Twilight walked back from Ballpoint’s office, thinking intently on what was to come the following day. Finally… finally she and Derpy would reunite again, and they would be happy. The night air was an unusual warm night, and Twilight liked it. She looked back at Dinky who was hopping along side her. Twilight smiled at the sight of her. To think just a few days ago Dinky was lying in the middle of Derpy’s home close to death from starvation. That thought sent a small shiver down her spine. But… in the end she turned out all right, and now she’s like… like… her foal. Twilight felt Dinky bump into her, she looked up into her eyes and it almost made Twilight shed a tear. Dinky was a beautiful foal; Derpy must be a proud mother. Twilight thought more of Derpy. Little glimpses of her flashed by: Eating muffins with her and Dinky, Observing her study, the dream she had of Derpy, and their date together. Twilight’s smile grew just a bit bigger at the same thought of meeting her once again, hopefully in a matter of a day. They approached Derpy’s home, and Twilight opened the door to Derpy’s house, checking outside to make sure they hadn’t been followed. She had gotten a strange feeling suddenly, almost as if somepony were watching them. She looked around Derpy’s home, eying the couch, and getting a flash of Derpy sleeping there on that morning. She looked at the table, and saw a glimpse of the muffins they had together. Twilight sighed for some reason the house seemed even lonelier without that faint smell of muffins, or the homey clutter of toys and letters. She remembered her visit with Ballpoint, and felt a shiver roll down her spine, for some reason she couldn’t shake the feeling off her. Something seemed off about that pony, though she couldn’t put her hoof on it. She turned and faced Dinky, who looked into her eyes yet again. Twilight got a weird feeling… like… like…
“You think something’s wrong with Ballpoint?” Twilight asked. It would have seemed out of the blue to anypony, but it thankfully answered Dinky’s silent question.
Dinky nodded, worry danced across her eyes.
Twilight nods slowly at first, “Yeah… there was something a bit off about him… although I just can’t place it.” A thought came to mind, and she stepped back a bit, disgusted that she would even think that. “Do you… do you have a feeling he might hurt us?”
Dinky nodded gravely. ‘Come on… think of a plan…’ Dinky thought.
Twilight walked up to Dinky and hugged her, “Don’t worry about that sweetie, I will not let him lay a hoof on you. So help me Celestia.” She smiled and kissed Dinky’s forehead.
Dinky smiled, and hugged Twilight’s foreleg. 'She’s just like mommy…'
Twilight hugged her, and said, “If you think Ballpoint to be a bad stallion, how about we ditch him once we find mommy back?” Twilight knelt down to Dinky’s eye level.
Dinky nodded, her smile practically lit up the room. Together Twilight and Dinky walked to the kitchen table. When they sat down Twilight magically got a quill and paper. They stared at the piece of paper, then at each other, and again at the paper. Twilight pursed her brow deep in thought. Finally an idea dawned. “OK. Here’s plan A….”
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Steel tries another round of the same routine, cuddling, soothing words, and brushing her mane, however to no avail. This was the third time he’d done this, it was almost becoming a chore. He pushed the thought aside and focused on helping Derpy. “Darn it…” He didn’t know what else he could do, he tried recalling memories of what his parents would do.
Check eyes for signs of stroke
No good, Steel knew by other— easier to detect— signs if Derpy had undergone a stroke
Check pulse
Steel knew just by looking at Derpy’s pupils that she was alive, not even worrying
Comfort
No, that was just done and unfortunately hadn’t worked its charm. So much for “Third time’s the charm.” Steel resorted to drastic measures, slapping and dousing Derpy in water, still no sign of her regaining consciousness. He looked down at the Pegasus, and a thought came to mind. He did have that can of smelling salt in his cupboard. Would that work? He didn’t bother questioning it any further, so he quickly trotted to his kitchen, where he found what he was looking for. But there was something else in the cupboard… what was that? Steel picked it up, and stared at it. He had seen these before in investigations involving undercover agents back when drugs used to be a problem in Cloudsdale. He turned it over, eying is contents. ‘I’ve seen this before… but where?’ He thought. He decided it was just some dead bug, and tossed it in the trash bin forgetting it. He came back to Derpy, and waved the can under her nose. With a stifled cough, she sat up and looked around the room her eyes still pinpricks.
“Derpy listen to me!” He got down and looked her right in the eye, holding her head so she had no choice but to look at him. “Who’s coming for you? Who?”
Derpy struggled, and panicked again at the thought of… him. Never had she thought he would return… after that… that terrible night hadn’t he had his fill? Why did he have to return? Derpy slowly focused on Steel, and quietly said— though in just barely a whisper, “Ball… Ballpoint.”
Steel is taken aback, never had he thought that Ballpoint would return. He can remember that case as if it happened only moments ago. Ballpoint was put to trial for attempt at murder, and… and rape. He was convicted for both felonies, and sentenced to life in prison yet with bail. Even to this day he couldn’t reason why the judge would give him life in prison, yet with bail. How could that monster still be lurking around in the first place? It’s not like… like…? A thought came to mind, though not a pleasant one. Steel got up, “Wait here, I’ll be back in a few,” and walked back to his study. He looked around his stuffy until he found it. The drawer labeled “Crimes Past and Present: x4.” He pulled out a two manila folders, one labeled “Prison Entries,” the next labeled, “Prison Exits.” He flipped through the entries, and found what he was looking for: a mug shot of Ballpoint and the date of his jailing. He closed that one, satisfied from the information, and opened up the second folder. Carefully, painstakingly he checked out each exit recording, and comes to a stop.
Date: October 13
ECT: 4:26 pm.
Reason for exit: Good Behavior/Bail.
Subject has endeavored enough trauma, and therefore must be sent out. A pony, by the name Wing Seed, has claimed him and is now paying the bail as this is being written. Subject is due exit anytime soon.
Wing Seed… no that couldn’t be right…
He checked the passage again, and lost blood from his face. Wing Seed. Not only has Ballpoint been let out but… Wing Seed. That filthy bastard… she can’t be back… she just can’t.
Steel remembered that fateful night with… her. He knew what was in store for Derpy if they stayed her any longer. Sweat lined his brow as he practically dropped the folder after reading the next line. “G-good behavior? For a rapist? B… Bail?!” Steel said aloud. This enraged him, he knew who would be so… so evil as to let Ballpoint out on bail. “Wing. Seed…” Steel whispered through clenched teeth. The thought of somepony even thinking of bailing out that… that monster was beyond his comprehension. He set the folder down gently, and walked back to Derpy, and found she hadn’t moved a muscle. Steel knelt down in front of her.
“Listen.” Steel looked at the ground ashamed he had even known her, “I know who Ballpoint is. And I think my own sister may have ratted me out to him. He… he might know where I live. I’m not sure if he’s on his way, all I can say is that he knows.”
This caused Derpy to have a spasm attack, ‘No please no not him… how could somepony rat out Steel? Why has all this trouble happened to him?’ Derpy’s mind was racing but soon she registered a warm hug from Steel. “But you must understand one thing about me. Since my days starting out as a lawyer, I cared for everypony I met, and mark my words: there is no way I will let him even get to you.” Steel must have sensed Derpy’s thoughts, “It doesn’t matter what happened to me, as it all happened in the past. What matters now is what will happen to you if we don’t act fast. As I’ve said, there is no chance he’s getting close to you.”
Derpy stopped struggling and looked into his eyes, her own on the brink of tears. “Not. A. Chance.” He smiled at her, making her smile too.
“And… how do you suppose we make stop it?” Derpy’s whisper cut through the air. She’d been asking herself that question ever since that night… that awful night. Whenever she’d cry herself to sleep, or wake up in tears and screaming, she’d ask herself. “How do I stop it? How? How? How…”
“Remember those judges I told you about?”
Derpy nodded.
“Well let’s just say they know a thing or two about laying low.” He gave her a hug and got up, pulling her to her hooves. “Pack your coffee mug, we’re going to Manehatten.” Steel said with such a strong voice, it filled her too with hope, and courage.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
“So where do you suppose we check first?” Twilight and Dinky sat in his office; the antique smell pervaded the room. She and Dinky sat a bit further from him this time, aware that Ballpoint wasn’t telling them something.
Ballpoint put down the map he had of Equestria, and looked up, “Why it’s simple of course. We start our search in Appaloosa.” He said it simply. Almost as if they’d find Derpy in a matter of minutes.
“Why there?” Twilight questioned. She’d only been there once, when they had to deliver Bloomberg.
Ballpoint flashed that hideous grin of his, “Let’s just say a little mare told me.” Thanks to that little whore, Wing Seed, he had what he wanted. Soon his little friend 'Steel' would be getting his own little… party. Ballpoint had never tried a stallion before, as they were usually too rough around the edges… well… that and he couldn’t ever trick one easily enough. He couldn’t help but slightly lick the corner of his muzzle at the thought of the feeling of a stallion. Oh the joys he got out of his job, sometimes. Soon not only would that little tramp… Derpy be in his reach, but he’d have a little… buddy as well. “Come with me, as you see I lack a proper way of travel I’d like to know,” Ballpoint stopped as they stepped outside into the chilly night air. “Would you happen to know any form of teleportation spell?”
Twilight didn’t know how to respond to that, but she finally came up with, “You don’t know the teleportation spell?”
Ballpoint shook his head, “Alas I only know a few spells here and there, as my work doesn’t call for magic most of the time. An earth pony could easily fit my role as a Private Investigator.” He looked at Twilight, his eyes at the brink of drifting towards her flank again.
“And why would you think that I could teleport three entities well over fifty miles?” Twilight was almost feeling a bit angered that this pony would be so ignorant as to think that teleportation would be so simple as just a ‘flick of a wand and poof.
Ballpoint studied her, making Twilight back up a little bit, expecting him to make a move of sorts. But thankfully all he did was say, “One can always try, eh?”
Twilight blew steam out of her nostrils, but obligated, “Stand back.” Ballpoint did, but noticed he was nearing Dinky a little too closely, “Dinky move up with mommy sweetie.” She flushed, and looked into space. ‘Had I just done that? Where in Equestria did that come from?’ Twilight quickly shook off the feeling and was glad to see that Dinky had followed her “Orders” and walked up to her. Her horn glowed, casting the purple light Twilight knew so well across the plain looking driveway. Twilight did her best to imagine Appaloosa, though she began having trouble as it had been so long since she’d been there. Harder, harder she tried focusing on simple things first: the main saloon, a cactus, even a little tumbleweed as it rolled past the Court house. She struggled maintaining her focus on the picturesque town, but was woken from her focus by Ballpoint.
He gave her a smug look, “What did I tell you?”
“Yes it’s a bit off,” Twilight said as she looked at the little town on the horizon. “But I suppose it works just as well.”
They began their walk to Appaloosa, Ballpoint could hardly hold his excitement, feeling himself grow a tad bit… hard. Dinky sensed something had changed in Ballpoint’s mood, and walked a bit closer to Twilight.
She noticed this and looked up at Ballpoint, “Hey… are you alright?” She said giving him a protective stare.
He nods slowly relishing now that he is half way to his goal… his… destiny. “Oh, I’m just glad to be back in my hometown is all! It’s been so long since I’ve seen this place, it really does just warm my heart up.” Finally they make it to the big Saloon located near the center of the town. “Stay outside while I go ask for information.” Ballpoint walked inside the Saloon, keeping his hat down so no pony would see his face easily. He walked to the counter, and was greeted by the bartender. “I’m looking for Steel Thunder.”
“Over on Applegroom way, yonder north.”
‘This is just too easy,’ Ballpoint thought to himself as he stepped off the stool. ‘So easy…’ he stopped and sat back down, ‘I may just have a drink.’ “Sparky… Sarsaparilla-Apple bomb please. Two.”
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
I watched as Ballpoint left inside the Saloon. Finally some time away from that creep. There’s certainly something off about him, and it’s on the tip of my tongue. I shrugged off the thought, and watched the town folk walk on by, continuing with their days. There were plenty of Apple carts lying around not many ponies actually purchasing any of them, though. There was one that caught my eye though, as it had a set of eyes protruding from the cover that engulfed the top of the cart. Normally I wouldn’t have given it any second thought, but those eyes… those yellow eyes seemed all too recognizable. No… those couldn’t be…
Before I knew it I was walking to the cart, Dinky in tow. Derpy’s eyes focused on me, and they ducked down for a moment. When they came back up the cart’s door, facing the other side of the Saloon, was opened. To my surprise and extreme delight it really was Derpy! It was Derpy! IT WAS DERPY!! After everything we’ve been through, after all the constant fears and worries nagging at our very souls, it had all come to an end. For a long moment we just stared into each others eyes, then finally we hugged. Dinky squeezed in, and we had a long group hug.
“Derpy, you’re safe!” I yelled with utter delight.
“Shh, keep it down,” Derpy harshly whispered, “Ballpoint is after me.”
“What?” I asked in a low whisper.
Derpy told me her whole story about what happened after our date, what felt like centuries ago, up to the situation she was in now. “You see… Ballpoint is my father…” Derpy said through tears. She quietly sobbed, leaving me speechless.
Rarity… how could she? I thought she would have been alright with us being together, but this…. I couldn’t even process things correctly. And Ballpoint… the stallion I hired to… to find Derpy was her father and he … had… raped her. This news shocked me, but all I could do was hug Derpy as she cried into my shoulders, and gently… ever so gently brushed her mane. She calmed down a bit, and pulled back looking me in the eyes. “Don’t you worry.” I said, “He’s not going to hurt you anymore.”
“But what can we do? We can’t turn him in, he’s a Private Eye, and he has his ways of weaseling through things…” Derpy cried again, and almost collapsed right there if I hadn’t been holding her.
I tilted her chin up, “We’ll find a way.” I said and planted a kiss. It was a long while as I felt her body heat fuse with my own, and feeling her heart rate increase. I held her tighter, and she returned the hug. We parted for breath and in a whisper just barely audible— as if quiet enough for only the two of us to hear— she said, “I love you…”
I couldn’t help but smile, “I love you too.” Eventually we had to go our separate ways, we couldn’t risk Ballpoint getting her. We said our goodbyes, not filled with tears, but rather with courage and hope playing every note in our voices as the cart carried on. Dinky and I walked back to the entrance of the Saloon, and met up with Ballpoint.
“Well… I couldn’t find any information on where Derpy was,” He hick-upped, “But I think I can ask a friend of mine by the name Steel Thunder where she might be.
I looked at him with disdain but managed to say, “Fine… let’s go.”
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Ballpoint led Dinky and Twilight through back roads and alleyways, saying that it would cut the time down. Twilight and Dinky followed without any say, any disagreement. Ballpoint knew what happened, at least… he sensed something had happened with Twilight. He knew it was time. At that thought he couldn’t help but crack a smile, ‘well as a conciliation prize I get another mare— and quiet the good looking one at that— and’… he chuckled, ‘and a filly…’
Ballpoint led them to another alley, although this one had no exit, just one way out.
“Why’d we go in he—“ Twilight tried to say but was knocked unconscious by a blunt object.
‘They always have to ask questions before they’re knocked out.’ Ballpoint thought.
Dinky tried to run away, but was over power by Ballpoint. He held her in his grasp, and began slowly licking her, starting at her flanks dragging the wet appendage up her back sending chills through her spine, ending at the base of her neck. She cried out and sobbed both from the odd feeling taking over her body, and from pure terror.
“Oh don’t fret little one,” Ballpoint said in a grotesque singsong voice. “We’ve got a long day ahead of us.”
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Derpy and Steel finally made it to the apartment. It seemed nice really, nothing out of the ordinary. Not like what Derpy was expecting, but what would she have known? After all the closest thing she’d ever gotten to this was when she hid in her closet after eating that last muffin in grade school.
“Well everything looks spic and span! I can’t wait to hit the buffet downstairs!” Steel trotted down the stairs to the kitchen, where he found the counter loaded with sweets! “Ohhh, Cherry Cobbler, Pecan Pie, is that… Cotton Candy Cloud?” Steel was mesmerized all the treats on the tabletop. He noticed something taped on a box of candy it looked like a little bug… “Hm… this is like the one I saw in my home…” He heard a scream come from the upstairs bedroom. “Derpy?” He rushed up to find Derpy lying in the corner shaking with fear. “What is it?” Then he finally saw it. Lying in the center of the bed was a neat little envelope with a red seal. He felt a chill go down his spine, but proceeded to pick it up and read it.
That wasn’t a clever plan deary. Twilight’s with me, for how long? Depends on my sense of… taste….
You’ve been warned, I don’t have much patients in this sort of matter so be prepared to hand Derpy over to me by three days. If you do not wish to proceed with these circumstances I’ll have no choice but to… have some fun with both Twilight… and Dinky. Meet us in Canterlot.
Don’t. Test. Me.
Steel slowly put down the envelope. Nothing could be said except one thing bounced around his mind like a ping pong ball. How did he know? How did he know? How did he know? How? How?! HOW!? HOW!?! Then the thought of that little bug came to mind. He rushed down from the bedroom, and looked at it again. ‘No… it can’t be…’ Steel checked again to make sure. This… this… “The apartment’s been bugged!” Steel screamed at the top of his lungs. Derpy raced downstairs and met eyes with Steel, check every room, every corner, every INCH of this place we got to get rid of these damn bugs!” He showed her the bug so she knew what she was trying to get. Together they ripped the apartment apart, making sure to get every corner. The walls were chipped and pieces of insulation removed in their search. When they had finally finished the apartment was a complete disaster, the only thing left untouched— for obvious reasons— was the bed. They both climbed in on each side and fell asleep on the spot. The last thought that came to mind was Steel’s, ‘At least… the bugs are all taken care… of…’
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/
Finally after an hour of dealing with carrying… loading… and tying up those two they’re finally ready to have some fun. And what better way then to have the fun live? He picked up a can of smelling salts. After a few waves under Twilight’s and Dinky’s nostrils they were ready for business.
“Wha… where am I?” Twilight said trying to regain some equilibrium through the splitting headache she had. She eyed Dinky, taking note that they were positioned standing on all fours, Dinky facing Twilight and vise –versa.
“Ah just in time I see for our little play date!” Ballpoint said through gritted teeth, though he wore a chillingly evil smile.”
“What are you… where are we?”
“Oh you don’t know?” Ballpoint got up and slowly— casually walked over to where Twilight stood. “You’re in my… my humble living quarters… well… not so much as my living quarters… more as my… discovery chamber.” He cracked a wicked grin, drool oozing from his mouth, running down his chin.
“Please… just let us go we didn’t do anything to deserve this…” Twilight began to sob, and looked up to find Dinky paralyzed from absolute fear of what was happening around her.
“Oh? But I think you do know why you’re in this position.” He craned her head up to meet his eyes, of which only splayed pure excitement and evil. “You’re here because you chose to not help me find my little girl!” He laughed manically at that last part. “And because of your choice… you’re going to pay for it!” He stepped over to Dinky, rubbing her mane passionately, “And as for you…” He licked his muzzle, taking no care in wiping up the slob from his mouth. “Oh you are the cute one! So cute I could just… eat. You. Up.” He laughed that evil laugh of his, and walked back to the table where he picked up a large red toolbox.
“Why are you acting like this? I thought you were really…” Twilight coughed up a bit of blood, “How could you be acting like THIS?!?” Twilight screamed at the top of her lungs.
“Deary deary me oh… my. Well if you must know, here are the facts.” He threw a bottle of pills at her feet. “I take those whenever I’m feeling a little bit like… he stopped and pondered at just the right word to say… “Like THIS,” he shouted and gestured toward himself. “ If I ever feel this feeling this… this glorious feeling, I just pop a pill and everything is fine and dandy!” But you see you’ve been gone out cold for quite some time… JUST enough time for me to let’s just say regain my old self back.”
By this time Dinky was a mess of tears, wailing softly to herself, unable to comprehend even the tip of what was going to happen to them.
“But you can’t do this! Please there has to be another way!” Twilight screamed back at him.
“Oh but there is another way, darling!” With a hoof he pointed to her plot. “ABOUT TWO IF I PRESUME!!” He laughed manically, cutting into the air, the hearts of the two trapped ponies, and through the very fabric of time itself. He brought the large toolbox up and carried it over to where Twilight was. He propped open a compartment and pulled out a wicked looking blade. Twilight began panicking, struggling against the bonds but to no gain. “Calm down sweetie,” Ballpoint said gently as he brushed the blade’s tip over her coat, careful not to cut even a shred of fur. He brought it up and sliced a piece of her mane. “I really… really like your mane… did you know that?” He said as he popped it into his mouth. Ballpoint chewed it slowly relishing in the exotic flavor of ever fiber in her mane. He swallowed and turned. “And Dinky! What a lovely surprise!”
“LEAVE HER ALONE!!!” Twilight screeched.
“I’d love to but alas… I just can’t leave the room without trying a taste!” He walked over to the crying form, pulled her head up to meet his eyes. and sliced a piece of her mane. He repeated the same process. “You know I do so love the taste of manes, it truly is a delicacy in some parts. He walked back over to Twilight letting his hoof hover across her body, gliding ever some gracefully on the surface of her back.... lower… her midsection… lower… her flank…. lower… to her tail where he gripped it and yanked softly.
Twilight let out a soft squeak.
“Oh does mommy like that?” He tugged harder.
Twilight was on the brink of losing herself. Tears burned her eyes, making them a deep crimson blood shot red. “It’s truly a shame if you don’t make it past the first few minutes of this darling…” he put the knife down and pulled out a shear. “ For we’ve got a whole night planned out.” He laughed again, the laughter echoing through the chamber room, bouncing off ever wall every corner every centimeter of the room. It practically drove Twilight to insanity right then and there, but unfortunately she managed to pull through just barely.
“”LET THE FUN BEGIN!!”
Author's Note!
Hope you enjoyed this week's chapter! I know there's this bucked up cliffhanger, hope you're ready for the next wild ride! Don't forget to rate, comment and/or track! Thanks for reading this guys, it means a lot!