At Twilight's castle
The heroes were all gathered at the library. Those who were present are Spike, the Harmony Bearers, the Knights, Sunset, Starlight, and Celaeno. They're currently discussing about the strange epidemic that's been going on in Ponyville.
"...Currently there are 32 ponies infected with this disease," said Twilight.
"This is so weird. Just were did this disease come from?" Starlight asked.
"Think it could be the work of dark magic?" Applejack asked.
"That's the weird part. We've been magic scanning several of the patients and there was no hint of dark magic, at all!" Sunset explained.
"If it isn't dark magic doing this, then what?" Celaeno asked.
"We're...still trying to figure that out." Twilight answered.
"Either way, I bet it's the Shadowbolts up to their old tricks again," Rainbow angrily said.
Everyone all looked at her, skeptical, "Um, Rainbow Dash?" Applejack spoke. "Ya do remember the Shadowbolts are on our side now, right?"
"Oh, yeah," Rainbow chuckled sheepishly, quickly retracting every accusations she's made.
"Regardless, we've gotta find out what the hay is going on here," Sunset said.
Twilight puts her hoof to her chin, "Maybe we're looking at this the wrong way." Twilight said.
"What do you mean Twilight?" Fluttershy asked.
"I don't know, but something just doesn't add up here," Twilight replied. "I have a hunch, but I need to know for sure. I'm going to need some time in my lab. In the meantime, Sunset why don't you try reading some of the patients' minds and see if you could get anything out of them," The lavender alicorn suggested.
"Can do." The fiery unicorn replied.
"I just hope we'll get to the bottom of this soon," Spike sighed.
Meanwhile
Applebloom was over at Grand Pear's stand, talking with the old stallion.
"So is it true that Grand Papi Big Jon Pear took on a Berserker?" She asked excitedly.
"Well...there is some truth to that." Grand Pear replied.
"I heard he fought one head on, using nothing but twigs." the young mare exclaimed.
The old stallion sighs, "Them folk tales aren't always accurate," He shook his head. "Here's what really happened. He lured the thing off a cliff."
"So he didn't really fought it head on?" Applebloom asked, a little disappointed.
"Why would he?" Grand Pear asked, rhetorically. "At least one those bloodthirsty things is way more dangerous than a pack of timber wolves. Unless you're either a dragon or an alicorn, you see a berserker, you head for the hills, understand?" GP told her.
"I suppose," The mare sighed.
Grand Pear then notices a stranger walking toward his stand, "Good day sir," GP called out to him, bringing out a pear, "Would you like to try one of our juicey pe-" The old stallion didn't even finish as the stranger smacks the pear right out of his hoof.
"HEY!!!" Applebloom angrily calls out, "What did you do THAT for?!?"
"I hate pears," The stranger coldly told her as he walks off.
The look on Applebloom's face distorted to that of anger, as she clearly wanted to give this guy a piece of her mind, "Why I outta-"
"It's alright Applebloom," Grand Pear said, stopping the mare. "If he doesn't like pears, then he does't like pears," Grand Pear said, hoping to calm his granddaughter down.
"Yeah, but he didn't have to be a jerk about it." She said, still a little miffed.
Just then, Grand Pear notices something at the distance, and he could've sworn that it was Pear Butter, looking at him with disdain.
"Grand Pear-Pear?" Applebloom asked in concern. "Is there something wrong?"
"Huh wha-" GP exclaimed, snapping out of it.
"You look like you've just seen a ghost." She said.
"Oh don't worry, it-it's just these old eyes of mine, they ain't as good as they used to be." He assured her.
Later That Night
Celaeno was in her guest room at Twilight's castle, reading the Dark Tower by Stephen King. After reading a chapter, or two, she gets up from her chair, to get something to drink, from the kitchen. During her trek down the halls, however, she hears something behind her. She turns around to see what it was, but finds nothing. When she turns back, however, her eyes widened with her pupils dilating to a dot. Dangling before her, hanged by rope across the castle halls, is her whole crew of parrot pirates.
One of the parrots raises his head and asked, "Captain why didn't you save us?"
Celaeno was too overwhelmed with fear, to properly find her voice. All she could say was, "I-I-I..."
"We trusted you," Another parrot squawked.
"We believed in you!" An anthro macaw screeched.
They all keep repeating the same question: "Why, why, WWWWWWHYYYYY?"
Celaeno closed her eyes and covered her ears. After a minute, or so, the voices finally stopped.
Celaeno opens her eyes and didn't see her crew anywhere. She sighs and decides to just head back to her room. Just then, she hears a door open, before her. Darting behind one of the castle's column, with one of her claws on her sword's hilt at the ready, she waited in anticipation.
However, she eases her grip on the blade's handle, when she sees it was only Pipsqueak. The small boy closes the door behind him, before he proceeds toward the lounging area. From what Celaeno could tell, he seems to be crying. So she decides to follow the boy and see whats wrong.
Upon reaching the lounge, she sees the boy, sitting on a couch, in front of the fireplace, cheeks stained with tears, and sniffling.
"Pip?" Celaeno spoke quietly.
Pip jumped up in surprise, as he looks up, "Oh, hey captain," he greeted sadly.
"You alright there lad?" Celaeno asked with concern, sitting next to him.
"I'm fine," He replied, wiping a tear. "It's just a really bad dream, I had."
"About?" She asked trying to understand. âWhatâs it about? Câmon, Pip. Ya can tell me.â
He sighs, "My parents." Celaeno raises an eyebrow. "I guess I should explain," Pip began. "You heard that my parents moved to the U.K. and left me at my cousin's right?" Celaeno nods, "Well that was half the story. On their way to Britain, the jet they were on crashed into the ocean. And while there were survivors, my mum and dad...weren't one of them." He finished that last part with a tear.
Celaeno was shocked, that this boy lost his parents, "Do...you have these nightmares often?" She asked, hoping she isn't being insensitive.
"Once in a great while," He replied with a shrug. The next thing he knew, Celaeno wraps an arm around him, and pulls him closer.
"I'm sorry," She said in a somber, yet somewhat maternal tone. "I didn't know."
Pip was taken aback by this strange development. Especially from someone he's grown to admire, and idolize. And above all, a pirate captain, "C-captain-"
"Please Pip, just call me Celaeno," She assured him.
"O-ok." He complied.
"So," Celaeno spoke, wanting to get back on topic. "Tell me, Pip. Does anyone else, know about this?"
Pip looked down for a moment, before he sadly replied, "There's cousin Featherweight, and my uncle, and auntie," Pip closed his eyes, as he continues, "But it's not something I like to talk about."
"Well little Pip," Celaeno replied. "Ya can always talk to me, if ya like."
Pip looked up at Celaeno, stars trucked, "Do you mean it?" He asked hopefully, to which Celaeno responded with a tip of her hat. Seeing the sincerity in the parrot's eyes, Pip was surprised, "Gosh, thanks," Pip spoke, still sniffling a tear. "That's awfully kind of you, Captain-um, I mean, Celaeno."
Celaeno playfully ruffled Pip's hair, "Pip, I may be a pirate," Celaeno smiled. "But I know love."
"You do?" Pip asked.
"Of course. How do ya think I'm captain of my hearty crew?"
Pip was silent for a moment, before he spoke, "Gosh. I always thought pirate captains have to be scary and intimidating in front of their crews. Otherwise, there'd be a mutiny."
Celaeno chuckled, "Well, not this captain," she spoke. "Unlike these other pirate captains you spoke of, I've looked out for my crew, and they've looked out for me. Aye, I'd trade away all the gold doubloons, and my jade peg leg, just to secure their lives." Celaeno looked solemn, as she finds herself missing her pirate crew even more. "I miss them, just as much as ye miss your mama and papa."
Pip looks up to her in sympathy, "It must have been hard losing your crew."
The anthro parrot sighs, "I'll admit. There hasn't been a day gone by that I worry for them," the kind parrot took of her hat for a moment, as she continues, "They're tough birds, don't get me wrong. But still..." She stares at the dimming fireplace, before she continues, "As we'd say, birds of a feather, stick together. They're my flock, my family. The only family I have left," Celaeno muttered at the last part. "Without them, I'm just flying solo."
Pip placed a comforting hand on Celaeno's claw, "If it makes you feel better, I'd consider you a part of our family."
Celaeno looked down at the little boy, feeling touched by his attachment, "Yes, I know," She replied, with a small hearty smile.
After a few minutes of silence and just enjoying each other's company, Celaeno spoke up, "I'm off to bed," She got up. "Care to join me?"
Pip's eyes widen, "Really?" He asked, to which she nods. Without a second thought, Pipsqueak accepted the parrot's offer, as he followed her, close behind.
Once they reach Celaeno's room, Pip notices a book on the night stand. He picks it up, "The Dark Tower," He read the title. "You read?" He asked the anthro parrot.
"Every now and then," Celaeno shrugs, "Though I prefer books from Earth, as the authors there aren't scared to pull punches, especially that Stephen King fella."
"You should try books written by Jeremy Robinson!" Pip recommended.
She smiles, "I'll keep that in mind," She replied, while hanging her hat on a nearby rack, before she took her earring off, and her jade peg leg, before getting into bed, with Pipsqueak.
As they got into bed, Celaeno spoke up, "Hey Pip?"
"Yeah?"
"About you joining me crew, I'll...think about it."
Pip couldnât help but smiles, "Thank you." While holding Celaenoâs arm close, Pipsqueak snuggles up close, feeling himself lost in the warm, and soft texture of Celaenoâs body, beneath her feathers.
In truth, it reminded him of the comfort he once had, from his mother before she left.
Celaeno, too, found herself lost in the feel of sleeping with a youth, close to her. It made her feel, good inside. She felt a strange feeling of happiness that no other words can describe it, clearly.
Lost in each otherâs embrace, the two drifted off to sleep, feeling safe and sound in each otherâs company.
Elsewhere...
Grand Pear was at home enjoying the fireplace, when he suddenly hears a noise outside. Against his better judgement, the old stallion decides to check outside. What he sees on the front porch shocks him.
Standing before him was Pear Butter, the daughter he disowned and regretted it ever since.
"P-Pear Butter? Is...is that you?" He asked, shakily.
âWho wants to know?â Pear Butter asked.
âPear Butter....Itâs me. Your father.â
"Oh now youâre my father!" She spat. "If I recall, you threw me aside like yesterday's paper, all because I married an Apple." Grand pear winced.
"Pear Butter, please I was an old fool,â He tried to assure her. âI let my damn pride get the best of me."
"Save it you old fart. The damage is already done." Every word she said was like a nail in the chest for him. But she continued,"If you hadn't threw me out like garbage, then maybe, just maybe, I might still be alive."
"I didn't mean-I-" At this point Grand Pear was at a loss for words.
"You stupid, selfish old stallion! Sooner or later, you're gonna fall down! WE ALL FALL DOWN!!!!" As she screamed that last part, she crumbles into dust.
Just then Grand Pear notices a figure in the distance. The figure was holding a scythe and smiled wickedly. It then made a mad dash towards the old stallion. Grand Pear quickly slams the door. He then opens it again, hunting rifle in hoof, and sees nothing. He sighs and decides to just go to bed.
The Next Morning
The heroes have gathered at the hall of friendship, to get a sit rep of the situation.
"I've been scanning the victimsâ minds and while it wasn't easy, I did manage to get something,â Sunset explained. âThey all came across a human in black.â
"A human in black? Mind being a little more specific Sunset?" Rumble asked
"I'll try to draw a picture of the guy." And Sunset did just that, as best as she could at least.
Everyone analyzed the picture until Celaeno spoke up, "So are we sure this scallywag isn't an evil magic user?"
"I'm positive." Twilight spoke up.
"How can you be sure Twi?" Spike asked.
She then pulls out a device, "What you all see here, is what I call a meta tracker. It tracks the movements of any nearby metahumans. I've been working on it ever since Bloodshot broke into my castle and as you can see the readings are off the charts right now." She explained as the device is flashing like crazy.
"Wait a minute! Twi are you saying..." Spike trailed off.
"Yes. Our culprit, the one who's behind all this, is a metahuman." She said.