Day Three, Foggy

A Terrible Incident

It's a little past noon and you and Spike are walking around Ponyville. You have been feeling groggy and restless ever since you woke up, and not even the breakfast you had makes you feel any better, plus the weather isn't helping either. Despite your attempts to hide your lethargy Spike picks up on it relatively quickly.

"Are you feeling alright Twilight?" he asked.

You sigh.

"No I'm not Spike. I'm very tired."

"At this time of day?" Spike asked. "It's weird: Yesterday you were fully rested but today you're tired. It's a mystery."

"No it's not Spike I just stayed up late is all," you said impatiently. "While you were sleeping off those snacks I was busy reorganizing the library, which is a job you normally do without me asking."

"Geez Twilight why are you taking it out on me? And since when was it my job to reorganize every book collection we come across, huh?"

You feel guilty for your show of animosity toward Spike.

"I'm sorry Spike. I'm just not feeling one hundred percent right now and it's making me grumpy."

"I understand," he says. "Maybe if we went back home you could take a nap. That could make you feel better."

"Excellent idea Spike," you say. "It doesn't look like anything exciting is going to be happening this day anyway."

After finishing that statement you bump into the back of somepony.

"Oops, pardon me."

"Watch where you're going, peasant!"

You look at the upset pony you bumped into and find her to be a blue-haired pony with a light blue mane wearing a showy purple hat and cape with blue stars on them. She looks none too pleased at first, but upon getting a full look of you she eyes you rather intently.

"My, what is it we have here? A unicorn I've never seen before, how curious."

"Uh, yes, I'm new to town. My name is Twilight Sparkle, and this-"

The oddly-dressed pony abruptly turns her back to you and holds a hoof before your face distastefully.

"Spare me your underclass courtesies; it's belittling to one such as me."

"Excuse me?"

You wonder what this pony's deal is.

"Even if you are a unicorn of possible rival potential you have no right to address me unless I've addressed you beforehand."

"But you just addressed me-"

"Still your tongue, neigh-sayer, or do you wish to be bedazzled by the grandeur of the Great and Powerful Trixie?"

Spike steps in to address the obnoxious pony.

"What's your problem? Twilight just introduces herself but you act like she threw mud in your face. Like you're a big shot super great pony-"

"That's because she is!"

Dashing up to the rude pony's side are two young ponies: A lanky orange-haired unicorn with a green mane and a simplistic look on his face, and a short chubby blue unicorn with an orange mane and buckteeth.

"Trixie is the most powerful and talented unicorn in all of Ponyville," said the tall one.

"No, in all Equestria!" corrected the short one excitedly. "She defeated an Ursa Major all by herself. How can she NOT be great?"

"Yeah, what he said," the tall pony said.

The fancy blue pony chuckles.

"See, now this is how you address a unicorn of my caliber: With well-deserved praise and admiration."

"Pfff, whatever," Spike dismissed.

"It comes as no surprise you wouldn't think this given your, hm, 'low' standing," the boastful pony teased. "Perhaps today's fog has blinded you to the glory that naturally emanates from me, otherwise you wouldn't be speaking to me with such ignorant doubt."

This whole situation is making your head more groggy and desperate for rest. How can you put a stop to this before it gets more vexing?

"Hey Twilight; fancy seeing you here agin."

From nearby Applejack walks up to you, followed by a bouncing Pinkie Pie and timid Fluttershy wearing saddlebags. Talk about luck!

"Oh look, it's some of the local fare," said Trixie. "How quaint."

"Oh joy, we have the 'great and powerful' Trixie in our midst," Applejack said sarcastically. "Is she getting in your mane, Twilight?"

"All Twilight did was bump into her accidentally and this Trixie pony rambles on about how great she is," recounted Spike to Applejack.

"No surprise. Why do you insist on giving every pony a hard time whenever yer around, Trixie?" Applejack asked.

"It isn't my fault I keep running into the unenlightened every time I set my hooves in this abysmal town," Trixie said condescendingly. "And for your information you shouldn't worry your backcountry head over my presence for I stopped by to pick up some supplies before resuming my amazing magical tour."

"Well you be on your way then. I think you've been a hassle to enough ponies today," said Applejack.

"Like I need you to tell me what to do," Trixie dismissed before turning to leave. "Come along, admirers. There's still much shopping to do and plenty for you to carry."

"Yes Trixie!"

"Sure thing!"

Trixie and her two supporters finally leave. You turn to Applejack and the others with a look of relief.

"Thank you Applejack. I honestly didn't know what to make of her."

"That's just how Trixie is with anypony that isn't herself, always telling everypony how great and amazing she is. It gets annoyin' fast," Applejack explained. "Sorry that you had to put up with her braggin' for however long it was."

"It's okay. I'm just glad you stepped in when you did."

You look at the others.

"Say why are you all here anyway?"

Fluttershy is first to answer.

"You see, in spending time with everyone yesterday I had forgotten to pick up the things I came to pick up, so I'm doing just that. Pinkie and Applejack just happened to be around while I was doing it."

"You're free to tag along once agin, Twilight," offered Applejack.

Maybe some time with these ponies will improve your state of mind?

"Sure, I could hang out with you guys."

"Super!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie.

"I think I'll head back home instead," Spike said. "This fog feels kinda weird on my scales. Have fun without me."

Spike leaves.

"See you later, Spike."

The four of you head in the direction of the shops.

"Does it normally get this foggy?" you ask.

"Fog ain't uncommon, but I dun can't recall the last time it was this thick," Applejack said. "I s'pose all that rain musta caused this."

"Hey speaking of rain I-"

You interrupt Pinkie Pie to ask Applejack a question.

"Yesterday Pinkie mentioned that you were a group of five friends. Who's the fifth one?"

"You know something else I mentioned-"

Pinkie is interrupted by Applejack's reply.

"That'd be Rarity. She's a unicorn who fancies herself the sophisticated type, 'unsuited' for regular Ponyville living."

"She's a really talented decorator and fashion designer," Fluttershy added. "She also has the ability to find precious gems, which make her dresses really shine."

"Rarity even helped decorate some of my bigger parties. Now as I was saying-"

Oops, Fluttershy is still talking. Sorry Pinkie Pie :P

"Rarity runs the Carousel Boutique, but she hasn't been around for some time."

"She was discovered by a famous designer named Hoity Toity," Applejack explained. "She's been out showin' off her dresses throughout Equestria for over a month now. Ain't no one has a clue when she'll be comin' back, although maybe-"

"You Guys I Have Something To SAAAAAY!"

A loud clashing of cymbals draws everyone's attention to a flustered Pinkie Pie clanging two metal discs that she pulled from seemingly nowhere. She stops after a second before tossing them aside.

"What is it Pinkie Pie?" Applejack asked annoyed.

"What is what? Oh right, my report!"

Pinkie begins bouncing eagerly.

"I tried out the Midnight Reflection rumor last night, and it's totally real!"

Did you hear that right?

"Really Pinkie?" Fluttershy asked surprised.

"That weird pony tale of yours? There's no way," doubted Applejack.

"Yes way!" reproached Pinkie Pie. "I stayed up late to see it for myself like I said I would; I even had Gummy hold my eyelids whenever I got really tired. And when midnight came something appeared in the mirror just as the rumor foretold!"

You stiffen your neck at what she said. She saw something too?

"You were tired was all Pinkie," said Applejack. "Of course you'd see something in the mirror when yer head's all sleep-deprived. Or you were probably asleep and dreamed that you were staying up and seeing somethin' strange in the mirror."

"I wasn't asleep, and my eyes saw what they saw," continued Pinkie. "And what the mirror showed me was that Gilda was my soul-mate!"

Your insides begin to freeze. What sort of coincidence is this? Whatever it is, you're definitely frightened.

"Say what?" Applejack said in disbelief.

"Oh my!" meekly exclaimed Fluttershy.

"I couldn't believe it either," said Pinkie Pie unaffected by everyone's reaction. "But she was there, looking right at me. She looked kinda upset but then again how would you feel if you were staring at your secret soul-mate? Come to think of it I've never thought of Gilda that way, or any other way for that matter. It's so weird!"

"Okay that's enough Pinkie Pie," Applejack said sternly. "You've been pullin' our tails more than enough. Fluttershy's getting' upset here."

"I'm not really upset Applejack," Fluttershy said. "It's just, it comes as a complete shock if it were true."

"Which it ain't," confirmed Applejack. "I mean really Pinkie Pie you have some crazy imagination."

"I'm telling you guys it's not imaginary. I'm destined to be with Gilda," Pinkie Pie says rather carefree.

"And I'm telling you it's utter hooey. Tell her Twilight."

Applejack is looking at you for a supporting opinion, but you're feeling unwell. You cannot convince yourself that this is mere coincidence. Yet why did Pinkie Pie see the same thing you did? And the other aspect from last night with the mirror…

You decide to tell them what happened the night before.

"Actually Applejack, Pinkie might be on to something. Because, I saw it as well; Gilda I mean."

"Huh?"

Applejack gives you a look but Pinkie Pie bounces cheerfully.

"Yes! I knew Twilight would pull through! Wait, you saw Gilda too?"

You explain further.

"I wasn't feeling tired so I did some things to pass the time and before I knew it it was midnight. I decided to try the rumor out since there'd be no harm in it, and just like with Pinkie Pie Gilda had appeared in the mirror when I looked into it. And she looked back at me."

"You cannot be serious," Applejack said in utter disbelief.

"Wait, how can Gilda be both our soul-mates?" Pinkie Pie deliberated. "That would ruin the specialness wouldn't it?"

"But there was more to it," you continued. "Shortly after Gilda appeared in the mirror, I went up to it and-"

"What's happening everypony?"

Your suspenseful revelation is cut short as Rainbow Dash swoops down and does a mid-air flip before flapping in a hovering position over the group.

"You guys really stand out in this fog the way you're grouped together. Very easy to spot."

"Were you actually flying in all this dense fog?" Fluttershy asked concerned.

"It was no biggie," Dash assured. "I just stay low and keep an eye out for houses. Anyway have any of you seen Gilda today?"

"Not since yesterday; how come?" Applejack asked.

"She never showed up at my house last night. She told me she was going out for a late night snack but never came back; I figured she might have taken shelter from the rain down here."

"She's bound to show up don't you worry," said Applejack.

"I'm not worried," Dash denied. "We have some serious hanging out to do and it's already past lunch!"

Just then two ponies walk by hurriedly chatting loudly amongst themselves.

"Where could they be going in such a rush?" you wonder outloud.

"It might be interesting; let's check it out!" said Pinkie.

You all decide to follow the ponies. After some walking (in Dash's case hovering) you come upon a small gathering of ponies standing and chattering near what looks like the town flower shop.

"That's quite a commotion," you point out. "What could it be?"

Though you know nothing of what is taking place you sense something grave hanging in the foggy air.

"Alright all of you disperse and return home! There's an investigation underway."

The wall of gawking ponies break away and you all see the pony that issued the statement: A light brown stallion with a worn-out jacket draped over his back. He had a black mane that was beginning to turn gray, and he had a rough stubble on his chin. Perhaps somepony should ask him what all this is about.

"Scuse me, but what's goin' on?" Applejack asked the stone-jawed stallion.

"Nothing of your concern filly. Go about your business," he replied gruffly.

"That's funny; I don't think I ever saw you around before," Pinkie Pie mentioned.

"That's because I'm technically supposed to be retired," he explained. "Just my luck, only a week since retirement began and I'm called in to do an investigation."

"An investigation? For what?" you asked.

"Huuuuh, me and my mouth," he grumbled. "Anyway, I'm Detective Gumhoof, and if you really want to know there's been an accident this morning."

"An accident?" Fluttershy worriedly said.

"It's nothing serious I assure you," he assured, rather unconvincingly. "Now you and your friends run along; there's already enough onlookers and it's disrupting the professional handling of this case."

Just then a gray-haired loopy Pegasus with a blonde mane and lopsided eyes flutters over to the detective.

"Sir sir! I took the body down and had it covered as requested!" she reported with enthusiasm. But the detective looked displeased.

"Derpy, I told you to have the body removed from the area, not covered!"

"You did?" the Pegasus asked dumbly. "Well the important thing is it's out of the public view. Just so you know there weren't any body canvas' but through quick thinking I used a table cloth instead, so no civilians will be the wiser!"

Nearby you hear somepony.

"What's with this table? It's so bump-! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH! THE HORROR, THE HORROR!"

Gumhoof looks at the ditzy Pegasus sternly, and the Pegasus gives a nervous laugh.

"Well then," she said. "I best be moving that body then."

She flies off in a hurry. Gumhoof sighs and puts a hoof to his face.

"It's bad politics when a tired old workhorse like me is the only certified ponicide investigator."

He turns around to look at all of you seriously.

"You've heard enough. Get out of here before I take you all in for solicitation!"

With that threat the crowd finally disperses. You overhear some ponies talking as you and the others leave.

"So it's true: Somepony did die."

"He said ponicide so does that mean murder?"

"That's a scary thought!"

"Somepony said that the body was found sprawled on the roof of the flower shop. That's gotta be quite the sight."

"I don't even think it's actually ponicide. I heard that it was a griffon that was found."

"A griffon!" Dash cried coming to a stand-still midair.

"You okay Dash?" you ask.

"Uh, I'm fine. Yeah, perfectly alright," she said nervously. "It's unfortunate what happened, but I'm sure it has nothing to do with Gilda. I mean, there's no way, right? Not at all of course!"

She's sounding more desperate as she talks, and you notice she's visibly shaking. She pauses with a face wracked with fear, and then,

"Oh man!"

Dash shoots off back toward the crime scene, and you hear the ensuing voices from that direction.

"Hey I'm trying to move a body here!"

"Move it cross-eyes I gotta see!"

There is a noticeably loud gasp of horror.

"No… NO!"

Suddenly Dash returns only to shoot past the group and head upwards toward the fog-choked sky. It looked as though she was shutting her eyes tightly when she went by.

"Oh no…" Applejack murmured with sympathetic worry as she looked up in the direction of Dash's exit.

Fluttershy steps forward.

"I'll go after her. Maybe try to calm her down."

Fluttershy takes off after Dash. The air has grown heavy. You cannot believe what has transpired. Somebody has died today in town, and it was none other than the one that appeared last night in the mirror. Had it been an omen?

"Poor Rainbow Dash," said Applejack sadly. "Of all the things to happen, one of her friends dies so suddenly. I can't imagine what that's like, but it has to be gosh darn depressing…"

Morbidly enough Pinkie Pie has been really quiet for some time. After she looks around uncomfortably she turns to you both.

"Hey, maybe we could go check out Twilight's place?"

Applejack looks at Pinkie angrily.

"Who wants to do any visitin' after what just happened? We should be worryin' bout Dash!"

"It's just I thought it'd be something to do to take our minds off what happened, plus Fluttershy went to look after Dash so maybe we could do something in the meantime. Just a thought."

Pinkie Pie looks down at the ground dejected and possibly ashamed, which is a startling sight to you to be honest. Applejack continues.

"Though it's just a thought Pinkie I dun think Twilight here is in any mood to be lettin' people come to her house. It'd just be rude on top of insensitive to what's goin' on."

When you think about it, just standing around worrying about Rainbow Dash won't accomplish anything, and finding her in this fog would be hard to do. Showing them your house would be something to do at least.

"I wouldn't mind showing you my place if you want," you reply. "It's awful what Rainbow Dash has gone through, but maybe she needs some time alone, at least until Fluttershy finds her. I get the impression she'd be best at talking with her, so we probably shouldn't crowd in on her for now."

"You don't have to if you don't want, Twilight," Applejack said sincerely.

"It's okay. Consider it my way of thanking you for lunch yesterday."

"Alright, if you say so then we'll come visit Twilight," Applejack said.

"Great," Pinkie Pie said in a softened cheerful tone. "Maybe if the fog clears up while we're over there we can go look for Dash and Fluttershy."

"Good idea," agreed Applejack before turning to you. "Lead the way, Twilight."

You nod, then proceed to take the two ponies to your home through the thick fog.

Time Passes. It's early evening, and you make it back home with Applejack and Pinkie Pie.

You step into the main part of your home with Applejack and Pinkie Pie behind.

"Welcome home Twilight," greeted Spike, who was on the upper floor. "Hey, you brought guests."

"Yeah. They wanted to see the place so I brought them over for a little while."

"Sounds fine to me," he said.

Spike hops down to your level and approaches you.

"I did some looking around after I got back, and there's a laboratory in the basement. There's all kinds of high-tech gear; it was probably set up some sort of intense research."

"Ooh I got an idea for intense research!" Pinkie Pie said in her noisy perky old self. "Let's see what kind of intense cupcakes can be made!"

Pinkie hops over in the direction of the basement door.

"Wait! They aren't used for cooking, I think…"

Spike hurries after Pinkie to stop a potential catastrophe, or cause one you briefly fret. Applejack calmly walks around and looks over the interior.

"The town library. It looks nice," she said mildly.

"Well we've only been here two days. Maybe with some sprucing it could be made a bit cozier."

"I s'pose," she said uninterested.

Applejack doesn't seem to be having fun in the slightest. An air of discomfort hangs over the two of you.

"Guess bringing you here wasn't a good idea after all," you said half-apologetically.

"Don't get me wrong Twilight. It's a real nice gesture, and awful considerate given what's goin' on. New to town and something like this happen? Talk about bad luck."

"Yeah," you agreed followed by a light chuckle.

The heavy air lightens a little. Applejack strolls over to the mirror.

"Didn't take long for Pinkie Pie to be back to her energetic self. That pony's so out there and hard to explain it's headache-inducin'. But that's part of what makes her fun to be with."

Applejack looks over herself in the mirror.

"Like this mirror rumor. It just seemed like a typical case of Pinkie's imagination runnin' wild. But hearing that you saw it for yerself as well, heh, now that's sumthin'."

She looks over at you with a questioning look.

"Before Dash showed up you said sumthin' bout there being more to what you saw. I'm right curious to what that is."

Time to give the whole story it seems.

"I'm pretty sure it was just an intense dream that followed, but after I saw Gilda in the mirror I walked up to it and put my hoof to the glass. But instead of stopping it went right through, and I could've sworn something grabbed it on the other side because I had to pull real hard to get it out."

Applejack is giving you an incredulous look.

"That does sound like some intense dreamin'," she says jokingly.

"Yeah, and now I'm pretty certain it was."

You casually walk up to Applejack before the mirror and raise a hoof.

"Let's be honest here, it'd be completely farfetched not to mention impossible for a pony to stick-"

You stop abruptly mid-sentence to let out a gasp for your hoof has phased into the mirror, and Applejack was witnessing this with bulging eyes and gaping mouth!

"What in the," she said breathlessly.

Spike walks in and approaches you.

"Could one of you talk to Pinkie? She's ransacking everything down there and I can't get her to… Hey, whatcha looking shocked for-"

Now it's the three of you staring in complete shock at your hoof being in the mirror. Spike expresses his shock in the most eloquent way possible.

"Holy Marauding Manticores of Equestria The Mirror's Eating You!"

"Whose being eaten? Is it cupcakes?"

Just then Pinkie Pie bursts in out of nowhere and bumps Spike into Applejack who stumbles into you. The force of the collision pushes you headlong into the mirror along with Spike and Applejack. In your absence Pinkie Pie looks around only to find no one.

"Where'd everypony go? I heard talking a second ago."

She ponders a few seconds then comes to a realization.

"Oh I see: They're playing hide-and-seek! Well look out cuz Pinkie Pie is the master finder to end all master finders!"

Pinkie begins bouncing around the place in search of her friends, unaware of what she has done and what has happened to you.