After closing the library door, and promptly locking it, she let out a tired sigh. Today had been a very long day, for all of them. Yet Twilight still was unfinished. Should she write to Princess Celestia? Surely her help would make this whole problem much easier to solve. On the other hoof, Celestia was surely quite busy with something. Same with Princess Luna no doubt as well. Perhaps she could at least write to her mentor and ask for advice at the very least. If anything, that might help get her started on where to go from here. she sat down at her desk, and pulled out paper and a quill pen, dipping it into the ink.
Dear Princess Celestia,
I am writing to you this evening to discuss a tragedy that has occurred here in Ponyville. My dear friend Rarity, as you know as the Spirit of the Element of Generosity, has run into some serious trouble. Her little sister, Sweetie Belle, has mysteriously gone missing. Myself and other close friends have taken it upon ourselves to help Rarity find her sister. I was originally going to ask for your help, but considering you’re most likely busy, I only want to ask for advice. We have some clues to go on, but I just don’t know where we should turn from here. We have come to the conclusion that Sweetie Belle, was indeed fillynapped, by something that is not a pony. We know for sure of this because of footprints found outside of Sugarcube Corner, Sweetie Belle’s last known whereabouts. Also, we suspect the culprit was also spying on Rarity and her sister, through a hole in the crawlspace of Carousel Boutique. I have come to my own conclusion, that whatever we’re looking for, it’s located in the Everfree Forest. The footprints ended at the edge of the forest, and I was knocked unconscious when I got there. Perhaps something thought I was getting too close? At any rate, any sort of advice you may offer will be greatly appreciated. I await your response eagerly.
Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle
Finished with her letter, she called out to a certain baby dragon. “Spike! Could you come here a moment?”
Twilight’s number one assistant wasted no time in arriving at the unicorn’s side. “Yes Twilight? what can I do for you?”
She didn’t realize how late it was, she was actually a little surprised Spike was still awake. “I’ve written a letter to the Princess, I need you to send it to her right away.” she levitated the letter into Spike’s claws.
“Yes ma’am, right away.” Spike took a deep breath, and blew the letter away in a small spout of majestic green flame. “It’s on it’s way!”
Twilight smiled. “Thank you Spike, now you go ahead and get some rest, it’s been a long day. I’ll be to bed soon as well once I record all the evidence we have gathered.”
After exchanging their goodnights, Spike went up to bed and Twilight lifted her quill and another piece of paper onto her desk. Once again dipping the quill into her ink, she began to record all of the events of the past day.
Owlowicious sat at attention while Twilight wrote with only the light of a small candle. A little reminiscent of the two’s first meeting, when she was writing a paper on the physics and anatomy of comets. Owlowicious was an owl that had once helped the unicorn retrieve the previously mentioned research paper when it blew out of one of the library’s windows on a chilly and windy evening. Soon after, he became her very own pet, and helper, when she stayed up into the late hours of Princess Luna’s night. The lavender mare allowed her thoughts to wander a bit while she worked on her task.
She hoped her friends had all gotten home alright. It certainly felt darker than usual tonight, and that unsettled the purple unicorn a bit.
“It is quite dark tonight, don’t you agree Owlowicious?”
“Hoo.” replied the owl, inciting a soft giggle from Twilight.
Her thoughts then went onto Rarity. She felt absolutely terrible that her sister had gone missing. Twilight practically jumped at the chance to offer her beautiful fellow unicorn friend help. She shook her head.
“Now now Twilight, focus.” she said to herself.
This was a very serious situation, involving the safety of a little filly. She couldn’t let her romantic feelings for Rarity get in the way of that. It was far more important to solve this mystery, and make sure young Sweetie Belle returned to Ponyville safely. There would be plenty of time after for her to gather her nerves to admit her feelings to Rarity. Right now the white unicorn needed all of their help. Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and herself. She was determined to do her part.
She set her mind to finishing her paper, and then heading upstairs for long awaited rest.
~~~
Pinkie Pie was trotting at a brisk pace, in a bit of a hurry to get back to Sugarcube Corner. She had to admit, she was a little uncomfortable being outside at night. It seemed the town was no longer safe, after gathering all the clues they had. She wished she had stuck together with Fluttershy and Rarity, and left with them. She kept glancing nervously about. Even though the lanterns were lit along the road, to her it just seemed to make things more scary and unsettling. She also felt like she was being watched. That was the truly terrifying part.
She started to trot faster, not quite a full gallop, but on its way. She hoped to Celestia that the Cakes had returned, she did not want to spend the night alone in Sugarcube Corner. She heard rustling noises. Yes, she definitely heard them. Her heartbeat started escalating, she looked around in a panic. Something was following her, she knew it.
“W-who’s there?” she called out softly. No response of course. Sweat was forming on her forehead, her heartbeat now nearly racing. That’s it, she couldn’t take it. The pink pony broke into a full gallop. She had to get home, and fast.
The rustling just got more and more frequent as she galloped, was there more than one pursuer? That wasn’t important, she needed to get home. A tall, lumbering shadow stood a few paces in front of her. She managed to evade it, as it made a swipe for her tail. What about that was so familiar? Not important. Sugarcube Corner, that was important. She heard whatever that was giving chase, and tried to gallop faster. She was getting tired, but there was no time for that. She had to keep pushing forward. She had to get away.
“Oh, make it stop!” She said to herself. There! She could see it, Sugarcube Corner! It was so close! If she could just get inside and lock the door, she’d be safe.
Then something grabbed onto her flank.
Whatever it was, it dug its claws into the side of her flank, drawing a yelp of pain from Pinkie. In a split second reaction, she lifted her hind legs and bucked the hay out of the face of that monster. It released its grip, groaning in pain. With that, Pinkie promptly took off at full speed. Rainbow Dash would be proud if she saw how fast Pinkie was galloping.
Finally, she reached the door! She flung it open, and slammed it shut. She locked every lock available on the door, and let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. She started panting now, blood was dripping from the claw wounds in the side of her flank. She walked forward slowly, nearing the shop counter before collapsing, closing her eyes and trying to catch her breath.
~~~
Rarity and Fluttershy had arrived at Carousel Boutique. the two mares were examining the hole that led underneath the boutique that Fluttershy had found. It oddly felt darker tonight than usual, and the white unicorn was levitating a lantern to light the way.
“Well, I suppose we should head to my storage shed to see if I have any planks of wood we can use to repair this.” Rarity said as she continued examining the hole. “I simply cannot fathom how I hadn’t noticed this before.”
“Hmm, how often do you come around to the back of the boutique?” Fluttershy asked.
“You have a point. Not very often. In any case, please accompany me to the shed. This night is absolutely dreadful.” Fluttershy nodded and the two turned around and headed for the boutique’s storage shed.
Rarity’s ears twitched a little. She had thought she heard something in the distance. Was it a scream? “Fluttershy...Did you hear that?” She glanced over to the yellow pegasus, who was visibly shivering a little. She received a nod in response. Rarity glanced around nervously for a moment. Then, arriving at the shed, she sat the lantern down and used her magic to release the lock on the door. She then took a few steps inside, Fluttershy picking up the lantern by the handle in her mouth, and following.
“Let’s see...Planks of wood...Ah, here we are.” Rarity wrapped her magic around a few planks of wood, and a toolbox, promptly exiting with Fluttershy in tow. Locking the shed doors up once more, they returned to the hole in the boutique. The unicorn could see that Fluttershy was still shaken up over the mysterious scream they had both just heard, so she tried to repair the hole as fast as she could.
Finished and satisfied with her handy work, Rarity and Fluttershy quickly went around to the front of the store and went inside. Fluttershy set the lantern down and turned it off while Rarity stored the toolbox in a nearby closet.
Rarity approached one of her many mirrors, and once again glanced at herself. She had to admit, the straight mane look she had going on didn’t look so bad anymore. “You know Fluttershy, I could get used to this style of mane, what do you think?”
Fluttershy spoke in a soft voice. “ I think it’s...quite beautiful, Rarity.” She suddenly realized that she wasn’t looking at Rarity’s mane at all, but at Rarity herself. The timid pegasus quickly turned away, a bright blush on her face. “I uhh...Ahem.” She faked a few coughs.
Rarity smiled and shook her head. She would let it go for now. Perhaps it would be brought up later. Suddenly, her stomach grumbled and she realized, she hadn’t eaten anything since last night. “Fluttershy, would you like something to eat?”
Fluttershy nodded in response, and they headed into the unicorn’s kitchen. Rarity suddenly remembered the time Sweetie Belle tried unsuccessfully to prepare breakfast for her and their parents. Oh, how frustrated she had made the her. That week she was with her sister was very rough on both of them. Luckily with the help of Applejack, she had realized just how important her little sister was to her. She didn’t regret getting muddy during the Sisterhooves Social at all, she had gotten her sister back. Since then, their parents had been on an extensive vacation of seeing the world inside Equestria and out. It had been about five and half months since they left Sweetie Belle in her care. They occasionally wrote, but it was getting less and less frequent. She only assumed they were consumed by all of the sights and cultures they were experiencing. She felt a moment of spite for her parents. Rarity was more like a parent for Sweetie Belle than their parents ever were. She didn’t know whether or not she wanted her little sister to return to living with their parents. She wanted her to be cared for, not neglected. Sure she could come visit Rarity whenever she wished, but she needed a parental figure in her life, somepony to look up to. Their parents just didn’t offer enough of that. Finally stepping out of her reverie, the unicorn glanced over at Fluttershy, who gave her a worried look.
“Rarity, are you alright?” The pegasus asked softly.
“Yes, I’m alright. Just...memories.” She received a gentle nuzzle from Fluttershy, which she returned. They stayed like that for a few moments before finally parting. Rarity was now more determined than ever to rescue her dear little sister.
Rarity prepared a couple sandwiches made of some daisies and lilies, and the two shared a quiet late night dinner. The two then headed upstairs to get some long awaited sleep, the distant scream that was heard now a faraway thought.
~~~
Mrs. Cake exited her upstairs bedroom and went downstairs after hearing the door slam shut. She gasped to see Pinkie Pie laying on the floor of the sweet shop.
“Pinkie, are you okay?! She said as she quickly trotted over to the injured earth pony. Mrs. Cake was a middle aged mare with a blue coat, and a swirly pink mane with mixed red colors. Her cutie mark was a set of cupcakes, signifying her expertise in baking and selling sweets.
After a few short breaths, the pink pony responded, “There was... Something that was chasing me, chased me all the way back here, and then... It stopped. It didn’t try to break in or anything. I know this probably sounds crazy to you Mrs. Cake, but it was really big. Not hydra big, but definitely bigger than a pony.” Pinkie shakily brought herself back up on her hooves, revealing to the blue mare the wound on her flank.
Mrs. Cake let out another gasp, approaching Pinkie and examining the wound a little. “What... What happened to you?”
“I told you, something chased me, tried to attack me. Maybe even kill me. It only managed to do that before I finally got away.” Pinkie repeated as she used her head to motion to the wound.
Mrs. Cake frowned. “We really should get you to the hospital to get those cuts checked out-”
“No! No, we will not go back outside tonight!” the pink party pony shouted. “I won’t leave this place until Celestia raises the sun in the morning.”
For once in who knows how long, Pinkie actually looked genuinely frightened. Mrs. Cake stood thoughtfully for a moment, then nodded. “Alright Pinkie, I won’t make you go back out there tonight. But you should at least let me bandage you up a bit so the wound doesn’t have time to get infected. Then I’ll get Carrot up and you can tell us all about what happened.
Pinkie Pie nodded slowly, and then her motherly caretaker bandaged up her wound. Afterwards, Mrs. Cake went back upstairs to wake Mr. Carrot Cake.
A/N: I am only including the descriptions of characters like Mrs. Cake and Owlowicious because I am also writing this as a novel in my Creative Writing course, and it would help non pony lovers get the image of the characters in their heads. Much easier to write for you guys than them, seeing as you know all the scenery and characters very well. ;) Anyways, I hope you don’t mind those little details. Enjoy!