Ponyville on the same day, no one from the pony city knew or heard about the tragic events in the crystal city, no one even in his dreams could expect what has come and will come soon but one thing was certain that day was not over yet, especially for a pair of ponies from town and the visiting pony from Applelos.
This is how it started with the arrival of the golden pony clad in a brown uniform and hat, Braeburn arrived on that appointment day to meet his chosen one Miss Cheerilee again, since their hearts were joined, no week had any of them not visiting the other, as Braeburn was the most popular visitor so far.
That day Braeburn was scheduled to wait until 3 p.m. in front of the Cakes state store, and he actually happened to be waiting over an hour longer, which was strange to him because Miss Cheerilee, as a teacher at Ponyville, was never late after the Bearburn hour. he surrendered to his own fear and personally decided to find the Cheerilee, starting in school.
- let nothing bad happen. Braeburn whispered to himself.
The fear had been stronger than ever for a couple of weeks, the possibility of the attacks of the scarlet legions almost burned a deep mark on the hearts of ponies and creatures of the world, and it was going to get worse, but the fact that Braeburn was initially walking after taking a few steps and passing a few ponies that lived and they lived in Ponyville, Braeburn started to run faster and faster, he ran so fast that he could not slow down when a pale blue unicorn emerged from the alley, Braeburn could only try to brake on his hooves creating a gesture of a cloud of dust until everything was drowned out by the impact.
- aaaaaah, what's wrong with you, right now. Trixie said trying to get up.
- me, me, sorry, it's alright. Braeburn said as he helped the little sorceress stand up.
- Em yes, yes, of course, that's you, I know I heard, I already understand why you are in such a hurry, Braeburn is true, it's a bit loud about you. Trixie asked.
- yes, yes, exactly how loud it is. Braeburn asked as he straightened his hat.
- you know, I know you from Applejack and her friends, you know a lot of talk about the fact that Miss Cheerilee got engaged to you, and I thought that she would be looking and looking for her other half for unknown how long. Trixie said with a dreamy look.
- actually it was a complete coincidence, but with all my heart I am glad that I met Miss Cheerilee on my way, she is the most wonderful being that I could meet and give her my heart. Braeburn said, his own fears forgetting for a moment.
- how beautiful it is, when I finally meet the one, you know I look at it this way and it seems to me that recently I have been wasting my time on magic shows and the most important things have started to slip away in time, and now that everything has become so hasty, I regret that I haven't found the one but I have a second chance after this rejuvenation shock I stopped wasting my time. Trixie said as she stepped close to the surprised pony, standing almost nose to nose in front of him.
Braeburn suddenly jumped backwards, but not due to the reactions of the dreamy unicorn mare but from the recurring fears about his beloved.
- don't be afraid of me, I'm not hitting you. She said, Come on sounded convincing, her heart genuinely envied Miss Cheerilee.
- no, that's not the point, I was supposed to meet Miss Cheerilee an hour ago in front of the Cakes state store, she hasn't appeared in an hour, I'm afraid that Miss Cheerilee might have happened, anything is possible these days. Braeburn said, sounding sincere and very emotional.
- since this is what I am going to help you, in case of any problems you will need a sorceress. Said Trixie in a combat-ready stance.
- come on, we can't wait.
- and what do they start with.
- from school. Braeburn said as he led Trixie to Ponyville School.
The school in Ponyville was already empty at this time, every student left the school, except for two students who, as it turned out, were starting their investigation, the first of them was the golden pegasus Diper, with a black mane, hat and magnifying glass in his right hoof and a stamp on his hip, the second of the detective team was Zax, a blue unicorn with a white mane with a trail mark on the ground and black glasses on his nose as always.
- and how are Zax you have any additional traces. Diper asked, looking through the magnifying glass at the outline of their teacher's tracks.
- not actually, I just found the second trail behind the school leading outside the city. Zax said.
- out of town?. But why would Miss Cheerilee go out of town alone.
- and the buoy I know.
The two home-grown detectives glanced at the seed thoughtfully as their ears picked up the voices of two adult ponies running out of town.
- you are students, I remember you right away, you are Zax and you are Diper. Braeburn said through the heavy breath of his mad run.
- Yes, I am Zax. Zax said as I bow my head and tilt my black glasses.
- yes, and I'm Diper, private investigators at your service. Said Diper as he glorified the detective's brown cap from his head.
- Braeburn wait, I'm not following. Said Trixie, who had barely kept pace with the faster stallion.
- wait, you two are playing detectives again. Trixie said as she realized who Braeburn was talking to.
- Anyway, no matter what you do, Braeburn has some questions for you.
- it's about Miss Cheerilee. Asked Zax which set off the alarm in the heart of the yellow ponies. - something happened. Braeburn panicked said.
- we're actually trying to figure it out. Diper said.
- how to determine what happened. Braeburn asked hurriedly.
- and it happened that Miss Cheerilee left school during the break before the last two lessons and never came back, and when she left school we all heard a strange sound, like something had flown across the sky. Zax said.
- exactly, and when Miss Cheerilee never came back for the last two lessons, me and Zax decided to open an investigation. Diper finished.
- and we found one trace, and after it outside the school, another, it looks as if two ponies were going into the unknown, and exactly south to the forest or to the river. Zax said.
- but how?, not impossible, Miss Cheerilee and someone else, I do not understand. Braeburn, a bit confused, said.
Trixie, standing close to him, looked at the two young men, unable to believe whether it was true, or Miss Cheerilee and the unknown pony went into the unknown, but that did not necessarily mean that it was him, all her thoughts were interrupted suddenly by the approaching red pony of the earth marching with With his son, a little green pony and a red mane, Big Macintosh also searched for his wife, calling out loud, as did Swift Max calling for his mother.
- Sugar, where are you?. Big Macintosh said.
- Mom, where you hid, it's not funny. Swift Max said as he searched thick bushes.
- hey Big Mac, Swift Max, here we are. Braeburn said, waving to his cousin.
- uncle, what are you doing here. Swift Max asked.
- hello Braeburn how are you. Big Mac said.
- actually a lot is going on, what about you.
- Eeyup, a lot is going on too, but a bit worrying, me, Swift Max and Sugar Belle were out shopping and suddenly Sugar disappeared somewhere. Big Mac said.
- either he is playing hide and seek with us or I don't know anymore. Swift Max said.
- and this is a number, maybe Sugar Belle is the one who went south with Miss Cheerilee, but what for. He said with deduction Zax as he put on black glasses over his nose and eyes.
- yes, there is a chance for it, but for what, and maybe by whom, why they suddenly went to the southern forests or were forced or something worse happened. Diper said rubbing his chin like a dedicating detective.
- boy, that's enough, don't scare us anymore, especially them. She told Trixie out of the eye of the two stallions and the little foal who were increasingly afraid.
- but this is important, madam, because we have found traces leading south, we can help you find them.
- You found it!, Zax, if you found something, drive it. Swift Max said, shuffling in place, ready to run, race, marathon.
- really!, So what are you waiting for, take us to our wives, please. said Big Macintosh as he faced two home-grown detectives.
- there is no time to waste, maybe it's the intrigue of the lord of the elements, we have to hurry and as soon as possible, I don't want to think what would happen if. Braeburn said.
- so don't think about it anymore, besides, man should help us as if. She said, Come on, Trixie herself wasn't sure about the human.
Come on, nobody knew what happened in the crystal city, many people had some doubts about the man, it was mainly dictated by the power of the man himself who, as you know, could do anything.
- So as we go, Zax show what you see and I will examine the next traces through the magnifying glass. Said Diper as he set the magnifying glass to the ground.
- it gets. Zax said activating his horn power, search power.
Both home-grown and already experienced detectives led three adult ponies and they follow their footprints all the way to a small forest where a small river was flowing, at first Diper and Zax not reported anything strange except that the tracks lead to the right or left, avoiding massive oaks or thick bushes, at first they all walked in silence, sometimes interrupted by whispers, until suddenly both Zax and Diper stopped in a place that could mean all the worst.
Seeing the sudden reaction of two home-grown detectives, both Big Mac and Braeburn looked at each other with expressive fear painted on their faces and came closer to also look at what the two youths saw.
- what? what is it?. Asked Braeburn come see the new ground trace he must have known immediately.
- this or that?. Big Macintosh stuttered.
- Dad, what's going on. Swift Max asked, trying to get ahead, but Big Mac firmly blocked the little pony's way.
- but what could it be, um, er. Trixie said as she stepped out in front of everyone, but as she looked down at the ground, her voice stuck in her throat.
Everyone was looking at the new human footprint, which was already surprising and slightly frightening, the second more terrible one was the suddenly disappearing pony marks and the emerging traces of four pulling ropes.
- is it possible, man, but what is he here. Trixie said freeing himself from the momentary paralysis.
- I don't know, but better look at these marks, first there are hoof marks and then dragging marks. Zax said, using the magic of his horn to better illuminate the image of the footprints.
- We don't want to worry you but it looks like a man doesn't know why he started pulling on both Miss Cheerilee and Sugar Belle. Said Diper, causing a rush of fear in the cheese of the two stallions.
- what but for what?, why would he do this. Big Mac asked.
- maybe he is playing with us. Swift Max said, trembling slightly with fear because he wasn't sure of anything himself.
- did he suddenly turn into a monster!. Braeburn shouted.
- it is impossible, after all, he has done so much good for the world, I will not believe it until I see it, there must be some logical explanation here. Trixie said, trying to get her darkest thoughts out of her mind.
- then come on, we will lead you to the truth. Zax said as he traced the aura of the tracks that led deeper into the forest.
- I think we are getting closer, these traces seem to be fresher. Diper said, looking down at the ground and the human footprints reflected in the forest foliage.
Six ponies, including two home-grown detectives and a third green youth, hidden behind his father, walked further through the woods and their every step seemed to be more nervous and full of uncertainty, no one knew what the strange traces of pulled ponies and the reflection of human shoes meant.
In fact, no one was sure what a man could do, whether these new traces actually belonged to Miss Cheerilee and Sugar Belle, why would the man carry them with him, whether it was about some new danger or the man himself suddenly wanted to do destruction and indescribable evil.
Walking in the middle of five ponies, Trixie was so pensive about the whole thing that her head started to ache, thoughts, questions and possibilities were so many that everything hit her when the sudden thunder hit her, everyone else fell to the ground in the bushes and in front of the surprised unicorn mare appeared the image of a man who was twenty meters in front of her and did not seem to pay attention to her.
Alex was fully armed and ready to fight, Alex in his black and red armor and bow in hand, slowly and with visible satisfaction drew his double arrow aiming at someone in the bushes.
- what he is doing. Braeburn shocked.
- I don't know, I think he wants to shoot someone. Swift Max said.
- for sure it does something spectacular, but in a cloak, but for what. Zax said, trying with horn magic to figure out who was under the human weapon, but to no avail.
- what should we do. Diper asked.
- just not that!. Screamed Trixie as she saw the outline of a mysterious pony under a human weapon.
- don't stand. She shouted again to Trixie and Alex turned to her and with a broad smile he fired two shots one after the other, and then another more powerful explosion broke the ground within twenty meters.
The ice explosion shocked everyone and knocked the light blue mare to the ground, Trixie couldn't dodge the explosion, everyone slowly raised their heads and the man threw something familiar to them, engagement rings.
Seeing it, Big Mac and Braeburn did not know for a moment what to do, they were paralyzed with what they saw and what the man did, Alex, for reasons unknown to him, killed their wives and fianc s, taking everything they had and loved from them.
- no no!. Big Macintosh shouted.
- you monster, you goddamn monster!. Braeburn screamed, jumping in a maddened attack on the human.
Seeing the rim of his mother, a shocked Swift Max fell to his front knees, unable to release the slightest word for a moment, the little child for a moment was completely paralyzed in shock until Swift Max looked at the human and screamed as loud as he could.
- damned monster for what!. Swift Max screamed, shaking his red mane uncontrollably.
- why!. Trixie screamed, unable to understand the man's sudden cruel act.
- you will pay me for it. Braeburn yelled as he charged the human.
Trixie and Big Macintosh joined Braeburn charging at the man who calmly waited for them, as Braeburn and Big Macintosh leapt at the man with hooves out and tears in their eyes, Trixie tried to activate the power of her horn, but the hardship and attempted revenge against the man of three ponies turned out to be completely defeated, Alex grabbed the three despairing ponies with the power of the red aura and brought them closer to look at each of them more closely, but the nom did so was hit with all his strength by a small pony who never attracted his attention in the first attack, quickly rushing on the ground Swift Max managed to run to the other side and hit the man, the steel armor with all his might, but his blow only shook the little foal, Alex lifted him with red power as well, avoiding eye contact only with a small child.
- why did you do it, monster, why!. Braeburn shouted and the human let him release the grip of the red aura from the face of the three ponies.
- you took so much from me, be cursed for eternity!. Big Macintosh yelled.
- I had you as a hero, how wrong I was, you are worse than Akeron!. Trixie yelled.
And Alex, listening to the words of the three ponies, He continued to look closely at them without emotion, without joy or regret, with cold logic, but when his ears reached the despairing voice of a little foal, his eyes twitched and met the view of the ground, because Alex did not have the strength to look at the eyes of a little child.
- why, why, why are you hurting us, the executioner, tell me why!. Swift Max shouted to which the man replied with only constant silence.
In the meantime, two foals came out of the bushes and they also started to cry, to which the man was not indifferent until both young men winked and looked at the crater behind him, what Zax and Diper saw was strange twice, first they saw two fired shots by a man and the crater was one as well as the explosion they heard, and when a man winked at them both Diper and Zax, their eyes widened and their detective minds suddenly found the only logical answer but they did not share it, did not shout, did not speak , they were silent.
- it had to be so. Alex said.
The man's words were like a plea to two detectives.
In the meantime, four paralyzed ponies continued to curse the man, calling him the worst monster to walk in the world and threatening him to take revenge, Alex calmly listened to their words until he finally spoke stretching his hand to the red stallion.
- I know what I need from you, your tears, they are so ready. Your tear and Trixie, I can see this, there are new ones I need, I don't have yet, tears of warning. I can feel their power like this. Alex said rubbing Trixie and Big Mac's cheek.
- if you meant only our tears monster, you caused us so much pain for our tears!. Braeburn shouted.
- it is obvious it is always about them, they are equal to the good of the whole world, the sacrifice of some in exchange for thousands, it is glorious, besides, I warn my enemies, let them know what I am capable of, and here are new tears. Alex said, opening his hands to shake off a red and navy blue tear for everyone.
- here is the red tear of anger, anger, how much a man succumbs to this evil force, he does not see what is the truth and the nature of this evil force set in motion by destiny and nothingness. Now all mankind will remember what anger is and how great evil it is. Alex said hiding a red tear in his pocket and flipping another navy blue one.
- and this is a tear of pain, pain is too everyday in my world too, people too often hurt each other every day, strangers, friends, family, everyone there is hurting themselves to satisfy their twisted desires, to ease their own pain and fear but when they see the truth of this cursed power they will understand how far they have been lost. Alex said and hid the last tear.
Suddenly, in front of all the chained, Alex took a step forward, approaching the two home-grown detectives, which caused even greater fear in the heart of the blue unicorn mare who always said that she could do anything with her magical power, and today she met someone in front of whom her powers are nothing and, what's worse, not is able to help those who are at the mercy of man and his strength.
- no what are you doing!, please no, enough blood today. Don't hurt them, I beg you. Trixie was screaming, but the human was not listening to any words except one.
Alex, in his civilian dress, approached the two foals, crouched in front of them and smiled at both of them, nodding his head slightly. His smile, however, quickly faded to reveal the sadness of what he had to do and what Zax and Diper had seen.
It was a moment of silence, words communicated in silence, gestures with emotions and facial expressions, the man seemed to convey the only request to the two young detectives and they nodded, then the man stood up, took the red power off the four paralyzed ponies and turned his full attention to the coming night and the stars appearing in the sky.
- I do not expect forgiveness from you and from the whole world, but someday you will understand, I can promise you. Alex said and soared into the sky disappearing somewhere among the clouds and stars of the night sky.
- you will never be forgiven monster!, never!. A Big Macintosh yelled loudly, swinging its front hooves up into the starry sky.
- be damned a hundred times you monster, I will never accept that you have taken everything from me, my beloved to the general good, this world, never!. Braeburn screamed.
- go away forever, you cursed monster!. Swift Max shouted as he slipped into his father's embrace.
- from today on you will be only a monster to each of us, you will no longer be a hero or a friend, be cursed. Trixie screamed, firing single beams of power from her horn into the sky full of stars and clouds.
Standing close to Diper and Zax looked at each other and come they could change everything, but still with their own heartache they accepted their human duty, suddenly Zax and Diper were hugged tightly by Trixie who could rest assured that the human madness had never reached them.
- oh boys, how I was afraid for you, good that this monster did not hurt you, as I was afraid. Said Trixie, hugging the two foals tightly.
It did not change the fact that their hearts were also pierced by pain, because they could quickly end the pain of the two stallions, but in silence, in a silent conversation, they gave a word of silence, as detectives were obliged to keep even such a secret.
An hour later, they all returned to the ponyville, the Big Macintosh with tears in his eyes, carrying his desperate son on his back, set off on his way back to his home in Sweet Apple Acres, Braeburn went with him with nowhere to go back, and Trixie escorted two home-grown detectives to his homes and families, but the day was not actually over yet, when Ponyville was fast asleep and the moon was high, in the shadow of the moon you could see two shadows creeping into their place of familiarity.
- Zax is definitely a good idea. Asked Diper as he straightened his detective hat.
- I have to see it again, you saw two shots yourself and there was one explosion, so. Zax said, taking his black glasses off his nose and guiding his friend through the power of the tracking spell.
- you know Zax, he, Alex, you know, sometimes you don't need words, I saw it in his eyes, in his gestures, you know what he told us, you know what he asked for and we agreed and we don't need any confirmation of our guesses, it's true. Diper said.
- I know, but like every detective I want to take a closer look at the place, you know, for personal certainty, and maybe we will meet him there again, I would like to ask him if it is true and why we need to keep it a secret. Zax whispered.
- right, we have the right to know, come neither you nor I, we cannot withdraw, we gave our professional word so we must be silent from now on and forever until Alex himself decides to stop. Said Diper ending what they did.
The two juvenile detectives returned to the place in the forest and the view of the great crater in less than half an hour, but it was dark. Zax illuminated the area with the power of his horn and Diper immediately put his magnifying glass on the crater and, as previously observed, it was confirmed in a direct inspection.
There was only one crater, one sign of damage, and yet there were two human-fired arrows, which could only be one final confirmation for them.
Suddenly, Diper and Zax jumped from their place as their ears heard the sound of a rustling in the thicket of the forest, a man emerged from the darkness, Alex stood beside them to look at the empty crater.
- so you are as expected, you needed confirmation, oh yeah. Alex said, and the two foals noticed the green glow of the power of time shining around the human's right and left hands, Diper and Zax realized that both they and man found themselves in what resembled a sphere in between, everything was stopped, leaves falling, birds flying across the sky, all.
- did you do it. Zax asked.
- you can do such things, I mean you stop in time. Diper asked, eyes wide to the world around him.
- Yes, I can, but it's time-limited, which is funny, in a few seconds the power will break, so there's not much time, shhhhh. Alex said, putting a finger to his lips in a gesture of silence.
- this is all I am asking, only this way I am able to protect them all. Alex said just before the stopping power burst, time.
- we promise. Zax said.
- you have our word, the word of the detectives, but please don't make us wait long. Diper said.
Suddenly, the power of time around the man's hands disappeared, everything started to rush again around the two home-grown detectives and Aex, by the power of rushing open portals, disappeared, leaving the two foals a word and hope.
L
the next horror has come to an end, but not the last one, but as before, the mind of a mad man gave more hope at the end, and two detectives and their brilliant deduction, a new spark of hope is born, but at what price, the price of a great burden with which from today detectives will have to measure themselves. the burden of silence
