//------------------------------// // Ch. 3 Abnormal Days Pt. 1 // Story: DANGAN RONPA Equestria: The Elements of Hope and Despair! // by Nyte-Blade //------------------------------//         Shady! Psst! Shady! SHADY, GET UP!         Ugh...         What time is it?         Those thoughts flowed through my head as I tried to stand on my hooves.         My head is throbbing, like it was hit with an anvil.         I glance around, noticing that I’m still at the Zoo.         Come on, this has happened twice already.         I even feel some hooves on my body, making me come to. On top of that, I hear a loud dinging noise through the intercom.         “A BODY HAS BEEN DISCOVERED! After a brief period of investigation, a class trial will begin!”         Monobear...         “Wait, a body? Who...wait...WAIT! WAIT!”         I immediately look at the vacant tank in front of me. Save for the fish, there was no body in it...         Why is the tank empty?! I know I saw a body there!         “Shady! You’re alive after all! See, I told you he was alive!” Snails turned to Truffle with his boast.         “Nonsense! I was never in doubt that he was alive!”         “What happened?!” I demanded.         “I’m a wanted mare, that’s what.”         Diamond Tiara hid around the corridor, nervously coming around.         “Huh?”         “Sweetie Belle’s dead, and everypony thinks I did it! All because I bullied her and her friends for years! I’m too pretty and rich to be going through this! HELP ME! GET ME OUT OF HERE! I’LL DO ANYTHING! I’LL MAKE YOU RICH, GIVE YOU HOWEVER MUCH MONEY YOU WANT! JUST-”         “Calm the hell down!” I shouted.         She’s understandably in a panic, but sheesh!         “No, you calm down, idiot! You don’t get it! Scootaloo and Apple Bloom...!”         “I know, I know! If Sweetie Belle’s the victim, then I know their frustration and pain!” I reaffirmed.         “Well you didn’t emit stupid amounts of killing intent when Featherweight died! I know you didn’t, I watched you honestly try to figure out the culprit, but this is different!” Tiara pleaded earnestly.         I’m pretty sure she doesn’t realize that she’s becoming a sobbing mess right now.         “How do I know you didn’t commit the murder by accident?” I asked, just to be sure.         “I NEVER TOUCHED HER AT ALL!” Tiara answered in half a second!         “Okay okay, seriously, calm down. If only you realized how you look.” I sighed, glancing at the tears rolling down her cheeks.         “SHUT UP!” Tiara nervously wiped her tears away to no avail.         “No, I’m not shutting up until I get answers. I need you to calm down and explain everything you know. If you really didn’t do it, you’re gonna have to start talking.”         “Right! Right...you didn’t participate in the test. Of course you didn’t.” Tiara gulped. “That test...it had to be then. I’m sure of it!”         “Dude, that makes Pip more of a prime suspect, because hosting a thing like that gives him a little too much freedom.” Snails groaned, not wanting to believe in the possibility. “Why’d Monobear have to take over?!”         “Monobear did WHAT!?” I gasped.         “See, what happened was...”         Tiara began to explain that while I was encased in stone, the test of courage that Pipsqueak held took place at around ten at night, and went on for several hours. Pip and Ginger aided in hosting the test of courage, having the majority of it take place in the Everfree Glade. A place like that is perfect to scare anypony.         The real kicker, as Snails said, is that Monobear took over. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10:00 PM, Kindness District - Everfree Glade         “Alright, I’m here to do this dumb test of courage.” And he’s a no-show! “Where is he?! You can’t scare me!”         “He’s probably going to treat it like a slasher movie. He who boasts the most is the first to bite the dust.” Sil quipped. Always have something smart to say, huh?         “W-well, I don’t need to boast if I just radiate confidence! Yeah, that’s it!” I totally wasn’t trembling ever-so-slightly.                  “Alright, so, where do we start?” Apple Bloom asked out of nowhere, almost giving me a heart attack!         “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! Go away!”         “I’m here to have fun, just like you.” Apple Bloom made that stupid, plastered smile. It’s just creepy how it looks! I want to say that’s how fake smiles look, but she’s not faking!         “J-just... don’t scare me like  that.”         “Oh, you’re all here.” Ginger said.         “Of course! Otherwise this wouldn’t be fun at all!” And then HE showed up!         “Monobear!?”         “I’ve had a little birdie tell me about your little secret test of courage! Why wasn’t I invited!? I’m the bravest one here after all! Selfish bastards!” That bear must’ve been talking about Pip. He was the one who set this thing up, but why he even said so really frustrates me.         “Oh I dunno, because you’d make us kill each other again!?” I answered! Of course, my confidence wasn’t enough to get through to that bear. _____________________________________________________________         “I don’t think Monobear even cares.” Snails muttered.         “Shut up, you! Anyway...”         Tiara continued her story. _____________________________________________________________         “Please, you bastards decided to do that, not me! I don’t have a gun to your heads or anything!”         “Only the wings of judgement constantly watching our every move...” Sil glanced up at the Monoguards.         “They’re just doing their job! Rules are rules! Everything and every place has rules! You can’t expect to get through life without following rules, right? Rules are everything! It’s only natural to punish those who break them! But enough of that, I’m here to turn this test into a hunt!”         “A...hunt? WAIT YOU CAN’T! NOT HERE!” Snails freaked out for whatever reason.         “Upu?” Monobear tilted his head, confused as the rest of us.         “The zoo...I know something’s a loose down there!”         “Pfft...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! If I let you bastards get eaten by something like that, the exercise would end right here! Besides, I have something much more simple in mind! Something you can all get behind!” Monobear jovially declared.         Also, something was weird about that statement, but whatever!         “Which is?” Rumble swooped to the scene like some dramatic crow or something.         He pulled out a poster with three familiar faces on it...         “TADAAAAAAAAAAH! Behold, a wanted poster!”         “Uhh?” Truffle tilted his head, but he started to breathe heavily.         We all had mixed reactions, but I didn’t know whether to smile or be afraid. But hey, I heard myself constantly thinking over and over, “I KNEW IT!”         I thought it thousands of times, because I was right! I WAS SUSPICIOUS OF THOSE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS FROM THE START!         “I present to you, TROUBLE IN THE EVERFREE! Where we hunt for traitors while avoiding being hunted! One of these three is a traitor amongst you, working for me, giving me all of your juicy secrets and giving me free food! You’re free to deal with the traitor in any way you like! ANY option is viable! I just thought that I’d finally release this info!” ____________________________________________________________________         “Here...this is the poster.”         Tiara gave the crumpled wanted poster to me, and it indeed had the Cutie Mark Crusaders profiles on it.         Scootaloo...         Sweetie Belle...         Apple Bloom...         That’s the perfect motive alright.         Does that mean...Sweetie Belle was a traitor?! She...betrayed us?! “Do you think she’s a traitor?”         !!!         I looked up from the poster, and saw Scootaloo headed towards us...         There’s just one problem.         Her magenta mane now has a few black streaks in it. Not to mention it’s sticking up on several ends.         Her eyes are also a bright crimson, allowing us to see her fury and killing intent.         Snails, Truffle, and even Diamond were sweating bullets.         Her very presence is making me forget that I need to breathe...         “Answer me. Do you think she’s a traitor?” Scootaloo asked once again, without changing her tone in the slightest.         “I don’t-”         “SHADY!” Snails yelled in a hushed tone, eyeing me as if he wanted to say, “Now’s not the time for your brutal honesty!”         “Err...of course I don’t. Why would I?” At Snail’s reminder, I toned down my initial answer.         “You never participated in the test of courage with us. You were gone all night. You’re the perfect suspect.”         My heart skipped a beat, then suddenly went into overdrive.         Damn it...! This can’t be happening!         “However, you have no motive to kill her. That poster...she gave it to you right?” Scootaloo turned her sights on Tiara.         “Eek!” Tiara immediately made a break for it, tripping in the process.        Tiara's tears of pure terror began to overflow as Scootaloo slowly approached her.         This may be the result of those years of abuse coming back to bite her, and I can’t say it’s undeserved, but this...isn’t right. Normally I would’ve just watched, letting things run their course, but...         I made a step forward.         One step.         Why did it take so much to take one step forward? Are my instincts telling me to not be a hero?         Is this even the right choice?         “STOP THIS!” Snails erected a barrier in front of Scootaloo, making her bump into it nonchalantly. She seemingly didn’t care, even letting out a sigh before directing her newfound glare at Snails.         “Well, I’ll have to mash the brakes first.” Scootaloo’s words terrified Snails.         He erected another barrier between himself and the mare in furious anger. Alas, little did he realize, his barrier was breaking as her forehoof mashed it down. He didn’t see the small cracks, but it was actually beginning to break.         When she said that, I knew exactly what she was gonna do to him and the rest of us.         “RUN AWAY! NOW!” I hollered, making everypony else follow my lead as I galloped down the corridor.         “.............” I turned back, if only for a moment, to notice that Scootaloo’s expression never changed.         This investigation is gonna be a real nightmare if Scootaloo’s gonna keep acting this way!         Snails, Truffle, and I all made it to the elevator, with Tiara arriving last from the other direction. The moment she stepped in, she furiously mashed the button to take us up a floor.          As the elevator doors closed, I could see Scootaloo’s hoof reaching for us, making Tiara fall on her back.         Seeing Tiara this scared, I’m not sure whether to feel sympathy or just shrug this off.         It’s not like this whole situation went unprovoked. She prodded the CMC for years through bullying, and even carried on with it in this damn game! Goes to show that she’s dumber than I thought.         Whatever.         Even so, I don’t have the heart to just turn my back on her.         If her claim about wanting to end the conflict was true, then I want to believe that she didn’t kill Sweetie Belle.         But even then, how did it happen in the first place? How did she end up in that tank?!         Wait a minute... _______________________________________________________________________ I sighed, and shifted my view to the spa below. The floor was covered in white tiles, with six circular tubs filled with water. Inside the tubs themselves, (ignoring the mares in their chosen one), were live fish swimming underneath them. _______________________________________________________________________         That spa...         “We’re investigating the spa!” I shouted.         “Wha- why!?” Tiara asked, surprised at my suggestion.         “Because Sweetie Belle had to drown in that tank somehow!”         ...         Why is everypony staring at me like I’ve lost my mind?         “Uhh, we found Sweetie Belle at the Generosity district, not in the tank.” Truffle corrected me.         “What?!”         “Yeah, man. Whoever killed her...well...I think it’s better you see for yourself.” Snails muttered.         “Did you have a dream while you were sleeping? And I thought It was against the rules to sleep anywhere but your own bed!” Tiara reminded.         “No, I didn’t sleep, I was unconscious. There’s a difference, and at least Monobear knows that. Me being alive proves that much.”         “Yeah, but we all saw Sweetie Belle at the Generosity District. That’s where her body is.” Snails reaffirmed.         “Okay, fine. I’ll check there first. I need to prove to you guys that the body was moved anyway.” I had to accept, otherwise I’d have to bear the burden of being a suspect once again.         The elevator doors opened, and I galloped outside, heading straight for the Generosity District.         I had to see for myself if Sweetie Belle’s body was really there. I had to see if I was hallucinating earlier.         As I look around, it looks like we’re at the crack of dawn.         Just...what the hell happened while I was out?! A day already passed and suddenly Sweetie Belle turns up dead?         I have way too many questions, and I can’t answer a single one until I find that body! ________________________________________________________________________ Day 8, 7:45 AM, Generosity District - Plaza                  The moment I arrived, there it was: a grotesque crime scene.         Sweetie Belle’s Body is at the head of Rarity's statue, her horn impaling her torso.         A twisted reunion between sisters.         ... Is this some kind of sick joke? Some kind of attempt at art? Is the killer this time that deranged to do this?         “You agree, don’t you?”         Silver Spoon walked up past me, approaching the statue.         “Agree with what?” I asked.         “...that it didn’t have to end this way.”         “Oh.”         She’s been trying to make amends with Sweetie Belle and the Crusaders. I guess she’s actually devastated I guess.         “I’m not surprised that Tiara and I are suspects. But Tiara’s innocent. I can assure you.” Silver turned to me, with a look of determination, believing her best friend to be innocent of this...horrible scene.         “I dunno...I get why you guys are suspects. But why are you so sure that she’s innocent?”         “Because...” Silver sighed, “we weren’t together during that test of courage. I can tell you this for certain, that the groups were split off into two: Myself, Sweetie Belle, Ginger, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom. Dia was grouped with , Snails, Truffle, Rumble and Grace.         “So you were separated into two groups. Okay, but-”         “Sweetie Belle ran off on her own. Monobear had implied that she or one of her friends may be a traitor, and she just...took off, all alone.”         That was a stupid move on her part...         “That look on your face suggests that you think that Sweetie Belle had a moment of stupidity.” Silver was quick to point out.         “I...won’t deny that one. Why would she even do that when she knew she had a target on her back?”         “If you’d consider her feelings and everything that happened so far, then it’s not that much of a stretch.” Silver explained.         She’s right. Watching her two best friends fight ever since that last trial, and then being pegged as a traitor, I can see why she snapped.         I just wish that it didn’t lead to...this.         “Also, I think you should pay attention to your ID Band.” Silver reminded me.         Prompted to check what she meant, I opened the menu, noticing that it’s my turn for Doggy Duty.         ........         Damn it. So on top of this, I have to “dog” my Teacher.         I envy anypony who doesn’t have to do this.         Knowing this, I make my way over to the dog house, to find Miss Cheerilee standing there, leashed to the pole.         I move in to unhook the leash, only for it to unhook itself after a faint, dark green glow emitted from my ID Band.         So that’s how this works.         “I knew it’d be my turn for this, but I didn’t want it to be under these circumstances.” I murmured to her.         Miss Cheerilee’s sigh was translated into a dog’s whimper, compelling me to sigh for her.         I wonder how she felt whenever she had to be dragged around for an investigation...         No. I don’t even have to wonder. Looking at her eyes, she looks as if she hasn’t slept a wink. She probably even saw everything and has no way of saying anything, and can’t stop any of her students from going crazy.         She’s in constant despair everyday, and I’m beginning to think that some of us don’t even care.         “How does it feel...” Silver paused, then looked to Miss Cheerilee. “Having that leash in your possession?”         “...”         Good question. I’m not sure how I feel. I knew it’d be my turn but still.         “I’m so sorry for not caring, for being such a bad student. Ever since the death of my best friend, I’ve already lost my way. I’m probably a bit of a lost cause too, considering I’ve almost dirtied my hooves in blood- OW!”         What the heck!? Why’d she headbutt me?! And what’s with all the barking, or yelling, whatever she’s saying?!         Wait... oh. I see. She’s got this fire in her eyes, leaking tears too.         “Right...right. But I can’t let these feelings in my heart go. Not until I find the truth behind all of this. Don’t you wanna know too? Or do you already know?”         Miss Cheerilee... whatever she said was translated into the growl of an angry dog.         Oh. I’m really letting this whole game get to me.         “Let’s go. I know you don’t want to go outing Sweetie Belle’s killer, but I refuse to let the mistakes of one of my classmates keep me from the truth.” INVESTIGATION START!         First things first, I need to prove that the body was moved from the tank. If I check out the body, I might find something.         Wow...I’m a little shocked.         I’m actually a little enthusiastic about checking out a dead body. I didn’t think I’d change like this in such a short amount of time. Miss Cheerilee turns her head away when we approach the body, as I expected. Honestly, I wonder how she feels about my motivation? Let’s see here... I need to find a trace of water, some kind of trace. After the initial examination, I can’t find anything dripping except for her blood. At this point, I put a hoof on the late Sweetie Belle’s hind leg, immediately recognizing the damp feeling on her fur. This body was definitely moved.         It’s not enough to determine when the body was moved, but it’s enough to know that it was. NEW AMMO -Wet body: The body feels slightly damp. This may or may not be enough to prove that the body was originally submerged in water.         “Uupupupu~! I didn’t think you were into necrophelia!”         “I’M NOT!”         Monobear, out of nowhere, just accuses me of something so disgusting!         “You’re already investigating and I haven’t even rounded you bastards up to hand out the files!”         “Then what are you waiting for?”         “Hasn’t anyone told you that taking care of a pest problem is a delicate process? The fun would end if you all came in contact with whatever pesticide I’m using outside!”         Pesticide? Seriously? “What’s with that look? Was I wrong about your preferences? Maybe you’re into bears instead?” I have this feeling that Monobear was gonna legitimately try some sexy poses. I sighed, “Just get to the point.” I would regret saying those words very soon. Monobear would have a megaphone in his paw, leaving me a bit bewildered. Where the heck did that thing come from? That question would soon be irrelevant when my ears suddenly began ringing at his announcement. “ATTENTION YOU BASTARDS!” He intentionally shouted into the megaphone directed at me, as loud as possible. I couldn’t help but feel my ears ring furiously and lose strength in my legs. “You can’t start investigating without the Monobear File right!? MEET ME IN THE COURTYARD IN THE GENEROSITY DISTRICT!” “Agh...! DAMMIT! What the hell?!” I asked, doubling over and clutching my head. “Normally I’d ask you that...” Monobear grimly mentioned. “Huh?” Monobear grabs me by the mane, asking in a hushed tone, “You think you’re cute, snooping around in places where you don’t belong. But it’s okay! I won’t stop you! This happens all the time in the movies. You know too much, so something was bound to happen.” I see...I knew it...he knows. Maybe this is the part where the protagonist makes a really dumb decision in the movies, but the plot can’t progress otherwise. “Whoa, what’d you do to him?!” I overheard Snails asking. “He shoulda stood back when I made my call, that’s all! Why should I settle for not being heard?” “Don’t... worry about it...agh...” This ringing in my ears...it feels a bit...ugh. But I have to get up. “Hey, don’t force yourself, man!” “Hmph! If a megaphone to the ears brought him down like this, then I’m wondering how he managed to survive this long!” Tiara walked up to us, making such a scathing comment. ...didn’t make her claim any less true. When Snails helped me up, everypony else arrived to the scene, yet unsurprised to see the state of Sweetie Belle’s body. I guess I really am the last to see it like this. “As much as it’d be funny to watch you bastards go on a wild goosechase, that’d be no fun! You should at least let me give you the file about the victim!” The teddy bear clapped it’s paws together, making our ID Bands beep twice along with the front of the watch showing a holographic screen, prompting us to look at the updated information. Of course, this would be information about today’s victim.         -The Victim is Sweetie Belle.         -The body was found in the Honesty District barn.         -The victim has severe damage to the left lung.         -The victim is covered in post-mortem cuts and bruise.         -In addition, the victim seems to have a bruise on the left jaw. -Death was not instantaneous. What the hell? No time of death? Wait... of course. It’d be too easy to prove that she was in the water by the time she died. NEW AMMO -Monobear File: Details of the Victim are logged inside. However, there’s no time of death present. “Happy investigating! I’ll be seeing you bastards again when the trial begins!” Monobear left us with his farewells. “Jeez... who could’ve did this to Sweetie Belle? She lived up to her name ya know!” Pipsqueak groaned, giving the rest of us a look of disdain. “I’d like to believe that it was somepony who had a grudge against her.”  Ginger surmised, turning her attention to Diamond Tiara. “No! Oh no no no no no no! You take your eyes off me right now! I didn’t do this, I swear! I-” Tiara stammered, slowly backing away. “Cut the act! you little rich twit!” Grace snapped. “We know how much you hated her and the Cutie Mark Crusaders!” “Sorry, but she’s right.” Snails sighed. “We can’t just ignore that. I want to, but...that...” “W-why are you idiots closing in on ME?! I told you I’m innocent! Ugh, I’m not staying here for this! You idiots can do whatever you want, but I’m too good for this!” Tiara began storming off, but I knew Scootaloo would have none of it. “Where do you think you’re going?” Scootaloo shoved Tiara to the ground. “L-look...we can handle this...like mares, okay? You wouldn’t want to hurt me, would you?!” “... Since when did a nicely stuffed punching bag gain the ability to talk?” Scootaloo began marching up to Tiara, muttering, “Maybe I should break its legs first...” “That’s enough.” Silver Spoon stepped in between the mares. “Oh. I guess a super-hero show became a reality... where the hero has to slay the cronie before getting the head of the villain! I love these kinds of shows!” Apple Bloom smiled clapping her hooves together like a happy filly. “I believe in Dia’s innocence, and I intend to stay with her. If you wish to harm my friend, then you’ll have to go through me.” Silver declared, as she stared at the menacing Scootaloo. “Also, Dia, do as they say.” “What?! But I have to find clues myself!” “Oh, screw that, you’re just gonna destroy evidence!” Grace lunged at the rich mares, only to be held back by Snails’s magic. “Stop, that’s enough! We can’t waste our time like this!” “Snails is right, everypony! The clock’s ticking! We must make haste to figure out Sweetie Belle’s killer, and find out why!” Truffle followed up. They’re right...they’re both right. “Sounds good to me. Watching this maggot for too long may make me want to squash it.” Scootaloo coldly walks away, with Apple Bloom silently following. That vibe from Scootaloo earlier though...she did calm down a tad, right? “This...this is wrong...! I can’t go down for this! I just can’t!” Tiara whined, as she was left alone. “You’re not helping your case when you word it like that.” I muttered after hearing her comment. “Oh. Look who’s got the dog with him too. You’re the last person I’d wanna trust.” Tiara complained. “I trusted you before in the last case. I think you should return the favor. For what it’s worth, I don’t think you have the guts to do something this insane, even if you did hate the victim.” I nodded my head at the body impaled on the Rarity statue’s horn. “Look, I never hated her, okay? I meant what I said when I wanted to put this stupid war behind us, but those two made it much more difficult than it needed to be!” Tiara defended. “What do you mean? What happened last night?” “We were split off into groups, remember? Didn’t anypony tell you?” Silver Spoon did mention that earlier, yes, but she and Silver Spoon weren’t together. “Okay, tell me what you did with your group?” “I didn’t want to stick with that lot. I wanted to get back to Sil since she was stuck with that crazy apple and bloodthirsty chicken!” Tiara explained. “Right. So did you ever find her?” “No, I didn’t. Not until WAY later. Every time I tried to find Silver Spoon, that horror freak kept getting in my way!” Horror freak... Pipsqueak? “Why didn’t you just, y’know, run past him?” “W-well... umm... I dunno! H-h-he was in my way, and I had to run the opposite way to get around!” Whatever you say, Diamond.         “Okay, so, after you ‘turned around’, did you find Silver then?”         “N-no! That idiot kept chasing me!”         “I thought you turned around?”         “I...J-J-JUST SHUT UP!” Tiara stuttered. “It was just difficult, okay?!”         Just like you. “In any case, thanks for the info.” I let her know. Right...so if Pip was doing what he was supposed to do... I doubt he had any time to actually commit the murder. However... NEW AMMO -Diamond Tiara’s Testimony: Pip’s actions, even if they were what he was supposed to do, is enough to paint him as an accomplice.         “S-so what now?” Tiara meekly asked.         “Don’t do anything. Don’t touch the crime scene, and if Scootaloo comes around, hide somewhere close by.” I suggested.         “WHY SHOULD I!?”         “Do I seriously have to remind you that between the two of us, you’re the most suspicious because of your history with the Cutie Mark Crusaders?”         “Don’t forget, I too share that suspicion with Dia. She wasn’t alone in committing those acts during our days as fillies.” Silver Spoon reminded.       Tiara turned to me, possibly a bit annoyed,  “And what makes you less suspicious than me?! You weren’t around for the test of courage AT ALL!”         “BECAUSE I WAS TURNED TO STONE!” I blurted out, clicking my teeth immediately after.         “Huh!?” Naturally, Tiara was bewildered, and Silver put a hoof to her chin, as if she were pondering something.         “N-nothing! Nevermind!” I cleared my throat, trying to keep my cool. “I’ll question Pip. If you want to prove you’re innocent, do as I say!”         “Ngh...” Tiara gritted her teeth, but stopped talking afterward.         Damn, that was way too close. I can’t tell anypony what I was doing...it might get us all killed for getting too close to the truth. I just can’t do it. I have to pretend that what I’ve found isn’t related to this case.         “Actually...” Silver grabbed my foreleg, “About that part, you getting turned to stone.”         “Look, that’s-”         “Don’t you think that whoever was involved would know that?”         It hit me. That...makes the most sense. After I was un-stoned, I was immediately knocked out. That HAD to be the culprit! The culprit knew I’d be onto them if I was left ali...oh crap...         “The culprit...may have tried to kill me.” “Oh come on! Why HIM!?” Tiara pointer her hoof at me, “He wasn’t on that dumb wanted poster!”         “No, but I’ve led two previous trials to the truth, didn’t I? The culprit was trying to be savvy.”         “I don’t know...it would’ve been easier to eliminate you while you were petrified, don’t you think?” Silver followed up.         “I guess...”         Silver has a point too. Damn...but that doesn’t change the fact that whoever knocked me out that night was without a doubt, involved in Sweetie Belle’s murder.         Doesn’t change the fact I almost became collateral damage.         The thought of that really makes my blood boil...         “S-so what are you gonna do?”         “Find Pipsqueak. We need to talk.”         “Right behind ya, buuuuuuuddy!”         ...         There he was, right behind us. "Well? Let's talk."