//------------------------------// // Chapter 13 // Story: Tick-Tock The Bet is Up // by Black Hailstorm //------------------------------// Chapter 13: Questions & Answers “Tell us what we need to know” Location: Ponyville, Sugarcube Corner. Time: 2:43 p.m.- Day 4 It’d been almost two hours since Ben and the group returned from their battle with Darkstar the previous day before. And now returning back home expecting a happy welcome Ben and friends are greatly disturbed to see that everypony in the town is acting strange. Investigation was done. And they found Spike, Twilight’s assistant and adoptive brother, laughing uncontrollably and in serious pain holding both sides as they entered her pitch dark room. Thanks to Discord though the poor kid didn’t have to suffer much more. Spike still hadn’t woken up from Discord’s punch. Note to self never tick him off. Now here we are at Sugarcube Corner, finding the rest of the group thanks to Spike’s brave input only to see them in a depressive yet creepily happy state. “This is all just so wrong” Ben said, now pacing the living room of Sugarcube Corner. “Zombozo’s powers have never been this strong. What on earth is going on here?” Ben asked with concern and frustration. Kevin, Rook and Gwen were sitting by the side of their friend, watching him go through constant pacing sessions just to calm himself. At this very moment Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Cadence and Discord were watching the others upstairs making sure they literally didn’t laugh themselves to death. “Perhaps his powers have gotten stronger since coming here. This world does contain magic, more so than our own. And from what I’ve learned from Cadence it seems emotions play a major role in this world’s life.” Ben stopped, taking in what Rook had just said. “That...that’s true.” Thoughts of what the group of mares had told him about themselves when he awoke came rushing back. How they were each connected to an element that represented a virtue or type of emotion in some way. “Actually that does make sense” Gwen said with a paw to her chin. The two stallions and zebra looked at her, waiting for her to continue. She did. “When I was imprisoned with Darkstar and the Changeling Queen Chrysalis I noticed how she seemed to get stronger off his infatuation with her. At first I thought it was just a trick, just for him to spite me but, I noticed with time that she really did look like she was getting stronger by feeding off his emotion of infatuation.” “Wait wait wait” Kevin interjected. “You’re telling me that they weren’t using some kind of spell to drain these peop- ponies of their power, but were actually feeding off love?” he said voicing his skepticism. “Kevin” Gwen said gently. “Look at us, I’m a draconequus or a half-breed as Discord put it, you and Ben are stallion’s and Rooks a zebra. With everything we go through is that really so hard to believe?” The steel stallion grumbled his approval. “No.” “But that still doesn’t explain how he was able to affect the whole town by himself in such a short notice” Rook said. “Chrysalis and her people herself according to Gwen, weren’t able to take over all of Dodge City till Darkstar joined the fray.” “I know” Ben stated. “The circus. If Pinkie told us that a clown came to town, then it’s obvious that Zombozo must have used a circus to reel everyone into his trap. That’s how he did it eight years ago. Remember Gwen?” She shivered, a sour look on her face. “How could I forget.” “So that’s it then, all we need to do is find a creepy looking clown around here and kick his butt before he can get any stronger.” “Wait” Ben said a hoof now rubbing his chin. “There’s still something that bugs me about all this. Eight years ago when I first encountered Zombozo and he used his trick I wasn’t affected because I wasn’t there. But when I checked on Gwen and Grandpa, they were laughing just like this before going into a sad state.” He looked up. “This is completely different.” Gwen raised a brow. “How is this any different?” “Think about it” Ben said looking at the three before him. “First time we encountered, he fed off of people’s happiness. People would still laugh strangely enough for odd reasons, but then later they’d become sad that was it. No in between. And look at Ponyville, we’re finding a mixture of both sad, creepily fake happy, or a mixture of both like with Pinkie, Applejack, Twilight and Rarity’s case.” “What’s your point Tennyson?” “My point is that Zombozo’s powers are two times more amplified than they were before he got here. And that’s just what he used as an appetizer. Rook you remember how he tried to feed off people’s fears the time we fought him right?” The Revonnahgander nodded. “And since we all changed from our original forms before coming here we have no idea what he looks like, or what he could even be at this very moment. Let alone where. We need to get some info first before we dive head in.” Rook grinned after a few seconds of silence before smacking Ben’s shoulder with his hoof. “I see you have finally taken my advice and decided to use your head more.” Kevin and Gwen chuckled, while Ben rolled his eyes at the statement, but a voice clearing itself from upstairs killed the small moment instantly as they looked up to see Cadence looking at them in silence. “Hate to interrupt this merry moment. But...it’s the Cakes, they’re missing. And so are their kids.” Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Cadence, Discord, Rook, Ben, Gwen, and Kevin all stood in the common room of the Cake’s in front of the register, where orders were payed. While Ben, Kevin, Rook and Gwen talked the other four had made sure the mares upstairs had fallen asleep, and with Discord’s help they would be somewhat back to their regular selves in a few hours. Or at the very least they would not be laughing incessantly as much. “What do you mean the Cake’s are missing?” Kevin asked, tapping his hind leg against the ground with agitation. “They didn’t leave a note or anything?” “No, if they did then they wouldn’t be missing would they?!” Dash asked with annoyance. Kevin and Dash glared at each other for a moment, before Gwen’s pink aura dragged the stallion back, fixing him a stare as Cadence did the same to Rainbow. “Quit fighting you two” Gwen scolded. “We don’t have time for this.” “She’s right” Ben stated. “Every second we waste is another second Zombozo gets to do what he wants. There’s no time for arguments. Either you two settle your differences now so we can get back to work. Or you shut it so we can find the Cake’s” Ben said sternly. Kevin and Dash sighed simultaneously. “Right. Sorry” Kevin said. “It’s just, the tensions are high you know?” “Yeah. Yeah I know.” Ben’s expression relaxed. “I know. We’re all stressed, but right now we need to focus.” Rook turned his attention to Cadence and Discord. “Did you try asking Pinkie Pie and the others where the Cake’s went?” Discord simply shook his head as the alicorn replied, “We couldn’t. We had to make sure they relaxed and fell asleep before anything else. It was only after we knocked them out did we recall the Cake’s.” “Ooh, this is horrible. Why would this pony do all this?” Fluttershy said. “For all we know he may not even be a pony. He could be anything, heck he could even still be himself for crying out loud. But if Pinkie and the others are asleep how do we figure out where they went?” Silence ensued for a few seconds before Gwen let out a shout that surprised everyone. “What’s wrong Gwen?” Fluttershy asked with concern, her ears wilted. “No, nothing’s wrong. Everything just got better.” The confused looks everyone in the room gave her made her roll her eyes. “Look just get me something that belongs to the Cake’s. A piece of clothing, anything along those lines that are personal and they’ve touched could be useful.” Ben and Kevin’s eyes lit up at her statement. “Of course, you’re mana tracking ability!” Kevin exclaimed. “Quick, get anything you remember the Cake’s using the previous day before. Hurry!” Ben ordered. With a salute from Fluttershy, Dash, Cadence and Discord the four scattered to gather the recommended supplies. It took only a matter of minutes for Dash to return, with one of Mr. Cake’s hat’s, and Discord to return with Mrs.Cake’s apron, Fluttershy and Cadence made it back with the bibs of the twins. “Great” Gwen said with a nod at the items. “Lay them on the ground and I’ll see what I can get.” And so they did. The hat, the apron, and the twins bib were placed in front of Gwen who then sat on her haunches and focused on them while Ben and the others stood back. Seconds passed and Gwen hadn’t moved a muscle, her eyes shut, and every second passed made Rainbow Dash feel a bit more impatient. “What is she d-” Kevin clamped his hoof over her mouth, which shut her up instantly but not before she gave an annoyed grunt. Ben turned his attention away from the two and stared at Gwen whose hair had now begun to float and wave like the wind was playing with it, despite the lack of any wind in the room. Then the objects rose into the air, each surrounded by pink aura, as they began floating around Gwen, circling her slowly before picking up the pace till the objects were just a blur that spun around the dracony. A second later Gwen opened her eyes instantly, both eyes radiating a pink glow as the objects instantaneously stopped their movement freezing around her. Blinking, her eyes returned back to normal as she looked at her friends a smile crossing her face. “Found them. Cmon follow me” she said dropping back to all fours and heading towards the door, with all four objects following behind her. Ben grinned while Cadence, Fluttershy, and Rainbow looked on in awe. “You heard her let’s go.” “I’ll stay here” Discord said. “I’ll keep an eye on the others in case anything else happens. I can at least get them to pass out again if they start one of their laughing fits.” Cadence and the two other pegasi shook their heads to get out of their stupor. “I’ll stay with Discord.” Fluttershy said with a small smile. Turning to Dash she nudged her. “Go on.” “But-” Fluttershy placed a hoof on Dash’s chest with an encouraging smile. “Don’t worry. Discord and I will make sure nothing happens to them. Go on, they could use your speed if they get in a sticky situation.” Dash looked reluctant, but after a few seconds she complied, giving Fluttershy and quick hug and then hoof bumping Discord. “Be careful you two.” Fluttershy nodded and Discord grinned. “We will” he said with reassurance. Ben looked at Cadence who was holding a somewhat mixed look of staying and going. “And what about you Cadence? You want to come with us. We’ll need someone to bring the Cake’s back so you can come and help Fluttershy and Discord later.” Cadence bit her lip then turned her attention to the stairs where her sister-in-law, brother-in-law and friends were still asleep. Gwen was now outside Sugarcube Corner waiting with Kevin, till his voice called for them to hurry up. “The distance is starting to grow guys we may have to track them again at this rate so hurry!” Ben turned his attention back to Cadence, Rook was by his side now with Dash looking at Cadence with patience. “Choose now princess, we can’t wait much longer” Ben advised. Cadence took one more look back at the stairs then towards the door. The choice of worrying about her friends and their safety was starting to weigh on her. Spike’s almost near death experience still fresh in her mind. That is till she felt a hoof on her shoulder and looked forward. Rook smiled empathetically with her. “Don’t worry. We’ll find them and have Dash send them back.” Cadence smiled, then hugged Rook. “Thank you” she whispered to the two, before following Discord and Fluttershy upstairs. With that done the three headed outside to see Kevin waiting for them with an annoyed look on his face. “What did you get a snack while you were in there or something?” Ben rolled his eyes. “Look-” “Now’s not the time guys” Gwen reprimanded the objects were still floating around her. “I can sense them about a football field away, we need to get moving now. I think they’re on the move.” Ben nodded. “Lead the way.” Gwen lead the way through the languid streets of Ponyville, Kevin and Ben taking either side of the dracony while Rook covered the back as she walked while Dash hovered above the group of four keeping watch. “Are we any closer?” Dash asked. Despite it being sunny the city’s gloomy state and the ponies either gloomily walking by or chuckling creepily as they passed made it rather difficult to locate their targets. “Yeah, just a couple more feet away” Gwen reassured. Dash nodded, shoving the worry deep within her. “Wait” Gwen said stopping. The entire troop froze. From the distance they could hear something. It was far off but the sound was clear as the sky above them. Crying. Gwen took off immediately in the direction of the sound, Ben, Rook, Kevin and Dash following after the aero dracony. The sound was growing closer and closer as they passed by the almost zombie like equines that blocked their way, Kevin occasionally shoving a few out of his way as they galloped after the quick moving dracony. Gwen turned a corner, and they followed. Upon turning the corner the group’s eyes were met with the sight, of Mr. Cake lifting Pumpkin Cake up and gently swaying the baby unicorn in his arms, trying to calm her. Gwen saw the look in his eyes and it made her almost want to look away. It was as if all the life in him had been snuffed out, any form of happiness, joy, or inner peace gone, nonexistent even. His eyes were practically void of everything but sadness as he rocked his own child back and forth in his forehooves trying to calm the crying unicorn. Dash had slowly floated down beside the older stallion who had begun to grow a stubble. Her ears wilted at his appearance, and the crying unicorn in his arms. “Mr. Cake?” she said, speaking with confidence Ben and the others knew was starting to slip away. The stallion looked up at Rainbow Dash, and for a second a light returned to his eyes, but was immediately snuffed out. He smiled at her weakly, remembering how Dash was a Sugarcube Corner, regular customer. “Hello Rainbow Dash” he said weakly, trying to speak over the piercing cries of his daughter. Dash would have said more but Ben tapped her shoulder, when she looked back he pointed a few spaces away from the father and his weeping daughter towards the mother who simply lay on her back, staring at the sky with her son resting on top of her. Dash looked between the two Cake’s and their foals. Bit her trembling lip, spread her wings and floated over to Mrs. Cake, she would prefer to see what is wrong with them instead then continue to listen to the heart wrenching screech of the female foal. Rook followed after, Kevin accompanying the zebra as well. While the three attended to the languish mother and son, Ben and Gwen focused on the father and his sorrow filled child. “Here” Gwen said, offering her wolf paws to the stallion. Mr. Cake tensed and backed away a bit from the paws, bringing his daughter closer to him ignoring her screams as they increased, as well as ignoring the pain it was starting to cause in his ear. He shook his head, his eyes once again void of anything aside from pity, and sadness. “Mr. Cake” Ben said gently, the stallion looked at him and it made him fight back a cringe, when he saw the look in his eyes. “Mr. Cake, she’s my cousin. It’s complicated but trust me. Gwen will take care of your daughter” Ben reassured with a gentle touch to the stallion’s shoulder. Pumpkin’s screams were getting louder, so now he held the unicorn at a distance than before, but still looked hesitant. “Gwen, could you please do something about that kid’s screaming” Kevin asked from his position as he helped the cerulean mare up to her hooves. Rook held the depressed Pound Cake rocking him gently in his hooves while Rainbow looked on with a sad look. “Right, just one sec. Here Mr.Cake I promise I won’t hurt your daughter.” It took three seconds before the stallion complied, handing the screaming child over to Gwen, in turn doing so the foal’s screams got quieter till eventually it was just a whimper. Gwen smiled at the whimpering foal, holding her close to her chest and rocking her gently. Ben smiled weakly at the image, then hardened his expression as he turned back to the hunched over stallion. “Mr. Cake could you-” the amber colored stallion got up and trotted over to his wife who was now sitting on her haunches as Kevin asked her if she was alright. She didn’t reply, but upon seeing her husband the mare moved over to him, sat by his side and nuzzled him gently. She looked just as depressed and less colorful than the last time Ben could remember he had seen her. It had quieted down now, considerably so since the foal causing all the noise was now just whimpering in Gwen’s arms. Rook offered Pound Cake to Rainbow Dash who sat beside him, and though hesitant the mare took the pegasus in her arms, offering him a small smile when she saw the sad look in his own eyes. “Ben, we should ask them” Rook said. “I know but-” the twins had begun to whimper simultaneously. Kevin looked at Dash and Gwen. “What’s happening? I thought they were calmer now?” Gwen didn’t know what to say the unicorn filly in her arms, squirming now as her whimpers turned into loud crying then eventually wails, as her brother merely accented upon it with his own. “What’s happening?!” Ben asked covering his ears. Mr. and Mrs. Cake both got to their hooves, and with that same depressed look in their eyes took their foals, ignoring their screams into the day. Then something happened. Something Ben and the others hadn’t expected to happen. You see at the moment the group was behind a store. A bread bakery actually and around the corner of the bakery where the heroes had emerged, was a about eight to twelve ponies who were either cackling to themselves creepily or sauntering around with low held heads. These ponies now moved towards the wails of the children as if it were a song that attracted them to it. Rook’s eyes widened in alarm as he saw the group coming towards them, like zombies to a feast and instantly he fired a shot in front of the oncoming ponies that exploded upon contact with the ground and sent the group tumbling back or to the sides of the building. “Rook?!” Dash yelled in shock and anger. “What are you doing?!” “Yeah not cool man” Kevin said with as much agitation. “It’s the foals” Rook said as he quickly moved to Gwen’s side and whispered something into her ear. “Quickly, give us the foals” Rook said to the parents. The two began to back away, only for their kids to be taken from them, by Gwen’s magic. Both still wailing in a way that it seemed to pierce the very heavens as it echoed throughout the town. “Hurry Gwen!” Rook stated as he moved to counter the oncoming cackling earth ponies. Ben was confused, he couldn’t tell what was going on at this exact moment. Everything seemed to be going so fast. The town, his friends, the missing Cakes, and now this? He looked up to see a hysterically laughing pegasus spread it’s wings and fly towards him but get knocked down by the Rainbow Dash, who head headbutted the pegasus into the bakery. “Nice save” Ben called. She flashed him a quick grin before hearing more hysterical laughter coming her way and taking off, with three pegasi after her. Rainbow Dash took off into the sky easily evading them. Ben turned his attention back to the ground, Gwen had both her paws up and was trying to focus on the two foals as their wails seemed to grow louder and louder, something Ben knew for sure shouldn’t be possible. He could see Rook defending the dracony as he easily countered the depressed/hysterical, strong strikes of the earth ponies trying to advance towards the two foals. Then it clicked. “The foals. They’re attracting attention!” Ben whispered. Spinning on his hoof he saw Kevin trying to restrain the two parents who were now fighting him to get to their children, and from the sudden change of depression to hysterical look in their eye Ben wasn’t sure what they’d do since they clearly weren’t in their right state of mind anymore. The two parents drove their hooves into Kevin’s gut, making him wince before Mrs. Cake tackled him to the ground. Carrot Cake broke through galloping towards Gwen, as he now aimed for her. Ben tackled the amber baker into the ground, quickly getting to his hind legs and using his shoulder as a spear when Carrot Cake jumped to cover the distance. The two fell to the ground, with Ben struggling to keep the strong stallion pinned down while Gwen finished what she was doing. “Any time now Gwen!” Ben stated as Mr.Cake attempted to slam his hoof into Ben’s muzzle only to miss by a mere inch. “It’s not easy when there’s this much noise!” she spat with some venom. Then a pink dome covered the group, slowly enveloping the entire proximity so as to prevent any more noise from escaping. No doubt the two twins cries had most likely attracted more than half the town, but if she could just finish this sleeping spell she could complete it and knock out the two children and the ones in here as well. Rainbow Dash floated back down, managing to slip in under the dome quickly and leave her pursuers slamming into the dome behind her. A tapping came from outside the dome seconds later. Several ponies all around of different races were now banging their hoofs into the pink glass like dome, with all their force. Cracks began to form, and at this rate the dome would fail and collapse. “Gwen!” Rook, Ben, Kevin and Dash shouted together. “Zekr el naptus!” she chanted the spell complete. And just in time to, as the dome shattered. The two twins floating in the air, suspended by Gwen’s magic immediately fell silent with the sleeping spell hitting them. The spell bouncing off them and hitting the group of earth ponies Rook had been fighting, and then hitting the other group of equines now advancing towards the pair of heroes. Several thuds later, everything was silent as Ben, Kevin, Rook, Dash and Gwen rejoined each other’s side. The parents of the two foals returning from their frenzy and looking up with mixed looks of confusion and fear. “W-What happened?” Mrs.Cake asked, the depressive look returning. “Don’t worry” Ben said. “You didn’t do anything, besides it wasn’t your fault.” Mr. and Mrs. Cake looked at each other, both frowning. “We’re sorry if we caused you any trouble, it’s just. We don’t feel right is all. We’re not sure why” he said wrapping a foreleg around his wife. “It’s alright” Kevin said. “Like we said, not your fault.” “We’ll make the guy who did this pay. Don’t worry” Dash said. Ben and the rest of the group nodded. Mr. Cake stepped forward leaving his wife’s side and seeing the two foals in Gwen’s paws. “A-Are they-?” “They’re fine” she said with a small smile. “Sleeping is all. Just like the rest” her tail waved over to the group of pegasi, earth ponies and unicorns that were asleep. “But who’d have thought Zombozo would pull a dirty trap like that?” Kevin said genuinely surprised. “I knew the guy was nuts but, using kids?” he said with a grimace. “That’s disgusting.” “Agreed Kevin” Rook said, getting a good look at all the sleeping bodies. “Should we leave them like this?” “I think it’d be best for now” Dash said. “Mr.Cake” Ben said turning his attention to the stallion as he stared at his two sleeping foals. He looked up at Ben. “Can you tell us what happened to the clown after the circus came to an end?” “The clown...” Mr. Cake said placing a hoof on his head. “I...” he winced. “I think he said he was going to Canterlot.” “What?!” Dash exclaimed. Quickly turning to Ben, the flash white stallion could see the look of rage and concern on her face. “If he goes there then the princesses-- if he can do this much in a day or even a few hours to a town.” “Then who knows what he could do to the very capital of the nation” Rook finished, a feeling of graveness entering his voice. The zebra looked up at Ben, “Ben.” Ben nodded. “We’re going to Canterlot.” “Good, I’d love to beat some sense into-” Kevin held his hoof up and waved it in disapproval. Dash’s ears wilted. “What?” she asked. “You’re not coming.” Kevin said as he helped Gwen return the foals to the parents. The look of rage Dash was about to throw at the group was snuffed out by Kevin’s glare. “You’re not going. That’s final.” Dash’s rage returned. “How come?! This is my town, my home, my friends. I and anypony else here in this town has as much right as you all to kick Zombozo’s butt.” Ben shook his head. “No. We need you and the others here to protect the rest, and make sure things don’t go awry while we’re gone. Plus you need to escort these guys and their kids back to Sugarcube Corner. If they go unattended something like this could happen again.” “But-” “Dash, go” he said with finality. Rainbow Dash frowned, a defeated look of fury forming on her face. Then her ears perked up as an idea came to her. “Wait! You guys don’t know where Canterlot is. You need a tour guide.” “We’ll improvise” Kevin said. Dash gawked. “Wait” Gwen said “We do need help. So why not just have her show us the way, and send her back to help the others? I mean if we get lost we’re of no help.” A few seconds passed before Ben sighed. “Fine” Dash pumped a hoof in the air. “But you go back once you show us how to get there.” She grinned. “Alright.” Turning to the Cakes Dash helped the two bakers and their kids, leading the way towards Sugarcube Corner, where Discord, Fluttershy and Cadence were waiting. “Thanks for coming for us” Mrs. Cake said with a weak smile. “No problem” Dash said still smiling. “We’ll get you home safely don’t you worry.” And then I’ll help them beat up Zombozo.