Rain rattled the windows like a hail of bullets. With each sheet crashing against the pane, Starlight winced a little inside. It was a typical Manehattan rain, but her mood was anything but typical. Her slender body reclined on her elegant chaise lounge, head hung low. Generally, she would have found some measure of comfort in the expensive furnishings of the powder room, but not today. Today they felt more like the trappings of a gilded cage. Curse this weather!
Sighing dramatically, she turned her attention to the newspaper lying on the ruby carpet just below her hoof. Reluctantly, she levitated it, reading the fashion headline. "Rarity Steals the Show: Renown Ponyville stylist makes history with her killer fall lineup, competitors at a loss." Slamming the newspaper against the window, she sat up straight. "Upstart! At a loss am I? Humph!"
The competition had been over for weeks, and she had yet to stop hearing about "fabulous Rarity" and her fashions. "Just where does such a common looking mare get away with that kind of popularity?" She turned to the jewel encrusted mirror taking up half the opposite wall, examining her reflection with pride.
"Certainly I'm not young, but I'm still beautiful." She raised a hoof to stroke her immaculately groomed mane. It was as soft and fine as silk, just as it always had been. The liquid amber of her eyes shone with triumph as she examined the smooth quality of her face. "No pony could compete with this."
Then, a voice came, small and quiet like a passing breeze. Yes they could Starlight.
Whipping her head around, she looked around the room, but it was devoid of anypony but herself. "Must be the rain." Her long, white tail twitched irritably from side to side, matching the tics of the powder table clock. "I'm the head model in Manehattan. They'll be crawling back to me in a few months, mark my words."
Unless they've grown tired of your attitude.
"Shut up! What do you know?" Snarling a challenge, Starlight turned to face her nonexistent accuser. "Ever since my birth, I've been chosen to stand above others. So what if I have to snap a few egos in the process? It's all for the greater good."
A laugh reverberated around the room, bouncing off of the window panes and into her ear. Greater good? You know that's not true.
"Shut up." Starlight's eyes flashed a warning, and she shot upright. "I won't warn you again."
Another laugh set the hairs on Starlight's neck upright. Shut up? That would be difficult, I don't exist remember. I'm just a figment of your imagination. Besides, you need me to understand.
Humoring the voice, she reclined back against the cushions. "Understand what exactly? That I am destined for greatness? I've know that for years."
Have you now? I seem to recall a young filly with quite a different perspective on life.
"Do you?" Starlight's thoughts drifted to the pounding rain once more. The sound was strangely nostalgic, and the longer she listened, the more her mind slipped. "It was always raining then too, at least that's how it felt." Closing her eyes, she allowed the memories to overwhelm her once more.
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"Starlight! Get up, we've got to go to class."
"Urgh! Shut up." A young palomino filly poked her head out of the bottom bunk, frowning at the peach pegasi in front of her. The room was filled to the brim with rows of bunk beds and a swarm of fillies getting ready for their day. With a wide scowl on her face, she stood up and joined her bunkmate on the cold floorboards. "Why can't the matron turn up the heat?"
"Because, of-" The plump pegasus leaned in, eyes mock serious. "-the budget." This brought a loud onset of giggles between the pair as they shuffled to make their beds. As they went to join the throng gathering by the door, the filly stopped. "Say, Star?"
Starlight paused mid stride, "Yeah, Spice?"
Spice's cheeks turned a violent shade of red. "Do you think a colt's going to ask you to the dance?"
"Well duh." Starlight rolled her eyes for emphasis. The expression on her friend's face told her she said the wrong thing. "But don't worry about it, Spice. You'll get asked out."
"Sure." The pair set off down the narrow stone hallway, listening to the familiar echoing of hundreds of hooves striking the stones.
Manehattan Academy was not known for its cheery interior, and the ponies' warm breaths soon sent up clouds of mist into the cold morning air. Starlight hummed a tune as she tried to circle the wayward clouds with her magic. The morning light danced off of her shimmering white mane, and Spice could not help but smile. She's gorgeous. If anypony could do it, she could. Taking a deep breath, she nudged her friend in the ribs. "Say, Star?"
"What?" Starlight's concentration broke, and the magic dissipated like the clouds of steam. She put on her best mock annoyed face. "Geeze, you're needy today."
"Sorry, sorry. But-" She hopped excitedly beside her friend. "-did your mom buy you a dress yet?"
"No, she can't afford one." Starlight stamped her hoof against the stones, drawing the attention of a few colts just ahead of them. A sharp glare shooed them on their way, and she turned back to Spice. "I'm on scholarship. You know that. So what gives?"
"Well-" The words came out in a rush before she could stop herself. "-I've got this really great dress design, and I want you to model it."
"Wow? Really?" A broad smile stretched across Starlight's face and she danced in a circle. "Yes, yes, YES! You're the best, Spice. The best!"
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A loud crash shook Starlight's heart, and she leapt upright to see the now darkened interior of the powder room. Fell asleep. Massaging her temples, she turned to the window where a serious storm was now raging. The room was as quiet, save for the fury of the elements pounding the window. Judging from the clock she had only been asleep for around twenty minutes. "Blast."
A loud knock sounded just outside the door. "Yes? What do you want?"
With a creak, the door opened to reveal Storm Scribe, an expression of casual indifference plastered on his black face. "There you are."
Starlight gave a jerk of her chin by way of a greeting. A particularly massive boom of thunder rattled the windowpane, making her jump.
"Still afraid of thunder I see. You never change." He strode into the room, eyes focusing on the piles of rubbish and paper strewn across the opulent carpet. His voice was laced with acid, "Do you ever clean?"
Starlight harrumphed, levitating the piles into a state of semi order on the coffee table. "Satisfied?"
The stony expression in Storm's eyes reflected that he was not. Letting it pass, he stared out the window at the storm, then back at Starlight. "Storm or not, you need to be ready. Unless-" His lip curled in disgust at the state of his wife's unkempt coat and chipping hooves. "-you intend to go to the event dressed like that."
Leave me be, Storm. I'm in no mood to humor your temper. Swishing her tail irritably, she returned to watching the storm outside. "I don't believe I'll go."
"Really?"
The soft, even quality of Storm's voice did not fool Starlight for a second. So we'll be throwing a fit now? Sure enough, he strode forward, ears pinned back. He pressed a hoof against her side, leaning in until the smell of stale cologne filled her nostrils. Curling her nostrils, she glowered at her husband. "What?"
The stallion's green eyes flashed coldly, teeth breaking into a wolfish snarl. "We have an agreement, unless you've forgotten."
"Don't think I'm so stupid, Storm." She tried to push the heavy stallion off of her, but he pressed harder with his hoof. "I've been the perfect trophy wife, attended all your trivial corporate gatherings, and-" She hesitated, then continued, "-even given you a foal."
Storm snorted, "Some foal. He's a worthless, good for nothing earth pony." He leaned in, savoring the panic swimming in the mare's amber eyes. Smirking triumphantly, he whispered into her ear. "You're lucky I haven't thrown you out with the trash."
Starlight snarled, "You wouldn't dare." In an instant, the panic of her eyes was replaced by triumph. "I know enough to see you ruined, Storm. There are more than a few skeletons in your closet."
A momentary flash of surprise swept across Storm's face before being replaced with a calculating admiration. "And there you have it. We've reached an impasse." Sighing, he removed his hoof from the mare, "Best to keep up the charade, my dear." Without another word, he strode across the room and out the door.
"Good riddance." A sense of cold realization began to fill her chest. The rest of her life was bound to be just like this, just as it always was. What use is there in fighting it? It's the life I wanted.
Once again, the tiny voice echoed in the back of her mind. No it's not, and you know it.
Starlight scarcely batted an eye at the voice now. At least there's company. "I have everything I've ever dreamed of. Why would I not be happy? What do you know?" The storm continued to batter the window, and the thunder rolled on. For minutes she waited, then spoke again. "Well? What do you have to say for yourself?" There was no answer but the continued pounding of the rain.
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Maud stared, mouth ajar at what had to be the most ludicrous thing she'd ever seen on the farm. There, nearly submerged in dried mud was her father's magic tracking device. The first thought to run through her mind was that something was dreadfully wrong with him. He'd never take it through this area of the farm, it always has thick mud. Is he losing his mind? The thumping of her heart surprised her, and she held her chest, an expression of mild interest on her face. It was the first time in months she had felt such a sensation, and it needed to be remedied.
She galloped the rest of the way to the house, trying to calm the inward panic now threatening to break loose. Please, please be okay, Dad. If only her stupid research had finished a little earlier. I should've just left early. Cloudy had written to her, informing her of what happened to Igneous' leg some time ago. However, an honors Rockterate student doing field research did not have the luxury of leaving whenever she felt like it. Of course, she left as soon as possible, assuming it to be nothing urgent. Now, after seeing that machine, she could not staunch the overwhelming sense of guilt flooding her senses.
Skidding to a halt in front of the door, she knocked and swung it open. "Dad? Mom? Are you okay?"
The entire family was sitting placidly in a circle, and turned to stare at Maud. Just as fast as the door opened, the three siblings rushed forward to greet their big sister. Pinkie actually screamed with excitement, "OH MY GOSH! Maud?"
Limstone grinned, "I didn't know you were coming home."
Marble stood aside until the others had their hugs, then stepped forward. She fought back the stinging sensation in her eyes, as she hugged her big sister shyly. "Good…good to see you."
The softest of smiles creased Maud's face, quickly vanishing before the rest of the family could see. "You too, Marble. You been good?"
She sniffed, trying to gain composure. "Yeah."
Maud walked into the room, straight up to Igneous in his armchair who had been watching the scene with some interest. "You okay, Dad?"
"Of course, why wouldn't I be?"
"I saw your machine in the mud, so I got worried."
"Huh?" Igneous laughed, setting Maud back a step in surprise. "Oh, Cheese ran it into the mud. He's okay, but we decided to leave it there for now."
"Cheese?" Maud closed her eyes, trying to imagine a giant cheese wheel pulling the device, and shaking the thought away just as quickly. "Who's Cheese?"
Cloudy gestured to Pinkie who was settling back down on the couch besides Marble and Limestone. "He's Pinkie's coltfriend."
"Pinkie's…coltfriend?" Her mouth hung open stupidly, as she turned to her younger sister. However, she continued in her usual monotone. "I don't understand the joke."
"No joke, silly." Pinkie giggled, playing with her long mane. "We're dating. I would've told you, but I didn't know how."
"That's okay." Inwardly, Maud's panic was reaching a high water mark. My baby sister dating? What kind of stallion would ask her out? I hope he's not crazy. Shaking the thoughts loose like spiders, she turned to Cloudy. "I came for Grandma Pie Day."
A broad grin stretched across the older mare's face. "That's lovely, dear. I didn't expect you to come this year."
Maud stared, expression perfectly neutral as always. "I come every year."
"Yes, but with your Rockterate, I thought you'd be busy with research. My, this is something special." She gestured to their family, "This is the first Grandma Pie Day in years to have all of us here to celebrate it."
"Yeah, and it'll be the best yet!" Limestone jabbed Pinkie in the ribs, "Pinkie and Cheese got it all planned out. Between the two of them, it'll be something to remember."
"Cheese? Why's he so helpful?" Maud stared, mild confusion appearing in her eyes.
Pinkie snorted a laugh, "Because he's a party pony just like me."
"You're dating another party pony? But, the only other party pony you've met is that fellow that stole your party last year." Then, realization struck. It was so obvious, why hadn't she picked up on it sooner? She could have slapped herself. "He's the one you're dating? Cheese Sandwich?"
"Yeah."
"Oh-" Her expression conveyed no further surprise, and she squeezed in next to Marble on the couch. "So, how's everypony?"
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A grimace stretched across Milo Coltfax's face as he read through the disappointingly thin stack of letters on his worn desk. Junk, the lot of it. Who do these ponies think they're writing to anyway? I may be washed up, but not that much. Cat burglary, landlord disputes, do I look that desperate? Sighing, he whirled around in his ancient office chair to stare out the grimy window and the bleak fall day beyond. The sound of hoof beats drew his attention, and he spun back, eliciting a groan of protest from the rusty chair. Unfortunately, it was just his secretary doing her rounds as always. "Quill? Bring me some coffee!"
The head of a finely featured older mare in enormous glasses poked her head around the door. She snorted with disgust at the state of the office. "No. What do I look like? Your maid." The expression of irritation on the middle aged unicorn's face made her grin. There was nothing quite as fun as teasing her employer. "Get it yourself. Not like you have any cases anyway."
"I do too." He levitated the stack of letters for emphasis. "Overdue rent doesn't pay itself you know."
Snorting, Quill turned back to the hallway. "You wouldn't take those cases if they were shoved down your face, Milo, and you know it."
Accepting that he never would not get to taste Quill's lukewarm coffee, he turned back to the letters. From his paper thin wallet and the stack of unpaid bills, he would have to choose one soon. Gritting his teeth, he levitated the top one, trying to imagine some way of making it interesting. When had he become so pathetic?
A ray of sunlight escaped the clouds and reflected off of the peeling letters of his nametag. Halfheartedly, he levitated it with his yellow magic, letting the letters catch the sun until they formed a kaleidoscope: "Milo Coltfax: Prosecuting Attorney." It had a nice ring to it, Milo had to admit. But what good was it when nopony remembered your name? I could have been swimming in high profile clients if it wasn't for him. You've messed everything up once again, my old enemy. Just as you always have.
Milo was awakened from his thoughts by the pounding of hooves against the linoleum, and the arrival of a harried looking stallion in his office. The pegasus had a lean, hungry look in his eyes as he approached Milo. From the stench emanating off his coat and shabby cloths, luck had not been kind to him. As casually as he could, Milo leaned ever so slightly away from him. "Can I help you?"
"Yes, yes you can." He held out a grimy hoof, Milo taking it reluctantly. "Name's Willow Wind. Former head of sales for Einkorn Pharmaceuticals."
Milo raised an eyebrow, "Former?"
"That's right, former." The ragged green stallion stood as straight as he could. "I'd like you to prosecute the backstabbing son of a mule that that ruined my life."
Milo struggled to hide the hope filling his chest. Could this be my lucky break? Will ace prosecutor Milo Coltfax rise from the ashes once more? He held a blue hoof to his face, covering the smirk of triumph stretching across the stubble. "So, who's this pony?"
"Who else?" Willow snorted, striking the linoleum with his hoof. He spat the words like a curse, "Storm Scribe."
A weight fell across Milo's chest like a stone, instantly dissolving the euphoria. There was no way he could take the case. He sighed, voice sad, "I can't, Willow."
"Why not? Of all the prosecutors in Manehattan, I thought you would jump at the chance to take him down. You of all ponies what kind of criminal scum he is."
"Yes, but what can we-" He paused, biting his lip, "-what can anypony do against him?"
Willow shot a venomous look at Milo, gesturing fiercely to the wall of the office. The entire surface was plastered with case reports, news clippings, maps of Manehattan, and charts, all relating to the stallion's sordid business affairs. "A lot, according to you. Did you forget how close you came to taking him down once and for all?"
"It wasn't enough."
A manic glint filled Willow's eyes. "Wasn't enough? You had all the evidence, all the witnesses, even a sympathetic jury. You should have won!"
"Should have, Willow." Milo winced, feeling the pain of that day even after nearly eight years. "But, what was I to do? All my key witnesses bailed, he bought off the jury, and I was made to be the laughing stock of prosecutors."
A thud sounded as Willow placed a hoof on the desk, eyes still filled with hope. "Yes, but this time will be different. I've got five ponies to testify, two with entirely separate charges."
Milo scoffed, "What good is it? Most of Manehattan could come up with some sort of charge against the scum. But when the time comes, and the roll is called, I guarantee not one of them will testify."
"How do you know?"
"I've seen it. Seen it time and again."
Willow leaned in, "But they will, I know it."
"Blackmail, extortion, physical intimidation, death threats. You can't expect anypony to fight that. It isn't fair, Willow." Milo felt his heart ache at the desperation stretching across the pegasi's face. He had been there himself, seen exactly what a stallion like Storm Scribe was capable of. Perhaps, he could help him before it was too late. "Listen, I thought like you once. Believed that truth and justice would win out over self-preservation and cruelty, and I suffered for it. I was a happily married man with a successful office before I started this ghost hunt. Now look at me, alone and living by the skin of my neck."
"But-" He paused, expression shattering like a thousand pieces of glass. "-We could take it to the Princesses?"
"And then what? They wouldn't believe one desperate unemployed stallion over somepony like him. He's a generous donor to charities, community warrior, the press loves him. Who do you think they're more likely to believe?"
Silence, the nasty sort of silence Milo hated most. It was sorrow, defeat, and anguish all rolled into one. Walking around the desk, he placed a comforting hoof on the pegasi's shoulder. "There now, go and start over while you've got a family to start over with." He received a slow nod of acknowledgement, and the pony left the office.
Rage like he had not felt in years coursed through his veins. Screaming, he thrust a pen straight through the scum's photo. "Curse you! I'll see you taken down, if it's the last thing I do in this life, I'll see you ruined!" The war was on once more, and his fire would not be extinguished, not this time. A triumphant smirk stretched across his face. You can't break me this time. I've got nothing left for you to take.