Fractured Mindby PoneStudiosChaptersPrologue: Fractured [Edits Made]Chapter One: A Normal Day [Edits Made]Chapter Two: Bump in the Road [Edits Made]Chapter Three: A Meeting With RoyaltyPrologue: Fractured [Edits Made]Buttercup Rose couldn't help but smile as she walked up to the schoolyard. It was a beautiful day outside, and the first day of school. Ponies were bringing their school bags to keep in cubbies for the school year. Buttercup in particular had already done that yesterday because she was Student Body President and she had to be there early for student council meetings. "Buttercup!" Lavender shouted as she, Sunrise, and Moonlight came up to her. "Hey!" "Lavender! Sunrise! Moonlight! You're back from summer vacation!" Buttercup ran up to her friends, grinning. "So, How was Sapphire Shoals?" She asked with a grin. "It was amazing! Dad took us on a fishing trip and then we went to the frozen north to collect ice crystals from the caves! We-- we have some here, look! They glow and they don't melt because-- because magic!" Moonlight grinned as she spoke. She pulled a few ice crystals out of her saddlebags, showing them off to Lavender and Buttercup. "Ooh!" Was the response the crystals got. Sunrise grinned. "Hey, sis, I think you're stuttering a bit," She said, giggling. Moonlight blushed a little. "Oh! Sorry! I'm just-- I'm just so excited! Third grade is gonna be awesome with you as president, Buttercup!" "Thanks, Moony!" Buttercup smiled. "Hey, where's Lilac? She said she would be here on our first day to congratulate us..." "Lilac's parents shipped her off to Manehatten for a friendship camp last week. She said she was sorry, but her parents were being really strict," Lavender answered. "Ohh. Well, that's alright. Now, I have to go meet the rest of the class, Y'know, Student Body President Things, but I'll meet you in the schoolyard at lunch, okay?" Buttercup said. "Okay!" The rest of the girls chimed in unison. Buttercup trotted off into the school, grabbing her clipboard and pen in her magic. "Hmm..." She looked at the clipboard. "So, first off is a filly named Buttercup... Oh, that's me!" She giggled. "Now, who's first? A colt named Shoelace. Ohh, he's in honors! How nice for him!" Buttercup went up to talk to him. Half an hour passed as Buttercup went to meet the students and give them candy as a welcome gift. When she was nearly done, she looked at her clipboard again to determine who the last student was. "Hmm... Just two more students, and... oh! They're new here in Ponyville! I've got to make their day extra special because they're new!" She looked around the classroom for them. "Where are they?" She looked outside. "Maybe on the playground." Buttercup trotted outside to the playground. She looked around for the fillies for a moment before spotting them sitting on the swings and talking. "Oh, there they are!" Buttercup trotted up to them. "Hi! My name's Buttercup! I'm the Student Body President this year! I just wanted to say hi and welcome to Ponyville! And to the Elementary School, of course! What are your names?" The fillies looked at her, grinning a little in a way that Buttercup thought was a little strange, but shrugged off. "Don't you have our names on that clipboard of yours there?" Buttercup tilted her head to the side for a moment before smiling. "Well, yeah, but I like to let ponies tell me their names in person so they don't feel weird about it. It just makes them feel more included." "Huh.” Diamond raised an eyebrow for a moment, before shrugging and looking back at Buttercup. “Well, I'm Diamond Necklace, and this is my BFF Golden Ruby. I go by Diamond, she goes by Ruby." Diamond and Ruby nodded decisively, in a way that made Buttercup shiver a bit. "Hmm. Well, Diamond and Ruby, welcome to Ponyville! I hope you like it here! We're all really nice here, just you wait and see!" Buttercup hummed before remembering something. "Oh! I almost forgot! Here! Welcome candy as a gift for your first day at school!" She gave them the candy and they giggled a little. It was a cold laugh, one that drove chills up Buttercup's spine. Still, she was trying to be nice to them, so she kept it up for just a little longer. "Well, I should get back. I just hung out to say hi for a little while. So, see you later, maybe?" The two nodded in response, never taking their eyes away from her. As she turned to leave, the fillies caught a look at her flank which Buttercup thought was rude, and they gasped. "Buttercup! Are you-- Are you a--" Diamond put a hoof up to her mouth, gasping facetiously. "A blank-flank?" She said it like it was a grave misfortune, something that confused Buttercup s she stood there, eyebrow perplexingly raised. "Yeah, so?" Buttercup shrugged. "You don't have your cutie mark yet!" Ruby cried, shock on her face. "Nooo...? If you're teasing me about it, then don't. We don't allow that here. Everypony is supposed to feel included, not singled out." "No, it's-- You don't have your mark! That means you don't have any talent! You need a mark to have a talent!" Diamond grinned, but it was predatory now. "And, by extension, you need a mark to be friends with US. You wouldn't want to be friends with a blank-flank, would you? Blank-flanks are so... ugh... boring, aren't they, Ruby?" Diamond turned to Ruby, who nodded. Buttercup sighed. So that was the odd feeling in her stomach. "Yes, indeed!" "And since you're a blank-flank, you, Miss President, by extension, are boring and talentless." Ruby nodded at that, and Diamond continued as they both stood up. "So why would we, a pair of fine fillies -- who HAVE our marks, mind you -- want to be friends with a blank-flank like you? You're not pretty, you're not cool, you're not a bad girl, you're not a good girl... You're just boring. And we're not friends with boring." "That's a rude thing to say about me." Buttercup frowned a little, then scowled. "You shouldn't be saying that about others. It could get you suspended or expelled!" "And who's going to prove that we said it? Your pathetic little group of friends over there? They're not watching us." "Don't talk about them like that! That's rude!" "Whatever. We're not going to be your friends, and you shouldn't be our friend if you're going to be boring." They walked off without another word, leaving Buttercup shocked and somewhat angry. Before she could go after them, she stopped herself. "Calm down, Buttercup, you have other things to do." Buttercup walked back over to Sunrise, Moonlight, and Lavender, sighing. "So, how was it?" Lavender asked. Buttercup sighed. "It was good for the most part, but then the last two fillies started teasing me because I don't have my cutie mark. That was rude of them..." "Buttercup, you shouldn't worry about it." "It's not just that. It's what they said. None of it is true!" she hissed defensively. "Well, we don't need them as friends. That's why it doesn't matter what they think," Moonlight said. Buttercup hummed, sighing. "Well, I'll just try again tomorrow, then. And be nicer! Maybe they were just a little nervous about me." "Or scared," Lavender added. "Which would be worse." Buttercup thought about that for a moment, before shrugging. "Oh well. I'll just keep trying until they have to be nice to me!" And keep trying she did. The next day, she went up to them again and got the same response. And the next day, and the next day, and the next. Diamond and Ruby just kept on teasing her whenever she got close, even going so far as to poke at things only she and her older sister should've known about. A month passed and she didn't know why they kept doing this to her. So when she went up to them again, she asked. "Why are you doing this to me?" "Because you're trying to be our friend, obviously." "No, I mean, why did you start doing this a month ago?" Ruby and Diamond looked at each other, before turning back to her. "Um, maybe because you're a blank-flank? Because you don't have a mark and therefore don't have a talent?" "That's not a reason! That's just what you always say to me!" "Well, it's the only reason we need!" "No, it's not! I... I don't know why you keep on doing this to me!" "Why are you making such a big deal out of this? We're just being nice to you as our blank-flank friend! We're not going to be your friends if you're boring!" "That's not being nice! That's just being a bully!" "What's the difference? Anyway, we're not your friends, so don't bother coming around here again! Go hang out with your sister or something." "But... But I just want to be your friend!" "You say that, but you don't really deserve it. I mean, you're a blank-flank! Blank-flanks can only be friends with other blank-flanks, that's what I always say!" Ruby nodded, giving an affirmative hum. "Anyway, it's not going to work out. Bye!" The pair walked away from her. Buttercup walked back home in silence, feeling awful about what had just happened. Another month passed. She kept trying, bound by some deep instinct to keep going, keep talking to them, get them to be nice to her. It never worked. They just kept on teasing her, no matter what she did. She tried everything. Cards, gifts, cakes, invitations to parties... but everything she tried was only met with rejection. But somehow, she kept going. And after a second month of trying, they came up to her while she was sitting with her friends at lunch. "Miss President?" "Yes?" She asked, trying to keep her tone jovial. "You said in your beginning of year speech that anypony could come up and talk to you. Can we?" "Of course! I'm not going to deny you just because you're teasing me. Everypony deserves a voice! Just, come with me please." The two fillies followed her away from the table outside the classroom. "Now, what did you want to talk to me about?" "This." Diamond pulled a school newspaper out of her bag. It showed Buttercup in the newsroom, editing the papers to favor her instead of saying the truth. "T-that... blackmail??" "Kh, yeah! Obvious-much, blank-flank?" "But I never did that!" "Would anyone believe you if you told them?" "But I didn't do that!" "And that's what I've been trying to tell you, blank-flank! Why won't you ever listen to anyone? Are you, like, deaf or something?" "Wh--" A hoof went up to her right ear self-consciously. "No!" She sighed. "I don't know why this is happening. I've never done anything wrong! Why are you doing this to me? I'm just trying to be nice!" "Because you're a blank-flank, and you don't get to be our friend if you don't have a cutie mark." "What's wrong with not knowing what your talent is yet? Y-you can... You can do whatever you want when you don't know what it is..." Buttercup sniffled. "Aw, is the President going to cry? How pathetic." "No! C-can't... can't we just be friends? I don't care what you think of me. I don't..." "No." Buttercup whimpered a little and left. "Ohhh..." There were tears in her eyes. Two more months passed. Buttercup had stopped trying to talk to Diamond and Ruby, just wanting them to stop teasing her. They were using blackmail as a regular tactic now, and would often come up to her to rub it in her face. It was November now, and as soon as she got to school, she went to the entrance of the forest nearby and just sobbed her tiny heart out. Lavender noticed that when the bell rang, Buttercup was gone. "Hey, Moonlight. Did you see Buttercup earlier? She's not here!" "No. I thought she was inside?" "We should look for her, Miss Heartstrings will be worried..." The trio looked for Buttercup, eventually finding her curled up and sobbing in a little clearing of the forest. Moonlight, Sunrise, and Lavender all looked at her, concerned for their friend. "Buttercup? Are you okay?" Moonlight asked worriedly. Buttercup gave no answer, too lost in her own despair. "Buttercup? What's wrong?" Sunrise asked. When she got no answer, they all went up to her, lifting her up and holding her gently, wiping off her tears and looking at her. "What's wrong?" Lavender asked softly. "I... It's the fillies. You know, Diamond and Ruby? They... They just keep teasing me, no matter what I do. I was just trying to be nice to them, and they just keep teasing and blackmailing me. Why are they doing this to me?" She sniffled. "Buttercup, we're your friends. Why would anyone want to tease you?" "I don't know... They just do." Buttercup spat with a pout. "They never stop, no matter what I do. I just... why won't they stop?" "We need to stop them. Are you okay?" Buttercup just kept weeping into Moonlight's shoulder. Why won't you listen to me? I want to help you! Lavender let out a sigh. "Sunrise," She whispered so as not to let Buttercup hear. "Go get Buttercup's older sister. She needs to go home." Sunrise nodded and left, going to get Sunset, Buttercup's older sister. Lavender then held Buttercup tightly, letting her sob into her shoulder. Moonlight held her as well, wanting to calm her down. A few minutes later, Sunrise came back with Sunset. Sunset sighed. "She's here?" "Yes, Miss Flower... she's right in that clearing. Lavender and Moonlight are too. They're with her." Sunset nodded and entered the clearing. She sighed when she saw Buttercup. "Oh, honey... what's wrong?" She picked Buttercup up and held her, nodding and smiling to Lavender and Moonlight. "Sunny..." Buttercup sobbed into her sister's fur, hiccuping and gasping as Sunset held her tightly in a loving embrace. "Shh, shh... shh, everything's going to be okay, it'll all be alright, I promise you..." Buttercup sniffled some more, sighing and burying her face in Sunset's fur. "Now, what's wrong, Buttercup?" "I-I... I met two fillies this year and they're teasing me, no matter what I do. I was just trying to be nice to them, but they're teasing me because I'm a blank-flank." Buttercup's eyes drifted down to the ground below her, tears building in her eyes once again. "A blank flank?" "They say I don't have a talent yet." "What? Oh, you mean because you don't have your cutie mark yet." Buttercup nodded. "They said that blank-flanks are boring and talentless because they don't have their mark yet." "Sweetie, you're not talentless," Sunset said with a gentle smile. "You're my little sister. You have plenty of talent. And everypony knows it." Buttercup sniffled. "B-but... why don't they know?" Sunset frowned, not knowing how to answer that. "We'll answer that question later. How about we go home for today, hon?" Buttercup nodded, climbing onto Sunset's back and hiding her face in Sunset's curly red mane. "Alright, dear. Come on, kids." Buttercup's friends all followed Sunset as she carried Buttercup towards the school. "I thought we were going home, Sunny..." Buttercup said, confused at the direction they were taking. "We are. I just need to let Miss Heartstrings know about you being out of school." "Oh." Then Buttercup remembered the fillies who were teasing them. "B-But Sunny, the fillies are going to be there..." Sunset rubbed Buttercup's back to soothe her. "Shh, I know. I won't let them hurt you, I promise." Buttercup was silent the rest of the walk, clinging to her sister. When they got to school, thankfully, Miss Heartstrings was already there. "Miss Heartstrings? Can I have a word with you please?" Heartstrings nodded. "Yes? What do you need?" "I would like to take Buttercup out of school for today," Sunset said. "Oh, what happened? Is she sick?" "She's just tired, don't worry." When she saw the way Buttercup was sniffling and hiding in her older sister's mane, Heartstrings gave a slight nod of understanding. "Ah... alright, then. I'll see you in class tomorrow, Buttercup. Don't miss tonight's assignment!" "Okay, Miss Heartstrings. Bye-bye..." Buttercup waved shyly from Sunset's back and Heartstrings smiled a little, letting the two go home for the day. Buttercup's three friends then entered the room, faces filled with worry. "Where have you three been?" Heartstrings asked. "With Buttercup, because she was upset," Sunrise answered. "Ah. Well, take a seat, I can't blame you for helping a friend." Heartstrings then went back to her lesson, somewhat worried for Buttercup, but relieved that she was at least safe with family. Back at home, Buttercup was wrapped in a fuzzy blanket, holding a teddy bear Sunset and their late mother had sewn for her as a Christmas present when she was four. Sunset held her as they sat, comforting her and calming her down. "Is this better?" She asked with a soft smile. Buttercup nodded, managing a small smile through the fading tears in her eyes. "Uh-huh. Thanks, Sunny," she said, nuzzling into her older sister's chest. More months passed. The teasing only got worse as the year went on. Despite Sunset’s attempts, the fillies always found a way to get to Buttercup without Miss Heartstrings seeing. Eventually, this expanded to her friends, too. So in December, when Buttercup was sitting at a table for lunch, alone because she was upset, Sunrise and Moonlight came up to her. "Hey, Buttercup?" Sunrise said. "Yeah?" "W-we can't-- We can't hang out with you anymore. W-we don't-- We don't want to be teased too," Moonlight stuttered nervously, her ears folding back. "B-B-B-- But-- I-- But you're my friends... I would never let them tease you!" Buttercup put a hoof to her mouth, her pupils shrinking just slightly. "I'm sorry, but we just can't take that chance. I don't want my sister to be hurt. You know how sensitive she is," Sunrise replied grimly. Buttercup nodded, but tears began welling up in her eyes. "...Okay..." She mumbled as they walked away. Buttercup quickly wiped her eyes and sniffled, then went back to eating her lunch in silence. Diamond and Ruby then came up to her, grinning. "What do you want?" Buttercup asked. "Oh, nothing. Just came to see if you were alright after that scene with your friends. Never thought they would ditch you like that, but then, you don't have much popularity do you?" "Leave me alone..." Buttercup groaned. Diamond ignored that. "Or, well, they're not your friends anymore, are they? I mean, ditching you like that? I would too, seeing as how you still don't have your cutie mark, but them? Mare, they were never your friends, were they?" "Leave them alone! They were just protecting themselves!" Diamond grinned. "Yeah, from you and your stupidity. I mean, you would've gotten them hurt if they hadn't left. Look! I had this all ready for them!" She showed Buttercup the usual newspaper with blackmail information on it. "But since they left, I can't print this. Oh, well. At least now we have you alone." Buttercup stood up and began walking away from them. "Just go away, you two... Don't you have somewhere important to be?" Over the last few months of school, it got worse. It started escalating to physical violence, and Buttercup had to actively avoid Diamond and Ruby to keep them from hurting her. She always went home with scratches and cuts and sometimes bruises. Sunset always helped patch her up and then held her for a while when she got home, but the very next day, Diamond and Ruby would do the same thing again. It was horrible, and Buttercup always felt worse when she went home. But after they told her she wasn't fit to be Student Body President, she went in to talk to Miss Heartstrings. "Miss Heartstrings?" She asked one day after school. "Yes, dear?" "Can I-- Can I resign as Student Body President?" The question came as a surprise to Miss Heartstrings, who paused what she was doing to look at Buttercup sadly. "Well, I was going to ask you to grade these papers, but... Yes, of course." Buttercup left her class with a heavy heart and headed home for the day. Miss Heartstrings watched on, a heavy feeling growing in her head. Over the next few months, Buttercup began avoiding the school unless it was class time, going to the forest and sitting at a river instead of playing in the schoolyard like she used to. She didn't avoid Diamond and Ruby after school, because they caught her before she could, but the mornings were better. And then one day, on the last day of school, Diamond and Ruby found her there. "Hello, Buttercup," She said with a grin. "So this is where you've been coming before school! What a nice little place you have here. So quiet and peaceful, and far away from us! But now we've found it, so you can't hide anymore." "Leave me alone. Go bother someone else." Buttercup didn't bother to look at them. Diamond scoffed. "Now why would I do that? You're too much fun to tease, Buttercup! I mean, we even got you to resign as President!" Diamond looked at Buttercup. "But now we have something else to show you. Look at this!" Diamond pulled out a newspaper with a picture of Buttercup on it. Buttercup looked at it, eyes widening. "W-Wh-- I-- You did this? Y-you-- You made this picture of me sabotaging the votes?" "Mm-hm! We've crashed your campaign before it's even up and running! Isn't it just wonderful?" “But, I… I wasn’t even running for next year…” Buttercup shivered. "Why are you doing this to me?" "We've answered that question before. There's no point in answering it again, no matter how dumb you are." Diamond turned to Ruby. "Now, I have something to give you, something special. Something to remind you of us once we're gone." They began walking towards Buttercup, who backed up. A few steps back and she was tripping, falling into the river and getting mud all over herself. Diamond and Ruby began laughing. "What do you think you're doing? Get out of there!" Buttercup picked herself up, but as she was trying to get out of the mud, she slipped and fell back in. "Look at you! You can't even get up out of there! You're such an idiot!" Buttercup sighed as tears built up in her eyes again. She whimpered and squinted her eyes shut. "Why can't you leave me alone?" They just kept laughing, watching as she sniffled and shivered and sobbed. She couldn't take it anymore, and something in her snapped. Before she could blink, she was surrounded by a sphere of magic that exploded out and blew the mud off her and the fillies away from her. She found herself exploding, screaming out in agony as her emotions all took the opportunity to get out using the volatile sphere of magic around her. The fillies had but a second to move before the magic pulsated through them, tearing their bodies apart in an instant. But Buttercup's magic wasn't done. As quickly as it had exploded out, it shrunk back into her, causing her to pass out for a moment as it repaired all the damage the fillies had done to her. she then slowly dropped to the ground, groaning. She sat up, wondering what had happened. Then she saw the remains of the fillies. "W-wh-- I-- They-- T-they're dead... I--" Buttercup broke down into tears. "I killed them... I killed them because they were bullying me..." "Ohhh..." She stood up, still sobbing, and ran home in a panic, too terrified to think of what would happen if they found the fillies. Sunset was sitting in the living room, reading. She looked up when Buttercup ran in. "Buttercup! Are you o--" Buttercup didn't stop, running into her room and shutting the door behind her. "--kay?" Sunset sighed, standing up. "Oh, dear..." Buttercup curled up in her closet, guilt driving her to tears. "Ohhh... what do I do, what do I do, what do I do? I KILLED THEM! I-- They're-- They're dead because of me..." Buttercup hiccuped, shaking and sobbing and gasping as she tried to figure out what to do. "Celestia, help me... I don't want to be bad... I'm just scared... I don't want to be bad... please..." She froze when she heard the door opening. "Buttercup? Are you alright?" Oh, Celestia, no, Sunset's here! What if she finds out? Buttercup went silent, shaking her head and shoving a hoof in her mouth to keep from making noise. Hoofsteps came closer to the closet, and then-- "Buttercup? Are you in there?" The voice came from right outside the closet. Buttercup stayed silent save for the occasional hiccup and gasp as she sobbed. "Buttercup?" "G-go away!" She whimpered, her voice shaking. "Buttercup, are you alright?" "J-Just-- leave me alone!" "I'm coming in, Buttercup. I'm not going to hurt you, I promise!" Buttercup gulped, biting her tongue to keep herself from making a sound. She took a deep breath, tensing up as she waited for the door to open. It did, and there was Sunset. "Buttercup, what's wrong?" Sunset asked, sitting down and opening her hooves for Buttercup. Buttercup took one look at her and lept into her embrace, sobbing. "Oh, my sweet darling... what's wrong?" Buttercup only shook her head. "Shh, shh... I've got you. You're safe. You're right here with me, I'm right here." Buttercup slowly calmed, and Sunset sighed. "Now, what's wrong, love?" "I..." Buttercup cut off when a thought came to her mind. I killed two fillies... isn't that super wrong? What will happen if I tell her? What if I get sent away? "I... It was the fillies again, only this time... they-- They were coming to talk to me, and a timberwolf just-- Just--" "A timberwolf? What did it do to them?" "I-It-- It-- It killed them..." She whimpered, trying hard to not cry. "Oh, my... are you okay? Did it hurt you?" "Y-yeah, I'm fine, Sunny..." "Alright, then." Buttercup sighed, closing her eyes as Sunset held her. Well, guess that's it... I can't tell anyone. I can't ever let anyone know what happened to them. I'd be locked up or killed, or worse... Just like the fillies... I... I have to think of something. Sunset sighed. "How about we get something to eat? Not something out, just from the kitchen." Buttercup nodded. The two slowly got up and left the room. Buttercup let herself relax as much as she could without ending up telling the truth about the fillies. Hours later, while she lay in bed, Buttercup felt something moving inside her mind. She froze and felt it pulse again with small tremors. It felt like something was there, trying to get in. Hello? She thought just to see who would answer. Hello, darling. "GAHH!" Who are you!? My name is Scarlet Knife, darling, and I'm a part of you. You created me when you killed those two terrors who were bullying you. Now, you feel guilty about it, don't you? I-- Yes, but... what does it matter to you? Oh, I just want to help you deal with it is all. I know it's been eating at you ever since you did it, and that's not good for you at all! What do you mean? I mean, it's making you a little crazy, darling. It would be best for you if you got rid of that little burden you've been carrying around with you. Why? Well, do you like it? No... So why not get rid of it? I can take the burden away from you, so you never have to feel it again. If you let me out every so often, I can take the guilt away. Don't you want that, darling? Don't you want to feel good? But... what about the other fillies? If I don't feel guilty, then I'll kill them, too! Well, you don't have to be guilty not to kill them, darling. You didn't before, did you? No, but... now, I might... Do you feel an urge to kill them, darling? No... So don't worry about it. Only those who feel an urge kill like that. I... Okay. Okay, you can do it. Please stop making me feel so horrible. Good, good. Now, go over to your mirror and touch it. I'll be on the other side. Once you touch my hoof, the deal will be done, and all the guilt will gone. Okay... Buttercup went over to her mirror and touched it where Scarlet's hoof was touching from the other side. Scarlet grinned in response. There, now. That's done. Just a moment, and then I can get rid of your guilt for you. Buttercup waited for a moment before Scarlet's voice echoed through her head again. There. It's gone now. No more guilt. No more bad thoughts. Is that better? Y-yeah... thanks. Buttercup smiled a little, glad that the weight was off her. You're welcome, darling. I should go back to bed now. Goodnight! Buttercup laid down and closed her eyes. She hoped that tomorrow would be better than today. Just before she fell asleep, she couldn’t help thinking that this deal seemed a just little too simple... Chapter One: A Normal Day [Edits Made]Twenty-two years later Buttercup Rose woke up with a groan and a sigh, sitting up and rubbing her eyes with her forehooves. She looked at herself and sighed. Scarlet had clearly been out last night, as evidenced by the thorough washing she'd given their body. Good morning, sleepyhead! Scarlet greeted from deep in her mind. Good morning, Scarlet. Buttercup irritatedly replied. So, you were out last night. Mm-hm. I took our body out for a spin at midnight, like usual. Buttercup shivered at that. What did you do this time, Scarlet? Good question, darling. Now if only you could figure out the answer... Ah. No questions, then? Buttercup felt the mental leash Scarlet had her on being tightened. No, not this time, darling. You'll find out eventually, just like you always do. Buttercup felt Scarlet's presence fading, but the mental leash stayed tight around her neck. Today's a strict day, Buttercup supposed to herself. Gee, thanks, Scarlet. Scarlet gave no answer. Buttercup sighed and got out of bed. She went over to her vanity and brushed her mane and tail, put on and zipped up her favorite blackish-blue hoodie, made sure the sleeves covered all of her forelegs, then went into the bathroom and brushed her teeth. After that, she rubbed her hooves with the daily dose of hoof-protection powder[1] and went into the kitchen to get breakfast. Sunset was sitting at the table, eating a bowl of cereal and reading patient reports. "Good morning, Buttercup! How'd you sleep?" Sunset smiled at her. Buttercup smiled back, internally sighing. "I slept well, thanks for asking. How are you this morning?" Buttercup's tone was almost too joyful for comfort, but Sunset didn't notice. "I'm good." Sunset smiled and looked at her patients' reports. "Quite a few of my patients are making progress. Is the hospital any better?" "Meh, as good as can be with so many in with the Feather Flu." "That's unfortunate. I hope they get better soon!" Sunset went back to eating her cereal and Buttercup looked in the fridge for something to eat. She looked at Sunset and the fake smile she had on faded just a bit, her eyes dimming as she thought. Maybe… maybe I could tell her… maybe... But when she went to do so, she felt the mental leash tightening, silencing her and forcing her mouth shut. Ah, ah, darling, you don't want Sunset to get hurt, do you? Scarlet's voice sounded in her head and she shivered, mouth still being forced shut by the mental leash. She really didn't. She really, really didn't want her sister to get hurt... seeing Sunset get hurt in horrific visions was bad enough, she didn't need to see it in real life. Scarlet, please don't hurt her, I wasn't going to tell her, I promise... Then don't try to, darling. Or else, well... I'm quite sure you know by now what will happen. Buttercup's mind went hazy for a moment, mind lighting up with flashes of the visions that Scarlet gave her. Images of death, and the sound of a familiar scream that made Buttercup shiver. As fast as it had clouded her mind, the haze cleared, leaving her standing in front of the fridge with a hoof on her forehead and groaning, trying to forget what had just happened. Sunset turned to her when she heard the groan, concerned. "Buttercup? Are you alright?" Buttercup pulled her hoof down from her forehead, still groaning just slightly as her mind recovered from the visions. She nodded, hoping the small action would be enough to satisfy Scarlet and stave off the tightening of the leash for the time being. "Yeah, Sunset... I-I'm fine," She lied with another, softer groan. Sunset raised an eyebrow, noticing the slight twitching of Buttercup's mouth as she lied. "You sure you're okay, hon?" Buttercup nodded as she felt a tug on the leash. "Yeah, I'm fine, I just... I'm a little tired is all." She gave what she hoped was a convincing grin and shoved a few pieces of toast in her mouth. Sunset raised an eyebrow even further but didn't comment. "...Alright. Just take it easy then, okay?" Buttercup nodded. "Okay. See you after work, Sunset." "See you after work, Buttercup!" Sunset smiled and left for work. Buttercup looked at the door as it closed, frowning a little as the leash pulled her towards her saddlebags, a choking feeling filling her head in the process. She hacked a little on reflex, her tongue sticking out as she tried to distract herself from the lack of freedom. She had to get to work. Redheart would be upset with her if she was late again. Buttercup trotted down the street towards Ponyville General Hospital just a few minutes later, silently hoping that nopony would talk to her today and she wouldn't have to spare the effort to lie to them. She hated having to keep so many secrets and distance herself from everyone she loved and having to talk to others only reminded her of the horrible situation she was forced into. Unfortunately, her hope was left unanswered, and she heard someone calling her name. "Hey, Buttercup!" It was Lavender, her best friend since second grade. She grimaced and let out a quiet grunt that went unnoticed by Lavender, and then forced herself to smile and act like she was alright. "Hey, Lavender. How are you?" "Good, good. Yourself?" "Yeah, sure. You know how it is." "Mm-hmm. The usual then?" "Yeah... Hey, how's your mom and dad doing?" "Oh, they're fine. They are living it up in Sapphire Shoals." “The retirement home?” Buttercup raised an eyebrow. “No, they have their own place. It’s a nice little cottage on the edge of town, surrounded by a garden and apple trees. I go there, sometimes, to visit them for holidays and things.” “Ah. Well, good for them.” Buttercup nodded, closing her eyes and shifting a little. “Sure is, isn’t it?” Lavender gave a small laugh. "What about you? You don't seem like you." "Oh, I'm fine. Just a little tired is all." "I guess," Lavender seemed unconvinced. Then she seemed to remember something. "Oh! Last week you told me about a job offer in Manehatten. How's it going? Have you gotten an interview yet?" Buttercup shook her head, shrugging. "Not yet, but hopefully soon. It's a really good opportunity." "That's great! I'm sure you'll get it. You always do!" Buttercup noticed a young filly sitting with an older mare, crying. "Hey, lavender?" "Yeah?" "Why's Daisy Petal crying?" Lavender winced and Buttercup shivered, hoping it wasn't what she thought it was. "You didn't hear?" Lavender asked. Buttercup shook her head. “No. What happened?” "Daisy's older sister went missing last night. She went to bed last night, and the next morning she was gone!" Lavender said worriedly. "Oh... are they looking for her? Do they know if she's alright?" Buttercup asked. "They've been searching since this morning, but haven't found anything yet. The guards say that if she's gone for more than two days, the chance of her surviving is slim to none." "That's terrible! I hope she turns up alright..." "I do too, Buttercup. Peony was going to come with us to the Summer Sun Celebration this year..." They finished the rest of the walk to the hospital in silence and made their separate ways to the cafeteria. Buttercup went to the nurse's station to start her shift. She looked to the head nurse, Nurse Redheart, and held back a sigh. "Hello, Nurse Redheart!" She said cheerily. "Good morning, Buttercup. I see you're here on time for once." Redheart replied in a semi-friendly tone. "I see you're not eating anything this morning." "Yeah, I woke up early for once and had the time to get breakfast at home. Ha-heh..." She gave a nervous laugh and shoved the tight lump of dread in her throat down where it wouldn't affect how she acted. Redheart, while now slightly suspicious of Buttercup's emotional state, ignored the fakeness of the grin. "I'm glad, Buttercup." Redheart turned to the clipboard, looking over various notes and forms with a pencil in her mouth to mark items. "So, where am I needed today?" Buttercup asked. "Maternity ward, they're down a nurse who got sick with the measles." Buttercup nodded, going down a hallway towards the maternity ward. Hours later, Buttercup walked out of the hospital, sighing. It had been a long day taking care of foals and their mothers. She was ready to go home, for multiple reasons. The first and smallest being that she was tired. The second, though... she just didn't feel safe around foals. Even though the mental leash kept her under Scarlet's proverbial hoof, it didn't really tug hard on her... except in the maternity ward. In the maternity ward, she could feel it almost constantly, especially when she got close to one of them. It was always there when she was around foals. It was as if Scarlet was watching her, warning her of the danger of being around someone so young. She breathed out, shaking her head. This feeling was nothing but paranoia. But it isn't, is it? Buttercup took in a breath. Her hoof went up to her neck, tugging as if the mental leash was physically there. She shivered and forced herself to ignore it, moving over to a tree to meet Lavender and walk home with her. Lavender was watching as she approached, a strange expression on her face. "You okay, Buttercup? You seemed a little out of it for a second, there." Lavender asked her. Buttercup nodded, swallowing and forcing her hoof down from her neck. "Yeah, I'm fine!" She grinned a little, walking with Lavender. "I just-- Tired, is all." Lavender didn't seem entirely convinced, but thankfully, neither did anyone else. "...Alright then. Want to go get something from Sugarcube Corner?" Lavender asked with a grin. "Yeah, of course!" Buttercup said. Telling Lavender that she didn't want to would tip her off that something was wrong. "Alright, come on!" The two walked down the street towards the bakery, Buttercup with a slight hesitation in her step. As they walked, Buttercup's thoughts kept drifting back to Daisy Petal's older sister and how she'd disappeared. She was gone. Just vanished in a puff of smoke, overnight. Something about that didn't seem right, that yesterday she'd be here and the next she was gone. Although-- she knew the most likely reason for that. Her thoughts were interrupted when Lavender spoke. "Hey, you okay, Buttercup?" Buttercup looked up at Lavender, startled. "Y-yes, I-- I just got lost in my thoughts." Lavender would get suspicious if she said the same thing too much. Lavender patted her shoulder. "That's good! I'm glad you're not lost in your head like you used to be in high school." Buttercup said nothing more, holding back a nervous gulp as she found herself staring at Lavender. Staring, and wondering if Lavender knew. "What did you want to talk about?" Lavender asked. A thousand thoughts ran through Buttercup's head but she managed to collect herself and answer. "Nothing. What did you want to talk about?" Lavender frowned, and her face seemed to darken. "Nothing. Let's talk about something else." Buttercup frowned, though she said nothing. Silence is suspicious, darling~ Scarlet's voice came to the forefront of Buttercup's mind. I know, I know, Scarlet, but I can't think of anything to say! Buttercup snappily replied. She felt the leash tighten, and she held back a choking noise. Don't talk back to me like that, darling. Remember, I can still make life miserable for you. Buttercup began seeing flashes of visions again, and she stopped, a hoof going up to her forehead and tiny whimpers of fear coming out of her mouth. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Scarlet, I didn't-- I just-- She was cut off. Shh, dear, don't worry about it, just don't do it again. And think of something to say to Lavender to explain why you're shivering and mumbling to yourself while you're at it. With that, Scarlet left, and the flashes of visions stopped. Lavender had stopped walking when Buttercup had and was looking at her strangely. "Buttercup, why did you stop? Are you alright?" She shook her head to try and get herself back together, realizing she was very, very close to crying. She forced herself to stand up straight and smile at Lavender. "I'm okay, Lavender. I just--" But no excuse came to mind. Buttercup went silent, shivering a little and looking away. "...Never mind. Come on, let's go." "Are you sure you're alright?" Lavender asked again. Buttercup nodded, giving her a smile. "Yeah, I'm good now." She held back the familiar shiver down her spine that signaled Scarlet's presence watching her from inside their mind. When they got to the bakery, Buttercup stuck to Lavender, avoiding talking to any of the ponies in the building for fear of giving something away and making Scarlet upset with her. They both went up to the counter and Buttercup stayed silent, watching as Pinkie came up to the counter and began speaking to Lavender. "Hey there! What can I get'cha?" Pinkie asked with a wave and a grin. Lavender smiled back at Pinkie. "A toffee cake for me and... Buttercup, what do you want?" Buttercup was lost in her thoughts once again. She was staring at Pinkie, smiling but with no happiness in her eyes. Pinkie shivered a little, waving a hoof in front of Buttercup. "Buttercup? Buttercup? Rooosieee? Are you there?" Pinkie asked, confused. Buttercup shook her head, blinking. She hadn't realized she'd been staring. "W-wha? Oh, yeah… um, a cherry cupcake for me, please." Buttercup mumbled, eyes dropping to the floor as she blinked again and let out a groan that nopony could hear, save for Pinkie, who knew to ignore it. "Sure thing!" Pinkie said, grinning and skipping away from the counter. Buttercup looked up at Lavender with a sigh as the other mare began to speak. "You've seemed really out of it today, Buttercup. Are you alright?" Lavender asked. A small, concerned frown was on her face. Buttercup looked at Lavender, unsure of what to say. She really couldn't let anyone know about Scarlet, no matter how much she wanted to. Even thinking about what Scarlet would do to her if she did made her shiver. "I'm... I'm fine." Lavender didn't seem to buy it. Her forehead was creased and she looked worried about her friend. "You sure? You're not acting like yourself." "I'm fine, I'm fine, I promise, Lavender, I just..." Buttercup stopped, trying to shove the heat out of her tone. "I just need to go home and rest, that's all. Really, I'm okay." "... Alright." Lavender seemed to buy it and didn't press further. Buttercup held in a sigh of relief. She and Lavender went to a table and sat down, waiting for their food to arrive. As they waited, Lavender first took a look at some papers from work, then looked at Buttercup, noticing how oddly she was still behaving. Buttercup was keeping herself occupied with various medical reports from patients in the hospital. She knew that normally, she would be talking with the other ponies around her, but today, she didn't want to risk it. Today, right after Scarlet had taken their body for a spin at midnight, she didn't want to risk Scarlet taking control again. Only several minutes later, after Pinkie had dropped off their desserts did she notice that Lavender was staring at her. "Lavender, you're staring." Buttercup waved a hoof in front of Lavender. "Yes, I know." Lavender kept staring. "Okay... why are you staring?" Buttercup leaned in closer to Lavender. "Because you're acting weird." Lavender just kept staring. Buttercup raised an eyebrow. Then she sighed, and Lavender raised an eyebrow in turn. "Okay, look, Lavender, I know I'm not acting like myself. I know I seem like I'm in trouble, but you have to believe me, I'm not. I just... Sometimes a mare just wants to relax is all." "Really? You never keep to yourself like this, Buttercup. Not even when you're tired. In fact, socializing seems to rejuvenate you, even. You cannot just want to relax. You relaxing entails talking to ponies. I've been your best friend since second grade! I should know." Lavender's eyes narrowed and Buttercup shifted a little, uncomfortable. "I'm sorry, Lavender. You are correct, I just... Right now, all I want to do is rest." She couldn’t resist rubbing her forehead with a hoof, thinking of all the possible ways this could go wrong and all the possible ways Scarlet could get back at her for being so obviously upset. "Alright..." Lavender seemed to accept that answer but continued to study her. Buttercup looked away, trying not to fidget. She looked down at her dessert and picked at it for a moment, before looking up at the other mare again. “Lavender, just--” Buttercup started, but stopped, knowing that saying that would tip Lavender off, and make Scarlet upset at her. She couldn't think of anything else to say, really. What Lavender wanted to know most was why she wasn't acting like herself, and that was something that just wasn't answerable. Not unless she wanted to see Sunset... She shivered, resisting the urge to shake her head. She couldn't think about that, not right now. She looked at Lavender, shoving the thought to the back of her mind where wouldn't bother her until she was alone. Lavender, upon seeing Buttercup like this, seemed to understand. "Alright, I won't pry. But just-- If you're in trouble or something, tell me, okay? I don't want you getting hurt." Buttercup nodded as a reply to that. Bit too late for that, Lav. "Thank you, Lav. And I'm sorry for worrying you." Buttercup smiled, a genuine one this time, and took a bite of the cherry cupcake. "You don't need to apologize for that. I'm always here for you." Lavender smiled back and then both of them went back to eating. Pinkie watched Buttercup from the counter, her eyes darting between Buttercup's smile and the pastry she was working on. She hummed and her eyes narrowed, sensing that something about Buttercup wasn't right. She shrugged and decided to leave it alone. She knew, likely better than anypony else (Thanks to an… unfortunate outburst on Buttercup’s part), that Buttercup liked to be left alone. When she got home an hour later, Buttercup couldn't help but feel relieved. She was home. She was safe. She was away from everypony else. She wasn't at risk of losing control to Scarlet anymore. She finally let out the sigh of relief from earlier, let her hunched-up shoulders relax, and her stiff legs all slump. She put her saddlebags on the rack next to the door and then went into the kitchen to get something to eat. Today had been a long day. She pulled a daisy sandwich out of the fridge that she'd made yesterday and took a bite out of it, sitting down at the kitchen table and slumping down onto it, her forelegs automatically going to cover her face. She afforded herself the luxury of groaning since nopony was here as-of-yet. She didn't usually do it anywhere anyone could see her, but since she was at home alone, she figured she could. It felt so good to let out the built-up stress from the day. It felt good to let out any sort of emotion these days, in any way she could. But for the moment, since she felt nothing but exhaustion and emptiness, she didn't do anything but eat her sandwich and sit where she was, waiting for Sunset to come home for the night. A few minutes later, when Sunset came home, Buttercup sat up and sighed. "Hey, Sunset." "Hey, Buttercup. How was work?" "It was good. Lavender and I went to Sugarcube Corner for a while afterward." "Oh, did you? That sounds like fun." Buttercup bit her lip nervously. She nodded and yawned, standing up and finishing the daisy sandwich she'd gotten out. "I think I'm heading to bed now, Sunset." "Okay, hon. I'll see you in the morning." Buttercup yawned again and then left the kitchen, going to her room and closing the door. As she lay on her bed, she couldn't help but wonder about Daisy Petal's sister and hope she got home alright. Or at least that she was alive, wherever she was. She wondered if she should've been feeling anticipatory guilt for what she knew was most likely to happen. And then she wondered if Scarlet knew anything about this. She couldn't help but want to ask, even though she knew Scarlet most likely would not give her an answer. Still, it couldn't hurt, could it? Nothing would happen but Scarlet being slightly annoyed at Buttercup for trying to unravel her special surprise. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep, but her mind wouldn't let her. She kept remembering each face she saw today. Lavender, Daisy Petal, Nurse Redheart, Sunset, Pinkie Pie... And then her likeness in the mirror for Scarlet every time she deigned to tease her with a sneak peek of what came next. Her eyes opened wide and she shivered. She had to find out what was going on. She had to ask Scarlet. She-- if she didn't ask, she'd feel bad about not trying to help Daisy Petal. So she sighed and closed her eyes once more. Hey, Scarlet? Yes, darling? What's-- What's going on with Daisy Petal's sister? Why, I don't know, darling. Because even if you did, you wouldn't tell me? Correct. You certainly have a way of interfering in my little surprises for you, don't you, Buttercup? So you won't tell me. Well, I'm not exactly sure what you're getting at, darling. You won't tell me what's going on with the sister of that filly, you know, the one that was kidnapped? Oh, her. No, I won't tell you. It'd be far too much fun to let you guess what happened to her. So you admit you did have something to do with her! Mm, no, darling, although I can see why you'd think I did. I simply... suggested, and your mind came to its own conclusion. Buttercup growled at that. Scarlet, just-- tell me what's going on! Buttercup felt the mental leash tightening at that, choking her. Darling, you would do well not to talk to me with that tone. I, after all, am the master, and you are the puppet. Scarlet-- Darling, if you wish to retain your sanity, you will stop asking. Remember what I can do to you if you disobey me again. She was right, of course. Buttercup took a deep breath and tried to calm herself, but she needed to know. "Fine, fine, I'll stop bothering you. Good night..." Good night, darling. Oh, and-- Good luck tomorrow! Buttercup was left even more confused than when she'd started asking, but didn't pry for more, because she knew Scarlet would make good on her threat. She had, many times before. She only closed her eyes and fell asleep, not dwelling on what Scarlet's last line had meant. The next day, Buttercup saw a crowd of ponies. Confused as to why so many ponies would be here, and wondering if this had anything to do with Scarlet's odd warning from last night, the rose unicorn pushed through the crowd to see what was going on better. What she saw sent chills through her. A royal guard was standing in the road, talking to the crowd in a shout so everypony could hear. "We have an announcement about Peony Stem as requested by her family." That’s Daisy Petal's sister. What happened? "She, unfortunately, has been found dead in the Everfree forest." Author's Note Hello everyone! I'm back! Sorry about being gone for so long. I had a rather sudden and, ah... clearly very extended period of writer's block (Eleven months, woof!), and this is my way of getting over it (And seeing how far I've come since I wrote the original version of this!). That means that since I can't think of a way to continue Goddess of Winter, I'll be putting that on hiatus for now while I work on this and restore energy and ideas. I do suggest you read what I have (It's really good in my opinion!), but don't expect any more on that until after this is done, at the very least. In the meantime, I'll upload the next chapter of this as soon as I can, but, because I am notoriously horrible at meeting deadlines, I'm not going to give a date. Well, until next time! Footnotes 1: Hoof-protection powder is magical and strengthens a pony's hooves so they don't crack as easily. Chapter Two: Bump in the Road [Edits Made]"We have an announcement about Peony Stem as requested by her family." That’s Daisy Petal's sister. What happened? "She, unfortunately, has been found dead in the Everfree forest." Buttercup's eyes widened. She’s dead? Oh no... "Miss Gardenia would like to speak now." Daisy Petal's mother came up and began speaking. "There will be a closed-casket funeral on Friday, for those who want to come. She's-- The guards said she was too mangled to recover." Too mangled to recover…? Oh, no… Scarlet's warning…! This is what she… Buttercup shivered and turned around, heading back home, away from the guard. She couldn't go to work today, not after she'd just discovered-- Buttercup felt sick. She felt really, really sick. Scarlet had killed an innocent pony. Buttercup shivered as she walked, barely managing not to vomit. I really should be used to this by now… She held a hoof up to her mouth, trying to hurry so she wouldn’t throw up outside. Yes, you should, shouldn't you? Scarlet's voice came out of nowhere, and Buttercup held in a growl. Scarlet! So this is what you meant. Mm, yes, darling, it is. Congratulations! You've actually figured it out for once. Peony Stem is... Dead, yes, darling. And it's because of us. Isn't it wonderful? Buttercup wanted to argue, she did. She wanted to say that she hadn't done it, that it was all Scarlet. It was her plan to kill her. But she knew Scarlet was right. After all, she had created Scarlet, hadn't she? Buttercup whimpered and hurried home, tears building up in her eyes. She yanked the door open and went inside, bolting down the hall to her room, where she kept a bucket because she knew this would've happened eventually. As soon as she got in the room, her will to hold the bile in relented and she vomited into the bucket, groaning and let her head fall into her hooves as she broke down into guilt-ridden sobs. I did this... "Buttercup? I'm home!" She heard her sister call from the front door. Oh, no... Sunset's here! What if she sees me like this!? Buttercup shivered and dragged herself into the closet, closing the door behind her. She couldn't let Sunset know about this, couldn't let her come in and discover that she was just a killer. Buttercup shook her head and continued to cry, trying to forget what she'd done. "Buttercup? Are you alright?" Her sister sounded closer this time. Buttercup shoved a hoof into her mouth in an effort to silence herself so Sunset wouldn't know, but the hiccups and gasps just kept coming and the tears still flowed down her face. She had to think of something - anything - to save herself. Sunset was coming closer, she had to think of something to say, something to explain why she was crying. Something to save her own life… What was she going to do? Buttercup froze when she heard the door to her room opening. "Buttercup? Are you in here? You sound upset…" Oh, no... "Buttercup? I know you're here, come on out," she heard her sister say, knowing it was the end. There was no way out. "I…" Her voice was still shaky. "I'm here…" Buttercup heard her sister sigh, moving about for a moment before the closet door was opened. Buttercup looked up at her, forcing a smile as tears once again filled her eyes. Sunset looked at her. "What's wrong?" Buttercup's eyes darted around nervously as she tried to think of a good excuse. "I'm… I'm fine. I just didn't sleep well last night is all." She coughed and looked at her sister. Sunset didn't believe that. "Buttercup, don't lie to me. I know when you're upset." Buttercup bit her lip, her ears folding back and eyes darting to the ground. She couldn't tell her about Peony Stem. She couldn't tell Sunset about how Scarlet had killed another innocent pony. She couldn't tell her she was a murderer. She couldn't. There had to be something she would believe. "I… you heard about Peony Stem, right? How she disappeared?" "Mhm. Her mother told me that was why she didn't make it to yesterday's appointment." "They-- They found her… in pieces." She gulped, her voice shaking. "I-- ...ohhhhh…" Buttercup broke down into tears. Just the thought of what Scarlet had done to Peony made her feel sick and guilty on the inside. Sunset brought Buttercup into her embrace, holding her gently and shushing her. "Shhh, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright…" Buttercup gulped and cried for a few minutes before running out of tears. She looked up at her sister. "I'm sorry…" She whimpered as tears fell from her eyes. Sunset looked at her, stroking her mane and holding her tight. "Shh, it's alright, you don't need to be sorry for this. You're upset, and that's alright, I promise." Buttercup cried for a little longer, holding on to her sister for dear life. Then, she wiped her eyes and looked back up at her. "I… I really love you, sis." She gave a weak smile. "I love you too, Buttercup." She nuzzled her head into her sister's warm neck. After a few minutes of silence, she looked up at her. "Hey, Sunset?" "Yes?" "I…" Buttercup paused, unsure. "If I… if I did something… bad, would you still love me?" Sunset looked at her, confusion written on her face. "Of course." "No, I mean, would you love me if I killed someone? If I was a murderer?" Sunset looked at her for a moment, processing. "…Are you?" She finally asked. Buttercup frantically shook her head, squinting her eyes shut and whimpering when Scarlet made her presence known to Buttercup. "No, no, no, no…" Buttercup buried her face in Sunset's fur. I... I'm sorry, Scarlet, I know I shouldn't push it... Sunset held Buttercup tighter. "Of course I would still love you. You're my sister. I'd be very upset with you, but… I'd still love you." Tears filled Buttercup's eyes once again. She looked up at her sister, the love they had for each other clear as day. I'd do anything not to hurt you, Sunset. "…Thanks." Buttercup felt a hoof cup her cheek, turning her head slightly. "You're welcome, love." Sunset smiled at Buttercup, before standing and heading towards the door to Buttercup's room. "I need to work on closing Peony's patient file." She said as she headed out of the room. "If you need me, I'll be in the dining room." Buttercup nodded. "Alright. I'll just be in here for a while." She watched Sunset leave, waited for the door to close, and then collapsed on the ground, burying her face in her hooves and letting out a shuddering sob. Scarlet... Scarlet, why? Why are you doing this? What joy do you get from this? You know, partner, I would tell you, but that would be spoiling the fun, wouldn't it? FOR FAUST’S SAKE, JUST-- JUST TELL ME! WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME!? Why do you kill ponies!? Is this FUN for you!? Do you ENJOY THIS!? A heavy silence rang through Buttercup's mind as she took in heaving breaths, and then Scarlet's reply cut through her calm. Really, darling, you ought to know by now… Buttercup felt the mental leash tightening around her, rendering her immobile and unable to even think. There's no good in snapping at me. It only makes me angry, after all. And you really, really wouldn't want me upset, now would you? Imagine… just a slip of the tongue and I could kill your dear older sister. Would you want that on your conscience? Buttercup felt her blood run cold as she silently shook her head. Good. Then you'd do well to remember this. Do not test me, partner. I can make your life miserable, remember that. The mental leash tightened even more, and a choking noise came from Buttercup's mouth. Still, she nodded, not willing to risk Sunset's safety. She'd do anything to make sure her sister was safe. Anything. "Please let Sunset stay safe..." She mouthed silently with her eyes squinted shut. Another tightening of the mental leash and the prayers that she mouthed were barely audible as they shook from her mind. Good girl. Buttercup whimpered, her bottom lip quivering as the words resonated through her mind. The choking feeling slowly faded away as her mind adjusted to the lack of pressure on it, and she panted, shaking still gripping her. "Please… god… I can't..." She quietly whispered in between her heavy breathing. "I... I can't..." Her words were cut off as she choked on her own twisted dread. Tears streamed down her face as she trembled, struggling to breathe, shivering as her whole body tensed up. I'm sorry… I'm so sorry… It took a moment for her trembling to slowly release its grip. Buttercup wiped the tears from her eyes, breathing out shakily as she looked down at her hooves. She lifted them up to her eyes, rubbing them as she squinted her eyes shut. Her breathing finally slowing down to a more manageable pace, she felt the tears subside. A sickly sort of regret twisted inside her, and she had to resist the urge to vomit again. Why do you regret this, partner? She didn't want to think anymore. She didn't want to feel. Her mind felt like mush. She didn't want to think anymore… With a quiet little sigh that was choked up with remorse, she stood up and trudged over to her bed, laying down on it and burying her face in her forelegs. There, once she had the covers safely over her and the curtains closed, she forcefully shut out Scarlet's thoughts as well as her own, trying to get some peaceful rest for once. It didn't come naturally to her, but as she lay there she did feel a faint sense of relief wash over her. Sunset was alive. Sunset was still alive. Sunset, at least for now, was safe. And that made her feel a little better. A few minutes later, she stood up. She pulled the sleeves of her hoodie down to cover her forelegs fully (They had slid up her forelegs while she had tossed and turned) and went into the dining room to talk to Sunset. "Think I'm going to call in sick at work," She mumbled to her sister. Her mouth felt like sand, but she forced herself to speak. She couldn't let anypony get suspicious. Scarlet would get angry if she let anypony know about her. She might hurt them, or worse... Sunset looked up at Buttercup, smiling a little and nodding. "I think that would be a good idea under the circumstances." She looked at Buttercup more closely, and her face turned sympathetic when she saw the remnants of tears. "I'm sorry about what happened with Peony. She was a friend to both of us, but you more than me." "It's… not… your fault." The words came slowly and hesitantly, and Buttercup felt her entire body just aching with repressed grief and remorse. "Buttercup…" "No… it's okay. I'm fine…" She took a deep breath and exhaled shakily. Her forelegs were burning… A pain she remembered well. "I just… can't believe it… Peony is… is gone… Just…" A slight tremor of despair leaked into Buttercup's voice, and she fought not to cry, holding her body stock still so she couldn't even shiver. Sunset put a hoof on Buttercup's shoulder, her face looking a mixture of worry, sadness, and pity. She looked at her younger sister, putting a foreleg around the rose unicorn's neck and nuzzling her a little. "It'll be alright, sis, I promise you." But… it's… my fault she's dead… Buttercup forced herself to nod and smile weakly, but her face paled just a little as fractured memories of Peony's death came to the forefront of her mind. Thought you ought to know how I killed her, partner. A memory forced its way into Buttercup's thoughts and she shivered as she remembered watching from somewhere locked deep inside their mind as Scarlet did the terrible deed. Peony looked up at us when we… she looked so terrified… and I couldn't… I just did it… and I enjoyed it… I-- we enjoyed watching her bleed… Yes, partner, we did. She begged us to stop, and yet you still… Scarlet's gleeful laughter could be heard from the back of Buttercup's mind. The memory faded away, and with it the feelings that accompanied it. The guilt, the rage, the sorrow. All of it gone, replaced by the numbness she felt whenever she thought about it. I... you made me...? You made me kill...? No, you wanted to kill. You enjoyed killing. That's why you killed her... Buttercup shook her head. No, I'm not like that, I... I don't want to kill anypony... No, you're not, which, quite frankly, I can't understand. No, you didn't kill her... we BOTH did. Buttercup's head sank down, and her mane slumped limply forward as her muscles and ears sagged. The numbness had taken hold, and she was left with thoughts that weren't hers. We both killed her, partner... But you were the one to give the final blow. Buttercup felt herself shaking, and she clenched her jaw tightly. No, I didn't! I didn't do that! You did! I... I was just watching you... Oh, I assure you, darling, you're the one who gave the killing slash. Oh, we had so much fun with her, didn't we? Such a screamer, that mare. Or, well. She was. I think all of her throat was cut. The memory of the blood-tinged horror that was Peony's final moments flooded into Buttercup's mind and she almost couldn't stand it. I... I didn't want to do it... Buttercup was shaken out of her thoughts by the touching of a hoof to her shoulder. "Buttercup?" Sunset asked. "Buttercup? Are you alright? What's wrong?" At the touch, Buttercup went still, her body trembling as she fought back a powerful sense of guilt, and rage. She breathed heavily, her mind awash with thoughts that weren't her own. In the moment, all she wanted to do was lash out at her deranged other half, but a tug on the mental leash reminded her of the precarious position she was in. One wrong move, partner, and Sunset could die... With that reminder at the forefront of her mind, Buttercup forced herself together, shoved her rage and her guilt down deep inside her, and looked down at the floor blankly. "I'm... I'm fine..." Buttercup mumbled numbly. It took all of her focus just to keep the rage from leaking into her voice. "Are you?" "Yes. Just… Just a very… vivid dream." "Do you want to talk about it?" Buttercup didn’t answer. Sunset raised an eyebrow. "Buttercup?" Sunset gently tapped Buttercup's shoulder. "Buttercup, please. Talk to me." Buttercup heard but didn't listen to Sunset's worried plea. She could feel Scarlet twisting around in the back of her head, watching her every move and preparing to take control if Buttercup even gave the tiniest hint that something was wrong. "Buttercup!" The voice of reason quieted the noise in her head, if only for a moment, and she found herself leaning into Sunset, holding onto her older sister and fighting back tears. Sunset looked at Buttercup, worry and sorrow on her face. "Buttercup, what's wrong?" Sunset asked her. "I know you're upset about Peony's death, but this...? This is..." "I'm fine..." Buttercup mumbled into Sunset's fur. "No, you're not. Talk to me, Buttercup." "I... I can't. I'm sorry." "Buttercup, please!" Buttercup didn't say anything, but she whimpered a little and buried her face in Sunset's fur. Sunset nuzzled Buttercup, pulling her up against her side and speaking again. "Buttercup, please. I know you. You get very upset when someone dies, yes, and especially from unnatural causes, but not like this. There's something else bothering you, and I would like to know what, if you're willing to tell me." "I..." A sob came from Buttercup. She buried her head in the softest parts of her older sister's chest, not wanting to look into her face any longer. Her eyes watered up and she felt hot tears streaming down her face. "I... I..." "Hey. Shhhh. It's alright, little sister. Please, tell me what's wrong." Buttercup had no words. She just kept on crying for the longest time and wouldn't stop. "I..." She started to say, before the words caught in her throat and wouldn't let go. Sunset waited a moment for the words to come. When they didn't, she began gently walking Buttercup towards the living room, nuzzling her on the forehead and smiling at her. "Let's sit down on the couch and talk, huh? Let's just take a breath and then we can talk. Is that alright?" Buttercup nodded and let Sunset gently guide her to the couch. The sisters sat down together, and Sunset rubbed Buttercup's back slowly to calm her. "Alright, love, just breathe for me. In and out slowly, okay?" Buttercup did as she was told, her breathing becoming more regular and calmer. She gradually began to calm down, her body's trembling slowing and then stopping altogether. Sunset gazed into her eyes. "You know, you can tell me anything, you know that don't you?" Buttercup looked down to her lap, the words catching in her throat again. You can't tell anyone, partner, not even her. She'd hate you... not to mention all the lovely things I could do to her if you say a word... "Yeah, I... I know..." Buttercup's voice was raspy and croaky from crying, but understandable. "I just... I'm not ready to tell you... I... I'm sorry..." "Hey." Sunset put her hoof on the side of Buttercup's face. "You can tell me anything, hon. You know that, right?" A small nod. "I... I know." Sunset smiled a little. "Okay. You're not ready. How about we give it a while then? Give you some time to process?" Buttercup nodded, looking down at the ground, avoiding eye contact with her sister. In the back of her head, she felt Scarlet's presence seeming to calm. The purring feeling of satisfaction sent a chill through her, and she bit her lip. Good job, partner, Buttercup heard Scarlet say. You've managed to buy us a few days. Do that again, and I may reward you. Buttercup nodded, albeit weakly. Sunset placed a hoof on her sister's shoulder. "It'll be okay, Buttercup. It'll be alright." The sisters sat in silence after that, Buttercup staring blankly at the carpeted floor and Sunset sitting next to her, gently rubbing her back to comfort her. It was then, a few minutes into the heavy silence, that there was a knock on the front door of the house. "Hello? Buttercup? Are you there?" Buttercup felt her ears twitching when she heard the familiar voice. "It's me! Lavender! Are you home?" Sunset's ears perked up at the same time as Buttercup's folded back. "I'll get the door, alright?" Sunset stood up. Buttercup nodded and watched cautiously from the couch as Sunset went to the front door to greet Lavender. "Hey, Lavender! What's up?" Sunset smiled a little at Lavender as she opened the door. Lavender smiled back at Sunset. "Hey, Sunset. Is Buttercup here?" Sunset nodded. "Yes, she's here." "Can I talk to her?" Sunset nodded, smiling more now. "Yeah. Come in, come in! She’s just in the living room." The front door opened, and Lavender walked in. Lavender looked at Buttercup and smiled. "Buttercup, there you are! Are you alright? I got worried when you didn't walk with me to work today." Buttercup nodded a little, still looking down at the floor. "S-sorry, Lavender, I just... Peony's death hit me kind of hard, so..." Lavender sat down on the couch next to Buttercup, looking at her sorrowfully. "You heard about that?" Buttercup nodded. "Yeah. I saw the guards announced that they'd found her on my way to meet you this morning. They said the funeral was going to be closed-casket, so..." "Oh, no... they didn't find her like...?" Buttercup nodded a little, feeling her face pale. "They said she was... s-she was mangled..." Lavender looked at Buttercup, her face grim and sympathetic. "I'm so sorry... Now I wish I'd spent more time with her than I did..." Buttercup nodded, her eyes going back down to stare guiltily at the ground. "Me too. I mean, I know she asked us for some distance, but... now I wish I'd been there with her..." If only I'd been strong enough to stop Scarlet... "No, don't say that. You know she was a strong pony. It wasn't your fault, alright? Nopony ever wants to see anypony they love dead, but nopony will blame it on you." Buttercup nodded but didn't say anything. Oh, if only that were true... "So..." Lavender said, changing the topic. "How have you been doing? Anything interesting happen?" Buttercup thought for a moment and then shrugged. "Not much since yesterday," She said, numbed out by guilt and grief. "I don't really have anything interesting to tell. I'm doing okay." Lavender nodded, smiling sadly. She looked at the hallway to the kitchen as if wanting to get up and go somewhere. "Hey, I'm gonna be right back, alright? I need to talk to Sunset for a minute." Lavender stood up after receiving a nod from Buttercup and went out of the living room and into the kitchen, where Sunset was sitting. Buttercup watched her go, her face written with worry and regret. She sighed, turning back to look at the ground and rubbed one foreleg with the other, her ears folding back in sorrow. "I hope Peony's alright... wherever she is..." Lavender trotted into the kitchen, where Sunset was sitting and reading the paper, worry on her face. "Hey, Sunset?" She asked. Sunset looked up at Lavender. "Yes, Lavender?" "Buttercup's been acting a little weird," Lavender said as she came over to Sunset. "I mean, she seemed really broken up about Peony's death when I talked to her just now. I know she gets affected badly by the death of a friend, but this is..." Sunset nodded. "I know, Lavender. She's acting more upset than she normally is by it. We both know how sensitive she is about deaths, especially unnatural, but this seems just a little much for her. I asked her what was wrong, but she told me she wasn't ready to tell me. I know, though, that she must've seen something really awful for her to be this upset about it. Did she tell you anything?" Lavender shook her head. "No. She told me about Peony's death, said she wished she'd spent more time with her. She said she wished she'd been there with her, too. But... nothing else." Lavender shrugged, a confused, worried expression on her face. "It-- it almost seemed like she was holding something back... something important. The look in her eyes was just... haunted by something." Sunset frowned, nodding slowly. "She wished she'd been there with Peony... been where?" Lavender opened her mouth to say something, but stopped. All she did was continue frowning and sighing heavily. "I dunno, Sunset. I have no idea what's going on. But we need to talk to her about this. It's not just going to go away." Sunset sighed, standing up. "I know we do, Lavender. But when I asked her, she just brushed me off. And if even I can't get her to tell us what's wrong..." Lavender stood, nodding. "Alright. But we need to do something about this. I don't think I can just sit by and watch her get worse..." Sunset shook her head. "Oh, neither can I. Buttercup's my sister, I love her. I don't think either of us could bear the heartbreak. But what can we do? She seems set on not telling us... We've tried in the past, you know." Lavender hummed for a moment, putting a hoof to her chin, and then her eyes widened a little. "Hey, isn't Princess Twilight doing personal interviews this week?" Sunset nodded, smiling a little now. "Yes, she is. We could sign up for one for Buttercup and find out that way!" "That's exactly what I was thinking. If we take her to an interview, she might be able to tell us after she tells someone in private." Sunset nodded. "Well, it's as good an attempt as any..." Lavender nodded. "We can ask her to come with us tomorrow. I'll go with her since I know you're busy, and wait outside for her." "Good thinking, Lavender. I'll go talk to Princess Twilight about it." Lavender smiled then. "Alright. I'll go tell Buttercup about this." While Lavender went back into the living room, Sunset let out a sorrowful, anxious sigh. She hoped this would work. She refused to think about what would potentially happen if it didn't. The next day, after getting ready for the day, Buttercup looked at Lavender, who was waiting for her in the living room. "You really think this will work?" Lavender nodded. "We hope so." Buttercup sighed and then nodded. "Okay..." She followed Lavender towards the front door, and sighed, feeling guilt combined with desperate hope bubble in her head. I hope this works... Author's Note Pre-script - I don't really have much to say here so :/ Hello! I'm back with the next chapter! I hope you enjoy it! Chapter Three: A Meeting With RoyaltyButtercup followed Lavender down the street toward Princess Twilight's castle, growing more and more anxious the closer they got. Would this really work? How could she tell the princess that she was a murderer? A serial killer, no less? Would Scarlet even let her tell Twilight? She could feel Scarlet's mental leash already tightening around her neck with each step... She unconsciously reached a hoof up to her neck, tugging at thin air where she could feel the leash pulling at her. Just a few minutes more, please, Scarlet... let me do this... She begged in her head. "Almost there," Lavender said, noticing the look on her face. "Just a few more minutes." Buttercup nodded nervously, glancing around at the various shops that lined the street. So many ponies... so many ways this could go horribly wrong… Buttercup fidgeted with the sleeves of her hoodie nervously, shivering as she tried to keep her eyes on the ground. I can't... I can't kill them... that... that's wrong... Scarlet, please... get me out of this, I don't want to kill anymore... "This way," Lavender said, turning down a side street, as she kept her eyes on the various ponies around her. Her eyes moved from pony to pony, wondering what Buttercup was so nervous about, and then her eyes went to Buttercup's forelegs and she noticed how Buttercup was playing with her hoodie. "Hey," She said worriedly. "What's wrong?" Buttercup looked up, frowning as she exhaled shakily. "I-I... don't know..." Lavender frowned. "Then why are you playing with your hoodie? You only do that when you're upset or nervous about something." Buttercup's frown deepened, as she looked down. "I can't... I mean, I don't want to get any of them... I can't..." "Buttercup, what are you talking about?" Lavender watched Buttercup grow more and more anxious, the unicorn's magenta eyes darting around at the ponies around them and then at the ground. "Hey, hey, Buttercup, breathe. Take a breath in deep, alright?" Buttercup complied, breathing in and out. "Good. Now, tell me what's wrong." "I..." Buttercup cut off as the leash tightened around her neck, choking her and silencing her. She felt her body freeze in place as Scarlet took control of her movements, her eyes going to the ground and remaining there as she fought with her other half for dominance. Lavender watched this and got directly in Buttercup's vision. "Buttercup, I need you to tell me. What's wrong? What's going on?" Buttercup shook her head, fighting back tears. "I... I..." She couldn't tell the truth. She couldn't tell her best friend that she was responsible for the disappearance of their friend Peony. She couldn't, or Scarlet would get even angrier than she already was. And that... But, still... if only she could say something. If only she could ask for someone to get her out of this hell that she'd created for herself. "Buttercup..." Lavender continued to coax. "Come on, you can tell me. I'm here for you." "I... I..." Buttercup repeated, choking on the words. "Hey." Lavender crouched down to stare into her eyes. "You can tell me. I'll help you. You know I love you." Buttercup quickly shook her head. "No, it's nothing. Everything's fine." "Tell me," Lavender insisted. Buttercup shook her head again, this time scratching at her foreleg through her hoodie. This awful situation was making the itch flare up again... she took a breath, shoving the sensation down and forcing herself not to scratch that spot on her legs when she knew ponies could see. She managed to stop, but not before Lavender saw her nervous scratching and got suspicious. "Hey, Buttercup?" Lavender began, hoof going to one of her friend's forelegs. "What's underneath your hoodie? You're scratching your forelegs awfully hard there..." "It's nothing!" The way Buttercup stiffened at the question and the touch had Lavender even more suspicious. She went to roll up one of Buttercup's hoodie sleeves, but Buttercup backed up and used her magic to hold the sleeves down so she couldn't pull them up. "Buttercup, you know you can tell me anything, right?" "I know!" Buttercup said, a bit too quickly. "It's nothing! I mean, nothing bad, everything good! Just ignore me, alright? I'm fine!" Buttercup managed a nervous grin along with that incredibly rushed lie, but it only made Lavender less willing to believe her. "Buttercup... if something's wrong..." "Just DROP IT, OKAY?" Buttercup's tone was angry, her voice raised in a combination of panic and irritation. She took a deep breath when she realized what she'd just done, looking away from her friend. "I'm sorry. But just... don't." "Buttercup..." Lavender frowned grimly, and Buttercup's ears folded back guiltily. "Lavender, just... I can't. I'm sorry. Let's just go see the princess, alright?" Buttercup attempted a smile, but it came off weak and false. "Fine," Lavender said, turning around and continuing toward the castle. "...but after that, we're talking." Buttercup just nodded, eyes going sorrowfully to the ground as she and Lavender continued to the castle. When they got to Princess Twilight's Castle, Lavender led the way up to the golden double doors and Buttercup watched with a nervous, bit lip as her earth pony friend knocked on the door. She hoped the Princess would answer. She could already feel the mental leash tightening around her neck. Lavender and Buttercup waited for the doors to open and for somepony to answer. When they did, however, it wasn't Princess Twilight who answered. It was Spike. "Huh?" He asked groggily. Lavender spoke first. "Oh, hey, Spike! We were wondering if Twilight has time to speak with us today. Buttercup and I have a problem on our hooves." "Heh?" Spike squinted a little before shaking his head to clear himself of the drowsiness that came with having been woken up from a very nice nap. "Oh, yeah, she's just in the library with Starlight right now," He said with a smile that was most definitely still somewhat tired. "...They've been in there for a while now. I should probably go see what's keeping them so long..." He shook his head and then looked at Lavender and Buttercup. "I'll get her for you. TWILIGHT!" the small dragon's voice trailed off as he went to find Princess Twilight. "Are you sure she'll have time to speak to us?" Buttercup asked nervously. Lavender smiled and nodded. "It's Princess Twilight. Of course, she will! She has time for anypony who needs advice. She's probably the most willing to help out of everyone in town!" Then she paused and made a side-to-side motion with her head, bringing a hoof to her chin. "Well. She's probably second to Fluttershy, but just barely." Buttercup managed a small, nervous smile at that. "Y-yeah... maybe... maybe she will." Buttercup's worry was needless, though. For in just a few moments, Spike returned with Princess Twilight. "Thanks, Spike," Twilight said with a smile. "You can go back to bed now." Spike went back into the castle and Twilight turned to Buttercup and Lavender. "Hello!" She greeted cheerfully. "Spike said you needed to talk to me. What's going on?" Lavender smiled at Twilight. "Hello, Princess. I'm Lavender and this is my friend, Buttercup. We're here to talk to you about a somewhat sensitive issue I've noticed with Buttercup." "Please, call me Twilight," Twilight said. "I'm not a fan of the whole... 'Princess' thing." She ruffled her things and stuck her tongue out for a moment before smiling again. "Come on inside, we can talk in my library. What seems to be the problem?" "Well..." Buttercup mumbled quietly. Twilight gave a smile. "If you don't feel comfortable talking about it, you don't have to." "N-no, it's okay," Buttercup hastily assured. "I-I'm fine! I just..." Buttercup cut off with a whimper and squinted her eyes shut, shaking her head frantically as the mental leash tightened once again. She took a deep breath, calming herself and attempting to force the leash to loosen. After a moment's attempt, walking silently down the castle corridors with Lavender and Twilight, she managed to loosen it just a little. She gulped and then spoke. "I... I-I have... a problem..." That was all she managed to get out before her own panic overtook her and she couldn't say a word. Lavender turned to her with a frown. "Buttercup! Snap out of it!" "Breathe, Buttercup," Twilight said calmly. "Just breathe... There you go..." Buttercup nodded slowly and, after a few minutes, her breathing regulated. "That's better..." She said meekly. Twilight smiled at her. "How about we all take a seat in my library? You look like you need it, Buttercup." Buttercup didn't need to be told twice. She sat down on one of the couches in the library and let out a sigh of relief as she did so. After taking her own seat, Twilight spoke. "Now then... I'm all ears. What's got you so scared?" Buttercup looked at the floor and gulped. "...I have a... problem..." One of her ears twitched frantically as she swallowed and her body started trembling. Scarlet... please... I... I can't do this anymore... I'm sorry... "Buttercup..." Lavender's frown deepened, and she moved her face closer to her friend's. "I know you can do this, Buttercup!" Buttercup whimpered, fighting not to pass out as she trembled and put a hoof to her forehead. Scarlet, please... this isn't right! You know we shouldn't be doing what you're doing. Please... let me tell Twilight what's wrong! "Buttercup, listen to me," Lavender said, grabbing her chin and moving her face so their eyes met. "I know you can do this. You've gotten this far. There's no turning back now. It'll be okay." "Just take a deep breath," Twilight encouraged. "And tell us what's going on." She gave a soft smile, one that was mirrored on Lavender's face. Scarlet... please... There was a moment of silence before Scarlet's voice rang through Buttercup's mind. Oh, partner... oh, you sad, pathetic little fool. You think I would let you go, after all we've done? No. I'm not nearly done with you yet... Buttercup bit her lip and forced herself to speak. "I... I'm a m-monster..." She whimpered. "What?" Twilight's eyes widened in shock and then concern. "Why would you say that?" Buttercup's breathing was slow and labored. "I am... I've hurt so many ponies... I..." She gulped. "I don't want to hurt anypony anymore..." Lavender frowned. "What are you talking about, Buttercup?" Buttercup closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face. "I... I..." She shook her head. "I'm a monster..." Lavender frowned and moved her hoof to touch hers. "Buttercup... honey..." Buttercup yanked her hoof away. "Don't!" She cried, curling up on the couch. "Buttercup, you're not a monster," Lavender said softly. Oh, yes you are, Scarlet whispered through Buttercup's mind. Tell them, Buttercup. Tell them what you did. Buttercup frowned and bit her lip. Tell them about the murders. The voice was Scarlet's, but somehow it didn't feel like her own. It felt darker, creepier, unnatural. "Buttercup?" Twilight asked gently. "Who's talking to you right now?" She reached out a hoof toward the panicked unicorn. "Is someone talking to you right now? Who is it? What's their name?" Buttercup's eyes widened and her mouth opened, but no words came out. She stared in shock at Twilight, unable to form words. When she finally regained her ability to speak, it was in a shaken whisper. "H-how did you--..." She knows!? Lavender smiled and put a hoof on Buttercup's shoulder. "It's okay, Buttercup. We're here for you." "Buttercup... who's talking to you right now?" Twilight prompted. Buttercup shuddered, her eyes wide with fear. "I-I... I--" She trembled, tears coming to her eyes as she doubled over in guilt and terror. "I have to-- I have to--" She stood up and stumbled towards the door of the library, squinting her eyes shut as she reached a hoof shakily towards the door handle. Twilight grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back. "Buttercup, stop! Stop! Listen to me. You're not alone. I'm here." Her expression softened. "You can talk to us, if you need to. We won't judge you, and we'll help you get through this, but you have to tell us what's wrong." Buttercup let out a sob. "I'm sorry, I can't... s-she won't let me..." She turned her head away from Twilight and Lavender and began to tremble violently as she struggled to hold back sobs of shame. "Buttercup, please!" Lavender said desperately. "We're your friends! You know we care about you!" "She's right," Twilight said with a frown. "I know you can do this, Buttercup. It's okay. You've got me and your friend, Lavender, here." Buttercup let out a soft whimper. "...I'm sorry..." and then she bolted out of the room, back down the halls of Twilight's Castle, and out the door. Lavender watched her go with a worried look. "Oh, dear... this is worse than Sunset and I thought..." She turned to princess Twilight and sighed. "Thank you for trying, Princess, but I guess she just wasn't ready. Now I've got to go get Sunset to find her. Hopefully, she hasn't run too far out of town this time..." "I'll come with you," Twilight offered. "No!" Lavender said quickly. "That would be... well... no. Buttercup's going to be upset as it is, and that's just with me and Sunset going after her! To add a complete stranger would be..." She trailed off. Twilight nodded slowly. "I understand. I'll stay and keep an eye on things here. Go look for your friend. I hope things turn out alright..." Lavender gave a grateful smile and nodded. "Thank you, Princess, I hope so too." And with that, she left to look for Buttercup. Buttercup Rose ran down the streets of Ponyville towards the edge of town. Her vision was blurred by tears, her hearing overwhelmed by the sound of her terrified whimpers and sobs, overlayed with heavy breathing. "Please... Scarlet, no more!" Buttercup cried aloud as she fled from the town and into the forest. "I don't want to hurt anypony anymore! Please... I beg you, Scarlet--" There was a sudden, sharp pain in her chest. Buttercup stopped with a sudden breath of pain as her forelegs buckled underneath her. You should've known that this would happen, darling, came Scarlet's voice in their mind. I mean, really. The first chance you get to tell someone about what's happening, and you choke on your own terror. Honestly... It's like you didn't even want the opportunity I gave you to finally tell the truth about us. "T-the... the opportunity you gave me!? YOU were the one blackmailing me into running away!" Buttercup wailed. "And now you're torturing me because I couldn't take it!" She shuddered in horror and tried to stand up again, but her legs failed her. Scarlet chuckled darkly at her. Oh, poor little Buttercup... I suppose you are getting to me. But this is for your own good, my sweet partner. Do you know how much trouble you'd cause if anyone found out about all these murders? No, no... You have to learn to control yourself. You're far too willing to rat us out to the authorities for my preferences. "With good reason! You're a MURDERER! Why should I let you keep doing this to so many innocent ponies!?" Before Buttercup could continue, she felt something tightening around her neck, choking her. Oh, my foolish, foolish partner... you really should not test me with such blatant defiance. You know I can do anything to you. Buttercup gasped and struggled to breathe as the mental leash tightened painfully around her throat. She clawed at it desperately, but it held fast. She kicked out and flailed her hooves against the ground, her body wracked with sobs of fear as she struggled to breathe. You're so weak... You always have been. I'm stronger than you. You know that, right? Buttercup's eyes widened in panic and she looked desperately about for some way to escape. There was nothing. All she had left was to wait for the inevitable, and she knew it. S-Scarlet... please, you'll kill us both! The leash loosened up, but only barely enough to allow Buttercup to breathe. Hmph. You've learned your lesson, for now, I suppose... but mind yourself. That leash is staying tight until you can prove to me that you won't tell the Princess about our little hobby. Buttercup gulped, still struggling to catch her breath. "How am I supposed to do that?" She panted. Oh, don't be silly. This isn't hard for a pony like you. Just get rid of them. It's simple... just make sure they die. Buttercup froze. "S-Scarlet... I can't... I can't do that..." she whimpered. "I... that's wrong... that is so wrong... a-and besides... you want me to kill a princess... I can't... I couldn't do that, not without them finding out about it..." Don't worry. I'll handle it. She shivered in horror. "I... I..." Just leave it to me, partner. You get rid of Lavender, and I'll take care of Princess Twilight. Don't mess this up, and I might just give you some freedom. Buttercup squinted her eyes shut as tears built. "L-Lavender... no..." She shook her head. "...not her... I can't--" It doesn't matter. You will if you want your freedom back. Buttercup sobbed and hung her head low. "...Lavender..." Shhh. Shh... it'll be alright. You'll still remember her after she's gone. Now, if only you hadn't driven us to this. Perhaps you could've let Lavender live if you'd only listened to me. But no... you had to go and try to ruin everything. "I... I'm sorry... Lavender, I'm so sorry..." Buttercup wept. "I don't... I don't have a choice... I'm sorry..." Buttercup dropped to the ground, curling up in a tiny ball and sobbing. She didn't want this. She didn't want to kill her best friend. She wanted to run away. She wanted to hide. She wanted to talk to someone. But she couldn't. She didn't have a choice. Half an hour after Buttercup ran off, Lavender and Sunset were looking for her. "Buttercup! Where are you?" "Buttercup!" Sunset's voice was filled with fear and worry. "Where'd you go? What happened? I heard screaming." "Buttercup... where did you go?" Lavender asked worriedly. Sunset looked around at the trees surrounding them, listening carefully for any sounds that might be Buttercup. She stopped when she heard the sounds of soft sobbing ahead of them. "Buttercup! Are you okay?" she called out softly. "We're here to help you. I promise. We just need to find you, okay?" There came a muffled reply from somewhere in the forest. "No... I can't..." There was more crying and sniffing. Sunset gave a soft sigh and used her ears to find Buttercup. She followed the sound of Buttercup's voice, finding her curled up in a clearing, laying on the ground and sobbing. "Buttercup? Oh, sweetie... what's wrong?" Sunset went over to her younger sister and picked her up and into an embrace, sighing softly as she rocked her back and forth. "Oh, Sweetie... you're all right now. It's gonna be okay. I'm here. You'll be fine," she said, rocking her gently. Buttercup shuddered and began to cry again. "I... I... I..." She shook her head. "S-Sunset... I... you have to get Lavender away from me... I..." "Buttercup, listen to me. You don't have to do this. You can tell us the truth. I know you can." Buttercup sobbed. "Sunset, you have to get Lavender away from here! She's in serious danger!" Sunset's eyes widened. "What!? Why?" Buttercup took a deep breath. "I... I can't... I can't tell you. J-just please, trust me. Get her away from here..." "Why? Is she going to hurt you?" "Please... don't ask me that... just get Lavender away from me before it's too late..." Buttercup cried. "You have to believe me--I can't explain why... but I'm telling you the truth..." Sunset hugged her little sister tighter, pressing their foreheads together. "Of course I'll get Lavender away from you if you want me to... But don't worry, Buttercup. I won't let anything happen to you. I swear it..." Buttercup nodded against her older sister's chest and calmed down. "Okay... O-okay..." The anxious unicorn let her eyes slip closed and buried her face deeper into Sunset's chest. Lavender watched from a few feet away, a worried frown on her face. "Are... are you alright, Buttercup?" She asked after a moment. Buttercup gave a small nod. "Yeah..." she replied softly. "I... I'll be fine in a bit... just... let's go home... please?" Lavender nodded and turned to follow Sunset and Buttercup. As they walked back to Ponyville, Lavender kept an eye out for anypony who might try to harm her friend. Sunset just kept whispering sweet nothings into Buttercup's ears to keep her calm as the trio walked back to town. Buttercup, for her part, was quiet the entire way home, her mind preoccupied with the swirling black cloud of thoughts bouncing through her head. She... she was going to kill Lavender. Scarlet wanted her to kill her. Scarlet wanted her to kill her best friend. Buttercup couldn't bring herself to do it. She was a pony. She was supposed to love and protect her friends. She was supposed to help them. She wasn't supposed to slaughter them. Buttercup tried desperately to convince herself she could still be a good pony, and live a normal life. She had to find some way to stop Scarlet. To save Lavender. But deep down, she knew she wouldn't have a choice. In the end, she would do it herself and make it painless for Lavender... or Scarlet would do it for her. Either way, Buttercup knew, the outcome would be the same. Lavender was going to die. And Buttercup was going to have to watch. ... Buttercup hoped that when Lavender died, she would understand how little choice was had in this matter. She hoped she'd forgive her. Buttercup didn't think she would. Buttercup didn't even know if Sunset would forgive her for this. When they arrived at the house, Buttercup was shaking. Her hooves were trembling and her legs felt weak, and her face was pale. "What's wrong?" Sunset asked. "Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost." Buttercup just shook her head. "Come on," Sunset said, pulling her into an embrace. "Let's get inside. It'll be fine. We can talk about everything later. I promise." Buttercup nodded and allowed Sunset to lead her into the house. Before going inside, Sunset turned towards Lavender and sighed. "Goodbye, Lavender. We'll see you tomorrow when Buttercup's hopefully in a better state of mind. Thank you for your help today." Lavender nodded. "You're welcome, Sunset. I'm glad to have helped at least a little." Lavender sighed then. "I just hope I'm not the reason why Buttercup's so upset." Sunset smiled sadly and nodded. She leaned in close to Lavender, hugging her and then shrugging a little. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure this will all blow over soon. Let's just let Buttercup rest for now." Lavender nodded. "Alright, see you later, Sunset." Lavender turned to Buttercup, who looked up anxiously at her. "See you, Buttercup. I hope you get well soon!" Buttercup nodded. Lavender gave her a smile, waved, and headed back to her flower shop. It was barely noon, and she still had to oversee sales. Buttercup gave a weak wave of her hoof and then let Sunset take her inside. As she was led into her bedroom to lay down, she couldn't help but feel guilty for the things she would have to do to her closest friend. She lay down on the bed and Sunset tucked her in and told her goodnight, and then turned off the light and left, closing the door behind her. Buttercup didn't sleep, but as she lay there, she wondered if anypony would ever forgive her for the things she'd done. She hoped things got better soon. Author's Note Hello everyone! I'm back with another chapter!
Prologue: Fractured [Edits Made]Buttercup Rose couldn't help but smile as she walked up to the schoolyard. It was a beautiful day outside, and the first day of school. Ponies were bringing their school bags to keep in cubbies for the school year. Buttercup in particular had already done that yesterday because she was Student Body President and she had to be there early for student council meetings. "Buttercup!" Lavender shouted as she, Sunrise, and Moonlight came up to her. "Hey!" "Lavender! Sunrise! Moonlight! You're back from summer vacation!" Buttercup ran up to her friends, grinning. "So, How was Sapphire Shoals?" She asked with a grin. "It was amazing! Dad took us on a fishing trip and then we went to the frozen north to collect ice crystals from the caves! We-- we have some here, look! They glow and they don't melt because-- because magic!" Moonlight grinned as she spoke. She pulled a few ice crystals out of her saddlebags, showing them off to Lavender and Buttercup. "Ooh!" Was the response the crystals got. Sunrise grinned. "Hey, sis, I think you're stuttering a bit," She said, giggling. Moonlight blushed a little. "Oh! Sorry! I'm just-- I'm just so excited! Third grade is gonna be awesome with you as president, Buttercup!" "Thanks, Moony!" Buttercup smiled. "Hey, where's Lilac? She said she would be here on our first day to congratulate us..." "Lilac's parents shipped her off to Manehatten for a friendship camp last week. She said she was sorry, but her parents were being really strict," Lavender answered. "Ohh. Well, that's alright. Now, I have to go meet the rest of the class, Y'know, Student Body President Things, but I'll meet you in the schoolyard at lunch, okay?" Buttercup said. "Okay!" The rest of the girls chimed in unison. Buttercup trotted off into the school, grabbing her clipboard and pen in her magic. "Hmm..." She looked at the clipboard. "So, first off is a filly named Buttercup... Oh, that's me!" She giggled. "Now, who's first? A colt named Shoelace. Ohh, he's in honors! How nice for him!" Buttercup went up to talk to him. Half an hour passed as Buttercup went to meet the students and give them candy as a welcome gift. When she was nearly done, she looked at her clipboard again to determine who the last student was. "Hmm... Just two more students, and... oh! They're new here in Ponyville! I've got to make their day extra special because they're new!" She looked around the classroom for them. "Where are they?" She looked outside. "Maybe on the playground." Buttercup trotted outside to the playground. She looked around for the fillies for a moment before spotting them sitting on the swings and talking. "Oh, there they are!" Buttercup trotted up to them. "Hi! My name's Buttercup! I'm the Student Body President this year! I just wanted to say hi and welcome to Ponyville! And to the Elementary School, of course! What are your names?" The fillies looked at her, grinning a little in a way that Buttercup thought was a little strange, but shrugged off. "Don't you have our names on that clipboard of yours there?" Buttercup tilted her head to the side for a moment before smiling. "Well, yeah, but I like to let ponies tell me their names in person so they don't feel weird about it. It just makes them feel more included." "Huh.” Diamond raised an eyebrow for a moment, before shrugging and looking back at Buttercup. “Well, I'm Diamond Necklace, and this is my BFF Golden Ruby. I go by Diamond, she goes by Ruby." Diamond and Ruby nodded decisively, in a way that made Buttercup shiver a bit. "Hmm. Well, Diamond and Ruby, welcome to Ponyville! I hope you like it here! We're all really nice here, just you wait and see!" Buttercup hummed before remembering something. "Oh! I almost forgot! Here! Welcome candy as a gift for your first day at school!" She gave them the candy and they giggled a little. It was a cold laugh, one that drove chills up Buttercup's spine. Still, she was trying to be nice to them, so she kept it up for just a little longer. "Well, I should get back. I just hung out to say hi for a little while. So, see you later, maybe?" The two nodded in response, never taking their eyes away from her. As she turned to leave, the fillies caught a look at her flank which Buttercup thought was rude, and they gasped. "Buttercup! Are you-- Are you a--" Diamond put a hoof up to her mouth, gasping facetiously. "A blank-flank?" She said it like it was a grave misfortune, something that confused Buttercup s she stood there, eyebrow perplexingly raised. "Yeah, so?" Buttercup shrugged. "You don't have your cutie mark yet!" Ruby cried, shock on her face. "Nooo...? If you're teasing me about it, then don't. We don't allow that here. Everypony is supposed to feel included, not singled out." "No, it's-- You don't have your mark! That means you don't have any talent! You need a mark to have a talent!" Diamond grinned, but it was predatory now. "And, by extension, you need a mark to be friends with US. You wouldn't want to be friends with a blank-flank, would you? Blank-flanks are so... ugh... boring, aren't they, Ruby?" Diamond turned to Ruby, who nodded. Buttercup sighed. So that was the odd feeling in her stomach. "Yes, indeed!" "And since you're a blank-flank, you, Miss President, by extension, are boring and talentless." Ruby nodded at that, and Diamond continued as they both stood up. "So why would we, a pair of fine fillies -- who HAVE our marks, mind you -- want to be friends with a blank-flank like you? You're not pretty, you're not cool, you're not a bad girl, you're not a good girl... You're just boring. And we're not friends with boring." "That's a rude thing to say about me." Buttercup frowned a little, then scowled. "You shouldn't be saying that about others. It could get you suspended or expelled!" "And who's going to prove that we said it? Your pathetic little group of friends over there? They're not watching us." "Don't talk about them like that! That's rude!" "Whatever. We're not going to be your friends, and you shouldn't be our friend if you're going to be boring." They walked off without another word, leaving Buttercup shocked and somewhat angry. Before she could go after them, she stopped herself. "Calm down, Buttercup, you have other things to do." Buttercup walked back over to Sunrise, Moonlight, and Lavender, sighing. "So, how was it?" Lavender asked. Buttercup sighed. "It was good for the most part, but then the last two fillies started teasing me because I don't have my cutie mark. That was rude of them..." "Buttercup, you shouldn't worry about it." "It's not just that. It's what they said. None of it is true!" she hissed defensively. "Well, we don't need them as friends. That's why it doesn't matter what they think," Moonlight said. Buttercup hummed, sighing. "Well, I'll just try again tomorrow, then. And be nicer! Maybe they were just a little nervous about me." "Or scared," Lavender added. "Which would be worse." Buttercup thought about that for a moment, before shrugging. "Oh well. I'll just keep trying until they have to be nice to me!" And keep trying she did. The next day, she went up to them again and got the same response. And the next day, and the next day, and the next. Diamond and Ruby just kept on teasing her whenever she got close, even going so far as to poke at things only she and her older sister should've known about. A month passed and she didn't know why they kept doing this to her. So when she went up to them again, she asked. "Why are you doing this to me?" "Because you're trying to be our friend, obviously." "No, I mean, why did you start doing this a month ago?" Ruby and Diamond looked at each other, before turning back to her. "Um, maybe because you're a blank-flank? Because you don't have a mark and therefore don't have a talent?" "That's not a reason! That's just what you always say to me!" "Well, it's the only reason we need!" "No, it's not! I... I don't know why you keep on doing this to me!" "Why are you making such a big deal out of this? We're just being nice to you as our blank-flank friend! We're not going to be your friends if you're boring!" "That's not being nice! That's just being a bully!" "What's the difference? Anyway, we're not your friends, so don't bother coming around here again! Go hang out with your sister or something." "But... But I just want to be your friend!" "You say that, but you don't really deserve it. I mean, you're a blank-flank! Blank-flanks can only be friends with other blank-flanks, that's what I always say!" Ruby nodded, giving an affirmative hum. "Anyway, it's not going to work out. Bye!" The pair walked away from her. Buttercup walked back home in silence, feeling awful about what had just happened. Another month passed. She kept trying, bound by some deep instinct to keep going, keep talking to them, get them to be nice to her. It never worked. They just kept on teasing her, no matter what she did. She tried everything. Cards, gifts, cakes, invitations to parties... but everything she tried was only met with rejection. But somehow, she kept going. And after a second month of trying, they came up to her while she was sitting with her friends at lunch. "Miss President?" "Yes?" She asked, trying to keep her tone jovial. "You said in your beginning of year speech that anypony could come up and talk to you. Can we?" "Of course! I'm not going to deny you just because you're teasing me. Everypony deserves a voice! Just, come with me please." The two fillies followed her away from the table outside the classroom. "Now, what did you want to talk to me about?" "This." Diamond pulled a school newspaper out of her bag. It showed Buttercup in the newsroom, editing the papers to favor her instead of saying the truth. "T-that... blackmail??" "Kh, yeah! Obvious-much, blank-flank?" "But I never did that!" "Would anyone believe you if you told them?" "But I didn't do that!" "And that's what I've been trying to tell you, blank-flank! Why won't you ever listen to anyone? Are you, like, deaf or something?" "Wh--" A hoof went up to her right ear self-consciously. "No!" She sighed. "I don't know why this is happening. I've never done anything wrong! Why are you doing this to me? I'm just trying to be nice!" "Because you're a blank-flank, and you don't get to be our friend if you don't have a cutie mark." "What's wrong with not knowing what your talent is yet? Y-you can... You can do whatever you want when you don't know what it is..." Buttercup sniffled. "Aw, is the President going to cry? How pathetic." "No! C-can't... can't we just be friends? I don't care what you think of me. I don't..." "No." Buttercup whimpered a little and left. "Ohhh..." There were tears in her eyes. Two more months passed. Buttercup had stopped trying to talk to Diamond and Ruby, just wanting them to stop teasing her. They were using blackmail as a regular tactic now, and would often come up to her to rub it in her face. It was November now, and as soon as she got to school, she went to the entrance of the forest nearby and just sobbed her tiny heart out. Lavender noticed that when the bell rang, Buttercup was gone. "Hey, Moonlight. Did you see Buttercup earlier? She's not here!" "No. I thought she was inside?" "We should look for her, Miss Heartstrings will be worried..." The trio looked for Buttercup, eventually finding her curled up and sobbing in a little clearing of the forest. Moonlight, Sunrise, and Lavender all looked at her, concerned for their friend. "Buttercup? Are you okay?" Moonlight asked worriedly. Buttercup gave no answer, too lost in her own despair. "Buttercup? What's wrong?" Sunrise asked. When she got no answer, they all went up to her, lifting her up and holding her gently, wiping off her tears and looking at her. "What's wrong?" Lavender asked softly. "I... It's the fillies. You know, Diamond and Ruby? They... They just keep teasing me, no matter what I do. I was just trying to be nice to them, and they just keep teasing and blackmailing me. Why are they doing this to me?" She sniffled. "Buttercup, we're your friends. Why would anyone want to tease you?" "I don't know... They just do." Buttercup spat with a pout. "They never stop, no matter what I do. I just... why won't they stop?" "We need to stop them. Are you okay?" Buttercup just kept weeping into Moonlight's shoulder. Why won't you listen to me? I want to help you! Lavender let out a sigh. "Sunrise," She whispered so as not to let Buttercup hear. "Go get Buttercup's older sister. She needs to go home." Sunrise nodded and left, going to get Sunset, Buttercup's older sister. Lavender then held Buttercup tightly, letting her sob into her shoulder. Moonlight held her as well, wanting to calm her down. A few minutes later, Sunrise came back with Sunset. Sunset sighed. "She's here?" "Yes, Miss Flower... she's right in that clearing. Lavender and Moonlight are too. They're with her." Sunset nodded and entered the clearing. She sighed when she saw Buttercup. "Oh, honey... what's wrong?" She picked Buttercup up and held her, nodding and smiling to Lavender and Moonlight. "Sunny..." Buttercup sobbed into her sister's fur, hiccuping and gasping as Sunset held her tightly in a loving embrace. "Shh, shh... shh, everything's going to be okay, it'll all be alright, I promise you..." Buttercup sniffled some more, sighing and burying her face in Sunset's fur. "Now, what's wrong, Buttercup?" "I-I... I met two fillies this year and they're teasing me, no matter what I do. I was just trying to be nice to them, but they're teasing me because I'm a blank-flank." Buttercup's eyes drifted down to the ground below her, tears building in her eyes once again. "A blank flank?" "They say I don't have a talent yet." "What? Oh, you mean because you don't have your cutie mark yet." Buttercup nodded. "They said that blank-flanks are boring and talentless because they don't have their mark yet." "Sweetie, you're not talentless," Sunset said with a gentle smile. "You're my little sister. You have plenty of talent. And everypony knows it." Buttercup sniffled. "B-but... why don't they know?" Sunset frowned, not knowing how to answer that. "We'll answer that question later. How about we go home for today, hon?" Buttercup nodded, climbing onto Sunset's back and hiding her face in Sunset's curly red mane. "Alright, dear. Come on, kids." Buttercup's friends all followed Sunset as she carried Buttercup towards the school. "I thought we were going home, Sunny..." Buttercup said, confused at the direction they were taking. "We are. I just need to let Miss Heartstrings know about you being out of school." "Oh." Then Buttercup remembered the fillies who were teasing them. "B-But Sunny, the fillies are going to be there..." Sunset rubbed Buttercup's back to soothe her. "Shh, I know. I won't let them hurt you, I promise." Buttercup was silent the rest of the walk, clinging to her sister. When they got to school, thankfully, Miss Heartstrings was already there. "Miss Heartstrings? Can I have a word with you please?" Heartstrings nodded. "Yes? What do you need?" "I would like to take Buttercup out of school for today," Sunset said. "Oh, what happened? Is she sick?" "She's just tired, don't worry." When she saw the way Buttercup was sniffling and hiding in her older sister's mane, Heartstrings gave a slight nod of understanding. "Ah... alright, then. I'll see you in class tomorrow, Buttercup. Don't miss tonight's assignment!" "Okay, Miss Heartstrings. Bye-bye..." Buttercup waved shyly from Sunset's back and Heartstrings smiled a little, letting the two go home for the day. Buttercup's three friends then entered the room, faces filled with worry. "Where have you three been?" Heartstrings asked. "With Buttercup, because she was upset," Sunrise answered. "Ah. Well, take a seat, I can't blame you for helping a friend." Heartstrings then went back to her lesson, somewhat worried for Buttercup, but relieved that she was at least safe with family. Back at home, Buttercup was wrapped in a fuzzy blanket, holding a teddy bear Sunset and their late mother had sewn for her as a Christmas present when she was four. Sunset held her as they sat, comforting her and calming her down. "Is this better?" She asked with a soft smile. Buttercup nodded, managing a small smile through the fading tears in her eyes. "Uh-huh. Thanks, Sunny," she said, nuzzling into her older sister's chest. More months passed. The teasing only got worse as the year went on. Despite Sunset’s attempts, the fillies always found a way to get to Buttercup without Miss Heartstrings seeing. Eventually, this expanded to her friends, too. So in December, when Buttercup was sitting at a table for lunch, alone because she was upset, Sunrise and Moonlight came up to her. "Hey, Buttercup?" Sunrise said. "Yeah?" "W-we can't-- We can't hang out with you anymore. W-we don't-- We don't want to be teased too," Moonlight stuttered nervously, her ears folding back. "B-B-B-- But-- I-- But you're my friends... I would never let them tease you!" Buttercup put a hoof to her mouth, her pupils shrinking just slightly. "I'm sorry, but we just can't take that chance. I don't want my sister to be hurt. You know how sensitive she is," Sunrise replied grimly. Buttercup nodded, but tears began welling up in her eyes. "...Okay..." She mumbled as they walked away. Buttercup quickly wiped her eyes and sniffled, then went back to eating her lunch in silence. Diamond and Ruby then came up to her, grinning. "What do you want?" Buttercup asked. "Oh, nothing. Just came to see if you were alright after that scene with your friends. Never thought they would ditch you like that, but then, you don't have much popularity do you?" "Leave me alone..." Buttercup groaned. Diamond ignored that. "Or, well, they're not your friends anymore, are they? I mean, ditching you like that? I would too, seeing as how you still don't have your cutie mark, but them? Mare, they were never your friends, were they?" "Leave them alone! They were just protecting themselves!" Diamond grinned. "Yeah, from you and your stupidity. I mean, you would've gotten them hurt if they hadn't left. Look! I had this all ready for them!" She showed Buttercup the usual newspaper with blackmail information on it. "But since they left, I can't print this. Oh, well. At least now we have you alone." Buttercup stood up and began walking away from them. "Just go away, you two... Don't you have somewhere important to be?" Over the last few months of school, it got worse. It started escalating to physical violence, and Buttercup had to actively avoid Diamond and Ruby to keep them from hurting her. She always went home with scratches and cuts and sometimes bruises. Sunset always helped patch her up and then held her for a while when she got home, but the very next day, Diamond and Ruby would do the same thing again. It was horrible, and Buttercup always felt worse when she went home. But after they told her she wasn't fit to be Student Body President, she went in to talk to Miss Heartstrings. "Miss Heartstrings?" She asked one day after school. "Yes, dear?" "Can I-- Can I resign as Student Body President?" The question came as a surprise to Miss Heartstrings, who paused what she was doing to look at Buttercup sadly. "Well, I was going to ask you to grade these papers, but... Yes, of course." Buttercup left her class with a heavy heart and headed home for the day. Miss Heartstrings watched on, a heavy feeling growing in her head. Over the next few months, Buttercup began avoiding the school unless it was class time, going to the forest and sitting at a river instead of playing in the schoolyard like she used to. She didn't avoid Diamond and Ruby after school, because they caught her before she could, but the mornings were better. And then one day, on the last day of school, Diamond and Ruby found her there. "Hello, Buttercup," She said with a grin. "So this is where you've been coming before school! What a nice little place you have here. So quiet and peaceful, and far away from us! But now we've found it, so you can't hide anymore." "Leave me alone. Go bother someone else." Buttercup didn't bother to look at them. Diamond scoffed. "Now why would I do that? You're too much fun to tease, Buttercup! I mean, we even got you to resign as President!" Diamond looked at Buttercup. "But now we have something else to show you. Look at this!" Diamond pulled out a newspaper with a picture of Buttercup on it. Buttercup looked at it, eyes widening. "W-Wh-- I-- You did this? Y-you-- You made this picture of me sabotaging the votes?" "Mm-hm! We've crashed your campaign before it's even up and running! Isn't it just wonderful?" “But, I… I wasn’t even running for next year…” Buttercup shivered. "Why are you doing this to me?" "We've answered that question before. There's no point in answering it again, no matter how dumb you are." Diamond turned to Ruby. "Now, I have something to give you, something special. Something to remind you of us once we're gone." They began walking towards Buttercup, who backed up. A few steps back and she was tripping, falling into the river and getting mud all over herself. Diamond and Ruby began laughing. "What do you think you're doing? Get out of there!" Buttercup picked herself up, but as she was trying to get out of the mud, she slipped and fell back in. "Look at you! You can't even get up out of there! You're such an idiot!" Buttercup sighed as tears built up in her eyes again. She whimpered and squinted her eyes shut. "Why can't you leave me alone?" They just kept laughing, watching as she sniffled and shivered and sobbed. She couldn't take it anymore, and something in her snapped. Before she could blink, she was surrounded by a sphere of magic that exploded out and blew the mud off her and the fillies away from her. She found herself exploding, screaming out in agony as her emotions all took the opportunity to get out using the volatile sphere of magic around her. The fillies had but a second to move before the magic pulsated through them, tearing their bodies apart in an instant. But Buttercup's magic wasn't done. As quickly as it had exploded out, it shrunk back into her, causing her to pass out for a moment as it repaired all the damage the fillies had done to her. she then slowly dropped to the ground, groaning. She sat up, wondering what had happened. Then she saw the remains of the fillies. "W-wh-- I-- They-- T-they're dead... I--" Buttercup broke down into tears. "I killed them... I killed them because they were bullying me..." "Ohhh..." She stood up, still sobbing, and ran home in a panic, too terrified to think of what would happen if they found the fillies. Sunset was sitting in the living room, reading. She looked up when Buttercup ran in. "Buttercup! Are you o--" Buttercup didn't stop, running into her room and shutting the door behind her. "--kay?" Sunset sighed, standing up. "Oh, dear..." Buttercup curled up in her closet, guilt driving her to tears. "Ohhh... what do I do, what do I do, what do I do? I KILLED THEM! I-- They're-- They're dead because of me..." Buttercup hiccuped, shaking and sobbing and gasping as she tried to figure out what to do. "Celestia, help me... I don't want to be bad... I'm just scared... I don't want to be bad... please..." She froze when she heard the door opening. "Buttercup? Are you alright?" Oh, Celestia, no, Sunset's here! What if she finds out? Buttercup went silent, shaking her head and shoving a hoof in her mouth to keep from making noise. Hoofsteps came closer to the closet, and then-- "Buttercup? Are you in there?" The voice came from right outside the closet. Buttercup stayed silent save for the occasional hiccup and gasp as she sobbed. "Buttercup?" "G-go away!" She whimpered, her voice shaking. "Buttercup, are you alright?" "J-Just-- leave me alone!" "I'm coming in, Buttercup. I'm not going to hurt you, I promise!" Buttercup gulped, biting her tongue to keep herself from making a sound. She took a deep breath, tensing up as she waited for the door to open. It did, and there was Sunset. "Buttercup, what's wrong?" Sunset asked, sitting down and opening her hooves for Buttercup. Buttercup took one look at her and lept into her embrace, sobbing. "Oh, my sweet darling... what's wrong?" Buttercup only shook her head. "Shh, shh... I've got you. You're safe. You're right here with me, I'm right here." Buttercup slowly calmed, and Sunset sighed. "Now, what's wrong, love?" "I..." Buttercup cut off when a thought came to her mind. I killed two fillies... isn't that super wrong? What will happen if I tell her? What if I get sent away? "I... It was the fillies again, only this time... they-- They were coming to talk to me, and a timberwolf just-- Just--" "A timberwolf? What did it do to them?" "I-It-- It-- It killed them..." She whimpered, trying hard to not cry. "Oh, my... are you okay? Did it hurt you?" "Y-yeah, I'm fine, Sunny..." "Alright, then." Buttercup sighed, closing her eyes as Sunset held her. Well, guess that's it... I can't tell anyone. I can't ever let anyone know what happened to them. I'd be locked up or killed, or worse... Just like the fillies... I... I have to think of something. Sunset sighed. "How about we get something to eat? Not something out, just from the kitchen." Buttercup nodded. The two slowly got up and left the room. Buttercup let herself relax as much as she could without ending up telling the truth about the fillies. Hours later, while she lay in bed, Buttercup felt something moving inside her mind. She froze and felt it pulse again with small tremors. It felt like something was there, trying to get in. Hello? She thought just to see who would answer. Hello, darling. "GAHH!" Who are you!? My name is Scarlet Knife, darling, and I'm a part of you. You created me when you killed those two terrors who were bullying you. Now, you feel guilty about it, don't you? I-- Yes, but... what does it matter to you? Oh, I just want to help you deal with it is all. I know it's been eating at you ever since you did it, and that's not good for you at all! What do you mean? I mean, it's making you a little crazy, darling. It would be best for you if you got rid of that little burden you've been carrying around with you. Why? Well, do you like it? No... So why not get rid of it? I can take the burden away from you, so you never have to feel it again. If you let me out every so often, I can take the guilt away. Don't you want that, darling? Don't you want to feel good? But... what about the other fillies? If I don't feel guilty, then I'll kill them, too! Well, you don't have to be guilty not to kill them, darling. You didn't before, did you? No, but... now, I might... Do you feel an urge to kill them, darling? No... So don't worry about it. Only those who feel an urge kill like that. I... Okay. Okay, you can do it. Please stop making me feel so horrible. Good, good. Now, go over to your mirror and touch it. I'll be on the other side. Once you touch my hoof, the deal will be done, and all the guilt will gone. Okay... Buttercup went over to her mirror and touched it where Scarlet's hoof was touching from the other side. Scarlet grinned in response. There, now. That's done. Just a moment, and then I can get rid of your guilt for you. Buttercup waited for a moment before Scarlet's voice echoed through her head again. There. It's gone now. No more guilt. No more bad thoughts. Is that better? Y-yeah... thanks. Buttercup smiled a little, glad that the weight was off her. You're welcome, darling. I should go back to bed now. Goodnight! Buttercup laid down and closed her eyes. She hoped that tomorrow would be better than today. Just before she fell asleep, she couldn’t help thinking that this deal seemed a just little too simple...
Chapter One: A Normal Day [Edits Made]Twenty-two years later Buttercup Rose woke up with a groan and a sigh, sitting up and rubbing her eyes with her forehooves. She looked at herself and sighed. Scarlet had clearly been out last night, as evidenced by the thorough washing she'd given their body. Good morning, sleepyhead! Scarlet greeted from deep in her mind. Good morning, Scarlet. Buttercup irritatedly replied. So, you were out last night. Mm-hm. I took our body out for a spin at midnight, like usual. Buttercup shivered at that. What did you do this time, Scarlet? Good question, darling. Now if only you could figure out the answer... Ah. No questions, then? Buttercup felt the mental leash Scarlet had her on being tightened. No, not this time, darling. You'll find out eventually, just like you always do. Buttercup felt Scarlet's presence fading, but the mental leash stayed tight around her neck. Today's a strict day, Buttercup supposed to herself. Gee, thanks, Scarlet. Scarlet gave no answer. Buttercup sighed and got out of bed. She went over to her vanity and brushed her mane and tail, put on and zipped up her favorite blackish-blue hoodie, made sure the sleeves covered all of her forelegs, then went into the bathroom and brushed her teeth. After that, she rubbed her hooves with the daily dose of hoof-protection powder[1] and went into the kitchen to get breakfast. Sunset was sitting at the table, eating a bowl of cereal and reading patient reports. "Good morning, Buttercup! How'd you sleep?" Sunset smiled at her. Buttercup smiled back, internally sighing. "I slept well, thanks for asking. How are you this morning?" Buttercup's tone was almost too joyful for comfort, but Sunset didn't notice. "I'm good." Sunset smiled and looked at her patients' reports. "Quite a few of my patients are making progress. Is the hospital any better?" "Meh, as good as can be with so many in with the Feather Flu." "That's unfortunate. I hope they get better soon!" Sunset went back to eating her cereal and Buttercup looked in the fridge for something to eat. She looked at Sunset and the fake smile she had on faded just a bit, her eyes dimming as she thought. Maybe… maybe I could tell her… maybe... But when she went to do so, she felt the mental leash tightening, silencing her and forcing her mouth shut. Ah, ah, darling, you don't want Sunset to get hurt, do you? Scarlet's voice sounded in her head and she shivered, mouth still being forced shut by the mental leash. She really didn't. She really, really didn't want her sister to get hurt... seeing Sunset get hurt in horrific visions was bad enough, she didn't need to see it in real life. Scarlet, please don't hurt her, I wasn't going to tell her, I promise... Then don't try to, darling. Or else, well... I'm quite sure you know by now what will happen. Buttercup's mind went hazy for a moment, mind lighting up with flashes of the visions that Scarlet gave her. Images of death, and the sound of a familiar scream that made Buttercup shiver. As fast as it had clouded her mind, the haze cleared, leaving her standing in front of the fridge with a hoof on her forehead and groaning, trying to forget what had just happened. Sunset turned to her when she heard the groan, concerned. "Buttercup? Are you alright?" Buttercup pulled her hoof down from her forehead, still groaning just slightly as her mind recovered from the visions. She nodded, hoping the small action would be enough to satisfy Scarlet and stave off the tightening of the leash for the time being. "Yeah, Sunset... I-I'm fine," She lied with another, softer groan. Sunset raised an eyebrow, noticing the slight twitching of Buttercup's mouth as she lied. "You sure you're okay, hon?" Buttercup nodded as she felt a tug on the leash. "Yeah, I'm fine, I just... I'm a little tired is all." She gave what she hoped was a convincing grin and shoved a few pieces of toast in her mouth. Sunset raised an eyebrow even further but didn't comment. "...Alright. Just take it easy then, okay?" Buttercup nodded. "Okay. See you after work, Sunset." "See you after work, Buttercup!" Sunset smiled and left for work. Buttercup looked at the door as it closed, frowning a little as the leash pulled her towards her saddlebags, a choking feeling filling her head in the process. She hacked a little on reflex, her tongue sticking out as she tried to distract herself from the lack of freedom. She had to get to work. Redheart would be upset with her if she was late again. Buttercup trotted down the street towards Ponyville General Hospital just a few minutes later, silently hoping that nopony would talk to her today and she wouldn't have to spare the effort to lie to them. She hated having to keep so many secrets and distance herself from everyone she loved and having to talk to others only reminded her of the horrible situation she was forced into. Unfortunately, her hope was left unanswered, and she heard someone calling her name. "Hey, Buttercup!" It was Lavender, her best friend since second grade. She grimaced and let out a quiet grunt that went unnoticed by Lavender, and then forced herself to smile and act like she was alright. "Hey, Lavender. How are you?" "Good, good. Yourself?" "Yeah, sure. You know how it is." "Mm-hmm. The usual then?" "Yeah... Hey, how's your mom and dad doing?" "Oh, they're fine. They are living it up in Sapphire Shoals." “The retirement home?” Buttercup raised an eyebrow. “No, they have their own place. It’s a nice little cottage on the edge of town, surrounded by a garden and apple trees. I go there, sometimes, to visit them for holidays and things.” “Ah. Well, good for them.” Buttercup nodded, closing her eyes and shifting a little. “Sure is, isn’t it?” Lavender gave a small laugh. "What about you? You don't seem like you." "Oh, I'm fine. Just a little tired is all." "I guess," Lavender seemed unconvinced. Then she seemed to remember something. "Oh! Last week you told me about a job offer in Manehatten. How's it going? Have you gotten an interview yet?" Buttercup shook her head, shrugging. "Not yet, but hopefully soon. It's a really good opportunity." "That's great! I'm sure you'll get it. You always do!" Buttercup noticed a young filly sitting with an older mare, crying. "Hey, lavender?" "Yeah?" "Why's Daisy Petal crying?" Lavender winced and Buttercup shivered, hoping it wasn't what she thought it was. "You didn't hear?" Lavender asked. Buttercup shook her head. “No. What happened?” "Daisy's older sister went missing last night. She went to bed last night, and the next morning she was gone!" Lavender said worriedly. "Oh... are they looking for her? Do they know if she's alright?" Buttercup asked. "They've been searching since this morning, but haven't found anything yet. The guards say that if she's gone for more than two days, the chance of her surviving is slim to none." "That's terrible! I hope she turns up alright..." "I do too, Buttercup. Peony was going to come with us to the Summer Sun Celebration this year..." They finished the rest of the walk to the hospital in silence and made their separate ways to the cafeteria. Buttercup went to the nurse's station to start her shift. She looked to the head nurse, Nurse Redheart, and held back a sigh. "Hello, Nurse Redheart!" She said cheerily. "Good morning, Buttercup. I see you're here on time for once." Redheart replied in a semi-friendly tone. "I see you're not eating anything this morning." "Yeah, I woke up early for once and had the time to get breakfast at home. Ha-heh..." She gave a nervous laugh and shoved the tight lump of dread in her throat down where it wouldn't affect how she acted. Redheart, while now slightly suspicious of Buttercup's emotional state, ignored the fakeness of the grin. "I'm glad, Buttercup." Redheart turned to the clipboard, looking over various notes and forms with a pencil in her mouth to mark items. "So, where am I needed today?" Buttercup asked. "Maternity ward, they're down a nurse who got sick with the measles." Buttercup nodded, going down a hallway towards the maternity ward. Hours later, Buttercup walked out of the hospital, sighing. It had been a long day taking care of foals and their mothers. She was ready to go home, for multiple reasons. The first and smallest being that she was tired. The second, though... she just didn't feel safe around foals. Even though the mental leash kept her under Scarlet's proverbial hoof, it didn't really tug hard on her... except in the maternity ward. In the maternity ward, she could feel it almost constantly, especially when she got close to one of them. It was always there when she was around foals. It was as if Scarlet was watching her, warning her of the danger of being around someone so young. She breathed out, shaking her head. This feeling was nothing but paranoia. But it isn't, is it? Buttercup took in a breath. Her hoof went up to her neck, tugging as if the mental leash was physically there. She shivered and forced herself to ignore it, moving over to a tree to meet Lavender and walk home with her. Lavender was watching as she approached, a strange expression on her face. "You okay, Buttercup? You seemed a little out of it for a second, there." Lavender asked her. Buttercup nodded, swallowing and forcing her hoof down from her neck. "Yeah, I'm fine!" She grinned a little, walking with Lavender. "I just-- Tired, is all." Lavender didn't seem entirely convinced, but thankfully, neither did anyone else. "...Alright then. Want to go get something from Sugarcube Corner?" Lavender asked with a grin. "Yeah, of course!" Buttercup said. Telling Lavender that she didn't want to would tip her off that something was wrong. "Alright, come on!" The two walked down the street towards the bakery, Buttercup with a slight hesitation in her step. As they walked, Buttercup's thoughts kept drifting back to Daisy Petal's older sister and how she'd disappeared. She was gone. Just vanished in a puff of smoke, overnight. Something about that didn't seem right, that yesterday she'd be here and the next she was gone. Although-- she knew the most likely reason for that. Her thoughts were interrupted when Lavender spoke. "Hey, you okay, Buttercup?" Buttercup looked up at Lavender, startled. "Y-yes, I-- I just got lost in my thoughts." Lavender would get suspicious if she said the same thing too much. Lavender patted her shoulder. "That's good! I'm glad you're not lost in your head like you used to be in high school." Buttercup said nothing more, holding back a nervous gulp as she found herself staring at Lavender. Staring, and wondering if Lavender knew. "What did you want to talk about?" Lavender asked. A thousand thoughts ran through Buttercup's head but she managed to collect herself and answer. "Nothing. What did you want to talk about?" Lavender frowned, and her face seemed to darken. "Nothing. Let's talk about something else." Buttercup frowned, though she said nothing. Silence is suspicious, darling~ Scarlet's voice came to the forefront of Buttercup's mind. I know, I know, Scarlet, but I can't think of anything to say! Buttercup snappily replied. She felt the leash tighten, and she held back a choking noise. Don't talk back to me like that, darling. Remember, I can still make life miserable for you. Buttercup began seeing flashes of visions again, and she stopped, a hoof going up to her forehead and tiny whimpers of fear coming out of her mouth. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Scarlet, I didn't-- I just-- She was cut off. Shh, dear, don't worry about it, just don't do it again. And think of something to say to Lavender to explain why you're shivering and mumbling to yourself while you're at it. With that, Scarlet left, and the flashes of visions stopped. Lavender had stopped walking when Buttercup had and was looking at her strangely. "Buttercup, why did you stop? Are you alright?" She shook her head to try and get herself back together, realizing she was very, very close to crying. She forced herself to stand up straight and smile at Lavender. "I'm okay, Lavender. I just--" But no excuse came to mind. Buttercup went silent, shivering a little and looking away. "...Never mind. Come on, let's go." "Are you sure you're alright?" Lavender asked again. Buttercup nodded, giving her a smile. "Yeah, I'm good now." She held back the familiar shiver down her spine that signaled Scarlet's presence watching her from inside their mind. When they got to the bakery, Buttercup stuck to Lavender, avoiding talking to any of the ponies in the building for fear of giving something away and making Scarlet upset with her. They both went up to the counter and Buttercup stayed silent, watching as Pinkie came up to the counter and began speaking to Lavender. "Hey there! What can I get'cha?" Pinkie asked with a wave and a grin. Lavender smiled back at Pinkie. "A toffee cake for me and... Buttercup, what do you want?" Buttercup was lost in her thoughts once again. She was staring at Pinkie, smiling but with no happiness in her eyes. Pinkie shivered a little, waving a hoof in front of Buttercup. "Buttercup? Buttercup? Rooosieee? Are you there?" Pinkie asked, confused. Buttercup shook her head, blinking. She hadn't realized she'd been staring. "W-wha? Oh, yeah… um, a cherry cupcake for me, please." Buttercup mumbled, eyes dropping to the floor as she blinked again and let out a groan that nopony could hear, save for Pinkie, who knew to ignore it. "Sure thing!" Pinkie said, grinning and skipping away from the counter. Buttercup looked up at Lavender with a sigh as the other mare began to speak. "You've seemed really out of it today, Buttercup. Are you alright?" Lavender asked. A small, concerned frown was on her face. Buttercup looked at Lavender, unsure of what to say. She really couldn't let anyone know about Scarlet, no matter how much she wanted to. Even thinking about what Scarlet would do to her if she did made her shiver. "I'm... I'm fine." Lavender didn't seem to buy it. Her forehead was creased and she looked worried about her friend. "You sure? You're not acting like yourself." "I'm fine, I'm fine, I promise, Lavender, I just..." Buttercup stopped, trying to shove the heat out of her tone. "I just need to go home and rest, that's all. Really, I'm okay." "... Alright." Lavender seemed to buy it and didn't press further. Buttercup held in a sigh of relief. She and Lavender went to a table and sat down, waiting for their food to arrive. As they waited, Lavender first took a look at some papers from work, then looked at Buttercup, noticing how oddly she was still behaving. Buttercup was keeping herself occupied with various medical reports from patients in the hospital. She knew that normally, she would be talking with the other ponies around her, but today, she didn't want to risk it. Today, right after Scarlet had taken their body for a spin at midnight, she didn't want to risk Scarlet taking control again. Only several minutes later, after Pinkie had dropped off their desserts did she notice that Lavender was staring at her. "Lavender, you're staring." Buttercup waved a hoof in front of Lavender. "Yes, I know." Lavender kept staring. "Okay... why are you staring?" Buttercup leaned in closer to Lavender. "Because you're acting weird." Lavender just kept staring. Buttercup raised an eyebrow. Then she sighed, and Lavender raised an eyebrow in turn. "Okay, look, Lavender, I know I'm not acting like myself. I know I seem like I'm in trouble, but you have to believe me, I'm not. I just... Sometimes a mare just wants to relax is all." "Really? You never keep to yourself like this, Buttercup. Not even when you're tired. In fact, socializing seems to rejuvenate you, even. You cannot just want to relax. You relaxing entails talking to ponies. I've been your best friend since second grade! I should know." Lavender's eyes narrowed and Buttercup shifted a little, uncomfortable. "I'm sorry, Lavender. You are correct, I just... Right now, all I want to do is rest." She couldn’t resist rubbing her forehead with a hoof, thinking of all the possible ways this could go wrong and all the possible ways Scarlet could get back at her for being so obviously upset. "Alright..." Lavender seemed to accept that answer but continued to study her. Buttercup looked away, trying not to fidget. She looked down at her dessert and picked at it for a moment, before looking up at the other mare again. “Lavender, just--” Buttercup started, but stopped, knowing that saying that would tip Lavender off, and make Scarlet upset at her. She couldn't think of anything else to say, really. What Lavender wanted to know most was why she wasn't acting like herself, and that was something that just wasn't answerable. Not unless she wanted to see Sunset... She shivered, resisting the urge to shake her head. She couldn't think about that, not right now. She looked at Lavender, shoving the thought to the back of her mind where wouldn't bother her until she was alone. Lavender, upon seeing Buttercup like this, seemed to understand. "Alright, I won't pry. But just-- If you're in trouble or something, tell me, okay? I don't want you getting hurt." Buttercup nodded as a reply to that. Bit too late for that, Lav. "Thank you, Lav. And I'm sorry for worrying you." Buttercup smiled, a genuine one this time, and took a bite of the cherry cupcake. "You don't need to apologize for that. I'm always here for you." Lavender smiled back and then both of them went back to eating. Pinkie watched Buttercup from the counter, her eyes darting between Buttercup's smile and the pastry she was working on. She hummed and her eyes narrowed, sensing that something about Buttercup wasn't right. She shrugged and decided to leave it alone. She knew, likely better than anypony else (Thanks to an… unfortunate outburst on Buttercup’s part), that Buttercup liked to be left alone. When she got home an hour later, Buttercup couldn't help but feel relieved. She was home. She was safe. She was away from everypony else. She wasn't at risk of losing control to Scarlet anymore. She finally let out the sigh of relief from earlier, let her hunched-up shoulders relax, and her stiff legs all slump. She put her saddlebags on the rack next to the door and then went into the kitchen to get something to eat. Today had been a long day. She pulled a daisy sandwich out of the fridge that she'd made yesterday and took a bite out of it, sitting down at the kitchen table and slumping down onto it, her forelegs automatically going to cover her face. She afforded herself the luxury of groaning since nopony was here as-of-yet. She didn't usually do it anywhere anyone could see her, but since she was at home alone, she figured she could. It felt so good to let out the built-up stress from the day. It felt good to let out any sort of emotion these days, in any way she could. But for the moment, since she felt nothing but exhaustion and emptiness, she didn't do anything but eat her sandwich and sit where she was, waiting for Sunset to come home for the night. A few minutes later, when Sunset came home, Buttercup sat up and sighed. "Hey, Sunset." "Hey, Buttercup. How was work?" "It was good. Lavender and I went to Sugarcube Corner for a while afterward." "Oh, did you? That sounds like fun." Buttercup bit her lip nervously. She nodded and yawned, standing up and finishing the daisy sandwich she'd gotten out. "I think I'm heading to bed now, Sunset." "Okay, hon. I'll see you in the morning." Buttercup yawned again and then left the kitchen, going to her room and closing the door. As she lay on her bed, she couldn't help but wonder about Daisy Petal's sister and hope she got home alright. Or at least that she was alive, wherever she was. She wondered if she should've been feeling anticipatory guilt for what she knew was most likely to happen. And then she wondered if Scarlet knew anything about this. She couldn't help but want to ask, even though she knew Scarlet most likely would not give her an answer. Still, it couldn't hurt, could it? Nothing would happen but Scarlet being slightly annoyed at Buttercup for trying to unravel her special surprise. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep, but her mind wouldn't let her. She kept remembering each face she saw today. Lavender, Daisy Petal, Nurse Redheart, Sunset, Pinkie Pie... And then her likeness in the mirror for Scarlet every time she deigned to tease her with a sneak peek of what came next. Her eyes opened wide and she shivered. She had to find out what was going on. She had to ask Scarlet. She-- if she didn't ask, she'd feel bad about not trying to help Daisy Petal. So she sighed and closed her eyes once more. Hey, Scarlet? Yes, darling? What's-- What's going on with Daisy Petal's sister? Why, I don't know, darling. Because even if you did, you wouldn't tell me? Correct. You certainly have a way of interfering in my little surprises for you, don't you, Buttercup? So you won't tell me. Well, I'm not exactly sure what you're getting at, darling. You won't tell me what's going on with the sister of that filly, you know, the one that was kidnapped? Oh, her. No, I won't tell you. It'd be far too much fun to let you guess what happened to her. So you admit you did have something to do with her! Mm, no, darling, although I can see why you'd think I did. I simply... suggested, and your mind came to its own conclusion. Buttercup growled at that. Scarlet, just-- tell me what's going on! Buttercup felt the mental leash tightening at that, choking her. Darling, you would do well not to talk to me with that tone. I, after all, am the master, and you are the puppet. Scarlet-- Darling, if you wish to retain your sanity, you will stop asking. Remember what I can do to you if you disobey me again. She was right, of course. Buttercup took a deep breath and tried to calm herself, but she needed to know. "Fine, fine, I'll stop bothering you. Good night..." Good night, darling. Oh, and-- Good luck tomorrow! Buttercup was left even more confused than when she'd started asking, but didn't pry for more, because she knew Scarlet would make good on her threat. She had, many times before. She only closed her eyes and fell asleep, not dwelling on what Scarlet's last line had meant. The next day, Buttercup saw a crowd of ponies. Confused as to why so many ponies would be here, and wondering if this had anything to do with Scarlet's odd warning from last night, the rose unicorn pushed through the crowd to see what was going on better. What she saw sent chills through her. A royal guard was standing in the road, talking to the crowd in a shout so everypony could hear. "We have an announcement about Peony Stem as requested by her family." That’s Daisy Petal's sister. What happened? "She, unfortunately, has been found dead in the Everfree forest." Author's Note Hello everyone! I'm back! Sorry about being gone for so long. I had a rather sudden and, ah... clearly very extended period of writer's block (Eleven months, woof!), and this is my way of getting over it (And seeing how far I've come since I wrote the original version of this!). That means that since I can't think of a way to continue Goddess of Winter, I'll be putting that on hiatus for now while I work on this and restore energy and ideas. I do suggest you read what I have (It's really good in my opinion!), but don't expect any more on that until after this is done, at the very least. In the meantime, I'll upload the next chapter of this as soon as I can, but, because I am notoriously horrible at meeting deadlines, I'm not going to give a date. Well, until next time! Footnotes 1: Hoof-protection powder is magical and strengthens a pony's hooves so they don't crack as easily.
Chapter Two: Bump in the Road [Edits Made]"We have an announcement about Peony Stem as requested by her family." That’s Daisy Petal's sister. What happened? "She, unfortunately, has been found dead in the Everfree forest." Buttercup's eyes widened. She’s dead? Oh no... "Miss Gardenia would like to speak now." Daisy Petal's mother came up and began speaking. "There will be a closed-casket funeral on Friday, for those who want to come. She's-- The guards said she was too mangled to recover." Too mangled to recover…? Oh, no… Scarlet's warning…! This is what she… Buttercup shivered and turned around, heading back home, away from the guard. She couldn't go to work today, not after she'd just discovered-- Buttercup felt sick. She felt really, really sick. Scarlet had killed an innocent pony. Buttercup shivered as she walked, barely managing not to vomit. I really should be used to this by now… She held a hoof up to her mouth, trying to hurry so she wouldn’t throw up outside. Yes, you should, shouldn't you? Scarlet's voice came out of nowhere, and Buttercup held in a growl. Scarlet! So this is what you meant. Mm, yes, darling, it is. Congratulations! You've actually figured it out for once. Peony Stem is... Dead, yes, darling. And it's because of us. Isn't it wonderful? Buttercup wanted to argue, she did. She wanted to say that she hadn't done it, that it was all Scarlet. It was her plan to kill her. But she knew Scarlet was right. After all, she had created Scarlet, hadn't she? Buttercup whimpered and hurried home, tears building up in her eyes. She yanked the door open and went inside, bolting down the hall to her room, where she kept a bucket because she knew this would've happened eventually. As soon as she got in the room, her will to hold the bile in relented and she vomited into the bucket, groaning and let her head fall into her hooves as she broke down into guilt-ridden sobs. I did this... "Buttercup? I'm home!" She heard her sister call from the front door. Oh, no... Sunset's here! What if she sees me like this!? Buttercup shivered and dragged herself into the closet, closing the door behind her. She couldn't let Sunset know about this, couldn't let her come in and discover that she was just a killer. Buttercup shook her head and continued to cry, trying to forget what she'd done. "Buttercup? Are you alright?" Her sister sounded closer this time. Buttercup shoved a hoof into her mouth in an effort to silence herself so Sunset wouldn't know, but the hiccups and gasps just kept coming and the tears still flowed down her face. She had to think of something - anything - to save herself. Sunset was coming closer, she had to think of something to say, something to explain why she was crying. Something to save her own life… What was she going to do? Buttercup froze when she heard the door to her room opening. "Buttercup? Are you in here? You sound upset…" Oh, no... "Buttercup? I know you're here, come on out," she heard her sister say, knowing it was the end. There was no way out. "I…" Her voice was still shaky. "I'm here…" Buttercup heard her sister sigh, moving about for a moment before the closet door was opened. Buttercup looked up at her, forcing a smile as tears once again filled her eyes. Sunset looked at her. "What's wrong?" Buttercup's eyes darted around nervously as she tried to think of a good excuse. "I'm… I'm fine. I just didn't sleep well last night is all." She coughed and looked at her sister. Sunset didn't believe that. "Buttercup, don't lie to me. I know when you're upset." Buttercup bit her lip, her ears folding back and eyes darting to the ground. She couldn't tell her about Peony Stem. She couldn't tell Sunset about how Scarlet had killed another innocent pony. She couldn't tell her she was a murderer. She couldn't. There had to be something she would believe. "I… you heard about Peony Stem, right? How she disappeared?" "Mhm. Her mother told me that was why she didn't make it to yesterday's appointment." "They-- They found her… in pieces." She gulped, her voice shaking. "I-- ...ohhhhh…" Buttercup broke down into tears. Just the thought of what Scarlet had done to Peony made her feel sick and guilty on the inside. Sunset brought Buttercup into her embrace, holding her gently and shushing her. "Shhh, it's alright, it's alright, it's alright…" Buttercup gulped and cried for a few minutes before running out of tears. She looked up at her sister. "I'm sorry…" She whimpered as tears fell from her eyes. Sunset looked at her, stroking her mane and holding her tight. "Shh, it's alright, you don't need to be sorry for this. You're upset, and that's alright, I promise." Buttercup cried for a little longer, holding on to her sister for dear life. Then, she wiped her eyes and looked back up at her. "I… I really love you, sis." She gave a weak smile. "I love you too, Buttercup." She nuzzled her head into her sister's warm neck. After a few minutes of silence, she looked up at her. "Hey, Sunset?" "Yes?" "I…" Buttercup paused, unsure. "If I… if I did something… bad, would you still love me?" Sunset looked at her, confusion written on her face. "Of course." "No, I mean, would you love me if I killed someone? If I was a murderer?" Sunset looked at her for a moment, processing. "…Are you?" She finally asked. Buttercup frantically shook her head, squinting her eyes shut and whimpering when Scarlet made her presence known to Buttercup. "No, no, no, no…" Buttercup buried her face in Sunset's fur. I... I'm sorry, Scarlet, I know I shouldn't push it... Sunset held Buttercup tighter. "Of course I would still love you. You're my sister. I'd be very upset with you, but… I'd still love you." Tears filled Buttercup's eyes once again. She looked up at her sister, the love they had for each other clear as day. I'd do anything not to hurt you, Sunset. "…Thanks." Buttercup felt a hoof cup her cheek, turning her head slightly. "You're welcome, love." Sunset smiled at Buttercup, before standing and heading towards the door to Buttercup's room. "I need to work on closing Peony's patient file." She said as she headed out of the room. "If you need me, I'll be in the dining room." Buttercup nodded. "Alright. I'll just be in here for a while." She watched Sunset leave, waited for the door to close, and then collapsed on the ground, burying her face in her hooves and letting out a shuddering sob. Scarlet... Scarlet, why? Why are you doing this? What joy do you get from this? You know, partner, I would tell you, but that would be spoiling the fun, wouldn't it? FOR FAUST’S SAKE, JUST-- JUST TELL ME! WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME!? Why do you kill ponies!? Is this FUN for you!? Do you ENJOY THIS!? A heavy silence rang through Buttercup's mind as she took in heaving breaths, and then Scarlet's reply cut through her calm. Really, darling, you ought to know by now… Buttercup felt the mental leash tightening around her, rendering her immobile and unable to even think. There's no good in snapping at me. It only makes me angry, after all. And you really, really wouldn't want me upset, now would you? Imagine… just a slip of the tongue and I could kill your dear older sister. Would you want that on your conscience? Buttercup felt her blood run cold as she silently shook her head. Good. Then you'd do well to remember this. Do not test me, partner. I can make your life miserable, remember that. The mental leash tightened even more, and a choking noise came from Buttercup's mouth. Still, she nodded, not willing to risk Sunset's safety. She'd do anything to make sure her sister was safe. Anything. "Please let Sunset stay safe..." She mouthed silently with her eyes squinted shut. Another tightening of the mental leash and the prayers that she mouthed were barely audible as they shook from her mind. Good girl. Buttercup whimpered, her bottom lip quivering as the words resonated through her mind. The choking feeling slowly faded away as her mind adjusted to the lack of pressure on it, and she panted, shaking still gripping her. "Please… god… I can't..." She quietly whispered in between her heavy breathing. "I... I can't..." Her words were cut off as she choked on her own twisted dread. Tears streamed down her face as she trembled, struggling to breathe, shivering as her whole body tensed up. I'm sorry… I'm so sorry… It took a moment for her trembling to slowly release its grip. Buttercup wiped the tears from her eyes, breathing out shakily as she looked down at her hooves. She lifted them up to her eyes, rubbing them as she squinted her eyes shut. Her breathing finally slowing down to a more manageable pace, she felt the tears subside. A sickly sort of regret twisted inside her, and she had to resist the urge to vomit again. Why do you regret this, partner? She didn't want to think anymore. She didn't want to feel. Her mind felt like mush. She didn't want to think anymore… With a quiet little sigh that was choked up with remorse, she stood up and trudged over to her bed, laying down on it and burying her face in her forelegs. There, once she had the covers safely over her and the curtains closed, she forcefully shut out Scarlet's thoughts as well as her own, trying to get some peaceful rest for once. It didn't come naturally to her, but as she lay there she did feel a faint sense of relief wash over her. Sunset was alive. Sunset was still alive. Sunset, at least for now, was safe. And that made her feel a little better. A few minutes later, she stood up. She pulled the sleeves of her hoodie down to cover her forelegs fully (They had slid up her forelegs while she had tossed and turned) and went into the dining room to talk to Sunset. "Think I'm going to call in sick at work," She mumbled to her sister. Her mouth felt like sand, but she forced herself to speak. She couldn't let anypony get suspicious. Scarlet would get angry if she let anypony know about her. She might hurt them, or worse... Sunset looked up at Buttercup, smiling a little and nodding. "I think that would be a good idea under the circumstances." She looked at Buttercup more closely, and her face turned sympathetic when she saw the remnants of tears. "I'm sorry about what happened with Peony. She was a friend to both of us, but you more than me." "It's… not… your fault." The words came slowly and hesitantly, and Buttercup felt her entire body just aching with repressed grief and remorse. "Buttercup…" "No… it's okay. I'm fine…" She took a deep breath and exhaled shakily. Her forelegs were burning… A pain she remembered well. "I just… can't believe it… Peony is… is gone… Just…" A slight tremor of despair leaked into Buttercup's voice, and she fought not to cry, holding her body stock still so she couldn't even shiver. Sunset put a hoof on Buttercup's shoulder, her face looking a mixture of worry, sadness, and pity. She looked at her younger sister, putting a foreleg around the rose unicorn's neck and nuzzling her a little. "It'll be alright, sis, I promise you." But… it's… my fault she's dead… Buttercup forced herself to nod and smile weakly, but her face paled just a little as fractured memories of Peony's death came to the forefront of her mind. Thought you ought to know how I killed her, partner. A memory forced its way into Buttercup's thoughts and she shivered as she remembered watching from somewhere locked deep inside their mind as Scarlet did the terrible deed. Peony looked up at us when we… she looked so terrified… and I couldn't… I just did it… and I enjoyed it… I-- we enjoyed watching her bleed… Yes, partner, we did. She begged us to stop, and yet you still… Scarlet's gleeful laughter could be heard from the back of Buttercup's mind. The memory faded away, and with it the feelings that accompanied it. The guilt, the rage, the sorrow. All of it gone, replaced by the numbness she felt whenever she thought about it. I... you made me...? You made me kill...? No, you wanted to kill. You enjoyed killing. That's why you killed her... Buttercup shook her head. No, I'm not like that, I... I don't want to kill anypony... No, you're not, which, quite frankly, I can't understand. No, you didn't kill her... we BOTH did. Buttercup's head sank down, and her mane slumped limply forward as her muscles and ears sagged. The numbness had taken hold, and she was left with thoughts that weren't hers. We both killed her, partner... But you were the one to give the final blow. Buttercup felt herself shaking, and she clenched her jaw tightly. No, I didn't! I didn't do that! You did! I... I was just watching you... Oh, I assure you, darling, you're the one who gave the killing slash. Oh, we had so much fun with her, didn't we? Such a screamer, that mare. Or, well. She was. I think all of her throat was cut. The memory of the blood-tinged horror that was Peony's final moments flooded into Buttercup's mind and she almost couldn't stand it. I... I didn't want to do it... Buttercup was shaken out of her thoughts by the touching of a hoof to her shoulder. "Buttercup?" Sunset asked. "Buttercup? Are you alright? What's wrong?" At the touch, Buttercup went still, her body trembling as she fought back a powerful sense of guilt, and rage. She breathed heavily, her mind awash with thoughts that weren't her own. In the moment, all she wanted to do was lash out at her deranged other half, but a tug on the mental leash reminded her of the precarious position she was in. One wrong move, partner, and Sunset could die... With that reminder at the forefront of her mind, Buttercup forced herself together, shoved her rage and her guilt down deep inside her, and looked down at the floor blankly. "I'm... I'm fine..." Buttercup mumbled numbly. It took all of her focus just to keep the rage from leaking into her voice. "Are you?" "Yes. Just… Just a very… vivid dream." "Do you want to talk about it?" Buttercup didn’t answer. Sunset raised an eyebrow. "Buttercup?" Sunset gently tapped Buttercup's shoulder. "Buttercup, please. Talk to me." Buttercup heard but didn't listen to Sunset's worried plea. She could feel Scarlet twisting around in the back of her head, watching her every move and preparing to take control if Buttercup even gave the tiniest hint that something was wrong. "Buttercup!" The voice of reason quieted the noise in her head, if only for a moment, and she found herself leaning into Sunset, holding onto her older sister and fighting back tears. Sunset looked at Buttercup, worry and sorrow on her face. "Buttercup, what's wrong?" Sunset asked her. "I know you're upset about Peony's death, but this...? This is..." "I'm fine..." Buttercup mumbled into Sunset's fur. "No, you're not. Talk to me, Buttercup." "I... I can't. I'm sorry." "Buttercup, please!" Buttercup didn't say anything, but she whimpered a little and buried her face in Sunset's fur. Sunset nuzzled Buttercup, pulling her up against her side and speaking again. "Buttercup, please. I know you. You get very upset when someone dies, yes, and especially from unnatural causes, but not like this. There's something else bothering you, and I would like to know what, if you're willing to tell me." "I..." A sob came from Buttercup. She buried her head in the softest parts of her older sister's chest, not wanting to look into her face any longer. Her eyes watered up and she felt hot tears streaming down her face. "I... I..." "Hey. Shhhh. It's alright, little sister. Please, tell me what's wrong." Buttercup had no words. She just kept on crying for the longest time and wouldn't stop. "I..." She started to say, before the words caught in her throat and wouldn't let go. Sunset waited a moment for the words to come. When they didn't, she began gently walking Buttercup towards the living room, nuzzling her on the forehead and smiling at her. "Let's sit down on the couch and talk, huh? Let's just take a breath and then we can talk. Is that alright?" Buttercup nodded and let Sunset gently guide her to the couch. The sisters sat down together, and Sunset rubbed Buttercup's back slowly to calm her. "Alright, love, just breathe for me. In and out slowly, okay?" Buttercup did as she was told, her breathing becoming more regular and calmer. She gradually began to calm down, her body's trembling slowing and then stopping altogether. Sunset gazed into her eyes. "You know, you can tell me anything, you know that don't you?" Buttercup looked down to her lap, the words catching in her throat again. You can't tell anyone, partner, not even her. She'd hate you... not to mention all the lovely things I could do to her if you say a word... "Yeah, I... I know..." Buttercup's voice was raspy and croaky from crying, but understandable. "I just... I'm not ready to tell you... I... I'm sorry..." "Hey." Sunset put her hoof on the side of Buttercup's face. "You can tell me anything, hon. You know that, right?" A small nod. "I... I know." Sunset smiled a little. "Okay. You're not ready. How about we give it a while then? Give you some time to process?" Buttercup nodded, looking down at the ground, avoiding eye contact with her sister. In the back of her head, she felt Scarlet's presence seeming to calm. The purring feeling of satisfaction sent a chill through her, and she bit her lip. Good job, partner, Buttercup heard Scarlet say. You've managed to buy us a few days. Do that again, and I may reward you. Buttercup nodded, albeit weakly. Sunset placed a hoof on her sister's shoulder. "It'll be okay, Buttercup. It'll be alright." The sisters sat in silence after that, Buttercup staring blankly at the carpeted floor and Sunset sitting next to her, gently rubbing her back to comfort her. It was then, a few minutes into the heavy silence, that there was a knock on the front door of the house. "Hello? Buttercup? Are you there?" Buttercup felt her ears twitching when she heard the familiar voice. "It's me! Lavender! Are you home?" Sunset's ears perked up at the same time as Buttercup's folded back. "I'll get the door, alright?" Sunset stood up. Buttercup nodded and watched cautiously from the couch as Sunset went to the front door to greet Lavender. "Hey, Lavender! What's up?" Sunset smiled a little at Lavender as she opened the door. Lavender smiled back at Sunset. "Hey, Sunset. Is Buttercup here?" Sunset nodded. "Yes, she's here." "Can I talk to her?" Sunset nodded, smiling more now. "Yeah. Come in, come in! She’s just in the living room." The front door opened, and Lavender walked in. Lavender looked at Buttercup and smiled. "Buttercup, there you are! Are you alright? I got worried when you didn't walk with me to work today." Buttercup nodded a little, still looking down at the floor. "S-sorry, Lavender, I just... Peony's death hit me kind of hard, so..." Lavender sat down on the couch next to Buttercup, looking at her sorrowfully. "You heard about that?" Buttercup nodded. "Yeah. I saw the guards announced that they'd found her on my way to meet you this morning. They said the funeral was going to be closed-casket, so..." "Oh, no... they didn't find her like...?" Buttercup nodded a little, feeling her face pale. "They said she was... s-she was mangled..." Lavender looked at Buttercup, her face grim and sympathetic. "I'm so sorry... Now I wish I'd spent more time with her than I did..." Buttercup nodded, her eyes going back down to stare guiltily at the ground. "Me too. I mean, I know she asked us for some distance, but... now I wish I'd been there with her..." If only I'd been strong enough to stop Scarlet... "No, don't say that. You know she was a strong pony. It wasn't your fault, alright? Nopony ever wants to see anypony they love dead, but nopony will blame it on you." Buttercup nodded but didn't say anything. Oh, if only that were true... "So..." Lavender said, changing the topic. "How have you been doing? Anything interesting happen?" Buttercup thought for a moment and then shrugged. "Not much since yesterday," She said, numbed out by guilt and grief. "I don't really have anything interesting to tell. I'm doing okay." Lavender nodded, smiling sadly. She looked at the hallway to the kitchen as if wanting to get up and go somewhere. "Hey, I'm gonna be right back, alright? I need to talk to Sunset for a minute." Lavender stood up after receiving a nod from Buttercup and went out of the living room and into the kitchen, where Sunset was sitting. Buttercup watched her go, her face written with worry and regret. She sighed, turning back to look at the ground and rubbed one foreleg with the other, her ears folding back in sorrow. "I hope Peony's alright... wherever she is..." Lavender trotted into the kitchen, where Sunset was sitting and reading the paper, worry on her face. "Hey, Sunset?" She asked. Sunset looked up at Lavender. "Yes, Lavender?" "Buttercup's been acting a little weird," Lavender said as she came over to Sunset. "I mean, she seemed really broken up about Peony's death when I talked to her just now. I know she gets affected badly by the death of a friend, but this is..." Sunset nodded. "I know, Lavender. She's acting more upset than she normally is by it. We both know how sensitive she is about deaths, especially unnatural, but this seems just a little much for her. I asked her what was wrong, but she told me she wasn't ready to tell me. I know, though, that she must've seen something really awful for her to be this upset about it. Did she tell you anything?" Lavender shook her head. "No. She told me about Peony's death, said she wished she'd spent more time with her. She said she wished she'd been there with her, too. But... nothing else." Lavender shrugged, a confused, worried expression on her face. "It-- it almost seemed like she was holding something back... something important. The look in her eyes was just... haunted by something." Sunset frowned, nodding slowly. "She wished she'd been there with Peony... been where?" Lavender opened her mouth to say something, but stopped. All she did was continue frowning and sighing heavily. "I dunno, Sunset. I have no idea what's going on. But we need to talk to her about this. It's not just going to go away." Sunset sighed, standing up. "I know we do, Lavender. But when I asked her, she just brushed me off. And if even I can't get her to tell us what's wrong..." Lavender stood, nodding. "Alright. But we need to do something about this. I don't think I can just sit by and watch her get worse..." Sunset shook her head. "Oh, neither can I. Buttercup's my sister, I love her. I don't think either of us could bear the heartbreak. But what can we do? She seems set on not telling us... We've tried in the past, you know." Lavender hummed for a moment, putting a hoof to her chin, and then her eyes widened a little. "Hey, isn't Princess Twilight doing personal interviews this week?" Sunset nodded, smiling a little now. "Yes, she is. We could sign up for one for Buttercup and find out that way!" "That's exactly what I was thinking. If we take her to an interview, she might be able to tell us after she tells someone in private." Sunset nodded. "Well, it's as good an attempt as any..." Lavender nodded. "We can ask her to come with us tomorrow. I'll go with her since I know you're busy, and wait outside for her." "Good thinking, Lavender. I'll go talk to Princess Twilight about it." Lavender smiled then. "Alright. I'll go tell Buttercup about this." While Lavender went back into the living room, Sunset let out a sorrowful, anxious sigh. She hoped this would work. She refused to think about what would potentially happen if it didn't. The next day, after getting ready for the day, Buttercup looked at Lavender, who was waiting for her in the living room. "You really think this will work?" Lavender nodded. "We hope so." Buttercup sighed and then nodded. "Okay..." She followed Lavender towards the front door, and sighed, feeling guilt combined with desperate hope bubble in her head. I hope this works... Author's Note Pre-script - I don't really have much to say here so :/ Hello! I'm back with the next chapter! I hope you enjoy it!
Chapter Three: A Meeting With RoyaltyButtercup followed Lavender down the street toward Princess Twilight's castle, growing more and more anxious the closer they got. Would this really work? How could she tell the princess that she was a murderer? A serial killer, no less? Would Scarlet even let her tell Twilight? She could feel Scarlet's mental leash already tightening around her neck with each step... She unconsciously reached a hoof up to her neck, tugging at thin air where she could feel the leash pulling at her. Just a few minutes more, please, Scarlet... let me do this... She begged in her head. "Almost there," Lavender said, noticing the look on her face. "Just a few more minutes." Buttercup nodded nervously, glancing around at the various shops that lined the street. So many ponies... so many ways this could go horribly wrong… Buttercup fidgeted with the sleeves of her hoodie nervously, shivering as she tried to keep her eyes on the ground. I can't... I can't kill them... that... that's wrong... Scarlet, please... get me out of this, I don't want to kill anymore... "This way," Lavender said, turning down a side street, as she kept her eyes on the various ponies around her. Her eyes moved from pony to pony, wondering what Buttercup was so nervous about, and then her eyes went to Buttercup's forelegs and she noticed how Buttercup was playing with her hoodie. "Hey," She said worriedly. "What's wrong?" Buttercup looked up, frowning as she exhaled shakily. "I-I... don't know..." Lavender frowned. "Then why are you playing with your hoodie? You only do that when you're upset or nervous about something." Buttercup's frown deepened, as she looked down. "I can't... I mean, I don't want to get any of them... I can't..." "Buttercup, what are you talking about?" Lavender watched Buttercup grow more and more anxious, the unicorn's magenta eyes darting around at the ponies around them and then at the ground. "Hey, hey, Buttercup, breathe. Take a breath in deep, alright?" Buttercup complied, breathing in and out. "Good. Now, tell me what's wrong." "I..." Buttercup cut off as the leash tightened around her neck, choking her and silencing her. She felt her body freeze in place as Scarlet took control of her movements, her eyes going to the ground and remaining there as she fought with her other half for dominance. Lavender watched this and got directly in Buttercup's vision. "Buttercup, I need you to tell me. What's wrong? What's going on?" Buttercup shook her head, fighting back tears. "I... I..." She couldn't tell the truth. She couldn't tell her best friend that she was responsible for the disappearance of their friend Peony. She couldn't, or Scarlet would get even angrier than she already was. And that... But, still... if only she could say something. If only she could ask for someone to get her out of this hell that she'd created for herself. "Buttercup..." Lavender continued to coax. "Come on, you can tell me. I'm here for you." "I... I..." Buttercup repeated, choking on the words. "Hey." Lavender crouched down to stare into her eyes. "You can tell me. I'll help you. You know I love you." Buttercup quickly shook her head. "No, it's nothing. Everything's fine." "Tell me," Lavender insisted. Buttercup shook her head again, this time scratching at her foreleg through her hoodie. This awful situation was making the itch flare up again... she took a breath, shoving the sensation down and forcing herself not to scratch that spot on her legs when she knew ponies could see. She managed to stop, but not before Lavender saw her nervous scratching and got suspicious. "Hey, Buttercup?" Lavender began, hoof going to one of her friend's forelegs. "What's underneath your hoodie? You're scratching your forelegs awfully hard there..." "It's nothing!" The way Buttercup stiffened at the question and the touch had Lavender even more suspicious. She went to roll up one of Buttercup's hoodie sleeves, but Buttercup backed up and used her magic to hold the sleeves down so she couldn't pull them up. "Buttercup, you know you can tell me anything, right?" "I know!" Buttercup said, a bit too quickly. "It's nothing! I mean, nothing bad, everything good! Just ignore me, alright? I'm fine!" Buttercup managed a nervous grin along with that incredibly rushed lie, but it only made Lavender less willing to believe her. "Buttercup... if something's wrong..." "Just DROP IT, OKAY?" Buttercup's tone was angry, her voice raised in a combination of panic and irritation. She took a deep breath when she realized what she'd just done, looking away from her friend. "I'm sorry. But just... don't." "Buttercup..." Lavender frowned grimly, and Buttercup's ears folded back guiltily. "Lavender, just... I can't. I'm sorry. Let's just go see the princess, alright?" Buttercup attempted a smile, but it came off weak and false. "Fine," Lavender said, turning around and continuing toward the castle. "...but after that, we're talking." Buttercup just nodded, eyes going sorrowfully to the ground as she and Lavender continued to the castle. When they got to Princess Twilight's Castle, Lavender led the way up to the golden double doors and Buttercup watched with a nervous, bit lip as her earth pony friend knocked on the door. She hoped the Princess would answer. She could already feel the mental leash tightening around her neck. Lavender and Buttercup waited for the doors to open and for somepony to answer. When they did, however, it wasn't Princess Twilight who answered. It was Spike. "Huh?" He asked groggily. Lavender spoke first. "Oh, hey, Spike! We were wondering if Twilight has time to speak with us today. Buttercup and I have a problem on our hooves." "Heh?" Spike squinted a little before shaking his head to clear himself of the drowsiness that came with having been woken up from a very nice nap. "Oh, yeah, she's just in the library with Starlight right now," He said with a smile that was most definitely still somewhat tired. "...They've been in there for a while now. I should probably go see what's keeping them so long..." He shook his head and then looked at Lavender and Buttercup. "I'll get her for you. TWILIGHT!" the small dragon's voice trailed off as he went to find Princess Twilight. "Are you sure she'll have time to speak to us?" Buttercup asked nervously. Lavender smiled and nodded. "It's Princess Twilight. Of course, she will! She has time for anypony who needs advice. She's probably the most willing to help out of everyone in town!" Then she paused and made a side-to-side motion with her head, bringing a hoof to her chin. "Well. She's probably second to Fluttershy, but just barely." Buttercup managed a small, nervous smile at that. "Y-yeah... maybe... maybe she will." Buttercup's worry was needless, though. For in just a few moments, Spike returned with Princess Twilight. "Thanks, Spike," Twilight said with a smile. "You can go back to bed now." Spike went back into the castle and Twilight turned to Buttercup and Lavender. "Hello!" She greeted cheerfully. "Spike said you needed to talk to me. What's going on?" Lavender smiled at Twilight. "Hello, Princess. I'm Lavender and this is my friend, Buttercup. We're here to talk to you about a somewhat sensitive issue I've noticed with Buttercup." "Please, call me Twilight," Twilight said. "I'm not a fan of the whole... 'Princess' thing." She ruffled her things and stuck her tongue out for a moment before smiling again. "Come on inside, we can talk in my library. What seems to be the problem?" "Well..." Buttercup mumbled quietly. Twilight gave a smile. "If you don't feel comfortable talking about it, you don't have to." "N-no, it's okay," Buttercup hastily assured. "I-I'm fine! I just..." Buttercup cut off with a whimper and squinted her eyes shut, shaking her head frantically as the mental leash tightened once again. She took a deep breath, calming herself and attempting to force the leash to loosen. After a moment's attempt, walking silently down the castle corridors with Lavender and Twilight, she managed to loosen it just a little. She gulped and then spoke. "I... I-I have... a problem..." That was all she managed to get out before her own panic overtook her and she couldn't say a word. Lavender turned to her with a frown. "Buttercup! Snap out of it!" "Breathe, Buttercup," Twilight said calmly. "Just breathe... There you go..." Buttercup nodded slowly and, after a few minutes, her breathing regulated. "That's better..." She said meekly. Twilight smiled at her. "How about we all take a seat in my library? You look like you need it, Buttercup." Buttercup didn't need to be told twice. She sat down on one of the couches in the library and let out a sigh of relief as she did so. After taking her own seat, Twilight spoke. "Now then... I'm all ears. What's got you so scared?" Buttercup looked at the floor and gulped. "...I have a... problem..." One of her ears twitched frantically as she swallowed and her body started trembling. Scarlet... please... I... I can't do this anymore... I'm sorry... "Buttercup..." Lavender's frown deepened, and she moved her face closer to her friend's. "I know you can do this, Buttercup!" Buttercup whimpered, fighting not to pass out as she trembled and put a hoof to her forehead. Scarlet, please... this isn't right! You know we shouldn't be doing what you're doing. Please... let me tell Twilight what's wrong! "Buttercup, listen to me," Lavender said, grabbing her chin and moving her face so their eyes met. "I know you can do this. You've gotten this far. There's no turning back now. It'll be okay." "Just take a deep breath," Twilight encouraged. "And tell us what's going on." She gave a soft smile, one that was mirrored on Lavender's face. Scarlet... please... There was a moment of silence before Scarlet's voice rang through Buttercup's mind. Oh, partner... oh, you sad, pathetic little fool. You think I would let you go, after all we've done? No. I'm not nearly done with you yet... Buttercup bit her lip and forced herself to speak. "I... I'm a m-monster..." She whimpered. "What?" Twilight's eyes widened in shock and then concern. "Why would you say that?" Buttercup's breathing was slow and labored. "I am... I've hurt so many ponies... I..." She gulped. "I don't want to hurt anypony anymore..." Lavender frowned. "What are you talking about, Buttercup?" Buttercup closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face. "I... I..." She shook her head. "I'm a monster..." Lavender frowned and moved her hoof to touch hers. "Buttercup... honey..." Buttercup yanked her hoof away. "Don't!" She cried, curling up on the couch. "Buttercup, you're not a monster," Lavender said softly. Oh, yes you are, Scarlet whispered through Buttercup's mind. Tell them, Buttercup. Tell them what you did. Buttercup frowned and bit her lip. Tell them about the murders. The voice was Scarlet's, but somehow it didn't feel like her own. It felt darker, creepier, unnatural. "Buttercup?" Twilight asked gently. "Who's talking to you right now?" She reached out a hoof toward the panicked unicorn. "Is someone talking to you right now? Who is it? What's their name?" Buttercup's eyes widened and her mouth opened, but no words came out. She stared in shock at Twilight, unable to form words. When she finally regained her ability to speak, it was in a shaken whisper. "H-how did you--..." She knows!? Lavender smiled and put a hoof on Buttercup's shoulder. "It's okay, Buttercup. We're here for you." "Buttercup... who's talking to you right now?" Twilight prompted. Buttercup shuddered, her eyes wide with fear. "I-I... I--" She trembled, tears coming to her eyes as she doubled over in guilt and terror. "I have to-- I have to--" She stood up and stumbled towards the door of the library, squinting her eyes shut as she reached a hoof shakily towards the door handle. Twilight grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back. "Buttercup, stop! Stop! Listen to me. You're not alone. I'm here." Her expression softened. "You can talk to us, if you need to. We won't judge you, and we'll help you get through this, but you have to tell us what's wrong." Buttercup let out a sob. "I'm sorry, I can't... s-she won't let me..." She turned her head away from Twilight and Lavender and began to tremble violently as she struggled to hold back sobs of shame. "Buttercup, please!" Lavender said desperately. "We're your friends! You know we care about you!" "She's right," Twilight said with a frown. "I know you can do this, Buttercup. It's okay. You've got me and your friend, Lavender, here." Buttercup let out a soft whimper. "...I'm sorry..." and then she bolted out of the room, back down the halls of Twilight's Castle, and out the door. Lavender watched her go with a worried look. "Oh, dear... this is worse than Sunset and I thought..." She turned to princess Twilight and sighed. "Thank you for trying, Princess, but I guess she just wasn't ready. Now I've got to go get Sunset to find her. Hopefully, she hasn't run too far out of town this time..." "I'll come with you," Twilight offered. "No!" Lavender said quickly. "That would be... well... no. Buttercup's going to be upset as it is, and that's just with me and Sunset going after her! To add a complete stranger would be..." She trailed off. Twilight nodded slowly. "I understand. I'll stay and keep an eye on things here. Go look for your friend. I hope things turn out alright..." Lavender gave a grateful smile and nodded. "Thank you, Princess, I hope so too." And with that, she left to look for Buttercup. Buttercup Rose ran down the streets of Ponyville towards the edge of town. Her vision was blurred by tears, her hearing overwhelmed by the sound of her terrified whimpers and sobs, overlayed with heavy breathing. "Please... Scarlet, no more!" Buttercup cried aloud as she fled from the town and into the forest. "I don't want to hurt anypony anymore! Please... I beg you, Scarlet--" There was a sudden, sharp pain in her chest. Buttercup stopped with a sudden breath of pain as her forelegs buckled underneath her. You should've known that this would happen, darling, came Scarlet's voice in their mind. I mean, really. The first chance you get to tell someone about what's happening, and you choke on your own terror. Honestly... It's like you didn't even want the opportunity I gave you to finally tell the truth about us. "T-the... the opportunity you gave me!? YOU were the one blackmailing me into running away!" Buttercup wailed. "And now you're torturing me because I couldn't take it!" She shuddered in horror and tried to stand up again, but her legs failed her. Scarlet chuckled darkly at her. Oh, poor little Buttercup... I suppose you are getting to me. But this is for your own good, my sweet partner. Do you know how much trouble you'd cause if anyone found out about all these murders? No, no... You have to learn to control yourself. You're far too willing to rat us out to the authorities for my preferences. "With good reason! You're a MURDERER! Why should I let you keep doing this to so many innocent ponies!?" Before Buttercup could continue, she felt something tightening around her neck, choking her. Oh, my foolish, foolish partner... you really should not test me with such blatant defiance. You know I can do anything to you. Buttercup gasped and struggled to breathe as the mental leash tightened painfully around her throat. She clawed at it desperately, but it held fast. She kicked out and flailed her hooves against the ground, her body wracked with sobs of fear as she struggled to breathe. You're so weak... You always have been. I'm stronger than you. You know that, right? Buttercup's eyes widened in panic and she looked desperately about for some way to escape. There was nothing. All she had left was to wait for the inevitable, and she knew it. S-Scarlet... please, you'll kill us both! The leash loosened up, but only barely enough to allow Buttercup to breathe. Hmph. You've learned your lesson, for now, I suppose... but mind yourself. That leash is staying tight until you can prove to me that you won't tell the Princess about our little hobby. Buttercup gulped, still struggling to catch her breath. "How am I supposed to do that?" She panted. Oh, don't be silly. This isn't hard for a pony like you. Just get rid of them. It's simple... just make sure they die. Buttercup froze. "S-Scarlet... I can't... I can't do that..." she whimpered. "I... that's wrong... that is so wrong... a-and besides... you want me to kill a princess... I can't... I couldn't do that, not without them finding out about it..." Don't worry. I'll handle it. She shivered in horror. "I... I..." Just leave it to me, partner. You get rid of Lavender, and I'll take care of Princess Twilight. Don't mess this up, and I might just give you some freedom. Buttercup squinted her eyes shut as tears built. "L-Lavender... no..." She shook her head. "...not her... I can't--" It doesn't matter. You will if you want your freedom back. Buttercup sobbed and hung her head low. "...Lavender..." Shhh. Shh... it'll be alright. You'll still remember her after she's gone. Now, if only you hadn't driven us to this. Perhaps you could've let Lavender live if you'd only listened to me. But no... you had to go and try to ruin everything. "I... I'm sorry... Lavender, I'm so sorry..." Buttercup wept. "I don't... I don't have a choice... I'm sorry..." Buttercup dropped to the ground, curling up in a tiny ball and sobbing. She didn't want this. She didn't want to kill her best friend. She wanted to run away. She wanted to hide. She wanted to talk to someone. But she couldn't. She didn't have a choice. Half an hour after Buttercup ran off, Lavender and Sunset were looking for her. "Buttercup! Where are you?" "Buttercup!" Sunset's voice was filled with fear and worry. "Where'd you go? What happened? I heard screaming." "Buttercup... where did you go?" Lavender asked worriedly. Sunset looked around at the trees surrounding them, listening carefully for any sounds that might be Buttercup. She stopped when she heard the sounds of soft sobbing ahead of them. "Buttercup! Are you okay?" she called out softly. "We're here to help you. I promise. We just need to find you, okay?" There came a muffled reply from somewhere in the forest. "No... I can't..." There was more crying and sniffing. Sunset gave a soft sigh and used her ears to find Buttercup. She followed the sound of Buttercup's voice, finding her curled up in a clearing, laying on the ground and sobbing. "Buttercup? Oh, sweetie... what's wrong?" Sunset went over to her younger sister and picked her up and into an embrace, sighing softly as she rocked her back and forth. "Oh, Sweetie... you're all right now. It's gonna be okay. I'm here. You'll be fine," she said, rocking her gently. Buttercup shuddered and began to cry again. "I... I... I..." She shook her head. "S-Sunset... I... you have to get Lavender away from me... I..." "Buttercup, listen to me. You don't have to do this. You can tell us the truth. I know you can." Buttercup sobbed. "Sunset, you have to get Lavender away from here! She's in serious danger!" Sunset's eyes widened. "What!? Why?" Buttercup took a deep breath. "I... I can't... I can't tell you. J-just please, trust me. Get her away from here..." "Why? Is she going to hurt you?" "Please... don't ask me that... just get Lavender away from me before it's too late..." Buttercup cried. "You have to believe me--I can't explain why... but I'm telling you the truth..." Sunset hugged her little sister tighter, pressing their foreheads together. "Of course I'll get Lavender away from you if you want me to... But don't worry, Buttercup. I won't let anything happen to you. I swear it..." Buttercup nodded against her older sister's chest and calmed down. "Okay... O-okay..." The anxious unicorn let her eyes slip closed and buried her face deeper into Sunset's chest. Lavender watched from a few feet away, a worried frown on her face. "Are... are you alright, Buttercup?" She asked after a moment. Buttercup gave a small nod. "Yeah..." she replied softly. "I... I'll be fine in a bit... just... let's go home... please?" Lavender nodded and turned to follow Sunset and Buttercup. As they walked back to Ponyville, Lavender kept an eye out for anypony who might try to harm her friend. Sunset just kept whispering sweet nothings into Buttercup's ears to keep her calm as the trio walked back to town. Buttercup, for her part, was quiet the entire way home, her mind preoccupied with the swirling black cloud of thoughts bouncing through her head. She... she was going to kill Lavender. Scarlet wanted her to kill her. Scarlet wanted her to kill her best friend. Buttercup couldn't bring herself to do it. She was a pony. She was supposed to love and protect her friends. She was supposed to help them. She wasn't supposed to slaughter them. Buttercup tried desperately to convince herself she could still be a good pony, and live a normal life. She had to find some way to stop Scarlet. To save Lavender. But deep down, she knew she wouldn't have a choice. In the end, she would do it herself and make it painless for Lavender... or Scarlet would do it for her. Either way, Buttercup knew, the outcome would be the same. Lavender was going to die. And Buttercup was going to have to watch. ... Buttercup hoped that when Lavender died, she would understand how little choice was had in this matter. She hoped she'd forgive her. Buttercup didn't think she would. Buttercup didn't even know if Sunset would forgive her for this. When they arrived at the house, Buttercup was shaking. Her hooves were trembling and her legs felt weak, and her face was pale. "What's wrong?" Sunset asked. "Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost." Buttercup just shook her head. "Come on," Sunset said, pulling her into an embrace. "Let's get inside. It'll be fine. We can talk about everything later. I promise." Buttercup nodded and allowed Sunset to lead her into the house. Before going inside, Sunset turned towards Lavender and sighed. "Goodbye, Lavender. We'll see you tomorrow when Buttercup's hopefully in a better state of mind. Thank you for your help today." Lavender nodded. "You're welcome, Sunset. I'm glad to have helped at least a little." Lavender sighed then. "I just hope I'm not the reason why Buttercup's so upset." Sunset smiled sadly and nodded. She leaned in close to Lavender, hugging her and then shrugging a little. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure this will all blow over soon. Let's just let Buttercup rest for now." Lavender nodded. "Alright, see you later, Sunset." Lavender turned to Buttercup, who looked up anxiously at her. "See you, Buttercup. I hope you get well soon!" Buttercup nodded. Lavender gave her a smile, waved, and headed back to her flower shop. It was barely noon, and she still had to oversee sales. Buttercup gave a weak wave of her hoof and then let Sunset take her inside. As she was led into her bedroom to lay down, she couldn't help but feel guilty for the things she would have to do to her closest friend. She lay down on the bed and Sunset tucked her in and told her goodnight, and then turned off the light and left, closing the door behind her. Buttercup didn't sleep, but as she lay there, she wondered if anypony would ever forgive her for the things she'd done. She hoped things got better soon. Author's Note Hello everyone! I'm back with another chapter!
