Berry Punch gazed into the mug of cider in front of her and sighed before looking up at the clock on the wall, 14:45, time to collect her little gem from school. It was Friday and soon she and Ruby would have the whole weekend to spend time together. With one almighty swig she downed the rest of her drink before getting up and turning to the stallion behind the bar.
“See you Monday Al” she said cheerfully as she started to stagger out of the bar into another bright, warm and sunny spring day in Ponyville, a smile growing on her face. Then the pain hit her.
It started in her right hindleg and flank and slowly spread across her body. By the time she’d reached Sugarcube Corner the pain had reached her left shoulder, its fiery intensity causing her to stumble into one of Sugarcube Corner’s outer walls. Pony’s looked over quizzically at the mulberry mare, mumbling under their breaths. Berry heard every word they said and had to fight back a tear. She’d heard it all before, how she was an unfit mother, why hadn’t Equestrian social services intervened and taken Ruby into custody. How they laughed at her and labelled her the town drunk and more and more insults. If only they knew the truth that it wasn’t the alcohol that made her wobble. The coat and mane specialists, the best in all of Equestria had done the finest job they could, but in the end they could only hide what had been done to her with a magical perception spell. Her left eye was made of glass and one of the latest advancements in Equestrian magical technology. She often had trouble breathing and would cough up blood on occasions and sometimes her speech would slur due to the countless head traumas she’d suffered. Then there were the psychological damages, the nightmares and night terrors not even Princess Luna could resolve. The memories that plagued every waking moment of her life and often caused panic attacks along with depression, mood swings and anxiety. She was a broken mare that no amounts of medicine or therapy could help and that’s why she drank. Imagine the few seconds a pony has till it dies after a dragon sets it on fire or being eaten alive by a manticore after it’s poisoned you with its tail. That’s the pain Berry felt every hour of every day no matter if she was awake or asleep. Alcohol was the only thing she’d found that numbed the pain, even if only for a short while and sitting in Al’s tavern reminiscing often made her realise just how lucky she actually was. All because of Ruby.
As the schoolhouse loomed in front of her, she finally released the tear she’d been holding in and let it slide down her cheek as the smile returned to her muzzle. She wouldn’t have changed her life for anything. She nodded to Derpy Hooves and her daughter Dinky as they passed her along with many other young fillies and colts, eager to get away from school and enjoy their weekend. The Cutie Mark Crusaders seemed to be devising their latest scheme, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were discussing a weekend trip to Canterlot and Pipsqueak, Button Mash and Featherweight were having a sleepover. Her little filly though was nowhere to be seen. A feeling of fear was slowly starting to grip Berry and she felt a panic attack starting to build itself within her as her breathing quickened.
“Stupid, stupid mare” she chastised herself “she’s probably just helping her auntie tidy up. No need to get irrational” she continued attempting to get her breathing under control as she walked unsteadily up to the schoolhouse and pushed open the door.
“Ruby dear, you in here.” She called as muffled sobs and the voice of her sister came from within.
“Ruby dear, you shouldn’t let them get to you. All that matters is what you think and I know you believe your mother is the best in the world.” Cheerilee cooed.
“I know auntie, but it’s just that what Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon said is true. If I did bring mummy for my family appreciation day, what would she talk about. She doesn’t have a job and from what I’ve heard she spends most her time drinking special adult drinks whilst I’m at school. Diamond called her an alcoholic whore, what is that auntie? I’ve heard other ponies call her such names around town as well, a degenerate hick, the town drunk, an unfit mother. Why auntie? Why do they call mummy such hurtful names?” Her daughter asked between sniffles. Berry had heard enough.
“They just don’t know what I did. Your mummy is one of the bravest, toughest and courageous mares in all Equestria and maybe it’s finally time both of you learnt the truth.” Berry revealed herself making the other two mares jump.
“Mummy, I’m sorry” Ruby started, but Berry cut her off.
“You have nothing to be sorry for my precious little gemstone, it is me who should be apologising to you. I should have done this talk sooner, especially considering the recent events in Canterlot and what could soon transpire, but not here. The information is top secret and I’ll need to seek authorisation from Princess Celestia to let both of you know. Cheerilee, I’ve got to head back to mine and get something quickly but can you meet me at the Golden Oaks library in half an hour?” Berry explained seriously.
Cheerilee looked at her sister with concern in her eyes. “Of course”, she stammered nervously. “I’ll lock up straight away.”
“Excellent, and in advance I’d like to say sorry to the both of you. What you will both find out in a short while is neither a pretty or happy story, except the ending, because that is you Ruby, the most wonderful daughter a mother could ask for and if anyone ever tells you different come straight to me, I’ll deal with them.” Berry smiled, but her voice was laced with anger and venom. As she resumed talking, her voice had returned to its usual cheery tone. “Now come on Ruby, we’ve got to pop home before going to the library.” And with that Berry whisked her filly into a massive hug before setting her down and walking out of the schoolhouse. Ruby bounced behind her, the latter’s troubles seemingly forgotten for now.
Cheerilee watched them go before pulling a key off the underside of the top draw of her desk proceeding to unlock the bottom draw and removing a bottle of apple whiskey alongside a small glass. It had been nearly eight years since she last enjoyed the taste of alcohol, her job and being a good example and role model for the fillies and colts she taught taking precedence. Her face was grave as she poured the whiskey into the glass and downed it in one gulp. Today would be an exception to that rule. She had tried countless times over the years to get her sister to open up but to no avail. Now that the answers were finally in her grasp it scared her. What had happened whilst she worked for the Canterlot government and why had she been forbidden to talk about it? That incident in Canterlot surely couldn’t mean what had happened at the Royal Wedding and them bug like creature things. What were they called again, changelings? Surely she hadn’t had anything to do with them monsters? The thought alone made her shudder violently and she poured herself a second glass of the whisky, downing that along with a third glass to calm her frazzled nerves before tightening the bottle back up and placing it securely back in the draw. After returning the key to its hiding spot she rose and trotted to the door. Looking over her shoulder she saw the mess the schoolhouse was still in but ignored it, shut the door behind her, locked up and started for the library. Cheerilee just knew in her gut that the next few hours of her life were going to be some of the most difficult she would ever face.