Author Note: Just a reminder that this color indicates Charles' direct thoughts in that precise moment.
When the two friends arrived, they found around a dozen chattering ponies gathered around a brown pegasus holding the instrument. The title Public Messenger had been etched on the sides of his uniform. Once he managed to silence his audience, he flapped his wings and rose a few meters into the air in order to make his announcement more pronounced.
"By the power vested in me by this town's esteemed political representative, who is lawfully resting upon her authority as decreed by the Royal Act on the Rights and Powers of Delegates, and in the loyal fulfillment of Order 42, I urge everypony to present themselves immediately to Town Hall where you shall receive further instructions. I must, however, remind each and all of you that such a command is solemn and absolute. Unless medical conditions or justified duty impede, refusing to abide by this directive would constitute a serious offense, for which punishment shall be served out accordingly as per the Insubordination Code."
Whether they were excited or unhappy, everyone was curious as to what would make the Mayor issue a statement like that. Certainly it must be important, was the general consensus. Lyra didn't think much of it. She had already been through something similar, and it had been dull. Bon-Bon, who had genuinely looked forward to that adventure, was disappointed at the prospect of spending the next hour listening to a boring speech on how this law changed in this way for these people and blah blah blah. Nevertheless, the ponies made haste as they headed for Town Hall, albeit reluctantly.
Many were already there, and the new group simply merged with the ever-growing multicolored blob of creatures. Everything was already in place and the welcome introduction had been made, it was only a matter of waiting for this "special guest". Soon enough, he appeared. And so did the tense atmosphere.
Surprise was felt throughout, obviously, but not all reactions were the same.
Some of them cried, some of them laughed... But most of them remained silent.
Except for Lyra. I do not know what was going on with her. She was experiencing something akin to a heart attack. Or a seizure. I honestly don't know. It was creepy though.
*shiver*
Although, I could check if you want; I got both post-mortem examination reports right here.
Let's see, the original autopsy claims the incident to have been some sort of neuro-muscular shutdown triggered by a myocardial infarction combined with a period of intense fear and shock... But the revised autopsy, which they wrote with Lyra's help, indicates that the entire incident was something more along the lines of... "joy overload". Whatever the cause may be, she sure is lucky the paramedics got to her in time.
"Lyra? Lyra?! Lyra!!" shouted Bon-Bon with preoccupation.
The unicorn was already incapable of speech by the time she hit the ground, and probably in some moribund state between life and death.
"Lyra, what's wrong?! Please, talk to me, Lyra! Talk to me!"
An old unicorn standing next to Bon-Bon wisely remarked: "Well, I'm no doctor, but I think this mare should be taken to a hospital."
And so they did.
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Twilight approached and sat beside me, but remained in silence for a few minutes; no doubt pondering what to say next.
"It wasn't your fault. There was no way of knowing how everypony was gonna react..." she commented.
This was undoubtedly true, but it wasn't enough.
"I know, but I still can't help feeling directly responsible. Someone got sent to the hospital, and it was because of me. Justified or not, I am the only cause."
"She's not dead, and it's not the end of the world!"
"I suppose it could be worse..."
"Yeah, you're right. I gotta try to be more optimistic. On making amends, can we go visit her?"
"Of course, but it will be a long wait before we can get any news. Also, I would advice against actually seeing her. We don't want to trigger another emergency."
"Certainly. Oh and, if I may ask, who were those ponies you were waving at earlier?"
Twilight stopped to think for a second.
"I'm not sure, I waved at many ponies. Which ones are you referring to?"
"The bunch with the jumping pink one." I replied.
"Oh! You mean Pinkie Pie? She's just unmistakable, isn't she?" giggled Twilight. "They were my girls, my best friends."
"I see. Will I ever meet them? Seeing as how it's still a few hours until the hospital releases any news, there should be some time to burn."
"An excellent idea, Charles! However, we should probably put this off for tomorrow, once things have calmed down. If you don't mind, we could go to the market; there's some items I forgot to pick up."
"Fine by me."
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Handing me a strange exotic fruit, Twilight noted: "It's my favorite. I want you to try it out tonight, I'm sure you'll love it!"
I played around with it. It was roughly round, spiked, smelled nice and had the size of a melon.
"It's surprisingly heavy," I remarked.
I gave it back and asked her: "Do you mind if I take a look around?"
"Go right ahead. Just don't hospitalize anyone else," she replied in a teasing tone, along with a wink.
I returned her wink and raised my hands as I walked backwards.
"I promise."
As she turned away, I felt my feet hit something small. I look around to find a scruffy green colt mutter something, probably an apology, and dash away before I get a chance to say anything.
"What was that about?"
I didn't give it much thought at first, but as I continue to browse the diverse alien articles in this market, the image in the back of my mind resurfaces repeatedly. I try to ignore it, yet it returns. Why was he so dirty? Why did he ran away so suddenly, not even glancing upwards? Why was he alone? Perhaps he was abandoned, or perhaps he is running from his home. Could it be he has no family? If this is the case, why did no one even care to stop and talk to him; it was as he didn't even exist... I know this is just ridiculous speculation, but I can't help but be reminded of... of... of what? It strikes a memory, a memory I cannot reach. A memory I have forgotten but which nonetheless marks me deeply! How can this be possible, how can it pain me to think of something I do not remember?
What is going on?
Suddenly, a gruff voice elevated itself over the surrounding chitchat and proclaimed: "You there, stop! Get back here!"
There was silence for a moment, but the stallion spoke again soon after.
"Ha ha! I've caught you, now! Where did you think you were going?"
"Could it be he's talking to the boy?"
The reply was barely audible, for it was timid and soft, but there was no question about its owner.
"P-Please let go of me, sir... I was only p-passing through..."
"It is him!"
Everyone within earshot started to converge on the scene, forming a small crowd which attracted the interest of more and more ponies until pretty much half the market stood witness to the affair.
I traversed the group of twenty or so bystanders, something which proved to be remarkably easy as the villagers made a path for me by automatically distancing themselves at my sight. On my way to the front row, I overhead a rather revealing conversation.
"Daddy, Daddy, what is that tall thing over there?"
"Now's not the time, sweetie."
"But, whyyyy?
"Because we don't know what it wants and it might be dangerous, so be quiet, my dear."
I could now see the stallion responsible for all this fracas, a pegasus; brown coat, blond mane, nice tie, and a stubble beard to top it off. He didn't smell particularly good either. Even though his victim was right in front of him, he continued shouting:
"I see you've escaped for a second time, and have come to put on your poor colt act once more at the market, am I right?!"
"N-No, sir, I promise I only came here to buy something to eat."
"With money you probably stole! Ha! I know all about you trouble-makers, running around cheating money out of pitiful ponies who fall for a pathetic story. Your type is no good, that's the way you are, by nature. Just like your miserable father... Oh, I'll teach you a lesson. A lesson you're never going to forget..."
He raised his hoof, but before he has a chance to do anything, I yell.
"Stop! Leave the poor thing alone!"
The bastard looked to his right and left, searching for me. The colt sprinted away without making the slightest noise.
"Who said that?!"
Stepping forward, I calmly replied.
"I did."
Upon turning around to face me, he spat to the ground and stared at me for a long while. Once he was ready, he added.
"I know you, you're that weird-ass thing from earlier. I don't know what the heck you are or what the hell you want, but you better stay outta my way. Or else, someone's gonna get hurt..."
"You're absolutely right about that. Someone's gonna get hurt."
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