//------------------------------// // Prologue // Story: Pies // by pegasistergirl //------------------------------// It was a peaceful night in Ponyville, busy parents were putting their fillies and colts to bed, some going to bed themselves. Rainbow Dash was reading the twelfth "Daring Do" book and brainstorming ideas for some sweet air tricks that would be sure to impress the Wonderbolts again, while Princess Twilight Sparkle was reading some "Nancy Hooves: Mare Detective" in her castle bedroom, which she decorated to look just like the Golden Oak Library. Applejack was snoring on the couch after a long days work, Fluttershy was feeding Angel and the rest of the animals their midnight snacks. Rarity was sewing a cute little sundress, complete with matching sandals, sunglasses, and a floppy sunhat for Sweetie Belle's thirteenth birthday. Ditzy was delivering the late night mail, Vinyl was recording a couple remixes she made for a huge party next week, and Octavia was practicing for a cello performance tomorrow night. Berry Punch was... being Berry Punch, and Lyra and Bon Bon were catching up on projects and assignments that were due three days ago, talking about the latest gossip, and complaining about how demanding their bosses were. Life in Ponyville had been good for the last two months. No crazy Timberwolf or Parasprite attacks, no explosions, no crazy madponies or evil doers. This had been the longest that Ponyville has gone without any of those things... -The week before the discovery of the incident- "Thanks for coming over, Bon. Maybe we can hang out again sometime. Goodnight!" "Okay, see you tomorrow Lyra. Goodnight!" Bon Bon said as she trotted out of her Pff's (8th!) new house and spectated it from the porch. A few weeks ago, Bon Bon's B.P.F.F.E.I.F.T.L.A.D.E.S.F.G.A.O.C.S.L.T (Bestest Pony Friend Forever Even In Fights Through Life And Death Ever Since First Grade And Other Crazy Stuff Like That.) Lyra, had her sweet little Ponyville residence blown up again, which was really disappointing. Luckily for Bon Bon, she had never had her house explode to smithereens or burn to ashes. Sometimes it did make it a bit hard to understand how Lyra was feeling, but she always came through. They are best friends, after all. The light yellow earth pony hopped off the porch and bid Lyra farewell as she headed for home. The sky was lit up with stars, and there was not a cloud to be seen. The full moon shone in the middle of the night sky, giving off a soft light. As much as she loved the night, Bon Bon still got the creeps whenever she was alone in the dark. There was something eerie about it. The shadows that danced around in the alleyways, the feeling you were being followed, she just didn't like it. Most ponies didn't. But this night, something was different. A bad kind of different. Bon Bon quickened her pace as she trotted through town square. Why did Lyra have to choose a house all the way across Ponyville? Why couldn't she just, I don't know, get a house on my street or something? Then she heard it. An ear piercing scream that made the yellow earth pony fall to the ground. Her hooves flew to her ears, trying to block out the sound, but it made no difference. It was like the awful noise was coming from inside her head. Bon Bon managed to pull herself off the ground and was about to bolt down the street, when the screaming stopped. She looked up, but Nopony was there. Silence. All she could hear was her own heavy breaths. She tried to move, but her hooves were stuck to the road. Bon Bon tried to yell for help, but no sound came out of her mouth. Now she was panicking. She could hear something approaching her at a slow pace from behind. Bon Bon was deciding whether she should keep trying to call for help, or turn around and face the creature, when she heard a voice that belonged to an elder. "What are ya'll doing out here at this time of night, honey?" "G-Granny Smith! I-I thought you were... was... I..." Bon Bon squeaked, having the ability to move and speak again. She breathed a sigh of relief and tried to calm herself down. Well, that could have gone way worse. "Woah, there. Calm down. Oh, ponyfeathers, I forgot my watch again. What time is it?." Granny said, and held out a hoof to help Bon Bon, who was shaking in her horseshoes. "Half-past eleven." Once she had regained balance, the still trembling earth pony glanced at the elder curiously. "What are you doing out here, Granny? Shouldn't you be at Sweet Apple Acres, sleeping?" "Well, I was goin' to find someone to do this for me tomorrow, but I decided to go tonight, and see if I could find somepony who was still awake. Ya see, I need somepony to try this new super special secret pie recipe while it's still hot. Would ya"ll like to be the lucky test subject?" Hmm... Why didn't she just try out the pie herself? Maybe it was too good to waste, or something? If I ask her, she'll probably bring up the fact that her taste buds are old and not very good for taste testing, like last time. Bon Bon brushed off the thought and licked her lips excitedly. "I'd love to!" Whatever, who wouldn't want free pie? Plus, Granny Smith's pies are known to be the best in all of Ponyville, maybe even Equestria! Oh, Bon Bon, you need to stop thinking so much. Granny Smith gave a small smile of approval. "Good. Now, why don't ya'll wait right here, and I'll go get the pie."