Prologue
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Sleeping was the most fun I could have in my cell.
Even if I had always loved being up and about in Ponyville, doing my job or just enjoying the great outdoors, I loved sleeping.
After spending what felt forever staring up at the ceiling in my bed, pointless I know, but eventually I fell to sleep. I believe it was still light out when I actually did close my eyes at some point, giving up on the hope that there was still something to do while I was awake.
But hey, dreaming was enjoyable at least, and not boring like it is around here most of the time.
What only felt five minutes then turned to a few hours. When I rose from bed again, Luna's moon was glowing high above all of Equestria, neatly illuminating the night sky.
A guard woke me up, which I didn’t object to. My dream was more of the same that I’d had for the past week, thinking of family, friends, freedom, and the normal mix. But at this point it was all I’d given up hope of getting. Any bit of my innocence had been destroyed in recent events.
Not to mention my time in prison, oh Celestia almighty, what a nightmare it has been. Pure, unrelenting hell is what I could relate my time in this madhouse. I already thought I was treated poorly in the outside world. I could’ve never imagined what it would be like amongst criminals.
Anyhow, I proceeded to get out of bed, leaving the sheets and pillow in a mess as I rolled out. I stood, my back turned to him as I stretched, trying to get comfortable after being woken up in the middle damn night.
Turning around to face the guard, who was getting impatient, shifting around in his golden armor and studs, hitting the cell bars with his nightstick and tapping one hoof on the ground repeatedly, was also smiling.
While straightening my orange jumpsuit, I sent a few suspicious glances at the guard.
I think stretching may have looked a bit seductive from his perspective, which I hadn’t intended of course. Upon this realization, I shot him back a disgusted look in response, which must have sent him the message that I knew he was a giant pervert.
His face suddenly changed to a look of complete regret, embarrassment, and a vibrant shade of crimson.
I felt myself chuckling on the inside, but decided to remain serious. I looked at him, trying to get down to business, which he then tried to adjust himself to do the same.
“Y-you.. Um, have a visitor.” he slurred, embarrassment still tainting his voice. He placed a key into the lock on my cell and slid it open.
I calmly walked out, ready to be escorted to the visitor quarters. A lot of others were still awake considering the time. A few were calmly staring through their bars or out windows, waiting for Celestia’s sun, or even humming a tune. Most ponies would imagine a prison to be hellish all the time, but that’s actually false. It can be calm- even relaxing sometimes.
The guard and I walked at each others side towards an open door with another guard standing idle by its side, but still watching us as we approached him.
The guard escorting me went to the other side of the door, joining the other guard and motioned his hooves in a way that told me to proceed inside the visitor’s quarters. I followed his direction, and walked in myself.
“You’ll find your visitor at booth thirteen.” The guard who was escorting me called out as I entered the visitors quarters. The embarrassment in his voice was still funny to me, but at least he was able to regain his formality in appearance.
It’s been a few days since I’ve been in here. I only got visitors for the first three days I was here, being able to see the horrified faces of those who I called friends.
It was a traumatizing experience, I'll say that much.
Above all of them, I remember seeing Rainbow Dash as the most odd of encounters. We just sat there, looking at the base of the glass window that separated us, holding the phones that allowed us to communicate to our mouths, but we never uttered a single word. I knew she was remembering the times we spent together. She’s been a friend of mine since I was at flight school in Cloudsdale. Then after a separation for a while, we reunited in Ponyville. Even though I sometimes caused trouble, we were still great friends.
We sat there for a full hour until Dash burst into tears and got up to leave, but not before saying: “It was nice to see you again.”
I don’t know if she was tired of trying to figure out something to say or just couldn’t believe what happened to me.
I wouldn’t blame her, I was still in disbelief myself.
The visitor’s quarters had the same feel of the cell block. The same grey walls, guards and cameras everywhere, the usual things you would find in a prison.
My mind suddenly shouted at me, bastardizing me for not even beginning to wonder who the hell was visiting me in the middle of the night.
I couldn’t disagree really. So I became worried, which I knew was the wrong reaction, what could a visitor do to me anyway?
I approached booth thirteen slowly, passing by each previous one with my curiosity growing intensely as my mind counted up the numbers…
Five…Six…Seven…
My mind came up with possibilities of who has come to see me. Maybe a good friend from Ponyville or Cloudsdale, come to visit after all of these days gone by…
Eight…Nine…
Or even someone who wanted to be kind and pay their respects for my wrongful imprisonment, or someone who just purely, missed my presence in Equestria…
Ten…Eleven…Twelve…
Or it could-
I stopped, reaching booth thirteen. I faced the one who stood on the opposite side of the distilled glass, sorrowfully pressing a phone to his head.
My mind was at a complete and temporary halt, unable to comply with what I was seeing. I couldn’t respond, nor take action, although the first ones I would end up taking was an action of hostility.
The unicorn stallion that sat on the other side of the booth suddenly looked up, making direct eye contact with me.
He smiled a little, which made me want to strangle him. His whole body expressed sympathy and forgiveness, but for leaving me with a child, our child, I refused to accept any sort of assistance from this stallion.
Of course I still love my daughter, I always have. This stallions arrival here didn't change that.
I sat down, my mouth agape, still being left in awe from him coming to visit me.
Staring at the phone to my right, I decided to leave it there, even though my mind wanted the answers to the many questions spawning in my head. Maybe he even had a good excuse for leaving me to raise my daughter on my own.
As much as I made the assumption that his words would be worse than taking a bullet to the head, my body couldn’t resist. I grabbed the phone with a quick motion of my hooves and pressed it closely to my lips.
My breathing was becoming more intense, tears were also beginning to surface, making this whole ordeal even more stressful.
I tried to find words upon where to start. Since he didn’t seem like he was going to do so. I wanted so many things right now.
Answers, explanations, apologies. Anything.
Instead I went with the first words to enter my mind, which I spoke past my oncoming tears.
“…You bastard.”
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Many days earlier…
The front door swung open, allowing the cool breeze inside my house to counter the hot summer air, creating a mixture of hot and cold as I entered.
My midsection ached from carrying my old leather bag all day. The influx of mail had almost doubled from the previous day, making my job all the more difficult.
I sighed in relief as I let the brown saddle bag slide off my body and crumbled to the floor, letting a few personal items I had kept in there become visible as they scattered across the floor.
I ignored them for the time being, for I was too tired of the same day-in, day-out style of life I had endured for yet another day.
I then proceeded to the living room, sweeping my mailbag towards one of the smooth wall surfaces next to me on the way over there. It was simply a random of act of kindness, just in case somepony had decided to head inside the house or outside to enjoy this beautiful day.
The living room had a more calming air than the rest of the house. I stood for a moment, letting the perfect air fill my lungs, and releasing in another satisfied sigh.
Above the fireplace in the center of the small rectangular shaped room, the fireplace being kind of an eyesore after all of these cold winters, it being filled and outlined with heavy traces of soot and smoke residue.
But above it sat a small white shelf, and on it sat a locket I had kept all these years. Inside, on both sides sat a picture of my mom and dad.
“Hello.” I calmly said, in a regrettable monotone. I felt kind of like an ass, only saying simple ‘hello’, they were my parents after all.
I paused for a moment, glancing at the ground, almost succumbing to the growing sensation of shame, but picked my head up.
Really? That’s it? Come on, they would have wanted better. I heard myself demand in my head.
With my head cocked high, I redirected my attention to my parents.
“I’m… um… sorry...” I added, but still felt like I hadn’t satisfied them.
I changed my appearance once more, now putting a small yet sincere smile across my face.
“It’s nice to see you again.” I finished, keeping my smile strong.
There you go.
I felt content after my final response. My confidence had definitely boosted after that awkward encounter.
I then sat on one of the two white couches I had set up in the living room. I had done some redecorating recently, and I loved how it came out in the end.
The new white layout fit the rest of the house nicely, letting me know that saving up money for months had paid off. I was able to get new tables, the two new couches, and some lamps. The new cosmetics to the house were took a while to sink in, but it grew on me. I had done pretty much all of the work though, to buying the new furniture, to placing it. The kind stallion who had transported it back to my home offered politely to assist, but I declined, even as much as another soul willing to help me made me feel better, I think it was best for my confidence that I work alone.
But amidst the new look of my living room, the locket of my parents was the crowning jewel of the whole area.
For me at least.
I knew they were gone, just like I knew they had been gone for years now. But any visual representation of them kept my mind reassured, and sane.
I sat and rested my aching body on the couch for a while, extending hooves and wings together, in a dysfunctional and unsynchronized cluster of movement.
As the sharp pain of lugging that damned bag everywhere vanished after a few minutes of vigorous stretching, I felt a new emotion surface.
I focused on it, setting my entire body on the couch to do so.
I wasn’t sure what this was, that feeling, it wasn’t positive or negative. I wasn’t sure if it was because it was something I couldn’t identify or because I had never felt something so… Neutral.
I then was hit by something else, again not something physical, but another emotional blow.
Tears began streaming down my face. I was almost in panic, not from shock or depression, but from confusion.
I had cried many times before, but trying to figure out why I was crying, or even trying to think of a rational thought while overwhelmed by sadness was literally impossible for me.
My head shifted quickly towards my parents. I looked at the pictures of them from a distance. I strangely thought they would be a way to vent my emotional breakdown, but they did nothing.
I cried out in a mix of anger and depression. I collapsed further into the couch, letting my tears soak into the plush fabrics and pillows that lay around me. I let a few small whimpers as I buried my face in the closest pillow, not attempting to hold back any tears.
Creak
The sudden noise brought my attention, that had previously been downwards and scattering everywhere trying to put together what just happened to me.
It took a moment, the wetness of my eyes blurred my vision, but I could easily make out something in the ambiance of my home.
A figure stood out, and came closer to me. Whoever it was making the lightest steps possible, their hoofsteps barely being audible as they sat before me.
This pony was literally a few short inches away from my face. My vision still being blurry made it impossible to tell who this was. I didn’t want to wipe my eyes yet. That unknown feeling lingered, and I was clearly aware that it wasn’t a positive emotion.
My eyes widened in surprise, not because I knew who it was, which after seeing two distinctive characteristics about the small pony, made it crystal clear who I was looking at, I was shocked because I didn’t realize who this was in the first place.
A set of perfect glowing golden eyes stared at me, and the slight twinkle from a horn glittered before my eyes.
She raised a hoof up to my face, wiping the tears from my eyes. This left my vision a bit blurry, but I was able to see clearly enough.
Before me sat the only bit of family I had left.
“Mommy, why are you crying?” Dinky asked, her eyes and body in a position that showed the greatest deal of concern.
Small beams of sunlight began to shine in from the window behind the couch I was sitting on, illuminating the entire room in the best way possible. The white walls around us reflected the calm beams of light around the room and onto Dinky and I.
Her coat glittered beautifully in the light, but her eyes stuck out the most. The large black pupils with the lovely golden rims that matched mine ended up meeting my eyes in the most awkward pause I have ever experienced. But it was nice to see my daughter after a long day.
I then remembered that she had asked me a question. Honestly, I still didn’t know why I was crying. Was I crying just to cry? Crying somehow made me feel better at times, but tears nor Dinky’s presence solved anything. I still hadn’t known what that feeling I had was.
But comfort came to my rescue as I raised a hoof and gently rubbed my face, clearing the last remaining tears away. A few sniffs revolved around my sudden movements, making me feel a slight bit of sadness, but at least it was reassuring, letting me know my emotions were normal again.
I returned to Dinky, and glanced at her with a look of sincerity, but feeling one of my eyes unfocused.
“Do you need help? B-because I can help!” Dinky ecstatically said, her enthusiasm was cute in a way, but the gratifying concern in her voice is what comforted me.
While putting on the warmest smile I could muster, I reached out with both of my front hooves, and lifted my daughter, causing her body to light up to a more positive stance. I then pulled her into a tight embrace, as a final tear escaped my eye.
My actions assured Dinky that I was fine now, that there was no more worrying.
Dinky reached out as well, and clung tighter to me, returning the embrace.
“Everything’s fine now that you’re here...” I whispered, again in a sincere attempt to comfort Dinky in the best manner I could pull off. Even though that was the most cliche thing I could say, it was the truth. My daughter always helped me cope with hard times whenever they occurred.
The afternoon breeze rolled in through the small opening in the window behind the couch we lay on, letting our manes sway calmly in the cool air, which was refreshing due to the warm summer climate.
Our moment was stopped short, as a series of hard knocking emerged from the front door.
I opened my eyes, as did Dinky, as we slowly removed each other from our embrace.
While rising up to approach the front door I quickly glanced at the locket with my parents in it, putting my mind to a fully neutral state, ready for anything good or bad that may occur to me.
Dinky’s eyes never left me as I approached the front door, even when I had left her sight her eyes remained where she had expected me to return.
She almost looked concerned. Which wouldn’t surprise me that much, we don’t get visitors often, in fact it’s quite a rare occurrence.
I was within a few inches of the door, my hooves delicately maneuvered up to the lock and doorknob of the front door as I approached it, sliding the lock into place.
The heated summer air countered the cool air inside the house, creating a stalemate of hot and cold by the slowly opening front door.
A stallion stood before me as the front door creaked open. He was standing alone, with a black suitcase resting by his side, his eyes shut away behind a thin pair of black sunglasses. His coat, mane, and tail were all gray, almost the same gray that would be matching my coat, only darker. He was very formal about his arrival, standing straightly, and direct. He was an older stallion, looking about maybe in his fifty’s, but looked energetic enough to still be working. His coat and mane, the dark gray tone it was, being a little tarnished by the immense summer heat, ruined his seriousness a little.
Dinky’s light hoofsteps whispered behind me, making me turn my attention towards her. She was still concerned, getting close behind me. For comfort I pulled her closer to me. I returned my attention to the gray stallion.
“May I help you...?” I sheepishly asked, and instantly regretted. I should be at the very least be appearing confident when around guests. My tone of voice made his already furrowed brow loosen up slightly, making him look a bit more relaxed.
I looked at this stallion for a few short seconds. I felt my eyes move out of focus as my gaze remained on him. He cleared his throat, and removed his sunglasses, revealing two bright red rimmed eyes that actually complemented the other colors on his body quite nicely.
He sent an apologetic glance towards my daughter, realizing that his presence was disturbing the peace that Dinky and I were enjoying before his arrival.
Returning his focus on me, he spoke.
“You must be Ditzy Doo.” I nodded in response. His voice was stern and attention-getting, similar to that of Princess Celestia herself. Clearing his throat a second time, his eyes were switching between Dinky and I, he readied himself for his next sentence.
“I’m Detective Magnum, investigating a recent case here in Ponyville,” he began, his words just as formal as his appearance. “I was wondering if I could have a few minutes of your time and ask you some questions.”
I let his request sink into my mind. He wasn’t attempting to harass me like normal people would. I might as well let him in, what could go wrong?
“Um… Sure.” I hesitated, still to caught up in other thoughts to really focus at the moment, “Would you like to come inside?” I asked. I tried to be as polite as I could to the only guest I have had by my home in a while.
He nodded, picking up his suitcase beside him, as he calmly made his way into our house. Dinky and I sidestepped his path, allowing him to enter. He treaded almost as lightly as Dinky, acting almost stealthy as he entered our house.
His head turned back to us slightly as he lay his suitcase down again.
“Ditzy, I would rather talk to you alone.” He muttered, implying his look toward my daughter, but keeping his formal and serious tone.
Felling strangely nervous, I nodded, and faced Dinky.
“Dinky, w-would you mind going to your room for a moment?” She nodded in response, motioning towards the staircase that led to her room, but looking a bit worried.
I reeled her into my arms, kissed her on the forehead and gave her a warm smile.
“Don’t worry, this won’t take long.” I calmly said in an attempt to eradicate any of my daughter’s worries.
Smiling back, Dinky proceeded upstairs towards her room. After she left, I returned to the detective, who had sat himself down in the living room. He had his suitcase opened, but the top which was flipped open, allowing the detective to rummage around inside, was turned towards me as I approached the couch across from him, making it unable to see what was inside. His red eyes shot up towards me, bringing me to full focus as I prepared myself for whatever it is he wanted.
I sat down, giving him my fullest attention, which eventually turned into an awkward silence for a moment, which I tried to break.
“Would you like anything-“
“No, no,” He said, raising his voice impatiently, “I just need to ask you a few questions, that’s all.”
I nodded, almost feeling regretful for asking him about anything. He carefully pulled out a folder from his black suitcase. He placed it down on the table in between us.
After looking at the tan folder for a moment, he opened the folder slowly, to reveal something that brought feelings of concern to surface in my mind.
Inside the folder contained one photo, and one photo only.
My eyes widened with a combination of shock and surprise. Countless memories flooded my mind as soon as my eyes met the photo. A simple, friendly, supportive, yet clever, hardworking, hell I could keep the list of characteristics of this mare going forever. An overall simple mare sat in the photo, around her lay a garden, all sorts of vegetables were perfectly sorted in rows and columns.
What really stood out in the photo, was how the mare’s body fit flawlessly into what area of her garden the photo had been taken in. Her coat, mane and most importantly, her soothing green eyes, blended into the environment around her.
Her warm smile shined as all around her sat row after row of planted carrots.
My mouth held itself open for a brief moment, attempting to find the words to describe what I was feeling. But all I could say was her name.
“…C-Carrot Top?” I whispered.
“You two were friends, correct?” Magnum asked.
I returned my attention to him, my mouth still slightly open in surprise.
“…Um, yes, I-I knew her- we were friends ever since I had moved to Ponyville…” I felt my nerves tensing between words, and my tone of voice quivering with concern. The more I thought about our past memories together,
“Why- what, did something happen?” I asked, still trying to be calm.
“Carrot Top… she had a thing for gossiping and rumors. Did that ever, get her in trouble?”
What the hell- I swear if I don't get an answer soon... It almost felt like my mind was also on the verge of tears, but was furious nonetheless.
“No- She never…” I realized I was raising my voice. I had to calm down. I took a deep breath before continuing. “Please, w-what happened to her?” I asked.
“I never said-“
“Dammit, stop lying to me!” I shouted, rising up as I did so. Magnum's face then expressed something close to fear.
I sat back down, trying to act like I had regretted my actions. But I wasn’t ever regretful. I wanted answers, and I wanted them right now.
“S-sorry” I whispered, but loud enough for it to be audible. “It’s just… she’s been my friend, hell, my best friend ever since I moved to Ponyville.” I said, trying to be as delicate with my words as possible.
I looked the detective in the eyes with sincerity and demand.
“Please, if something happened to her…” I felt tears coming, although they hadn’t surfaced yet, my mind was thinking of the possibilities that something had happened to her.
“Tell me now…” Tears began to well up in my eyes as I spoke. The detective looked at me with a hint of sincerity, not much, or enough to be comforting.
“…Please…” I wasn’t holding back anymore. My tears were rolling down my face with full force, and further revealing my thoughts of true concern and helplessness to the detective.
All I wanted is for my best friend to be safe and unharmed. I would give anything to make sure that my hope is a reality.
The detective sighed, which made me realize he was going to hit me with the honest, brutal, and ugly truth.
“She’s not dead, nor is she hurt, if that’s what you were thinking” he said.
Relief washed over me in the most satisfying way imaginable.
“…Thank Celestia, she’s alright...” I sighed, wiping my tears away.
“But there’s still a problem, of course.” The stallion added. I looked up with alarm.
“What do you mean?” I quickly said, my voice tense with worry, but being sure to not to get carried away with asking too many questions.
Talking another moment to let out yet another disappointed sigh, the detective said one more thing, that left me in a frozen point of wonder and concern that combined in the most frightening way possible. I wanted answers, to what he said, but was afraid by what the answers could be more than anything.
I don't think I had ever been more shocked in my life.
“Somepony..." He sighed. Loudly and sorrowful. "...May be trying to kill her.”