Fractum Speculum

One

The sun rose, casting a warm glow over the rooftops of Ponyville. Birds chirped, hooves clattered, and all around ponies exchanged friendly greetings, wishing a good day upon each other. The atmosphere could accurately be described as perfect.

It was amidst this contented scene that Pinkie Pie found herself, skipping along quite happily, thinking of lyrics to her new song.

“What rhymes with amused? Hmm... Bemused? Nah, no good”

It had been a hectic week, but one she’d loved none the less. Pinkie had always loved parties, and was renowned throughout Ponyville for throwing the best of the best.

Lately she’d challenged herself to make each party better than the last. A task she’d taken to with glee last month when organising Rarity’s birthday party. It had been her most ambitious project ever, not counting the after party for the royal wedding, but really what could top that. And as always, she pulled it off.

However this caused one slight problem, the sheer magnitude of making the next party better. Which came right around the corner. Fluttershy insisted nobody make a big deal over her birthday, and Pinkie conceded... or at least, she pretended to.

In order to make Fluttershy’s party a success, Pinkie cleared her entire schedule for the whole week leading up to it, though of course she was never very good at scheduling as Twilight was quick to remind her. Luckily Fluttershy had been dragged to Cloudsdale by Rainbow Dash to cheer her on in yet another of her attempts to catch the attention of the Wonderbolts.

Pinkie offered to house sit for her, feeding and caring for the many animals she sheltered. In fact it was Applejack who’d taken sole responsibility for this job while Pinkie took care of the party arrangements. She worked day and night preparing what she hoped would be her most super, special, sparkly, spectacular party ever.

And so the morning of Fluttershy’s birthday Pinkie was walking through the main street. All the preparations were complete, except one... she still had to find the perfect gift for her. Pinkie firmly believed a birthday was about having fun with friends rather than material gain, but she couldn’t not give Fluttershy a present, they were so close.

Pinkie was so focused on her song (which she planned on serenading Fluttershy with that evening when she returned) and what to get her as a present that she didn’t see the unicorn that’d walked out in front of her.

The resulting collision wasn’t dramatic but she was still knocked to the ground none the less.

“My dear I do apologise, if I’d known you were there I wouldn’t have been so careless,” came a wispy voice.

Dazed, Pinkie shook her head craning her neck to see who was standing above her. At first it was only a silhouette, a strangely shaped silhouette at that. But as her vision focused she took in a scrawny, wizened stallion. Grey coat flecked with white. He wore thick lensed spectacles which completely obscured his eyes. And a top his head was a twisted horn.

But the thing that was most odd about this pony (whom she’d clearly never seen before) was what he was carrying on his back. It looked at first glance to be nothing more than a wooden crate, easily twice the size of him. But upon further examination she saw it was divided into smaller sections, each varying in colour and texture. It was vaguely reminiscent of a toy she’d had while growing up, a cube with different coloured sides which could be adjusted so the colours were mixed up. The objective was to realign the colours to their original sides, though she’d never found it difficult. Her mother claimed it was because of her ‘eidetic’ memory.

Rousing herself from the pony’s peculiar appearance, she picked herself up and applied her most welcoming smile.

“Oh no it’s my fault,” he responded with a wry smile, good start. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you around here, my names Pinkie Pie.”

“It’s a pleasure young lady. My name is Davitt. Would it be too much trouble to request your assistance?”

“Of course not! What do you need?” she exclaimed jumping invasively close to her new friend.

“I was just passing through on my way to Vanhoover, but I appear to be a little disorientated. You couldn’t take me west could you?” he asked tentatively.

“Could I!” Pinkie jumped onto her hind hoofs, spinning on the spot. “If you would like to follow me, it would be my pleasure to escort you through Ponyville.”

They set off down the street, in the direction Pinkie hoped was right. Along the way Pinkie talked at length about herself, her friends and Ponyville. Davitt seemed genuinely interested in what she had to say.

“And then I ran into you. And that’s my life up until today.”

“Pinkie, there’s no denying you’ve enjoyed quite a life.”

“Thanks! What about you? What’s with the box?” she enquired.

“Box? Oh this.” He said glancing at his luggage, “well I make a living by collecting and selling odd and random things all over Equestria. This ‘box’ allows me to carry all my items with me wherever I go.”

“It looks heavy!” Pinkie said wide eyed.

“Oh it is. But magic helps.”

“So that’s why you’re going to Vanhoover?” she asked.

“Yes, Manehatten ponies cared very little for my inventory.” He sounded disappointed, and then an idea seemed to occur to him. “Would you like to peruse my wares?”

“Oh, oh, oh! Yes please!” she said bouncing on the spot.

A pale grey aura gripped the box, raising it off Davitt’s back. Pinkie observed his face closely, taking in the strain of concentration. His powers were clearly waning with old age. Pinkie gasped as in the air the box began altering itself, the different sections moving about, switching place with one another. Finally the box was lowered to the ground where it opened up to form a stall structure filled with the most random assortment of bits and bobs Pinkie had ever seen.

Her eyes swept over gems and runes, scrolls and books.

“As I said, I collect all manner of items and sell them to whoever’s buying,” he explained. “I’ve got toxins, tonics, herbs, fungi, seeds...”

But Pinkie stopped listening as her eyes came to rest on something. A glass ball covered in a thick layer of dust. She was unsure why it caught her attention but as she looked at it, the orb began pulsating with a dark light.

Following her gaze Davitt remarked, “Seen something you like?”

Pinkie broke her gaze and met Davitt’s eyes (or where his eyes would have been had they not been obscured). Was it just her imagination, or had something flitted across his face? A shadow? But it was gone as quickly as it was there.

“What is that... orb thingy?” she asked locking sights with it again.

“I haven’t the faintest notion,” he replied. “It was bartered to me for an amulet.”

“How much?” she asked unable to look away.

“Going by the value of the amulet... one hundred bits.”

Pinkie’s mouth dropped open, she turned ready to haggle, but instead she said, “Give me one minute.”

She rushed home and back again as fast as her legs would carry her (which was pretty fast). She arrived back carrying a bag with her savings clenched between her teeth. Just enough. The exchange was made, Davitt presenting the orb in a box with string attached so Pinkie could carry it. He then reassembled his stock, replacing it on his back.

They continued talking until they arrived at the edge of Ponyville where Pinkie turned and said, “Hey I was going the right way after all. Thanks again for the...” she said nodding at the box currently resting at her hooves. This time she was sure she didn’t imagine it, a shadow crossed over Davitt’s face and his smile could only be described as... creepy.

“Any time,” he said, once again looking as he always had been. “Thank you Pinkie Pie. I hope we see each other again someday.”

Pinkie chose to forget what she saw... or what she thought she saw. She sat in her house polishing the orb, without the dust she could see clearly it was almost pitched black, but with a slightly blue tint. She didn’t regret for a second the ridiculous price she spent on it... well maybe a little. What was she thinking! She’d just spent her entire savings on something she had absolutely no use for!

“What do you think I should do with it Gummy?” she turned only to realise she was talking to thin air. Come to think of it she hadn’t seen Gummy since she got home.

It didn’t take her long to locate him. Glancing under the bed she could see him curled up in the corner... trembling. As she reached out a hoof inviting him to come out he flinched and... Hissed at her? Like he was terrified of her? She would have to get Fluttershy to take a look at him when she got back.

“Fluttershy!” Pinkie screamed jumping into the air. She’d completely forgot about Fluttershy’s present, and there was only twenty minutes before she was due back and the party was to start. Panicking she ran in circles around her bedroom, she needed a gift and she needed it now. Then she put two and two together...

Two

Fluttershy wasn’t surprised in the slightest. Oh she feigned it so as not to hurt Pinkie Pie’s feelings. But she knew when Rainbow Dash asked her to leave for the week immediately followed by Pinkie offering to house sit, what they were planning. She didn’t argue or try to stop them because frankly... she was touched. She didn’t want to make a big deal over her birthday, but the fact that her friends did meant the world to her. So she had agreed to leave, but made sure to ask Applejack to take care of the animals while she was gone, as she knew rightly Pinkie wouldn’t know where to start even if she wasn’t making party preparations. So when she arrived, walked through the door with Rainbow to find all her friends gathered... her shock was an act, but her happiness wasn’t.

About an hour into the party she found herself standing next to the punch bowl regaling Rarity with stories of Cloudsdale while she heard all about the new fabrics Rarity had just received.

“And once it’s ready you’ll look stunning.” Rarity finished.

“Oh that’s so nice of you, but really you didn’t have to go to so much trouble.” She responded softly.

“Nonsense. I make dresses in my sleep.” She assured her.

“Speaking of presents,” Pinkie said announcing herself.

“Oh not you too. After all the trouble you put into making this party, you don’t owe me anything.” Fluttershy pleaded with her.

“I think you’ll change your mind when you...” she produced a brightly coloured parcel out of nowhere and nudged it across the floor to Fluttershy ”Open it!” said Pinkie Pie with a big smile on her face.

Taking her time Fluttershy peeled back the wrapping paper, and with a hoof slid the lid of the box back to reveal...

“Ohhh!” Fluttershy and Rarity said in unison. Reaching in Fluttershy brought up the blue black orb transfixed by it.

“It’s beautiful.” She said

“It really is, where ever did you get it?” added Rarity.

Pinkie just tapped her nose and dashed off to the dance floor to join Cheerilee. The two ponies returned to staring at the object cradled in Fluttershy’s hoof.

“What do you think it is?” she asked Rarity, “some kind of jewel?”

“No jewel I’ve ever seen, it looks magical.” They remained there for some time lost in the dark depths, broken only out of their little world by Sweetie Belle bawling her eyes out.

“Rarity, Scootaloo pushed me!” she whined.

“I’d better take care of this,” she said disgruntled tearing her eyes from the orb and walking towards the brawling fillies. Fluttershy replaced the orb in its box and carried it upstairs, hiding it under the bed for good measure.

The party carried on late into the night, with ponies breaking off here and there to go home. Eventually Fluttershy was exhausted and keeled over on the dance floor.

“Alright I think we’ve carried on long enough, we should let Fluttershy get some sleep.” Applejack said addressing the half dozen ponies still in the room.

“But I’m not tired!” Applebloom moaned.

“That’s not the point, the guest of honour is.” Applejack whispered with a stern expression. Applejack began picking up streamers and popped balloons from the floor.

“Oh don’t trouble yourself.” Fluttershy said raising herself unsteadily from the floor. “I can clean up tomorrow.”

“Actually nobody has to trouble themselves.” Twilight chipped in, “after Pinkie’s last party I’ve been practicing a new spell just for such an occasion.”

With a blast of purple light from her horn, the room was bathed in an ethereal glow. All the rubbish began clearing itself up, the furniture rearranging itself, and a cloth flying over all the surfaces.

With the house clean in little over two minutes, the remaining guests said their goodbyes and went their separate ways. Fluttershy ascended the stairs to her bedroom, her wings feeling ever so heavy. All she wanted was to get in bed and sleep. But first... she pulled the box out from underneath the bed and opened it up. There it was, safe and sound. Picking it up, she arranged it on the mantel over her fireplace. There it sat, pulsating peacefully. After a minute of staring (though it could have been an hour and she wouldn’t have noticed) she resigned herself to sleep and buried herself underneath the covers.

Morning seemed to shift in seamlessly, and Fluttershy awoke feeling refreshed and reenergised. Looking one last time at the orb she glided down the stairs. She was now very glad Twilight used her magic as cleaning might have ruined her good mood. Something caught her eye though. She walked slowly over to the full length mirror, cocking her head to one side. The mirror was cracked. A single diagonal crack. It must have happened during the party she figured. But then she remembered how Twilight’s spell repaired a broken chair, it must have happened at some point after that.

She shrugged it off. It had been a whole week since she’d seen all her animal friends, and she was looking forward to catching up with them. But as she stepped outside she immediately noticed something wasn’t quite right. There was little (if any) noise or activity outside. The birds weren’t singing, the chickens weren’t clucking, and no animal came rushing to greet her as she opened the door. They were all there, they just seemed... off. Like they were bored or depressed. This thought shook Fluttershy and she went about with haste trying to rouse some interest in all the animals, but to no avail. After an hour of feeding and cleaning and pampering, she sat on a log staring into space. Her entire life had been devoted to caring for animals, and now she couldn’t do anything to help a single one.

The tears came quickly to her eyes, and before she could stop herself she was curled up on the ground crying like a newborn foal. She wasn’t a stranger to having emotional breakdowns. Angel was so used to it; he would always be on hand with a tissue.

“Angel?” she said looking all around. She hadn’t seen Angel all morning. Thinking back she definitely saw him at the party, she remembered trying to stop him gorging on birthday cake out of fear he’d get sick. But so far she hadn’t seen him all morning. She needed Angel more than ever right now, and so she set about looking for him.

Three

Twilight Sparkle stood on a crag, watching the waves crash all around her. Every night she came back here, so she knew she was dreaming. She looked at the sky, and saw the familiar imposing black clouds, heard the rumble of distant thunder. Then she felt it, that presence, right behind her. She turned and looked straight into the eyes of Applejack. She knew exactly what was going to happen, and she tried desperately to wake herself. She didn’t want to see it again.

“I’m so sorry Twilight...” she said, her voice echoing through the whole world.

Wake up. Wake up. She tried desperately to pull herself out of the dream.

“... I never wanted this to happen...”

Wake up. Wake up. Applejack raised her hoof, removed her hat and bowed her head.

“No!” Twilight screamed, sitting up in her bed.

“Spike, why did you let me sleep in so long?” Twilight asked in an annoyed tone, walking down the stairs.

“I figured you needed your sleep, especially since you stayed up so late last night.” He responded apologetically.

“I don’t have time to sleep, I need to study.”

“Are you alright Twilight?” Spike enquired, sounding concerned, “you’ve been more withdrawn than usual lately.”

“I’m fine.” She said not meeting his eye. Her stomach rumbled and Spike raced over carrying left over pie on a plate.

After eating Twilight sat down to read, pretending she didn’t notice Spike eyeing her with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

“Um Twilight?” she looked up from her page to see Spike belch out a stream of green fire. The scroll spun out of the inferno striking her in the face.

“Sorry, I wasn’t aiming.” He said clutching his stomach. Twilight raised her horn breaking the seal on the scroll and unravelling it. It had been a while since she’d received a letter from Princess Celestia, and when she got this one her heart missed a beat.

“Dear Twilight, it is of the utmost importance that you come to Canterlot immediately. There is a crisis unfolding and I need your counsel. Enclosed is a specially enchanted onyx, upon breaking it you will be granted a temporary power surge which will allow you to teleport yourself straight to Canterlot. Please come as soon as you receive this message, before it’s too late.”

While Twilight examined the small black stone that dropped out of the scroll, Spike read over the letter. She could see his eyes going back and forth, clearly rereading it.

“What do you make of it?” she asked when she was sure he was done. But he didn’t respond, he seemed to be lost in thought. “Well I’d better go.”

“Wait, Twilight don’t you think this is a bit strange?” he said in a curious tone of voice.

“Strange? How?”

“I can’t put my claw on it.” He said frowning, “but don’t rush off, take a minute to help me figure this out.”

“Spike I can’t ignore a summons from the princess.” She could see he was about to argue, so before he could she raised her hoof and brought it down, shattering the onyx.

Twilight had never felt anything quite like it; her whole body was surging with power, shining with a brilliant magenta light. It felt like she was going to burst, so she raised her horn and focused all her thoughts on the royal palace at Canterlot. And with a final blinding flash, she was gone.

Opening her eyes she was greeted by at least a dozen (un-amused) royal guards. Of course anyone who teleports right into the palace was hardly a welcome sight. But as soon as they realised who it was they relaxed greeting her like old friends. Twilight swayed a little on her feet, she wasn’t used to so much power and it left her feeling week. But she had no time to spare, gathering herself she excused herself from the greeting guards and galloped towards the throne room.

Sparing no thought for common courtesy she burst through the great doors, not stopping till she was at the foot of the throne.

“Princess Celestia, I came as quickly as I could.” But looking up Twilight was surprised to see the throne empty. Looking around she saw the whole room was empty. She was so caught up she hadn’t even noticed.

“My lady,” one of the guards called after her, marching into the room. “We tried to tell you, the princess is on a royal visit to the crystal empire.”

“But I just received a summons.” Twilight said confused.

“Impossible, the princess has been away for over a week.”

“Isn’t there someone else? Princess Luna perhaps?”

“I’m afraid both princesses are gone,” he said apologetically. Then he added on a helpful note, “They are due back tomorrow afternoon. If you would like to wait, we can have a room prepared for you.”

Twilight hesitated. This didn’t make any sense. “That would be appreciated.” She finally said. The guard saluted and marched out. Twilight began to get an eerie feeling, and she began wishing she’d listened to Spike and not rushed off. She began to make for the door again, when her whole head started swimming. Falling to the floor she clutched her head, she could feel herself drifting out of consciousness. The last thing she saw before her eyes closed were two pegasi rushing to her aid.

Four

Rarity licked the blood from her flank. It was only a pin prick, but still she’d been distracted all day. Shaking her head she tried to rid herself of that image, the black orb clutched in Fluttershy’s grip. Throughout the whole party she kept glancing under tables trying to find where she hid it. She hadn’t slept all night, every time she closed her eyes the image of the orb was burned in her vision. And all day no amount of stitching and weaving could keep her mind occupied.

Looking down at the sheet of fabric from her leg, she could see she was shaking. Shaking out of anger. She thought back to how Fluttershy gloated over her new toy, dangling it over Rarity’s head. And Pinkie Pie, she could see clearly who she valued more as a friend. The time and effort she put into Fluttershy’s party made hers look tame, and the garnet she gave her as a present was now worthless compared to the prize she gave Fluttershy.

It wasn’t fair. Fluttershy had no appreciation of such antiquities, it should have been hers. Finally unable to take any more, she threw the materials to the floor and charged upstairs. Taking the garnet Pinkie gave her, she threw it into a bag. Then began piling whatever jewellery she could get hold of in with it. It was simple she’d wait till Fluttershy was asleep, then replace the orb for the jewels. Nobody could say that wasn’t a fair trade, if anything Fluttershy would come out richer because of it. That was right, she was doing this because she was such a good friend, so good in fact, Fluttershy and Pinkie were lucky to have her, and should have just given her the orb as a reward for being so good.

Satisfied with her load, she swung the bag over her back and made for the door. Suddenly Opalescence leapt form the bed and began pawing at her flank, mewing loudly.

“Not now Opal, mummy’s busy.” Shaking the cat off she continued. But Opal ran ahead of her blocking her way. “Opal seriously, what is the matter with you.” But as she looked down she saw something in Opal’s eyes she’d never seen before, it was as if she was pleading with her, begging her not to do this.

“What am I doing?” Rarity exclaimed, what had come over her. She threw down the bag and backed slowly away. She had been about to steal from one of her best friends, she was supposed to symbolise generosity. She collapsed in the corner horrified with herself. But even so, there was a lingering desire to carry out her act regardless. It was only now she’d really stopped to think, “what is that orb?”

Five

Fluttershy awoke. That was the first thing that surprised her, she couldn’t remember going to bed, yet here she was. It was pitch black all around, the middle of the night it seemed. Thinking back she remembered searching for Angel, as far as she knew, she hadn’t been successful. Standing in the middle of her bedroom (when did she get out of bed?) she began to hear something like a low murmuring. She pricked her ears up trying to figure out where it was coming from, but it seemed to be all around her. She couldn’t make out what was being said, as she was sure it was voices, like walking into a room where crowds of people were whispering to each other.

The sound persisted as she descended the stairs. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness she could see no obvious disturbances in the downstairs room. But at a second look the mirror caught her attention. Tip toeing across the floor she peered into it. At first nothing seemed out of the ordinary, she could see her reflection and there was the crack she’d seen earlier. But something was seeping out of the crack. Bringing her head forward she stared into the crack where she saw some kind of black go, which looked almost like treacle. Leaning back again she surveyed the mirror. It looked like it was cut and bleeding. Then she saw the white rabbit reflected standing behind her.

Turning she saw Angel standing stock still at the other side of the room.

“Oh Angel I’ve been so worried about you.” She hurried over but immediately Angel freaked and ran trying to open the door, trying to escape.

“What’s wrong? It’s me Angel.” Reaching forward with a hoof she tried to calm him. Then suddenly his head snapped around and he sank his teeth into her.

She screamed and pulled back. Looking down to see torn flesh and blood dripping from the wound. She barely noticed the whispering had grown louder, staring at the wound an unfamiliar anger began rising in her. Angel ran around her making for the stairs. Fluttershy turned and with all haste flew at him, pinning him beneath her hoof. Angel was on his back staring up terrified, unable to breath. Anger flowed through Fluttershy and she slowly pressed down upon Angel’s tiny body. The whispering was now thundering throughout the house, still indistinguishable but it echoed through every nook and cranny, reverberating in Fluttershy’s skull.

Angel was struggling beneath her hoof, panting and scrabbling with his paws trying to free himself. Fluttershy just stared... and smiled. The room began moving, the floor boards expanding and contracting, the stairs extending, the furniture twisting itself into hideous mockeries of what they used to be. And all over, the mysterious black goo began leaking out of the cracks and gaps, soaking the room in darkness.

Finally Fluttershy’s hoof came pummelling down. She felt Angel’s ribcage shatter, saw the blood burst from his chest and gaping mouth. The whispering faded, and the house reverted to its usual state, like nothing had ever happened. It seemed the only thing that had changed was the mirror, there wasn’t just one crack... it was shattered, a spider web of lines criss-crossing over the entire pane.

Fluttershy sighed and looked down at the ragged remains of her faithful pet. Strange, she felt no sadness for the creature she’d care for all its life, just disappointment that it ended so quickly. And then she remembered... she owned lots more animals!