//------------------------------// // I saw the Mare do things // Story: The Ponyville Voice // by Jh5kPony //------------------------------// Years in the past... The boss of "The Ponyville Voice" was the last person to leave the office, or at least would be. He dons his hat, and packs away some of his paperwork and cigarette packs into his saddlebag. By now he was late. Only this time, he'd leave on a more satisfied note. Hours Prior... "This story is AMAZING!" the boss said. He could not believe his eyes. He has never read such an excellent story written by Proper Syntax. He would usually maintain very high standards, but this was truly the best. It was a story that HAD to be released into public eyes, no matter what. "I want more stories like this. Understood?" the boss waved his hoof at his now accomplished writer in joy. This is the story that would kickstart the newspaper group. He packed a few more things in his saddlebag. He then left his room, and passed a few desk. He then paused at a picture of Proper Syntax's wife. He remembered that Proper Syntax was a married stallion and his wife is pregnant. It reminded him how lonely he was. Just like that, the euphoria from the day's events quickly faded, and was replaced with a hint of jealousy. Just then, when he thought he was alone, he heard the front door open. A unicorn mare. She walked towards him with a rather seductive gaze. It was as if on cue he was to meet a mare. No, this was not love. It was flirting. Nonetheless, the boss kept a straight face as she approached him. "So you must be the owner and distributor of 'the Ponyville Voice' I see..." she said. "Yeah, and what right do you have to intrude on my establishment?" he replied. "I am actually an investigator of the Equestrian Secret Police." she said. "Secret police?" he said with contempt. "Oh, it's you guys always on our flanks, trying to ruin my newspaper." "All in the name of maintaining harmony." she began. "You see, harmony is not as easy to maintain with the Princess alone. That's why we're here to...keep the peace, so to speak." She then magically opened the boss's door, and made her way into the office. The boss tried chase after her to stop her. "Hey hey hey!" he said in a serious tone. "Stay out of my office! I got confidential stuff in there!" "What are you going to do? Butcher me?" the ESP investigator taunted. "What happened to transparency?" "Everypony would have my hide on a wall if some of the stuff here gets leaked!" the boss said, more desperate than serious this time. From the shallow "IN" box on the boss's desk, she lifted out a sheet of paper. It had writing on it. The jig was up. Proper Syntax's finest story. The boss had a worrisome look on his face. "Fancy Pants with Butterfly Imp tatoo on his back. Discovered by a Papparazi Pony..." she read. "You have to be joking..." "Listen. Fancy Pants is a fraud!" the boss defended. "If everypony finds out what he did to the-" And just like that he was cut off. A kiss. The ESP Agent just kissed the scruffy old stallion. He was not a very attractive man. The Agent knew what she was doing. She knew the stallion was still too naive. The stallion was indeed lonely and wanted a mare for himself. And there she was. Presenting herself to him. Perhaps he could use a break... Perhaps this story could wait... The Present... Twilight was experimenting something with potions. She gained a number of pointers from her good friend Zecora, and she attempts to use Zecora's knowledge on her own brews. If she could, she could have gone to the Everfree Forest and invite her to her library, but it was pouring outside (courtesy of the pegasi), so she could not. She was working in a room she don't visit very often, but only so that her experiments would not get all over her regular paperwork for the Princess. A drip of water landed on the tip of her horn. The sensitivity of the horn caused her to flinch, which, in turn, caused a (thankfully empty) flask onto the floor. It did not break, but it rolled underneath the table due to the uneven surface. No wonder she didn't use this room much. It was as if it was on the verge of breaking down. Damn budget cuts. She looked under the table to find the flask she dropped, but also found a sheet of paper she did not recognize. It looked like something that could be written on a newspaper, but was, for unexplained reasons, scrapped. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she took the paper and began reading it as if it were a newspaper itself. Or at least she could have until a knock on the door, however barely audible, was heard. Twilight opened the door. Fluttershy, now soaking wet, was at the door, with her usual bashful attitude. "Oh I'm sorry Twilight. I'll leave if you want me to." said Fluttershy, panicking a little. "No no. I don't mind. Come in!" said Twilight, as she let Fluttershy into her library home. "What a doozy of a storm, isn't it?" Twilight began. "Here, let me get you a towel. There's a fireplace nearby for you to warm yourself at." "Thanks Twilight." Fluttershy said, at ease. She slowly went over to the enchanted fireplace. Twilight set aside the paper, and quickly looked for a towel. Meanwhile, Fluttershy was simply curling in front of the enchanted fireplace, despite being soggy from the rain. The warmth of the seemingly impossible fire warmed her. However she was not here to bask in the warm glowing warming glow. Fluttershy had something important to tell Twilight. Twilight returned to Fluttershy with a large towel hovering next to her with magic. Fluttershy immediately began drying herself with the towel. She then returned the somewhat wet towel to Twilight, and Twilight took the towel away. Before she left the room, Fluttershy let out a barely audible peep. "W...wait..." said Fluttershy. Despite being barely audible, Twilight heard the barely audible cry for help. Twilight turned her head towards Fluttershy. The expression Fluttershy had confused and worried Twilight at the same time. Yet she knew what the face said. Fluttershy had something grave to tell to Twilight. "What is it?" asked Twilight. "N...nothing..." Fluttershy stammered. It was too horrid of a secret. It was bad enough Rarity knew already. Besides...just thinking about it... ...it reminds her of things... ... ... ...horrid things...