A Pierced Heart

Chapter 15: Search Party

Blackness, complete and total blackness, this was what Pierce awakened to in his mind.

“I told you that they would destroy you,” the queen stated simply.

“I don’t care, you forced the issue,” Pierce responded.

“And now you will die, as a failed changeling who could have had it all.”

“Yes, I could have had Rarity.” Pierce smiled as he heard the queen snort and then walk off. He was left in the darkness waiting. Time stretched for what seemed like hours, then to days. It may very well have been weeks for all Pokey cared. “I wonder how long it will be before my body wastes away?” he asked.

After a long time Pokey felt a presence outside of his mind. It was a tentative prod at first. Pokey registered it as some kind of spell and offered little resistance to it. When it swarmed his mind he began thinking of his past, Rarity, the time they had spent together, his moultings, all his time alone in the world.

The presence snapped back and turned an orange of fear and confusion. It came back with determined energy that wracked his brain for answers. Pokey did not offer the least bit of resistance. He sat there in his little black box and waited as the contents of his being was violated. The presence pulled back again and then Pokey could sense another emotion rising out of the confusion... Gratitude?

Soon thereafter Pokey was left alone for another eternity. A new presence approached, this one not searching, but it still had the sense of gratitude, but with a sense of demand as well.

*****

“You better recover for Rarity,” Spike announced, waiting in the basement until Twilight and Pinkie returned. The young dragon sighed dejectedly in front of the door. Pressing his head against the door, Spike shook his head. “I’m getting too old for this.”

*****

Twilight, Pinkie and Rainbow Dash walked into the hospital check-in to see Rarity being supported by Applejack, Fluttershy and her sister. Lashed across Sweetie Belle’s back was a pouch from which she lifted a pill bottle.

“Come on Rarity, its time to take your first anti-biotic, you don’t want those cuts to get infected.

Rarity wordlessly opened her mouth and let Sweetie insert the medicine. When she finished swallowing the fashionista looked up; her eyes widened when she saw her three other friends.

“There you are! Pokey! Did you find him? Rainbow told me you stayed back at the quarry to look some more!” The bandaged mare tried to pick up the pace but was held back by Fluttershy’s extended wing.

Rainbow Dash walked forward and spoke. “Twilight and Pink said they saw no sign of him. But Celestia’s guard picked up the changeling.”

“Good!” Rarity spat. “I don’t care what they have to do to get the information they need, as long as they can find my Pokey in time!”

“It’s alright Rares, we’ll help ya find Pokey,” Applejack said before she turned to the others. “Ain’t that right Twi?”

“Uuuh... of course!” Twilight nodded vigorously.

Rainbow coughed, when she had the attention of all the others she spoke. “Alright, so I was thinking. Fluttershy and I can keep checking the canyon for any signs of Pokey tomorrow, it’s getting late, and we’ll need all the light we can get. Twilight can research to figure out where Pokey might be, right Twi?” The cyan pegasus turned to her purple friend who smiled sheepishly.

“Right,” Twilight replied. “Good plan!”

Rainbow nodded and continued. “Applejack and Pinkie Pie can keep an eye on you Rarity, help you recover.”

“No,” Rarity stated.

“What?” Rainbow responded, turning her head with her mouth agape.

“No, I’m going to look for every bit of evidence I can. I’ll start at the quarry tomorrow, and then...” Rarity trailed off and tears began to seep through. “I can’t fail him!” she sobbed.

Twilight looked at Pinkie; the party pony had a pained look on her face that drilled to Twilight’s core.

“Shhhh, there there Rares,” Applejack cooed, rubbing her cheek against Rarity’s. “It’s alright, we’ll all help out searching for Pokey together tomorrow. Let’s get you home for now.”

*****

Twilight had returned to the library with Pinkie. She had told the others that they were going to look up some leads in the books Twilight had found. When the two mares walked in, Twilight shut the door behind them.

Pinkie gasped. “Golly Twilight! I’ve never had to lie to one of our friends before! Are you sure we shouldn’t just tell them the truth?”

The lavender mare shook her head in response. “You saw how angry and torn up Rainbow and Rarity are. If we told them now they’d think we’re under some sort of changeling magic. For now the best we can do is make absolute certain that what we have downstairs is really Pokey.”

“Twilight?” The two mares looked over and saw Spike standing on near the staircase to the basement. “Thank goodness you’re back. what’s going on?” The purple dragon walked over and looked questioningly at the ponies lavender and pink.

“Pinkie and I are stuck here researching changelings tomorrow while the others search for Pokey in the canyon,” Twilight responded. “Maybe they’ll find something to convince them.” The Element of Magic turned to the Element of Laughter and spoke. “Come on Pinkie, I can set you up with a cot by Pokey’s. Just remember, if you have to leave, shut the door.”