//------------------------------// // Pinkie's decree // Story: Laughter has two faces. // by ParadoxPony //------------------------------// Vinyl Scratch. Octavia lifted me to my hooves. "I'm actually surprised you lasted as long as you did there Vinyl." The pounding in my head turned Octi's playful jests into what I could later interpret as the screeches of a banshee. where did she learn such powerful magic? She wasn't even a unicorn! "Octa- UGH!" I rubbed my temples, trying to dull the pain. "Shh...Take a deep breath vinyl. Relax. " I did as told and was rewarded with a newly cleared mind. "remind me never to try show you up again Octi." She smile in response and we continued our way to the castle. To Vinyl and Tavi Do you two at least have a general idea of the whereabouts of Pinkie's friends? Or at the very least somepony who would? "Yah, how do you know where they are Octi?" "Because I was there." Another pulse of anger fired through my veins and on an impulse unlike my own. I was tired of being lied to. I held Octavia to the ground, pinning her with both hooves. "I Want answers! NOW! You said you were there, what the hay does that mean Octavia?" To my surprise, and slight disappointment, Octavia's composure did not seem the least bit shifted by my outburst. Instead she just...smiled at me, as if trying to explain something to a filly only big colts and mares were supposed to understand. "When they left,, remember?" she pushed my hoof gentle off of her and dusted off. "Octavia! Why are you lying to me like this? Please, tell me why we're here, what we're doing!" My former room mate glanced to her left, and then her right, finally gesturing me forward. I nodded and continued on to the castle gate. "No Vinyl, down there." She led my gaze down bellow the bridge where I could faintly see an odd glow just out of sight a ways down the cavern. Octavia wordlessly began her treck down a set of stairs I hadn't seen before. Wait... this is where the tree of Harmony is! My pace quickened to keep up with the earth pony. It was amazing how she could keep such a pace down a steep slope with that cello on her back! When we reach the bottom, the glow is even stronger now and a faint buzzing noise could be heard. "I was hoping I would find you some time, but you can understand that I couldn't simply march into town and pull you into the everfree without an explanation." "That was practically what you did..." "Oh...right." I rolled my eyes. Then I heard a bit more than a buzz because it wasn't a buzz at all but the hushed whisper of voices. Queen Pinkamena/Cheese sandwichCheesy. "So much fun to have! Aren't you having fun cheesy?" "MMPH!!!" He must have been because he was crying tears of joy! And that's good. "Oh! I'll go and get you a cheese sandwich! HA! Get it?" Cheesy released the breath he had been holding and got up, returning to his dog bed that Pinkamena had given him, the week old bruises were finally healing and his strength was coming back to him slowly. Well at least you answered our question cheese, thanks for that He grunted as his injured body settled into the cushion. "I thought I told you to LEAVE ME ALONE!? Just-just stop it! Stop talking to me!" Vynal As my eyes adjusted to the glow from the tree of Harmony, 5 familiar figures formed into view. "T-twilight sparkle!? Rainbow dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity... and spike." The 6 turned our direction. They looked terrible; their coats were matted with a layer of dirt and their manes tangled. Twilight ran to Octavia and wrapped her arms and wings around her tightly. "Octavia! I can't believe it!" Huh, so Octavia had new friends. New famous friends. I wonder if she ever thought to come looking for me, to say sorry, or at least explain what the hay she was doing that night. My muscled unintentionally tensed. Did she not think I could help? I thought back to her words you're a unicorn. Yah, sure. THAT was the reason she wouldn't bring me with her. Even if it was, that meant she didn't trust me!? Lost in thought I didn't notice Rainbow Dash approach me. " What is she doing here?" I got up in her face "The name's Vynal Scratch." "Hay now Scratch! Aint no reason to get offended. She just upset cuz you...you're a... well, you got a horn there." ok, so maybe she was telling the truth. "It's not like I'm going to use it." Octavia nodded to Twilight, who's horn began to glow like the tree she stood by. The air was instantly knocked out of me and I fell to the ground. A feeling that could only be explained as being burned and drown at the same time was roaring in my horn. Twilight released the spell and collapsed, taking in deep breaths. I found myself doing the same. "What...was that- about?" "I'm sorry Vynal but we can't risk you using magic and Pinkie-er... pinkamena fining us." "But I would never! A-and you JUST used magic!" Octavia stood defensively between us. "You already did, with my cello. And one spell is better than risking how many you will probably use! I couldn't BELEIVE what I was hearing. Octavia; my roommate, my best friend, basically family to me trusted a pony.... ALICORN more than she trusted me when it came to not using magic! I sneered at the so called princess who had just taken my magic from me. "So what do you plan to do about all this?" Twilight smiled and pulled a beaten up suitcase from behind her. She pressed the unlock button and 30 or so scrolls and parchment flew out of it. Each was covered in hoof writing. I groaned and took a seat on the hard dirt grownd.