“No, it's g..g...great! I get to go out and see the s..s..s..sunrise! What? No I don't like the sun more t...t..t..than the moon but this will be my first time going out I can remember.”
The day had finally arrived! The Eve of the Summer Sun Festival was upon Equestria. Cursed Eclipse had awoken before the moon had set that morning. The excitement she felt to have the chance to go outside was over whelming. In her bedroom, staring out the high window at the moon, Eclipse watched the mare image. “It'll be okay. I kn..kn...know that it will. Momma will be th..th..there to watch me.”
Something stirred Blueberry awake early this morning. A dull sensation in the back of her mind filled her with thoughts of Eclipse. Standing in the door frame, she stared down the stairs leading to the main room of the cellar. Her ears perked to the sounds of Eclipse's stuttering voice. 'Who is she talking to?' Eclipse pondered as she carefully trotted down the wooden steps. Each hoof further down the sound of Eclipse's voice grew louder.
“I..I..I think he's starting to li..li..like me. Mo..mom..momma says he is.”
The cellar's main room was softly a lit with a magic nightlight in the north western corner. It created dim glow enough for Blueberry to see one hoof in front of her, but nothing much else. The wooden door into Eclipse's bedroom was open enough for Blueberry to peer inside. She did indeed see her little ward talking, sitting on her haunches at the foot of her bed, but when she looked to see with whom all that she could see was a silhouette of a pony. Cautiously and slowly, Blueberry pushed the door open. “Eclipse sweetie, who are you talking to?” When she came to stand in the doorway, the silhouette vanished away. The blue mare looked over to where she thought she saw it, confused by the disappearance. 'It must have been a trick on my eyes.'
“I'm talking to the Ma..ma..mare in the moon.” Eclipse cheerily chirped while her front hooves stomped against her bed. Her wings extended outwards to either side of her body flapping to bring the filly to hover. Straight to Blueberry she ushered her self clinging around the mare's neck. “We talk every ni..ni..night!”
“I see, I see,” Blueberry whispered. 'She has an imaginary friend.' She thought raising to her hind legs to make it easier to put her forelegs around the little filly. “My little pony, it's alright to have imaginary friends but you shouldn't let them keep you awake. You're going to have a big night tonight and tomorrow morning and young fillies need their sleep.” Blueberry chided jokingly stepping back to the bed's side. “Now, if I lay down with you, will you go back to sleep? You can sleep as long as you want since you will be awake for a long time.”
“But she is re..re..real! Her name is Ni..Ni..Nightmare Moon.” Eclipse protested leaning back from the held position. Her front hooves were tossed in opposite directions at her sides when she began her story. “It's like the st..st...story you read to me all the ti..ti..time. She's really nice bu..bu..but sad.”
Blueberry carefully lowered Eclipse down into bed never letting her smile leave. It was cute the way Eclipse believed her tale. Once the slate gray filly was set down onto the soft mattress, Blueberry followed suit. The older mare pulled the younger one into a tight hug the moment the two settled down. “Now now, good little foals need to go to sleep.”
“Goo..Goo..Good night, Momma and Nightmare.” She whispered snuggling her small form against the other. Despite how anxious she was for the next day to come, Eclipse finally drifted into a trance like sleep. Her wings relaxed back against her torso, and her head on Blueberry's chest.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Gold Mine sat in his study in the early hours of the evening. A light meal was partaken in to hold him over until the banquet party tonight. Unicorn magic hovered a piece of paper in front of his face which Gold viewed upon with much delight. His left hind leg raised crossing above his right, his body leaned back in the large plush chair, and a knowing smirk crossed over his muzzle. A cigar burned at its tip filling his lungs and mouth with the sweet smelling smoke. A puff from the opposite corner of his mouth pushed crafted rings of black out. “I am going to make a lot of money from this.” Gold mused to him self letting his eyes trail over the paper.
It was a contract with the up and coming boutique owner, Hoity Toity. This contract gave Gold Mine Industries exclusive rights to sell gems to the fashion designer. This meant that Gold's name would be at every store selling the pony's designs. Even before the sales of the clothing, he was making money just from the 'deals' he was giving Hoity Toity. The stallion shook his head smiling at his own genius. “My luck is finally turning around.”
The announcement of this venture would be made at tonight's party. Many important and rich ponies would be in attendance. Diamond, however, still hadn't recovered her energy nor appearance since Eclipse's birth. 'No matter,' Gold thought quietly. 'If it wasn't for the stigma it would cause I'd divorce her and find another mare to use.' Gold turned his chair out to face the window, it was getting closer and closer to the time for the party.
“It seems that the curse is finally over.” His thoughts came about to the thing he kept in the basement. He wasn't aware why he did it, normally he wasn't so weak, but he agreed to let the filly out for just one morning. As long as no one saw her, it wouldn't bring any harm. Still, something burned in the back of his mind. He couldn't simply forget the hatred he held for the little foal. Gold Mine used magic to bring the cigar from his mouth to the ash tray snuffing out the burning tip.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Over the years Blueberry had become friends with the chef that came each day. While she couldn't tell him why, she was able to convince him to make extra things or specialty items for Eclipse. Tonight, Blueberry was able to get various foods and pastries early, before the rest of the guests, to bring down for Eclipse and her's own banquet and ball. Blueberry's flank hit the door to the cellar with a careful bump while she balanced a plate on each hoof. “Eclipse! I have dinner and treats!” She exclaimed cheerfully. With great ease and carefulness, the blue mare gradually made it to the bottom of the steps. She let her self relax a bit lowering each plate down to the floor. She'd go back up later for more if she needed to but for now this would be enough.
Gold Mine had offered Blueberry a chance to come to the party but was evidently told no. There was no other place she wanted to be than down with Eclipse. Her eyes came up towards the little filly who was playing with her Celestia and Nightmare Moon dolls. Each toy danced around with unicorn magic commanding them. Yet, Blueberry took notice, Eclipse's horn did not glow. In the corner of Blueberry's eye she saw the silhouette figure from the morning, then at once, the dolls fell down.
“Aww, but Ni..Ni..Nightmare Moon. It's only ma..ma..mama.” Eclipse protested, cutely crossing her forelegs across her chest. She sat on her rump with her hind legs in front of her. The filly's horn began to glow a strange black pigment. Each doll raising back up now dancing together close. The music overhead from the ball played loudly, heard even within the depths of the cellar.
Out of the corner of Blueberry's eyes she could have sworn she saw the silhouette from this morning again just before the magic vanished. A chill ran through her causing her coat to stand on ends. Blueberry shifted her self to bring more weight to her right side turning to go over towards a box she had set earlier in the day. “Now, my little pony, let's get you in your Summer Sun Festival outfit.”
Eclipse rocked forward bouncing onto all fours. A quick trot brought her straight away to Blueberry and the box. The older mare was careful in opening the thick, brown parcel. The filly leaned forward staring inside at the treasure to be found. Glowing eyes grew wide at what she saw. A simple cape laid at the bottom with designs of the moon and sun repeated in polka dot pattern over metallic blue fabric. Carefully played on top of the folded cape was a tiara. The tiara was of a simple design many purchased for gifts for parties or special occasions. The sides were curled back just slightly to rest behind the ears, three 'towers' were in the middle with the middle being the tallest and costume jewelry of 3 rubies at the tops of each. The metal used was gold painted tin; Blueberry couldn't afford much else after she had the cape commissioned. Magic encircled the tiara first raising quickly up and onto Eclipse's head behind her horn. Giddy with excitement, she began to bounce around the box and Blueberry.
Blueberry giggled at the ball of energy's little show of happiness. It was amazing how the most simple of things could make the little filly happy. “Now calm down a moment.” The blue mare softly spoke before she lowered her head into the box. Gently and carefully, her teeth nipped an end of the cape to raise it up from its container. With an amazing act of agility and concentration, Blueberry reached her forelegs out catching Eclipse within her hooves. The mare placed the filly down in front of her.. setting the cape down onto Eclipse's back. The cords were brought into Blueberry's mouth and carefully strung around the foal's neck. “There, now you can jump and play.” She chuckled releasing her ward from her grasp.
Eclipse laughed loudly stomping her front and back in rhythm bouncing forward and back. She took off once she as free bounding back and forth over the floor at full gallop. She glanced behind her watching her cape flutter and dance with the wind she caused blowing beneath it. Her blue gray tail danced and flicked beneath the little outfit she received. So much happiness at once was almost over whelming but tonight was a special night and Eclipse would see it through.
“Now, let's enjoy our own ball.” Blueberry moved over to Eclipse once the music got louder and picked up into a song one could dance to. Approaching the little filly, she took each of Eclipse's front hooves into her own. “Now, this is how you slow dance,” Blueberry instructed raising to her hind legs and guiding Eclipse's to do the same. The difference in size was almost comical as Blueberry stood over Eclipse trying to guide her in step with the music. The next several hours the pair ate the fine foods that were sneaked down, danced with every song, and played pin the tail on the pony. Things had begun to grow brighter for Eclipse and Blueberry.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Above the cellar, the Mine Manor was filled with servants, very important ponies, and other guests invited just to fill the home. Every inch was decorated with sun themes, newly purchased statues and paintings, the food was first rate, and to make things perfect, the musicians were hired from the cream of the crop of Canterlot Royal Music Academy. Gold Mine spared no expense to show up the other ponies and what they may have done for their celebration. This was going to be his night to show off what he had gained and will be gaining soon.
In the center of the reception hall, Gold Mine was discussing business and future with three ponies; Jetset, Uppercrust, and ,one of the most important ponies, Fancy Pants. Each of the ponies were dressed in their finest garments. For Gold Mine and Fancy Pants they wore simple tuxedos, Jetset wore a sweater vest, and Uppercrust a grand gown. Their discussion occasionally held contempt between Jetset and Gold but things stayed civil with Fancy Pants close by. Gold Mine knew to keep things calm with that particular pony around. A many deals could be made or broken just with how the stallion Fancy Pants respected an individual.
“Yes, I dare say, Gold Mine, this party is absolutely glorious for Princess Celestia's festival.” Fancy Pants began motioning with a fore hoof across the reception hall. “With these last five years of trials for you, it warms my heart to see you make such a comeback.” Fancy Pants started a round of hoof stomping for Gold Mine. “It is still a tragedy that Diamond Mine could not come down to share this with us. I understand she is still ill after the loss of your second foal?”
The other two ponies mostly kept quiet during Gold Mine and Fancy Pant's conversation. Gold Mine saw this as a bonus when dealing with Uppercrust and Jetset. “Yes, it truly is a pity to see her in such shape even after all these years. But, some news recently will pick up her spirits I'm sure.”
“Perhaps I should visit her before I leave.” Fancy Pants thought aloud to no pony in general. His eyes perked with genuine curiosity now. “Oh? What news did you learn, my old friend?”
Pride. Gold Mine pushed his chest forward, his head raised up high, and his right hoof brought against his chest. “Gold Mine Gemstones will be the exclusive seller to Hoity Toity Boutiques. I am going to make a lot of bits for this expenditure.” Gold Mine turned his head to allow his gold mane fall away from his horn and face. “Gold Mine Industries will come out ahead of the competition this time.”
“Hoity Toity? Oh my I figured you heard, good chap!” The snooty voice of Jetset brought a painful reaction to Gold Mine's ears. Gold was expecting a great triumph and now he had to speak. “Hoity Toity threw the contract out the window! I don't suppose you heard this being out in a rustic area such as Fillyton and mail being so slow!” A snobbish laugh left Jetset and Uppercrust as Fancy Pants looked on to Gold Mine for some clarification.
The brown coated stallion didn't let his thoughts show in his body language, but his eyes were a clear indication of what he was thinking. Each orb twitched and his pupils shrunk. He glanced in every direction never moving his head seeking something to show this was a sick joke. “I do not seem to know what you mean, Jetset.” Gold Mine inquired prepared to make a hasty exit to the stairs and into his study. He had yet to check his mail today with all the festivities occurring.
“Why yes, my good stallion, he found flaws, cracks, and cloudy residue in each and every stone! It was absolutely horrid that he threw them out of his boutique and into the gutter. You should have seen the unwashed masses rush to collect all they could! People who could barely afford to look into the window had taken the whole lot!” The laughter from the two ponies grew louder in Gold's ears. “It was such a spectacle!”
Gold Mine couldn't take it much longer. He had to leave before he did something to one of his guests that would further ruin any reputation that he held drastically onto. “There must have been some misunderstanding. If you will excuse me I need to speak to the chef on when the cake will be coming out.” A bow of his head signaled his departure before Gold Mine made a beeline for the entry way and up the stairs. A hurried mass of stallion flesh, he began to gallop when he reached the top.
The door to his study was opened with a slam of pony magic. His desk was his first target scattering papers and envelopes until only two remained in front of him. With his legs shaking, Gold Mine set back into his large chair staring at the two pieces; one from Iron Mind and the other from Hoity Toity. The letter from his son was opened first as Gold's horn glowed raising a letter opener to cut the top. The parchment unraveled showing the words within.
“Father, I am deeply sorry but duty forces me unable to attend the festival at the manor. Iron Mind.”
The letter was short and simple. It had been six years since Iron Mind had returned to visit his parents. He rejected, gave excuses or ignored every holiday, request, or invitation. It was obvious to even Gold Mine that his son had chosen the castle and his position over his own father and mother. The rage he felt boiling was reaching its peak with trembling eyes. His right fore hoof raised forcing the paper to crumble against the top of the desk. The next parchment was raised and the seal and top cut to unravel once more.
“I am utterly ashamed at the travesty you believed you could pull over me. As per our contract if the first shipment did not meet expectation then the contract is void and I dare say these are the worst gemstones I have ever had the dishonor of looking at!”
That was the final nail in sanity's coffin. Gold Mine slumped forward letting his magic release the letter away. He had believed the plan he had set was fool proof. Hoity Toity would see remarkable gemstones for the show pieces and then receive garbage after. These were supposed to be for clothes he wouldn't make or see him self! Gold was determined to believe something else occurred to change all this. None of this could have been his fault. His mouth went dry and this had him seek out his one crutch he could use; alcohol. His magic opened a small case of battles on the northern wall bringing a small glass and a bottle of bourbon.
The next several hours were spent drinking the bottle till there was nothing left. In this time the guests had begun to leave in their carriages to go to the Summer Sun Festival in Fillyton to watch Princess Celestia raise the sun. When he was certain that the guests were gone the brown stallion departed the confines of his study, resting at the top of the stairs staring out the window above them. This gave him a perfect view of the front of his property. Out there he watched as the last carriage left, but he heard something else that caused his eyes to narrow. A child's laughter that for others would be dulled by the walls and window was deafening to Gold. The stallion moved close to the window setting his front hooves upon it as he watched below.
Moving out from the front door he witnessed the blue mare and her gray filly ward coming out. Blueberry was first beckoning for Eclipse to follow. The little filly appearing nervous at first about the outside world. Yet, within moments she was running, jumping, and hopping around in the grass. Her laughter a disease on the blonde stallion's mind.
“Yes, it's her fault. It's Cursed Eclipse's fault. She brought this on again. Her curse did this.”
~*~*~*~*~
Eclipse had never known such sensations before. The breeze blowing against her wings each time she jumped and hovered, the feel of wet grass beneath her hooves as she galloped from here to there, the shine the stars and the moon gave across a dark sky. Everything was new for Eclipse and everything was wonderful. The little filly couldn't get enough of all that the small part of the world had to offer. Before she knew it, she had rushed right back over to Blueberry with her cape blowing against the wind she caused. “Ma..ma..mamma! This is wo..wo..wonderful!” She exclaimed happily leaping to give a tight embrace to Blueberry's body.
Blueberry had settled down resting onto her bent legs to watch Eclipse. She had never seen something so beautiful in her life. While so many would take things like this for granted, Eclipse was enjoying the most simple things imaginable. It was an awe inspiring sight to behold how the filly danced and played so free from the things that could very well harm her so easily. She raised up enough for her right front foot to coil outwards catching Eclipse in the embrace. “Now now, don't get too worked up or you'll fall asleep before the sun raises.” The warning was given but Eclipse just as soon ignored it turning around to run back across the grass.
For an hour, Eclipse chased after a single butterfly. The orange and yellow insect always came out of reach when the filly leaped up to try and get closer to it. Landing flat on her belly, the filly blew the gray blue hair from her eyes and began to beat her wings. Each of them worked harder and faster lifting her upwards to the sky. She gave a faster chase then before but the call of Blueberry for her to return brought Eclipse back to the reality of it all. She went back sweeping through the sky landing next to her mare nanny. She tilted her head back as she snuggled besides the blue mare. Eyes dancing across the sky, but as Blueberry had warned her, she soon drifted asleep.
The mare chuckled looking down at the slumbering Eclipse. She shook her head lightly telling her self she would wake her up when it got closer to the sun rising. For now, Blueberry watched the stars for her self. Each one she saw she made the same wish regardless if it was falling or not. “Please, let nights like tonight keep happening for her.” Her ears raised and turned to the pony next to her. Sounds of whimpering and soft cries coming next to her. Leaning her head down, she gently nipped at Eclipse's ear. “Wake up sweetie, you're having a nightmare.” She spoke in a mother's tone.
Glowing eyes opened and her head moved looking up at Blueberry. Small droplets fell down her cheeks while she whispered in a soft voice, “I saw a gold haired monster watching us.”
The same chill that Blueberry felt when she first saw the silhouette came back to her. A soothing laugh went from her muzzle while she nuzzled the little filly. “It's alright, my little love, but look,” She said raising her right hoof up to the eastern sky, “The sun is coming up.”
Eclipse quickly looked forward and up at the horizon. Her mouth opened with a silent gasp at the beauty that was before her. A golden orb she had only seen through a window was now before her in its unrestricted glory. Blueberry couldn't help but softly laugh at how fascinated the filly was at the sight, and she laughed even more when Eclipse bound up on all four hooves and began to dance and play again.
~*~*~*~*~*~
It was close to eight PM when Blueberry corral Eclipse to bring her back inside. The blue mare didn't wish to push the generous offer Gold had given the pair too far. Eclipse was still bouncing around and laughing even after they entered the front doors. Blueberry's heart felt heavy having to take the foal back down into the darkness of the cellar, but if she ever wished for things to change she had to obey these cruel demands for now.
“Did you se...se..see it? It was ri..ri..rising so fast!” Eclipse was boundless with energy, chirping while she literally ran circles around Blueberry. Their approach to the cellar door would not take long. The Earth Pony pushed it open with her hoof as she bobbed the handle down. “I ho..ho..hope daddy comes down here. I made him a pre..pre..present for letting me go outside!” The gray filly clopped quickly down stairs glancing behind her once she reach the bottom. A loud oomph left the little one as she struck something hard in front of her. She fell back a few steps shaking her head at the sudden light headed feeling.
“I'm sure he'll like it very much...” Blueberry's voice trailed off when she heard the soft impact and she looked down while making her way on the steps. “Mr. Mine?” She questioned when the light crystals and the sunlight from the window finally illuminated what Eclipse ran into.
The golden haired stallion stood before them both. His narrowed eyes cast down upon only Eclipse. A sickening smirk laid for witness on his lips. No answer was given when Blueberry spoke his name nor any motion of his body when Eclipse ran into him. All the brown stallion did was stare down upon the creature he helped to give life to.
“Da..Da..Daddy,” Eclipse whispered then she turned on her back hoofs and trotted over towards a small table and chair. It was used many times for her to do homework or to color, but right now it held something she wanted to give the stallion. She leaned over the table taking a piece of paper into her mouth; construction paper of blue with a crude child's drawing on the front. Retreating back before gold, she held it up to him as an offering. The picture was simple, it had a picture of a brown stallion wearing a black jacket outfit. It was obvious the picture was drawn to match the wedding photo of Diamond and Gold Mine that Blueberry brought down years ago.
Blueberry didn't saw a word when she came down to the bottom of the steps. She watched and prayed to Celestia for the outcome she had wanted to see since she first arrived. Her breath caught in her throat, every moment passing with a second feeling like a minute. The soft appearance she had while she watched father and daughter was torn away in an instant at what took place next.
“Filthy cursed creature.” Gold's right hoof raised striking across Eclipse's face. She was thrown aside with a wail of pain escaping her muzzle. “What is this? Hm? Mocking me with the disease you've spread to this house hold? To my name!” His unicorn magic lifted the prized drawing up to take a better look at it. It was torn down the middle in the next moment. Gold's horn glowed a soft brown as it raised the cape from Eclipse's body ripping it down to its very fibers before her and Blueberry's eyes. “I show you kindness and you repay me by ruining my financially further? You little beast!” Another hoof was brought down against Eclipse's face. Her cries growing louder from the pain and betrayal she felt.
“Gold Mine stop this!” Blueberry screamed aloud rushing to try and hold back the stallion with her front legs around his torso. “Don't hit her!” Her pleas were silenced when Gold twisted him self in such a fashion to knock her away.
“I will discipline a child the way I see fit!” Gold reprimanded Blueberry coming back to stand over the weeping child. Another strike followed the next near pummeling the defensive foal as she curled into a fetal position trying to protect her self and her wings. “Maybe it's that horn. I'll just break it off.” He sneered watching Eclipse whimper and cry.
“I'm sorry, daddy, I'm a good girl. I love you.” Eclipse pleaded trying to look at him through swollen, black eyes. The glow still remained but partially concealed through the bruising.
“That is enough!” A protective voice shouted aloud. Years of rock harvesting took its toll that moment when two hind hooves struck Gold Mine against his side. The brown stallion was knocked back, flung from the blow against a book case on the eastern wall. With the wind knocked out of him, Blueberry rushed to stand protective in front of Eclipse. Her nostrils flared as she huffed heated breath out. Her fore legs dug against the stone floor, her hind legs ready to strike if she needed to turn and do so. “So long as I am here you will not lay one filthy hoof on this child!”
The golden haired unicorn wavered when he raised back up to his hooves. A cold stare was shot in Blueberry's direction for daring to defy him. A bit of blood was coughed out before he traversed his way back to the stairs. He wouldn't stay here for now, he couldn't take a second blow of that nature. Hate filled eyes looked to the mare's direction before he stumbled back up the stairs and out of the cellar.
Blueberry never moved from her position while she watched Gold. She remained ever vigilant and protective of the filly behind her. Her mind was moving thousands of thoughts a second trying to draw conclusion on what she would do next. This event brought one thing clear to her mind; it was time to get Eclipse out of this place. There was no redemption nor any way to fix this now.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Three days of quick preparation was all Blueberry had taken. She planned out her strategy making it as simple as possible. She had packed saddle bags for Eclipse and her self. Her's contained small foods, the folder of blackmail against Gold Mine, and enough bits to get them to their destination. Eclipse's saddle bags would carry her two dolls, crayons, paper, and her tiara. She would stash the saddle bag in her room until it was time to leave then make haste for the Pie Rock Farm. A short stop there and she would take Eclipse anywhere that the filly wanted to go as long as it was away from this prison.
Midnight on the third night, Blueberry quiet as a mouse brought Eclipse from the cellar. Only at the occasions to gather her supplies, visit town, or to get food, did Blueberry ever leave Eclipse. Even when she was gone, she told the filly to hide beneath her bed with her eyes closed so not to be found. Into the mare's own room the pair went first to collect her saddle bags. Blueberry took one last look around at the place until she spotted something she hadn't laid hoof since she set it up there; the rock that her niece gave her. The rock was really nothing special to the common eye. It was an earthly red tone that Pinkamine named Sparky. “Eclipse,” Blueberry whispered motioning for the filly to follow her, “Hold still for just a moment.”
Eclipse followed Blueberry nearly stepping her hooves against the back of the mare's hind legs. The swelling on her face and eyes had died down enough to see perfectly once again, but the bruising beneath her coat and around the glowing orbs remained. Once inside her nanny's bedroom she braced for Blueberry to lower her saddlebag onto her back then watched as she got her own on. The blue coated mare went to her dresser to retrieve the rock in her mouth. Coming next to the filly's side, she raised one flap with her hoof and dropped it down within.
“I want you to take care of this for me. My niece gave it to me five years ago before I came here but I need you to keep it safe when we leave, okay?” Once her own saddlebag was settled onto her back, she whisked the child away with her out into the entrance way. Yet, her bag felt lighter than it should but she paid it no mind for now. Just a few short steps and they would be at the door and out ready to gallop for however long it might take them to escape this wretched place. Blueberry stopped in place when the smell of cigar smoke had entered her nostrils. She froze in her tracks as her head turned looking towards the first floor den. The glow of a fire caught her eye instantly. “Wait here, Eclipse.” She whispered carefully trotting down the short hall and into the den.
A puff of smoke was blown into the air from in front of the fire place at a large, pony designed chair. It was plush and comfortable for a pony to be able to rest on their hind quarters but the back piece curved to fit their needs to rest their back. “Ah, my dear employee, Miss Pie,” Gold spoke in a calm manner. “It seems you are breaking your contract are you not? I mean really, did you think I would not keep an eye on you after what happened?” The stallion tsked blowing another puff of smoke into the air. “I am far too intelligent to just allow you to do as you please and not keep tabs on it.”
“This has gone on long enough, Gold Mine, I have evidence of things you've done and if you follow us I'll..” Blueberry's words were cut short when she stared forward when unicorn magic raised a manilla envelope of files and documents. Her lower jaw dropped at the sight of it. Her plans were being washed away and there wasn't anything she could do about it now.
“You mean this?” Gold replied sending the papers into the inferno before him. “Not anymore. You are now fired.” He spoke moving off the chair onto all fours. He kept the cigar in his mouth as he moved closer to her. Blueberry backed away but Gold followed her to the front door. “There is a carriage out front to take you to your pitiful farm.” The entrance room they came upon and Gold moved towards Eclipse. The little filly cowered at the sight of her father and trembled in fear. “Come now, Cursed Eclipse, back down into the cellar.”
“No!” Blueberry shouted no longer backing away from Gold. She lunged forward to try and stop him but he was awaiting this to occur. Unicorn magic caught the Earth Pony by the throat raising her upwards. Her front hooves swatted and felt for the glowing brown force that gripped her.
Gold Mine began to usher Eclipse back to the cellar. “Momma! Momma let her g..g..go!” She shouted stumbling back from the ominous presence of her father. Backed into the cellar with the door shut onto her feet, she clawed her front hooves at the wooden blockade. “No! Ma..maa.. Mama!”
“Now,” The unicorn stallion began turning back to return to the subdued Blueberry. “I am a kind and generous man so I am just going to send you on your way.” As he said this Blueberry felt a pressure come over her body sending her against the front doors, forcing them open. Her body hit the ground roughly sending her rolling against the dirt. “I am simply defending my home from a violent former employee trying to rob me.”
The blue mare came to a skidding stop where the carriage waited. The driver, an Earth Pony, a yellow pony wearing a driver's cap with a wheel cutie mark. He detached him self from the carriage to come over to the fallen blue mare, his head leaned down to give a soft whisper. “Come on, honey, there's no need to keep doing this.” He spoke with a gentle tone despite having no connection to these events.
Gold Mine stayed back in front of the door. He didn't wait to see if Blueberry would stand back up or not before retreating back into his home. The fallen mare stared hard at the front doors. She was eager to try and stand, but the words of the driver caught her ears to further break her reproach. “Where? Where do I go then? I have to help her.”
“Mr. Mine told me to take you to wherever you home, but he never said anything about stopping along the way. So it's up to you.”
A thought suddenly sparked in Blueberry's mind. She forced her self to stand on her battered limbs. “Take me to the Fillyton sheriff.” She ordered hobbling into the carriage. She still had one more ace up her sleeve she figured she could use if she only hurried. The driver reattached him self to the front of the carriage. Glancing back to the wooden vehicle he stared forward and began to make his way into town.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It as three AM now and a gentle rapping came against the Mine Manor front door. Gold Mine did not bother to go to bed yet. He was awake and ever ready for what may come from this. His magic turned the door handle opening the large, oak doors up revealing his night time visitors. He would first see Blueberry, her determined gaze and stern jaw prepared to give him a verbal lashing if she had to. Besides her was a Pegasus pony. He as an older stallion with no mane, a silver coat, and a tin star for his cutie mark. The driver and his carriage was out further back waiting for Blueberry and the sheriff to return.
“I'm terribly sorry to bother you at this hour, Mr. Mine, but it seems this young woman has made some outrageous claims against your good name.” The sheriff, Tin Star, glanced skeptically at Blueberry. Gold Mine opened the door further to allow Tin Star and Blueberry within. “She claims you're holding a foal in your basement, been doing so for the past five years and even hired her to take care of her. I tried to tell her you would never do such a thing.”
Blueberry no longer looked at Gold Mine but averted her eyes to the sheriff when they came inside. He didn't sound the least bit convinced of her story and even seemed to accuse her of lying even with these few statements. She gritted her teeth and clenched her jaw before speaking up. “If you'd look in the cellar you'd see that she's...”
“All a lie of course. She was hired to take care of my wife, sick as you know, but when she was fired for stealing she obviously decided to make up this story.” Gold Mine scoffed at the mere notion he would do anything so horrible. The sheriff seemed more then convinced that the stallion couldn't do anything of the sort. “She is simply trying to ruin my good name for firing her. That is all.”
“I figured as much. Terribly sorry to hear your wife is still unwell and to bother you at this hour. Even with such outrageous notions I still need to follow up. Now you, git outside and back into that carriage.” Tin Star turned enough to look at Blueberry without being rude to turn his back on Gold Mine.
Blueberry tried to mumble something but no words could come out. The sheriff wasn't listening to her, and wasn't going to do anything that she had hoped he would. “If you'd just look in the cellar you'd find her!” The blue mare glanced between the two stallions, shock and disgust mixed together on her face. “Sheriff Tin Star, just look down stairs, please.”
“Enough of that, Miss. I will not have you ruin the good name of a generous man like this anymore. If you do not leave on your own accord, I will arrest you and have you sent to Canterlot for trial Now git!” The sheriff turned completely to her barking out the orders with an authoritative tone. The bald stallion turned back around to Gold. “Again, I'm terribly sorry for this, Mr. Mine.” He went back to Blueberry, pushing her from the residence guiding her to the carriage.
“It is no problem, my dear sheriff. You simply need to do your duty and I am grateful for that. Shall we have lunch on Tuesday?” Gold Mine asked walking out along side the sheriff. His poise and demeanor gave nothing away to any of the sins he had committed.
“Tuesday would be wonderful, thank you sir.” Tin Star bobbed his head.
Blueberry was forced back stumbling on her own hooves. She had nothing else she could say. Everything was falling on deaf ears, she had no evidence anymore, and the sheriff wouldn't even go into the cellar to see for him self. She was defeated and now breaking into the final shards of what was left of her home. Without being forced anymore, she finally climbed into the carriage. Her jaw was slack and hanging down wanting to shout and say more but the words couldn't be found nor spoken.
Gold Mine made one last approach to the carriage. The smile set on his lips gave him a devilish visage to Blueberry's weary eyes. The unicorn leaned in close to her, whispering on the lightest of sounds for only her to hear, “Have fun helping your family move from that pitiful farm. I plan to open a nice quarry there.” The final blow was struck to Blueberry and everything she was holding in shattered.
The mare began to wail uncontrollably as the driver began to gallop away from Mine Manor. She had failed her family, she had failed in her job, and most importantly she had failed Eclipse. Her eyes went out to star at the moon lit sky seeking some sort of answer for this horrible turn of fate. None of it made sense to her mind, none of it even seemed to be right. Yet, the villain had won, and she was left to have to pick up the pieces of broken dreams and future of despair.
~*~*~*~*~
Gold Mine waved the sheriff off letting the old male return to his home in Fillyton. A song from his youth was hummed as he turned back and went to the collar door. He could hear the soft sobs on the other side and this made him self. His magic opened the door letting him stare down at the curled up ball of gray at his feet. “Come with me, Cursed Eclipse, I'm going to show you somethings.” He whispered in a gentle tone. The filly was confused by this change in his attitude, but she soon followed with him.
Eclipse followed Gold up the stairs and first into his study. She was nervous and frightened but not knowing what had become of Blueberry, she would obey to stay safe. “See this picture?” Unicorn magic brought the gold framed image of Iron Mind down in front of the tiny filly after Gold came over to his desk. “This is your older brother. Yes, Miss Pie wouldn't have told you about him. See, he would kill you if he knew of you.” Gold Mine spoke bringing the picture back to him self to look at his once pride and joy. “He serves Princess Celestia and if the Princess knew a cursed freak as your self lived, she'd have you killed. You can never talk to him, he'd see you dead before you could welcome him.” Eclipse began to tremble as a new monster seemed to enter into her life.
Gold Mine moved away from his desk to retreat out the door, guiding Eclipse down to the opposite side of the hall. He didn't say anything until they reached the door for the second study. “Now, I know you called Miss Pie mother but I assure you, your real mother lies right behind this door.” His hoof raised lowering the handle to let the door creak open before them. He let Eclipse go in first; the room darkened save for a single candle lit besides a rocking chair. She would see the outline of a once beautiful pony guiding back and forth in the wooden chair. “Honey, our beautiful, cursed, daughter is here.” He spoke in a sing song voice.
The rocking motions stopped suddenly. Eclipse took a few careful, gauged steps forward to the woman. She didn't have time to react to the next occurrence. The light brown coated mare leap from her chair twisting around to face the gray filly. “What is this? You've come to finish me? You take my beauty with your curse.” Diamond Mine, wide crazed eyes, stared down the trembling filly. Eclipse fell backwards in fright landing against her back side. Her wings moved around her body to act as a shield while she raised her forelegs up to try and hide behind. “Yes that nanny told me all about what you are doing. Yes... Punishment. Yes you need to be punished.”
Diamond came down harshly separating the distance between Eclipse and her self. The first strike of her hoof caused a soft cry to leave Eclipse, striking onto her bat wind. The next went for her face, then her front legs, and finally her hind legs. The mare had reached her peak of lunacy as she beat and blamed the little filly. “My hair is nearly gone because of you! My body is weak and my beauty is stagnant.” The words didn't make sense to Eclipse, she had done nothing to this woman.
“Now dear, your daughter doesn't need to be punished this much. If you kill her neither of us know what will become of the curse.” Gold said letting his magic wrap around Eclipse to pull her back from the rampaging unicorn. The filly was lifted into the air and ushered the door to float, curled in a ball and sobbing in the air. “I will see her back to her little room and you, my love, just get better knowing that we will some day be rid of the curse.” Gold Mine laughed gently at the spectacle that happened. He soon left as well, shutting the door behind him. He was having such a fun time with all this. He felt so liberated with Blueberry now gone.
Eclipse was carried with magic back down to the cellar, Gold Mine following just a few steps behind. “See, my sweet Cursed Eclipse, you cannot leave this place. Your mother would surely see you dead, the brother who cannot know you would kill you, and with how you look, no pony would ever love you.” The word cut to the bone making Eclipse flinch between sobs. Gold took her back down into the cellar, he took her into her bedroom and flung her onto her bed. “Food will be delivered at the top of the steps 3 times a day. Do not make a any sounds I can hear or I will be down here to discipline you my self.” Gold turned to trot back up the stairs, stopping at the top only to hear Eclipse begin to wail loudly. He smiled at the sounds bringing a euphoric rise to his demented thoughts.
The alicorn filly curled beneath her covers sobbing. Her momma was no where to be found to help her, to scare off the gold haired father she was told she had. A mare she had never seen she was told was her real mother, and a brother she never knew of would hate her on sight. The happiness she held so preciously three days before was nothing but lingering memories now. A silhouette of a mare appeared besides Eclipse, wrapping its self down to protectively encircle the crying filly. Its head laid down over Eclipse's trembling body, as the young foal fell into a burdened slumber.