When Ponies Cry

Wrapped and coiled in the lukewarm wind, that's probably a sign...

TWO WEEKS! Two weeks, and nothing! I am no further now then at the party! I sighed. Tonight is the Watanagashi, or in this world, the Summer Sun Celebration. At the moment, I am trying to research the festival in the library that doubles as my home. But... I still can't read any of these books. I guess I should just keeping looki-

"HEY, RIKA! YOU HOME?" GAH! Pinkie! You made me lose my train of thought! "I know you don't know much about the town, but these books will be here tomorrow! We have a lot to do before the Summer Sun Celebration tonight!"

Hmm. Maybe I can ask her about this festival. "What do you know about this 'Summer Sun Celebration'?"

She instantly began explaining, "Every year Celestia demonstrates her power by raising the sun! It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen! They said it will be held in Ponyville again! It outstanding that they would choose us twice in a row and-"

Again, I tuned her out. Strange. So their monarch raises the sun... But what about that other one... Princess 'Luna'? Isn't that the monarch? "Pinkie, what about the other princess, Luna was it?"

"and then- Oh Luna! She's Celestia's sister! They were close but then-" she began to ramble.

So Luna and Celestia are related... Maybe I can get one more answer out of Pinkie. "You mentioned that something happened one year at the festival. What was it?"

"-of Harmony- Oh..." Her mane deflated, as she stared at the floor. Then, she spoke in a monotone voice. "Nothing. Nothing happened..."

I could tell she was lying. This reminded me almost exactly of Rena. "You're lying. I can tell. Listen. For the good of you and your friends, you must to tell me what happened."

"Nothi-" She started again.

"STOP IT! This could mean the difference of life and death!" I began to shout.

I must have startled her, because she took a step back, yet still spoke in a monotone manner. "Last year on the Summer Sun Celebration, Princess Luna was freed from her bodily prison of Nightmare Moon. But... Later that night, a pony went missing... but he wasn't really missing. He was murdered. I found his body. It looked as if his front legs were broken, and his neck crushed... Blood stained his body and the ground he laid on..."

Hmm. Interesting. From the story Pinkie gave, I feel that this Luna isn't completely free from the shackles of Nightmare Moon. Being that this incident hadn't happened before Luna was free, I suspect that she is the one responsible. I guess I can only know for sure after tonight.

"I'm sorry for pressuring you, Pinkie. Now, what about those preparations for the festival?"

Her mane inflated again and returned to her bubbly self. She began to speak, but I just tuned her out to contemplate this information.

________________________________________________________________________________________

"What's wrong?" Hanyuu appeared.

I sighed. "I am... afraid..."

"We have been through this situation at least a hundred times. Why should this be any different?" She responded.

"That is exactly my point. The day of my death is drawing near, and I am no closer to finding a way back to Hinamizawa..."

Hanyuu perked up a little. I figured she was about to share some good news."I may have found a way to get us home. One way is, of course, for you to die and then be reborn." I didn't very much like that idea. "...but there is a problem with that plan. I have learned that the body you are using isn't yours. It belongs to a pony of this world."

"Hmm," I interjected. "That would make sense. This pony I took the form of had an accident the day before I awoke in this world."

Hanyuu continued. "Precisely. Whether she died from that accident, or she lays dormant while you control the body is unknown at the moment. But the problem with the plan, as I was saying before, if she is dormant inside of you, and if you die, she will die also. While you will be reborn, she will not. Which brings me to my next plan. I have discovered a power in this world much like one that Takano holds in our Hinamizawa. You must kill this world's holder.

"So, it's kill, or be killed... It would be unfair to that pony if she died because of my ability to be reborn..." I thought.

Then, a voice shouted, interrupting my train of thought, "HEY TWILIGHT!" It was Rainbow Dash. I have already gotten used to the fact that the ponies can barge into anybody's home uninvited, but I still didn't respond, as I am still not used to that name. "TWILIGHT! Oh wait, I forgot you still wanna be called Rika. That is so WEIRD! But, y'know, whatever. You ready to go?"

I smiled and responded as Pinkie bounced in. "Yes. It sounds like we are going to have a good time. Ni-pah!~"

"Good time? We're to have a GREAT time!" Pinkie shouted. "Well, what are you waiting for? Come on!" Then, she bounced out of the house much like she bounced in.

We walked out and started on our way to the celebration. Pinkie and Rainbow talked to each other, but I didn't pay any attention. I only thought of who is the 'Takano' of this world, so to speak... and also how to kill them... if that is what it had to come to...

"Hey egghead! What's wrong? You've been acting strange ever since the day after your accident!" Rainbow spoke to me.

I responded, "No, nothing's wrong! I'm just... thinking... I'm really glad to be in the company of friends." I looked over to Pinkie. "Ni-pah!~"

"No, see, right there! You have never said that before your accident!" Rainbow continued. "And what's the deal with wanting to be called Rika anyway? It's getting weird! Even weirder than when it started!"

Pinkie chimed in, "Dashie, don't question her like that! She'll explain everything when she wants too." Rainbow shrugged and kept on walking.

Phew. Thanks Pinkie. That really helped. You really are just like Rena...

"Looks girls, we're here!" Pinkie said. The ponies that were at the party greeted us when we arrived. It reminds me of my friends back in Hinamizawa... No. I must not think of that now. I must enjoy this festival. Or at the very least, pretend to enjoy it. We participated the many attractions the Celebration had to offer. Funny. It strangely resembles the Watanagashi festival in so many ways...

Eventually, the other ponies went off on their own, leaving just Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and myself. Then, a voice called from behind. "Pinkie Pie! Rainbow Dash! Twilight Sparkle! 'Tis always a pleasure for us to see you! How goeth things?"

Pinkie happily bowed along with Rainbow Dash and spoke, "Princess Luna! How are you? It's been a while! Ever since Nightmare Night, in fact why-"

Just then, I looked at the pony who had approached us. Immediately, I had an image of Miyo Takano stained onto my mind. I have to get out of here! I have to leave before I do something I'd regret! "If you'll excuse me," I started, "I must be going... I have... to meet..." Shoot! I have dug myself in another hole with my words! "...Fluttershy. Yes, that's it. I told her I'd meet her at one of the attractions!" Then, I ran. I ran as far away and as a fast I could from Luna as possible.

"Rika!" Pinkie called. But I didn't listen. I just kept running...