All She Wanted

At around noon the next day, Rainbow Dash emerged from the guest bedroom. She had dark circles under her and she swayed as she walked.

“Mornin’ there, sleepy head” Applejack greeted Rainbow Dash with a smile.

Rainbow Dash saw a cup of coffee in her friend’s hoof. Without a word, Rainbow Dash swiped Applejack’s coffee and chugged every last drop of the energy-boosting black liquid.

“Needs more sugar” Rainbow Dash mumbled. She handed back the now empty cup.

“You coulda put more sugar in before you drank it all” Applejack said.

A small smile came over Rainbow Dash’s face. Applejack didn’t know if the smile was real or fake, but she was happy to see it nevertheless.

Rainbow took an apple out of a barrel and started eating, mostly to get the bitter taste out of her mouth. Rainbow Dash looked at Applejack and her mood seemed to get better.

“Applejack,” Rainbow started “Is it alright if I stay here another night? I feel a lot better when somepony else is with me”.

“You can stay as long as you want” Applejack smiled.

The two heard a knock at the door, Applejack opened the door and Fluttershy immediately flew in.

“Do any of you know where Twilight is?” Fluttershy asked worriedly.

“No” Rainbow Dash answered.

“Haven’t seen her since yesterday” Applejack added.

“Oh dear…” Fluttershy said, more worried.

“What’s wrong, sugar cube?” Applejack asked.

“Well we…” Fluttershy paused before she spoke, wondering if it was okay for Rainbow Dash to know.

“Come on, Fluttershy” Rainbow Dash demanded.

“We went into the Everfree forest because we thought…th-there was a monster in there. Zecora gave us feathers that didn’t b-belong there. So me and Twilight went to our homes to study the feathers, but she isn’t home. Sh-she wasn’t home yesterday either. I thought she was just sleeping but” Fluttershy stopped when Applejack opened her mouth to speak.

“Does this have anythin’ to do with Pinkie Pie?” Applejack asked.

Fluttershy turned her head to Rainbow Dash, then turned it back to Applejack and nodded.

“Fluttershy” Applejack said “Maybe we should try movin’ on and stop worryin’ bout’ what happened”.

Rainbow Dash had interest in what Fluttershy was saying.

“Why were you looking for a monster?” Rainbow Dash asked.

Fluttershy let out a sigh, “Twilight thinks that a monster…got P-Pinkie Pie”.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash were both shocked by Fluttershy’s statement, with Rainbow Dash being the most shocked.

“What monster? Where?” Rainbow Dash asked in frantic and angry tone.

“Rainbow, calm down” Applejack said.

“No!” Rainbow Dash shouted “Not until I find out what killed Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy, what was it?”.

“I-I-I don’t know” Fluttershy stuttered.

“What do you mean you don’t know?” Rainbow Dash yelled.

Fluttershy winced at the sound of Rainbow Dash’s yelling, “I…”.

“Stop it, Rainbow” Applejack intervened “Just calm down."

“I’ll calm down when I find out what happened” Rainbow Dash said.

“Th-that’s all I know” Fluttershy trembled.

“Then that’s that” Applejack said “Right now we have a friend that’s gone missin’, and we need to find her. There ain’t nothin’ we can do for Pinkie Pie anymore, so we best forget about it."

“Right” Fluttershy agreed.

“Rainbow?” Applejack asked.

Rainbow Dash let out a sigh “Right."

**

The trio, along with Rarity, got several ponies together for their search.

“Listen up y’all” Applejack called out “In case nopony told you, Twilight has been missin’ since yesterday. She was last seen in the Everfree Forest, so you can imagine how serious this could be. You have all been divided into different groups, to search different spots. If you have any questions, please ask your group leader."

There were four total groups, with about five ponies in each group. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Rarity were the group leaders. Rainbow Dash’s group consisted of all pegasi, while the other groups had a mixed variety of ponies.

“Now, move out” Applejack called.

Applejack’s group was in charge of searching Sweet Apple Acres. Rarity’s group was in charge of searching town square and recruiting other ponies for help. Fluttershy’s group committed itself to oversight views over all of Ponyville, including the landscapes that led out of Ponyville. Rainbow Dash’s group, by her suggestion, was in charge of searching the Everfree Forest.

Rainbow Dash flew her group to the outside perimeter of the forest, and then set her feet to the ground to speak.

“The Everfree Forest is a dangerous place, which is why we need to take some safety measures” she said.

“She’s one to talk about safety” remarked one of the pegasi.

Rainbow Dash glared at the group before continuing, “We will all gather into groups of two. Then, each group will go to different corners and scan the all the forest we can. We’ll meet in the center, then we will go back to the corner we were in before. Any questions?” Rainbow Dash had a harsh tone when asking if the group had questions, she expected to hear a sarcastic question about Pinkie Pie.

The ponies remained quiet, “Good. Thunderlane, you’re with me” Rainbow Dash said.

The ponies got into their divided groups and made their way to the farthest reaches of the Everfree Forest

*

Gilda lied on her bed, blankly staring at the ceiling. Thinking about what she’ll do with herself.

“Maybe a new place and a new name” Gilda thought.

Gilda had many ideas for what she could do with herself, but lacked the energy and enthusiasm to leave her bed.

She heard the noise again, but it was different. It was quieter and it didn’t distress her like it used to. Gilda was unsure about what it meant, but she knew she was changing.

*

The pegasi finished their search of the forest, with no results.

“Take five, everypony” Rainbow Dash said “We’ll search again after some rest.”

Rainbow Dash flew to Sweet Apple Acres in order to see if Applejack had better luck.

“Sorry, Rainbow” Applejack said “We ain’t found her yet.”

“She has to be around her somewhere!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“Calm down, everypony is doin’ their best” Applejack said.

Rainbow Dash bolted to the town square, hoping to hear better results.

“No luck, I’m afraid” Rarity told Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash stomped her hoof, “Doesn’t anypony know where she is?”

“Rainbow Dash, You need to calm yourself.” Rarity said “Take a few deep breaths.”

Rainbow Dash was annoyed, but did as she was told.

“I understand that you are worried, I am as well.” Rarity said “But we have to keep have to keep ourselves under control if we want to get anything accomplished.”

“I’m trying, it’s just…” Rainbow Dash paused “just that we’ve already lost a friend. Why do we have to lose another?”.

“Don’t say that. We cannot assume that Twilight is dead” Rarity said.

“Then what can we assume?” Rainbow Dash asked “That she’s okay? That’s what I assumed when Pinkie-”

Rainbow Dash stopped speaking and ducked her head down, hoping it would hide her tears if she started crying.

“Rainbow Dash, you-” Rainbow Dash lost her focus on what Rarity was saying and instead focused on the discussion of two nearby mares.

“She just left her there alone, and then her balloons came undone” said Daisy.

“Really?” Rose asked “I thought she was alone the whole time.”

“No, she was only alone for a few minutes. If Rainbow Dash stayed with her the whole time, she’d still be alive” Daisy said.

Rainbow Dash turned her head to the pair, “Why don’t you say that to my face?”.

The pair stayed silent as Rainbow Dash walked to them, “Well…I’m waiting.”
Looks of shame came over the two mares faces.

“Rainbow Dash” Rarity called out. Rainbow Dash just stood there, grinding her teeth as she glared at the two mares.

“I’m sick of everypony here!” Rainbow Dash shouted “I thought you were all my friends! I thought you all cared about me!”

The two mares continued remaining silent. Rainbow Dash kicked dirt at the two mares and flew away from Ponyville as quickly as she could.

**

Gilda was still in her bed, still staring at her ceiling. Her mind was blank; no single thought seemed to show itself. She occasionally heard the sound, but never reacted to it. Perhaps this was what death felt like, an empty feeling of nothingness.
Gilda had been in her bed for hours. Gilda had planned on staying in her bed until she died, but that was before her best friend finally came back to her.

“Gilda” a voice called out. Gilda stayed still, thinking it was just another trick that her mind was playing on her.

“Gilda” the voice called out again. Gilda turned her head to see Rainbow Dash standing in her doorway.

“Dash” Gilda shouted in joy, a smile came over the griffon’s face. She got off her bed and ran to her best friend, embracing her when she reached her.

Gilda gave Rainbow Dash a playful punch, “Took you long enough.”

Gilda quickly noticed Rainbow Dash’s watery eyes, “Come on Dash, I didn’t hit you that hard.”

“It’s…it’s not that” Rainbow Dash said “Can I come in?”

“Sure” Gilda said.

Rainbow Dash walked into her old friend’s house, noticing how nothing about it had changed. She threw herself onto Gilda’s bed, burying her face into Gilda’s blanket.

“You okay?” Gilda asked. Gilda did her best to pretend she knew nothing about the past week.

“I’m sorry I never came to see you” Rainbow Dash said “I just…really need somepony to talk to.”

“Well, you have me” Gilda said as she sat next to Rainbow Dash “Tell me what’s wrong.”

Rainbow Dash told Gilda everything she had been through. Gilda already knew what happened, but hearing the story from Rainbow Dash’s point-of-view brought a new feeling of shock to the griffon. Gilda had no idea that Rainbow Dash felt so bad about what happened. Then Rainbow Dash talked about how the other ponies blamed her for what happened, which made Gilda angry.

“Those losers have some nerve” Gilda commented.

“But…I feel like they’re right” Rainbow Dash said, her face still hidden within the blanket.

Gilda hated herself; she couldn’t believe what she put her best friend through.

“Dash,” Gilda said “It’s not your fault. It was…an accident; nopony can help it if an accident happens.”

Rainbow Dash kept her face buried, but could not hide the sound of her crying.

Gilda did her best to hide her tears and stay strong in front of Rainbow Dash.

“You’re my best friend” Gilda said “I know it’s not your fault.”

Rainbow Dash rubbed her face with the blanket and brought her head up. Her eyes were still red and watery, but she managed to smile at Gilda.

“Thanks” Rainbow Dash said.

**

Fluttershy passed over Twilight’s house in her search for Twilight. She saw Owlowiscious perched in front a window, and remembered that the bird was left all alone for a whole day.

Fluttershy made her way into Twilight’s house, luckily her door was unlocked.

Fluttershy noticed that the bird was asleep, and quietly made her way to the sink. She filled a bowl full of fresh water and poured some feed into the other bowl. She gently placed the two bowls next to the bird and turned around to leave.

Before she left, Fluttershy noticed a book lying out. Fluttershy remembered Twilight reading it before she disappeared. She picked it up and read the cover, “Creatures of Equestria” she read. It took Fluttershy a fraction of a second to realize that Twilight’s book could tell her what the feather belonged to.Fluttershy quickly made her way out of Twilight’s house with the book.

At her own home, Fluttershy had stored the feather in a cupboard next to her bed. She took out the feather and began reading every page of the book.

*

After over an hour of reading and page turning, Fluttershy finally found a match.

“A griffon?” Fluttershy questioned.

The book had pictures of single griffon feathers, which were all strikingly similar to the feather Fluttershy had. Shape, color, and designed all matched together.

“It’s a griffon” she said.

Fluttershy left her house in a hurry to tell her friends about her discovery.

**

After the sun had faded and the moon lit the sky, Rainbow Dash decided that she was gone long enough.

“Thanks for being here for me” Rainbow Dash said “But I should get back to Ponyville. I’m sure the others are worried about
me.”
“Forget about them” Gilda said “Do you really want to go back to a place where everypony hates you?”

“They don’t hate me” Rainbow Dash said.

Gilda raised an eyebrow, “They blamed you for something that wasn’t your fault, talked about you behind your back, and they didn’t care about your feelings. Sure doesn’t sound like they like you”.

“I don’t mean them, I mean my friends” Rainbow Dash said.

“You sure that they don’t do the same thing?” Gilda asked.

Rainbow Dash, frustrated, walked away from Gilda. “We’re done talking, we’ll talk later…I guess.”

Gilda watched her best friend leave and vanish into the clouds.

“Nice job” she told herself. “You just had to keep talking.”

Gilda heard Rainbow Dash’s story echo through her mind, a tragedy is never truly understood unless you hear the story from a victim’s perspective. Gilda made Rainbow Dash a victim; she made Rainbow Dash’s life a tragedy. She killed two of Rainbow Dash’s closest friends. The only good thing that came out of this for Gilda was that her friend came back, that’s when it hit her.

“She came back to me” Gilda thought. “After all this time, she came back. All it took was-”

Gilda pause, “-for me to kill her…”

Gilda shook her head. “No, it’s not right. What I did was not right.”

Gilda looked at her doorway. “But she came back…”

**

Rainbow Dash returned to Applejack’s home and was surprised to find Rarity and Fluttershy there with Applejack.

“Oh, hey guys” Rainbow Dash greeted.

“Come on in, Rainbow” Applejack said. “We need to tell you somethin’.”

Rainbow Dash shut the door behind her. “Did you find Twilight?”

“No, most of the searchers gave up and went to bed. Some ponies are still searchin’ though” Applejack said.

“Then what’s this about?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Fluttershy, go ahead and tell her” Applejack said.

Rainbow Dash drifted her eyes to Fluttershy, awaiting an answer.

“I went into Twilight’s house, but only to feed Owlowiscious. While I was doing that I saw a book and I remembered that Twilight was looking at it before. It-It’s about every creature that lives in equestrian. So I tried to find a creature that matched the feathers I found, and a griffon matched the feathers” Fluttershy explained.

“You think a griffon killed Pinkie Pie?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I-I think so.” Fluttershy answered.

“I’m not so sure anythin’ killed her.” Applejack claimed. “But if it makes you girls feel better, I guess we could look into it.”

“There are so few griffons that we know.” Rarity said. “It wouldn’t take long to talk to them.”

“She’s right; we only know Gustave and Gilda.” Fluttershy agreed.

“Alright, we can talk to them and get back to worryin’ about Twilight.” Applejack said.

“We don’t need to talk to Gilda. I know she didn’t do it.” Rainbow Dash said.

“How can you be so sure?” asked Rarity.

“I just am.” Rainbow Dash said. “I talked to her while I was gone. Unlike everypony else, she cares about me.”

“What does that have to do with Pinkie Pie?” Applejack asked.

“She didn’t say it was my fault when Pinkie Pie died. She was caring and nice to me. The ponies in Ponyville could learn a thing or two from her. There’s no way she did anything wrong.” Rainbow Dash said, with her eyes drifting to the window.

“But that…” Rarity paused, and then let out a sigh. “Fine, Rainbow Dash. If you say she didn’t do anything, then she didn’t do anything as far as we’re concerned.”

“Thank you.” Rainbow Dash responded.

“Anythin’ you need for your second stay?” Applejack asked, trying to change the subject.

“I might want to get my Daring Doo book to take my mind off things.” Rainbow Dash said.

“Then go ahead and get it, we’ll just have some girl talk while you’re gone.” Rarity said. “Make-up and spas, you won’t be missing much.”

“I’ll leave right away.” Rainbow Dash chuckled. She kicked open the door and flew into the starry night sky.

After a few seconds, Rarity spoke. “I think she’s being lied to.”

“Wh-why do you say that?” Fluttershy asked.

“Come now, Fluttershy” Rarity said. “Are ‘caring’ and ‘nice’ really proper words to describe Gilda?”

“No.” Fluttershy answered.

“You sayin’ that Gilda killed Pinkie Pie?” Applejack asked.

“I’m saying that it’s worth investigating.” Rarity responded.

“What about Gustave?” Applejack asked. “Ain’t he a suspect too?”

“He is.” said Rarity. “We will still be investigating him as well. I know where he lives, I can take a train there tomorrow.”

“I guess Fluttershy could find a map at Twilight’s place and find Gilda with it.” Applejack said.

“Okay.” Fluttershy agreed.

“If you just do a few peeks around Gilda’s place tonight, then we can consider it an investigation. Remember, somepony is missin’ out there.” Applejack said.

“I’ll be really quick.” Fluttershy said.

“Good.” Applejack commented.

“I’m back” Rainbow Dash called before entering the house.

“You’re back.” Rarity said. “You’re just in time to hear about my latest manicure.”

“Pass!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

Rarity lifted up her chin, “Alright then.”

“Why don’t we all have some cider?” Applejack suggested.

“Oh, but Fluttershy has to get back home soon.” Rarity said, winking at Fluttershy.

“Y-yes, sorry.” Fluttershy said.

“It’s cool,” said Rainbow Dash. “I’ll make sure Applejack saves you some.”

“Thank you.” Fluttershy said. She waved goodbye to her friends and left for Twilight’s.

Fluttershy went back into Twilight’s house, and looked out the window to make sure nopony saw her.

“Who”, a sound broke the silence.

Fluttershy let out a small squeak and turned around to see the stranger in the house with her.
“Oh, it’s only you Owlowiscious.” Fluttershy said, relieved. She pet the owl and fetched a fresh bowl of water and feed.

“Don’t worry, Twilight will be back soon.” Fluttershy said.

“Who.” The owl responded.
Fluttershy smiled and went in search of Twilight’s maps. She searched for maps showing all of the cloud homes in equestrian. After going through a few maps, she found what she was looking for. Fluttershy, unfortunately, did not know which home was Gilda’s. Luckily, Twilight had an address book of all the homes in Equestria. Fluttershy found Gilda’s home and used Twilight’s map to find the coordinates.

*

It was quiet and dark. Fluttershy was to high up to hear the crickets below her. The wind was very light and smooth. The moonlight barely lit Fluttershy’s flight path.

Fluttershy finally found the home she was looking for, which stood out as being darker than the barely lit environment. She moved in close to the house, which was soundless and still.

She poked her head though one of the windows but saw nothing but darkness. She squinted her eyes in an attempt to see better, but it was to no avail. Fluttershy would have to go inside if she wanted to see anything.

Fluttershy hated the dark, but she kept her breathing steady and slowly walked in. Fluttershy could barely make out the walls around her. She could see the silhouettes of various items lying on tables, but was unable to register what half the items were. Fluttershy stopped at the bed in front of her; she had walked through the whole house. Fluttershy did not notice anything that would confirm a killer, but decided to double-check everything.

As she turned around, she felt something cover her mouth. She then felt something press against her neck and force her against a soft material behind her. She let out a small, muffled scream. She felt something close to her ear, and then heard a voice.

“Sssshhhh” The voice whispered. “There’s no need to scream.”

Fluttershy coughed from the force being applied to her neck, but then she felt the force weaken.

“Sorry, I get a little carried away sometimes.” The voice said. “You’re here about your friend, aren’t you?”
Fluttershy nodded.

“That’s going to be a problem.” The voice said. “You see, I’m trying to keep that little incident a secret. Yet, more and more ponies keep sticking their noses into my business.”

Fluttershy stayed quiet.

“Not much of a talker.” The voice commented. “I like ponies who don’t talk much.”

A tear dripped onto the claw covering Fluttershy’s mouth. She recognized the voice; there was no doubt that it was Gilda’s.

“You have every reason to be scared right now.” Gilda said. “I’m scared too. Bad things will happen to me if ponies find out what I did. I’m not a killer, I just have bad luck.”

Gilda let out a chuckle.

“Rainbow Dash and I are best friends.” Gilda continued. “If she finds out, our friendship will be ruined. You don’t want to ruin a friendship, do you?”

Fluttershy didn’t answer.

“DO YOU!” Gilda screamed.

Fluttershy shook her head, more tears falling down her face.

Gilda spoke in a normal speaking voice, “Of course not, you know that ruining a friendship is wrong.”

Fluttershy felt the grip on her mouth tighten.

“I’m Rainbow Dash’s best friend, but you and your friends are trying to change that. Rainbow Dash doesn’t need you, she needs me. She needs somepony who can make her life worth living. And you’re trying to take that away from her. That’s not right.”

Fluttershy tried to speak, but Gilda had no interest in listening.

“She could be living the life she’s always wanted, but instead she’s stuck with you losers. It’s not her fault, it’s yours. You and your friends are manipulative monsters tying down a girl who wants to enjoy everything life offers her. You all brought this on yourselves. You, Pinkie Pie, and that little unicorn friend of yours.”

Fluttershy gasped, she knew Gilda meant Twilight. Fluttershy let out a muffled whining as her tears continued to fall off her face.

“You didn’t find her yet?” Gilda teased.

Fluttershy continued crying.

“Well, I might as well tell you what happened. I saw her all alone, abandoned by you. I saw this rock, a nice heavy one with sharp edges. I hit her over the head as hard as I could, but she was still alive. She almost started crying, but then I hit her again and again. There was so much blood. And all she had to do-” Gilda stopped.

Her voice went back to a serious tone, “All she had to do was leave things alone. You two had to play detective. You had to start trouble. Look where you are now. All alone, with somepony you just pushed and pushed until she couldn’t take it anymore.”

Fluttershy felt the pressure on her neck and mouth build up.

“It’s your fault.” Gilda said. She then snapped the neck of the weeping pegasus and watched her lifeless body collapse in front of her.

Gilda stared into the still-open eyes of the dead pony, “The others will join you soon.” She said.

**

Lyra and Dust Devil patrolled the land around Ponyville.

Lyra was using her horn to light the ground in front of her, while Dust Devil gave the land an overhead view.

“How long can you keep that horn-glowing up?” Dust Devil asked.

“Pretty long,” Lyra said. “It doesn’t take much energy to use this spell.”

“After ten more minutes, do you want to call it a night?” Dust Devil asked.

“I guess so; we’ll have more luck looking for her in the daylight.” Lyra answered.

Dust Devil shifted her eyes off Lyra and towards Rainbow Dash’s house.

“That’s a nice house.” Dust Devil commented.

Lyra looked up, “Yeah, Rainbow Dash sure is the queen of showmanship.” Lyra tripped over an unseen object and fell face first into the ground.

Dust Devil looked down and laughed, “You should pay more attention.”

Lyra gave stuck out her tongue at Dust Devil and turned around to cast her light on the object. Lyra brushed of the leaves and twigs off the object.

Lyra and Dust Devil stared in shock at their discovery, Twilight’s bloody corpse.