Chapter 5
The following morning, Bright Eyes woke up bright and early. She got out of bed and slipped into her bathrobe. She walked into the bathroom and closed the door.
Meanwhile, Circuit was walking toward the kitchen. He grabbed a large bowl and the ingredients needed to prepare a mix for waffles. He poured said ingredients into a bowl and began stirring.
A flush was heard, followed by sink water running before Bright Eyes emerged from the bathroom. She walked toward the kitchen, and was surprised to see Circuit. “Oh, good morning, Dad.”
"Good morning, sweetie, sleep well?"
"Yeah... Did you?"
"Like a baby."
"Good... So what are you making?"
“Waffles.”
"Good, need any help?"
“I think I’ve got it. Why don’t you turn on the television and see what’s on the news.”
“You got it.” Bright Eyes turned on the television. It was already set to P.T.V. (Ponyville Television). Bright Eyes stood back and watched.
"...it is expected that the man held accountable will get a life sentence. As for the family, they’re just hope that their son can rest in peace,” Dazzle broadcasted. “In other news a family is having to go through a painful memory for the first time in more than ten years. We should warn you that what you are about to see may be disturbing.”
'Not sure I want to-' Bright Eyes was about to change the channel when she started seeing clips of Teddy’s house. ‘What in the world…?”
As the broadcast cycled through the clips, another voice narrated. “It was supposed to be a simple date for two young ponies, but a random pony has groped his female companion.” The camera cut to the reporter, Cynthia Howles, a white wolf wearing a black jacket, white collared shirt, a black dress skirt, and heels. She continued, “The male knocked him out before the creeper was allegedly taken in by an ninja, but the photo he found didn’t make the incident any less shocking.”
The camera immediately cut to an interview. The face was blurred out, but she could make out the figure just as plainly. ‘TEDDY?!?!’
"Something wrong Bright Eyes?" Circuit asked from the kitchen.
“Well, someone I know is on the news.”
“Oh?”
“We’re not revealing his or the victim’s identity but the groping incident was only the beginning after he found a photo of his sister who had been missing for more than ten years.” The report said.
"Teddy has a sister?"
“Apparently,” Bright Eyes said.
The report showed a photo of the family together cropped to show only Flare. “This is what she looked like when she was living with her family before her abduction at around six years old.” The report cut to her current photo. Both hands went over Bright Eyes’ mouth after seeing the photo. “This is what she now looks like ten years later. Underfed, beaten, bruised, and possibly violated in every manner possible. This is the image no parent or sibling would want to see.”
'Or anypony for that matter.’
“Poor girl,” Circuit muttered.
Bright Eyes took the remote and turned the TV off, "I'm gonna take a little walk..."
“Um…” Circuit pointed to the bathrobe Bright Eyes was still wearing.
"Oh...after I get changed..."
“Right…”
******
Bright Eyes walked outside the door wearing jeans, a red T-shirt, and tennis shoes. She cautiously looked around before beginning her walk. Thoughts raced through her head. ‘Why didn’t Teddy tell us about his sister? For that matter, what torture could she have gone through to disfigure her this badly?’
“Hey Bright Eyes!”
Bright Eyes turned to whoever greeted her, and saw Sweetheart. “Hey, Sweetheart, what are you doing here?”
“I was going over to see Teddy, I felt really, truly bad after last night and wanted to help him.
“Yeah… about that… Have you seen the news?”
“No…”
“Teddy was with some girl and she was grabbed by someone, but Teddy got him away, but he found a picture of some girl.”
“Yeah… that girl was me…”
Bright Eyes’ mouth dropped, “YOU WENT OUT WITH TEDDY!?!?”
“Well… Kinda. I really, truly thought he needed a little cheering up, so I took him to see a movie. We were going to eat afterward and that’s when… Yeah…”
“Wow… So you know the girl in the photo is his sister?”
“Wait, what?”
“Yeah, Teddy found a picture and it was of his sister!”
“Oh my… How was she?”
“The very sight of her would make you want to cry. She’s been beaten up that bad.”
“Oh… goodness… no wonder Teddy crie-...um, didn’t want to eat.”
“Plus you were assaulted.”
“Well...I hadn’t thought about that much, I kind of forgot after Teddy was so upset.”
“Well, at least he stopped the guy from grabbing you.”
“Yeah… Guess that’s the advantage of having a friend like Teddy.”
“Yeah… I wonder if Lancer would do something like that.”
“Grab girls like that?”
“Heck no. I meant knock a guy like that to next week.”
“Oh...I don’t know…he isn’t exactly the strongest boy in school…”
“I guess...but he’s really sweet…”
“Yeah…”
******
Clover was wondering what she should do. She was absolutely bored out of her mind and had no idea what to do. She was awaiting the sleepover at Sweetheart’s house...in twelve hours… But since that was, well, twelve hours, she didn’t have anything to do. Bright Eyes was going to study with Zecora, Sweetheart is going to be working with the Apples, Bon Bon had company, Melody was rehearsing with her band, Patch had her driving test, and Starlight had inventory.
“Clover?”
Clover looked to see Meadowlark standing in the doorway. “Oh. Hi Meadowlark.”
“Hey...doin’ okay?”
“I guess...just bored…”
“Oh. Well what about your friends?”
“They’re all busy.”
“Oh… Video game?”
“Not a fan of those.”
“Homework?”
“School hasn’t started yet.”
“Oh yeah, that’s right. Um… Hm…” Meadowlark thought for a few moments, then snapped her fingers, “Hey! Wanna go somewhere with me?”
“Sure. Where?”
“I dunno, you decide.”
“Oh. Um… I don’t kno- wait, I think I do.”
“Alright, where do you want?”
“Do you remember that school we went to when you first introduced me to ballet?”
“Yeah…?”
“I want to visit that place.”
“Oh? Are you thinking about going there?”
“I am.”
“I see, how long have you been thinking about it?”
“Since last month.”
“Oh...do you think that’s what you want to do as a career?”
“I know it is.”
“Okay. Have you told mom or dad?”
“I have.”
“What did they say?”
“They’re a little skeptical about it, but they’re just happy I decided on something. I mean, I am good at dancing, right?”
“True, but it’s really hard work, and you have to really work at it.”
“But it will all pay off.”
“Yeah...that’s true…” Meadowlark sighed, “So are you ready to go?”
“I am.”
“Okay, let me just get my keys and we can go.”
“Okay.”
******
Lancer stood in the Ponyville Airport, impatiently awaiting the return of his parents. He looked at his watch before looking back at the gate. They’re plane had arrived, but they still needed to make their way out. He sighed, “Soon now… Soon…” Suddenly, Lancer felt something touch his shoulder. He felt the need to slap that arm off, but he decided to take a look first. When he turned to look, he was happy he did not go with his first thought.
“Hi, Lancer,” his mom greeted.
“Hey Mom,” Lancer greeted as he hugged her.
“I missed you, sweetie.”
“I missed you too.”
Heartbeat, his mom, took a step back and looked Lancer over, “You’ve gotten so big!”
“Doesn’t that happen naturally,” Lancer chuckled.
“Yeah...but you were such a small thing a few years ago, and now look at you.”
“I know… So where’s dad?”
“He’s getting the rest of our bags.”
“Okay. Anyway, do you have any idea what you would like to do now that you’re back home?”
“Oh...just rest and be with you.”
“Okay.”
“Hey guys,” Hard Drive said carrying the luggage.
“Hi Dad,” Lancer gave Hard Drive a big hug. “How was the flight?”
“Too long. It gave me a big wedgie.”
Lancer and Heartbeat giggled.
“But nevermind that.”
“...Yeah…”
“So how are ya, Lancer?”
“Good.”
“Good,” Hard Drive grinned, “Wow, you’ve gotten so big!”
“That’s what Mom said.”
“Well...it’s true.”
“So I hear,” Lancer grinned. Suddenly, Lancer’s phone rang. He answered it. “Hello?”
Bright Eyes answered, “Hey, Lancer how’s it going?”
“Good actually, and you?”
“Me? Nothing really, but… have you seen the news?”
“Um… No, not really. Why?”
“You might want to sit down.”
“Okay…” Lancer sat down on a nearby chair.
“Okay...first: did you know Teddy has a sister?”
“No, I didn’t. Never even saw her.”
“Me either, but apparently he does...but she was...um… She… was abducted.”
“Wh- What?”
“Yeah, and he apparently found this picture...it was of her...she looked so...violated…”
“Oh my gosh… Okay, I’m at the airport right now with my parents. I’ll see what I can do. If you see him before I do, give him my regards.”
“Okay…I will… Oh, and did you know Sweetheart was attacked?”
“WHAT?!?!”
“Well, someone attempted to, but Teddy saved her.”
Lancer gave a sigh of relief. “What happened to the attacker?”
“Teddy punched him, according to Sweetheart.”
Lancer winced. “Not a big surprise there.”
“Yeah...kinda got me to thinking…”
“That he’s very protective?”
“Well that, but also if his sister’s absence could have something to do with Teddy’s behaviour.”
“Hm… That is an interesting question…”
"Yeah...and...oh, never mind."
“What?”
"I was just wondering if...you would protect me like that..."
“You mean knock someone out if someone touched you like that? Pretty much.”
"Yeah..."
“Anyway, I gotta go, but I’ll see you later.”
“Okay, Bye.”
"Bye." Lancer hung up.
"Who was that," Heartbeat asked.
“Oh, that was Bright Eyes.”
"Oh..."
“Yeah, I’m a little scared for my friends right now because I just heard that one of them was assaulted.”
"Oh my goodness! Do you need to go?"
“Yes, but I can drop you off somewhere first. Besides, I actually need to see two of my friends because… Well… I’ll explain later.”
“Okay.”
*****
Teddy looked at a copy of Flare’s new photo, mainly because the original was taken in for evidence. He didn’t know why he was looking at that photo to begin with; every second he looks at it only intensifies the sadness he feels knowing that his sister was still out there being tortured by evil people for the fun of it. He looked at the photo of the Flare he used to see. She was so young, bright, innocent, eccentric, and safe. In that other photo, all of those virtues were tarnished. She was beaten, bruised, bleeding, hurt, violated, and scared.
Teddy grabbed the teddy bear and looked at it. Those two ponies were the same one who gave him this bear. Tears were practically gushing out of his eyes. “Why?”
His mother didn’t even bother to knock, mainly because the door was still open. She sat next to Teddy. She gave him a big hug and asked, “Is there anything I can do?”
“I just want to be alone.”
“Okay...I’m sorry to bug you,” His mom got off the bed and was about to head out the door, before she said, “Teddy, I love you.”
“I love you too…” Teddy mumbled.
There was a knock at the door. ‘Who is it now,” Teddy angrily thought.
“Teddy? Are you okay?” It was Sweetheart.
“Yes, just a minute.” He put away the photos and the teddy bear. He went to the door and opened it, revealing Sweetheart and Bright Eyes. “Oh...hey, Bright Eyes...didn’t know you were here…”
“Yeah, I saw the news. I was able to tell it was you because, that pixelation couldn’t hide you completely.”
“Oh...well, hopefully you’re the only one who noticed.”
“Well… I kinda told Lancer.”
“Oh...boy… you didn’t tell anyone else, did you?”
“No, that’s it.”
“Well...guess that’s not too bad…”
“Is there anything I can do for you, Teddy,” Sweetheart asked.
“Not really… Has your dad found anything?”
“No, he hasn’t. It’s only been a few hours.”
“Well, it’s felt like a whole lot longer…”
“I know…”
“Teddy are you sure you’re fine,” Bright Eyes asked.
“Of course I am, why wouldn’t I be?”
Bright Eyes motioned to her cheeks prompting Teddy to check his. His fur was still wet from the tears. “Teddy, you’re not alright, you’ve been crying.”
“Gee! Can’t I cry a little? I mean I find out my sister’s been abused for Celestia’s sake! Shouldn’t I be upset?!”
“Yes, you have every right to be, but you’ve been hiding it from us.”
“So?! It’s none of your business.”
“Teddy, we’re worried about you.”
“Well...don’t, I’m fine! I don’t need anyone, I just want to be alone!”
Bright Eyes looked at Sweetheart. “Alright, but… I have to ask. What was your sister like?”
Teddy stayed silent for a long time, not looking at Sweetheart or Bright Eyes. There was another knock at the door. “Teddy?” It was Lancer.
“Come in...might as well have some more guys over for the party…”
Lancer walked in. “Hey, I was at the airport when Bright Eyes called.”
“Oh…”
“Yeah, I had to drop my parents off at home before I could get here. Anyway, how are you?”
“Wonderful…” Teddy’s voice reeked of sarcasm.
“Okay…”
“So… back to your sister,” Bright Eyes said.
Teddy sighed, “She was a lot like Sweetheart, guess that’s why I like being with her so much…”
“And having Sweetheart assaulted like that must have set you off because it seemed as if your sister was being attacked all over again.”
“Maybe, but at least this time I could’ve stopped it.”
“But the whole thing did scare me,” Sweetheart said.
“It scared me, too, and I didn’t even know he’s a… Well… I think he’s a...”
“What?”
“A slave trader,” Bright Eyes asked.
Teddy nodded.
Sweetheart collapsed onto her knees shaking. “Then if he succeeded, I really, truly could have been in her position.”
“Well...I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen, Sweetheart.”
“You promise?”
“Yes.”
“Pinkie Promise?”
“...Huh?”
“She was referencing to Pinkie Pie,” Lancer chuckled, “You know, the Element of Laughter.”
“Where would she learn that?”
“Yeah… Fluttershy said that whenever it came to promises.”
“Oh...wasn’t she an Element?”
“Yes, it was kindness.”
“Oh…”
“So… you work for a celebrity,” Teddy asked.
“Well… I guess you can say that.”
“Hey, Sweetheart? Um...I hate to ask...but you’ve never seen Princess Twilight Sparkle while you’ve worked there, have you,” Bright Eyes asked.
“No, I haven’t. Why?”
“No reason…”
“I did meet Lord Qrong and Lady Applejack, though…”
“And there’s the Element of Honesty.”
“Yup...wonder where the others went, they all used to live here.”
“Well, according to my research, Rainbow Dash is in Chariolette, Rarity is in Manehattan, Lady Applejack is married to a Changeypt ambassador, and Pinkie Pie is in Canterlot with Princess Twilight Sparkle.”
“Huh, wonder why they left Ponyville, from what I’ve heard they were really close.”
“I don’t know...never found anything, do you think Mrs. Fluttershy would know?”
“Maybe…”
“Mr. Macintosh might know…” Sweetheart noted.
“Meh, if I had the chance I’d rather ask Mrs. Fluttershy, they were friends after all.”
“That is true.”
“Or I could ask Twilight,” Lancer suggested.
“Do you know her,” Bright Eyes asked.
“Actually, yes.”
Sweetheart’s and Bright Eye’s eyes widened. “Since when,” Bright Eyes asked in a shocked tone.
“Since I was ten years old...” He knew what was about to come out of Bright Eyes’s mouth.
“WHY HAVEN’T YOU TOLD ME?!?!”
“You never asked. Unfortunately, it’s been a while since I last spoke with her.”
“But you knew she’s my hero!”
“I know, but I didn’t want that to be the only reason why you like me.”
“Still...you could have told me…”
“I’m sorry...just never really thought about it…”
“So, what’s she like?”
“She’s real nice, almost as if she could be my aunt.”
“Wow, she’s that nice?”
“Oh yes.”
“Wow.” Suddenly, Bright Eyes’s watch went off. She looked at it. Her eyes were even wider once she realized what time it was. “I’m going to be late!”
Sweetheart looked at the watch. “So am I!”
Both girls bolted out of Teddy’s room, leaving the two boys alone.
“So… You’re friends with royalty, right,” Teddy asked.
“Yeah… pretty much.”
“Huh. Wow.”
“Well...my parents have known her parents for a while...so that kind of has something to do with it.”
“Oh.”