Chapter Four:
Clues Unearthed
“Hello?”
The first word Pipsqueak spoke echoed into the inky black void he had woken up in. His beady eyes cautiously scanned around, trying to find a semblance of anything or anypony in the infinite darkness.
“Twilight? Spike? Mr. Fancy? Where are you?”
His call faded into the surrounding realm, not seeming to reach anypony. Suddenly, his ears perked up when he heard the sound of...crickets? Turning quickly, he found himself standing in a forest clearing. The night sky above was barely visible through the thick canopy and the surrounding forest was dimly lit from what little moonlight could pierce the thicket. Fear gripped the little pony’s heart but he managed to gather enough courage to trot to the center of the clearing.
“Help...me…”
A voice Pip had never heard before nearly made him jump out of his skin, making him turn and try to find its source. It was a soft, filly sounding voice.
“Hello? Anypony there?” He asked, panicked. The colt spun around until he caught the brief glimpse of a golden light shimmering through the trees.
“Please...help me…”
Pip’s gentlecolt instincts were flaring up, begging him to rush into the trees to help the filly. Everything else within him, however, was pulling him to not do something so foolish. With only a few seconds' consideration, Pip rushed into the dark unknown, pushing through the brush to follow the golden light.
“Hold on, I’m coming!” Pip yelled, dodging branches and jumping over fallen trees as his short little legs did their best to keep up with the ethereal glow. The farther in he galloped, the more coherent the shape of the source became. The ball of light slowly began to take the shape of a grey Earth Pony filly, her mane and tail a brilliant yellow. Her hooves were not touching the ground as she led Pip, as if she were flying without the use of any visible wings. The terror in his heart was filtered out by the adrenaline pumping through him, making him speed up.
“S-Slow down!” He yelled out. She didn’t reply.
Just as he got a pony’s length away, the mysterious filly vanished in a flash, causing him to yelp as he tried to come to a stop. His efforts failed and he crashed into the ground, tumbling forward until he finally bumped into what felt like a large rock. Groaning, he slowly got to his hooves and readjusted his now dirty necktie.
His head light from the fall, he took some time to recuperate. The surrounding forest had become even darker, making it so he could barely see his own snout in front of his face. His breathing quickened as his courage began to dissipate, causing him to back into the rock that had halted his tumble.
In his panic, he began to dart his eyes in every direction as the sound of twigs snapping made him anchor himself more to the rock. A loud snap to his left made him jump and turn.
The little filly from earlier was now right beside him. Her eyes, from iris to sclera, were pure gold in color. Pip took two steps away, cautiously, and was about to ask a question before it got caught in his throat. The darkness behind this mysterious pony began to shift into what appeared to be a...pony? Monster? Pip was unsure but it made him step farther back. Whatever the creature was opened its eyes to reveal pure red, glowing eyes. Its face seemed to rip apart as a jaw with jagged teeth the same color as its “skin” formed out of the chunks it tore from its own face.
The little pony didn’t seem to notice and smiled at Pip as an inky drool fell onto her shoulders. Without a word, she produced a pink bow from seemingly nowhere and laid it on the ground. Pip looked at it for only a second before turning his attention back to the horrifying creature that only seemed to grow more hideous by the second, his pupils shrinking as he began to hyperventilate.
The filly then spoke one last time.
“Find me.”
Then the darkness encased everything.
-----
The first thing Pip felt as he awoke was the rise in his chest from falling backwards and then feeling an impact as his head met a hard wooden surface. Acting quickly, he scrambled to his hooves and rapidly shot his eyes around the room. The setting was familiar, if darker than he remembered. It was the Golden Oaks Library.
“Whoa, Pip!” a familiar voice exclaimed “What the hay happened?”
The young gentlecolt turned to see Spike coming from upstairs, his pace quick and expression one of panic. The paranoia gripping the little colt’s lungs released its hold and he sighed, plopping down onto his flanks to rub the back of his head.
“Sorry Spike, I-I just had a horrible nightmare.”
Spike made it down and looked Pip over, his eyes wide with concern “Must’ve been some nightmare! Are you alright?”
“Y-Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks.” Pip responded with a calming smile and looked toward a nearby window, seeing the stars of the night sky “How long was I out? Where’s Twilight?”
“She finally managed to get to sleep, thank Celestia.” Spike answered, obviously relieved. “And you’ve been asleep for about an hour, I think.” He crossed his arms “I don’t blame you really. I’d rather sleep than read anything about the Everfree Forest.”
Briefly, the image of that little pony with the golden eyes flashed in his mind and he shook his head, chuckling at Spike “It’s not that bad. Sure it’s pretty scary, but it’s also fun to read about!”
A dubious brow rose so high on Spike’s face that Pip thought it would hit the ceiling “Whatever you say, buddy. But that didn’t sound like a fun scream when I came down here.”
“It’s not as scary as The Phantom was!” Pip insisted, crossing his forehooves and turning his muzzle up. Spike rolled his eyes and sighed.
“I was just messin with ya before, Pip. I know about what happened and, I gotta say,” He smirked at the little colt and elbowed him good naturedly. “You and that Fancy Pants guy did a pretty good job!”
Pip opened his eyes and relaxed, rubbing the sore spot on his head “Yeah, we did! It was Mr. Fancy who did most of the work though.”
“Ah don’t be so humble,” Spike waved dismissively, snickering “I get enough of that outta Twilight. Anyway, I’m going back to bed. You should probably-”
A knock on the door roused the two boy’s attention, surprising them both when the door opened not a second later. It was Fancy Pants. Pip immediately whirled around to fully face him and smiled at his mentor but noticed that Fancy’s expression was one of stern determination.
“Mr. Fancy? Is everything okay?”
Fancy Pants looked down at him, expression unchanged “Pip, I need you to gather your things and follow me. It’s of the utmost importance.”
“Wait, is Applejack okay? What’s going on?” Spike asked, stepping forward.
“She is, don’t worry Sir Spike. I apologize, but I don’t have time to explain.” The mustached stallion furrowed his brow “Please, follow me young Pip.”
“O-Of course, sir!” Pip blurted out, quickly going and gathering his traveling bag and heading for the door. Fancy nodded to Spike before shutting the door, leaving the young Dragon confused.
He shrugged and made his way back to bed.
-----
“Mr. Fancy, where are we going?” Pip yelled as he and his mentor galloped through the nighttime streets of Ponyville. The cold air made his eyes dry out as he ran against it.
“I found a location that I believe will be critical to our investigation!” He replied, leading his apprentice toward the path of Sweet Apple Acres “You’ll understand when we get there!”
“Yes, sir!”
The rest of the journey went without speech as their hooves beat against the ground. Pip’s eyes wandered as they traveled down the path, observing the beautiful light of the full moon shining down on them. He hoped that Luna was watching over them during their investigation and, as his mind went back to that horrid creature, prayed that she would protect him from such a nightmare again.
“This way!” Fancy declared and made a right turn. Pip followed suit, barely making it in time. The gentlecolt duo slowed their speed down to a trot as they transitioned from a dirt road to a lightly tread grassy path that led into a part of the orchard. Fancy closed his eyes and cast a light spell, coating the area in a bright orange light, since the moon was obscured by the sheer amount of blossoming apple trees.
“Not much farther now, my boy.” He pointed with his horn. After squirming their way through a few bushes, they came to a small clearing with a rather notable sight in it. Built into one of the hundreds of apple trees was a large treehouse accompanied by a long ramp that led into the singular entrance that Pip could see. The door was closed and had a small heart shaped glassless window carved into it. Poking out the crown of the tree was what appeared to be an observatory of some kind with the head of a telescope poking out of its window. The howl of the evening wind gave Pip chills as he looked it over.
“Is this the place, Mr. Fancy?” Pip prodded, tilting his head. Fancy nodded and started his approach.
“Indeed. It doesn’t look remarkable but take a look there.” He pointed. Pip narrowed his eyes and saw a small sign next to the door.
“‘Cutie Mark Crusaders official headquarters!’” Pip gasped “You think there might be a clue in there, Mr. Fancy?”
Fancy looked neutral as he started at the entrance ramp “Ms. Applejack has already searched this place, no doubt. However, I think with our critical eyes, we may be able to find something she overlooked.” He winked.
Pip nodded eagerly “Right!”
Fancy looked to the ramp and grimaced “I believe you should take the lead, young Pip. I shall be right behind you once you make it to the top.”
The small colt was easily able to ascend the ramp with no issue and was quickly in front of the door. Pip reached forward and turned the bronze-colored knob carefully. The door let out a creek that made the little pony shiver as he peered his head inside. The interior was small but densely decorated. The walls contained posters of the wonderbolts and pictures of friends and family. Behind a podium that sat at the far end of the room was a large map of Ponyville and the surrounding areas, along with a list of activities that had some of them crossed out next to it. Other than this, there were chairs, books, and toys scattered about on the floor. Right next to the door was a ladder that Pip guessed led up to the observatory.
Despite the homey appearance, Pip felt uneasy as he stepped further inside. It felt wrong that it was so quiet here, a place that once held three dear friends sharing their joys and hardships in achieving their special talents. His head sank, the true horror and weight of the situation hitting him for the first time. If they failed, these three friends would never again share their laughter, their struggles or their fears in his space ever again.
This once happy place would be left to decay. Their memories here never passed on.
“Pip? Is everything okay, dear boy?”
Pip’s head rose up and he sniffed, wiping away the beads of tears that had formed in the corner of his eyes before turning around.
“Yes, I’m fine Mr. Fancy.” He responded with a sniffle, shaking his head “It’s just...nothing.”
Pip felt a familiar large hoof touch his cheek and gently turn his head toward Fancy, who smiled in understanding.
“We’ll find them, young Pip, don’t you worry.” He affirmed, the confidence in the both of them clear in his tone and smile. Pipsqueak shut his eyes once more, a feeling of determination surging in his soul from his master’s words. While his doubt and fears would remain deep within until the case was resolved, he pushed them down and opened his eyes, a new flame burning within.
“Right, Mr. Fancy. Where do we start?” He asked as he looked over the clubhouse once more. Fancy went to respond as he rose to full height but grunted when he bumped his head against the low ceiling.
“I, ow, believe you’re more suited to looking around, young Pip. Just bring me anything you find, and I’ll examine it from the outside.” He said, laughing at his own expense. The student couldn’t fight a giggle as his normally regal and composed mentor slowly walked out of the clubhouse with all the finesse of a large dog.
The first thing Pip decided to do was examine the piles of books and toys which, predictably, didn’t have anything of note other than one of the newer Daring Do books that Pip had yet to acquire. Reluctantly, he put it back where it belonged and continued his search. He scanned the posters and framed photos with his eyes, looking for any possible outdents that revealed a secret safe or anything of the sort. But even with the light of Fancy’s magic lighting the entire space, he didn’t notice anything of the sort. Then he set his eyes on the podium.
Resting on the podium was a series of pictures of different activities, from snorkeling to book writing, and hoof written notes that read like some kind of speech one of the Crusader’s would give to the others. More than likely it was Applebloom, Pip guessed, due to the slang used throughout. The lower shelves on the podium were stuffed with crumpled up papers, most of them being previous versions of the same speech.
With nothing else there he could see at the moment, Pip looked over the large map on the wall. Many locations were circled but many were x’d out as well, the little colt guessing that this coincided with the Crusader’s activities in town. So far, everything seemed normal to Pip and he was about to announce it to Fancy until he spotted something odd. Drawn next to certain locations were doodles that portrayed different ventures that the Crusaders could partake in, such as fishing in the river and hang gliding in the hills. But five locations in particular had a tiny doodle of a telescope drawn above them and judging from the intensity of the ink, it had been a recent addition.
Pip tapped his chin, and he felt a familiar rise in his chest, an excitement that coincided with only one thing.
“Mr. Fancy, I think I found a puzzle!”
“Excellent work, my boy!” Fancy chortled “I’ll leave this one to you but if you need assistance,” he gestured helplessly to the doorway “You know where to find me.”
Pip bowed and turned back to the map, pulling out his notepad as he did his best to copy the hoof drawn map. Location names were absent, Pip guessing that the little ponies who drew it knew them already and didn’t feel the need to write them down.
“Would be too easy if they did.” the colt thought with a feeling of pride. Deep down, he hoped his memory served him well enough.
After a few minutes of scribbling, Pip put away his pencil and looked at the observatory ladder. “I’m going up, Mr. Fancy.”
“Be careful, young master.”
Pip ascended, notepad in mouth, rather easily up the ladder and found himself in a tiny room fit for two little ponies at most with a large, stallion sized telescope hanging halfway out the window. The cool evening breeze had gotten colder, and Pip shivered as the wind tickled his nose.
Getting to work, he pointed the huge scope at the marked locations, and he was surprised with how quickly he remembered most of them. First up was the Ponyville schoolhouse, followed by Sugarcube Corner, then a large house that stood above the others around it, the large town hall building, Carousel Boutique and back to the schoolhouse again. As Pip observed these locations and marked them down on his map, he recalled as many memories as he could of last year’s Nightmare Night, remembering the times he spent with Pinkie Pie and her entourage of other little ponies as he stared at the unknown house that had been marked.
Then, a spark went off in his mind.
“Oooh, that’s the Mayor’s house! We better get candy before she starts the party in town! She gives out the BIGGEST candy bars!” He recalled Pinkie Pie yelling to him and the other ponies. He smiled warmly, reminding himself to visit the chaotic mare after all this was done. With all the locations named and marked, he began to look for the answer.
“Maybe…” he thought aloud and looked through the scope again “...the place at the center of these other locations is the solution?”
He mentally connected the locations and found an innocent little toy store at the center of it all. He was confused. Could the answer be there? No, not likely. Was the answer in one of the toys downstairs? He made a mental note to check when he went back down. He scribbled a question mark on the toy store at the center and began to draw lines to link all the indicated landmarks. When linked, they formed a short, backwards, crooked number seven.
Seeing this only made him more confused and he finally decided to climb back down.
“Mr. Fancy, I need you to look at something.” He said when he got to the bottom. Fancy Pants looked over and tilted his head.
“Oh? Did you find the answer?”
“Take a look,” Pip presented the notepad and pointed with his hoof as he explained “I marked all these places and linked them and I formed this weird backwards seven. This toy store,” he tapped “is in the center of it all but I don’t think that’s it.”
Fancy adjusted his monocle and got a closer look “Hmm. Perplexing indeed. However, I may be able to offer a hint if you’d like.”
Pip looked up, bewildered. Fancy had already figured it out? It wasn’t surprising but it still caused a pang of jealousy in his gut and he shook his head “No, I’ll take another look at it.”
“Very well.” Fancy dimmed the light slightly on his horn and yawned “I’ll be here.”
Pipsqueak first trotted over to the toys to give them another look. Wooden pony figures, wooden carts and other such paraphernalia relating to frontier ponies littered the floor. Nothing that would connect to the puzzle at hoof. Sighing, he went back to the large map and did a compare and contrast, using his pencil to draw on the original map.
Everything lined up and formed the same shape: a backwards, slightly crooked number seven. Just as he was about to give in and ask for a hint, an idea struck him. He quickly added another line that connected everything back to the schoolhouse, forming a not so perfect triangle. Or was it an arrow? If it was, then it was sort of pointing back at the clubhouse. Sadly, this didn’t help him at all and he turned to his teacher.
“Mr. Fancy, I can’t figure it out.” He confessed, his pride stinging from the admission. Fancy crawled his way inside and gave Pip a pat on the head.
“A true gentlecolt admits ignorance without shame, young Pip.” Fancy stated with a half-smile and looked the map over “You are on the right track. The locations do connect to point back to the clubhouse, despite the odd shape of the arrow. Why do you think that is?”
Pip raised his chin, the disappointment fading when the reigns were given back to him. The colt wracked his brain as he tried to piece together what he knew “Maybe it’s a sign that the clue is...here?” he asked with fading confidence as he gestured to the whole clubhouse. Fancy nodded.
“Correct. However, if that’s the case…” he peered around, twirling his moustache “Where is it?”
The little gentlecolt followed the arrow on the map carefully. It was indeed pointing at the club house, but he couldn’t help but feel there was a double meaning to it. He walked to Fancy’s left and circled around the podium to get a closer look.
Then he felt a floorboard sink slightly under his hoof, making him look at it immediately. It wasn’t unusual, this was a treehouse after all. However, when he looked back at the arrow on the big map and lined it up with his eye…
“I got it!” Pip yelled and tapped the loose board “Mr. Fancy, can you use your magic to take the nails out of this board?”
“Right away, young master.” Fancy said, beaming at his apprentice “I knew you could do it.”
In no time at all, Fancy’s magic had removed the nails and lifted the board out with little issue. The hole it left revealed the grass below, along with a few branches of the tree the house was built into. Taped to the underside of the board, however, was what looked like a journal of some kind. This made Pip leap with joy.
“I was right!” He declared, puffing his chest out “Score two for the gentlecolts!” he held up a hoof, a signal to Fancy. The older stallion chuckled and hoof bumped the smaller pony.
“Quite a show, Pip! Now, let’s see what we’ve uncovered here.” Fancy applied some magic and undid the tape in a sinch. The cover was green and had the words “TOP SECRET CMC PROJECTS” inscribed on its surface in black ink. Cracking it open, Fancy sat down low enough for Pip to get a look at the contents as well.
The first few pages contained what could be called ‘unsafe’ trips that the trio of fillies embarked on, including going into Diamond Dog territory, scouting out Froggy Bottom Bog, and other dangerous locations. What they both noticed, however, was that only four of the many remaining pages were written in, the rest that followed being blank.
“No, that can’t be it.” Pip said, worried “There has to be more!”
Fancy narrowed a brow, determined, and continued to flip through until he hit the second to last page, where there appeared to be an entry written once again by Applebloom. Pip’s eyes went wide with excitement, but his smile soon faded as he skimmed the page ahead of Fancy’s reading.
“It’s been five days in a row that we’ve all dreamed of that blonde maned filly. I don’t get it! Is Princess Luna trying to tell us somethin? It’s weird for three ponies to have the same dream right? She keeps tellin’ us to go to the Everfree Forest, to save her. I don’t know what the hay that’s all about, but Scootaloo thinks we should go on ahead and try! Sweetie Belle is very insistent on us not goin’ but Scootaloo is right. If a filly is in trouble, we need to help her! I hate to lie to Sweetie Belle but it seems like the only way to get her to come along. Scootaloo and I came up with the idea of Cutie Mark Crusader Potion Makers, which will take us toward Zecora’s place and we’ll branch off before we get there! I just hope that filly will lead us to where she is. I don’t wanna get lost in the Everfree and Celestia knows I don’t wanna meet another Cockatrice! We’ve got supplies packed and we’re heading out tomorrow! We’re coming, little filly!”
A pit had formed in Pip’s stomach before Fancy even finished reading and he stepped away slowly. There’s no way...a blonde filly in the Everfree Forest? His heart rate quickened and his lips began to tremble.
“Pip, are you alright?
Pip’s eyes stayed focused on the book as he backed into the podium, nearly knocking it over as he tried to stabilize himself. Quickly, he thought of a cover for his reaction. He couldn’t find the courage to tell Fancy. Not yet. “They actually went into the Everfree Forest…”
“It seems that way.” Fancy closed the journal and put in Pip’s bag “We will inform Twilight and her friends tomorrow. In the meantime,” He let out a long yawn and checked his pocket watch, Pip noticing just how tired the stallion actually was “It’s around midnight now. I recommend we find a good place to rest. A hotel, maybe?”
“Yes that...sounds good.” Pip agreed, his gaze focused elsewhere. Fancy Pants looked at his apprentice with concern but chocked up the behavior to the young one's tiredness. It was way past his bedtime, after all.
“Come along now, Pip.”
Absent-mindedly, Pip followed behind as the two left the clubhouse. After he had shut the door, the blank flanked colt looked to the Everfree Forest that lay not far beyond. It towered over the trees of the orchard, the darkness of its leaves contrasting with the bright green of the happy apple trees. It was like a completely different world there. A world of unknown horrors and nightmares that awaited just beyond the bushes.
As he peered into that mysterious darkness that lay within, he swore he saw a faint yellow glow moving between the trees.
He then galloped to catch up to Fancy, his heart pounding out of his little chest.