//------------------------------// // Act II: Part IV // Story: Cupcakes: The Musical // by SweeneyXoz //------------------------------// Interior of a Canterlot mansion Two wealthy-looking, white unicorns, a blue-maned stallion in a fine suit and a pink-maned mare, are sitting at a small table with some tea. The room around them is almost exactly how Rarity envisioned her dream home. The ceiling is high and the walls are a soft blue. The tall windows allow the sun to shine through, a stark contrast to the cloudy blandness of Ponyville down below. Fancypants: A nice day for a walk in the park, don't you think, Fleur? Fleur des Lis: Oh, yes. In fact, I haven't seen the sun shine like this in years. Do you think something's changed? Fancypants: Doubtful. Even after all this time, the princess still refuses to make public appearances. Then again... perhaps something has changed. (lifts a monocle to his eye and moves a newspaper from the kitchen with his magic) Now, let's see... (begins reading, then gasps) Sweet merciful Celestia! Fleur des Lis: (startled) What!? What's happened? Fancypants: (reading from the newspaper) "Tragedy Strikes: Ponyville residents left mortified after a cellar of death was discovered beneath famed shops Pinkie Pie's Capricious Confectionery and Carousel Boutique. At nine-o-clock last evening, police officers were called to the disturbing scene as a horde of mad ponies swarmed the streets. There, they discovered the skins, hair, bones, and flesh of ponies as components of baker Pinkie Pie's cupcakes and dressmaker Rarity's clothing." Good heavens! "Recent disappearances of more than twenty ponies are being attributed to the duo. Witnesses and officers who first arrived on the scene remain missing and a young dragon, suspected to be an accomplice, has been detained. Witnesses to the polices' reveal of the situation claimed to see the ghosts of the victims surround them and move about before disappearing. 'I shwear, firsht there was one, then two, then a dozen of 'em,' says Ponyville resident Berry Punch. 'Ghosts! Ghosts everywhere!'. Other ponies who claimed to see the phantasmagoria have refused to comment. 'Ms. Pie's body was discovered at the scene, but Ms. Rarity remains missing,' says Chief Inspector Billy Club, head of the investigation." This is... this is absolutely horrible! "Among the dead discovered at the scene were the honorable Judge Twilight Sparkle, Beadle Rainbow Dash, and well-known apple magnate, Big Macintosh." (sadly) Not Big Mac... Fleur des Lis: How dreadful. To think anypony would be capable of something so barbaric. Fancypants: Our walk in the park will have to wait. (sets the paper down and gets up) I think I'll go to Ponyville myself and see what I can do to help. Fleur des Lis: Oh, do be careful. You know how dangerous the outside world can be. Fancypants: (puts on an overcoat) Not to worry, dear. (kisses Fleur) It's nothing I'm not prepared for. Fancypants walks upstairs and enters a servant's bedroom, a room that, while somewhat simple, is well above the standards in Ponyville. A mare with a yellow coat and full red mane is sitting somberly on the bed. She doesn't look up and simply stares at the floor. Fancypants: Ms. Apple Bloom, I... I suppose you must've read the paper and I just... (pauses to find the right words) I just want you to know that Fleur des Lis and I will be here for you. I'm off to Ponyville for a few hours, but Fleur will be right downstairs if you need her. Fleur des Lis: (enters the room and stands next to Fancypants) We'll be happy to pay for carriage fare if you'd like to return to Ponyville. I know this must be very hard. Apple Bloom: (looks up, face brightened a little) Thank you. That's very kind. I think I would like to go back for a few days. Granny Smith must be taking it hard, too. Fancypants: (to Fleur) Do take care of her, darling. Fleur des Lis: (hugs Fancypants) Be safe. Fancypants heads down the stairs and exits the house, leaving Fleur with a still-somber Apple Bloom. Fleur des Lis: I'll let the college know you'll be gone for a few days. Apple Bloom: (looks up and nods softly) Thank you. If it's alright, I'd like to be alone for a little bit. Fleur des Lis: I'll be right downstairs. (leaves and shuts the door) With Fleur's exit, Apple Bloom slowly rises and walks to her dresser. She pulls open a drawer and picks up a picture of her, Applejack, Big Macintosh, and Granny Smith, taken during her foalhood. She stares longingly at the photo for a few moments. Apple Bloom: The world wronged us. Ma, pa, Granny, Applejack, Big Mac, and me. Well, I'll show them. I'll show them all. (lifts a scalpel from under a dress in the drawer) After all... (looks out the window to see Ponyville in the distance) Apple Bloom There's a place in the world that is full of hate Where none can escape a dark and gruesome fate And the worst of ponykind all congregate. The final image is of Apple Bloom, her face grim and hateful, with a scalpel in hoof, ready to exact vengeance for her family on the world. DAS ENDE