//------------------------------// // Nocturnal Meeting // Story: Pinkie's Secret // by Winter_Solstice //------------------------------// Spencer Fortune Senior was a singular pony. He and his family had come from old money, but his ruthlessness in business had caused their accounts to grow exponentially. He’d made many enemies, but he’d always picked them out beforehoof, weighed the risks, and carefully laid whatever traps he’d needed. The same with his friends: they were hoof-selected, and only remained so as long as they were of use. All were strategies he had somehow failed to pass onto his only son and heir. He briefly considered how his son may have turned out if his mother had still been alive, but then he pushed the idea away. His son’s actions in Ponyville had shown a fundamental weakness and immaturity. He doubted his Thistle could have made any difference. He forced his thoughts back to the problem at hoof. What were the odds of his son not only running into a PRINCESS, for Celestia’s sake, but also running afoul of her? And now he’d been “asked” to leave the city council, a seat his family had held for generations. The shame had almost been too much to bear. There has to be a way out of this MESS, he thought to himself. A chronic insomniac, he was up very late going over possibilities when there was a soft knock at his bedroom door. Looking up from his desk, he angrily said, “Who is it?” There was a moment of silence, then a timid voice said, “Dad? It’s me. There’s somepony I need you to talk to.” “What the hay are you talking about?! Come in!” The door opened slowly, and there stood his wretched son, who still couldn’t meet his eyes. Spencer Sr. felt a brief moment of nausea at his son’s weakness, then looked behind him to the pony that stood there. “Who are YOU, and what are you doing in my house? Did my son let you in?” Pinkie Pie entered the room, followed closely by Spencer Jr. “No sir, he didn’t, I made my way in on my own. My name is Pinkie Pie. I’m from Ponyville, and I came here to confront your son.” Spencer Sr. snorted. “Confront HIM? I’m sure that wasn’t a challenge.” Spencer Jr. winced, and his expression grew dark, but he kept silent. “But you have about ten seconds to explain why you had the gall to enter my home unannounced.” He pressed a button beneath his desk. “This won’t take long. I understand your son’s actions have caused personal trouble for you. I may be able to help.” “And how could you possibly do that? You have the money he stole from me?” “I didn’t steal it, Dad! I told you-" “QUIET!! This is twice you’ve defied me, because I also told you not to leave your room. So shut up until I say otherwise!” Behind them, two burly earth ponies in dark glasses entered the room, closed the door and silently waited. Spencer Sr. smiled. Steepling his hooves in front of him he said, “As you can see, I don’t call the police, Ms. Pie… I have my own way of dealing with intruders.” He nodded once. The two rushed forward, intent on grabbing Pinkie as Spencer dived out of the way, but she was no longer there. They both looked around in confusion, when a voice behind them said, “Here I am, boys!” They spun around and saw her, then quickly peeled off, one to her left and one to her right. Pinkie lightly bounced on her hooves, waiting. They approached her slowly this time, then rushed forward again, but instead of trying to grab her, one swung high and one swung low. Pinkie somersaulted backwards up into the air, reached down in mid-flip and lightly honked both their noses, then landed a few feet away. Now this is FUN! The one on her left roared in frustration, then swung as hard as he could at her, trying to knock her down. Pinkie barely seemed to move as the blow that could have seriously hurt her passed harmlessly over her head. His momentum carried him forward, and she sidestepped him as he crashed headlong into a wall. He stood there for a few moments, then slid bonelessly down it, out cold. The remaining goon cried out and ran forward. Standing on his hind legs he jabbed and swung at her as quickly and as hard as he could, but every blow that should have connected met only air as Pinkie’s Pinkie sense turned her into a blur of movement. Panting, exhausted, he readied himself for a final attempt when he was stopped by Spencer Sr.’s voice behind him. “Enough.” “But…but Mr. Fortune…” “I said ‘enough’. It’s plain you two aren’t up to the job. Grab that other one and get out. You’re both fired.” The goon looked like he was going to further protest, but then he wordlessly walked over to his companion, picked him up and left, closing the door behind him. Pinkie stood where she was as both Spencers looked at her with new eyes. Finally Spencer Sr. said, “It seems I underestimated you. How did you do that?” Pinkie smiled and shook her head. He nodded. “I had to ask. If you’re still willing, you were saying something about helping me? After that, I can’t blame you if you say no.” Pinkie said, “The problem still remains, Mr. Fortune, and I think I’m your best answer. Your problem is less about the money, and more about your family reputation, correct?” “Perhaps.” “Your son told me what really happened, and I believe him. Suppose we can make it right?” “That was a mistake, Ms. Pie, believing anything he said. But go on, how can you “make it right?” “ “Porter and Spindle have a letter proving your son’s intentions. Granted, it was still mean, but he was going to make that contribution. All we need is that letter.” Spencer Sr. slammed his hoof down on the desk. “And why should a mere letter make any difference?! All it would prove is my son is a worse fool than I thought he was, allowing himself to be tricked by a couple of street ponies!” “That’s just the point: he was tricked. And I would vouch for him before the Princess Twilight.” “Princess Twilight? Why should she believe you?” “Because she is my friend, and I am one of the Bearers of the Elements.” Spencer Sr.’s eyes grew wide. “Pinkie Pie. I KNEW I’d heard that name before!” Now his manner became almost friendly. Almost. “You may very well be able to help me, Ms. Pie. But where are my manners? Please, have a seat.” He indicated one of the chairs before his desk. Spencer started to also seat himself, when his father stopped him. “Not you. Go back to your room.” “He needs to be here as well, Mr. Fortune. It’s important.” He looked at his son, who for the first time was meeting his eyes, if still hesitantly. “Alright. Take a seat, foal.” Mr. Fortune glowered at him as he sat, then turned to Pinkie. “What’s your plan?”