The Pinion

by PegasusMesa


Concerns Raised Over Cutie Mark Crusader Demon Worshippers

Ponyville, Equestria—These days, achieving one’s cutie mark is a sign of adulthood. It is therefore not uncommon for a young pony to go to great lengths to earn their mark. However, citizens of Ponyville have expressed concern over the recent attempts of one such group of fillies.

For the past year and a half, these three young mares, who call themselves the “Cutie Mark Crusaders”, have sought in vain to discover their talents. Up until now, their endeavours have been endured without complaint.

“It was cute in the beginning,” said local apple farmer Applejack, older sister to Cutie Mark Crusader Apple Bloom. “They had a little clubhouse and these capes they wore everywhere. Then, about a month ago, things changed.”

Dressmaker Rarity, older sister of Cutie Mark Crusader Sweetie Belle, commented, “They got their hooves on black cloaks and started to go out together at all hours. Sweetie Belle comes home just before sunrise, covered in dirt and leaves. Whatever they’re doing, she just won’t tell me what it is, except to say that it’s all for the good of the great Nebzebul. Whoever that is.”

Complaints regarding the fillies’ odd behavior has travelled as far as the desk of Princess Twilight Sparkle. “I really don’t see what the big fuss is,” Princess Twilight commented to a Pinion reporter. “So what if they’re going through a weird phase right now? Haven’t we all done the same? I remember when I thought it was cool to be goth. It meant literally nothing in the long run. Young ponies are weird sometimes, so let’s just move on.”

“Yeah, I remember Twilight’s goth phase,” said the princess’s dragon assistant, Spike. “She used to send me out at least three times a day to buy black eyeliner, and she’d stay up all hours of the night writing depressing poetry while she listened to bad music. It was pretty sad.”

When told of Princess Twilight’s remarks, Applejack said, “Twilight means well, but I honestly don’t think she understands how serious this is. Apple Bloom’s started reading more, and not in a good way. I took a look at the books she’s reading and they’re filled with all sorts of weird gobbledygook. If it’s a real language, it ain’t one I’ve ever seen before.”

“Scoots and me, we’re close,” said athlete Rainbow Dash, self-proclaimed sister to Cutie Mark Crusader Scootaloo. “Well, we were close. Lately she hasn’t wanted to hang out at all. Now, all she wants to do is chant while rummaging through the garbage. She said she’s looking for talismans, or something. Dunno what that means.”

Despite the odd behavior, the community didn’t truly begin to pay attention to the recent actions of the Cutie Mark Crusaders until tragedy struck.

“Two days ago, Fluttershy woke up and went outside to find that somepony had killed all of her chickens and arranged them inside pentagrams drawn in their blood,” Rarity said. “The poor dear hasn’t been the same since. If Sweetie Belle was a part of this, then it’s about time for me to put my hoof down before somepony ends up drugged and chained to an altar.”

Continued Rarity, “Especially if that pony could be me.”

A police investigation has turned up no suspects in the chicken killing.

Since then, a number of citizens claim to have witnessed strange events. Six separate reports have been filed wherein someone heard voices in their basement, yet found nobody when they went to investigate. Further, there have been at least four sightings of creatures stumbling and tripping along the edge of the Everfree Forest in the dead of night. The creatures are described as ten feet tall with disturbingly intelligent eyes. As of this printing, no official evidence of these creatures’ existence has been provided to the police.

Of the three Crusaders, only Scootaloo elected to comment while the other two fillies stood off to the side and chanted in tongues. “We’ve been trying to get our cutie marks for a long time, now,” she said. “We really want them, you know? So we’re just trying stuff out. If this occult thing doesn’t work, we’ll move on to the next thing on the list. Which is interpretive dancing. Until then, we’re Cutie Mark Crusader Demon Worsh—er, thingies. Hail Nebzebul.”

Finished a suddenly red-eyed Scootaloo in a deep, resonant voice, “Your blood will serve as fuel for the Purge, insolent fleshling.

Despite the community’s complaints regarding the crusaders, police have found no link between the fillies and the paranormal sightings.

“Look, you’re letting your imaginations get the better of you,” Princess Twilight told citizens in a recent press conference. “The voices you’re hearing are just the wind, or maybe some wild animal outside. And these creatures in the Everfree Forest? Probably nothing but shadows. I refuse to believe that demons exist without substantial proof that shows otherwise.”

Despite Princess Twilight’s assurances, the disturbing reports continue.

“I saw something swimming in the pond,” said a citizen, who withheld his name. “And before you tell me it was just a fish, don’t. I’ve seen fish, and this weren’t no fish. This thing looked back at me with red eyes and smiled before going deeper.”

“Those fillies’re gonna be the end of us,” said another such anonymous citizen. “We should find them and stop them before it’s too late!”

As of now, no angry mob has formed in order to lynch the Cutie Mark Crusaders, but it’s only a matter of time before the sacrificial knife drops.