//------------------------------// // They came for the children, and left one nearly dead! // Story: P.D. PIE!!!!! Advanced Interrogations! // by Will of Haphinea //------------------------------// Prologue It is said, within us all, even the most happy and cheerful are but one or two personal disasters away from a breaking point. Yeah, they have no idea how true that is for me. The following is a story of one of the worse weeks to ever occur in Ponyville, and perhaps all of Equestria. This is my story. The story on how I found my own dark purpose. This is the beginning of the longest week in my whole life... Outside of Sweet Apple Acres. Day 1: approximately 1am Silence surrounded the quiet town of Ponyville, but all around, shadows crept along the streets in secret. Almost like a well-timed music piece, each group and note did what they were meant to do. They were played and the actions took place without prejudice, and without mercy: Fillies and Colts of all ages, including babies were snatched away, one by one. One place, however, did so without going quietly into the sweet night. "Let go of mah leg, you rough rascal! BIG MAC APPLEJACK HELLL.." silence followed a short scream from the young Apple child, but it accomplished its goal. "Hold up there, Mister! DROP THE FILLY, or we are gonna have ourselves a problem!" Applejack told the figure, who held the yellow filly over its shoulder. It did nothing and continued toward a window, when a loud crash and two massively red legs burst through the wall nearby, knocking the filly out of its grip, and flew out the other side and down the barn. "Nooope!" Big Mac said. His actions spoke louder than the words he spoke, but soon, they we for not, as two other figures attacked, and overcame him. "Don't you DARE hurt mah kin! I'll show you all that.." Applejack was slammed with a large field of magic force hitting her tired body, and silencing her, as one other, faster figure grabbed the younger sibling, and this time, successfully made it out the window with her. "NNNNOOOOOOOO! APPLE BLOOM!" A peculiar voice was heard amongst the shadows. "Teach them, a lesson. The old one...FINISH her!" The two sibling struggled, but three shadows went to the room and heard horrible noises coming from the place next door. Screams, and groans replaced the noise, until the large stallion had too much, and broke free of his captures. He smashed one with a free hoof, crushing its neck and creating a loud popping noise, and burst to help his grandmother. The sight he saw was vile. What one of them was doing to his pure Granny was sickening and unable to be described in his mind. He went to stop the violator, when a stronger burst or fire magic slammed into him, and set the nearby walls on fire. "Deal with that! Stallion!" It said in a cruel voice and left with the group of attackers. The one attacker Big Mac had dealt with was not moving, but Applejack resolved she would help him or her after she saved her family members. She managed to get Big Mac up, and pull Granny Smith out, but as she went into the farmhouse, the assailant attacked, and crawled deep into a fiery room, shouting "REVENGE!" as the fire ate away and its flesh. Applejack left, and cried in her brother arms, before deciding to bring Granny to the hospital. Downtown Ponyville. Day 1: approximately 2 am Another attack was starting, this time against a single Unicorn, and her small filly sister. Despite much protest and complaining or the brutish behavior of the assailants, they showed no pity, no hints of mercy as they started a most unsightly task. They grabbed the sleeping Sweetie Belle, and ripped away a large portion of her mane away, bringing her older sister to tears, and begging for them to stop. a Unicorn male raise his hoof, and pointed towards the sobbing shop owner as Sweetie Belle cried at being awoken to her mane being ripped out. She the witnessed the same occur to her older sister, but also included her tail hairs as well. "Stop! I'll go with you, I'll do anything, just leave my sister alone!" She declared ramming into the Unicorn leader, and causing him to stumble slightly. He looked down, and his fellow assailants grabbed her with their own magic, and carted her away. Before leaving, the smug Unicorn looked down at the ruined a teary-eyed fashionista and said "Call ME a brute will you! Rough her up, like the Granny!" he ordered, and left them to the deed. Little did Rarity know what was to follow next. She saw the males, ready themselves to take advantage of her and screamed at them to stop, when a blur appeared through a window, and none other than Rainbow Dash appeared, fighting the clumsy males for her friend. "Rarity, I cannot stress this enough, GET TWILIGHT NOW!" she yelled, and the dismayed Unicorn ran out while the ruffians tried to battle the faster and more agile Pegasus. They fought her for a while, but mere moments later, a tired and clearly worried Unicorn caught sight of two large figure holding down Rainbow and trying to pull out her wing feathers. Using magic she hoped she never had to use, she blasted at the two figures, and they slumped away, and Rainbow Dash flew to Rarity and Twilight. "We need to warn the town! Something is attacking Ponyville, and Applejack's house is..." "Don't worry Dash, I'll get Spike to have Luna send the Guards as soon as I can!" You take care of her, I'll go get Spike!" Twilight said, before running back to the library. Darling, did those brute, did they try and..." Rarity couldn't hold it in any longer, she cried out tears of sadness and regret. Why did those brutes want my Sweetie Belle anyway? she though to herself as Dash held her protectively. She wanted to warn the weather team, somepony, ANYPONY to stop whoever this was, but her friend came first... Royal Palace. Day 1: approximately 3am Luna was enjoying the night she had crafted, the new moon gave the stars a chance to shine brighter, and show the glory to those who would be up. Many ponies would miss this sight, but unlike her former self. she didn't mind. She knew some would see it, and those few made her efforts worth it. Suddenly a letter, coming from Spike's flame of Ponyville she knew, came up. Normally, these were reserved for her sister, but something urged her to read it, something troublesome. She needed only read two lines, and checked outside toward Ponyville to confirm what the letter had said: the the town was under some sort of attack! She clearly saw a building on fire, and other with smoke rising from the distance! "GUARDS! Fly to Ponyville immediately! There is an attack afoot!" She ordered in her Royal Canterlot Voice to both Royal Guards as well as the numerous Night Guards she oversaw. They immediately readied themselves, and the Pegasus troops were the first to leave, followed by a detachment of Unicorn guards. "Sister, awaken! Thy Student send the most distressing news!" Luna called out. Celestia was already awaken earlier, and was prepping herself when her sister had entered. "What is the meaning of this, sister? Please tell me this isn't an over-reaction again." Celestia stated, but when she saw the letter float ahead of her, and read the lines her sister did, it only meant one thing...She teleported away to the sleepy town below, and made her way to her most faithful student. Hopefully, she could figure this out. Ponyville. Day 1: 3:45 am The few fires that were set were put out, but many of the resident of Ponyville were understandably upset that some sort of attack had taken place, and many Guards were present in their town, searching around. Among the few, were Mayor Mare, and her assistant, Time Turner, trying to find their way into the Treehouse Library that served as a temporary headquarters for the Royal visitor. She arrived, only to run into a near panicking Twilight who rushed by her, and excused herself as the Mayor entered. "Please, come in, I feel you of all ponies should be informed as to the situation, and if you have any to share, please, do so now!" Princess Celestia said, while pouring more tea for both herself, and the visiting politician. "I shan't be long, but I feel that I must update you, at the very least. Granny Smith, is in bad condition since being brought in by her grandchildren. I fear for the impact this will have in the community. Only Filthy Rich has had and equal amount of influence on this town besides her." the Mayor finished. "Yes, my student, Twilight, was just informed of her attack. I cannot share the details on what has been found, but rest assured, they will be found, and brought to me, Miss Mare. Now, you mentioned a second issue?" Celestia was nearly overwhelmed, from lack of rest, to all the news she had been given, but hid it very well. "Well, I have been reported by my assistant here, that there are three cases of missing fillies and colts. It is still very early, but based upon this, and the patterns of attacks upon our town, we fear that, MORE young ones have been taken! May I, have some assistance asking the townsponies for an orderly help on checking their children? I don't wish to start a panic over nothing, but it would do my heart good if these were merely isolated reports, and not a planned attack!" Mayor Mare finished, a bit flustered, but calming down. Celestia thought about it, and decided to grant her request, and commissioned her guards to gather all the residents to town square, when suddenly, Spike rushed down, with three scrolls. Twil...I mean Princess I just got sent these! I think its import...*Blech!" ant!" Another scroll rolled towards the ruler. She thanked Spike and slurped some tea as she opened the scroll, only to spit it our after three scroll indicated three other cities, Cloudsdale, Appleloosa, and Baltimare were attacked around the same time, and many fillies and colts were taken! She felt sick to her stomach, and nearly threw up, due to all the emotions she felt for her little ponies. She may had been immortal, but the Princess loved all her subjects dearly. The thought of many being taken was too much to consider all at once. She called over to a guard, and dispatched him to inform her sister she needed her. For now, there was one more scroll, from Hope's Asylum: Dearest Twilight, I, once again, apologize for my rather rude behavior. I was wrong for misjudging ponies outside of our own Sanctuary, but that discussion is for another time. For now, I wish for thou to relay a message: Our town was attacked, but we hath successfully defend our own! Over twenty masked assailants, some Changelings, some regular ponies. They came amongst us last night, around the time of the highest moon. Our precious Manny guarded the entrance with his life, but we fear for his wounds, please send Fluttershy here! Please warn other towns, as Wonder hath informed us a week back of this attack. We do hope thine own town is secure. If thou wishes, I shalt arrive on the morrow with our Guardian, should Miss Shy be unable to come and assist us! Please warn the Princess about the attack warnings he mentioned! Thy Kirin friend, Rapi Dash The Princess was shocked. What warnings, what did Twilight not tell me? Could this had been prevented? She questioned herself, but knew the time would come to answer these when she saw Twilight again. There was much to answer for, and all of Equestria would be put on alert soon enough... Canterlot, Royal Gardens. Day 1: 5 am Luna, despite it nearing the end of her night, was wide awake, awaiting news from her sister. She marched with her personal Night Guards, and relayed some advanced strategies for finding and extracting information from the two fools who were caught in Rarity's boutique. There would be answers, she assured herself. After instructing her personal guards what would and would not be allowed under these conventions, she received a message from her sister, to come to Ponyville as soon as possible, as the situation has escalated, and that foals were missing from the town! Among the missing one name she was hoping was not on there appeared before her searching eyes: Pipsqueak! "THEY SHALT PAY DEARLY!" she yelled in full Royal Canterlot voice before disappearing and heading towards the chambers inside the palace. She nudged a sleeping Blueblood awake, and gave him a few instructions to go over while both Princesses were gone. Before he could object, she was gone, and the advisers soon came to him, prepping him with the Royal tasks that lay ahead. "Oh my, what ever shall I do???" he said to himself. ========================= Outside Fluttershy's cottage, Ponyville. Day 1: 5 am Rapi had just arrived with her Hippogriff escorts. "I thank thee, but I shalt take our Guardian from here. Please be sure to guard thine families, and should you need help, Kellie is fully allowed to, enjoy, any more attackers!" Her escorts know what that order carried with it, but Hope's Asylum was Rapi's domain for centuries, she protected it, and its ponies and creatures of all types. A hungry Kelpie may be a better fate than if she had gotten her hooves on those who would harm her ponies! She walked towards the cottage and while a distance of, the hurt white Manticore rushed forward towards the small domain, only to howl in a sort of painful way, that Rapi had only heard once. Something was certainly wrong! Arriving on the scene, there were loose animals, very scared, and feathers and fur everywhere. A huge mess of food and medicinbe laid carefully thrown about, and the scene that made her nearly panic: Blood! Not enough to make her think the worse, but certainly enough where she was willing to rush inside, when suddenly, the Guards came. "Halt, you are to be brought to the Princess, pending questioning of the disappearence of the Elements of Kindness, Miss Fluttershy! Do not resist!" The Sargent ordered her. The problem wasn't that she was willing to obey, but in fact, her Guardian, an over-sized Manticore, while hurt, chose this moment to roar and attack the three guards. They tried their best to stop the creature, but one mysterious word calmed the beast down, and it was from the intruder, no less! "I shall surrender, but mine creature means no harm. Do NOT harm me, lest mine Guardian tear the life from thine body!" she spoke simply, and they complied. Ponyville Hospital. Day 1: 5:30 am With the exception of Fluttershy, who Rainbow Dash assured needed extra sleep, Rainbow had gathered all her friends together. Rarity and Applejack were fine, but Big Mac and especially Granny Smith were in care of the staff right now, trhe former needing some magic to heal his various burns, and the latter, nearly on the brink of death. Try as she may to defend Applejack, she had to agree with Twilight: maybe letting her Granny go was the only way. She hated saying that to herself, but sometimes things like this happened. She held back tears, thinking of her family briefly, before she remembered somepony, Pinkie Pie! "Where's Pinkie?" she said to herself, she had awakened her after finding Rarity and Twilight coming back, but ever since, she disappeared. She had to find her, as there were many here who need a little smile after such a bad morning! Sometime soon, she found both Mr. and Mrs. Cake sobbing into each other shoulders, crying over the twins. They were some of the fillies and colts missing as well. It made Rainbow Dash so mad, but what could she do? Sure she wanted to fight, but that one Cyclops she stabbed in Monster World still haunted her nightmares some nights. She couldn't do that again! She asked where Pinkie was, and both stopped crying for a moment. "She is upstairs Rainbow, Dearie, but I warn you, she is really taking this badly! please, you might have to come back later. I fear she is.." Mrs. Cake tried to continue but was stopped but the determination of Dash. "No, I have to get her, she and I need to get Fluttershy and.." Rainbow tried to say, but Pinkie's door opened, and she saw it, written on the walls, were names, of every filly and colt missing, and next to them, their birthdays, wishes and dreams they shared with the party mare of Ponyville. She looked again, and it was just as the Cakes feared, her HAIR; it was flat again! Rainbow Dash suddenly remembered the last time she had seen Pinkie this way. Granted, she wasn't talking to imaginary friends or anything, but it concerned her. She and Pinkie had promised not to tell the others about it. The only exception was a certain stallion they both trusted back in that cursed land where they were both Dragons themselves! She carefully thought about what she would say, when Pinkie said two words, and only two words that shook Rainbow to the very core. "She's dead." Her voice was still and cold. Not the happy Pinkie she knew and... "What?!?" All present said. Mr. Cake himself fainted, as Mrs Cake left the two friends alone. Rainbow asked again. "Who? Please, don't tell me, Fluttershy, please!!! It can't be! NOO! I don't believe it! she began to yell, catching the attention of the Guards nearby. She didn't care! She loved her friend Fluttershy! Sure, she knew and loved all the girls but she was there from the beginning! "I can't feel her. They took her away, and now, we lost our Kindness." Pinkie said, staring at nothing. The Guards that came in escorted the crying Rainbow Dash and Pinkie to the Princess. "I am so sorry Dashie! I didn't feel anything before!" she said before crying herself. Both guards felt themselves drained emotionally too. They had heard of these Elements being the embodiment of their particular element. But with both being so sad and grief stricken,. they only felt that. Still, orders were orders, and they both, even with manly tears in their eyes, escorted the two to the Royal Sisters. Ponyville Library. Day 1: 6:15 am "Thou can not be serious! Not the Element of Kindness!" Luna declared. The other Elements would soon arrive, but Rapi had filled in what she had found as she came into town this morning. "I fear it may be true. It seems as thy Element was badly injured and attacked. Where she is now, I hath no idea, but we needth find her! She may hath information on the.." Rapi was interrupted by a huge drain of emotions, and soon, the other Princesses felt it too. "What do you suppose happened?" Celestia asked, when she saw both Rainbow and Pinkie crying into each other's manes, and their escorts doing the same, albeit from different reasons. "I am sorry I called your mother a whore! I didn't know she was cheating on your dad!" One said, the other answered as well. "I am sorry for doing your sister, but you know I love Unicorns and she was so cute!" they cried together before excusing themselves and leaving the old Kirin and Alicorns stunned at what they heard. "Perhaps we should talk to them?" Luna suggested, tearing up herself, but her sister snapped her back into the here and now. "Later, my sister. For now, my little ponies, what troubles you so?" and they explained Pinkie's vision of Flutershy's death, and Dash charged into the Kirin, extinguishing her flaming coat in some places with her tears. The Princesses calmed them down, and explained that she was not dead, but where ever she was, she was needing help very soon. Rainbow, despite her feeling of not wanting to fight earlier, was ready and willing to do so now! Meanwhile, Pinkie sat down staring at nothing in particular. "Hold up my ponies, we shalt let the Guards find her. She shalt be found, and those who did so shalt face mine wrath! For now, please stay here with the others. We both need to be in the other towns and cities affected, and will send word to Twilight by Spike's flame. Please, comfort each other. Stay safe, my dear friends," Luna hugged each of them, but noticed a dark aura growing around Pinkie, but thought nothing of it. She left as soon as she was done. Celestia talked to the other girls when they arrived, but confronted Twilight concerning the warnings only briefly. "There will be time for us to talk later, for now, we must remain alert! I shall return here in two days, my little ponies! Stay safe, and may your family be healthy, my dear Applejack." she said to the farm pony, who was worrying about her family. Twilight began to cry, and the others wondered what in the world was going on. "It's all my fault this happened to you Applejack and Rarity! I got a letter about a week ago warning of mysterious Changeling and Pony groups, but I had to confirm it before I told anypony! I am so sorry girls I should have shared with you all, I should have..." she was interrupted by a hug from Rarity, and Applejack. "Twilight, we love you! Even if we knew something was going to happen, it may have still happened the way it did. I know it was Sweetie who stood up for me in the end, and I know where ever she is, she is thinking about me!" Rarity said. Applejack paused. No matter how much she tried to comfort her friend, deep down, she was hoping she never had to see her sister, and brother hurt like that, Not to mention her dear Granny. She opened her mouth but Twilight hugged her tight. "I know, you don't have to say anything. I messed up, I am so sorry, ok?" she whispered. applejack hugged her just the same back. The girls gathered and talked more about the earlier events with each other. Except two for a brief moment. "Come on Pinkie. I figure we should go pranking some of the town ponies later today to keep the mood light! I hate seeing everypony so...Pinkie?" Her friend said nothing, but whispers, and her hair was still lifelessly straight. Dash considered Pinkie as close of a friend, second only to Fluttershy. She knew that look, and was scared it had come back. She remembered that warning long ago from their mutual friend: "Don't let her go back to that place again, she may never leave it if she finds it again!" Dash was tired of this, and tried to snap her pink friend out of it by a pie to the face, when Pinkie reacted violently, by slamming her hoof into the barrel of Rainbow's chest. "Don't you see Dashie? This isn't time to joke, this is time to act! PEEE-DEEE Piiie! Will find our Fluttershy, and then, maybe you'll finally tell her how you really feel about her! If you don't, I will, you sneakie-weakie Pegasus! Hehehe!" Pinkie said, before bounding off somewhere outside the library. A smile crept across her face, one twisted with the desire to find the truth. Dash panicked for a while, and still felt some pain from the hit she got. She had forgotten that Pinkie was an Earth Pony after all, and could hurt somepony, if she really had to. see admired her for that, but wait! Dash you are so stupid! You need to stop her before she hurts somepony or herself! "Twilight! Everypony, I think...I think Pinkie is broken again!" was all the hurt Pegasus could say. Everfree Forest. Day 1: 6:30 am "The plans have worked, and we shall soon send a message to all! Revenge shall soon be ours!" a masked pony said, while beating a lone yellow Pegasus. The victim of his beating begged him to stop, but he smiled as he did so and she laid before him, bleeding her last remaining life force to the ground of the Everfree. Her skull was beaten into a stump as her wings flapped involuntarily from each strike. Little did he know, somepony was watching him, and armed with an icing knife, she prepped herself for the rescue of her friend. "Hey there, it's PPPEEEE-DEEEEE PIIIIIIIE!" the voice said with a high-pitched an excited squeel...