Redemption for a Cloverleaf

Jazz looked confused. They swore they saw Sunny, Sheriff Hitch and Detective Zipp running toward Canterlogic. Even from far away, she swore they looked really intense. They wondered what was going on here.

Pipp looked over at Jazz, looking confused. “Jazz? Everything okay?”

The stylist earth pony didn’t look back, but responded. “I just saw Hitch, Sunny and Zipp running towards Canterlogic. Like, real fast.”

Both Izzy and Pipp looked toward her. “What do you mean?” The pink Pegasus asked, as she now stood next to Jazz. Izzy joined too.

“Like I said, I just saw them running toward Canterlogic really fast. They looked kinda scared too.” Jazz said to them.

Pipp and Izzy, for whatever reason, started to feel a bit concerned now. Why would those three be running towards a place, while looking fearful? Especially Zipp, who’s normally not afraid of anypony or anything?

Unless…something really bad has happened over there.

“Pipp?” She heard Izzy ask her. When she looked toward her unicorn friend, she saw that Izzy was starting to look concerned now as well.

“What’s going on?” Izzy asked her, almost sounding innocent and childlike.

“I don’t know.” Pipp said, getting her phone out. “But I’m gonna find out.” She dialed her phone and called Zipp’s number. Now again, NORMALLY, Zipp would always answer on the second ring. Kind of like how ponies usually do.

This time, however, it only did a half ring on the first one, and Zipp answered.

“Pipp! Where are you?!” Zipp answered. Pipp felt her heart jump a little. That was certainly a way to greet somepony. And in the tone of her sister’s voice, she could tell that Zipp was scared. No, not just scared. More like terrified.

“I’m at Mane Melody. Why? What’s wrong? What’s going on?” Pipp asked, her voice rising, matching Zipp’s fear.

Izzy felt it too. Why was Pipp talking like that? She normally never does. Several other ponies in Mane Melody looked over at her now too.

“You need to stay there and lock the doors! There’s been a shooting at Canterlogic!”

Pipp felt her glorious pink coat turn white at Zipp’s statement. She couldn’t believe what she just heard.

“Pipp?” Izzy asked. “What’s going on?”

“What did you say?” Pipp asked her sister, while a small quiver could be found in her tone.

“Keep everypony inside and don’t let them leave! And no matter what happens, just stay there! Okay? Pipp…I love you. I love you, baby sister. Thanks for being there for me all week when I needed you. I gotta go now.” Zipp said, sounding very emotional, hanging up the phone.

Silence filled Mane Melody. Everypony just stared at the pink Pegasus. As they wondered why her voice rose during her conversation with her big sister, they saw Pipp’s phone drop out of her hooves and onto the ground. There was a look of fear in her eyes. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Pipp, please. Talk to me. What’s going on?” Izzy asked, sounding on the verge of tears now as well.

With a quiver in her voice, Pipp told every pony the shocking news.

“There’s been a shooting at Canterlogic.”

The whole crowd gasped at Pipp’s revelation. A shooter? In Maretime Bay?

-Earlier with Bud & Phyllis-

“I surprised you when I showed up here, didn’t I, Mom?” Bud asked Phyllis in a sinister tone, as he looked over what he had done to her.

Phyllis was tied up to her chair with a some rope. The kind of rope that could hold a sailboat to a dock. Very strong. And very hard to get out of.

She was crying softly, due to the horrific beating she took. She knew that one or more of her ribs were broken after Bud kicked her there very hard. Her left eye was starting to swell after he punched her there a few times, also very hard. Her back was in pain, due to both him stomping on it, and taking the chair she was now tied up in and smashing her with it. She didn’t know for sure if her front left hoof was broken or not, but it hurt like hell for her, after he slammed it on her desk. But that wasn’t even the worst part.

She could feel the blood running down the side of her right cheek, after Bud had chomped down on her ear and then ripped part of it off. She remembered screaming in pain and begging him to stop. Screaming for help, but no pony came.

And she knew why. She too heard the gunshots downstairs. This son of a bitch planned everything. He wanted to get her alone with him, and when he got to do his sick, twisted acts to her, his accomplice would shoot up Canterlogic.

In a way, she was happy now that Sprout had quit. If he was here, he’d be caught in the crossfire. Or worse, he’d meet That THING. Little did she know that one of those things would make her worst fear come true.

She was surprised when he came over and slapped her right across the cheek where he bit part of her ear off.

“Look at me, you fucking bitch.” Bud ordered his victim to do. Phyllis reluctantly did, staring at the hideous abomination she gave birth to almost 40 years ago. He pulled back his chair he sat in when he was being interviewed and sat in it, facing his mother.

“Answer the fucking question. Did I surprise you?”

Phyllis nodded her head with true fear. Because it was true. Even if he did kill that mare on the beach, she never expected him to show up. Let alone at her place of business.

Bud smiled. “Good. I’m glad that you and I could see each other. At least, just this once. Before I take everything from you.”

“W-W-What do you want?” Phyllis asked, quivering in pain.

“Hmm.” Bud appeared to like that she said that. “Good question. You probably think I wanna kill you. And make no mistake, I will fucking kill you. Slowly. And painfully. Even worse than my other victims. But…I’m thinking about doing something else first. I’m thinking….humiliation.”

Phyllis looked surprised to hear that. What did he mean by that?

“I’m thinking…taking everything away from you. Your coworkers. Your business. And most of all…your other son. My baby brother.”

Her eyes shot open in fear. No. He seriously wasn’t thinking this, was he?

“Bud, please.” Phyllis begged. “Don’t harm Sprout. He’s done nothing to you. If you’re gonna kill me, just do and get it over with. Just please don’t hurt my son.”

Bud sneered at her pleading. “You think I’m gonna hurt my baby brother? Wow, you are clueless. That’s surprising, seeing as how you own a big business. I expected more.”

Phyllis now looked confused. If he wasn’t gonna hurt Sprout, what did he plan to do with him?

“You saying that just shows you know nothing about me. You know nothing about your first born foal. Well, let me tell you.” He said. He leaned back in his chair for about a second before sitting up straight again.

“Do you know what life was like for me at Lexi Orphanage? That place you dropped me off at all those years ago when I was just a baby? Do you?” He asked, now making Phyllis look guilty. She had a feeling he was going to say what she thought he was.

“Well, let me fucking tell you.” He said, his voice rising in anger, making Phyllis feel scared again.

“Issac and Lexi. You would think that, them opening an orphanage, they’d want to raise kids in a good environment. With love and attention. And that their kids would be their whole world. You’d think that, right?” Bud asked her, glaring at her, which made Phyllis nod her head.

“Well, apparently, somepony didn’t explain that to those pieces of trash. Every day, me and my adopted siblings had to endure abuse and neglect by them. Do you know what it’s like to sit at a dinner table and not talk about your day? Do you know what it’s like to be scared to even talk to them, because either they’d scream their head off at you or beat you?”

Bud stood up from his chair and started to pace the floor, making Phyllis nervous.

“Do you know what it’s like to use the same toothbrush for 15 years? Do you know what it’s like to have to eat fried and fast food for days on end, because they’d rather spend their money on drugs or alcohol? Do you know what it’s like to have the cheapest beds and sheets and pillows and blankets as possible, and deal with it, because if you complained, you’d get a beating?”

He took a deep breath, remembering all the things he went through as a child. All the anger and rage he felt for his adopted parents. He stopped pacing and looked back at Phyllis, who was both afraid of what he might do to her, and what he was gonna say next.

“And most of all, do you know what it’s like to be touched when you’re 7 years old? To take a shower with your adopted mother? And…” Bud growled at the trauma he was remembering. “Do you know what it’s like to lose your virginity when you’re 11 years old? And your first is your adopted mother?” Bud asked, somewhat sounding emotional, remembering all the sexual abuse and rape his adopted mother had put him through.

Phyllis was shocked. She didn’t know. She didn’t know how bad that place was. She was a young 15 year old filly. She just wanted to get rid of him. She had no idea that the ponies at Lexi were that much scum.

She started feeling remorse for her first born son. She wanted to say she felt completely sorry for him, but she couldn’t. Even with all the abuse, neglect and molestation he took, she still hated him. And couldn’t call him her son. No matter how much he was.

“I’ll answer that question for you. NO! YOU DON’T!” He screamed, making Phyllis flinch.

“And when me and my adopted siblings took control and ended their lives, that’s when I knew what my purpose in my life was. That’s when I knew…that I’m not a mistake. That I am here for a reason.” Bud said, trying not to let tears roll down his face.

Phyllis almost felt sympathy for him. Keyword being ALMOST, because he was still a serial killer.

“My purpose…is that I am a savior. I am a savior to the unwanted child. I punish bad mothers out there. The ones who don’t care about their foal. The ones who would rather be a whore and a slut. The ones who get drunk and high on the weekends. The ones who would rather have fun instead of being a mother to their child. That is who I am. I am the Mother Mutilator.” He said, as he got a bid close to her face.

“You’re sick, Bud. You need help.” Phyllis said.

“Oh, I need help? What about you? Abandoning her child? Throwing him away like he’s nothing? Who needs help here, Mom? Tell me.” Bud said to her, anger rising again.

“I got rid of you, because I was raped!” Phyllis shouted at him.

“Oh, you were raped, huh?” Bud said in a cynical tone. “Well, why didn’t you leave me with your family, huh?”

“The Bloomington’s didn’t want me to get an abortion. And if they did, you wouldn’t be here. Besides, you have no idea what it was like for me growing up being Liana and Aster Bloomington’s daughter. You probably still wouldn’t have had the childhood you wanted if one of the Bloomington’s raised you. ” Phyllis said angrily. The two were silent for a split second before she said, arguably, the coldest thing she has ever said to somepony. Let alone her own child.

“I admit I didn’t look too hard in looking for a better orphanage for you. But you’re lucky that I still dropped you off at one. Because if it were up to me, and I found a way to get away with it…..I would’ve killed you myself when I gave birth to you.”

Bud shook his head. “What did I ever do to you? What did I do to make you hate me?”

Phyllis shook her head in disgust at him. “You were born.”

The second that very sentence left her mouth, she felt her cheek sting as Bud slapped her again. She grunted in pain, but only looked back at her first born child with pity. Which made Bud angry.

Their conversation was interrupted as Bud’s phone went off. He knew who it was.

“What?” Bud asked, seething with anger.

“He's here. Sprout is here.” Sanguine said on the other line. Bud felt surprised to hear that. He couldn’t believe it.

“What are you talking about?” He asked, not really believing her.

“I mean, your little brother is here. Right in front of me. Bright red coat, bright yellow mane, and turnip for a cutie mark. It was really convenient.”

Bud now felt extremely nervous. And excited. He knew she was telling the truth. Sprout was here. His little brother was here. He was going to meet his little brother for the first time ever.

“Send him up. I want to see him.” Bud said, now hanging up the phone. He then looked back at Phyllis with an arrogant smile.

She started to feel scared again. Who was he talking about on the phone? What was gonna happen?

“Looks like I won’t need to go into town and look for him. Sprout has come here.”

Phyllis felt her coat turn white when Bud said that. No. Please, Celestia No. Sprout was here. And he, apparently, was taken hostage by Bud’s accomplice. And now he was being taken up here.

He was going to meet Bud Bloomington.

-/-

Sanguine had now hung up her phone, while still keeping her gun pointing in Sprout’s direction. She never took her eyes off of him once. Though, if he did try to run, she could’ve just shot at him, but intentionally missed. She knew that, if she did hurt him, Bud would be mega pissed at her. And she knew from previous experience that Bud being mad at her would not be good for her.

Thankfully, he didn’t move a muscle. Although, it wasn’t really because he was a hostage. It was because he was now seeing the damage that was done by her.

He heard all the cries, groans, whimpers and sobs from his former coworkers. He looked around the whole place and saw there were several ponies who were bleeding profusely, due to being shot by Sanguine. He only saw about 3 or 4 that were indeed dead.

One he saw in particular. Kodiak. He was the one who, before this whole mess started, said to Sprout that he didn’t care what he did when he went on a lunch break. Kodiak didn’t treat him very well. That said, he felt sick to his stomach to know that Kodiak’s last moment in life was being shot in the head by a psycho bitch with a gun.

He saw Sanguine put her phone away. “Let’s go upstairs. Time for you to meet your brother.” She said, ordering him to march in front of her. He did so.

They walked through the corridor of building, while she ignored the cries for help and pleas to not let them die of the victims she shot. Sprout wanted to help these ponies, but there was nothing he could do. Sanguine had a gun. And if he ran, she may pull the gun on every pony and finish them off. He only hoped that somepony in town heard all this and called Sheriff Hitch.

He then heard Sanguine hum to herself. He slightly turned his head to see what she was going. She appeared to be eyeballing him up and down. As if she was mentally undressing him.

“You know, you look a bit like Bud. Except the color palette. You’re a lot brighter and his is more darker. Even so, I’ll bet you’re great in the sack.” She said, while she caressed her tail up Sprout’s rump. He felt himself shiver in disgust. This mare was probably 10 or 11 years older than him. It made him sick.

“Well, we’ll see about that when we leave with you. I can’t wait for you to have a nice hot four way with us. Yeah, it’ll be kinda awkward having your brother there, but you’ll get used to it.” She said, in the most seductive voice she could summon. Sprout just felt like he was going to vomit. What kind of sick bitch is this mare?

They were now outside of Phyllis’ office on the second floor. This was it. He knew that Bud and Phyllis were here. He couldn’t mentally prepare himself for whatever was about to happen.

“Well, here we go. I’ll leave you guys alone. I’ve got a certain somepony I’ve gotta kill.” She said with a grin.

“But you said you wouldn’t kill anypony else!” Sprout said, now feeling scared again.

“I said I wouldn’t kill Judy. I never said anypony else. Besides, there’s somepony in particular I’ve been DYING to see for a long time. Well, good luck with Bud.” She said, now slamming in the door. “He’s here!”

“Come in.” Bud said. Even with the door closed, Sprout could tell this pony sounded somewhat nervous now.

Sanguine then left them to get back to what she was doing. She was going to hunt a certain janitor she knew from 20 years ago. She couldn’t wait to see him again. It’ll be nice to catch up with him.

And, of course, cut off his balls and cock, just like she did to her adopted father Issac all those years ago.

When Sprout saw her leaving, he took a deep breath. He could’ve ran away, but Sanguine would probably just chase after him. And Bud would probably kill his…their mother. He needed to save his mother. That was what mattered now.

Even if it cost him his life. He then put his hoof on the doorknob and opened it.

-/-

*BANG!BANG!*

Sanguine let off two more shots into a random Canterlogic worker. She laughed cruelly as Adonis begged for mercy, before putting two bullets in his face. He died, being deathly terrified of a crazed, psychopathic mare.

She also heard the whimpers and sobs of several other Canterlogic employees, who had been shot, but were only injured, not dead. Yet. She decided to go around and finish off every pony here. She’d find Reggie, and then do what she had planned for him. With that, she walked over to her first target.

Said target was a mare, who looked about in her late 20’s. She had an Artic Blue coat color, with a Cerulean blue mane. Her shoulder was shot, and the pain was so unbearable, she could barely stand up. The mare tried to get to the front door, but was stopped in her tracks when she saw Sanguine.

She let out a cry of terror, as she attempted to run faster toward the door. Her attempts were in vain, however, as she then felt a swift kick to her back. Her body hit the cold concrete floor. Sending shockwaves of pain shooting up through her body.

“Aww, going somewhere?” Sanguine mockingly asked the mare, as she then grabbed her by the mane and dragged her away from the door. With the mare screaming and pleading with her to stop and let her go.

Sanguine did let go of the mare’s mane, but then raised the gun to her face. The mare had tears running down her face.

“Please.” She begged with her life. “Don’t kill me. I have a kid at home.”

“Aw, you do?” Sanguine sarcastically asked, clearly making fun of her.

“What’s your kids name? And what’s yours?” The psychotic mare asked.

With noticeable blubbering in her voice, the mare answered her. “His name is Hydro. And-And I’m…Lazuline.”

“And how much do you love your kid, Lazuline? Is he your whole world? Would you give ANYTHING for him?!” She raised her voice in that last part.

Lazuline nodded her head yes with fear. All she wanted now was to go home. And be with her son. Her whole world.

“The fact that you’re working for a fucking cunt like Phyllis Cloverleaf, shows that you must be a bad mother. Quite frankly, Hydro is better off without you.” Sanguine said, now anger showing on her face. She cocked the gun, which lead to more pleading from Lazuline.

Little did Sanguine know…that everything she just said was heard by somepony. Somepony she was looking for.

“Let her go!” Reggie called out, causing both Lazuline and Sanguine to turn their heads in that direction. He had a Trashcan lid that he threw in their direction like a frisbee. As luck would have it, it was a complete direct hit.

“ARGH!” Sanguine shouted in pain, as she fell backwards. The lid may have been plastic, but it was still heavy and could pack a punch if it needed to.

When Samguine fell, Lazuline turned to Reggie’s direction.

“LAZULINE! RUN!!” He said, running toward Sanguine, while rolling a Trashbarrel with him.

In those few seconds, Lazuline forced herself up, and quickly ran toward the exit, terrified with her life.

Before Sanguine could react, Reggie had then forcefully shoved the rolling trash barrel right into her side. With her now on the ground, Reggie saw this as his chance. Now, normally, Reggie considered himself a gentle colt. Never in his life would he EVER lay his hooves on a mare. And he went his whole life doing that.

However, sometimes, there are instances where one has to say “Fuck That” to being a gentle colt. Especially, if the mare was a dangerously psychotic individual, who just shot and killed a bunch of ponies. Some who he knew pretty well, and even was friends with.

So with that, before Sanguine could raise her gun toward him, Reggie kicked her right in the face. And due to the force of the kick, her gun flew out of her hoof. She was stunned from the kick. He then punch her right in the face, knocking her to the ground.

Reggie was about to deliver another blow to her, before he finally got a good look at her. Like earlier with the stallion, who went into Phyllis’ office for an interview, he also swore this mare looked familiar to him. It took him about a few minutes to finally figure it out. To say he was shocked at this revelation, would be an understatement.

“Sanguine Sauvignon. You were one of the survivors of the Lexi Orphanage fire 20 years ago.” Reggie said, causing Sanguine to laugh crazily. And also with some pain, as she stood up from the blows she took.

“Looks like you still haven’t lost your touch after all, old man.” She said, blood running down her nose and bottom lip. He was sure her nose was broken. He put two and two together again, before he felt a chill run down his spine as the revelation kicked into him.

“Then that means….Bud Bloomington is up there with Mrs. Cloverleaf.” He said, sounding terrified. Sanguine laughed again.

Reggie then had a face of pure hate and anger toward her. “All those years. Of me trying to desperately find you and your two accomplices. You killed those ponies at Lexi Orphanage and then burned it down.”

“Yeah, and what if we did, huh? Issac and Lexi deserved to die.” She let out a small laugh at the memory of her torturing and killing those evil bastards. “Especially Issac. After what he did to me when I was only 10.”

He swore he thought he heard a very, very small and subtle sob from her, remembering the abuse, and apparent rape, of her. So, it turns out the gossip column was correct. Her and the rest of the Lexi Orphanage kids were molested and raped by their own adopted parents. No wonder they were so fucked up now.

“I understand killing Isaac and Lexi, but why kill your younger siblings? They were just little kids. They couldn’t hurt you.” Reggie asked.

“They were weak. They wouldn’t survive in the world we lived in. We sent them to heaven. They’re much better off.”

With disgust and rage, Reggie punched Sanguine one last time. This time, knocking her unconscious. He shook his head in disgust at her. He definitely felt SOME sympathy for all the abuse and torment she and her two other accomplices received from Issac and Lexi. However, what he felt most for her, was pity. A pity of a mare she was.

He grabbed her body and lifted her over his shoulder. Also, noticing the gun was not too far away from her, he went over and picked it up. He then went over to the exit and opened the front door. Thankfully, he saw that help was coming right away. Sheriff Hitch Trailblazer, Sunny Starscout, and Zipp Storm were racing toward him. He waived them over to him.

“Reggie!” Hitch cried.

“It was her.” Reggie said. “Sanguine Sauvignon. I’ll explain everything about her later.”

“We know! We know about Lexi Orphanage!” Zipp said frantically. Reggie looked confused.

“No time to explain. We gotta get inside. There’s a bomb.” Sunny cried, completely freaking out. Reggie felt his face turn white with horror.

“Bomb? What are you talking about?” He asked.

“The other accomplice, Dodd Winchester. He said that Bud Bloomington has a bomb! They’re gonna blow up Canterlogic!” Hitch said, with true panic in his voice. Reggie felt his fear double.

“We gotta get every pony out of here!” Reggie told him. “And we need to put this bitch somewhere she won’t escape.”

Zipp then grabbed Sanguine and hoof cuffed her to a random flag pole. She was unconscious, and therefore didn’t fight back.

Hitch, Reggie and Sunny looked surprised. “I grabbed a few hoof cuffs before we left.” Zipp said.

“Okay.” Reggie said, now getting serious. “You guys go up there and get Mrs. Cloverleaf. I’ll try and get any other survivors out of here.”

“But what about you?” Sunny asked.

Reggie sighed. “Whatever happens, happens. Don’t worry about me. Just get Mrs. Cloverleaf. If the bomb goes off, and I’m not with you guys, just get her to safety. Promise?” He said.

Hitch, Sunny and Zipp knew they couldn’t let anypony die, but they had no time. They needed to find Sprout and Phyllis and get them out of here. And find a way to make sure the bomb doesn’t go off. So with that, they all nodded their heads. Reggie did the same. He then gave the hoof gun to Hitch, and then ran back inside to find any survivors.

Hitch, Sunny and Zipp all looked at each other. This could be it for all of them. They were about to confront a psychopathic serial killer, who had their friend and his mother held hostage. However way this goes, nothing was gonna be the same for them.

“Hitch?” Zipp said, getting his attention.

“I’m so sorry for everything.” She said, obviously meaning what happened with her and Sprout a little over a week ago.

He put a hoof on her shoulder, and then hugged her. Hugged her tight. Sunny joined them, letting out a soft sob. This may be the last time she would ever see her friends again. At least they would go out being friends still.

When they let go, Hitch looked up at Canterlogic, with a determined look on his face.

“Let’s go save our friend.” He said, as he, Sunny and Zipp stormed inside.

- Earlier -

The door opened, and Sprout couldn’t move at what he was seeing. It was a sight he never imagined he’d ever see. And now that he’s seen it, he knew it’ll plague his nightmares for the rest of his life.

His mother was tied up to her chair. Her face was beaten severely. Her eye was blackened. Worst of all, part of her ear was missing. It looked like it had been ripped off.

Then…he looked at the stallion. This well built, muscular looking stallion. He had a dark peach coat with a dark blonde mane.

As the two locked eyes with each other, Sprout knew exactly who this stallion was. This was the one who killed Lilac Summers. The one who was the serial killer dubbed “The Mother Mutilator.” The one who Phyllis kept a secret from all these years.

He was looking at his older brother. Bud Bloomington.

The silent stare down between them lasted for about 2 minutes. Just them two looking deep at each other. Deep into each other’s eyes.

Then, Sprout saw Bud smile at him. And it wasn’t like how Sanguine smiled at him earlier. All evil and arrogant and whatnot. No. This was different.

The way Bud smiled at Sprout…one would think that it was like an emotional reunion between two loved ones, who had been separated for years with each other. Because, when Bud smiled at him, it was a genuine, loving smile. He even looked choked up, looking at him.

Bud approached him. Sprout, in that split second, wanted to run away. He was worried his brother might try to kill him. But before he could even do that, something different happened.

Bud wrapped his hooves around his little brother. Embracing him. Hugging him.

“Sprout Cloverleaf. My baby brother.” Bud said, actually sounding a bit emotional here. Which made Sprout feel a bit uneasy here. This guy was a sadistic, psychopathic serial killer, and yet, here he was hugging him. And feeling emotional about it.

Bud closed the door behind Sprout. Not realizing, he didn’t lock it. Which, Sprout noticed. He was then let go by him.

Sprout felt his mane being stroked and petted by Bud in a way that seemed affectionate. “I’m your big brother. Bud Bloomington. I’m here to save you, little brother.”

Sprout couldn’t speak. What could he even say to this lunatic stallion? Frankly, any wrong thing said could set him off. And if it came down to physical strength, he’d be a dead pony. Because, Bud was super strong. And Sprout barely had any upper body strength at all.

“Oh, you’re confused. I know. I understand. Well, let me explain.” Bud said, backing away from him. His face then looked intense.

“I know everything about you, little brother. I know about the giant machine of doom from two years ago. I know that you tried to start a war with the pony races.” Bud said to him. Hearing everything that he did in the past made Sprout hang his head in shame.

“And I also know what you’ve been through. I know, that you’ve been ostracized. You’ve been ignored and pushed away. And so many ponies hate your guts. I know this.” Sprout couldn’t deny that what Bud was saying was true. He had been through that after what he did two years ago.

“Well, I’m here to tell you something, little brother. It’s not your fault. You wanna know whose fault it is? You wanna know who caused you to do that? You wanna know who made you like that?” Bud asked him, his anger intensifying. Which Sprout found intimidating.

Bud pointed at Phyllis, who tried to speak, but couldn’t, due to the fear she felt inside of her as well. “Her. She’s responsible.”

Sprout felt his lip quiver. “She made you like that. She’s just like every bad mother out there. She doesn’t give a damn about her kid. She acts like it, but deep down, she doesn’t care about you. She never cared about either of us.” Bud said.

Sprout couldn’t stop staring at his mother. When the two of them locked eyes, she saw the fear and sadness in her eyes. After everything Sunny had told him, he knew that she’d been through so much when she was young. Even now.

“And bad mothers like her? They need to be….” Bud had said, before reaching into his briefcase. Sprout looked terrified at what he his older brother had taken out.

“…Punished.” Bud said, now brandishing a kitchen knife. Phyllis let out a terrified whimper.

Bud put the knife in Sprout’s hoof. “I know what you’ve been through, little brother. I know what it’s like…to feel like an outcast. To feel like you don’t belong. But, with you and I together, we can be something. We can do great things together. And that’s why…I want you to have the first shot with the knife. Go ahead. Stab that fucking bitch. And then, we can run away together, little brother. You’ll be free. No judgments or demands from me. We are brothers united. Brothers forever.” Bud said to him.

Sprout looked at the knife in his hooves. Now, a lot of the things Bud said to him, whether he liked it or not, were true. Sprout had felt like an outcast. Like he didn’t belong. Especially, after his rampage two years ago.

However, he also knew, that Bud here was a complete psychopath. Sure, maybe they’d been through similar things. But, Bud knows NOTHING about him. He was frankly surprised that Bud just GAVE him the knife. He almost has a good mind to stab him to death right here and now and get Phyllis out of here.

However, again, Bud outweighed him by almost 100lbs. Bud was much more stronger than him. Also, he grew up in Clopton. A very tough town to grow up in. He’d see it coming from a mile away.

That’s when Sprout came up with an idea. He only hoped that it would work. Because, if it didn’t, both him and Phyllis would die here today.

He looked towards his mother with an angry look on her face. As he took a few steps towards her, she felt confused and scared. Did Sprout choose Bud over her? Was her little Sugercube truly gone forever now?

“Mom?” Sprout said, with his lip quivering even more now. Which made Phyllis’ heart crack.

“Everything Bud here is saying is true. All my life, I wanted to be like you. I wanted to be everything you were. You were my idol.” Tears started forming in his eyes.

“And that was my biggest mistake in life. I’ve heard so many ponies call me a piece of shit. And you know what? They’re right!” He yelled out loud, causing Phyllis to flinch a little bit.

“All of them are right. I AM a piece of fucking shit. And you wanna know why: I’m a piece of shit for listening to you all my life! I never should’ve listened to you.” More tears rolled down his face.

Phyllis felt her heart break hearing that. Even if it hurt her to hear that, she couldn’t deny that what he was saying wasn’t wrong. She made him do what he did two years ago. It was all her fault for not being a better mother.

“And frankly, I should’ve been Bella and Vinny’s son. They would’ve raised me better than you EVER did.”

Now Phyllis felt her heart completely break when he said that. Did that mean that he didn’t love her anymore? Was their relationship over? Although, again, she didn’t blame him for thinking that. Bella and Vinny would’ve been WAY better parents to him than she was as a mother.

“And you abandoned your child.” Sprout said, looking angry with her. “You didn’t give a damn about his health or safety or wellbeing. You just threw him away like he was nothing. A broken toy. Man, that’s so wrong. SO WRONG!”

At this point, both Phyllis and Sprout were crying their eyes out. All the emotions and frustrations and anger were all out of him. And there would be no going back from that.

Bud smirked at Phyllis. He did it. He had won. He had gotten his little brother over to his side. He walked right next to him and put a comforting hoof on Sprout’s shoulder.

“Get what you fucking deserve, mother.” Bud said in a smug way. Phyllis had hung her head in sadness. He was right. He had won. She accepted that she was going to die right here. And she felt she deserved it for being a bad mother all these years.

“Bud?” Sprout said, getting his attention. Phyllis looked confused at this. What was he doing?

“Before I do what I’m about to do, can I tell you something as well?” He asked him, sounding as sincere as he could be.

“Of course.” Bud said, looking supportive of his little brother. “Anything.”

Sprout took a deep breath. He just hoped this plan would work. If it didn’t, he may……

“After I found about you, I’ll be honest, I was in denial. I didn’t believe it. But then, after reality set in, I looked into everything to find out who you were and where you were. And after everything I read, I wanna say something that I don’t think our Mother would ever say to you.”

He paused for a quick moment, before he put a gentle hoof on Bud’s shoulder. Which surprised Bud a little bit.

“I acknowledge you.” He said with a warm tone. Bud felt his lip start to quiver now.

“I acknowledge you as my big brother.” Sprout said, now making Bud sniffle emotionally. Phyllis didn’t know what to think now. Had Bud truly taken Sprout to his side? What was going on here?

“And I know everything about what happened to you at Lexi Orphanage. I’m so sorry. For everything you went through. I can’t imagine the pain and suffering you’ve been through. You should’ve had a family that loved you.” Sprout said, with true compassion in his eyes. By now, Bud had tears rolling down his face. He knew his little brother would understand him. And he was right.

He sniffled again. “It’s okay, little brother. We’re together now. That’s all that matters.”

Sprout had stroked his older brother’s arm very affectionately. “I only wish I could’ve known who you were a long time ago. After all, I always wanted a brother. And you’re right. We do have a lot in common.”

Bud nodded his head, while tears rolled down his face. After all the trauma, abuse, neglect, and molestation he went through, he finally found his little brother. He now had a real family.

“All I wanted was love.” Bud said. “All I wanted was family. And now I have it.”

“Yeah.” Sprout said, still stroking his brother’s arm. “But, even so, I know I can’t fix you. It’s too late.” Bud looked confused hearing that.

“If only I knew who you were a long time ago, maybe you wouldn’t be this….delusional….crazy….pathetic excuses for a stallion, with bigger mommy issues than anypony could imagine.” Sprout said, strangely still showing compassion for his brother.

Bud was even more confused now. “Pathetic? B-B-But you said we’re alike.”

“We are.” Sprout said, with a disappointed, sad and angry look on his face, he then told his older brother what he truly thought of him.

“You’re a piece of fucking shit.” He said softly, before he finally set his plan into action.

After Bud heard that, he felt the knife he gave Sprout plunge into his stomach. Which shocked Phyllis tremendously. He chose her. Bud didn’t cause Sprout to go with him. Amazingly, he only gave a shocked grunt. He didn’t scream in pain or anything. The shock from the stab was simply too great for him.

As the blood poured out of Bud’s abdomen, Sprout pulled it out with as much force as he could. While Bud was hunched over, grabbing his stomach wound, Sprout then raised the knife in the air and plunged it as deep as he could into the top of Bud’s shoulder. This time, Bud did let out a small groan of pain from that.

Sprout used as much force as he could to then knock Bud onto the floor. And with that force, the blade dug even more into Bud’s shoulder. He then took the blade out of his brother’s shoulder, which caused blood to pour out of Bud like a stuck pig. As Bud lay there on the ground, Sprout quickly ran to his mother.

“Mommy, let’s get out of here.” He said, as he started cutting the ropes as fast as he could. It was tough, however. With Sprout not having the brute strength of his brother, and the style of the ropes, he would need somepony else to help him.

His attempts stopped when he heard the grunts and groans of his older brother. Sprout was shocked. Bud was getting up of his own volition. With his stomach and shoulder bleeding profusely. But he didn’t care, apparently. Both He and Phyllis looked on in fear, as the now wounded, pissed off stallion stood up. Sprout continued trying to cut Phyllis out.

“Sugercube.” She whispered to Sprout. “Just stop. Run. Get out of here. If I die, then at least I knew I was protecting my son. Please, sweetheart. Just get out of here.”

Sprout didn’t listen. No way in hell was he gonna leave his mother with this psychopath. He intensified his cutting, to the point where he managed to get one part of the ropes severed.

Bud then walked over to the suitcase he brought in. He let out an angry laugh.

“I see she’s blinded you, little brother. I tried to be peaceful with you. But, I guess I’m gonna have to use force.” He said, as he then picked up said briefcase.

“I’ll never go anywhere with you! You fucking lunatic!” Sprout cried, still attempting to cut his mother loose.

Bud opened the briefcase and then pounded on something in it. The next sound made both Phyllis and Sprout turn toward it. And what they saw next made them turn white with fear.

A little screen on one of the inner sides of the briefcase showed a countdown clock. 5:00…4:59…4:58…4:57…”

“You’ve got a bomb?!” Sprout asked in fear.

Bud nodded his head with sadistic glee. “I told you I was gonna take everything from our mother. And this whole building is one of them. Now, little brother, you’ve got two choices. 1, you can leave with me, and allow this place to be blown sky high. Or 2, I beat the shit out of you, kill our mother, and blow this place up anyway. Besides, once the button is pushed, you can’t do anything to stop it. This place is gonna be destroyed anyway. So, what’s it gonna be?” He threatened his little brother.

Sprout didn’t know what to do. He could leave his mother here. But, at least Bud wouldn’t harm her physically. However, if he doesn’t go with him, his mother will be violently assaulted and murdered. And he’ll be abducted and taken from Maretime Bay. He was in utter turmoil. What should he do?

*CRASH!!!*

Sprout, Bud and Phyllis were startled at the sound of the door breaking down. It was Hitch, Sunny and Zipp.

“FREEZE MOTHERFUCKER!!” Hitch yelled, while holding a gun on him. Sprout saw that that must be the same gun that Sanguine used. He must’ve overpowered her and taken it.

Sunny and Zipp looked at the briefcase in Bud’s hooves. They gasped in terror at the clock counting down. 4:28…4:27…4:26…

“That’s the bomb!” Zipp cried.

Bud laughed at them. “Oh, Hitch and Sunny. My little brother’s childhood friends. And Zipp Storm. You ruined Sprout’s life, you little bitch.” Zipp then saw him. This was the guy. Bud Bloomington. The serial killer known as The Mother Mutilator. Because of the hate and rage she was feeling, she lunged right at him.

“ZIPP! NOOO!” Hitch yelled in fear. But it was too late. With one hoof, Bud grabbed Zipp by the neck. She could barely breathe. She tried kicking him, but it was no use. He was too strong.

“Let her go! And diffuse the bomb!” Hitch said, still holding the gun on him. Sunny had then went over to Sprout and started to help him untie Phyllis.

“Diffuse? Heh. Once the button was hit, you can’t do anything about it. This place is gonna go boom.” Bud said, still holding Zipp by the throat. Hitch was terrified hearing that. If they couldn’t diffuse the bomb, then Canterlogic was going to be destroyed.

“But, if you want the bitch, then take her.” He then threw Zipp at Hitch with all the force he had. Zipp’s body slammed into Hitch. The wind was knocked out of both of them.

Sunny, Sprout and Phyllis were all scared at what was unfolding. Sprout kept cutting with the knife, while Sunny tried untangling as best she could to get Phyllis free. Their attempts were starting to be successful, as Sprout had now cut two pieces of rope, while Sunny had managed to untangle one of them. They only had two more ropes to untangle to free Phyllis.

“What are you two doing?! I told you to run! Just leave me!” Phyllis said, very emotionally, knowing this may be her last moment with her son and his friends.

Bud then turned his head towards them. He charged at them, kneeing Sprout in the side. With the force, the knife he had was knocked out of his hoof. Sunny attempted to grab it, but was then punched in the face by Bud. He kicked her in her ribs extremely hard, causing Sunny to lose her breath a little bit. He saw the knife on the floor and then grabbed it.

He looked at Phyllis. “I’m saving you for last.”

His attention was then turned to Zipp and Hitch. He trotted towards them. He saw that Zipp was trying to leave, but was having difficulty, due to the hard blow she took. Bud came over and closed the door. He looked down at her. This was the bitch that ruined his little brother’s life. The one who accused him of the crime HE committed.

He then gave her a swift, hard kick to her gut as well. Hitch got up and then attempted to charge at him. Bad mistake. Bud had his knife now. He used that very knife to stab Hitch right in his shoulder, causing him to scream in pain. He stabbed him two more times, which made Hitch fall to the floor. Blood pouring out of Hitch’s shoulder like a faucet.

Bud then turned his attention to Zipp. He grabbed her by her mane and violently slammed her into the wall. He grabbed her by her throat again. This time, he was gonna do what he always did to bad mothers. Granted, she wasn’t a mother, but in this case, he’d make an exception for her. He raised his knife at her.

Sprout, by this point was seeing everything that was going on. His friends were being beaten down and tortured by his evil, older brother. He was seeing his friends be hurt, and he couldn’t do anything about it.

What could he even do anyway? He was always a coward. He was always the type to run away from a fight. He could never stand up and fight on his own. Or for anypony.

No more. He was done being a coward. This time…he was going to protect his family and friends.

Even if it cost him his life.

He looked toward his mother and then at Sunny. Then he turned to Hitch and Zipp. They were his friends. And they needed his help. He looked toward his mother, who was now feeling scared. Why was he looking at her like that?

He stood up and wrapped his hooves around her tied up body. “I love you…Mommy.” He said, letting out a soft sob.

“AAAHHHHHH!!!!” Zipp cried out in pain, as the blade dug into her flank. He stabbed one of her wings, yanking out a few feathers. As the blood oozed out of her body, he laughed in sadistic joy.

“This is the end for you.” Bud said, as he attempted to finish her off. He was gonna shove his blade into Zipp’s marehood. What happened next… it was almost like it was in slow motion.

Sprout ran toward them, once he saw that Bud was gonna finish her off. He couldn’t let Zipp die here. No matter what she did to him, she wasn’t gonna die like this. He ran as fast as he could. Sunny and Hitch, while in excruciating pain, looked at what was about to happen.

Zipp prepared for the worst, having her eyes closed. He was gonna kill her right here. She just awaited for the blade to go into her. But that didn’t happen. She heard a gasp, which came from her assailant, Bud Bloomington. She opened her eyes, and they widened in terror at what she just saw.

Sprout had just dove in front of her, taking the blade shot to his gut.