Author's Note: I appreciate every comment I've recieved. It really shows what kind of job i've been doing....So, thank you.
Disclaimer: I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic or The Number 23, the cool movie this story is based on.
THE NUMBER 22
Chapter 13
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February 7
The clock struck midnight as my mind continued to mourn about Hoofling's loss....and mine. How could Orlando do this to me?! I gave him my love and compassion....and he betrayed me. At first, I didn't want to tell Dash about what I saw around the street corner. I figured that, with the stubborn attitude she can get, she would try to go find Orlando and beat his ass up. Even though I was wanting just that to happen, I didn't want her out and about. I had to find out why she was having these type of visions. If the curse didn't want anyone interferring with my life, especially my friends, then why was Dash having these visions? The only thing I could think to do next was to read another chapter. I mean, the book was right about a lot of things so far. Maybe it could help me better than any other book in the library could. But, before I could get to reading, I got a phone call....And you wouldn't believe who it was.
"Hello?"
"WHAT THE HELL, TWILIGHT?!!"
It was Mrs. Cake who, after being tackled by the two rookie cops earlier that day, was probably in jail right about then. And I was sure that when she got out, I was gonna be in deep shit. I had completely forgotten about her! I mean, so much had happened that day that my mind just wondered away.....and I left her to be tackled......Is that bad?
"Oh! Mrs. Cake! How nice...to hear from you-"
"Don't give me that shit, Twilight Sparkle! I hope you can explain to me why you got two cops to tackle me! That wouldn't listen to anything I said, the damn rookies!"
"Well, Mrs. Cake, if you'll just let me explain-"
"Now, I'm in jail, rotting in here for something I didn't do! I swear, when I get out of here, I'm gonna have you arrested for false charges against your elders!"
"Well, the thing is-"
"I know exactly what's going on here, too! Yeah! Getting me arrested was just another one of your excuses to shirk your community service! But, getting me arrested?! I swear, those books have made you totally mad! Absolutely mad!!"
I didn't mean to say what I said next, but, inside of my mind, a voice was tellling me to "tell the bitch off."
"And another thing-"
"You know what, Mrs. Cake?! You're absolutely right! Books have been driving me mad lately! One certain book to be exact! But, you know something?!....YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT MAD IS, YA DUMB BITCH!! Only i know what mad is!! ME!! You want madness?! I'll show you madness...when I come down to that jail cell of yours and slice your throat open! You can call me about your community service all you want, but I'm not gonna do it! I have my own life to attend to, just like you! So, get your own self out of jail. Don't rely on me ANYMORE!!"
I slammed the phone down onto the reciever, probably leaving Mrs. Cake scared completely to death. I was breathing rapidly, sweat pouring down my neck. I could fell the veins throbbing in my head. I had lost my mind.....It was then that I looked up and saw Rainbow Dash shaking in fear on the couch. She had the worst look of fear on her face, one I would never have expected to see on her, the bravest flier in all of Equestria. At that moment, I realized what I had just screamed to Mrs. Cake and I managed to regain my sanity.
"......Rainbow....I-I'm so sorry you had to hear that..."
".....Twilight,....when will this be over?..."
"I don't know,....but the book predicted this. Hoofling went mad over Orlando cheating on her and, just now, the curse possessed me to make me do the same..."
"Wait. Orlando cheated on her?! But they were so happy together from what you told us!"
I hadn't meant to tell her about Orlando....either one of them. But then, I decided that, since I had just told the book's side, I was gonna spill the rest of the beans and tell her my side.
".....He-He cheated on both of us..."
"What? What are you talking abo-"
It was then I saw her realize what I had just said. As I expected, her face, at first, showed a state of shock...and then moved on to a state of total anger.
"Why, that no-good dirtbag!! When I get my hands on him, I'll make sure he pays for what he done to you! Toy with my friends emotions, will he?! I'll pick him up and drop him from the highest point in the sky...right into a bottomless pit!-"
"Rainbow! None of that will be necessary! I'll handle that situation on my own. For now, we need to concern ourselves with your visions."
".....I guess so"
She was still upset about the situation, but I just ignored her anger face. I asked her to try and remember when her visions started and try to write down every one she's had since. After I would get done with the next chapter, I would look at the visions and see if there were any major differences or similarities.
Chapter 13
Moving Back Forward
Once Orlando left me, I began to feel a mixture of happiness, anger, and deep sorrow.....Well, I wasn't the only one to feel them....My other sides did as well. I was still letting them say what they wanted, but not letting them take total control....But it was getting harder and harder to do that.
"Hallelujah! Thank Celestia he's gone! Vamoose! Outta here! I swear, I had my doubts about you at first, kiddo, but, when you spoke your mind, you really let him have it!!"
"NO! I didn't want any of this! But,....it's just,...him cheating on me-"
"Oh, boo-hoo...BLAH! You still never did what I told you to do! You didn't kill him when you got the chance! I supplied you the knife....You just had to do the rest,....and you BLEW IT!!"
"I don't plan on ever killing anypony!.....Not if it makes you happy!"
"That's right, sister, you tell him! You let those compressed emotions out of your system! I know that you desperately want him back and that you'll do anything to get him, but, darling, you're gonna have to ACT if you want that to happen! You must go find him and-
SLASH!!
In my mind, I saw the demon that had yelled at me moments ago stab the encouraging demon in the chest. It fell down dead, black blood spurting out of the wound.
"Now, you see, that wasn't hard at all.....Why couldn't you have done the same?!!"
"BECAUSE I'M NOT LIKE YOU!!....SO JUST GO AWAY!!"
My mind fell silent, as did the room. I had no reason to yell anymore. I looked up at the ceiling for any shadows, but there were none. It was as if the room had just died. Nothing was moving or making a noise,....not even the clocks.
RRRRRRRIIIIIINNNNNGGGG!!!!
The phone started ringing. I hesitated to answer it, not wanting any more pressure put on me, but, finally I decided to pick it up. I mean, who could be on the phone that could be more deceptive than those demons?!
"Hello?"
"Hey, Twilight. What's going on?"
"Oh, Officer Bookworm! How nice to hear from you again! How's it been?"
"Oh, fine. I was just looking through the files of the man you encountered a few days ago.....at the apartment?"
The Suicide Blonde. I had almost completely forgotten about him....The one who killed himself because of the curse.....and passed it on to me. I suddenly felt angry, wanting to tear open his coffin and burn his corpse. If it weren't for him, I would have never been in this predicament.
"....Yes, I remember him...."
"Well, I found out a piece of information you might find intriguing."
"Really? And what might that be?"
"Well, I found out the victim's father's name....Dashing Clouds."
Images immediately began pouring through my mind. Me going to visit a sick pegasus at the hospital. He was a victim of cancer and I was visiting him for an interview. I used to be fascinated with cancer,.....until it took my grandmother's life.
"I remember him,....but it's been so long. I'm not surprised that both of us failed to recognize the other."
"Well, I thought I'd share that with ya."
"Yes....Thank you, Officer Bookworm."
After hanging up with him, another demon popped into my head with another "encouraging" message.
"Well, that was an absolute waste of time, wouldn't you say?!"
I couldn't really rebel, so I just kept silent and waited for him to go away......Unfortunately, though, when I went to bed, he came back and stayed with me all night,....tempting me.
The name "Dashing Clouds" hit me like a ton of bricks. The book had to be toying with me...It just had to! I was praying to Celestia that the theory I had about that name's significance was not true.
".....Um,.....Rainbow Dash?"
"Yeah, Twilight?"
"Was there anyone in your family named Dashing Clouds?"
"I've told you before, Twilight. He was my dad."
I felt like screaming, but the curse wouldn't let me. It paralyzed my vocal chords, forcing my mind to wander. It was making me realize the horrible truth.......Even though her mane color is different,.....Rainbow Dash is the Suicide Blonde.
End of Chapter 13!
Author's Note: How's that for a twist!...And you won't believe what happens next! So, stay tuned!
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