Chapter 4

Even after what seemed like a sign of the storm's stopping, it continued to rain in Canterlot. Everypony had already headed back inside their homes to remain dry. However, Berriswainer and Pinkamena forced their way through the heavy rain, completely drenching themselves.

It slowly (but surely) washed all of the blood on their fur away, leaving no traces of their previous encounter back at the asylum. The weather doesn't care how clean they are, though, and seems to make the rain pour harder and the air colder. They need to find shelter fast, unless they want to catch colds, or worse.

What they wished to have was any kind of shelter that would first get them out of the rain, and then they could consider just settling down. However, they do not have any money to afford such a thing, unless they stole some. On the other hoof, they could always just barge in and kill some poor, unsuspecting pony before claiming their home. Berriswainer chose the latter.

Very quickly, he found an entrance (the front door), and kicked it wide open. Once that was done, he stepped aside, motioning for his lover to enter.

As she did, he allowed himself in, likewise. To make assured nopony is home, they both determine to observe if its close its clear.

Pinkamena preceded to inspect the living room, while Berry survey upstairs. She glances around notice a portrait of a lovely couple pointed this is their house.

Gazing the portrait made her think to her considerations. What if she including Berriswainer would run away from their friends and begin a new life and a family together.

It’s unobtainable. Their either were’t aware formation their in.

Berry came downstairs find Pinkamena in the other room.

“The whole house is clear. We should cease here until the rain passed.”

She nodded.

Both were still soaked by the rain outside as Berriswainer started making fire at the fireplace. Pinkamena taken off her patient gown that she still wears and let it slipped to the floor.

Feeling exposed, she wanders upstairs in hopes of finding some clothing for Berry and herself.

Back in Ponyville, the search for Pinkie Pie was still under way. Royal Guards were sent out in parties of five, scouring even the Everfree Forest in search if the mare. Now, as one could expect after the sudden disappearance of a friend, everypony was dealing with the situation in their own ways.
News had come from Canterlot that there had been a massacre at the Canterlot Mental Institute where Berry had been held, and, although there was no evidence other than his absence from the facility, all signs pointed to him as the suspect.

Back at Golden Oaks Library, Twilight Sparkle, Dusk Shine, and the rest of their group got together to discuss what they knew, if anything, about the whereabouts of their party throwing friend. Twilight was the first to speak.

“Alright, everypony," she called, pausing until she was sure that she had the entire room's attention. "Let's try and get things straight. So, we first heard about Pinkie from Fluttershy and Butterscotch a few hours ago," she said, looking over at the two yellow pegasi, with the mare being consoled by the stallion. Fluttershy had her back to them, and Twilight could see Butterscotch gently brushing a hoof up and down her mane, whispering into her ear. She smiled at how strong he was being for her, despite probably being just as worried.

“Also,” added Dusk Shine, “I recently received word from Prince Solaris that Bubble Berry escaped from the Institute shortly after Pinkie was discovered missing."

The ponies, both male and female, gasped. Fluttershy shook more, prompting Butterscotch to hug her a bit closer.

Rainbow Blitz shook his head then spoke up, saying, “How the hell could Berry have escaped? Isn't that place supposed to be heavily guarded?”

“Well, yes, but... well, it seems to me that somepony helped him get out.”

With that comment, Dusk swept a hoof across the room, gesturing at all but himself. Rainbow Dash shot up from her sit and into the air, then flying and stopping just short of Dusk's face.

“What's that supposed to mean?! You think it was one of us?!"

She gritted her teeth, snorting air through her nostrils, and prepared herself for more, but a soft voice rose up from her left.

“Simmer down, Dash. He meant nothin' by it.” said Applejack, trying her best to calm down the cyan mare. "We all know that it wasn't one of us, and that we all still have something against Berry, but that's not why we're here."

“I know, I know...I've just been really stressed lately, and none of this news is helping any."
She floated back over to Rainbow Blitz, who, much like Buttercoth was doing to Fluttershy, pulled her close.

The others, though they didn't want to admit it, knew exactly how she felt. They all missed those two party goers, but one more than the other.

A thought appeared in Twilight's mind.

"Hey, did any of you ever notice anything weird about Pinkie and Berry?”

“Whatever do you mean, Twilight?” asked Rarity, cocking her head just a bit to the side.

“I'm not sure...something just doesn't feel right about them. Like, what about any time we ask them how they receive any of their cuts and bruises? They both usually answer with either 'I don't know' or 'I fell'."

"What's your point?" asked Rainbow Blitz over Rainbow Dash's shoulder.

“Actually, now that you mention it,” said Rainbow Dash, "there does seem to be a few minutes everyday where the two of them just seem really detached from everything else. I can distinctly remember that one time that you asked me to get Pinkie for her surprise party, and when I went in, her mane was all straight and her coat seemed just a bit duller than usual. Remember? Then I brought her back to the barn, and you were all there, so you guys should have seen it, too."

After she said that, Blitz said the same almost the exact same thing, but about Berry and in a different situation. The pieces slowly started coming together, and, very quickly, Twilight realized what was happening; both Pinkie and Berry had split-personalities.

Twilight sat up, saying, “So, it sounds a lot like Pinkie’s other personality was in command, which would mean that she was headed to see Berry's other personality. I doubt she even knew she was doing it."

Dusk Shine added, "All we have to do now is figure out where they could've gotten to, especially if their alter-egos are still in control.”

Pinkamena had found some clothes for both of them, and they now sat snuggled up next to each other on the floor infront of the fireplace, the flame crackling every so often.

Her head rested on his shoulder, and he wrapped an arm around her. If anyone else had been around, they would've viewed the two as nothing more than a couple enjoying each others company. Berriswainer leaned his head against hers, then smiled to himself.

Six months.

Six months he'd been stuck in that bleach-white cell, isolated from the rest of the world, save for the occasional breeze he'd catch when they opened the door to his room. He chuckled. Pinkie looked up at him.

“What are you thinking about now?”

“What it's like to finally be free after all that time I spent locked up."

She looked away, staring straight into the heart of the fire. She knew that something wasn't right with him. Something had definitely changed between them after this whole "misunderstanding" between them and the world.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized.

Berriswainer cocked his head to the side and looked down upon his love.

“For what?"

“For putting you through hell, for pushing you over the edge, for...for...”
She didn't get to say much else before the arm behind her moved, bringing her face close to Berry's.

“Hey, it’s not you fault. I mean, sure, you did push me a bit too far and I almost killed you cast you in the hospital. So, don’t feel sorry for yourself, okay?”

She nodded

“Good," he said, grinning.

A few hours passed, and our antiheroes began feeling rather hungry, and hope to see any food in the kitchen at all.

Minutes later, after a quite pleasant meal of bread sandwiches and water, the two begin feeling extremely tured, so they head upstairs to the bedroom. Many things still have to be thought about, but they could wait until morning.

Pinkamena scooched back into Berriswainer, who draped an arm over her stomach, pulling the two of them closer together as they drifted off to sleep.

Author's Note

Deeply apologizes for the wait. My editor had to go away from the computer for awhile. But, now chapter 4 is finally up! Chapter 5 is coming up real soon.