//------------------------------// // Chapter Five - Reasons to Fear // Story: Scars of the Quill // by EchoWing //------------------------------// “Okay, gotta admit, this isn’t half bad.” Sour put out another helping of wild rice for herself and remarked, “You got the hang of a stove pretty well.” “Kinda had to living on my own.” Quiver smirked as he speared another bit of broccoli with his fork and remarked, “I don’t want to have fast food every night.” “Bad for the heart.” Edgar cawed inbetween pecks of his own meal. The two cousins shared a chuckle at the raven’s remark. “Seriously though, the simpler the meal, the better. I’d love to do more complex stuff, but that takes practice.” The stallion rolled his eyes and noted, “No homemade pancake breakfast yet.” He noticed a smirk on the mare’s face and turned curious. “What?” “Nothing. Anyway, I hope you don’t mind my setting a few things out in the front room. Just some equipment for my job, couple small things.” Quiver raised an intrigued eyebrow. “Anything neat that I’m allowed to know about?” Sour grinned. “Well, there’s a few things here and there. I’ll show them to you once…” A loud chime sounded, and the unicorn grumbled, “…or I can just show you one of them now and put off dinner.” She rose from her seat, and Quiver followed her to the front room of their home. She then indicated a small device resembling a samovar that had been placed atop his desk. “You know that enchanted dragon fire that Sir Spike has? That lets Princess Twilight send messages between her and Canterlot?” Quiver nodded. “I’m guessing this does something similar?” “Pretty much. This is something new from the colts in R&D, meant to aid in mass communications within cities. Ideally this’ll work in concert with the telegraph lines, at least until they can bring the next thing out. And that’s already in the works thanks to the Crystal Empire coming back.” “And that chime we heard was letting you know there was a message coming in from Twilight?” Sour nodded as a flash appeared over the device and left a scroll in its wake. She claimed it in her magic and unfurled it. “Oh crap.” She looked to Quiver and asked, “You know where Sweet Apple Acres is?” “Yeah, what’s up?” “Princess Twilight’s called me there. Something about two fillies having gone missing.” Quiver grimaced, and tried his best not to let his imagination get the better of him. “Get what you need. I’ll lead you there.” - Cheerilee, for the most part, enjoyed her job. It lit her up inside to see a foal come in each day eager to learn something new and exciting. It fulfilled her to know that her students didn’t see their classwork as a chore, but as something to look forward to. It made her feel good to know that her students enjoyed school. Even now, she could giggle as she remembered one time that Dinky Hooves had missed a day, only to come in the next and apologize for missing class. That was something else that she enjoyed about her job, parents being interested in the education of their children. Most parents, in her experience, wanted the best for their children. If their child was having trouble, then they’d do all they could to help them. Even those occasions where a parent might do something that seemed counterproductive, there was usually a method to their madness. The entire reason that Dinky had missed a day was due to her mother keeping her home sick, in fear that she might have the flu and risk infecting the rest of the class. That was another factor that helped her to enjoy her work. “Miss Cheerilee, this is unacceptable.” But there was always some hitch that tended to spoil things. Cheerilee took a deep breath to steady her nerves and began, “Mrs. Rich…” Her superior gave a disgusted huff. “Must you do that? Such aggravated sighs are hardly becoming.” Cheerilee struggled to smile. “Mrs. Rich, I realize that you are only seeking what’s best for your daughter, however…” “However, what’s best for my daughter does not involve her being unfairly suspended from classes, especially given the assignment that you saw fit to assign.” A part of her wanted to bring up that it was Diamond Tiara’s own fault if she hadn’t turned in the completed assignment yet, especially considering that she was the only one who’d been yet to turn it in, but she refrained. Spoiled Rich was troublesome enough to deal with at a good time, and this was anything but a good time. “Regardless, your daughter did physically attack somepony on school grounds, and school policy is for zero tolerance regarding…” “And that’s another matter! This Quiver Quill, what do you know about him? For all we know, he’s some sort of pedophile!” “Princess Twilight would not associate with a pony of that nature.” Another scoff. “Blind faith can only get you so far. And just because someone wears a crown doesn’t mean…” “Um, excuse me, Miss Spoiled?” The wealthy mare turned about to find one of her maids standing at the door to the schoolhouse and rolled her eyes. “Rosemary, what did we discuss earlier? I am in the midst of an important meeting…” “But Miss, this is…” “Regarding my daughter’s future…” “Miss Diamond is missing!” Rosemary’s shout alarmed Cheerilee and momentarily silenced Spoiled Rich, and she continued, “Master Rich sent me to inform you!” Now thoroughly distracted from the verbal browbeating she was about to deliver to her maid, Spoiled gave off a frustrated huff. “Well, why bother giving me trouble if she’s simply decided to play hide and seek like some immature…?!” “Miss, her window was open and there was a rope leading down to the grounds! Master Rich fears she may have run away…!” “Run away?! My Diamond?!” She began to make her way towards the door and remarked, “More likely that some damn fool has kidnapped her! And I can think of an easy way that could have happened!” Cheerilee noticed the maid’s sudden rise of anxiety, and stepped up. “Mrs. Rich, I insist on coming with. This might well be partly my fault.” “You’re damn right this is your fault!” As Spoiled ranted her way out the door, Rosemary flashed the teacher a thankful smile as the pair followed her out. “Once I get to the heart of this madness, there will be Tartarus to pay!” - Silver Spoon wasn’t sure what was scaring her the most right now. On the one hoof, she was inside the Everfree Forest, and despite her friend’s statements to the contrary, the place certainly seemed as scary as she’d been told. On the other, she was afraid to back off and leave Diamond to fend for herself here, and what sort of friend would she be if she did something that cruel? Diamond Tiara, to her credit, maintained her determined air as she led her friend into the forbidding woods ahead. Silver had been around Diamond long enough to know how to read her moods, but right now, she couldn’t tell how much of this was motivated by stubborn determination or pride. Either way, it didn’t bode well for them. Diamond stopped, and Silver halted and peered beside her. Before them was a large mass of familiar blue plants. “Poison joke. Come on, let’s find a way around them.” The two turned left, and Silver Spoon thanked the Maker that Apple Bloom’s description of the plant’s effects in class one day, as absurd as they sounded, had been so thorough. She had no desire to find out what that stuff would do to her if given the chance. “So, do we have a plan for where we’ll camp?” “I’ll know it when I find it.” Diamond carefully led her friend around the poison joke flowers, and tried her best to not come in contact with them. “But we can’t go to the Castle of the Two Sisters. Or wherever Zecora lives. We go to the castle, and the ponies working there will just send us home. Same with Zecora.” “Right.” The two fillies were soon clear of the patch of poison joke, and picked up their pace a bit. As they continued on, Silver made the odd glance around her and took note of her surroundings. The trees weren’t all that scary, she told herself, just old and gnarled and sorta creepy. Kinda like elderly ponies, and many of them were pretty nice. And it helped that it wasn’t too late, as the sun was just starting to set and there was still plenty of light for them to see. A few shadows were growing around them, but that wasn’t so bad. Only she couldn’t help but think there were glowing eyes staring out at her from within the shadows. “Diamond, we don’t have to do this. At least, I don’t think we have to do this.” Diamond’s answer was more annoyed than anything. “Don’t tell me that you’re scared, Silver.” She stopped, turned back, and tried to reassure her. “Look, we’re perfectly fine. We haven’t run into anything dangerous, and we aren’t…” Diamond turned silent as the grave when she heard a twig snap, and lowered her voice to a whisper. “Did you hear that?” Silver tried her best to sum up her courage, but kept her voice to similar levels. “It was probably nothing.” Another twig snapped, this one much closer to the two. They looked in its direction to see a great shape looming closer to them from within the trees. “Silver. Whatever you do, stick close to me, okay?” The shape continued to grow closer, only to pause and let out a low roar as it opened its mouth wide and displayed many sharp, white teeth. That was the tipping point for the fillies as they screamed and ran off, Diamond leading the way and Silver following close behind. They didn’t even notice as the manticore they’d left behind peered out to watch them go with a confused look on his face, having only yawned after a long and successful day on the hunt. Ponies didn’t even taste all that good by his reckoning. Too stringy. - As Quiver and Sour arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, they found a small group of ponies had already gathered. Pinkie Pie turned around and called, “Everypony, look!” “Well ain’t you a surprise!” Applejack met them as they approached. “Didn’t expect you to get called in for this, Quiver! And who’s this?” “The reason I came. She’s still getting her bearings.” After a smirk came his way from his cousin with a light smack on one leg, he grinned. “Everypony, meet Sour Sweet. She’s Twilight’s new security detail, or at least the start of it, and my cousin. Sour, I think you’re already acquainted with most ponies here.” “If not properly introduced.” Sour looked the group over and instantly recognized the remaining Bearers, minus her charge, as well as her new landmare and a few choice relatives. “Sorry if I seem a little brusque, but the princess’s summons seemed pretty urgent.” “Not urgent enough for her to bother fetching any proper authorities!” The crowd parted as another mare approached and looked down at the newcomer. “Sour Sweet, hmm? How do you get a name like that?” The Guardsmare kept a neutral expression as she glanced towards her cousin. “Quiver, do you know this mare?” “Haven’t had occasion to be introduced to her, no.” “I’m not done speaking to you!” Spoiled let out an insulted snort and continued, “And clearly, whomever gave you this assignment failed to give you a proper accounting of the important ponies in this town! I am Spoiled Rich, wife to Filthy Rich and somepony whose taxes go to pay for you and every other useless member of the Royal Guard! A waste of money, if you ask me, given the fact that the lot of you were about as useful as a wet paper bag for carrying groceries every time Equestria has needed you!” Quiver suddenly got worried, and briefly glanced at his cousin. She hadn’t changed her expression, however, beyond raising an eyebrow. That did nothing to ease his concerns, however. “Given you’re here, however, perhaps you can actually do something. Assuming, of course, you aren’t going to cower behind bureaucracy.” She gave Quiver a disgusted look and barked, “You can arrest this whelp! And then I’ll lead you back to my mansion so that you can arrest the rest of his accomplices!” “Mrs. Rich, please!” Gilded Lily stepped up beside the wealthy mare. “We don’t know what’s happened, there’s no need to be making these baseless –!” “There’s nothing baseless about my accusations! My daughter has been kidnapped, and I’ll see to it that everypony responsible is strung up and left to rot for everypony to see, starting with this predatory coward!” Sour’s eyes narrowed alongside those of her cousin and most of the ponies present. “I don’t think I like the tone of those allegations of yours.” Before Spoiled could make another retort, Pinkie called out and distracted her. “Twilight!” Attention turned the way Quiver and Sour had come as room was made for the princess, Spike, Flash Sentry and Filthy Rich. “Any news? Did you find anything?” “Pinkie, please, give me a second to…” “Well it’s about time all of you got here!” Her attention now fixed upon the princess, Spoiled frowned and launched into another tirade. “Tell me, what sort of important duties did you have to attend to before you could deal with this pressing issue? Lives are on the line! Kidnappers are escaping justice even as we speak!” “Spoiled, please…” “Oh don’t you give me that sorry routine, Filthy! I can tell that you’re protecting whoever was on the inside that took my precious Diamond, and the instant –!” “Spoiled Rich! Be silent!” The wealthy mare actually did as she was told, and everypony took a step back as Twilight took a deep breath. “Now then. I just came from the Rich mansion, where I and Flash spoke with the staff and did a sweep of the grounds. As of right now, I have no reason to think that there’s a kidnapping.” “We can account for the whereabouts of each member of your household staff between your departure from the residence and Filthy Rich’s return.” Flash’s voice was firm with authority as he stepped in and locked eyes with the wealthy mare. “Between that and what we found on the grounds, we can easily rule out an abduction.” “Diamond’s run off, Spoiled.” Filthy Rich looked devastated as he delivered the news, his mane mussed and his necktie askew. “She wasn’t kidnapped, she’s just…” “And you expect me to believe that?! That my Diamond would simply run away from a life like ours?!” She snorted and remarked, “I could see somepony trying to run away from this dump, especially given it’s already happened in the past, but my Diamond lives in the lap of luxury!” “With no signs of struggle, and no sign of anypony besides her and maybe Silver Spoon having left the estate?” “Criminals are everywhere! And the local authorities are so damned incompetent that they can’t be bothered to notice them, particularly the smart ones!” Spoiled rounded back upon Quiver and noted, “And if you want a suspect, then look no further than this wretch right here! Stalking my Diamond, accosting her, and then getting her suspended just so that he could kidnap her and sate his…” “Mrs. Rich, that’s enough!”Once more, the wealthy mare turned quiet as Twilight approached her. “I will not have anypony make baseless, crass allegations against my friends, particularly when I or those whom I trust can vouch for their innocence. Now I suggest that you calm down, and restrain yourself from making any more slanderous accusations.” She then took a quick breath and collected herself. “Now then, I’ve contacted the police. They currently have hooves on the ground checking throughout Ponyville for any sign of Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. If they find anything, they’ll send me a message via dragonfire.” Spike beamed. “Just like getting a letter from Princess Celestia.” “And while they’re at work, we need to check the places they can’t. I’ve sent word to Zecora and to the crews working on the Castle of the Two Sisters, just in case.” Twilight looked to the distance towards the Everfree Forest. “I don’t want to think that they went out there, but we can’t dismiss the possibility.” “You honestly think that my Diamond would go into the Everfree Forest?” Spoiled scoffed. “Nothing would ever possess her to waste her time in such a manner.” “Um, actually…” The wealthy mare rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Applejack. “Must you have the foals out here with you? Can’t they be inside while we adults discuss this? I doubt they have anything important to contribute to this conversation anyway.” Applejack gave the mare an indignant scowl. “Personal experience has taught me otherwise.” She then turned to Apple Bloom and asked, “You were sayin’, sugarcube?” Apple Bloom took only a second to reflect on her relief at being acknowledged, then explained, “There’s a chance that Diamond Tiara might’ve thought about goin’ into the Everfree. Ah’ve mentioned goin’ in there from time to time on mah own, to visit Zecora. She might not think it’s as dangerous as everypony says it is.” Spoiled actually looked to be considering that logic, but scoffed. “Be that as it may, she’s not so foolish as to try.” “Still, we can’t leave any stones unturned.” Twilight turned to Applejack and noted, “We should have all the supplies we need for the search here.” At her friend’s nod, she looked among the rest of her friends and said, “Gather what you need together, and we’ll set out within the next fifteen minutes.” “Princess, I insist upon coming along.” Filthy stepped forward. “If Diamond is out there…” “Mr. Rich, with all due respect, you’re in no state to go out into the Everfree with us. Stay here with your wife and Granny Smith, and let us handle this.” As the stallion began to protest, Twilight stopped him. “We’ll find her. And we’ll bring her home. I promise.” Filthy frowned, and then nodded. “Very well. Spoiled and I will stay, but I’ll hold you to that promise.” “I think that Cheerilee and I had best stay here as well.” Gilded Lily made a small glance towards the Crusaders and remarked, “If nothing else, we can help look after the girls until you all get back.” “I’ll stay too.” Quiver shot a quick glance back at Spoiled Rich and remarked, “Something tells me that’s the smartest course of action I can take right now.” Twilight nodded. “Alright then, Spike can stay with you in case the police find anything. Everypony who’s going, get packed up. I’ve got a few things to pass out, and then we can go.” She glanced in the distance towards the Everfree and anxiously noted, “I just hope we don’t find anything unpleasant out there.”