Twilight Sparkle has suffered severe anxiety ever since the recent tragedies in Ponyville. But when Celestia asks her to solve the mystery, Twilight has to make a choice whether to go against or hide from her fears.
What if a story similar to Cupcakes occurred, but a different pony behind the murders? Well, you've come to the right place to hear it! Twilight Sparkle has suffered severe anxiety ever since the recent tragedies in Ponyville. But when Celestia asks her to solve the mystery, Twilight has to make a choice whether to go against or hide from her fears.
Prologue Have you ever perhaps read the story cupcakes? Back in 2012, a fan fiction horror story was created off of MLP:FiM, or to be specific, an episode called party of one. Cupcakes was about the pink pony Pinkie Pie who turned out to be a mass murder who made her victims into cupcakes. So, what would happen if a similar story took place but with a different pony? Well, we are about to watch the outcome of this unfold.
Chapter 1: Call Upon the Purple One Twilight Sparkle awoke to the sound of clanking dishes. That, as usual, was her assistant and pet dragon, Spike. But, he was more like a little brother. He often awoke early so he could do some chores or prepare her breakfast when she had to leave the house early, which she hasn’t done in a very, very long time. A small amount of light peeked through her curtains, which she uses to block the outside world. If only I could escape this world.
She sat up and opened up the drapes to see what type of day awaited her. A little voice in her head pleaded for sunlight, but as expected, it was once again cloudy. This was the average day for Ponyville nowadays, gloomy and dark. No pony has dared to step to outside their front door (including Twilight) ever since. Twilight eventually got up, brushed her mane, and headed down the stairs. She smiled at Spike who was beginning to make breakfast.
"Morning, Twilight!" said Spike. "Good Morning, Spike. You seem rather perky this morning" Twilight observed as she took a seat at the table. . "Well, I figured it's best to be optimistic now. Anyways, How did you sleep?" asked Spike. "Oh, no better than usual" replied Twilight.
Twilight frowned at the table recalling the recent events. Lately, she hadn't been sleeping due of them, and it was starting to get worse. Spike placed a plate in front of Twilight. Eggs and Toast. Nothing, in others minds, extremely special, but it looked delicious to Twilight, who has barely ate in the past few months.
"Thanks, Spike" Twilight replied while smiling, with dark bags underneath her eyes. "Your Welcome, Twilight, hope you enjoy!" Spike said enthusiastically. Twilight smiled back softly and turned to her plate. Once she turned and began eating, a frown spread across Spike's face. He had been worrying about Twilight for a long time. Twilight was a mother or older sister to him, so he was very protective of her.
Don't worry Twilight, I'll protect you. thought Spike. He may be small, but he was determined to keep that promise.
"So, uh, Twilight," Spike slowly started. "Yes, Spike?" she replied. "I was thinking. Remember earlier when I said that we should be more optimistic about things?" Spike asked. "Yes, you said you thought it was time for a change, a different path..." Twilight replied curiously. "Well, what if we move back to Canterlot?" asked Spike. Twilight suddenly dropped her fork onto the table. "What?" she said surprised. "Think about it, Twilight. You could still be Celestia's student there and I'm sure she'd understand. The library where we lived was pretty nice, and you can even rekindle your friendship with Lyra and the others!" Spike exclaimed.
"Spike, I can't just leave! My friends would be heartbroken if I just left them behind. They’d never forgive me!" Twilight said. "We can always keep in touch through letters! We can send them packages and write to them about your life in Canterlot. They’d understand why you left Ponyville" Spike said convincingly. "Spike...." Twilight started.
Spike gave a long sigh. "There is a different reason why I want us to move back to Canterlot. You haven't been doing very well lately and we both know why." Twilight looked down at her plate. "I'm worried about your emotional state and your safety. It's not safe for you here and I can't let you stay in this ghost town any longer. I want you to be happy again and read you books for hours and hours and tell me all about them before I went to sleep and constantly research multiple subjects like you used to" Spike explained.
Twilight thought deeply for a second. Those were simpler times then. Happier times. "I'll think about it, Spike" Twilight said. After, they both stayed quiet for a long time.
Twilight soon finished eating and began to get up to clean off her plate. The moment she stood up, Spike burped out a letter. She eagerly waited for him to read it. Spike cleared his throat and read:
Dear Twilight Sparkle, I would like you to come to Canterlot immediately. I have things I would like to discuss with you. Princess Celestia.
"Well Princess, you don't have to be so detailed." Spike stated sarcastically. "It must be urgent. Spike, help me pack my bag Spike. " said Twilight. "Twilight, Wait a second" said Spike. Twilight stopped and turned to stare at Spike. "Maybe you shouldn't go. I mean, I understand that she wants only you and all but with you recent emotional standpoint, I don't think you should do this. If I can't go with you, I can't let you go at all" said Spike.
Twilight smiled sympathetically at Spike. "I'll be okay Spike, it can't be too long. I would be surprised if this took for than 24 hours." Twilight said. "But...what if you get hurt" he whispered. Twilight lifted his head with her hoof and said "Hey, I'll be okay. Don't worry, I will send you a letter if anything goes wrong."
Spike wasn't really pleased with this, but he knew he couldn't convince her any more than that. Spike sighed. "Okay then, Twilight."
Twilight gave Spike a long, reassuring hug and then left to the train station. She then boarded the train that would take her to Canterlot and stared out the window the entire way.
After a long, mysterious train ride, Twilight arrived in Canterlot.
Walking through these streets make me feel so...safe. Ah, the memories me and Spike have here.
She looked around and felt at home as she watched three fillies playfully argue on who won their most recent race.
Maybe Spike was right...
Twilight soon arrived to the castle. She walked down the long hallway as she examined the stained glass mirrors which depicted all the challenges she and her friends had faced for the past few years. If only they could defeat this challenge with the elements.
"Princess Celestia?" Twilight called out. "Twilight, I do apologize for the short notice, but thank you for going out of your way to come here" said Princess Celestia. "Oh, it was no problem really" replied Twilight, but she knew that walking through the front door of her Oak Tree Library was the most terrifying thing she's done in long time.
"I brought you here to discuss the current situation with Ponyville's...um...crisis." Princess Celestia stated.
Twilight shuddered. During the past few months, ponies have been going missing. No pony even has a clue who the culprit (or culprits) are, but everypony has been shut inside their house and nopony has come out. Ponyville even clouded over with no sun ever since. The whole situation gave Twilight severe anxiety, she's had nightmares every night about it and feared that she would be next.
"Yes...." Twilight uttered.”What about it?” Twilight questioned. What could she possibly want to say about? Has she found a solution? Celestia was quiet for a long moment, as if she wanted to word what she was about to say correctly. "I would like you to investigate Ponyville and find the culprit of this mystery" Celestia finally stated.
Twilight tried to hold her thoughts back but couldn't. Why me? Why. Why. "WHAT?!? ME?!!?" she yelled. “How could you possibly ask me? Don’t you understand the situation and what could happen if…” Twilight started, but couldn’t even finish the sentence.
Celestia lifted Twilight’s head so their eyes would meet. "I understand your fear in this but I know you. You’re brave and selfless. I know that you can do this Twilight. Help me please bring this murderer to justice." begged Celestia.
Twilight knew this was her biggest fear. The reason she had nightmares every night. She could barely take care of herself anymore. "Well?" Celestia asked.
Twilight Sparkle soon headed back to the train station. She lifted her head up to get the last glimpse of sunlight. As she boarded the train, she stared back at the safety of her hometown.
Goodbye Canterlot...
She stared out the window of the train for many hours feeling numb. How...Why....did I say Yes? I could've refused. I should've refused. Even if she removed me as her student, it wouldn't matter. I could give it up easily to avoid my worst nightmare. The train began to slow to a stop after what felt like years and years of traveling. "Anypony coming off?" yelled the train conductor. He jumped when he saw a pony getting off. Nopony has gotten off at this stop in months. "Er....have a good day ma'am" he said awkwardly. "Uh...thanks, you too." Twilight replied.
Twilight walked through the gloomy streets of Ponyville, drenched in the fog. Some old papers flew through the wind as she headed towards her library.
Spike was right, this is a ghost town.
She sighed before opening the door knowing what Spike would think of her decision. "Twilight!" Spike ran towards her and hugged her. "I missed you so much! I was super worried!"
"I missed you too, Spike" Twilight smiled. Spike then looked at her curiously. "So, How was your trip? What did Celestia want?" asked Spike
Twilight looked down and was quiet for a moment. "Well, she said she wanted me to help her with a...problem of hers. She asked me to investigate and capture the culprit of the murder mysteries." she admitted. Spike had his back turned to her. "....What did you say to that?" "...I said I would do it." she stated.
"You WHAT?! Twilight how could you agree to that?!? You could get hurt or worse!" Spike angrily shouted. "Spike, she needed help! She said I was good in my detective skills. Also, if I catch the murderer this could all be over!" Twilight argued. "That..doesn't make any sense! Why...How could she ask you! You're in no condition to do this. I...I won't let you!" Spike yelled.
Twilight sighed sympathetically and hugged him. Spike hugged her back. "I just...don't want you to get hurt..." he whispered sadly. "Don't worry Spike, I won't." Twilight replied unsurely.
The Next Day, Twilight set off into Ponyville to go ask if anypony knew anything or seen suspicious. It was a foggy day as usual, but it was even colder than it normally was. The first house Twilight arrived to was Rarity's boutique. Rarity used to get an exterior house cleaner frequently, but the cleaner moved away a long time ago, so the outside of her boutique was dusty and off-color looking.
She came up to the door and softly knocked. After a long moment, Sweetie Belle opened t door half way; it had been stopped by a door chain
Rarity must have recently added that.
"H-hello?" Sweetie Belle stuttered.
"Sweetie Belle? It's me, Twilight" she said. Sweetie Belle gasped and unlocked the door chain. She pushed her inside.
"Rarity, you'll never guess who's here!" Sweetie Belle said enthusiastically. Rarity looked up from her cautious sewing and gasped.
"Oh, Twilight! I can't believe you came!" Rarity said hugging her. "How about some tea?" "Thank you, Rarity, tea sounds nice right now" Twilight replied.
Rarity began to brew the tea as Twilight sat down. Twilight looked around the boutique. All the mannequins had been put away and replaced with regular furniture for the living room. The only trace of her boutique was the table in the corner where Rarity appeared to be sewing a pair of pajamas.
After a long silence Rarity set a cup down for both her and Twilight and brought the pot over and began to pour the tea.
"So, it looks different in here Rarity" Twilight stated. Rarity looked up and smiled "Oh, Yes! Due to the...recent conditions, I've decided to make it a little more homey for Sweetie Belle!" Rarity exclaimed. "For Sweetie Belle? asked Twilight.
"Well, Sweetie Belle is a very sensitive child and I don't want her to let the recent conditions put her into a state of fear and anxiety, so I've been making sure she stays happy and healthy. I've even been sewing us matching pajamas since it's gotten so cold at night now." Rarity explained.
There was a long silence between them. "Anyway, Twilight, any reason you wanted to come by?" Rarity asked curiously. "Well, actually there is. Princess Celestia asked me to solve the mysterious murders and catch the murderer as well. Twilight said.
Rarity's mouth fell open. "What? She asked you to risk your life to protect all these ponies?" Rarity asked shocked. "Basically, Yes. You should have SEEN Spike when I told him. Spike was so mad." Twilight said.
Rarity looked down at her tea. "Well I assume you are going to ask if I've seen anything suspicious? Rarity asked. "Yes..." Twilight started.
Rarity pondered for a moment. "Well then, I haven't seen much but I recently noticed something. I frequently dust off my curtains so I'll usually take a look outside. When I dust at night, i'll see a strange shadow outside. Of course it could be in my head, but I see them walk around the house's and sometimes even walk into one.."
Twilight was silent for a moment. "Thank you Rarity." Twilight said. Rarity suddenly looked at Twilight. "Funny you say murder mystery. Where did that come from?" "Oh, I don't know. I just figured these ponies have been gone so long.." Twilight started.
Rarity put her hoof up to stop her. "I understand. I've had the exact same speculations."
The two ponies stood up from the table. Rarity hugged her and whispered. "I know you can do this, darling. You just have to stay strong." Twilight smiled at Rarity. "Oh, would you be a dear and say goodbye to Sweetie Belle for me? She hasn't seen any of her friends lately, so she may be getting lonely." "Of course," Twilight replied
Sweetie Belle sat next to the Living Room fire drawing with some crayons.
"Hi Sweetie Belle," Twilight said sweetly.
"Hey, Twilight!" replied Sweetie Belle.
"How have you been?" Twilight asked.
"I've been great! Rarity has made the boutique like a real house and she's been teaching me how to sew. She's even made us matching silk pajamas!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed. "That's wonderful Sweetie! Hope you can sew like her soon!" Twilight said.
After their conversation, Twilight gave them one last hug and headed for Fluttershy's house.
Twilight looked upon what was once a cute, welcoming cottage. Now, the paint seemed to have faded and the windows were all sealed shut.
I hope she's still home…
Twilight knocked on the door softly. No response. "Fluttershy? Are you home? It's Twilight. Twilight Sparkle." Twilight said.
Why would I say Twilight Sparkle? Of course she remembers me.
"T-t-twilight?" asked the shuddering Fluttershy.
"Yeah, it's me!" Twilight exclaimed. Fluttershy opened the door. "C-come in" she whimpered. Twilight entered the house and saw it was dark inside. The whole house was lit with what seemed like hundreds of candles.
"Oh, Twilight!" Fluttershy said, landing in Twilight's arms. "It's been so long since I've seen you all! "It has been awhile. I missed you!" Twilight said. "Here Twilight, sit on the couch and I'll got get you a scone!" Fluttershy said.
After a quick moment, Fluttershy came back with two scones. One for her, one for Twilight. "So Twilight, what made you want to come by?" Fluttershy asked.
"Oh...You see I am actually doing some detective work" said Twilight. "Detective Work? For what case?" Fluttershy asked enthused.
"Well, right now I'm working on the mysterious...disappearances." Twilight said . Fluttershy whimpered. "I see." she said.
"I was wondering if you've seen anything suspicious?" asked Twilight.
"Well, I may be crazy but I might have. Sometimes, I'll see a shadow walking along the forest edge. It almost looks like they're...dragging something.
"So Fluttershy, Where's all your animals?" Twilight said trying to change the subject
"Oh, I had a spare bedroom and I made it into a sanctuary for my all my animals! Well at least most of them." Fluttershy said.
What happened to the others?" Twilight asked.
Well, my large animals like the bear I had to set free because they were too big to keep inside" she replied.
Twilight didn't respond to that. "Thank you for you time, Fluttershy." she said.
"No Problem." Fluttershy started. "Oh...um..Twilight? Good Luck."
Another hug sent Twilight off into the streets of Ponyville once again.
Could it be true the all the missing ponies had been murdered?