11:59 PM, Central Tower - Trial Room 2
The elevator doors opened, revealing the Trial Room with a difference in appearance from the one we were in before.
Once again, I can see Monobear sitting in his throne, gleefully awaiting our arrival like a little foal. I can see those sixteen stands meant for us, as well as the doggie stand for Miss Cheerilee, complete with water and doggie treats.
However, this room looks like the set of a wild west film.
At the surrounding edges where the gallery would usually sit, there are instead, Zap-apple trees neatly spaced from each other so they don’t block the exits or Monobear’s view of our anguish.
Surrounding those trees is a set of thick wooden planks to keep the dirt in, while the floor at the stands was a more polished wood. In the center of the room, I see Applejack’s cutie mark as well as... a tumbleweed rolling around the stands?
Near the ceilings, I see those monitors again, this time with edges made of a brighter colored wood.
The anxiousness from that time came rushing back tenfold, trying to shift my thoughts into a what-if scenario...
What if it was me...?
No! I can’t think this way!
“Shady. You’re the key to this case.” Rumble suddenly whispered to me.
“What?!”
“I know you found something that connects these mysteries to you, but the culprit also knows that. You weren’t the original target; You were the distraction. Keep that in mind, and you’ll know who’s lying.”
Rumble suddenly went to his stand, leaving behind a bit of cryptic knowledge.
What the heck? Again with the hints...
But how did a Ponyville Express paper even turn me into the bait?!
“What’s the matter, Shady? Are you sad that you couldn’t get your kill?” Monobear tilted his head, giggling the moment I replied with silence.
Whatever.
One-by-one, all of us took our place at the stands and prepared for the trial.
When I took my spot, I saw a monochrome portrait of Dinky Doo, with a giant red X smeared on it, just like Featherweight and Snips. Of course, Snips’s portrait was crossed out with a pair of open scissors.
I guess the culprits have a special mark for them when executed...
I could see Snails clenching his teeth in anger as he saw the portrait of his best friend next to him...
Let's look over the evidence I've gathered...
-Monobear file
-Dynamite
-Carbine harvester
-Motives read
-Ginger's Testimony
-First Aid Lighter
-Dinky Doo's Motive
-Truffle's Motive
-Blood-stained brick
______________________________________________________________________
“Wow-wee! You bastards just couldn’t wait to have another trial, huh? You couldn’t even wait a week?”
“You’re the one who couldn’t wait, ya know.” Pipsqueak replied harshly.
“Boo, I’m just an impatient bear. But you’re all here anyway! Of course, since one of you bastards failed to kill Twist, she doesn’t even get a portrait! Way to make her miss out on the fun! How could you leave her out?!” Monobear chided us, only to sigh when he heard that artificial barking from Miss Cheerilee. “Oh? Got something to say, you mangy mutt? Well too bad! You’re not even relevant to the case! You’re becoming less relevant every day like a dog on the street!”
“Stop saying that about Miss Cheerilee!” Truffle demanded.
“You forgot about her too though! You’re all about that poor little curly-top now! Typical boys in love, huh? Can’t control those hormones to save their lives!” Monobear hit him right where it hurts.
“I... uhh... ahh... err..!” Truffle failed to formulate a coherent response, blushing even.
He really shouldn’t be giving a teddy bear that satisfaction.
“Just get this trial started already, you cotton swab!” Tiara demanded.
“Boo~ too bad I’m not fond of horse ears!” Monobear scoffed, then cleared his throat. “Ahem! Okay you bastards! It’s time for another lovely class trial!” Monobear gleefully carried on, “You know the rules already, so there’s no need to wait! Let your honesty show and tell each other what you really think! You’re free to start whenever!”
“Aaaagh, right... this stupid thing AGAIN.” Tiara groaned, then went on. “Whelp, who suspects Shady?! Raise your hooves!”
What.
“What kind of question is that?” Scootaloo asked, forming an increasingly noticeable scowl.
“I just wanted to test if I’m working with some idiots, that’s all. He did read his motive. Everypony knows that. He confessed to it!”
“Yeah, after Dinky tried to kill him.” Snails pointed out.
“Buuuuuuut he tried to kill her too!” Apple Bloom blurted out.
“You do have your facts in order, yes?” Silver Spoon inquired.
“Whaddya mean?” Apple Bloom tilted her head.
“She attacked first. Then he tried to bite back.” Silver Spoon answered.
“A classic survival instinct.” Ginger followed up.
“You guys...” I sighed, remembering Rumble’s tip a few minutes ago...
Shady... you’re the key to this case.
Makes sense. This murder occurred after Dinky’s attempt on my life.
“Listen, I never got my prize. All I did was spend hours in my room thinking on what the heck that stupid aesop was. Apparently I got it wrong the first time, but it still triggered something in my head.”
“Triggered, huh? Wasn’t aware you had some kind of PTSD.” Ginger theorized.
“Uhh, what?”
Why would she even say that? I’m confused.
“Oh right! He’s still a reporter! He’s covered wars, ya know?!” Pipsqueak added.
I wish.
“Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It’s where-” Let’s stop there, Ginger.
“I know what it is! But why would you be saying that I...”
Hang on... what if Dinky probably knew somehow and just repressed this memory?
Thinking now, her motive revealed news of her mother’s arrest and trial, facing a sentence of life in the dungeon or execution... that may have been traumatizing sure.
It’s a strange memory to repress, but she’d always go on and on about how great her mom is. Could that have been just a way to keep herself from the truth...?
If so, then...!
“Wait! That’s it!”
“Wow, you’re admitting that? Keep away from me, you psychotic idiot!” Tiara cringed.
“First of all, that’s just discriminating.” I started off. “Second of all, don’t you get it? That whole PTSD business might’ve happened to Dinky! Her mom getting arrested probably did-”
“Whoa whoa whoa, hang on a sec...” Pip held out his right hoof, stopping my explanation short while trying to figure this out. “Her mom was arrested?!”
“Better if I show you so you guys don’t get confused.”
Not everypony knows of Dinky’s motive.
I opened the ID band menu, going to my evidence and showing them the contents of Dinky’s prize.
.............
“Ponyville Express... You and Featherweight worked there, right?” Sweetie Belle asked.
“Yeah. She either thought that one of us wrote the article or tipped off the guards.”
“Wow, snitching huh? I woulda been pissed off too! Snitches need to stop hiding and step up!” Grace chimed in.
Yeah, well, some ponies would rather make peace, not war.
“Ooooooh... Ponyville Express, Ponyville Express...” Apple Bloom put her hooves to the temples of her head, repeating my place of employment over and over.
“Hey, what’s the deal?! Quit saying that! You blank flanks aren’t qualified to be reporters anyway!” Diamond Tiara slammed her hooves on the stand.
“I don’t care.” Scootaloo spoke in a deadpan tone.
“And Shady doesn’t have a cutie mark either!” Apple Bloom followed up, holding up her hoof.
“Tch... p-p-point is, just stop that! You’re annoying!” Tiara stuttered briefly, but got her point across, not that it mattered.
“We have to get back on topic though.” Rumble interjected. “Shady, you say that you were targeted because you were believed to be the anonymous tip. Tell me, have you ever given an anonymous tip before in your life, before this game?”
“Well, thing is, I’d actually have to get any inside info from my source at the castle. I mean, if I’m to do my job, I need a source to start.” I answered.
“So... maybe the culprit might be that source?” Snails asked.
“No, because they would’ve been targeted instead. Dinky tried to kill me because the part on the article said ‘an anonymous tip from one of our own’. The only ones who’d fit that scope are me and Featherweight.” I elaborated.
But still, something’s not right...
“Soooooo, you know...” Apple Bloom started, and I knew where she was going with that.
“Don’t say it. Like I told Diamond Tiara already, Featherweight would never-”
“So you claim, but it doesn’t take much to see that Featherweight is the kind of stallion who’d always do the right thing.” Silver Spoon cut me off, and she made a surprisingly good point.
I hate to admit it, but Featherweight was all about doing the right thing.
“Okay,” Get it together, Shady. This theory can easily be debunked. “It just doesn’t fit the timeframe. I’d like to think I have a pretty good memory, and I wouldn’t forget something that major. He would’ve told me if something that big happened.”
“Fair point, Shady Daze. However, I have a counterpoint.” Silver Spoon started. “Suppose if what you say is true, that the times don’t match, what if somepony, namely the culprit, spoke to Dinky about you?”
“What do you mean?”
“What if you said something to somepony that caused them to manipulate Dinky to kill you in revenge?”
“Huh... yeah, Shady doesn’t mince words, does he? He’s probably upset somepony by now, right?” Snails asked.
“Hmph, if that were the case, I’d be dead too! Besides, if somepony’s being stupid, I say let’em have it!” Diamond Tiara refuted, somehow defending me in the process.
“Pfft, words just don't’ cut it, rich girl!” Grace went on, “You gotta lay the smackdown! Knock their ass out! Teach’em a lesson!”
“Yeah, but then you’d just get charged with violence and-” Ginger tried to warn.
“Pfft, you think I haven’t been charged already? Hah! The hell you think you talkin’ to?” Grace scoffed, and even spat on the floor.
“You’re cleaning that up, right?” Monobear casually asked.
“Back on topic though... Shady? Any answers to Silver Spoon’s theory?” Rumble asked.
“Oh come on. I didn’t say anything THAT mean to anypony! All I did was investigate like normal from when the Honesty District opened until this trial! Sure, I made my claims, but still!”
“You did talk to Dinky though, right?” Snails asked.
“Whether he did or didn’t matters not.” Rumble said, closing his eyes. “If you think about it, if Shady himself was the one to set Dinky off, then her death would’ve never happened.”
“Uhh, whaddya mean?” Apple Bloom asked.
“I mean that Shady himself was probably a mere distraction for the real culprit.”
“I understand that much.” Silver Spoon agreed, nodding. “They would’ve had to known that Dinky would be tied up in there. That’s why Shady being bait seems plausible.”
“As expected of you, Silver Spoon. You catch on quick.” Rumble complimented.
“Then what about Twist!? Why was she hurt?!” Truffle roared.
“Because she happened to be there at the wrong time. She said she’d go check on Dinky while Sweetie Belle, Miss Cheerilee, and I went to stop Shady. Simple as that.” Ginger said.
“Oh-ho...” Diamond Tiara smiled deviously.
“What is it?”
“You say the culprit had to know that Dinky would be tied up in there, right...? You do remember how the murder went, right?” Tiara asked.
How the murder went...
Yeah, that’s easy!
“The barn exploded. But we knew that... where’s this train of thought going?” I asked.
“I’m saying that somepony knew how to blow it up! I vote for somepony who’s been in that barn from the very beginning!” Diamond Tiara said, pointing her hoof out victoriously.
She has a point...
NONSTOP DEBATE
Evidence Bullets:
-Motives Read
-Dynamite
-Monobear FileDiamond Tiara: That’s how it has to be... somepony who knows that barn inside and out!
Diamond Tiara: They have to be the culprit!
Ginger Snap: Somepony knew about the dynamite before I discovered it... That’s a relief...
Grace Lightning: Oi, what makes you say that?
Ginger Snap: Because that means I’m not a suspect.
Snails: Knock the happy off! You’re still a suspect! Not to mention selfish!
Diamond Tiara: Why don’t we focus on our suspect?!
Scootaloo: I don’t really care.
Silver Spoon: Nopony said your name.
Scootaloo: You’re just gonna suspect me anyway, right? I don’t care. Just hurry and get it over with.
Sweetie Belle: Aaaah! Scootaloo, stop that! You’re innocent!
Sweetie Belle: There’s no way they can connect you to the crime!
Apple Bloom: Ponyville Express, Ponyville Express, Ponyville Express...
Sorry, but I gotta stop you here!
YOU GOT THAT WRONG!
_________________________________________________________________
“Sorry Sweetie Belle, but...”
“Shady, she’s innocent, you have to-” Sweetie Belle pleaded, but I had to cut her short.
“Then why did you three read your motives?!”
“Eep!” Sweetie Belle was obviously surprised. Did she seriously expect me to remain oblivious to that?
Meanwhile, Apple Bloom’s still reciting those words, “Ponyville Express.”
I really doubt she’s trying to remember something...
“So tell me, why did you three read your motives? If Diamond Tiara’s theory is right, then all three of you are prime suspects!”
“If that’s how it is, then whatever.” Scootaloo said, putting her hooves in her pockets. It’s as if she’s just telling herself.
“Ah. Ya know Shady... The Cutie Mark Crusaders... no. Actually, lemmie ask ya’ll a question.”
“Only if you answer ours afterward!”
“Would a cutie mark for murder be worth it?” Apple Bloom asked anyway, disregarding my words.
Guess I have to answer.
“By asking such a heinous question, you’re pretty much admitting you’re the killer.” Silver Spoon put a hoof on her glasses.
Truffle growled in anger, “If you’re the one who tried to kill Twist, then I-”
“Ya’ll are gon’ answer mah question right?” Apple Bloom asked in her usual chipper tone, but her expression was fierce...
It’s as if she’s demanding an answer now or she’ll snap.
Maybe I’m reading too much into those sudden sharp eyes, but... I can’t shake the feeling.
“W-well, the answer’s obvious! It’s wrong, cutie mark or not!” Snails hesitantly answered.
“It’s wrong.” Ginger said.
“That’s a stupid reason, and you’re a dumbass for thinkin’ it!” Grace answered curtly.
“Err, is there even a cutie mark for murder in the first place?” Pipsqueak asked.
“Might’ve been if Ah’ had kept them Cutie Pox!” Apple Bloom asked. “Anyway, don’t dodge that question now, Pippy!”
“Pi-Pippy?!” Pipsqueak blushed, “My aunt calls me that and I wish she’d stop, ya know... but uh,” Shaking his head, “no way! It’s a dumb! Unless you’re aiming to be some vigilante serial killer-”
Tiara interjects, “Hmph, a blank flank like you-”
Apple Bloom suddenly cut Tiara’s interjection short. “Ah’ didn’t ask you. Prolly shoulda asked you n’ Silver Spoon to keep yer mouths shut! Movin’ on!” Apple Bloom happily declared.
“Grrrr!!!” Diamond was grinding her teeth. “You...!”
“Dia!” Silver Spoon’s sudden callout made Tiara yelp unexpectedly. “It would be of our best interests to listen to Apple Bloom. Honor her request... for now.”
“Hmph. Fine! This better lead to something good!”
“Aaaaaaanyway!” Apple Bloom rose her hoof, wanting us to continue answering her question.
“O-of course it’s wrong... your morals are corrupted if you’ve resorted to murder and... hate! There’s no love in a murder!” Truffle answered.
“Shady? Rumble? Ya’ll gonna answer?”
“It only sounds silly to me at best.” Rumble answered.
“It... doesn’t matter to me.”
That’s my answer.
“Oh?”
“I don’t care about getting a cutie mark. I know murder is wrong, and it’s probably hypocritical coming from me, but...”
“Yeah, it is hypocritical, you hypocrite.” Scootaloo suddenly answered.
“Scoots?” Apple Bloom was actually taken aback.
“Yeah. You’re a hypocrite. Apple Bloom’s dumb enough to want an answer from you. Mister Killer. You’re just as bad as Diamond Tiara if you ask me.” Scootaloo continued, ignoring the fact that Apple Bloom’s eye suddenly twitched.
“Uh, where’s this coming from?” I asked.
“Don’t compare that idiot to me! I’m smarter, cuter, and much more classy than that idiot!”
Well excuse me, princess.
“Ah. I wasn’t aware that trash could speak.” Scootaloo said in a strangely deadpan tone.
“W-w-w-w-w... WHY YOU LITTLE BIT-”
“Dia! Language!” Silver Spoon stopped her.
“Tch... you better be glad that daddy taught me to not use bad words, or I’d-”
“Coward. Daddy’s little girl is such a coward, using this whole trial as an opportunity to suspect me... this is... thrilling? Ah... I don’t know what word to use anymore.” Scootaloo said, scratching her head, looking crestfallen.
“Scoots, what’s wrong?! Why are you talking like this!? Nopony suspects you!” Sweetie Belle pleaded.
“I was at the barn since the Honesty District opened up. I knew of the Dynamite. I knew of the first aid kit, and I did read my motive. Ah... but that makes me uncool. I thought it’d be because I didn’t care for getting my cutie mark anymore.” Scootaloo continued, disregarding Sweetie Belle's concern.
“But you’re still a crusader and mah friend! We promised to find our cutie marks together!” Apple Bloom reminded, putting a hoof on her chest.
“Ah, Apple Bloom. You act as if you don’t care for nothing but that damned cutie mark, but I guess what your parents said to you before we got here is still lingering. You and Sweetie Belle read your motives. Don’t act morally sound around me.”
“Scootaloo, we never said anything about that!” Sweetie Belle pleaded.
“Why did you ask me to burn your motives then? We could’ve come clean, but instead, we’re keeping secrets. The Cutie Mark Crusaders... the end is near, huh...”
“Not really! We won’t have a meteor land on this planet for another million years!” Monobear commented.
“Alright you Dashie Fangirl, you’re startin’ to piss me off!” Grace glared.
“But I haven’t right? So let me finish.” Scootaloo replied.
“Just tell us where you’re going with this!” I demanded.
I don’t know what Scootaloo’s getting at, but I have to get her to be straight with us!
Evidence Bullets:
-Newspaper Report
-Truffle’s Motive
-Ginger’s Testimony
-Motives ReadScootaloo: I’m probably the culprit in your eyes, thanks to her...
Diamond Tiara: You brought this on yourself! I hadn’t said you yet!
Scootaloo: But I am a suspect.
Scootaloo: I was the one who knew the contents of the barn.
Scootaloo: I was the one who read a motive with friends.
Scootaloo: I was the one who decided that letting Dinky in was a bad idea...
Scootaloo: I’m the one who burned it all.
Scootaloo: I’m also sick of it all. I’m done...
Scootaloo: Done with this game, done with her crap, done with everything!
Apple Bloom: ...........
Sweetie Belle: ...........
Rumble: That’s all?
Hmm... Something Scootaloo just said gave away her real intentions, so therefore...
AGREED!
______________________________________________________________________
“Shady, you better have a good reason for agreeing other than to get on my good side...” Scootaloo glared at me.
“I think I get it now. When you said you’re “done with her crap”, you can’t have possibly meant Dinky Doo.” explained.
“What are you on about? Why should anypony listen to you? Oh right, you think I’m the-”
I slammed my hooves on the stand, cutting her off. “If you’d let me finish, I was gonna say that you can’t be the killer. Your motivation to do it is way too flimsy, and you’re dancing around way too many issues! You’re not even letting the other two talk!”
“Oooooooooooh, I see her game... she’s just trying to take the fall for one of her friends! Hehehehe... I think we’ve been on the right track to suspect them! Hehehehe...!” Diamond Tiara’s grin matched that of a playful, evil little imp.
“Man, even though Diamond Tiara’s just being crazy, I gotta say, she’s got a good point.” Snails nervously said, as if convincing himself this is the right thing. Suddenly focusing on Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, “Cmon, you gotta tell us what happened. I really don’t want to suspect you guys, since I didn’t wanna see it, but... agh, come on!”
“Yeah, I uh, really can’t see those three committing the crime, ya know!?” Pipsqueak followed up.
“Uu~pupupu~!”
“Dammit Monobear, what the hell do you want!? What the hell are you laughing for!?” Scootaloo suddenly was staring daggers at the bear enjoying itself.
“It seems someone forgot an important rule! Or maybe didn’t read it? Did you ever read‘em?!”
“What do you mean!? You’re saying I somehow broke a rule!?” Scootaloo may have kept her scowl, but her sudden beads of sweat speak volumes.
“You totally broke a rule! Because breaking a rule means having to be put down like a horse that can’t pull a cart holding my favorite comics!” Monobear went on.
With a deep sigh, Rumble quickly interjected. “Scootaloo, you didn’t break a rule. That bear’s just messing with you. However...” Rumble paused for a moment. “you forgot to read a murder rule.”
“Murder rule? I don’t have time for-”
“A good education hasn’t hurt anypony before, right?” Rumble smiled, as if entertained by Scootaloo directing any irrational hatred towards him. “You remember that being an accomplice to a crime is worthless, right? You can’t all commit a crime together. Though that should’ve been obvious.”
“!!”
Oh... looks like Rumble just hit a switch in both Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom considering their simultaneous gasp just now.
“Now hold on there! Ya’ll sayin’ we were in on murderin’ Dinky Doo!?” Never thought I’d see Apple Bloom get mad like that.
“I didn’t say that... but you’re free to interpret it as such. If you’re willing to explain yourselves, you may even lift the suspicion and quell a certain stallion’s anger powered by love.” Rumble smiled, focusing on Truffle, who’d been glaring at the trio for a while now.
Apple Bloom let out a long-winded sigh, followed by a minute-long silence that felt like an hour.
She’s never been under this much pressure before. All this time, all she’s cared about getting her cutie mark. But I guess she finally sees that this isn’t an ordinary game.
“Hmm... Alright, fine. We’ll talk.” Apple Bloom gave a bitter smile, nothing like that creepy, cutie mark-obsessed smile I’m used to seeing.
“That wasn’t what we agreed to!” Scootaloo’s eyes widened with shock.
“See... yeah, we read our motives. We went and read’em through like mah sis would buck every tree in the orchid.” Apple Bloom sighed then continued. “Thing is, we never got our prizes. So we’re in the same boat, Shady!”
Huh... that sounds familiar actually.
Got it!
“So what Ginger said was right...” I said.
“Whaddya mean?”
“He means how you were in the middle of the road, studying your motives.” Ginger answered.
“Well yeah, we didn’t want ya’ll killin’ anypony! It was my idea!”
Apple Bloom, you...
Evidence Bullets:
-Motives Read
-Dinky doo’s Motive
-Truffle Shuffle’s Motive
-Ginger’s TestimonyApple Bloom: Yeah, we read them motives through like a stampede of cattle running from a little fire!
Sweetie Belle: We were curious and talked Scootaloo into it... She never wanted to, but...!
Apple Bloom: We asked Scoots to burn our books earlier! We gave up on them books, ‘cus we never got the lesson!
Rumble: So you didn’t want to give Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon ammo against you?
Grace Lightning: Couple of wusses.
Truffle Shuffle: You’re excluding what you talked to Twist about!
Apple Bloom: She asked us for help! She wanted us to burn her motive!
Scootaloo: ............
Pipsqueak: I didn’t know Twist read her motive too... maybe she got attacked by-
Truffle Shuffle: I DIDN’T HURT HER! Why would I hurt her!? I’ll kill you!
Pipsqueak: Not sure if scary... hmm...
Scootaloo: Grrr.......!
Scootaloo’s anger aside, somepony’s a terrible liar.
YOU’VE GOT THAT WRONG!
_____________________________________________________________________________
“What in tarnation!?” Apple Bloom hissed.
“Twist never read her motive, in case you didn’t realize... or maybe you’re terrible at lying.”
“Ah’... uh, c’mon now, that ain’t no way to act... hahaha...?”
“Wow, lying even though you just told them what I did. Way to sell me out.” Scootaloo went into her deadpan tone.
“Now hold on there Scoots! Ah’ just-”
“Oh, save it. I don’t wanna hear it. Unless it’s just another scheme for a cutie mark. I mean, that’s all you care about.”
“Scootaloo, stop it! You’re wrong, she-” Sweetie Belle chimed in.
“Taking up for her... you want your cutie mark, too, huh? We’re all blank flanks. I thought we were in this together, but in the end... in the end...!!!”
“What’s the matter, gonna cry?” Tiara smugly asked, twirling her mane with her hoof.
“Gh... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!”
“Eep?!” Scootaloo’s sudden outburst made even our spoiled wannabe princess cringe.
“I’m sick of this! I can’t take it anymore!”
“You sure gave up on your family fast.” Ginger commented.
“Who are you? A stupid girl scout?! What do you know!? Ah, I’m sick of it...!”
“Sick of what? Unlike Diamond Tiara, I haven’t bullied you. I was just stating what I see.” Silver Spoon said.
“Sick of what you ask...? I’m tired... of living... LIKE A PARIAH!”
“Scootaloo, stop it!” Sweetie Belle cried out. “We’re the cutie mark crusaders! We don’t have cutie marks so we try... no, we just wanted to fit in with everypony! We wanted to be normal! What else can we do while we’re in this stupid game?! Just sit back and wait for somepony to kill us!?”
Scootaloo suddenly widened her eyes, and brought her face close to Sweetie Belle’s.
“Yeah. We could have... or we could’ve just watched each other’s backs. Look at our group! Who the hell can we trust?!” Scootaloo ranted. “We have a vengeful reporter if you get on his bad side, a stupid bully who I’m sick of, a stupid bully’s high-maintenance crony, a colt who only likes horror stories, a love obsessed fatty, a secretive girl scout, A timid bug tamer, a friendship obsessed idiot, a self-righteous reporter who got himself killed, a defiant cutter who got executed, a scared mare who thinks she’s tough, a mousy mare who almost died, and a nosy mare who died in a fire! Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!”
Scootaloo suddenly grabbed her head, laughing maniacally and even drooling a bit...
“...................” Sudden silence from her...
With a quick motion of her hoof to the back of her hoodie, she dons her hood, and her eyes suddenly appeared to have a crimson shine.
“I thought I did the right thing... and even now, I’m doing the right thing. I’m doing what’s right. I am right, right is me, and you’re both wrong.”
“Uhh... Scootaloo...?” Sweetie Belle’s lips quivered at the darker turn her friend took.
“Why I wonder, are we having a trial for a mare who deserved her death? A nice death to burn away all her faults down to the marrow?” Scootaloo’s tone sounded much more... mature? Or even sinister? I don’t get it!
This is ridiculous!
Is this even the same Scootaloo!?