//------------------------------// // Necessensio // Story: Of Laurels & Lace // by WritingSpirit //------------------------------// "Doctor Brineheart?" Winter Palgiot stood in the hospital morgue. He never liked places like this. It always seemed like something was going to get him any second. "It was lucky Mr. Luck survived. Harlequin here, was actually the target." He covered the body, draping it over the white cloth. "What do you mean? She was the only target?" Winter asked. "Exactly." The doctor said, placing his reading glasses on a nearby cart. "While Basil could've, and he didn't, died from drowning, Harlequin wouldn't" "She died from cardiovascular poisoning." "She was poisoned?" Winter looked at the doctor in surprise. "By some crazy concoction, I suppose." Doctor Brineheart said with a sigh. "I took a sample of her blood and examined its contents." He handed a clipboard to Winter, who examined it closely. "Traces of different types of elements, mainly carbon and hydrogen. A mix of chemicals were used in the poison." Winter just studied the clipboard, his face darkening. "Heptachlor, dimethoate..." "Insecticide, Sir Palgiot." Doctor Brineheart told him. "... DHMO, propoxur, selenium sulfide, lidocaine, hydrazine, phenytoin sodium? What in Equestria is this?" "Like I said, Sir Palgiot." the doctor said grimly. "I have no idea. Some crazed, madpony's poison, with all the chemicals there in lethal doses." "There is also this," Doctor Brinheart lifted a petri dish. Inside was a small, leafy substance. "Nightshade," Winter identified. "Found a pill full of it lodged in her throat." the doctor said. "The killer sure wanted Harlequin to die badly." "I agree." Winter said, leafing through the clipboard one more time. "What I don't understand is, why?" <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> Rarity tended to the scratch on her face. The strong scent of medicinal oil reeked throughout the room. She looked out the window. The afternoon sun was glaring brightly. A small crowd of the press were already gathering at the Palgiot gates. The guards outside were already trying everything to stop them from pummeling the gates down. A knock came to the door, as Rarity placed a bandage on the cut. "Come in!" The door creaked as Octavia walked in. Behind her was Crimson. "-and she said you needed a little time to get used to it. I thought seven months was enough!" "It wasn't, okay Crimson?!" Octavia shouted at her coltfriend. Rarity just sat there, astounded. "You just can't listen to everything that damn pony says, Crimson! She's not Vinyl! It's not like she's living with me for years!" "Tavi, just listen! I just thought it'll be better for us to settle somewhere, somewhere where we're together, you know." "Then what? You leave me at home with a few foals, while you go on a tirade around the world in one of your concerts?" "That's not what I meant! 'Tavi, please-" "Just get out!" Crimson sighed in defeat as he strode out the room, his crutches clinking against the stone floor, quietly closing the door. Octavia sat down on her bed, her mane drooped to a side. "What happened, Octavia?" Rarity asked. This was the first time she saw them argue, and it was already replaying in her mind. "Crimson, he-" the gray pony started, but shook her head. "He was an idiot." Rarity sat there, dumbfounded at the mention of that. "What do you mean, Octavia?" "H-he," Octavia bit her lip, trying to get the word out. "He.. p-proposed.... to me, at the terrace." "Why, Octavia!" Rarity said with a grin. "That is absolutely romantic!!" "Well," Octavia sat down beside Rarity. "I... denied." Rarity let out a gasp as Octavia continued: "I don't think I'm really ready, ready for settling down. Ready for... marehood. You know what I mean?" "Well," Rarity thought for a minute. "It was quite sudden, really." "I don't know...." the gray pony let herself fall on the bed. "Sometimes, I'll never understand Crimson." Rarity just shrugged. "Just try to... talk him out of it, you know? I'm not familiar with this myself, but if I were you, I'll discuss with him about it, maybe let him think this through." "Well, that somewhat makes sense." Octavia said with a sigh. "Colts these days..." Rarity chuckled at her friend. "Oh, Octavia...." <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> Autumn wasn't keen on babysitting her sister, but she would nonetheless. After all, who could resist such a cute filly like her? "- then she goes around and around and around in the airplane! You should've seen it, sis!" "Well, I'm sure I would be glad to," she replied. She sighed. How does Winter put up with this? Spring was rolling around her bed, playing with a wooden toy plane. Autumn sat down beside her, slowly flipping through her books. "Whatcha reading~?" Spring asked in a singsong voice. Autumn laughed politely as she closed the book, revealing the title. The Venetian Affair. "You wouldn't understand anything about this book, Spring." the pale yellow mare said to her sister, who was trying her best to understand the title. "What's an affair?" Spring asked. "Well, I.. um," Autumn stumbled, trying to catch her words. "Is it something bad? 'Cause I don't wanna know it if its bad." "Well, you could say it is." Autumn said with a smile. "Something pretty bad." Spring stood on her bed, slowly moving closer to Autumn. "Are we going to be safe here?" the small filly asked her sister, leaning against her body. Autumn frowned at the question. She wasn't entirely sure about it, especially with all the attacks around. "I have no idea, Spring." she said to Spring. "No clue." <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> Stellar Lionheart looked at his watch. "Mr Palgiot, you're running quite late." Winter was fumbling with his suit. He had allowed the press in for a small conference, and had asked Autumn to keep Spring busy with her toys. He groaned. Its always the last button. He tried to slide it through, but it always came off. "Let me help you with that, Winter" "Harmony, you don't need to help me, dear." Winter looked at himself in the mirror. He straightened his tie and started combing his mane. "Well, at least I can do something for my gentlecolt here." "Very funny, Harmony. I can do this by myself actually." He placed the comb down on the table. "Quickly, Sir Palgiot." his butler's voice rang from outside. "Almost done, Stellar!" "You sure take a long time, Winter, you juvenile." "Oh? And I thought you wanted to help me, my little minx." Winter imagined muzzling his snout with hers, chuckling a little. "Sir!" Stellar's voice rang in his head. "I'm done, alright?" Winter shouted back, slightly irritated. He walked out from his bedroom, into his living room. His butler stood near the door, giving out a small cough. "You really need to be more punctual, sir." Winter was about to tell him off about his position, but shook it from his mind. "The press is waiting for you in the ballroom, sir." <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> "What are your thoughts on the recent attacks surrounding Pendant Lakes sir?" "Do you think everypony else would still be safe?" "Are the safety measures taken enough to stop the killer?" "One at a time, please!" Stellar shouted as the whole room silenced. Cameras flashed all around him as Winter cleared his throat. "We are trying everything, everything we can to stop this pony." Winter said. Chief Griffonhooves and Mayor Stencil sat beside him. "This pony has so far evaded capture, as well as taking innocent lives. So far, we couldn't find the killer's motives for his crime, much less his identity. No suspects so far turned up in the case." Another parade of questions flooded the ballroom as Mayor Stencil leafed through a few documents. "Was one of the victims a minister of the Canterlot Ministry?" "Is the recent passing of Harlequin in any way are related to those of Tassel Twist and Tiki Torch?" "Is it true that the old legend of Mirror Mare has returned?" That last question left Winter hanging to the edge of his seat. He blew into his microphone. "I can assure you, none of the victims have any affiliations, or associated in any way to the Princess's Ministry of Canterlot." He gulped. He just told a big faced lie. "As for Harlequin, her death was untimely, as was the death of Tassel Twist and Tiki Torch. We are trying our best to raise the safety measures around Pendant Lakes." The cameras flashed into his face, the blinding light nearly making him stumble. "Order!" Stellar shouted. "As for... the rumors of Mirror Mare returning..." He clenched his teeth. "Yes. Mirror Mare has returned." <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> The press stormed down the Palgiot corridors as Winter walked out, his head hung low in a depressing sigh. "Mr. Palgiot will answer no more questions!!" Stellar shouted to the press. "No more!!" BANG!!! A gunshot rang through the corridor, everypony quickly bracing their heads as Winter fell to the floor. "Sir Palgiot!!!" Stellar rushed to his side. Blood poured from his waist as Winter screamed in agony. "Celestia-" Winter gritted his teeth as pain seared through his body. He gripped tightly on his wound, as Stellar looked around, seeing where the gunshot came from. A yellow pony swerved through the press, holding a revolver in his hand. His eyes glinted with anticipation as he slowly trotted towards Winter. "Mr. Summer?!" Stellar looked at the pony in shock. "But... I don't understand!" "Don't you see, Mr Lionheart?" Summer said with a chuckle, placing his gun back into his holster. "These days, Winter is deemed unfit to rule, to attain to the matters around here anymore." "With the recent events of Mirror Mare, he couldn't handle it. Everything is in a mess around here." "You need somepony else!" Summer declared. "Somepony who can solve this matter once and for all!" Winter just cringed in pain as Stellar tried to lift him up. Summer just laughed at his attempts. "Forget him, Stellar!" he said, frowning at the butler. "Remember the rules. The Necessensio." Stellar hesitated, before shifting aside, bowing his head. Summer took his gun from his holster, as he flipped out the cartridge. "Summer..." Winter said weakly, his hoof clutching on his waist. "before you do it...." His brother loaded a bullet in, before reloading the revolver. "I just-" Winter coughed a little. "I just want t-to tell you." "About everything.. I'm sorry." Summer looked at his brother, taken aback by those words. "I'm sorry I wasn't the best, best brother that you *cough* can ever have." Winter lifted his brother's hoof, pointing the gun directly onto his head. "Do it Summer. Finish what you've started." Summer hesitated, his hoof trembling on the trigger as Winter closed his eyes slowly. Stellar turned away. He couldn't bear to look. Something whizzed pass Stellar, which sliced through his suit. Winter looked behind his brother, his eyes widened his horror. "Summer, look out-" The yellow pony arched his back suddenly, his eyes widened in shock. From his back, a curved dagger jutted out, blood already pouring from his back. His mouth opened wide in a silent scream, as Summer felt himself fall headfirst to the floor. "Summer!!" Winter called his brother before he sputtered, spitting blood from his mouth. A voice laughed in the distance. At the end of the corridor, stood Mirror Mare! Its trademark cloak fluttered as the pony slowly strode forward, a completely white mask gazing towards Winter, the stitched lips almost like laughing in his face. "Well, well. Brotherly love." the voice said with a laugh. Winter flushed with rage. He reached for his brother's gun. "Arrrrrgghh!!!" he shouted, shooting at the masked pony. Bullets whizzed and fly through Mirror Mare, shattering a few vases and windows as it faded into nothing. Summer just laid there, a pool of blood already forming on the floor. Winter struggled to lift himself up as he limped toward Summer. "Call the ambulance!!" Stellar shouted to some guards. "Call the police!" Winter wept silently, burying his face into Summer's red mane. "Celestia..." <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> Pinkie Pie was bouncing her way towards Sugarcube Corner. She just bought a few balloons for Rarity's 'Welcome Back' party. Her pet alligator, Gummy, was hitching a ride on her back. "Just think how happy she would be when she comes back, Gummy!!" she exclaimed. Gummy just blinked. Sugarcube Corner was, like everyday, occupied with orders. "Come back soon!" Mr Cake's voice rang as another customer was satisfied. Pinkie Pie soon pranced in, a few balloons clenched in her mouth. "Morning, Pinkie." Mr Cake said with a chuckle. She sure knows how to light up the room. "Morning, Mr Cake!!" Pinkie Pie smiled widely. Gummy started to reach for the balloons. "Is Rarity's cake ready yet??!!" she screeched eagerly. "Soon, Pinkie, soon." Mr Cake assured. "By the way, why don't you take the rest of the day off? You've been a great help today." "Awww, it's okay, Mr Cake."the pink pony said as she trotted up the stairs. "I just need a little nap." "Well... if you say so, Pinkie." he replied, chuckling softly. Pinkie Pie yawned loudly, as she walked towards her room. As soon as she opened the door, she quickly jumped to her bed. "Wooo~ Wee, Gummy!" she giggled as she mimicked Applejack. "It isn't everyday~ I get balloons like this!" The balloons were pink. Pure, Pinkie Pie pink in fact. It matched Pinkie Pie in every way possible: cute, giggles and tons of fun. Pinkie Pie giggled as Gummy chewed at her mane. "Stop it, Gummy!" she snorted with laughter. "It's not cotton candy, you know." Gummy just chomped as Pinkie laid her head down, giving a contented sigh. "Sometimes, I dunno what to do with'cha." The alligator stopped, curling into a ball as it closed it's eyes. Pinkie Pie stood up, careful not to make any noise as Gummy started snoring. She walked over to the window, looking out at Ponyville before her. "Ponyville is surely... mmmphhh..." she stretched her hooves. "....busy today. "Clearly, it is." Pinkie Pie stood up with a shock. The voice startled her as she turned around. A silver mask stared back at her, its lips stitched tightly. "Waaa~!" Pinkie Pie stumbled backwards. "You startled me!" The pony laughed a little, shaking the cloak. "I've heard a lot about you." "Who are you?" Pinkie Pie asked the masked pony with glee. "Never seen you before!" "I know every pony, and I mean EVERY pony in Ponyville! What's with the mask? It's not Nightmare Night yet!" Pinkie Pie giggled as the masked pony stood silently. "I came to deliver a message," it finally said. "A message?? Ooooh!! Ooooh!! Lemme guess! Um.... Is it from Rainbow Dash? Or Twilight? Or Applejack?! Scootaloo?! Fluttershy?!" "Neither," the masked pony seemed to smile. "It is from Rarity." Pinkie Pie gasped loudly. "Is she coming home?!! Is she back already??!!!!" The pink pony started jumping around her room as the masked pony just patiently stood there. "I must tell my friends that Rarity's back!!! Oooh, we'll get the party ready in NO TIME!!!" "No, Pinkie Pie." Pinkie Pie tumbled, falling onto the floor. "No? Why not!!! It'll be fun." The masked pony moved towards her. "No because Rarity isn't back yet." "Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...." Pinkie Pie slumped. "..but cheer up." Pinkie Pie looked at the silvery mask, as the masked pony looked into her eyes. "I'm sure she would be glad for you to receive the message." Pinkie Pie stepped back as the masked pony stepped along with her, like a couple in a dance. "Hehe..." Pinkie Pie laughed nervously. "You're scaring me, um..." "Just call me... a friend of Rarity's" The pink pony felt her back touch the window, fear rapidly growing in her eyes. Giggle at the ghostie.... Come on Pinkie!!! Glass shattered as Pinkie Pie felt her body fall through. Her eyes widened in terror as the masked pony pushed her out the window. She flailed her hooves, trying to reach the edge of the window. Pinkie Pie fell for what seemed like an hour. Tears sprung in her eyes as she let out an ear-piercing scream. "Pinkie Pie, what is all that ruc-" Mr Cake said, as he looked outside. He stood, frozen in horror as he stared at the pink pony falling from above. "Oh Celestia, Pinkie Pie!!" Mr Cake said, galloping through the front door as the ground grew closer and closer. Pinkie Pie closed her watering eyes. She felt her body slam into the rocky ground, before rolling over to her side. "Pinkie Pie!!!" Mr Cake rushed over to her. "Pinkie Pie, you alright!?" Some ponies looked in shock at the scene. Onlookers started to rush toward the baker, trying to help the pink pony up. "Pinkie Pie, hold on!" Mr Cake frantically said. "Somepony get help!" Her vision blurred as the usual, bright pink color faded from her body. Her mane dropped flat as tears started flowing from her eyes. She coughed a little blood, feeling pain inside her body and on her hind hooves. She tried to speak, but all that came out was a moan. "Pinkie Pie! Hold on now, dearie." Mr Cake repeated, his voice fading as he tried to keep the pink pony awake. "Hold on..................." <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> Rarity and Octavia was in the hospital. Winter Palgiot lay still on the bed, his bandage stained with a blot of red. Both ponies had recently heard of the shooting, and the Mirror Mare incident. Winter was rushed to the hospital immediately along with Summer. Winter stirred, tossing a little, before opening his eyes. "Rarity? Octavia?" he called out to the two mares that stood before him. "Winter, you're awake!!" His head was pounding, but he tried to ignore it. Rarity gave him a smile. "Celestia, what happened?" Winter's mind was fuzzy as he fumbled with his mind. "Your brother, Winter." Rarity began. "Stellar said he-" "My brother!! Rarity! Tell me he's alive! Please tell me!" Rarity and Octavia exchanged glances, as Octavia held onto Winter's hoof. "I'm sorry, Winter." Winter felt himself gave away. He crumbled against the bed, tears already creeping down his eyes. "The doctors said they've done everything they can. Summer's injury was too severe." The Patriarch looked up suddenly, with pure hatred. "Darn you, Mirror Mare!!" Rarity stumbled back, nearly hitting a tray of medicine. Octavia tried to comfort Winter as Rarity picked herself up. "What are you going to do now?" Octavia asked the Patriarch. "Me? I'm going to hold a funeral." Octavia was about to speak, but Rarity shushed her. "And stop this animal!" he shouted as he dried his tears. His heart wavered slightly, as he pictured his brother's face, locked in an eternal scream. For my brother's sake... <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> Rarity's steamy shower didn't last long. The recent events had turned Palgiot Palace upside down. News of Summer's death spread like wildfire through Pendant Lakes, with Winter holding the funeral for his brother down at the Palgiot graveyard. Well, she said. At least I'll visit the graveyard." Her towel became damp as Rarity slowly dried her mane. She combed it slightly, even though it was almost time to sleep. Octavia was already asleep, snoring gently beneath the blankets as Rarity looked at her friend with a small grin. A crackle broke the night's silence. Rarity walked over to the table. "-arity?" She recognized that voice. It was Rainbow Dash. "Rainbow! How is it in Ponyville?" "Look, Rarity. Something has happened. Something bad." Rarity heard her friend whimper. Something is very wrong. "What is it?" she asked hesitantly. "It's...." Rainbow Dash's voice trailed off. Sirens can be heard in the distance, along with a few cries. Rarity felt her heart sink to the floor as Rainbow Dash said: "It's about Pinkie Pie."