Anon P.I. - Part II

>The candy cigarette isn't filling the craving embedded in your brain.
>They're addictive, she told you.
>They'll kill ya, she told you.
>You didn't listen.
>However, the last thing you want to remind your partner of is mortality...
>So candy sticks it is.
>You pull it out of your mouth, the sugary dust lingering on your lips.
>Usually on these cases, you lead the charge, searching for evidence and clues.
>Not tonight, however.
>In the darkness and rain, Pinks walks ahead of you, her destination sure.
"You seem on the up and up here, Pinks."
>She turns back only briefly.
>"I know who to go to in times like this."
>That comment is sobering.
>Has she dealt with this kind of thing before?

>Shaking off the dread, you look up towards the horizon.
>It may be tough to see beyond the overcast sky, but the road leading out of town is quite clear.
>As the light of the streetlamps fade, your eyes adjust, giving the world an almost grey filter.
>Not many p0nies live out beyond the city borders.
>Jack's got her farm beyond the picket fence, and the Everfree hosts critters you don't need running around this time of night.
>As Pinks marches on, you can only wonder why you're coming here, of all places.
>The cottage comes into view rather quickly.
>Fluttershy.
>A reclusive one, for certain.
>Dame never likes to travel outside her hut.
>You've only seen her on rare occasions yourself.
>"Let me do the talking, 'kay buddy?"
>The cheerful tone has a clearly serious baseline.
>Giving her a silent nod, you approach the door.
>Three knocks oughta do it.

>"H-hello?"
>The sound of fear coming from the hut normally would spark suspicion.
>This, however, wasn't out of the ordinary.
>"Flutters, it's me, Pinkie!"
>Her old cheerful self.
>You knew it was mostly an act.
>Then again, it usually was.
>No person or p0ny could be that cheerful on end.
>Pinks was more than willing to put on a show to please her friends...
>...or trick the suspects.
>Whichever case this situation warranted, it worked like a charm.
>The door opens the slightest bit, revealing a tuft of pink mane, hiding her eye.
>"Hello Pinkie..."
>She eyes you, giving you a once over.
>"A-Anon..."
>She wasn't too pleased.
>When Pinkie came by, it usually meant a party of some sort.
>When you came by, it was often to enjoy some company or browse her pets.
>When you two were together...it meant business.
>And your kind of business brings bad news.

>"What...happened?"
>Down to brass tacks, it seems.
>Normally you'd be the bearer of bad news, but your partner wished to take the lead here.
>"Would it be alright if we came in for a little bit?"
>The reluctant yellow mare closed her door.
>A quick frown from Pinks shows this wasn't according to plan.
>Being shut out by Flutters...
>That's a new one.
>However, the surprise fades when you head the loud clicks from the mahogany frame.
>A lock?
>No, she opened the door.
>A deadbolt?
>You didn't even notice it when she opened the door at first.
>The light clinking chains this time around catch your ear.
>"Come in..."
>She makes way for you and Pinks to enter.
>Walking by the door, your suspicions are confirmed.
>Silver chain deadbolt, right in the door's side.
>Looks recent.
>You probably haven't noticed it.
>Her pets don't see you THAT often.

>Walking in, she shuts the door behind you.
>The house seems a bit...disorderly, to say the least.
>Things falling off of shelves.
>"Would you two like s-some tea, or..."
>A raised pink marshmallow silences the stuttering 'Shy.
>"Flutters, I need you to do me a teen~sy favor..."
>'Favor'.
>What a dirty word.
>A favor is what you ask for when you have nothing to offer in return.
>Flutters took a step back, knowing this all too well.
>"W-what...?"
>"Gilda."
>A visible wince is seen from behind her mane, trying to expose as little of herself as possible.
>You know this griffon all too well.
>One of RD's dive buddies.
>They go way back.
>Recently, however, they had a falling out.
>Pinks and Flutters were at the center of it all.
>"She's gone Pinkie, she skipped town."
>The flat tone coming from Flutters concerns you.
>Just how deep is this wound?
"We think she came back."
>Pinks shoots you a glare.
>Guess you should avoid speaking out of turn.
>Or at all.

>"We need to know where she is."
>If it was possible to hide in plain sight, this dame would be invisible.
>"I t-told you, she's gone..."
>It was a blatant lie, of course.
>You could tell, however, that she wished it was the truth.
>"Where did she go, 'Shy?"
>"I-I...I don't..."
>She was about to crack.
>The real question on your mind wasn't how much this mare could take...
>It was why she felt the need to take it in the first place.
>Pinks was ready to drop the bomb.
>While this was no Sonic Rainboom, the shock would be about the same.
>"Flutters...Rainbow's dead, and we think Gilda did it."
>The tears flooded down her cheeks.
>"I...I knew the skies...were supposed to be clear..."
>She saw it coming a mile away.
"I'm sorry for your loss."
>Pinkie glanced back at you.
>Sorry Pinks, it had to be said.
>A few sniffles pass as Flutters picks her head up.
>"I...know where Gilda went..."

>Pinks flashes a victory grin.
>Why was this such an important victory?
>You would never suspect of Flutters running with griffons.
>"She was looking for Rainbow..."
>So she was after Dash.
>How would Flutters...
>"...I told her t-to try the Dash Fanclub..."
>Then you notice it.
>Her black eye, hidden by her mane this whole time.
>The new deadbolt.
>The disarray in her home.
>Gilda's been through here.
>You clench a fist, shaking lightly.
>Hurting 'Shy...
>"C'mon Anon, we gotta catch her before she skips town!"
>Damn right.
"Thank you for your help."
>The black eye is hidden once more.
>As you step out of the house, the last things you hear tear at your heart.
>The lock of a deadbolt, and soft weeping.

>You and Pinks are heading towards the clubhouse.
>"Thanks for keeping quiet...for the MOST part..."
"Sorry, but no matter the circumstance, you mourn the dead."
>"I know...I'm just super duper focused on catching her."
>You swipe another candy cigarette from her.
>"Those things will kill ya, you know."
>You serious?
"Oh come on, toots. These ain't even the real deal!"
>"Blood sugar is as important as blood pressure!"
>Even in these trying times, Pinks has the energy and spirit...
>...to tell you every little thing you enjoy is bad for you.
>You munch the candy stick with vigor.
>Blood sugar or not, you're keeping this vice.
>"When I get my hooves on that griffon..."
>The poison in her voice would kill anyone faster than your cigarettes, candy or not.
"Cool it, Pinks."
>The rain is starting to pick up again.
>You wish the skies were cleared today.
>Then all this wouldn't be happening.

>In the forest, past the Apple Acres, lies the CMC Clubhouse.
>They often held 'RD Fanclub' meetings here.
>As you approach, something on the ground catches your eyes.
>A large brown feather...
>Bingo.
"Pinks, I know she's in there."
>Those words set off the powder keg that's been building up.
>She charges ahead of you, up the treehouse steps and into the building.
>"YOU!"
>Guess you were right.
>You hear louds crashes and banging...
>Pinks must not be happy.
>You rush in after her, and gaze upon the scene.
>Pinks has Gilda pinned, her hooves stamping down her wings.
>Try as she might, she can't budge Pinks.
>"Let me go, please, let me go!"
>Gilda pleads for her wing's freedom.
>"YOU KILLED RAINBOW!"
>She stomps down hard on Gilda's wing.
>You could have sworn you heard something break.

>"You have it all wrong, please, let me explain!!!"
>The desperation in her voice heightens, as does Pinkie's pressure on her limbs.
>"SHE WAS MY FRIEND!"
>As raises her hoof for another devastating smash...
>"She was my friend too..."
>At that, you grab Pinkie's hoof before she can smash it down again.
"That's enough. She didn't do it."
>"Anon, how can...how..."
>She's about to
>You gently lead her off of Gilda, who curls up to ease the pain caused.
>In Gilda's claw, you see it once more.
>In it's clutches, a picture.
>The same picture you had of her and Gilda.
>It's RD and Gilda at flight camp.
"What did I tell you before Pinks?"
>You offer a hand to Gilda.
>She looks at you with tear stained cheeks.
>Not tears of pain, however.
>Tears of sorrow.
>She accepts the hand, and you pull her up.
"No matter what the circumstance, you mourn the dead."

>Gilda brushes herself off.
>"Thanks."
>She turns back to the walls of the clubhouse.
>Rainbow Dash posters adorn the sides.
>"Dash..."
>Another soft sniffle comes out.
"What're ya doing here, Gilda?"
>She scoffs.
>"You already said it, bub. Mourning."
>She holds up the photo.
>"Me and Dash go way back..."
"I know, Gilda. What I NEED to know is how you figured out how Rainbow died."
>It's only been a few hours.
>No way it's hit the presses yet.
>"I...heard it through the grapevine."
>Bullshit.
>"You ain't foolin' us, bird brain!"
>Gilda bears her claws at Pinks.
>Clearly not happy with what happened before.
>She puts them away, not looking for another fight.
>"Hmph. I told ya the truth, I happened to hear it."
"Gilda, you don't 'happen to hear' plans about someone gettin' whacked."

>"Fine, I heard it from a rat."
"A rat? Rats don't often hang out with griffons."
>Pinkie's joke goes far over Gilda's head.
>"Not that kind of rat, candy-ass. The local snitch."
>Every town's got one.
>Well, almost.
>'Gabby Gums' hasn't been around for a while.
"So you came here?"
>"I wanted to try and save her."
>The sobering tone causes the mood to flatten.
>She stares solemnly at her picture.
>"When I saw the skies...I knew it was too late..."
>A single tear lands on her photo, quickly wiped away by her feather.
>"And that's all of it. Nothing more."
"Fine. We're out, Pinks."
>"WE'RE LEAVING?!? Anon, how can you even TRUST-"
>You press a finger to her lips.
"I know the sound of loss, Pinks. We're leaving."
>You turn to leave, Pinks walking out first.
>Turning back to Gilda, you leave her with a piece of your mind.
"You know, you didn't have to be so rough on Flutters."
>"The yellow mare? I didn't touch her. I'm not like that anymore..."
>You go silent.

>Pinks follows closely behind as you rush through the Ponyville streets.
>"Anon! Slow! Down!"
>She yells at you through breaths.
>No time to slow down.
"We gotta move, Pinks! Gilda didn't give Flutters that shiner!"
>Upon hearing this, Pinks catches up to your speed, as if she was never out of breath.
>The trees rush by as you eventually come upon the cottage.
>Something wasn't right.
>As you come closer, the door is slightly ajar.
>She deadbolted it.
>Without hesitation, you force the door open in it's entirety.
"FLUTTERSHY!"
>Your cry of worry was not in vain.
>Three Griffons back 'Shy into a corner.
>"ANON!!"
>Fluttershy cries with a desperate plea of freedom.
>The trio turns their heads towards you in confusion.
>At this, Fluttershy takes her leave, slipping through a gap.
>She takes off, flying out of the door behind you.
>The griffons aren't far behind, as they take flight, knocking you to the floor as they bolt out the same exit.

>"Anon!"
>Pinks pulls you up.
"C'mon, we gotta help her!"
>You rush outside, and stare up at the sky.
>The rain blurs your vision, but cracks of lightning illuminate the sky, silhouettes of the airborne few being shown briefly.
>Loops, turns, ducks, dives.
>It would be a majestic display of aerial acrobatics if it weren't for the impending murderous intent.
>You can't fucking help from the ground.
>"AAAAHHHHH!"
>It's too late.
>The three griffons caught their prey.
>In the sky, you see a griffon holding Fluttershy by her wing.
>She dangles freely, struggling to escape, but to no avail.
"FLUTTERSHY!"
>You call to the skies above, your voice booming above the lightning.
>The griffon looks down, a malicious grin on his beak.
>Bearing his razor sharp talons, he lets out a final statement.
>"Consider this a WARNING."
>The final crack of lighting hides the sickening slice.

>In a flash, it happened.
>The yellow form falling from the sky too fast for you to react.
>The griffons dashing away, their prize in tow.
>Pinks screaming, louder than any lighting could ever be.
>Fluttershy falls to Earth in front of you...
>...followed shortly by the trail of blood, left from her now empty right shoulder.
>You rush to her side, falling to your knees.
>The barely concious p0ny looks at you through her blackened eyes.
>"A...Anon...I'm...Sorry..."
>As she passes out, her heartbeat still goes on weakly.
>She's still alive.
>You wrap your trenchcoat around her, and pick her up.
>"Pinks, hospital, now!"
>The tearsoaked Pinkie follows behind you as you rush Flutters to safety.
>Another pegasus is not dying tonight.
>Not on the cold, unforgiving ground.
>And not in your arms.