I walk down the path, keeping my jacket tucked close, pulling my hat down, trying not to be noticed. Why, why did I ever get addicted to this in the first place? It was easier to manage when I was younger, but it just gets harder to keep secret the older I get. It’s the thing that keeps me up in the middle of the night. It’s what prevents me from focusing, prevents me from making rational decisions when it comes to it.
That thing, is comic books. Scary things, really. They suck you in and bring you on adventure of great proportions. Well, not literally. But when you’ve been addicted to them as long as I have... Well... You’ve just gotta have every issue you can find. They should have them in stock today. The November Power Ponies Issue. The Power Ponies are my absolute favorite comic book series. But no one can know! I absolutely must not let anyone find out, which is why I’m currently dressed up as a colt. Wearing this baseball cap over my eyes, wearing boots to disguise my hooves, no way will I let anyone find out...
So it’s just my luck I bump into the last pony I want to see that day.
“Hey, watch where you're going! I nearly dropped my... Hey... Do I know you?”
Of course I would bump into her, gotta make an excuse.
“No! Erm... I don’t know any orange ponies with purple manes. You must be thinking of someone else. See ya! Bye!” I run from the suspicious Scootaloo, hoping she didn’t get a look at my face. If she found out about my obsession she would surely blab it to everyone at school, or even the whole town. My reputation would be ruined! Utterly ruined!
Still, it’s strange really... It’s because of her that I got into comics in the first place. It was about a year ago from now. I had seen Scootaloo reading something out of the corner of my eye. Considering she wasn’t the reading type of pony, I had to see what caught her interest. When I found out it was a comic book, I of course made fun of her for still having to read picture books. That was when she dared me that dare, to go to the local comic book shop to see if I could find anything that sparked my interest, and to take one home and read it. When I found that issue of Power Ponies, I was surprised to find myself interested and... I loved it.
I was surprised too! But it was really enjoyable. Unfortunately comic books were number one on the list of things that would get you made fun of at school if you’re a filly. So I kept it secret, and... In order to do that, I had to make it seem like I hated comic books to the core now. I’ve been able to hide it from nearly everyone, everyone except for Dazzle. Dazzle had to find out. Mainly because he’s always nearby at home. I made him keep it a secret, and now he even helps hiding it when someone gets close to discovering it.
And here, at this comic shop I am now standing in front of, is the issue of the Power Ponies of which I seek. The beginning of “The Crisis on Two Equestrias.” There’s been a lot of buildup to this, and I have the highest of hopes for it. There is supposedly supposed to be an appearance from a super powered alternate evil Humdrum in this one. Maybe Humdrum will get to save the day for once? He rarely ever does though, so I doubt it. Maybe Radiance will show off her fantabulous powers once again. Oh! Maybe the leader of the resistance in the other Equestria will reveal their true identity! What if... Oh! There’s the comic right there, on that rack in the front! I immediately run into the store and grab it as fast as I can. This is it! Nothing can ruin thi-
“OW!”
I fly back from the impact of knocking into the pony behind me. I barely manage to keep my hat on. If I wasn’t in such a hurry to make the purchase and get out of here, I’d probably give this guy a stern talking to.
“I’m sorry, Mister, I was just getting a Power Ponies issue and... I got a little excited. It’s just the Power Ponies are SO COOL!” Ugh, that squeaky voice could only belong to one pony, Button Mash. I most certainly can’t let him see my face.
“Um, yes, they are cool aren’t they?” I give the best faux macho accent I can manage. “They are so cool I just want to buy this comic and get home to read it right now!”
Button grabs his own comic from the stand and brings it to the counter too. Annoyingly, he keeps talking to me. “Oh yeah, I can completely understand. I just can’t wait to see what happens next! I’ve been a fan of this comic for years now!” I ring the bell on the cashier’s counter. “Ever since I was young I’ve... Hey... I don’t think I’ve seen you here before, are you new in town?” I ring the bell even faster now! Where is that cashier? “Excuse me, Mister? What’s your name?”
Think Diamond Tiara, what was the name you thought of in advance? Think, think, think! “Um...” My eyes glance over at the comics. “Um... Comic... Edian? Comic-Edian! Yeah! Totally that!” Comic-Edian? What were you thinking, Diamond? It’s Comically Comedic! How did you mess that up so bad! I mean you’ve had to use it a lot! Ugh, it’s all Button’s fault! You don’t ask someone you barely know their name all of a sudden!
“Comic-Edian? WOW! That’s so cool! Have you found a special talent yet? Maybe it has to do with comics! Or jokes! Or jokes about comics!” Leave it to Button to be so literal about names, talents and what they represent. But... As long as he’s suggesting…
“Yeah! That’s exactly it!” The cashier finally arrives and accepts my money. “Anyway, let’s see each other never again now. Bye!”
“Hey, wait up! I was wondering if you would like to hang- Hey! I said wait!” At this point I broke into a sprint and rushed back as fast as possible. I look behind me to see if he’s still there, and sure enough he’s on my tail. Why did it have to be Button? Why did it have to be the colt who doesn’t give you a break until you’re his friend? I round a few corners, make a few zig-zags, and duck behind a welcome sign. I wait for a sign of Button to appear. I get none, however, and prepare to get ready to go home. I take the jacket and hat off and put it in my saddlebag, along with the comic and untie my hair.
No one is nearby when I inconspicuously walk out from behind the sign. That was a close one, I’m going to have to be wary of Button whenever I go there now, maybe find a new disguise.
The sun is starting to set when I see my home in the distance, I apparently ran a lot farther than I thought I did. It was hard to find my way home at first, but I did it. I did it all without running into-
“Hi Diamond Tiara!” Button Mash’s voice startles me so bad I start hyperventilating for a bit. When that’s over, I give Button a stern glare.
“Listen, as much as I would love to talk with you right now, I am in a particularly bad mood right now and wish to go home and take a rest.” I begin to trot to the house, when I feel the weight of my saddlebags taken off my back. “HEY!”
“Let me carry these for you, Mom always says to offer to carry a ladies things for them, it’s what a Gentlecolt would do.”
“No, give those back right now! They have important things in them!”
“Oooooh, like what? Maybe it’s like why Mom says to stay out of her closet...”
“Seriously! Let go! NOW!”
“Well now that you’re so defensive, let’s see what’s in her-”
“NO!” I tackle Button to the ground and try to rip the saddlebags from his hooves. I’ve gotta… get inside… with these... I suddenly hear the sound of cloth ripping, and the contents of the saddlebag falls out onto the ground. The jacket, the cap, the boots, and of course, the November Power Ponies Issue.
Button just stares at the comic, then to me, then to the comic, then to me. As if something clicks in his head, he gives me a very creepy smile and said.
“You like comic books, don’t you, Comic-Edian?”
“My life is over. My life is officially over.”
“Ah, don’t worry DT, it’s not so bad. After all, I won’t tell... On one condition.”
Ugh... It’s probably going to be something ridiculous, like play video games with me forever, or jump off the Manehattan tower on a bungee cord with him, or-
“My funds for comics... have rapidly dwindled as of late. So... I was wondering... If maybe you might be willing to bribe me by buying all the future comics I need.”
Oh, something money related. For most this would be a problem, but for me...
“Sure thing, how much do you need for this month?”
“50 Bits.”
“Here, take it. But don’t tell anybody, got it?”
“Your wish is my command.” Finishing with a bow, he goes off with his prize. This is why I don’t give the other foals money, it goes to their heads. At least I know what the value of it is.
I giggle like a lovesick schoolgirl at the latest adventures of the Power Ponies, this issue was filled with so much cool stuff that I just can’t help be so happy! Even if I was found out by Button Mash, it seems he will not be telling anyone anytime soon. At least, I hope he doesn’t.
“Will Humdrum be able to stand against his evil parallel self? Will Radiance spring herself free from the trap? Will the resistance leader reveal their true identity to save them? Find out next time on the second part of ‘Crisis on Two Equestrias!’”
As I finish reading the final page of the comic with Dazzle nearby, I notice that he has fallen asleep on the bed. He always did get tired near the end of these stories. Giving him a gentle pet, I reach over to the bedside lamp and put out the light.
“Goodnight, Dazzle.”
DAY 15 END