Day 4, 05:59

“Pinkie please! Open up before it’s too…”

It stopped. It finally stopped as the time on Pinkie’s computer changed to read six o’clock. Pinkie let out a sigh, standing up and donning her gala dress as usual.

Another sleepless night, although I’m sure I’m not the only one haunted by Spitfire.

Pinkie brushed her hooves through her flat mane, she had no time for dwelling on the events of yesterday, if they were to escape they had to move forward, and Pinkie would carry them if need be.

Walking to the bedroom door, Pinkie unlatched it and entered the stooped hallway outside. She heard no noise of anypony else getting up; no doubt they didn’t have it in them. That was fine; Pinkie would give them a few hours. As she left the tower she thought briefly if she should have at least gone and found Maud. She decided against it however, despite how her sister appeared on the outside, Pinkie knew she handled tragedy just the same as every other pony.

Arriving at the deserted study, Pinkie took her usual seat in the armchair near the fireplace. She had some time before she was joined, she may as well spend it productively. Reclining back, Pinkie shut her eyes, and let her mind open.

We are lost. We are trapped. We are down two group members. To date we have no ideas regarding our whereabouts, however a number of us have professed to feeling a strong familiarity about this place. Our food situation is… actually I have no idea; I’ll have to discuss that with Applejack today, see if we need to do another search of the town. We need to make finding medicine a priority, it might be my imagination, but I seem to be getting less feedback from my leg while idle.

Pinkie scratched absent mindedly at her hoof, receiving a small twinge as she disturbed the areas where the bolts were screwed into.

If we had somepony who had some medical skills, I would suggests removing these devices altogether. As it stands however, I don’t feel confident that doing so would result in more good than harm. Besides, these things might need to be attached to us to function, I wouldn’t have a clue how these things worked, but there are obviously differences between these ones and the last ones we had.

Opening her eyes, Pinkie examined the casing of the computer. It was a lot more solid than the old ones, which were essentially just a screen strapped to the leg.

Why do these one’s need to be so much bigger?

Pinkie turned her leg over, frowning at a small indent on the underside of the computer. She prodded it with her hoof, but it had no effect.

Maybe if I lodge a narrow object in there…

Pinkie was interrupted from her hypothesising as the door to the study opened. She looked up to see Fleur glide in, looking fresh as a daisy.

“Sleep well?” Pinkie asked curiously.

“As well as one could in this castle,” Fleur replied, taking a seat opposite Pinkie.

“Funny you should say that,” Pinkie replied slowly. “Because it looks to me like you’re one of the few who is finding it easy to do so.”

“I hear them too if that’s what you’re wondering,” Fleur said, her voice switching tone slightly. “I’ve chosen not to let it get to me.”

“It’s that easy?” Pinkie asked sarcastically. “Just choose not to let your nightmares bother you.”

Fleur shrugged nonchalantly.

“Is that what you believe they are then?” Fleur asked. “Nightmares?”

“Sure,” Pinkie said, now sounding unsure. “What do you think they are?”

“Why, I have no idea,” Fleur replied honestly. “Ghosts? Memories? Fears given form? I don’t know what they are, but nor do I want to know. Better to leave those things where they belong… in the past.”

Pinkie glanced away, searching her mind for a different topic of conversation. In the end she settled for an equally morbid one.

“I imagine everypony else is taking this quite hard,” Pinkie said at last. “What happened yesterday with Spitfire I mean.”

“I suppose,” Fleur agreed, nodding gravely. “I suppose they could never have truly understood what was happening to them until they witnessed that execution. Now they know, and it terrifies them.”

“Even Soarin will be taking it hard I imagine,” Pinkie suggested.

“Yes, I am,” a voice said from the door.

Pinkie looked over, surprised to see Soarin standing there.

“But I’m not going to let it affect me,” Soarin said, walking over to the pair. “She ordered me to help get everypony to safety, and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

“I’m glad we can rely on you,” Pinkie said, placing a comforting hoof on his shoulder as he sat down. “I know it’s hard, but the others are going to be looking to us. We got out of this before; we need to be strong for them.”

“Yeah,” Soarin said with determination, before turning grim all of a sudden. “Rainbow’s not taking it well. I don’t know if she’s feeling betrayed or what, but last night she just wasn’t herself, not that I can blame her.”

“And this morning?” Pinkie asked.

“I don’t know,” Soarin admitted. “She stayed in her own room last night, and when I went to check on her this morning she said was fine and she just needed a few more hours.”

“We can give her that,” Pinkie said.

The trio sat in silence and let time tick by. Pinkie was beginning to feel agitated that in all their time spent waiting, only Octavia joined them. Pinkie finally stood up just as the study door opened once more, letting Applejack walk in.

“Howdy y’all,” she greeted wearily. “Ah thought there’d be more up than this.”

“We’ll give them a little longer,” Pinkie said, “but then we’re going to have to go drag them out.”

“Ah suppose, we’ve got a lot to do today no doubt,” Applejack said walking over to Pinkie.

“Ideally,” Pinkie replied. “We need to get some medicine in us, and you and I need to go check the food situation.”

“It seemed alright yesterday,” Applejack said, “but sure, we can go now if you want.”

“I do,” Pinkie said, leading the way from the room, Applejack close behind.

“How are yah holdin’ up?” Applejack asked as the pair walked.

“I’m fine,” Pinkie said simply.

“That’s it?” Applejack asked surprised, stopping dead in her tracks. “Two ponies are dead and you’re fine?!”

“How do you want me to feel?” Pinkie asked, turning to her friend. “Or rather, how do you expect me to feel?”

“Maybe show a little more emotion,” Applejack suggested. “This is kind of a mourning period.”

“I have a job to do,” Pinkie stated, “I can mourn when everypony else is safe.”

“That’s how you’re dealin’ with this? The Pinkie ah knew wouldn’t brush something like this off like it was nothing,” Applejack insisted.

“Well that Pinkie’s gone!”

Applejack stood frozen solid, Pinkie slapped a hoof to her mouth, shocked at how angry she had sounded as those words slipped out.

“I’m sorry Applejack,” Pinkie said quickly. “I don’t know why I said that…”

“No,” Applejack cut across, walking over to Pinkie. “Ah’m sorry. Ah knew something wasn’t right about what we were told, ah felt it in mah gut. But ah chose to trust the princesses, to trust you, to the point where ah was willin’ to let you suffer in silence. After yesterday… ah guess ah know what you’ve had to deal with these past months, and ah’m just sorry ah wasn’t there to help.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” Pinkie said quietly, falling against the wall. “Leaving Ponyville was my choice; I didn’t want you girls to have to share this burden.”

“Ah always wondered,” Applejack continued. “Ah’d be out workin’ the farm and ah’d wonder, is she coming back? Well? Were you ever gonna come home?”

“I don’t know,” Pinkie replied honestly, sliding down the wall and sitting on the floor. “There were days, better days, when I thought I could run back to Ponyville, run back to you girls and never leave again. But then I’d remember why I left… and then I’d stay.”

“You came to the gala though,” Applejack commented. “That must have been hard, but yah did it.”

“Yeah, I did,” Pinkie said giving a weak laugh. “And look where it got me. No, my family really pushed for me to go, I didn’t want to let them down.”

“Your sister,” Applejack began, smirking slightly. “She gave me such a hidin’ after I got you all panicky. I’d never known she could be such a talker, but I saw it then, just like we did when she rescued you from that falling rock, she really loves you.”

“The feelings mutual,” Pinkie said, accepting Applejack’s helping hoof pulling her back onto all fours. “We should really get moving.”

“Yeah,” Applejack replied, sounding slightly embarrassed. “Sorry I dragged all this up.”

“Don’t be,” Pinkie insisted. “You’re my best friend, you deserve the truth.”

As the pair continued towards the kitchen, Pinkie couldn’t help but feel guilt growing inside her.

The truth…

Day 4, 09:11

Pinkie was glad to see everypony gathered in the study when she and Applejack returned, doubly so when she saw Rainbow and Soarin snuggled closely on one of the sofas.

“Pinkie,” Maud said approaching. “There’s been a development.”

“What kind of development?” Pinkie asked curiously.

“The central chamber,” Maud answered. “The stairs have moved.”

Pinkie’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“When was this?” she asked excitedly.

“When I got up, it must have been at about eight,” Maud explained. “I heard some loud noises and went to investigate. I arrived just as they’d finished their shift.”

“That’s great Maud,” Pinkie praised, sounding much more upbeat than she’d felt entering the study.

“I had waited to tell you first,” Maud explained, glancing over to the others, some of which were watching them curiously.

“Alright, that isn’t a problem,” Pinkie replied, moving into the centre of the room. “Alright everypony, I know yesterday was difficult on you all, but we need to work together if we’re going to escape. We had a slip up but that won’t happen again. Now I’ve just been informed that the central room has been changed, so we’re going to investigate that after breakfast. On that note, Shining, can I speak with you?”

Shining Armour followed Pinkie to the edge of the study while the others either began filing out of talking with one another about these apparent changes Pinkie had mentioned.

“Is something wrong?” Shining asked.

“No, I just thought that since you’d played such a big role in getting the food together, that you should be kept up to date,” Pinkie explained. “Now we’re four days in, this is where we’d be running low, but thanks to the food your group brought in, we should stay strong for another nine days according to AJ.”

“That’s good,” Shining said, sounding pleased. “And you think we’ll be out before that?”

“I don’t know, I’ll need to see what’s going on in the central chamber first.”

“Alright, oh yeah,” Shining said suddenly, remembering something. “I was talking with Fluttershy there, and she has something she wants to discuss with you. She’d probably come to you on her own, but I thought I’d let you know.”

“Alright, I’ll go talk to her,” Pinkie assured him. “You should go get some food now.”

Shining nodded and departed from the room, leaving Pinkie alone. Walking over to her armchair she collapsed into it. Her conversation with Applejack had left her feeling totally drained. She was hungry, but she could take a few minutes to get her thoughts back together. And rest her eyes for a second…

Day 4, 09:53

Pinkie felt herself being shaken awake. Dreary and confused she looked around wildly as her vision returned to her, seeing Derpy leaning down in front of her.

“Oh Derpy, what time is it?” Pinkie asked, her voice weary.

“Almost ten,” Derpy answered. “The others decided to head on to the central chamber, they thought you were already there.”

“I only sat down for a second, I don’t even remember falling asleep,” Pinkie, said rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

“Have you not been able to sleep?” Derpy asked carefully.

“Not really,” Pinkie answered automatically.

“Me neither,” Derpy replied miserably. “Well I have a little, but not very much. But then nopony cares if I can’t function, but you’re our leader, you need your energy.”

“Derpy, I care whether you can function or not,” Pinkie told her. “You’re a part of this group. Now come on, we should go find the others.”

“Oh I brought you this,” Derpy said, producing an apple from her saddlebags. “I guess you haven’t eaten yet, you must be hungry.”

“I really am Derpy, thanks a bunch,” Pinkie said gratefully, accepting the apple and taking a big bite from it as the pair walked form the study.

“How are you doing?” Pinkie asked as they walked.

“After yesterday?” Derpy asked, Pinkie nodded. “I was sad, I still am but… I don’t know, I feel more focused now, more determined.”

“That’s good,” Pinkie said encouragingly. “You’re gonna need that determination to get out of here.”

“Yeah, I know,” Derpy replied forlornly.

The rest of the trip past quickly and in silence. Pinkie trotted the last length, Derpy running to keep up. As Pinkie arrived in the central chamber, she immediately saw what was different. While she couldn’t have told which staircases and bridges above them were different, the one on her level that had led to the armour was now pointed straight through the centre of the room, to one of the higher archways.

“So this is new,” Fleetfoot said, pointing out the obvious as she saw Pinkie and Derpy arrive.

“I don’t get it,” Rainbow said, “we didn’t do anything, did it decide to move on its own?”

“Perhaps it’s on a timer,” Octavia proposed. “After every three days it changes.”

“That seems impractical if you ask me, leaving that kind of thing up to the castle itself,” Rarity argued. “I think it far more likely it obeys the Mastermind.”

“You think the Mastermind did this,” Shining repeated. “I suppose that’s likely, but why now?”

“Maybe because we completed the first trial,” Pinkie proposed walking up to the staircase. “What ever the reason, we should see where it leads, could be helpful.”

“Maybe some of us should wait here,” Cheese said in an uncharacteristically nervous voice. “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket after all… especially when that basket is being held by a maniac.”

“The Mastermind wouldn’t kill us,” Pinkie assured him. “Even if we break rules I doubt he’d do more than gave us a slap on the wrist. Still, if you want to wait here I won’t stop you.”

Leading the way, Pinkie began walking up the steps. It was interesting that this could be the same staircase that originally led to the armoury, it was now much longer, and before it matched the curvature of the room, now it was straight. Glancing back, Pinkie saw Cheese trotting up the steps behind the rest of them, presumably not wanting to be left alone. Once at the top of the staircase, Pinkie stood at the precipice of an archway leading into a new corridor. This hall was very wide, with wooden benches lined up along either wall at regular intervals.

“Feels like a waiting room,” Rarity suggested, curiously.

Pinkie quickened her pace as she carried on towards the double doors at the end of the hall. There were two other corridors splitting off to either side, but she chose to ignore those for now. Pinkie’s heart rate quickened as she arrived in front of the doors, reaching out with her hoof to push them open. A rare smile broke out on her face as the doors opened and her suspicions were confirmed.

Pinkie stepped into a spacious room, floors, walls and ceilings were all clinically white and scrubbed to a point where bacteria would have been eradicated entering the room. There were half a dozen hospital beds on either side of the room, marked off with plastic curtains. There were several medical stations around the room covered in various equipment, and cabinets full of boxes and bottles.

“I take it; this is what you had in mind?” Maud asked, approaching Pinkie from behind.

Pinkie nodded, approaching a nearby cabinet and scanning its contents.

“An infirmary,” Soarin commented, entering the room and looking around. “Looks to be in way better condition than the rest of the castle.”

“Indeed,” Rarity said joining Pinkie at the cabinet, “almost like it was lifted from a different building entirely.”

“Well it’s like Pinkie said,” Fleur offered. “The Mastermind isn’t trying to kill us themselves, so if they’re going to provide us with medicine they would need to be kept in the right environment.”

“So what are we looking for?” Applejack asked, examining one of the folded up wheelchairs set against the wall.

“We need something to stop our legs getting infected,” Pinkie informed them. “Probably be best if we didn’t all crowd around in here. Some of you head out and search the other corridors, see where they lead.”

Pinkie turned a bottle around, reading the label.

Ketamine.

Day 4, 10:26

“Pinkie dear,” Rarity said, causing Pinkie to turn around. “I believe this should do the trick.”

Rarity held out a box to Pinkie which she accepted, reading the label out loud.

“Fluoroquinolones,” Pinkie read, confused. “What are they?”

“A very broad antibiotic,” Rarity answered. “Sweetie Belle was once prescribed them.”

“So, what? Capsules?” Pinkie asked opening the box up and pulling out a foil sheet.

“Yes, we should all take one a day,” Rarity clarified.

“Alright,” Pinkie said turning to the others. “We got what we need.”

Fluttershy and Octavia stopped their search and approached Pinkie and Rarity.

“How many boxes are there?” Pinkie asked Rarity.

“Oh a dozen or so,” Rarity answered, “I don’t think we’re at any shortage.”

“Well gather them all up,” Pinkie instructed. “We’re going to need to keep these somewhere safe, it won’t do for someone to switch them and poison us all.”

“Is that likely?” Fluttershy asked, her eyes wide.

“I hope not,” Pinkie said quickly, mentally kicking herself for suggesting that within earshot of Fluttershy.

Rarity returned, carrying all the boxes in her magical aura. Octavia produced a small safe box from one of the medical stations, offering it to Pinkie. Once all the medication was stored and locked inside, Pinkie led the way out of the infirmary.

“We should catch up with the others,” Pinkie stated. “We’ll take our first doses when we’re all together to be sure everypony gets it.”

The group started down the left corridor, hearing voices off in the distance.

“Fluttershy,” Pinkie began suddenly as they walked. “Shining mentioned you wanted to discuss something with me.”

“Huh? Oh yes,” Fluttershy said, remembering. “I was just thinking, if I could find some traces of what birds were kept in the aviary, I might be able to figure out where we are based on where they’re native to.”

“That’s a good idea,” Pinkie agreed, fishing out the aviary key and offering it to her. “Why don’t you go on over there and look into it?”

“Now?” Fluttershy asked, halting. “Go over there… on my own?”

“I’ll come with you dear,” Rarity assured her quickly, calming Fluttershy down immediately.

Fluttershy accepted the key off Pinkie, and her and Rarity departed, leaving Pinkie with Octavia, walking in silence down the corridor. When the hall came to an end, the floor began tilting up, traveling in a smooth spiral. Pinkie and Octavia began ascending the circular ramp, arriving at a heavy metal door that was sitting open.

Walking on in, the pair found themselves in a large, circular room. Around the edge of the room was mesh ramp, curving along the wall, spiralling up the tower until it reached a metal platform hanging over their heads, from which the voices could be heard. Pinkie approached the centre of the room along with Octavia, who was transfixed by the elegant structure there.

Pinkie had once seen a model of the solar system, Twilight had shown it to her once when she was trying to explain something about how the planet rotated around the sun. At the time Pinkie hadn’t been able to focus on what Twilight was saying, being too easily distracted by some trivial thing to pay attention. What she saw now was a massive reconstruction of the very same orrery Twilight had shown her in the library that day. Its delicate golden limbs and steadily rotating orbs all bleeding light throughout the room as they orbited the shining sun in the middle.

“So, this is the observatory,” Octavia stated, looking skywards to the platform. “No doubt the telescope is up there.”

Octavia made to walk away from the orrery, her sights set on the mesh ramp.

“Hold on a second Octavia,” Pinkie said suddenly, making Octavia freeze. “We need to talk.”

Octavia turned around and gave Pinkie a cool, level stare, not saying a word.

“You knew it was Spitfire,” Pinkie stated. “You found the feather, and you were there when Filthy Rich overheard them talking, weren’t you?”

“I was,” Octavia admitted. “I saw him leave the wash room several seconds after they left, muttering to himself.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?!” Pinkie demanded. “What possible reason could you have had for keeping that a secret during the investigation, let alone the trial?”

“I guess…” Octavia began slowly, “I wanted to see you in action, to see if what I’ve heard is true.”

Pinkie frowned, taken aback by Octavia’s reply.

“You were testing me?” Pinkie stated flatly. “So did I pass?”

Octavia just smirked and turned away from Pinkie, continuing on her way towards the ramp.

Enigmatic… Annoying… She might be a problem…

Pinkie sighed, following after Octavia. Traversing up the ramp, passing by a single open door in the wall which she bypassed, Pinkie arrived shortly after Octavia on the circular platform upon which a giant telescope was constructed. It wasn’t the simple device Pinkie had seen before, but a heavy, complicated looking machine. It was pointed at a rough forty five degree angle, directed towards the domed ceiling. At first glance Pinkie had thought the roof was made of glass, but after watching it for a few seconds, she noticed it rippling.

“So, what is there to report?” Pinkie asked the group that was gathered next to the telescope.

“Well this is the observatory, don’t expect to do much stargazing,” Fleetfoot said sarcastically, gesturing to the pitch black sky through the transparent ceiling.

“I gathered as much,” Pinkie stated impatiently.

“Well besides what you see here,” Soarin chipped in before Fleetfoot could retort, “there’s a door leading to the battlements about half way up that ramp.”

“Yeah I saw it,” Pinkie acknowledged.

“The others are all out there,” Maud pointed out. “Also that other corridor from the infirmary just led to more empty or locked rooms.”

“Right,” Pinkie said, noticing Octavia was examining the telescope itself. “I’m going to take a look on the battlements. Also we found some antibiotics which we’ll all need to start taking daily.”

Leaving the top floor of the observatory behind, Pinkie retraced her steps, arriving back at the open door. Stepping out she felt a light breeze hit her, looking around she saw Fleur and Shining examining one of the ballista’s, Applejack and Cheese surveying the area while Rainbow and Derpy flew around.

“Any luck Pinkie?” Fleur asked as Pinkie approached her and Shining.

“Yeah, Rarity found something,” Pinkie answered. “Find anything?”

“These are the same models used by the Equestrian military,” Shining explained, patting the ballista. “But they appear ancient; I doubt they’d fire anymore, not without a tune up first.”

“Well I don’t think we need to add that to our to-do list,” Pinkie said. “What about the battlements in general?”

“Well this is only one level,” Shining continued. “You can only get to this one from the observatory and another empty tower further down. The other levels can be reached from different towers and floors.”

Pinkie nodded, approaching the wall and peering down between the merlons. The suffocating darkness made it difficult to make out the ground from this height, but Pinkie could vaguely identify the gardens below her and the main courtyard if she strained her neck left. Pulling back from the edge Pinkie turned to the others, who had all gathered around the ballista.

“We should all head downstairs,” Pinkie suggested. “We’ll get some food and first dosage.”

Day 4, 14:20

Pinkie held the book up in front of her, comparing the image on the paper to that of the statue. Shaking her head she placed the book down on the chapel altar. She hadn’t been looking for information on the Pegasus iconography, but as she flicked through the textbook on magical rune, the picture had come up and she thought she might as well compare the two.

Maud walked up to the altar from the stone bench she sat at, comparing the lettering on the front cover to the book she was reading.

“I never realised there were so many different languages in magic,” Pinkie said, slamming yet another book shut.

“I suppose it is a complex field of study,” Maud admitted. “Lots of different disciplines, changes over time, cultural influences…”

“True, shame Trixie isn’t here with us,” Pinkie remarked, before catching herself on, “not that I’d want anypony to be here with us.”

“Somepony with magical knowledge would come in handy,” Maud agreed. “What are you expecting to be in this book?”

“No idea,” Pinkie admitted, “but it has to be something important, and it’s not like we’ve found much else.”

“We’ve had plenty of leads,” Maud argued.

“But they all went cold,” Pinkie pointed out. “Geography and mapping, nothing. Rocks and construction, nothing. Religious symbolism and current affairs, not a thing.”

“Maybe Fluttershy is having better luck with her new lead,” Maud proposed. “Why don’t I take over for a bit here while you go and check on her?”

“I suppose,” Pinkie agreed, closing another book over. “If this turns out to be a bust too, we’ll take these books outside and examine the courtroom runes.”

Maud nodded in acknowledgement as Pinkie left the chapel. Walking briskly down the corridor and up the staircase, Pinkie made her way to the open doors of the library. She noticed Octavia jotting down notes while repeatedly glancing up at the gyrating hour glass.

“You seem pretty interested in these big gizmos,” Pinkie noted, approaching Octavia.

“Of course, they’re fascinating,” Octavia stated. “More so, they’re quite advanced considering everything else in this castle.”

“Well the infirmary was pretty up to date,” Pinkie reminded her.

“Ah, but why was that?” Octavia asked mysteriously. “Fleur did say the Mastermind probably did it intentionally.”

“So you’re suggesting this and the observatory are also intentional?” Pinkie queried, unsure what Octavia was getting at.

“Something like that,” Octavia said, smirking slightly. “If I find out anything for definite, I’ll be sure to pass it along to you.”

“I’d appreciate it,” Pinkie said, leaving Octavia to whatever it was she was doing.

Navigating over to the area they had been studying in the other day, Pinkie saw Fluttershy with her nose buried in a more modern textbook.

“How’s it going?” Pinkie asked, taking the seat opposite Fluttershy.

“Well I couldn’t find any traces of animals,” Fluttershy admitted, setting the book down. “No feathers or droppings or anything like that, so instead I started looking into what type of birds would be kept in that sort of environment.”

“I would have thought that was something you’d already know,” Pinkie commented, glancing at the title of book Fluttershy had just been reading.

Natural Remedies and Medicinal Plants.

“I know about natural habitats and rural environments,” Fluttershy specified, “but keeping birds in castle towers… Also that book wasn’t anything to do with it, it was already sitting here when I got in and I decided to flick through it.”

“How come everything keeps turning up dry?” Pinkie questioned. “I mean, you never did find out anything about the Pegasus statues in the chapel did you?”

“No,” Fluttershy said quickly, a little too quickly.

“Right,” Pinkie said slowly, deciding to change the topic and address that later. “Well maybe you should take a break here if you’re not getting anywhere.”

“Well what else should I do?” Fluttershy asked, sounding slightly hopeless.

Pinkie thought about it for a minute, while the remaining Wonderbolts had been tasked with being the groups’ eyes and ears throughout the castle, she had kept Fluttershy and Derpy on research duty, aware they weren’t quite as physically able as the others. Still, as she had said to Maud, without any solid leads on what to research, she was basically wasting horse power. Then a light bulb blinked into life above Pinkie’s head.

“Of course, I have the perfect task for you,” Pinkie said suddenly.

“Really?” Fluttershy answered, sounding hopeful.

“At the manor, we had a couple mishaps involving drugs taken from the labs,” Pinkie explained. “So we ended up assigning Nurse Redheart to take inventory of all our medical supplies to make sure none of it was going missing.”

“So you want me to keep stock of the infirmary?” Fluttershy asked, pondering the idea.

“It’s an important job, but I think you’d be perfect at it,” Pinkie gushed. “And while I know you’re not trained in medicine, you know a lot more about it than most of us.”

Fluttershy smiled, clearly liking the idea. Pinkie didn’t doubt for a second that it was due to the infirmary feeling like a different place altogether, a much safer place.

“Of course Pinkie,” Fluttershy assured her. “You can count on me.”

“That’a girl,” Pinkie praised as the pair left the library together. “If you need a hand with anything just find me or Rarity.”

“I will,” Fluttershy said, hurrying on ahead.

Feeling quite pleased with that decision, Pinkie returned to the library in time to see Maud leaving, her saddlebags packed to bursting point with the various books they had taken in with them.

“Shall we head outside now?” she asked as Pinkie approached her.

“Yeah,” Pinkie agreed, taking a few of the books from Maud to lighten her load.

Day 4, 18:03

“Maybe familiar is the wrong word,” Rainbow said, backtracking slightly. “What I’m saying is that, it feels like… ah forget I said anything.”

“I’ve been hearing a lot of that lately,” Pinkie commented as the pair walked towards the banquet hall.

“Really, have you…” Rainbow began, but stopped as the pair arrived outside the banquet hall doors and heard the shouting within.

“Wow, that’s an academy record,” Rainbow said, chuckling to herself, before adding upon seeing Pinkie’s confused expression, “uh, inside joke.”

Pinkie braced herself and marched through the doors in the room. Fleetfoot was standing up, her hooves planted firmly on the table in front of her; opposite her was Rarity who was clutching the lock box that was housing the antibiotics.

“Dare I ask,” Pinkie began loudly, “what’s going on?”

“Just the usual,” Rarity began coldly, “Fleetfoot is being a mule.”

“Dammit I hate this group!” Fleetfoot bellowed. “I just said I didn’t think a single pony should be in charge of the medicine we’re all taking, and suddenly everypony’s at my throat!”

“That decision isn’t for you to make,” Rarity retorted.

“Yeah, now lay off Rarity,” Applejack shot at Fleetfoot.

“Actually,” Pinkie cut across, “I agree with Fleetfoot.”

Everypony looked at Pinkie in surprise, including Fleetfoot.

“You do?” Rarity asked, her cheeks turning pink.

“It makes sense to feel nervous accepting medicine in these circumstances,” Pinkie continued, “particularly when that medicine is being kept by a single pony who could quite easily sabotage it.”

“But I would never…” Rarity began, sounding horrified.

“I’m not saying you would Rarity,” Pinkie said quickly. “I’m just saying that Fleetfoot isn’t wrong to be bringing up this concern.”

“Uh, yeah, that’s what I’ve been trying to say,” Fleetfoot said awkwardly.

“What we need is to keep the key and the box separate,” Pinkie said. “Rarity can watch over the box, while I keep a hold of the key. One’s useless without the other. Anyone object to that?”

Nopony did, a few spoke words of agreement. So after a little passing about, Pinkie stored the lock box key into her saddlebag along with the only other key remaining now that that Fluttershy had the aviary key. With yet another drama averted, Pinkie settled down in her own seat where Applejack offered her a bowl of soup.

“Hey Pinkie,” Cheese greeted, sliding up next to Pinkie.

“Hi Cheese,” Pinkie replied neutrally as she ate.

“I was just thinking Pinkie, after that little outburst there,” Cheese began, “everypony is a little on edge. So what if we threw together a small party to lift everypony’s spirits?”

“I really don’t think that’s a good idea,” Pinkie said, hoping he’d drop it at that.

“Oh come on Pinkie,” Cheese insisted to Pinkie’s annoyance. “I thought you loved parties. Heck, you’re the one who inspired me to become a party pony. Your cutie mark is dedicated to throwing parties.”

“Well Cheese,” Pinkie replied with a sigh. “There is a time and a place for parties, a different time, a different place.”

“Oh, well if you change your mind, let me know,” Cheese said, sounding disappointed.

Pinkie nodded, just wanting to get back to her dinner. Cheese shifted from the seat next to Pinkie, which was swiftly filled by Fleur.

“I noticed you outside,” Fleur began, “what were you doing?”

“We were trying to decipher the runes in the courtyard,” Pinkie explained.

“Any luck?” Fleur asked curiously.

“Yes actually,” Pinkie said happily. “They’re a lot less complicated than the ones in the chapel. A ton of different spells for raising the banisters and keeping ponies in the circle, as well as some stunting the use of magic and flight during an execution. Maud made some more detailed notes on them if you’re interested.”

“I suppose I could look into them,” Fleur said thoughtfully. “And these finding weren’t applicable to that book then?”

“No, I compared them before coming here,” Pinkie admitted. “They use a different alphabet entirely.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ll figure it out soon enough,” Fleur assured her before taking her leave.

Day 4, 20:44

Pinkie sat on a bench in the wash room, towelling her wet mane. Today had been productive, Pinkie felt confident that by tomorrow she could make great headway in translating the book. It seemed stupid that she was putting all her money on the contents of that one book, but she didn’t have much else to go by. An offhand comment earlier at dinner by Shining had reminded her of the pictures currently sitting in her bedroom, perhaps the answers lay in the town somewhere, she had after all woken up there.

Pinkie rubbed more furiously with the towel as she thought that, while in the courtyard with Maud she had slipped away, claiming she needed a break. She returned to that place with the crates and barrels, to where the door no longer was.

Pinkie was dragged back to the present by the sound of somepony entering the washroom. Looking up, she saw Fleetfoot standing in the doorway.

“Oh, hey Pinkie,” Fleetfoot said casually, walking over to one of the shower booths.

Pinkie nodded to her, throwing the towel down and gathering her things. She slung them over her back and began heading for the door, but stopped when Fleetfoot called out.

“Pinkie,” she said.

Pinkie turned, expecting another tantrum.

“Why did you agree with me earlier?” Fleetfoot asked in an odd tone, taking off her purple sunglasses.

“Why? Because you were right,” Pinkie stated simply. “I’m not here to be your enemy Fleetfoot; we’re on the same side.”

“Oh…” Fleetfoot muttered, sounding distant. “Well, thanks anyway.”

With that, she quickly entered the shower and turned on the water, effectively putting an end to any possible conversation. Pinkie smirked as she left the washroom, heading towards the entrance hall. Once there she passed Derpy on the main staircase who was scribbling notes into a textbook she had taken from the library.

“Hey Pinkie,” Derpy greeted. “I heard you and Cheese were planning a party.”

“What?” Pinkie asked, confused. “You must have misheard Derpy; I told him we wouldn’t have a party.”

“Oh,” Derpy said, sounding slightly disappointed before immediately brightening up again. “Well, goodnight Pinkie.”

Derpy left, humming cheerfully to herself while still jotting down her crooked scribbles. Pinkie just shook her head slightly and kept walking.

Day 5, 07:48

Pinkie opened her bedroom door, adjusting the straps on her saddlebags as she walked out. As she did she walked straight into Fluttershy who was past with her head hung.

“Oh, sorry Fluttershy,” Pinkie said, helping her up and brushing herself off. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

“That’s okay,” Fluttershy said quickly, not meeting Pinkie’s eye. “Excuse me; I’m going to go take inventory in the infirmary.”

“It’s a bit early,” Pinkie called after her. “Shouldn’t you get something to eat first?”

Fluttershy had already swept out of sight before Pinkie had finished speaking, leaving her alone and confused. She thought on Fluttershy’s behaviour as she continued towards the study, her own night had been more peaceful than the previous night. Mostly murmuring and at one point she saw stark white lightning strike outside, cutting the black sky in two. She had persevered through it however, although that didn’t necessarily mean Fluttershy had managed quite so well.

She probably just had a rough night, I’ll check up on her in a bit and see how’s she’s doing.

Reaching the study Pinkie found Fleur and Octavia sitting and reading respectively, Rainbow and Soarin talking quietly in a corner, and Rarity sitting on her own looking feeble.

“Are you alright Rarity?” Pinkie asked, taking the seat next to her.

“Oh, good morning Pinkie,” Rarity said wearily. “Assuming of course it really is morning.”

“Rough night?” Pinkie asked.

“I just can’t make them stop,” Rarity moaned into her forehooves. “I’ve barely had a minutes sleep since we got here.”

“Well go back to bed,” Pinkie suggested. “You aren’t obligated to get up this early every morning.”

“But we have to be available if you need us for something,” Rarity insisted.

“Rarity, you look like you’re going to collapse at a moment’s notice,” Pinkie pointed out. “I know you mean well, but you’ll be more use to everypony after you’ve had some rest.”

“Alright, If that’s what you think is best Pinkie,” Rarity said, reaching into her bag and taking out the lock box. “Here, I’ll give you todays doses and you can hand them out.”

Pinkie agreed, taking one of the foil sheets from Rarity, giving her one of the red and yellow ended capsules before she left. As Rarity exited the study, Derpy and Maud entered together. Pinkie sat back as Maud walked over and plopped down next to her.

“How did you sleep?” she asked casually.

“Better,” Pinkie replied simply. “You?”

“Fine.”

“Alright.”

The two at in silence for a second before smirking at one another.

“We haven’t had a conversation that boring since we were fillies,” Maud commented. “So, what are we doing today?”

“Well I need to go check on Fluttershy at some point,” Pinkie said, “other than that, just more of what we were doing yesterday.”

Maud nodded as Applejack entered the room carrying a tray of sandwiches.

“Where’s the rest?” she asked, setting the tray down on the coffee table in front of Pinkie.

“Fluttershy wasn’t hungry,” Pinkie said, unsure whether that was the truth or not. “I haven’t seen Fleetfoot, Cheese or Shining yet, and Rarity went back to bed for a few hours.”

“Ah did tell her she needed more sleep,” Applejack stated, rolling her eyes. “Ah assume it was you who talked some sense into her.”

Pinkie nodded, taking a sandwich off the tray as the others converged in.

“Do you need us to do anything specific today?” Rainbow asked, sitting opposite Pinkie.

“Not at the moment, just keep an eye on everything,” Pinkie instructed. “Be on the lookout for anything suspicious… or anypony.”

Day 5, 11:26

Pinkie trotted up the staircase in the central chamber, her eyes fixed on the infirmary door ahead of her. Once Rarity had returned, looking considerably more refreshed, Pinkie had asked her to sit in for her for a while she went to check in on Fluttershy. So she left Rarity, Maud, Fleur, Cheese and Derpy to their research while she set off. As she ascended the last few steps and entered the waiting room, as they had taken to calling it, she saw Applejack heading in her direction.

“There yah are sugar,” Applejack said, clearly relieved at finding Pinkie. “Ah was just about to come find yah.”

“Is something wrong?” Pinkie asked, stopping in front of Applejack.

“Maybe, it’s Shining Armour,” Applejack explained. “He’s up at that telescope bein’… really weird.”

“I’ll go see him and figure out what’s up,” Pinkie assured her, frowning slightly.

Applejack nodded and continued past Pinkie down the staircase she had just come from. Leaving the infirmary and Fluttershy for a moment, Pinkie turned left down the corridor to the observatory, ascending the spiral ramp and passing through the still open door. Once inside she found Octavia sitting beside the orrery, her notes now spread out over several sheets of paper.

“Applejack said Shining Armour was here,” Pinkie said, announcing herself. “Said there was something wrong.”

“He’s up there,” Octavia said, pointing up to the metal platform overhead. “And no, I don’t know what’s wrong with him, but I think you should get up there quick.”

That was all the encouragement Pinkie needed as she sped off up the mesh ramp to the telescope platform. Once she arrived at the summit, she found Shining Armour sitting lazily in the telescope seat, peering through the lens but looking as if he wasn’t really seeing anything.

“Shining,” Pinkie said slowly, edging closer to the stallion.

“Canterlot had an observatory,” Shining said randomly, his voice distant. “It looked a lot like this. Twilight loved it.”

Pinkie froze, a sudden idea of what was wrong developing.

“Any time I was on night guard duty,” Shining continued, “and we were alerted to an unauthorised entry in the castle, we knew it was Twilight sneaking into the library or the observatory. The princess ended up giving her her own private tower so she wouldn’t keep sneaking out at night.”

“She was always a bit of a night owl,” Pinkie said warily.

“Tell me about it,” Shining said, chuckling slightly, before his voice turned dark. “But then I got the news…”

Pinkie continued edging towards the telescope.

“I travelled straight to Canterlot, demanded to know what happened,” Shining continued. “And they fed that horseshit about her experiment going wrong and killing ten other ponies along with herself. My own wife looked me in the eye and told me that lie.”

Pinkie tensed up.

“I knew they were lying, I knew she was lying,” Shining said bitterly. “I begged them, I threatened them, and still they wouldn’t tell me the truth. As time passed, I drank, I shouted at Cadance, and still she wouldn’t tell me how my sister had really died.”

“They didn’t mean any malice by it,” Pinkie said slowly.

“How did you say she died again?” Shining asked suddenly, his voice cold. “Poison wasn’t it?”

“Yes,” Pinkie said firmly. “Doughnut Joe stabbed and poisoned her.”

“It’s funny,” Shining began, his voice sounding slightly delirious, “when you say that, you sound exactly like she did when she lied to me.”

Pinkie’s eyes flickered to the ramp, suddenly regretting how close she had moved towards Shining Armour.

“Even now, after everything, that still doesn’t sound quite true to me…” Pinkie tensed, ready to run if Shining made any sudden moves, but then his body slumped, his voice weakening. “I just want Cadance back.”

Then Shining slid off the seat into an unconscious heap on the floor. Pinkie rushed over, bewildered at what had just happened. He was clearly alive, breathing fine and Pinkie could feel his pulse.

“Octavia!” Pinkie shouted down the ramp.

“Yes?” Octavia shouted back.

“Shining passed out, we need to get him to the infirmary,” Pinkie explained, poking her head over the edge of the platform so she could see Octavia below.

“I’ll go get some extra muscle,” Octavia assured her before abandoning her notes and walking swiftly from the room.

Returning to Shining Armour, Pinkie examined him closer. His breath smelt awful. Turning him onto his side, Pinkie noticed a familiar stain on his formal jacket.

Oh lord…

Day 5, 12:18

Fleetfoot and Soarin lay shining down on the infirmary bed, stepping back exhausted.

“I don’t understand, what happened to him?” Fluttershy asked worriedly, leaning over Shining and checking his vitals.

“He’s drunk,” Pinkie explained, unamused. “He has a red wine stain on his jacket; it would also explain his inane ramblings.”

“I didn’t even know we had alcohol,” Fleetfoot said, looking to the others who all looked just as surprised as her.

“Maybe Applejack has cooking alcohol or something,” Pinkie proposed. “If so we’ll need to get rid of it.”

“You won’t hear any arguments from me,” Soarin said, probably remembering the red wine incident with Braeburn and Blueblood.

“Or me, I don’t drink,” Fleetfoot added.

“It’s probably for the best,” Fluttershy agreed.

They all turned to Rainbow Dash.

“Well I suppose now isn’t the time for drinking anyway,” she grumbled.

“Alright, well I’ll go find Applejack,” Pinkie said. “Fluttershy, can you watch over him?”

“Of course,” Fluttershy replied.

“And can at least one of you stick around?” Pinkie asked the three Wonderbolts. “In case he’s still aggressive when he wakes up.”

“Sure thing,” Rainbow assured her as Pinkie left the infirmary.

“Is he going to be all right?” Octavia asked, still in the waiting room as Pinkie exited.

“Yeah, he’ll be fine,” Pinkie stated. “Thanks for helping; you can get back to whatever you were doing.”

Octavia nodded, returning in the direction of the observatory.

Day 5, 12:39

“Well ah don’t know what to tell you Pinkie,” Applejack insisted, “but there isn’t a drop of alcohol in this kitchen.”

“Have you seen any anywhere else?” Pinkie asked.

“Can’t say that ah have,” Applejack informed her. “But didn’t the others say we had cellar?”

“Yeah, but it’s locked,” Pinkie reminded her.

“Maybe we ought to check that out,” Applejack said sternly. “Make sure it is indeed locked.”

Pinkie nodded and the pair left the kitchen, venturing down the hallway past the store room to the next door along. The door to the cellar was wooden, but had a square barred window in the centre, allowing Pinkie to see the steps leading down into the dark. Looking over to Applejack once, Pinkie reached out and pushed against the door, which swung open obediently.

After sharing another surprised glance, the pair looked into the now open stairwell.

“We’ll need a light,” Pinkie said.

Applejack nodded, removing a torch from a nearby bracket and holding it in her mouth.

“Have you wondered how those things never go out?” Pinkie asked as they walked down the steps.

“Magic?” Applejack said through the torch in her mouth, giving a little shrug.

As they arrived at the bottom of the steps, they entered a low ceilinged, fairly spacious chamber. Walking around they found the room filled with barrels of various sizes, and the walls lined with shelves, filled with dusty bottles.

“Over here Pinkie,” Applejack called over to Pinkie in a muffled voice.

Pinkie left the shelf she was examining and crossed to a rickety wooden table, upon which two open wine bottles sat alongside an extinguished candle.

“We’re going to have interrogated Shining Armour when he wakes up,” Pinkie said. “We need to know how he got down here.”

Applejack nodded and made to walk away, but stopped suddenly, bending down and looking at the table surface. Pinkie leaned in, trying to see what Applejack had noticed. Her friends leaned back, allowing the light of her torch to shine over the table. While the table appeared old and moulded, Pinkie could easily discern various multi-coloured scribbles over it.

Day 5, 16:55

Pinkie stood between Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, glaring at Shining Armour as he threw up into a bucket next to the bed.

“Alright Shining, what the hell?!” Pinkie demanded when he looked back up at them. “I was really counting on you to keep a steady head throughout this, then you go and get pissed!”

“I’m sorry,” Shining muttered. “I don’t even remember it happening.”

“How did you get into the cellar in the first place?” Pinkie asked.

“I found a key,” Shining explained. “The other corridor outside here, there was a deserted bedroom; I found the key in the desk.”

“Why didn’t you tell us about this?” Rainbow asked, sounding annoyed.

“I wanted to try and find where it went on my own,” Shining said, “so I’d have something more to show than a random key.”

“And where is it now?” Pinkie asked.

“In my saddlebags I think.”

“Um, I checked in there, I didn’t see any key,” Fluttershy explained.

“Well we need to find it,” Pinkie said impatiently. “We have to get that cellar locked up so nopony else makes a mule of themselves.”

“Was I really that bad?” Shining asked, looking deeply ashamed.

Pinkie didn’t respond, instead turning to Rainbow.

“Can you search the observatory?” She requested. “In case he dropped it.”

“Will do,” Rainbow said, hurrying off.

“Fluttershy, can you take care of him?” Pinkie asked, turning to the other Pegasus. “Just make sure he’s fit to get back to his room before ten, I can’t be sure he’ll be safe here over night.”

“I will,” Fluttershy assured her.

Finally Pinkie turned back to Shining Armour.

“Do you remember anything before you passed out?” she asked, keeping her voice even so as not to give away her concern.

“No, not a thing,” Shining insisted.

“Good,” Pinkie stated, turning to leave the room.

Day 6, 11:42

Pinkie walked through the entrance hall, beneath the portcullis, and out into the courtyard. She stopped just short of the courtroom engravings, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. She hadn’t seen Fluttershy all morning. It wasn’t until she had retired the night before that she remembered she neglected to check up on how she was doing after their awkward encounter yesterday morning. Again, Fluttershy hadn’t been at breakfast this morning, but then hardly anypony had been, only Maud, Applejack, Fleur and herself.

Hearing voices approaching, Pinkie turned to see Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Soarin leaving the entrance hall and walking in her direction.

“I never got to ask you last night,” Pinkie said as Rainbow got close. “Was there any luck with that key?”

“No, we had to call it quits after a few hours,” Rainbow admitted, looking apologetic.

“Don’t feel bad, you’re not the one who lost it,” Pinkie reminded her.

“We checked in on Shining this morning,” Soarin informed her. “He’s fine, just looking miserable.”

“He’ll get over it,” Pinkie commented. “Where was everypony else this morning?”

“Lying in, looks like,” Applejack said. “Most of them arrived to breakfast just there now as we were leavin’, though they were nice enough to cause a bit of a mess in the kitchen which ah hope they tidied up.”

“Alright, if that key doesn’t turn up by the end of the day, we’ll have to barricade the cellar like we did with the armoury,” Pinkie explained.

“Sure thing,” Soarin replied. “You don’t mind if we take a break for a bit though?”

“Of course not, work away,” Pinkie insisted, surprised they even had to ask.

They said farewell and the three of them left towards the gardens, talking amiably. Once they were out of sight Pinkie walked over to the statue of Cadance. She thought back to what Shining had said yesterday in the observatory, and what she had witnessed at the Gala.

He’s probably feeling a lot of regret for how he’s behaved towards her…

Leaving the statue of Cadance, Pinkie walked around the others, looking up the almost serene forms of Celestia and Luna. Then she approached the statue of Discord, looking up to see that smug look of his… only it wasn’t there. Instead of the self-satisfied expression she had seen on his face only a few days before, she now saw a look of turmoil and deep sadness.

Pinkie blinked, sure she was imagining it. The body remained in the same extrovert pose, but the face had definitely changed to one of sorrow.

How…

But Pinkie didn’t have any more time to ponder this change, as her thoughts were interrupted by an echoing voice.

“Attention everypony!” the Mastermind announced. “Another body has just been discovered. Directions have been sent to your computers. Your time for investigating begins now, and a trial will be called in due course.”

Pinkie stared wide eyed at the castle before hurriedly flicking to the map on her hoof computer. Her map had now become rather expansive after the addition of the infirmary, observatory and battlements, but Pinkie could clearly see the blinking trail from where she stood leading to…

The gardens? That’s where the others just went…

Not wasting a second, Pinkie galloped away from the statues, passing through the ivy covered gate into the scenic gardens. After running at top speed for a less than a minute, she saw Applejack, Soarin and Rainbow Dash gathered not far ahead. They looked up at her as she closed the distance, their faces pale. As she got close she could make out the bloody, pulverised mess of a body splattered all over the patio. However even amidst all the blood and gore, she could make out the multi-coloured tuxedo.

Author's Notes:

Here's another fun idea for a game to play while reading this story, take a drink every time a characters eyes widen. I promise you won't live to see the ending.