeling useless as her friends half guided, half carried, the injured pony into the wagon. “You guys are gonna have to walk,” Scootaloo explained once the teenager was securely settled in their little wagon, “There isn’t really enough room for all three of you without pressing against her leg. But I have to go slow anyway to keep the bumps down.” “But which way are we going?” Sweetie asked, biting her lip. She felt like the shadows were creeping into her small ring of light, reaching for her, trying to drag her deeper into the forest. Plus there was still that unconscious manticore a few yards away. “I can’t tell any of these trees apart…” “That way…” It was so quiet that if Sweetie Belle wasn’t standing right next to the wagon she wouldn’t have heard the teenager at all. “Huh? What?” The pony cringed back away from her but shakily pointed her good hoof into the forest and spoke a little louder. “You wanna go that way…” Sweetie glanced at Apple Bloom who simply shrugged. “I don’t got a better idea.” “That way it is!” Scootaloo said, pushing her scooter in the indicated direction at a moderate pace. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom walked after her, keeping close enough for Sweetie’s horn to light their way. No one saying anything. For the whole walk back to the clubhouse the injured pony didn’t once take her eyes off of Sweetie Belle’s horn. Author's Note You know I don't really love Sweetie Belle as a character but I found her pretty enjoyable to write here. I just need to poke around inside her head a bit to see how it ticks.
The Vanishing of Spike the DragonIt wasn’t her fault. None of it was. She had tried to warn them. She had told them that it would all go wrong. Told them if they messed with things beyond their comprehension long enough those things would start messing back. But they hadn’t listened this time. They just hit her and zapped her again and told her to be quiet. So it wasn’t her fault when everything went straight to Tartarus. And it wasn’t her fault that those ponies had died. The… the thing that had come out of the rip in space and time had lashed out immediately. Some ponies had simply fallen over, the life snuffed out like a candle, while others were torn apart until they were nothing more than blood splatters on the wall. There was no time to think, let alone move to help, before they were dead. It was only the creature’s seeming relish in the kills that let anypony else escape at all. She couldn’t be blamed for running. Everypony was running. Now that they had let the thing out there seemed to be no way to put it back in and, even if there was, panic had turned rational ponies into a mindless stampede. It wasn’t her fault she never stopped either. That she didn’t hear when he called to her. Screamed at her. Ordered her. There was so much screaming. Screams of panic, of pain, of blaring alarms. There was no way she heard him over it. No way she felt the icy terror of his enraged voice seep into her veins. She could still feel the thing chasing her, anyway. Locking on to her, lashing at her with attacks that seemed to go past her body entirely and straight into her mind. She only stopped running when she tripped and skidded across wet mud and leaves and sticks. By that time she was already deep in the unfamiliar safe haven of the forest. And she couldn’t be blamed for not going back. She had been running blind and any normal pony would be completely lost in the dense, sprawling woods around her. She had been told stories of this forest. Stories of monsters and twisting pathways. Ponies would get lost their whole lives--which weren’t likely to be long. She couldn’t help a relieved laugh escaping her, knowing she was totally and completely lost. It wasn’t her fault. It couldn’t be. She just hoped when he found her that he would understand that. For even though she had just seen a creature of more shadow than mass tear a pony apart like a wood chipper, she was a quaking mess at the thought of that eventual when. When her master would find her. She almost hoped the creature would get to her first. *** “And when you enter the cave you see only smoke as a sense of dread washes over you. It’s your greatest fears staring you straight in the eye for, in the chamber that smells like death, you aren’t sure you’re even alive… is anyone even listening?” Sweetie Belle’s head jerked up at the sudden change of subject. The pencil she had been trying to levitate clattered noisily across the room and smacked into Scootaloo’s side. The Pegasus snorted and blearily blinked her eyes open--rudely awakened from her impromptu nap. Apple Bloom took the distraction to slid her O&O character sheet back over the homework she had been doing. She shot Spike a guilty smile as he glared at the three of them from behind his Board Master stand. “Uh, sorry Spike, keep goin’ it was just startin’ to get good.” Spike gave her a flat look. “Do you even know where your party is at this point?” The three shared nervous glances before Scootaloo finally dared guess. “A tavern?” Spike rolled his eyes and snapped his book shut. “You know if you guys didn’t want to play you could have just said so.” “Aw, come on,” Sweetie Belle protested, “We really did want to play with you... at first.” “Yeah,” Scootaloo agreed, rolling onto her back, “You said this game was going to be, like, fighting ogres and looting castles and stuff not…” She stuck her tongue out. “not math and reading and junk.” “It is about that stuff,” Spike snapped back, “you just have to think things through and use your imagination.” Scootaloo rolled her eyes and splayed her legs in a sweeping gesture. “Then why couldn’t we have done that stuff outside. You know, play pretend?” “Because it’s more fun with rules and charts!” Scootaloo groaned and the other two fillies giggled. “Sorry Spike,” Sweetie Belle said, “I think she makes a better point than you.” Spike’s shoulders slumped as he carefully started to gather his O&O equipment and put it back in the box. “Fine… I’m sorry guys, I didn’t mean to bore you. I just wanted to hang out.” “We still wanna hang out with ya!” Apple Bloom protested, helping Spike pack up, “Just cause this game didn’t work out doesn’t mean something else won’t.” “Yeah,” Scootaloo piped up, “We could go to the bakery and brainstorm games we can all play.” Sweetie Belle stuck out her tongue. “Uhg, but they downsized when they couldn’t hire a new baker. That place only sells, like, bread now.” “Hey! I like bread,” Scootaloo protested. Apple Bloom chuckled. “Sweetie’s got a point, Scoots. If we want a real snack why don’t we just go back ta my place and get some fritters?” She flashed a grin at their dragon friend. “What do ya say, Spike?” Spike simply shrugged and looked away. “Eh, I think I should be heading home, actually. It’s getting dark out and Twilight always gets annoyed when I come home late.” The three friends exchanged worried glances. “Are ya sure?” Applebloom insisted, “We really do like ta hang with ya.” “Oh, I know,” Spike said, flashing her a reassuring smile, “We always have fun playing Power Ponies. I just thought I’d try this at least once. You can’t really play O&O by yourself.” “You’re still coming to movie night tomorrow, right?” Sweetie asked as Spike headed to the door. The dragon turned to her and gave a thumbs up. “Of course! I’d never miss it.” “More like you’d never miss spending time around, Rarity,” Scootaloo teased with a cheeky grin. Spike rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide his faint blush. “Hey, I can be friends with other ponies too, you know. But I really gotta get going. Twilight’ll throw a fit if I’m not home for dinner.” He opened the door to the clubhouse and was immediately hit by a gust of cold, wet, wind. “Oh geez, it’s starting to rain. Uh, can I leave my game here? I don’t want it to get ruined.” “Of course,” Apple Bloom answered, taking the box from him and setting it on a nearby table. I’ll bring it ta Sweetie’s house tomorrow.” “Thanks guys, I’ll see you all then!” Spike called over the wind as he walked out of the clubhouse. The rain wasn’t particularly heavy but the roaring wind made it plaster him from every angle, soaking his scales in only a few moments. He held a claw over his eyes to keep the water out. He knew the path home by heart but he’d rather not trip on any debris that had blown through in the storm. He walked onward for a few more minutes, fighting the wind the whole way, before he stopped and squinted at his surroundings. He was still on the path out of Sweet Apple Acres... but that’s what bothered him. By now he should have been leaving the orchard behind and getting into Ponyville proper, but no matter how far ahead he squinted he could only see trees lining the winding path. He glanced backward. The clubhouse was out of sight too. Just trees in either direction. He didn’t think it was possible he had made a wrong turn. As far as he could remember the path led straight from town to the Apple’s house. A sudden chill wound up his spine that had nothing to do with the freezing rain. He thought he saw something move in the trees. A shadow weaving in and out of the trunks. Lightning lit up the sky, making him jump, and yet the shadows didn’t get any lighter. He could see his bright purple scales and the path behind him glow in the flash but everything else, the trees, the road ahead, even the sky, didn’t get any brighter. A moment later the thunder sounded and Spike couldn’t stop himself sprinting towards town in desperation. The thunder had sounded like laughter. Laughter that was only growing louder. Dread filled his chest with every step. The rain blinded him and the wind seemed to be pushing him back. There was something chasing him, and he was sure if he paused for a moment it would- A root in the middle of the path tripped him just as another flash exploded across the sky. Moments later the wind slowed and the rain lessened. The clouds thinned with one last peal of thunder and the moonlight illuminated an empty road, no pony or dragon in sight and only a couple paces from Ponyville proper. Author's Note Next Chapter Release Date: ~~Nov. 19th~~ Nov. 14th While this is basically 'stranger things but with ponies' the characters won't always be a one to one of each other and the story will be a little different. It's more important that the role in the story gets filled than the personalities match up exactly.
T_e Va_i_hin_ o_ Sp_k_ the _r_gonT_e Va_i_hin_ o_ Sp_k_ the _r_gon Scootaloo rolled up to the clubhouse early the next morning. Her home was too boring to spend more time than necessary in so she usually wasted the early hours of the day planning crusades or practicing tricks in Sweet Apple Acres. But, while this part of the farm was usually empty before noon, today there were the telltale sounds of someone rustling around in the clubhouse. “Where is it? Oh, come on, where could it have gone?” Came the unmistakable voice of one of her best friends. Curious, Scootaloo took off her helmet and trotted up the ramp. She had to duck a book flying over her head, the fluttering pages barely grazing her mane as it soared through the open door. Apple Bloom was frantically combing through every nook and cranny, opening drawers and throwing random knick-knacks over her shoulder in her search. She hadn’t noticed Scootaloo’s presence and seemed to be growing more frantic by the moment. “Argh! Where the hay could it be?” “Hey, Apple Bloom,” Scootaloo spoke up before her friend accidentally decapitated her, “What’s wrong? What are you looking for?” Apple Bloom quickly whipped around, startled, but relaxed when she saw who it was. “Oh, Scoots. Sorry, I didn’t see ya there.” “Yeah, obviously,” Scootaloo snickered, entering the clubhouse now that the threat of flying objects had been removed, “What’s got you in such a frenzy, anyway?” Apple Bloom’s ears dropped as she gazed around the trashed clubhouse. “Ah, well it’s just that I can’t find that game Spike left here last night.” Scootaloo scratched her head idly. “You mean that really boring one he was trying to get us to play?” Apple Bloom shot her a scolding look. “What?” Scootaloo huffed with indignation, “It was! You were doing homework during it.” Apple Bloom’s ears quickly flattened onto her head as her cheeks turned pink. “Uh, well, anyway. I thought I’d get it back ta him early today, just cause he seemed real upset last night. But now I can’t find it anywhere!” She bit her lip and shook her head. “I know I left it right here. He’s gonna be so mad if I lost it.” Scootaloo waved a hoof dismissively. “Oh, don’t worry so much. I bet your sister just came in to clean and took it to the house. Or Sweetie stopped by and got it in advance.” She shrugged. “Either way, it’ll turn up.” Apple Bloom’s panic slowly faded away as Scootaloo’s words sunk in. She let out an embarrassed chuckle and scuffed the floorboard with her hoof. “I suppose yer right. Guess ah’m just real worried about him. I don’t want to upset him any further.” “I didn’t think he seemed that down. He’ll bounce back by tonight.” Apple Bloom shook her head. “Still, I want to make it up to him somehow. Let’s go ask Applejack if she’s seen the game. I don’t want ta get to Sweetie’s house and have it be missin’.” *** “Sorry, Apple Bloom,” Applejack said as she stirred a pot of soup, “Ah haven’t been ta the clubhouse recently and ah sure ain’t seen no game.” Apple Bloom’s ears dropped at the news. She had really hoped it would be that simple. “Aw that’s, okay,” Scootaloo said, draping a hoof over Apple Bloom’s withers, “That just means it’s almost definitely at Rarity’s place.” Apple Bloom gave her friend a small smile. “I suppose so. We should head over there and double-check.” Applejack looked up from her cooking, giving the foals her full attention. “Wait… you all goin’ ta Rarity’s?” “Yeah.” Apple Bloom rolled her eyes as she detected the faintest of blushes on her sister’s face. “That’s where the movie night is, remember?” “Ah, right. Well, could you give her somethin’ for me?” Applejack moved to a cupboard and extracted a shiny bottle of zap apple jam, an elegant purple and white bow, complete with a swirling design of laces, perched on top. “We had some extra jam from this zap apple season and ah thought she might need it for her fancy toast and the like.” Apple Bloom reluctantly took the jar and placed it in her saddlebags. “Sure, Applejack, we’ll make sure she gets it.” “Thanks for the help, anyway,” Scootaloo added as the two headed to the door. Applejack waved them off with a quick wish of luck and turned back to her cooking. Once the door had shut and the two fillies were certain they were out of earshot Scootaloo turned to Apple Bloom with an incredulous expression. “Could your sister be any less subtle?” Apple Bloom sighed and shook her head. “I’m pretty sure she’s in denial. Doesn’t even realize she’s doin’ anything weird most the time.” Scootaloo rolled her eyes. “I guess I can see why. Almost everyone’s got a crush on Rarity. Doesn’t anypony realize she’s dating Rainbow Dash exclusively?” Apple Bloom shrugged. “I know Applejack’s oblivious at least. Come on, let’s get ta Sweetie Belle’s. We gotta deliver this and find that game.” *** “I didn’t take the game.” “What?!?” Apple Bloom cried in dismay, sinking to the ground as Sweetie Belle watched on in confusion. “What am I gonna do now? Spike’s gonna hate me forever!” “Maybe Spike came back and picked it up?” Sweetie Belle suggested, “I mean, he might have changed his mind after we went inside.” Scootaloo rolled her eyes at the filly on the ground. “Yeah, Apple Bloom, you’re getting way too worked up over this. Spike’s probably had it this whole time.” “And I’m sure he won’t be angry if it turns out you did lose it,” Sweetie added, much to Apple Bloom’s terror and Scootaloo’s annoyance. “Who won’t be angry?” Another voice called from further in Carousel Boutique. Rarity peeked her head around the corner and her eyes widened at the sight of the three fillies. “Oh, girls. I thought you three weren’t going to be here until later tonight.” “The kids are here?” A second voice added and Rainbow Dash’s head soon appeared next to Rarity’s. She waved lazily when she saw who it was. “Hey, Squirt.” Scootaloo’s irritation instantly vanished as she gushed, “Hi, Rainbow Dash!” “Apple Bloom lost Spike’s game that he left in the clubhouse last night,” Sweetie Belle answered Rarity’s question, causing Apple Bloom to groan in dismay and cover her face with her hooves. “Who’s Spike?” Rainbow asked with a head tilt, following Rarity fully into the room. “Oh, you know him, dear.” Rarity nuzzled Dash’s cheek affectionately as she explained. “He’s that adorable little dragon that plays with the girls and offers to do me favors.” Rainbow’s eyes widened. “Whoa really?” She turned to the Crusaders. “You girls are friends with a dragon? How come I’ve never met him?” Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes with a huff. “You have, Rainbow Dash. He comes over all the time. He heated your cocoa once.” “Huh, weird,” Dash said, scratching the back of her mane, “I feel like I’d remember meeting a dragon.” Rarity pecked her on the cheek, drawing her marefriend’s attention back to her. “You were probably just distracted at the moment, darling. You’ll meet him again tonight when we set up their little movie party.” Rainbow’s eyelid’s lowered as a grin spread across her muzzle. She wrapped Rarity in her wings and hugged her close. “I remember that at least. After Fluttershy comes to take care of the squirts, you and me are gonna have some alone time.” “Dashie,” Rarity giggled, playfully pushing Rainbow off her, “Not in front of the fillies.” “Ah, come on babe,” Rainbow nibbled her neck, “they’re big ponies. They can handle a little PDA.” The fillies in question rolled their eyes so hard they were sure to get stuck. But they didn’t have to suffer the display for long as the door to Rarity’s boutique flung open and a very angry purple Unicorn stomped in. “Rarity! Have you-” Twilight Sparkle, town librarian and Spike’s older sister, stopped short when she saw the Crusaders in the hallway. She snorted loudly and glared daggers at them. “You three! Very funny prank. Now tell me where he is!” The Crusaders all glanced between each other and even at Rarity and Rainbow. Every pony seemed equally confused. “Twilight, darling, what are you going on about?” Rarity asked the other Unicorn politely. “Oh they know what I’m talking about,” Twilight sneered, pointing an accusatory hoof at the baffled fillies, “I thought it was weird when Spike didn’t come home yesterday; he usually doesn’t stay the night no matter how late it gets; but then I wake up and not only has no one seen him all day, but half of Ponyville hasn’t even heard of him? Really elaborate prank fillies. I bet you even got Rainbow Dash here to help with this prank of the century. But it needs to end now.” “Wait…” Sweetie spoke up as the others tried to understand just what Twilight was ranting about, “Spike didn’t come home last night? But we saw him leave!” Twilight glared at her. “Save it. I figured out that he stayed overnight at Apple Bloom’s and then you all somehow convinced the town to go along with your silly prank. Everypony’s acting like I’m crazy for saying a dragon lives in town.” “She’s tellin’ the truth Miss Twilight!” Apple Bloom spoke up in her friend’s defense, “Spike went home last night. He didn’t stay with us, you can even ask Applejack.” Twilight’s glare flattered as she looked into the three worried children’s eyes. “He didn’t? But then…” “And why do you think I had anything to do with this?” Rainbow interrupted, giving Twilight an annoyed glare. “I’ve never even met this Spike guy.” “Wait what?” Twilight cried, whirling to face the Pegasus. “Never… Yes you have!” Dash crossed her hooves and shook her head. “That’s what everyone keeps saying but they’re wrong. I don’t remember any of it!” Twilight groaned loudly and buried her head in her hooves. “Not you too! Why is everypony doing this?” “Regardless of who has met who,” Rarity spoke up, putting herself between her marefriend and Twilight, “I would say the biggest issue is that poor Spikey Wikey seems to have gone missing.” Twilight’s face melted from frustration to horror. “You’re right. If he’s not with you girls or hiding somewhere then… then where is he?” Rarity moved to put a comforting hoof on the other Unicorn’s shoulder. “Think, darling, is there any place he could have stayed the night?” Twilight shook her head slowly. “No… no, I already asked around town. Nopony has seen him all day.” “Maybe he’s not in town?” Scootaloo piped up, causing the adults to turn to her, “I know when I wanna get away I go visit my Aunts in the next town over. Does he know anyone like that?” Twilight bit her lip. “Anypony he could go to out of town? The only pony I could think of would be my brother. But he lives all the way in Canterlot!” Rarity nodded. “Even so, I think it would be a good idea to check with him. In the meantime, Rainbow and I will do our own search around town. We, no offense darling, have larger social circles than you and will be even more likely to find any information on his whereabouts.” “Wait. We’re doing what?” Rainbow gawked, “But… but what about date night?” Rarity rolled her eyes. “Honestly, Dash, there are more important things at stake. Now come! Our search awaits!” Rainbow huffed but obediently followed Rarity out the door at a low hover. “How am I gonna help search? I don’t even know what he looks like.” “He’s a dragon, darling. I’m sure you’ll know it when you see him.” “I… thank you!” Twilight quickly called as Rarity’s front door slammed shut behind the couple. The purple Unicorn turned back to the three fillies and gave them an apologetic look. “Hey, I’m sorry for blaming you girls. I know your Spike’s friends and wouldn’t do anything to get him in trouble. I’m just… really worried about him.” Apple Bloom gave her a comforting smile and patted the older pony’s leg. “It’s okay, Twilight. Knowing he’s missin’... we all are.” “We can ask some of the other fillies and colts if they’ve seen him!” Sweetie Belle added. Twilight smiled at them. “Thanks girls. Hopefully there’s nothing to worry about.” *** The bakery was on the edge of town. Carrot Cake had never wanted it to be there. There was a nice looking building in the center he’d had his eyes on for years now, but just hadn’t managed to save enough money for the down payment. With just the two of them, he and his wife could barely keep up with their workflow as it was. Working harder to expand was simply out of the question. So they lived and worked at the edge of town, selling bread and scones to the Ponyvillians who didn’t mind going out of their way for a cup of coffee. His wife was out of town at the moment. She had gone to Canterlot to try and negotiate a new deal with their sugar supplier and wouldn’t be back until tomorrow afternoon. Tonight, he was alone in closing up the shop and was humming in content as he swept the floor. It was later than he usually would have gone to sleep. He was just about to call it a night, floor only half swept, when a sound caught his attention. A distinct rattling outside. Mr. Cake paused and glanced to his back door. He was relatively close to the Everfree so any number of nasty critters could be rooting around in his trashcans and causing a mess. But even still, he couldn’t risk damage to the store if the creature managed to find a way in during the night. Brandishing his broom like a club, Carrot slowly moved to the back door. Closer, he could make out the clanging of metal and shifting of papers that gave weight to his theory of some animal going through the trash. Steeling himself to potentially fight off sharp little teeth and claws, Mr. Cake flung the door open and waved the broom in front of himself widely. “Out! Get out of here you little beasts!” What greeted him was a very un-animalistic scream and one of the trash cans falling over with a sharp bang. Carrot stared in shock at what had just tripped over his garbage. A pony, not long past Marking Age, gazed up at him with large, terrified, blue eyes that pierced into his soul. She was small for an Earth Pony her age and unnaturally skinny. Her pink coat was matted and covered in mud while her straight, waterfall-like mane was full of sticks and twigs and trash. “Oh, sweet Celestia…” Carrot muttered, throwing his broom behind him and racing over to crouch next to the filly. She squeaked, startled, and tried to scramble to her hooves. “Hey hey hey,” Carrot said quickly, trying to keep his voice as soft as possible, “It’s okay. It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.” It seemed enough to make her hesitate, at least, though her eyes flickered from his face to the yawning forest behind her. “What are you doing here? Are you lost?” Mr. Cake asked, reaching out to touch her shoulder. The filly flinched away, ducking her head so her face was hidden behind her mane. Carrot licked his lips and glanced back towards the inviting light coming from his home. There was no way he could just leave this filly out here to go through someone else's trash. “Are you hungry?” He asked, backing away from her and towards Sugarcube Corner, “Do you want to come in and eat something? I have lots of fresh baked goods. Much better than the stuff in the garbage.” One bright blue eye peeked through the curtain of a mane and Mr. Cake made sure to smile as reassuringly as possible. He then turned away to trot back inside and over to the counter. Fishing a few slices of cold apple pie from where it was still resting, unsold, he set up one of the empty tables with the treat and a glass of water. When was finished he turned to find the filly standing in the doorway, gazing around the room with a mix of trepidation and awe. “Have a seat,” Carrot offered, “You can have as much as you want, free of charge.” The filly eyed the pie wearily but trotted over and took a hesitant nibble none-the-less. Her face immediately lit upon tasting it. She quickly took a seat and started scarfing down the dessert as if her life depended on it. Mr. Cake chuckled softly to himself. “Don’t eat it so fast, you’ll give yourself a stomach ache.” He glanced over his shoulder to the back of the shop before giving the filly a calming look. “I’ll be right back, okay? You just enjoy your pie and I’ll come back in a moment.” The filly’s eyes flickered to him briefly before going back to devouring the dessert. So Mr. Cake left, for only a few minutes to make a phone call, and when he returned the filly was already done with the whole pie and staring longingly at the rest of the cakes on display. “Do you want more?” He asked, a bit redundantly as he was already grabbing a hoof-full of pastries. The filly didn’t answer besides nodding rapidly, and as soon as Mr. Cake sat down with the food, she took it from him with gusto. Mr. Cake watched in silence for a moment, honestly worried she would choke if he distracted her, before finally speaking up. “So where did you come from? It’s not every day I find a little filly raiding my trash cans.” The filly swallowed heavily before pointing out the door, her eyes never leaving his for a moment. “The trees! The forest. I was in the middle and then ran ran ran away. One’s distracted but the other will never be. Should be. There’s a monster on the loose but I won’t kill anyone.” She pouted, as if annoyed by what she just said. Or maybe she had a stomach ache. “Um…” Mr. Cake answered, completely baffled by that rapid-fire assault of words. With how jumpy she had been he honestly had expected her not to answer. Not that what she gave him was really an answer, anyway. It was… concerning, but if she had survived a monster attack then he didn’t want to pry into what was sure to be traumatizing memories. “Oookay… uh... Hey, who are you, anyway? I’ve never seen you in town before.” She took another bite of cake and gestured to her body like she was presenting a sign he should have already read. “Pink.” Carrot cocked his head. “You’re name is ‘Pink’?” She shook her’s rapidly. “Not a name. Called. Others have names.” She thrusted a bright pink hoof into his face, as if he hadn’t noticed it before. “I am pink so I’m called Pink.” Mr. Cake’s face twisted for just a moment before he forced it back to a pleasant, if not uncomfortable, smile. “Well, I think you should have a proper name. Everypony needs one, what do you think?” She blinked at him, eyes wide with shock, before she smiled widely and nodded so quickly her head blurred. Mr. Cake chuckled. “Okay, then wha-” He was interrupted by Pink jumping. Her ears perked upright and back straightened as if she had just been shocked. She pulled one her legs close to her chest and whimpered, rubbing it gently. “What’s wrong?” Mr. Cake asked, leaning forward to try and see the filly better, “Did you hurt your leg?” Pink didn’t get to answer before a knock rang loudly at the front door. Mr. Cake breathed a sigh of relief even as Pink’s eyes shrunk to terrified pinpricks. “It’s okay,” He tried to soothe her, “Those are just some friends from town hall I called. They’re going to help you.” It didn’t work. Pink shook her head rapidly and made a choked sound of distress as Mr. Cake got up from the table. “Everything’s alright,” Mr. Cake said once more before focusing fully on the door. He opened it to find two ponies he didn’t know standing at his doorstep. Both were Unicorns clad in official-looking suits with some sort of seal stitched into the pocket. “Mr. Carrot Cake?” The mare of the duo asked, looking him up and down, “You called about a lost filly?” Mr. Cake nodded and turned to lead them inside. “Yes, thank you for coming so quickly. Some of the things she’s been saying have really started to worry m-HRK!” He was cut off by strong hooves grabbing his neck and yanking him back. He didn’t even have time to scream before a dark magical aura surrounded his head and a spell activating made his vision start to fade. The last thing he saw before blacking out was a pair of large, terrified, blue eyes that pierced into his soul. Author's Note I can upload early but I won't let myself be late! Next Chapter Release Date: Jan. 8th
The Weirdo in Ponyville Square“So you’re filing this one as a monster attack?” Shining Armor asked, surveying the crime scene with a professional air of distaste. It was definitely messier than any scene he’d find in Canterlot but at the same time cleaner than he expected for a supposed violent strike by a monstrous animal. There was blood smeared on the ground like something had been injured and dragged across the floor but it was thin, dried, and already flaking off. Claw marks dented the wood around the blood and on the edges of the door frame, but nothing had actually been destroyed. In fact, besides the flipped table near the center of the room, it barely looked like there had been a struggle at all. “Yes sir,” the local head of police, Closed Case, confirmed. He shook his head as he solemnly took in the scene. “They aren’t very common but once or twice some critter will stalk out of that there forest and harass the town folk. Must've smelled the food being baked. It completely tore through the garbage out back.” “And we’re unlikely to even find a body if it’s been eaten…” Shining muttered to himself, feeling a pang of regret that he couldn’t help the family of the victim with even something as simple as a proper funeral. “You know, sir,” Closed Case spoke up, snapping Shining out of his musings, “It’s mighty nice that you came all the way down from Canterlot to investigate this tragedy but it’s a pretty open and shut case for around here. Not something to get the royal guard captain involved in.” Shining turned to him with a smile that didn’t stretch to his eyes but made the officer relax some. “You’re right. I’m actually just in Ponyville to visit my sister. I heard about this as I was walking over and decided to stop and take a look.” “Well, it was certainly a pleasure, sir. I think we’re just about wrapped up here so I won’t hold up any more of your time.” “Thanks. It was nice meeting you.” Shining Armor dipped his head and made his leave, trusting the local police to clean up the crime scene. Still… something bugged him about that monster attack. He couldn’t put a hoof on it but he felt as if there was more that Closed Case wasn’t telling him. He pushed the thought out of his mind as he easily navigated the Ponyville streets towards its center. He had never spent much time in the small town, much to his own disappointment. Even though Twilight and Spike had moved here years ago, Shining's schedule as the Captain of the Guard had kept him from visiting his siblings more than once or twice a year. But, even though he was unfamiliar with the town, the roads had that simple straightforward ease to them that couldn’t be found in the twisting streets of Canterlot. Plus, it was relatively easy to find a giant hollow tree in the middle of the village. The moment Shining knocked on the door it flew inward in a burst of purple magic and Twilight was right there, staring at him with wide, scared eyes. “Shining! You’re here!” Twilight threw her arms around her brother in a bear hug before drawing back again almost immediately. “Is Spike with you?” While Shining loved his sister dearly he also knew when it was time for family and time for duty and so he put on his best comforting-a-concerned-citizen voice as he answered. “No, Twi, as I said in my letter, I haven’t seen him in months.” Another piece of hair popped out of place on Twilight’s head. There was a worrying number already askew. “Oh! Right. Right right. That means he’s been gone for over 48 hours now which is officially when we can start being worried. But I can’t file an official report because no one remembers who he is! And now his stuff is disappearing and I feel like I’m falling apart!” “Twilight!” Shining put a hoof on his sister’s back as she quickly began to hyperventilate, “Twi, hey hey, just breath. Breath okay?” Twilight obediently took a few deep breaths until she seemed to come back to reality. “Sorry. Sorry, I’m freaking out just a little. But a cool head will find Spike faster than a panic attack.” She turned to give her brother a soft, calmer smile. “Thanks for coming on such short notice, Shining. I’m sure you’re going to be a big help.” Shining smiled back as reassuringly as he could. “I’ll do what I can. Why don’t you tell me everything about the situation? You said in your letter that ‘no one remembers him’. What does that mean, exactly?” Twilight grimaced and shook her head, gesturing for Shining to come more fully inside. “That’s just the thing; I have no idea. If the town simply didn’t remember him I’d know just the counterspell to what would obviously someone’s very sick idea of a joke. But it seems random who remembers him and who doesn’t and, to top it all off, I can’t find any of his things!” “His things?” Shining echoed, gazing around the tree library that was his sister’s and brother’s home. Besides the books, it wasn’t highly furnished. Neither Spike nor Twilight ever seemed to have need for lots of knick-knacks, so just by looking around, Shining couldn’t see anything to indicate there was less nothing than usual. “Yes!” Twilight cried, flinging a table to the ceiling to check under it before letting it crash back to the ground. “His basket is missing. As well as all the comic books he hides under his blankets.” Shining pursed his lips. “If he ran away then maybe he took them with him?” “When would he have done that?” Twilight snapped back, “The last time I saw him he only had a board game with him. Nothing about this is making sense!” She started pacing, her horn sparking randomly with stress. “The Mayor just acted confused when I asked her for help and so have most ponies in town. He disappeared right off of Sweet Apple Acres where Apple Bloom and her friends would have surely noticed if he was attacked by a creature. His things have vanished into thin air! And to top it all off I’ve had a splitting headache all day… like there's excess magic in the air I just can’t grasp. Something horrible has happened I just know it!” “Twilight, Twily!” Shining Armor yelled again, grabbing his sister before she could talk herself into a full break down. “Twily, I know this isn’t what you want to hear but I honestly think you’re overreacting.” She tried to jerk away from him in offended disgust but Shining held on tightly to her foreleg. “Spike is missing and that is bad but you’re blowing it out of proportion by thinking too much. Remember when we had an earthquake and you were convinced Tirek was coming out of Tartarus for revenge?” Twilight blushed deeply at the memory. “T-this is different. I’m not saying the world’s going to end. But Spike’s been taken-” “Maybe,” Shining interrupted, making sure to keep his voice steady and devoid of any strong emotions. His sister needed him to be her rock, and he couldn’t do that by scoffing at her ideas. “But statistically not likely. And certainly not by a… a memory wiping monster or something.” “Then how do you explain-” “Spike’s not very popular is he?” Shining prodded, not letting her get a word into freak herself out further, “He’s a nerd like the rest of us and stays inside a lot. It makes sense that he doesn’t make a big impression with a lot of ponies in town, even with being a dragon. I mean, you remember him, don’t you? And so do his friends?” Twilight completely stopped struggling now. She sat still as her eyes darted around in thought. “That… that’s true… he doesn’t really get out much… but then how do you explain-” “If he wanted to run away,” Shining continued, anticipating her next question, “it would make sense for him to sneak back here once you had gone to sleep to get some of his things. And as for the weird magic…” he shrugged, “You live by the Everfree Forest, Twily. Magic fluctuates weirdly all the time here.” Twilight didn’t look completely convinced, but she no longer looked like she’d blow up her house in panic either so Shining considered that progress. “I… I guess that makes sense. But that still doesn’t tell us where he is…. Or why he would run away...” Shining Armor shook his head in agreement. “No, it doesn’t. But that’s why I’m going to organize the police force to help search for him. Who knows, maybe he was trying to visit me but just didn’t take the train. We’ll start looking on the road to Canterlot first.” “Okay.” Twilight took a long, deep breath and nodded. “Okay. That… that sounds like a plan. I can work with a plan. We’ll find him.” She hugged her brother tightly around the neck. “Thank you, Shining.” He hugged her back gently. He didn’t mention the wild monster attack that had occurred last night. Most creatures in the forest wouldn’t dream of attacking a dragon and even if one had… he didn’t need Twilight worrying about something else right now. Even so, he frowned over Twilight’s shoulder where he was sure his sister couldn't see. *** “You want us to go where?” Sweetie Belle asked with a squeak, watching with wide eyes as Apple Bloom loaded up Scootaloo’s wagon. “You heard what everpony’s been saying’,” Apple Bloom said, not looking up, “They’re thinkin’ Spike was taken by the same monster that took Mr. Cake. No one’s willin’ to go into the Everfree and check, though. So it’s up to us to find him.” “But… but those are just rumors! And even so...” Sweetie’s voice dropped into something less than a whisper, “...if it was a monster then he’s probably-” “Don’t say that!” Apple Bloom barked, whirling away from her task to glare at the Unicorn, “Don’t even think that! Spike’s a dragon and there was no blood on the path to Ponyville. He’s fine!” “Yeah, Sweetie,” Scootaloo scoffed, stepping onto her scooter and adjusting the strap that connected the wagon, “We already have half the town completely giving up on him. We can’t lose you too.” “I’m not giving up on him!” Sweetie protested, glancing away with a pout, “I’m just trying to be realistic about how much good us running into the forest is going to do.” “We gotta try somethin’!” Apple Bloom insisted, “We can’t just sit around and let the big ponies go crazy while our friend could be in danger!” Sweetie bit her lip and swallowed thickly but nodded anyway. “I… guess he did disappear right around here…” “Exactly,” Scootaloo said, strapping her helmet on, “And we’re his best friends. If he, like, ran away from home or something he’d totally tell us.” Sweetie Belle gasped. “Ran away? Why would he do something like that?” Scootaloo shrugged. “I dunno. I’ve thought about doing it plenty of times. Maybe his dragon instincts told him to migrate. But my point is that he probably didn’t. Something took him and we gotta take him back!” “It don’t matter why he ran away,” Apple Bloom interrupted, climbing into the wagon, “What matters is that we do everything we can ta get him back. We’re his friends! He got lost on my property. It’s my responsibility ta find him.” Sweetie Belle let out a high pitched whine but clambered in next to Apple Bloom. “You know this isn’t your fault, right? He isn’t gone because of the game, okay?” Apple Bloom wouldn’t make eye contact. “Sure. Hey Scoots, I think we’re ready to go.” “Alright!” Scootaloo revved her wings and crouched down into a more aerodynamic position. “Operation Save Spike is a go!” With a squeal of the wheels, she sped off like a bolt away from the neat rows of apple trees and into the shade of the crowded Everfree forest, Sweetie Belle shrieking the entire way as they bumped over sticks and rocks. “Good idea, Sweetie Belle!” Apple Bloom shouted over her friend and the rushing wind. “We gotta let him know we’re here! Spike! Spike where are you?” Sweetie wasn’t sure how long or far they searched. The trees and time zipped by in a blur but it seemed like hours before Scootaloo stopped the wagon in a relatively clear area and leaned over her handlebars, panting. “Okay,” she said after a few seconds to catch her breath, “I think it’s time for a break.” “A break?” Sweetie Belle squeaked as Apple Bloom fished out the snacks she had brought, “We’re going to keep going? But it’s getting dark!” “It always gets dark fast in the Everfree,” Scootaloo answered as she took some water from Apple Bloom, “It isn’t that late, yet.” Sweetie Belle bit her lip as she glanced around their unfamiliar surroundings and rows and rows of identical trees. She couldn't even tell which way they had come from at this point. “Even still… we’ve covered a lot of ground and we’ll get in trouble if anyone finds us out here. Maybe we should head back?” Apple Bloom whirled on her so fast Sweetie Belle stumbled back a few steps in surprise. “What’s your problem, huh? Do you wanna find Spike or not?” “Of course I want to find Spike!” Sweetie shot back, “I just don’t think this is the best way to go about it!” Apple Bloom shoved her face into Sweetie’s until the two were bumping snouts. “Oh yeah? Well, ta me it sounds like you’d just rather give up on him then spend five minutes gettin’ your hooves dirty!” Sweetie Belle stood her ground. “That’s not true! I’d do anything to find him. But adding three more missing ponies isn’t going to help!” “Do anything?” Apple Bloom yelled, “You’ve done nothing!” “Guys, shut up for a second!” Scootaloo cried, slapped her hooves on both her friends’ muzzles. Sweetie Belle was just about to smack her hoof away when her ears perked up. There was a crashing and snapping sound echoing through the trees. A sound that was steadily getting louder. “What is that?” Apple Bloom asked, brushing Scootaloo aside. Sweetie Belle gulped. “Something big. We should-” “Raaaaaaah!” That’s when a manticore crashed into the clearing, ripping trees out of the way and whipping its head about as if looking for something. The monster was huge. At least twice the size of even Big Macintosh. It snarled with a cracked tooth and black eye, as if it had just been in a fight, and blood dripped from its claws. The crusaders stood frozen as the great beast locked its gaze on them. It growled deeply and stalked forwards, looking like it was sizing up which filly to eat first. Sweetie tried to will her legs to run. Or her mouth to scream and snap the others out of their terror. But she couldn’t move. She felt trapped beneath the piercing gaze of the manticore, steadily inching closer. The manticore opened its gaping maw wide and Sweetie’s eyes filled with tears. They were going to die. But, just as the monster leaned down to swallow the fillies whole, a hollow clunk sound rang out through the still forest and the manticore froze in place. For a few moments that felt like hours, Sweetie Belle couldn’t understand what had just happened. It wasn’t until she glanced past those razor-sharp teeth did she notice the giant anvil perched on the manticore’s head like a jaunty cap. The manticore’s eyes rolled to the back of its head and its tongue lulled out of its mouth. With a groan, the beast collapsed onto its side, revealing a panting pony, eyes more intense than the manticore’s had been just moments before, standing right behind it. Sweetie, now with the immediate threat gone, felt like she could breathe again. But, no use letting pent up terror go to waste. “Aaaaaaah!” Not to be outdone, her friends screamed with her. “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” Rang the trifecta of terrified fillies. “Gaaaah!” The strange fourth pony screamed back at them, the intensity in her eyes blinking away as she scrambled backward. She didn’t get far, however, before letting out a pained yelp and falling out of sight, back behind the manticore’s bulk. No one moved for a few heartbeats as the three fillies processed what had just happened. Apple Bloom acted first. She untangled herself from the huddle the crusaders had squeezed themselves into and galloped around the manticore, giving the monster a wide breath as she circled to its other side. Scootaloo dashed after Apple Bloom, hot on her heels, and Sweetie had no choice but to follow. When they got to the other side the strange pony was still there, curled into a tight ball and crying her eyes out. It was obviously an Earth Pony mare but in the dying light Sweetie couldn’t make out anything more from the huddled figure. “H-hey, are you alright, there?” Apple Bloom asked, slowly approaching the sobbing pony, “W-was that manticore chasing you?” The pony glanced up, wide puffy eyes peeking out from a long straight mane. She nodded slowly at Apple Bloom, slightly relaxing at the Earth Pony’s nervous tone and soft posture. “Did it get you?” Scootaloo asked, causing the pony’s eyes to snap to her, “There was blood on its claws…” The mare didn’t answer but she did uncurl from her fetal position and extended her left foreleg, as if offering it to Scootaloo. However, it had quickly gotten too dark in the shadow of the trees to make out almost any specifics of what exactly she was trying to show them. Sweetie Belle leaned forward and shakily lit her horn in a very basic light spell that barely cast a bright enough glow to illuminate the four ponies. As soon as the first spark emerged from Sweetie’s horn the mare gasped and scrambled back a few feet, resuming her tightly curled posture and shaking even harder now. In the light of Sweetie’s spell, it was much easier to see details. Contrary to what Sweetie first assumed, the mare was not an adult pony. She was a young teenager, only a little older than Spike, and was incredibly small and thin. It looked like she hadn’t eaten in days and the mud and dirt in her mane and coat made it seem like she had been living in the woods for weeks on end. The worst thing of all though, was her leg. It was twitching sporadically at her side as blood pooled down it, matting the fur and causing a small puddle beneath her. The three fillies gasped at the sight of it and Sweetie Belle almost wretched. “That doesn’t look good…” Scootaloo muttered, trotting over to the prone pony’s side and examining the injuring without touching it. The teenager didn’t move as Scootaloo examined her. She stayed stiff, her gaze never moving from Sweetie’s glowing horn. Scootaloo looked to her two friends, worry in her eyes. “Guys, I don’t think she should be walking on this. We need to get her out of the forest. Fast.” “Should we take her to a hospital?” Sweetie asked, taking a step forward to better offer her light. The mare on the ground cringed back and Sweetie instantly stopped in her tracks. “That… that seems pretty serious.” Apple Bloom glanced between the dark sky and the even darker forest. “Erhm… I don’t think that’s such a good idea this late at night. I don’t know if we’ll even be able to find our way back…” “We have to try!” Scootaloo insisted, pushing herself under the teenager’s good leg, “Help me get her in the wagon, Apple Bloom. Sweetie, keep that light going.” Applebloom moved to the other side of the prone pony and gently pressed against her ribs, helping her into a shaky standing position. Sweetie stood by awkwardly, feeling useless as her friends half guided, half carried, the injured pony into the wagon. “You guys are gonna have to walk,” Scootaloo explained once the teenager was securely settled in their little wagon, “There isn’t really enough room for all three of you without pressing against her leg. But I have to go slow anyway to keep the bumps down.” “But which way are we going?” Sweetie asked, biting her lip. She felt like the shadows were creeping into her small ring of light, reaching for her, trying to drag her deeper into the forest. Plus there was still that unconscious manticore a few yards away. “I can’t tell any of these trees apart…” “That way…” It was so quiet that if Sweetie Belle wasn’t standing right next to the wagon she wouldn’t have heard the teenager at all. “Huh? What?” The pony cringed back away from her but shakily pointed her good hoof into the forest and spoke a little louder. “You wanna go that way…” Sweetie glanced at Apple Bloom who simply shrugged. “I don’t got a better idea.” “That way it is!” Scootaloo said, pushing her scooter in the indicated direction at a moderate pace. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom walked after her, keeping close enough for Sweetie’s horn to light their way. No one saying anything. For the whole walk back to the clubhouse the injured pony didn’t once take her eyes off of Sweetie Belle’s horn. Author's Note You know I don't really love Sweetie Belle as a character but I found her pretty enjoyable to write here. I just need to poke around inside her head a bit to see how it ticks.
