Where am I? It's dark. Why is it always dark? Cheese attempted to move, but found a strange pressure stopping him. What the? Despite focusing his eyes as much as he could, there was no penetrating the shadows that surrounded him. A weak push of his hooves resulted in a loud thud that made his ears ring. He did the same all around him, only to discover that he was completely surrounded by walls, forming a kind of box. Slowly, his mind pieced together what had happened. That's right. I made father mad again.
As he lay there, he felt his muscles ache and burn from the strange position he was forced to take. What he would not give to be able to sit up, stretch his hooves. But it was no use, here he would stay. But for how long? He tried to call out, beg for forgiveness, but he could not even open his mouth. Thirsty, so thirsty. Staring in the darkness, he wondered if anypony would come for him. His heart began to race until its beating echoed in his ears. I'm going to die here, nopony's going to find me. He started to beat the box with the little strength he had left, tears stinging his eyes. Help! Mother, somepony, anypony.
"Arghh!" Cheese jerked awake, eyes wide with panic and heart pounding. Slowly, the panic ebbed as he realized he was certainly not trapped in a box. Just a nightmare, Cheese. No need to get worked up. Suddenly a familiar stinging pain filled his chest, causing him to curl into a tight ball on the couch. Not now. Sure enough, the loud accordion tune played from his cutie mark, sending another spasm of pain. "Gah! Stop!"
"Cheese? You okay?" A door creaked open and he was greeted by the sound of hurried hoof steps. Milo's concerned face came into focus, "Cheese?" He shook the younger stallion gently, "Another nightmare?"
Cheese gritted his teeth, green eyes flashing from the pain, "Yeah, and my cutie mark's going haywire." The accordion noise was gone, but the searing pain remained. He looked away from Milo, trying to hide the tears staining his face.
He cocked his head, "Strange. I thought that accordion noise was a good thing."
"It's supposed to be." Slowly, the pain began to ebb, allowing Cheese to focus. The room was dark by Manehattan standards, only casting a moderately brilliant glow behind Milo. Still, it was enough to obscure the unicorn's features. I woke him up again. "Sorry, Milo."
"Don't be sorry Cheese. But, you know you ought to see somepony about that pain."
Cheese snorted, rolling his eyes. "I know what's causing it, Milo. I'm a party pony. If I'm not on the road planning parties or in Ponyville, my Cheesie sense goes on the fritz."
Milo raised an eyebrow, "Why does it stop when you're in Ponyville?"
"Well..." Cheese felt his face grow warm and he grabbed the pitcher of water from the coffee table. Taking a long swig, he looked up at the pajama clad attorney. The sight of the gruff stallion wearing such a sissy outfit was comical. Under any normal circumstance, he would have burst out laughing, but not this time.
"Well what?" The rhymic tapping of Milo's hooves was a dead giveaway to his impatience.
Swallowing, he smiled up at Milo, "Pinkie's in Ponyville, and whenever I'm around her well-" He paused, eyes growing as wide as saucers. Milo was right. Why did his sense stop working when he was around her? It never did that before. He had been so blissfully distracted since they started dating, that his sense scarcely crossed his mind. Still, it was always there when he needed to find a party or two for their weekend trips, but it did not bother him like it used to. Why?
"Pinkie?" Geeze he's a weird cookie. What's he so shocked about? "Who's she?"
"My marefriend. She's a party pony too." Cheese stared blankly at the far wall of the small apartment. His mind was going a million places at once, and he wanted to cry out in frustration. What's wrong with me? Another shot of pain radiated through Cheese's body, and he cried out. "Argh! Stupid Cheesie sense."
"Hmmm. I've never seen anything like that before." Milo's horn lit up with pale blue magic, stepping towards Cheese, "Let me take a closer look at that mark of yours."
"Like hell you will!" Cheese jerked up so quickly that he knocked Milo over. The stallion's mane and tail bristled like an angry cat. "I'm not your test subject."
The cold, cruel expression flashing in the Cheese's eyes was sickeningly familiar. Milo's stomach churned. Milo was fast learning that Cheese was a kind, honest fellow. But, he had been hurt, and that made him as unpredictable as his father. "Cheese, calm down. I wasn't trying to hurt you." He dissipated the light on his horn, "I thought it might help with the pain."
"Oh." Cheese visibly relaxed, hairs returning to their default position. An uncontrollable shaking started in his legs upon realizing what he had done. His head sunk low, "Sorry, sorry, sorry…"
Milo sighed, resting a hoof on Cheese's back, "It's okay, kid. You're scared and confused, it's not something to be sorry about." The piles of case files strewn across the dingy apartment drew his gave. "We've been working for two weeks straight on this. Something had to give."
Cheese looked away, shuffling his hoof, "I'm fine with it."
"Fine? That's not what I see, kid." He slapped a hoof against the coffee table, "How many hours of sleep have you gotten in the past week? Five? Six? It's not healthy. Those spasms you get aren't helping either. You think any jury's going to take you seriously in your condition?"
"What jury?" A helpless expression stretched across Cheese's face. "We don't have the key evidence, Milo. We've got nothing!"
"Don't you quit on me now." Milo wanted to scream himself. Apart from their case file research, he had tried and failed to gather evidence to bolster Cheese's claims. All his career he had searched for some way to take Storm Scribe down. Now, one simple snag might ruin the best chance he would ever get. No, he would not allow it. "What about Starlight?"
Cheese shuffled and turned away, staring out the window.
Milo sighed, "You still haven't found a way to convince her."
"It's not that easy. I've thought of every conceivable way to, but it's just not possible."
Milo's eyes grew harsh, "Not possible or not comfortable? It's about time you choose, kid."
"I-" He gulped, "-I don't know how. I'm-"
"Listen to me! You hired me for a reason didn't you? Why would you be digging up old bones if you didn't?" Milo stood glowering at Cheese. "Well?"
Closing his eyes, Cheese tried to piece together why. It seemed like forever since he decided to come. Just as he was about to give in, Pinkie's warm smile appeared in front of him. He looked up, eyes flashing with determination, "I want to move on with my life. To feel safe knowing he's locked up for good."
A wolfish smile revealed Milo's yellowing teeth. "There you have it. We're going to lock that scum up and throw away the key. All you need is a push to get you started."
"It's gonna have to be a pretty big push. You offering?"
Milo shook his head, gesturing to the chaotic state of the room. "I'm an attorney, Cheese not a friend." A pen and paper levitated into Milo's awaiting hoof. "Here, take this and write to that marefriend of yours. She's the one you need to talk to."
"What? I can't she'll worry." Cheese knew he was being stupid, but a part of him so desperately wanted to leave her out of it.
Milo snorted, "Worry? Cheese, you up and leave Ponyville out of the blue, with no other information than you're going back to Manehattan." He sighed, rubbing his forehead, "If you told her anything about your parents, she'll know why you came back. She's probably already worried out of her mind. Worried and frustrated that you're too big of an idiot to ask for help when you need it!"
He's right. What was I thinking? Raising a hoof, he took the paper and pen. "I'll write to her, ask for help. Heaven knows I need it."
"That's the spirit. Speaking of-" Quick as a whip, Milo trotted over to the kitchen and returned with two glasses and a long, dark bottle. Milo's horn proved to be a first rate bottle opener, "There." With a flourish, he poured a glass and set on the table in front of Cheese. "Drink up, kid."
Cheese took a whiff and nearly gagged, "Smells like paint thinner. What is it?"
Milo put on an expression of mock insult, "Paint thinner my hoof! This here's the finest whiskey this side of Manehattan. It'll help you sleep."
"Somehow I doubt that." Under any normal circumstance, he would have refused to drink. But, this hardly counted as a normal situation. After a long swig, he gasped for air. It was the strongest stuff he had ever tasted, stinging his throat and making his insides burn. He coughed loudly, "Good stuff."
"Sure is." Milo joined Cheese on the couch, taking a swig for himself. "Another?"
"Why not?" With another shot of the foul stuff, he started to feel the confidence he had lost come back to him. Lifting the pen, he started to scrawl out a note to Pinkie. The words flowed naturally as he poured out his worries and frustrations onto the paper. The only frustration was the constant shaking of the pen as he wrote. Guess I've got the jitters. He giggled to himself. Jitters, that's a funny word.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Mrs. Cake sighed in relief. After a long struggle involving numerous bedtime stories, countless lullabies, and more than a little luck, the twins were fast asleep. She pulled up a wooden chair and sat, resting her head on the dining room table.
Her husband walked over, a big grin on his face, "Another toughie, huh sugar bear."
The sweet talk made her giggle, "Sugar bear? Dear, you'll have to think of a better one than that."
"Sorry." He sat beside her, staring at his wife with admiration. "You're amazing, you know that."
"You are too." She moved to kiss him, then jerked up from her chair. "Oh no! I haven't checked the mail."
Mr. Cake cocked his head, "So?"
"We're expecting that letter from Mrs. Plumgardener any day now." She looked more than a little nervous.
"Plumgardener? Who's-"
"-the baking contest judge from Canterlot." The plump mare started towards the front door. "She sent us a big order and said she'd let us know when she wanted it. Remember?"
"Oh yeah." Mr. Cake walked over to his wife. "I'll check, you sit down."
Mrs. Cake started to calculate the number of hours she would need to bake as many cupcakes as the pony had ordered. The sound of the side door swinging open caused her to jump in the air. Wheeling around, she stared in disbelief, "Pinkie. Oh my, you startled me. I thought you weren't coming back till tomorrow."
"Heya, Mrs. Cake!" Then, remembering the twins, she continued in a more subdued voice. "Sorry. I wanted to get back lickety split, and Mom and Dad said the night train was running so here I am." She set down her saddlebags and gave the mare a big hug. "I missed you so much."
"You too, Pinkie dear." She gestured to the kitchen. "I've been lost without my best helper. You must be tired, why don't you-"
"-It's not in yet. But you won't believe what I've got here. It's the darndest thing." The yellow stallion paused, freckled face stretching into a grin. "Pinkie, what a surprise. You came back early."
"Yup a doodles." Pinkie eyed the letter Mr. Cake was holding. "What's so funny?"
"See for yourself." He handed over the simple white envelope.
Pinkie's eyes grew wide as saucers, "It's from Cheesie. Geeze, that's super sloppy mouthwriting for him." A trickling sense of dread started to fill her chest as she stared at the Manehattan address. Twilight had written to her about Cheese going back home, but she had not heard anything from him since he left the rock farm. Still, she had hoped for the best, and assumed everything was going well. But this letter did not sit right. Cheesie always writes neat letters, always. Something's wrong, really wrong. She found her hooves shaking uncontrollably. "I'm going to go upstairs."
Mrs. Cake rested a hoof on her shoulder, "Of course, you're tired. Get some rest, dear."
Pinkie jerked a nod, swiped up her saddlebags and trotted up the stairs. Safe inside her room, she locked the door and leapt onto the bed. She ripped open the letter unceremoniously. To her surprise, it smelled unfamiliar. Not the normal earthy scent she was expecting, but the stale, nasty smell of alcohol. Her heart began to race at the thought of Cheese drinking. The stallion was always telling her how much he hated the stuff and how it messed with him. Something serious had to have happened. Calm down, Pinkie. Just read what he has to say. She looked down at the sloppiest note he had ever written to her.
"Pinkie,
I didn't want to write to you, didn't want you to worry. Milo says I'm an idiot, and I should've told you ages ago. He's always grouchy like that. Guess that comes with being an attorney. I'm staying at his place right now.
You might have guessed already, but I came back to close some things out with my parents. Father needs to be taken down. I've hired Milo to help. It's not going so well. He goes on and on about evidence like Twilight and rules.
We've been looking over cases for two weeks now." The next part was scrawled so illegibly, Pinkie could not read it. From the context, she assumed it was something to do with the legal business. She squinted at the next readable portion, and continued.
"This city is so lonely. I think I'm losing myself here. It's like I'm becoming trapped in the past. I can't sleep, the nightmares are getting worse. My Cheesie sense is going haywire, maybe it's telling me I need to lighten up. I miss you. Miss you so much it hurts. But I can't come home till I finish this.
Milo says we need Mother to testify. She's the only pony who can. I know it's wrong, but I can't help it. I hate her, Pinkie. I want to see her locked in that box just like I was. Does that make me a bad pony? Sometimes I think I might be as bad as him, and it scares me. I don't want to be like him. But the more I stay here, the more it feels like I should be the one locked up. Silly huh?
As much as I want you to, please don't come. Ponyville needs its party pony. It'd be kinda depressing having two sad party ponies. For now, remember I love you. We're partners in this life, and no amount of trouble can change that.
-Cheese"
Pinkie fell onto her pillow, taking in deep breaths. Don't panic, don't panic. He's okay. The pounding of her heart began to ebb, and she sat up bleary eyed. A part of her wanted to dash out the door and to Manehatten that very second. But no, Cheese was right. She had to stay, she had been gone too long already.
A new determination took hold as she grabbed a stray crayon and a sheet of paper. It was obvious what she had to do, and it happened to be something she was good at. Her smile broadened with each word she wrote.
"Cheesie,
Don't be so silly! There's no way in Equestria you'll turn into your dad. Didn't I say that like a hundred times already? You just lose your temper sometimes. It's okay, just learn from it next time, kay?
Don't ever say you're a bad pony, Cheesie. It's just not true and it makes me mad. You're sweet, funny, hardworking, and honest. There's nopony else in the world I want as my special somepony. Your mom's a meanie. But, every meanie has a reason for being a meanie. Maybe, all you need to do is find out why.
Anywho, it sounds like you've been working waaaay too hard! You're such a Goober. Of course you'll start to go all loopy if you shut yourself in. You're Cheesie sense is right. Go out, plan some parties, and take your mind off of things. That's what you do best after all.
As for the nightmares, what did I tell you about turning things around? You've got me, our friends, and all of Ponyville behind you after all. We've made lots of happy memories together. I know of plenty between just us two. When you're scared, just remember that first kiss we had or that night staring up at the stars or all the hours we spent party planning. That's what I do when I can't sleep. Gah! I guess that's kinda embarrassing, huh? Still, you get the idea.
I love you so much, Cheesie. And you're right about that partners thing. I'll be thinking of you every chance I get. When you do get back, they'll be so much cheer and laughter that you can't even believe it. That's a Pinkie promise.
-Pinkie
P.S. Don't EVER let me catch you drinking again! I can't stand a stallion that smells like a bar."
Pinkie smiled at the letter. It was a lot longer than normal, but somehow just long enough. Sealing it, she quickly scrawled down the address, placing it on the nightstand. The sight of a manila envelope caught her eye. "Huh? Why's this here?"
Ripping it open, she spilled out the contents and gasped. "Oh my gosh! I completely forgot." There in front of her was her business proposition and a scrawled note in Rarity's writing.
"Pinkie Dear,
I do hope this terrible business with your father's illness resolves soon. You happened to leave this at the Boutique the other day. The plan looks absolutely fabulous. I will be quite disappointed if you let it sit collecting dust. Mayor Mare says you can speak to her anytime about it, and I've assured her you will. So, don't let me down.
-Rarity."
"Oh." A squirming feeling filled her stomach as she stared at the letter. The business proposition had been pushed by the wayside for so long, it no longer seemed a possibility. Now, a nasty guilt was creeping in. Of course she wanted to start up on her own, but it was so hard. She started to pace the floorboards, back and forth. The movement sent Cheese's letter fluttering off the bed. Staring at it made her feel somehow stupid. "I'm being a Goober too, aren't I, Cheesie?"
Scoping the paper up, she held it close to her chest, wishing that in some small way, he would feel her beside him. It was stupid and she knew it, but it was comforting. Still, paper was paper. It's not going to get anything done. The only thing we've got left is action. She smirked at the blueprints. And I know just where to start.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
The door slammed shut so hard it shook the walls of the apartment. Starlight sighed, levitating her glass before it shuddered off the table. "Storm, do try not to break the door."
An irritated grumble was all she got in reply. The onyx stallion strode into the living room, ears pinned and slick mane sticking up at odd angles. He stood accusingly at his wife, reclining comfortably on her chaise lounge. "What have you been up to?"
"Working." She raised the wine glass, taking a delicate sip. "I had two shoots today and spent some time working on some new designs."
He rolled his eyes sarcastically, "Oh, quite demanding." Switching his tail irritably, he continued, "Coltfax has been sticking his muzzle where it doesn't belong again."
Starlight snorted, "Coltfax? What can he do? You took him down years ago."
Storm raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "Interesting you should be so confident."
"And why shouldn't I be? That good for nothing couldn't find his own horn." Avoiding her husband's gaze, she stared out the window at the bustling city.
"Unless, he's gotten some help from him." Storm waited for the reaction. A quick flicker of concern swept across her eyes. I've got you now. A triumphant smirk split across his face. "You've had him watched."
Starlight gritted her teeth. "And if I have?"
"I know you, Starlight." The stallion leaned forward, voice at its most venomous. "You want to help him. You would see me, your own husband taken down."
The racing of her own heart was nauseating. Keep calm, or it'll all be over. "Me work with that earth pony? Come now Storm, I haven't sunk that low. I just wanted to make sure his meddling was managed."
Storm looked less than convinced. Still, he stood straight. "I've got my men on the job. If he even thinks about it, I'll bend his leg a little." He strode across the room, turning back. The emerald of his eyes flashed menacingly. "And, dear, if I hear one more hint of you sniffing around, it will be your reputation at stake not mine."
"Yes, dear." Her liquid amber eyes stared unblinkingly back at him. I'm not afraid of you. After he shut the door, she turned back to her relative state of peace. Casually, she flipped through the magazine lying on the coffee table and found it. A small letter was taped to the inside of one of the pages, just as promised. Good work, Prius. Smiling at her own ingenuity, she opened it.
"Starlight,
I've been watching Cheese for some time now, and there's nothing new to report. They're working on case files again. Though it seems like the guy's really stressed. I don’t suppose party ponies are good at book work. I managed to sneak into the building, pretending to be a house cleaner.
I caught an interesting snippet, though I don't understand most of it. Apparently they can't move on with prosecuting unless they get some kind of evidence of abuse. It's a terrible thing to do, accusing you of abusing your own colt. Still, they say the only way to prove it is through your testimony which your son doesn't seem to think you'll give.
That's all I have,
-Prius."
Starlight let out a silent laugh, clutching her face with her hooves. She's an idiot! I couldn't have chosen a better simpleton if I wanted to. Still, this changes things. They need me to enact this little plan of theirs. A wide smirk stretched across her face. Well, Storm, look who's in charge now.