My Little Pony: Scribe of Ponyville

by CrypticMetaphor

Chapters

• Episode 1: Scribe Scrolls PT: 1
• Episode 2: Scribe Scrolls PT: 2
• Episode 3: Driving Ponies Bats
• Episode 4: Family Ties

Episode 1: Scribe Scrolls PT: 1

Equestria, ask anypony and they will always say it’s a land of magic, wonder, and friendship.  Now ask anypony about Canterda and they will have much to say about it.  A couple of ponies will say that they don’t have the traditional seasons in a joking sense, “Cold, Wet, Wetter, and Scorching hot.”  Others will say they survive on a diet of pasta with grated cheese on it along with syrup being their main export.  Some also say they live in igloos and say eh at the end of each sentence, all these things are popular and funny misconceptions.  One thing is for sure however, nopony knows why but the seasons come naturally in the northern land.  Visitors from out of town always find it a thing of wonder, Canterda was known to be presided over by a Prime Minister, the combination of a mayor and royal, along with a council of ponies who were all elected as a whole who still answer under the Equestrian Monarchy.

In this land held many ponies of all races and ages who prospered and loved their glorious land, however not all of them were as social and outgoing as others.  Cryptic Scribe always liked to go out and pretty much ease his boredom with whatever he could think of, until he discovered his special talent for fabricating literature.  Ever since then he rarely appears on the streets or in town.  Many ponies know him as the eccentric writer who lives alone and only comes into town to get supplies and food.  When he does appear he talks to some ponies but doesn’t stay long in one place because as he always says, “The night (Day) is young and there is work to be done.”

Scribe was pretty content with his existence at present and saw no reason to change it, until one day that somepony saw many.  Scribe was going about his usual morning routine of eating toast and drinking some milk.  He sighed as he put on his glasses and buttoned up his dark grey vest; he adjusted the collar of his shirt and stared at his cutie mark that depicted a fountain pen drawing a line.  He smiled as he walked out of his kitchen and into his room which presently had a double bed and a writing desk with a device of Canterda innovation, a type writer.  Type writers were fairly unique in Equestria but not uncommon, if anypony had the bits they could get one.  The only reason Scribe had one was because his father had gotten it for him as a housewarming present via his old job as a philosopher.  Scribe sat at the machine, the light shined on its black metallic surface and amber colored keys giving the writer a familiar feeling.

He sat in silence for several minutes until he smacked his head into his desk, “I can’t think of anything.”

Scribe sighed as he glanced around his room with a bored expression until his eyes came upon something.  Fixed on his wall was a portrait depicting a young Scribe with a grey Pegasus with a grey coat and no mane with a grey streaked dark brown tail.  The other was a unicorn mare that was as white as snow with a straight light brown mane with a matching wispy looking tail.

Scribe smiled at the picture, “Well like dad always said, “He who seizes the day shall soon find inspiration.”

As Scribe walked to the door he stopped and reflected on the saying, “At least I think that’s what he said.”

Scribe then pushed open his door and walked onto the snow covered cobble stone street and exhaled.  Frosty breath rose into the air as he turned back inside and walked out with a black hooded coat.  He then trudged down the road with his hood up as the occasional pony cast a sideways glance at him.  Scribe said hi to some of the onlookers whom responded in earnest as he continued his walk in relative silence.  His pace slowed as his goal came into his site.  A two floor bookstore made of polished black wood and a rust red singled roof was all Scribe needed in terms of a hobby, well that and his type writer.

Scribe opened the door as a unicorn stallion with a chocolate coloured coat and wearing large reading glasses looked up from the counter and smiled at his most valued customer, “Heya Scribe, what brings you here?”

Scribe scanned the shelves in the front room, “Hey Printing Press, just looking for a good read,” he then tapped his head with his hoof, “Wells dried up.”

Printing Press nodded with a knowing look, “Writers blocks brutal stuff.”

Scribe sighed as he stared at the roof, “Tell me about it.”

Printing Press then proceeded to hop on a wheeled ladder and drove it through the aisles as Scribe followed him at a decent hovering pace, “Anything in particular you’re searching for Scribe?”

Scribe tapped his chin, “Surprise me with something good.”

Printing Press produced a hardcover book of two whit hooves clutching a green apple with the title “Dusk” in spidery letters, “What about this.”

Scribe slowly pushed it away, “I said “SOMETHING GOOD.”

Printing Press nodded, “How about Harry Trotter?”

Scribe waved it off, “I finished that a loooooong time ago.”

Printing Press narrowed his eyes as he tapped his chin in thought as he then began to whir through the shelves.  For a good hour he and Cryptic Scribe searched the shelves, Printing Press even though he managed the shop was never around when it was stocked so he was searching blind.  Scribe wandered into the back of the shop and came across some old books that looked like they hadn’t been touched in years.  But his eyes fell upon one that caught his eye; it was bound in shiny black leather with gold metal corners.  It was as thick as an encyclopedia and scrawled on its spine in spidery gold hoofwriting was the word “Grimorium”.

Scribe pulled the book off the shelf and inspected the cover; it was completely blank except for the fact it depicted a golden serpent biting its tail in the center, “Hey what’s this?”

Printing Press rounded the corner and levitated the book with wide eyes and a lighthearted smile, “Ooooh, you picked a good one.”

Scribe followed the unicorn to the front as he stared at the unknown tome, “You’ve read it before?”

Printing Press nodded, “Only once and it was on my break.”

Scribe raised an eyebrow as it was set on the counter, “What’s it about?”

Printing Press leaned forward with his hoof on the cover, “It doesn’t really have a consistent plot it’s more of an anthology of dark fairy tales.”

Scribe was very intrigued now, “Really?”

Printing Press nodded, “Yeah, but all these stories either concern, feature or briefly mention a creature that is known as The Bracken.”

Scribe looked at the cover, “The Bracken?”

Printing Press nodded, “There’s actually a legend that goes with this book.  The legend goes that if you read aloud the last sentence as to signify that you finished the book, The Bracken will escape from the folds and Ink to terrorize all who incur its wrath.”

Scribe looked at Printing Press with a skeptical look, “And all of them are supposed to do this?”

Printing Press smiled evilly as he turned on a flash light beneath his chin, “Nope, this is the only one of its kind.  You have officially bought the one and only copy.”

Scribe stared unimpressed at the display, “I am not hearing a price here.”

Printing Press pouted, “Your no fun. Sixty bits please.”

Scribe produced the money as he stowed the book in his bag, “Thanks dude!”

Printing Press yelled after the excited Pegasus, “Anything for my favorite customer.”

*

Scribe was all smiles as he trotted home.  He couldn’t wait to crack open the book and read it, Scribe was not one for legends but he was slightly superstitious and made a mental not to read the last sentence.  As he walked he looked to the side for a second to check if his saddle bags were secure, only for him to plow into somepony.

Scribe then dropped like a stone as he looked up and gawked, “Uh…”

Princess Celestia stared down with a concerned smile, “Are you alright?”

Scribe stood up and quickly bowed, “Yeah…sorry I wasn’t looking where I was going.”

Princess Celestia continued her kind smile, “It’s no trouble, and I can see you were concerned for your purchase.  Reading is a good hobby to always have in your spare time.”

Scribe looked confused at her, “You read?”

Celestia nodded as she waved a hoof, “From time to time.”

Scribe nodded, “Okay, what brings you to Canterda your highness?  You can’t be here for our tropical climate.”

Princess Celestia chuckled, “I am afraid not, I am merely here to see my subjects to the north and to visit and discuss some matters with the prime minister.”

Scribe looked to the side impatience growing within him, “Yeah, listen I would love to stay and chat but I have…stuff…so…bye,” Scribe then spread his wings and flew off.

Princess Celestia tilted her head slightly, “We shall meet again soon Cryptic Scribe.”

*

Cryptic Scribe sat in his chair as he flicked on his lamp and opened the Grimorium.  He flipped through the pages and saw there were many stories within that had a very uniquely drawn cover image in ink.  Scribe nodded as he continued his flipping only to stop on the last tale entitled, “Shadows of Light.”

Scribe saw the cover image depicted an Alicorn that seemed to be made out of a form of diamond fighting a creature shrouded in complete darkness.  Scribe opened the passage and began reading.  The story itself depicted a land of darkness and despair being lit up by the light of hope from a pony made of diamond.

Azeri, a pony whose coat shimmered and shined like the sun which was as flawless and pale as the diamond it mirrored.  Her eyes glowed like liquid sapphire across the dark as her gaze cut through the night and made it day.  For a time the world she stood upon was peaceful and prosperous as the darkness was pushed back and banished from sight.  But this was for naught; for you see the darkness itself did not wish to be cast aside so easily.  

A few years passed by as the darkness plotted its insurrection against Azeri.  A creature that could be considered its champion rose from the netherworld and was put to work.  The creature was known as The Bracken, a being with fiery pits for eyes and skin that reflected the darkest and most gnarled of wood.  The creature attacked Azeri with such ferocity and darkness that it plunged the world into a total blackout that only allowed the celestial ponies natural light to shine through.  

The Bracken would not be deterred; it continued to push until Azeri was forced to take drastic action.  Using the power of the sun itself she channeled it’s light through herself and drove it-

A sharp knock on Scribes door interrupted his reading causing him to put down his book in slight annoyance.  He then glanced at the clock and noticed four hours had passed since he started reading his book.  He walked to the door and opened it to reveal Princess Celestia.

Scribe bowed quickly, “Hello Princess,” he then got really confused, “What brings you here?”

Princess Celestia smiled slightly, “Well you see this is more of a personal matter.”

Scribes eyes lit up, “Oh my gosh! You want me to write your autobiography! I knew you being here couldn’t be just for the stuff you mentioned; on the other hoof I wouldn’t know what exactly to write the biography on in terms of paper.  Would you want hard cover or paperback and do you want it hoofwritten or simply wrote or-“

The Princess raised a hoof to stop the excited Pegasus, “I am flattered that you suggested it, but I have no need for that JUST yet. “

Scribe looked at her confused even more, “Then what is it?”

The princess thought for a second before continuing, “Well you see, I as a ruler must always watch out for my little ponies and hope to see them all happy and prosperous.  However, I have noticed you yourself have been a recluse in terms of pony society here in Canterda.”

Scribe was taken aback, “I am not a recluse, and I have interacted PLENTY of times with the citizens here.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow, “The longest conversation you had with another pony was the mail mare.  That interaction lasted a full 4 minutes.”

Scribe nodded, “One of my personal bests I might add.”

Princess Celestia shook her head, “I know that I am not your parent but I worry for ALL my subjects.  The life style you are living now is not healthy for a pony your age and something has got to give in this regard.  Therefore I am asking you to fulfil an assignment for me, change your life for the better and make some friends.”

Scribe chuckled, “listen, I respect your criticism and your advice but I LIKE my life as it is now.  And I don’t want to sound childish and rude but,” he then gave a cocky smile, “You couldn’t make me leave even if you tried.”

Princess Celestia nodded, “Very well then.”

Scribe slowly shut the door as he gave the Princess a fair well.

Celestia on the other hoof lingered on the front porch and nodded as she turned to leave, “Challenge accepted.”

*

Scribe awoke the next morning and went out for some grocery shopping.  When he returned home he noticed his landlord changing the locks on his front door.

Scribe flew right up to him, “Hey what’s deal!?”

The landlord sighed, “You’ve been evicted.”

Scribe was frantic at this, “But I paid the rent for this month why-“

The landlord produced a scroll and handed it to him after he finished replacing the last lock, “Here.”

Scribe unfurled it,

Dear Cryptic Scribe,

I Princess Celestia of Equestria have relocated you to a new home in Ponyville to fulfil the task I have given to you.  Trust me when I say this is for your own good, all of your possessions have been moved to your new home.  All that has to be done is to simply arrive at your home and let yourself in.  I have also figured that since you are a writer, you are to record your experiences and findings in Ponyville.  When you deem the book finished, you may send it to me when you are ready.

Sincerely, Princess Celestia of Equestria

P.S. I made you move :)

Scribe mock laughed at the PS and mumbled in annoyance, “Hilarious.”

*

Scribe had ridden on the train for several hours that day until he finally arrived in Ponyville station in the late afternoon.  He disembarked the train after pulling into the station with an annoyed look which vanished after somepony plowed into him and sent both of them flying into a nearby crate.  He opened his eyes and gazed into the eyes of a Pegasus mare.  Her eyes were pale, light grayish rasberry.  Her coat was a pale, light grayish persian blue and her mane was a pale, light grayish opal that was styled straight and had a pink bow in her hair.  

The mare got up and spoke in a slightly slurred accent, “Oh I am SO sorry about that sir.”

Scribe dusted himself off as he stood, “It’s alright.”

Scribe noticed her cutie mark depicted three blue and white dragonflies as she smiled and raised her hoof, “You from out of town?”

Scribe slowly shook her hoof, “Yeah just came in from Canterda, names Cryptic Scribe.”

The mare smiled, “Flitter, nice to meet you.”

Scribe lowered his hoof as Flitter grinned at him, “You said you come from Canterda? Is it true Canterda ponies have an accent.”

Scribe raised an eyebrow, “What are you talking aboot?”

Flitter laughed, “That’s awesome.”

Scribe sulked slightly, “It’s involuntary I swear.”

Flitter followed Scribe as he walked away from the platform, “So what brings you to Ponyville?”

Scribe stopped, “The princess sort of sent me here.”

Flitter raised an eyebrow, “Really?”

Scribe shook his head, “Actually it’s more like she BANISHED me here.”

Flitter pursed her lips, “Brutal.”

Scribe shrugged, “Eh, whatcha gonna do.”

Flitter was about to respond when two other Pegasus ponies landed in front of them.  One was another mare who had a pale Persian blue coat, her mane was a pail cerulean that was spiked upwards and had white tips.  Her light rose eyes fixed on Scribe and Flitter, she also seemed to have a shooting star for a cutie mark.  The other was a stallion with a dark magentaish gray coat.  He a had light cyanish grey mane with lighter streaks styled in a Mohawk fashion with light gold eyes; he also had a cloud with a lightning bolt for his cutie mark.

The mare waved at Flitter, “Hey we lost you back there, what happened?”

Flitter waved off the concern, “Flew into some turbulence and veered of course,” she placed a leg on Scribe, “Luckily he broke my fall.”

Scribe smiled nervously, “Hi.”

The mare trotted up to Scribe, “Thanks for stopping my sis, names Cloudchaser and that’s Thunderlane.”

Thunderlane raised a hoof when his name was mentioned, “Yo.”

Scribe nodded in his direction as he turned to Cloudchaser, “Cryptic Scribe, just rolled into town.”

Thunderlane approached and tilted his head slightly, “Where from?”

Flitter smiled, “He’s from Canterda.”

Cloudchaser looked at Scribe, “Is it true your seasons are like the Everfree forest?”

Scribe slowly nodded, “I guess so.”

Thunderlane grinned in interest, “that is so cool!”

Scribe half smiled, “You think that’s cool you should be there in the winter.”

They all shared a laugh as Scribe turned to leave, “Well it’s been a time and a half but I have stuff to do.”

Thunderlane stopped him, “You want us give you the grand tour?”

Scribe stopped, “But we just met and-“

Cloudchaser playfully nudged him, “You seem like a cool dude, plus any friend of Flitter is a friend of mine.”

Thunderlane nodded, “Same here.”

Scribe was confused and nervous, “Uh…right.”

Flitter waved at him, “See ya later Scribe.”

Scribe smiled, “Yeah…later.”

Scribe then flew into town as the trio of Pegasus ponies behind him took to the air.  He landed in the center of town and proceeded to follow the direction that came with the princess’s note.  He sat down on a nearby bench and pulled out the Grimorium and started reading more of a tale.

“Excuse me.”

Scribe lowered his book and gazed at a unicorn with a maya blue coat, periwinkle mane and tail with a pigment blue streak, steel blue eyes, and a cutie mark of an hourglass.

Scribe raised an eyebrow, “Yeah?”

The unicorn gazed at his book, “Where did you get that?”

Scribe followed her gaze, “The bookstore back in Canterda.”

The unicorn looked intrigued, “really? I’m just asking cause I’ve never seen that book around here before,” she then got flustered, “Oh pardon me, my names Colgate.”

Scribe half smiled, “Cryptic Scribe.”

Colgate smiled, “Nice to meet you.”

Scribe noticed that she was carrying dental supplies in her saddle bag, “You a dentist?”

Colgate nodded, “Yep, and I LOVE my job!”

Scribe smiled, “Well I find dentistry neat, especially the way its explained in the books I own.”

Colgate was all smiles, “YOU HAVE MEDICAL GUIDES?!”

Scribe cringed back as she leaned forward, “Yeah…”

Colgate hugged him, “You wouldn’t mind if I borrowed some would you?”

Scribe blushed, “Not at all.”

Colgate pulled away, “I can tell we are going to get along swimmingly.”

Scribe got up from the bench as Colgate sped off, “Man, everypony here is weird.”

Scribe flew through Ponyville until he found his house just as he landed another voice surprised him from the side, “Heya flying dude.”

Scribe jumped as he turned and gaped, “Holey moly, your Vinyl Scratch.”

Vinyl smiled, “You’re a fan?”

Scribe nodded, “I have some of your work.”

Vinyl nodded, “Cool, cool.  You’re that writer that Flitter mentioned right?”

Scribe nodded, “You know Flitter?”

Vinyl nodded, “We met one time at my club and chatted, Cryptic Scribe right?”

Scribe replied quickly, “That’s me.”

Vinyl noticed the Grimorium, “What’s that?”

Scribe followed her gaze as the book was levitated out of his saddlebag, “Oh it’s a cursed book.”

Vinyl opened it, “It’s cursed? Cool.”

Scribe walked beside her, “They say that if you read the last line of the book aloud it’s supposed to unleash a creature known as The Bracken.”

Vinyl looked at Scribe with a raised eyebrow, “You try it yet?”

Scribe shook his head, “Nah.”

Vinyl smiled mischievously, “Well how do you know if the curse works?”

Scribe noticed she turned to the last page, “What are you doing?”

Vinyl cleared her throat, “At present this tale ends, evil has rested.  But dear reader you shall be tested-“

Scribe tried to stop her only for Vinyl to read the last part really fast, “For you shall discover that The Bracken shall never truly be bested!”

The sky’s then darkened as an ominous wind whooshed through town and the pages of the Grimorium began to flip rapidly as the words glowed white.  Vinyl dropped the book as both Scribe and her backed up.  Ink then began to bleed from the book and pool in front of it.

Scribe yelled over the howling wind, “I TOLD YOU NOT TO READ IT!!”

Vinyl responded with her own yell, “NO YOU DIDN’T!”

Scribe responded quickly, “I WAS THINKING IT!”

The ink pool then began to stretch upward and form into a creature that stood on its hind legs which had talons for feet.  Its limbs seemed skeletal and gangly in appearance with holes in them, its skin was made of black gnarled wood and it had three blade like fingers which flexed occasionally.  It had a slightly hunched stature and wore a tattered moth eaten black cloak that hung off of it from its head to its waist.  It’s face was concealed in the shadow it’s hood cast as it looked at the frightened ponies that summoned it with piercing red glowing eyes.  It then screeched to the sky and the back of its cloak spread like wings as it took off into the sky.

Vinyl and Scribe looked at a crowd of ponies who all stared at them, at the head of the group was a purple unicorn with a dragon who didn’t look too happy about the development.

Scribe raised his hooves, “Now I know what this looks like, but let me just say,” he pointed at Vinyl, “She brought that thing here.”

Vinyl nodded, “Yeah,“ she then realized what just happened and looked at Scribe, “HEY!”

Episode 2: Scribe Scrolls PT: 2

Scribe and Vinyl both sat in the Ponyville library feeling pretty bad.  After The Bracken was summoned, the unicorn known as Twilight Sparkle immediately grabbed both of them and hauled both of them off to the library for questioning.  At the moment, Twilight was in the middle of trying to compose a letter to the Princess to best explain the current situation.   After a while of waiting in the chairs for her, Twilight sent the letter and trotted over to both ponies.

Twilight had an annoyed look on her face as she asked flatly, “What did you two do?”

Scribe raised his hooves defensively, “hey I said it wasn’t my fault.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow, “Who was the one who brought that book here in the first place?”

Scribe nodded, “Touché.”

Vinyl raised a hoof, “Hey, hey Twilight don’t be so hard on him.  I sort of DID do the deed and he DID try to stop me.”

Twilight sat down flustered, “I realize that, but what I am trying to figure out is WHAT the deed was.”

Scribe looked around the area and concluded that if this was the library of the town that maybe she might know about the Grimorium, “Have you heard of the Grimorium?”

Twilight looked up, “The what?”

Scribe pulled out the book, “This is what I mean.”

Twilights eyes lit up as she levitated the book over to herself and began to flip through it, “Wow! I’ve never read this before,” she looked at Scribe intently, “Where did you get this?”

Scribe gestured out the window, “From a local bookstore back in my home of Canterda.”

Twilight placed the book down, “So now I have to ask, did you know that creature would come out of the book?”

Scribe was sheepish in his answer, “Well…um. Yes and no.”

Twilight narrowed her eyes as Scribe finally broke, “Alright, Alright.  The legend of the book goes that if you read the last sentence to signify that you finished it The Bracken will escape.”

Twilight was shocked at this, “And you ignored this warning and read it anyway.”

Scribe was agitated with that as he gestured at Vinyl, “That would be in her department.”

Vinyl smiled in shame.

Twilight groaned as she face hoofed, “This is not good.”

The baby dragon known as Spike ran inside the library panting, “Twilight…I got the…” he then fainted from exhaustion.  

Five other mares entered and noticed Vinyl and Scribe who turned their attention to them.  Pinkie Pie squeed as she ran up and hugged Vinyl who smiled at the contact.  Scribe on the other hoof was frantically looking for an exit and saw a window.  As everypony was occupied downstairs, Scribe inched his way along the wall and was about to slink out the window when a cyan blur zoomed out of nowhere and barred his path.

Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow, “Going somewhere?”

Scribe smiled nervously, “I was…going to get some air.”

Dash pointed at the Scribes wings, “With primed wings?”

Scribe folded his wings quickly, “Eheheh.”

Dash pointed downstairs to which Scribe went with an annoyed expression.  After he explained the situation to the ponies they all took it rather well.   Pinkie was running in circles in a frantic fit whereas the other ponies were trying to devise a way to get rid of The Bracken.

Twilight sat down, “well for one, we need to figure out where it went.”

Applejack spoke next, “But it’s goin to be like findin a needle in a haystack.”

Pinkie Pie stopped running, “Who would look for a needle in a haystack, that’s silly.”

Scribe was deep in thought as theories were fired off back and forth.  He grabbed the Grimorium and started to read it as ponies outside began to panic.

*

The hours that followed were among the most terrifying in terms of Ponyville standards.  A colt was walking home from school when he noticed a strange creature on a nearby roof looking down at him with glowing red eyes.  The young colt yelled in fright as he turned to run, a barrage of red glass like lightning smacked into the colt freezing him in mid run with a metallic veen.  The Bracken then swooped down and grabbed the young colt and zoomed into the sky like a rocket.  Everypony else was too preoccupied with panicking or locking the doors that they didn’t notice foals were vanishing in the blink of an eye.

*

Rarity noticed that Scribe was reading and yanked the book from his grasp, “You could at least put something on the table as it were.”

Scribe was however as white as a sheet, Fluttershy noticed this, “Are you okay?”

Scribe mouthed something but nopony heard him, Vinyl on the other hoof waved her hoof in a get on with it gesture, “Enunciate Scribe.”

Scribe then spoke in a grim fashion, “It eats foals.”

Everypony gasped collectively as Applejack and Rarity bolted out the door.  Twilight ran over to Scribe and was frantically bombarding him with questions.  Scribe answered as many as he could and Twilight was more confused if anything.  So sooner had the questions stopped that Rarity and Applejack burst through the door both of them worried beyond belief.  They both said that they found Miss Cheerilee paralyzed and the entire class had gone missing.

Twilight turned her head and noticed; Flitter, Cloudchaser, Thunderlane, and Colgate were standing in the open doorway, “Were in a bit of a crisis here.”

Thunderlane nodded, “We know, that’s why we came to help.”

Flitter and Cloudchaser struck a pose in unison, “Just tell us what we have to do.”

Rainbow Dash turned to look at Scribe, “Well?”

Scribe looked at her, “What?”

Rainbow Dash landed in front of him, “You know more about that thing than us and you brought it here.  Do something.”

Scribe sighed, “Okay but I’ll need the book.”

Rarity levitated the book to Scribe who opened it, “Alright, the fable “Foal Snatcher” describes that The Bracken as having an appetite for foals.  It can only take them when “the attention of many is taken from the presence of the few.”

Twilight nodded in understanding, “So that means since all the ponies re panicking, not many will pay attention to some of the foals here.”

Rarity wailed in anguish, “OH WHY DID I LEAVE SWEETIE BELLE ALONE AT HOME!”

Applejack was saddened, “Ah hope Applebloom’s alright.”

Fluttershy place a comforting hoof on her friend, “She’s a strong filly just like her sister, and she’ll be fine.”

Twilight looked up as Scribe stood and walked out the door, “Hey where are you going?”

Scribe stopped, “I’m going to fix this.”

Flitter looked after the bespectacled Pegasus, “By yourself?”

Scribe nodded, “Yeah.”

Cloudchaser zipped in front of him, “Yeah right.”

Scribe went to walk around her only for Thunderlane, Flitter, Colgate, and Vinyl to bar his path.  

Scribe stood there as he noticed the six ponies from the library starting to approach him from behind, “But I caused this by bringing the book here.”

Thunderlane smiled, “We know.”

Vinyl grinned as well, “But we can’t let you have all the fun now can we?”

Scribe actually smiled but then got serious, “If that’s what you want.”

Scribe flipped open the book as both groups of six ponies weaved through the panicking throngs or ponies.  Scribe continued his research as they walked down the trail leading to the Everfree forest.  They all came to a halt when Vinyl levitated a small tiara off the road.

Twilight examined it, “It looks like Diamond Tiara’s.”

Rainbow cracked her neck, “Awesome we’re on the right track.”

Scribe shook his head as he finished reading “Forest of Brambles”, “The mare knew that the shadows of the forest were The Bracken’s home and the predators his family.”

Colgate trembled slightly, “I don’t like the sound of that.”

Rainbow Dash shadow boxed the air, “I ain’t afraid of some dumb shadows!”

She dashed into the forest in the blink of an eye as the group followed after her.  The minute they entered the forest they heard a shriek of surprise which caused them to rush in its direction.  They almost arrived at the location only for them to be instantly attacked by large roots.  The ponies went into evasive action as they dodged around the swatting roots and the unicorns even blasted a few of them into splinters.  The group just barely managed to escape the roots and make it into a clearing and saw a frightening sight.

Scribe ominously spoke, “And as the mare attempted to escape her fate, The Bracken seemed to turn the very forest itself against her.”

Rainbow Dash was bound in vines and roots as if they acted as snakes.  Twilight approached and stopped as she noticed that they began to tighten.  

Twilight turned to Scribe’s group, “Go on ahead, we’ll catch up.”

They all nodded as they trotted deeper into the forest.  After a while they noticed it had become much darker and much more ominous.  Vinyl and Colgate lit their horns as they continued to advance.

Colgate looked over at Scribe who was nose deep in his book, “Scribe, what exactly are we in for?”

Scribe looked up, “It says here that The Bracken fears light, is hurt by intense heat like fire or a concentrated burst of energy.”

Vinyl pouted, “The one day I forget to bring my bass cannon.”

All of a sudden they all heard a screech that sounded like a mixture of between nail’s on a chalk board and a hissing cockroach and The Bracken was upon them.  Thunderlane was thrown into a tree as Vinyl blasted the creature in the back.  The Bracken reeled in pain and back handed the DJ onto the ground causing her glasses to fall off.  Colgate continued to blast The Bracken with magic bolts as Flitter, Cloudchaser, and Cryptic Scribe flew around it and kicked it when they could.  Thunderlane and Vinyl soon joined in as The Bracken was pushed into a nearby marsh to reveal the missing foal’s cocooned in vines.  The Bracken dropped into the murky waters as the ponies gained their second wind.

Scribe looked at the five ponies, “Why…are you all helping me?”

Thunderlane grinned as he wiped some muck water from his forehead, “We’re friend’s dude, that’s what we do.”

Scribe was surprised, “We’re friends?”

Flitter nodded, “Yep.”

Scribe thought hard on the conversation and nodded with a smile as he finally said, “I think I like the sound of that.”

All of a sudden The Bracken burst forth from the depths and screeched at them.  Only to be blasted by a large rainbow colored blast.  All the ponies stared in awe as Twilight and her friends surfaced from the bramble to their right wearing the Elements of Harmony.

Twilight was greatly concerned, “Are you all okay?”

Scribe and the five nodded in unison, “So those are the elements, cool.”

Rainbow chuckled, “I know, we’re awesome.”

The Bracken surfaced from the water and roared in anger as Scribe turned to a shocked Twilight, “AnyMORE ideas smarty pants?”

Twilight then weakly stated, “Working on it.”

The Bracken slowly advanced on them as its claws crackled with energy.

Vinyl then yelled, “Throw stuff at it!”

Everypony then began to grab random objects off the ground and threw them at The Bracken with immense force.  The Bracken was pushed back with each hit but kept coming.

Fluttershy yelled frantically, “Nothings working!”

Twilight spoke in a slightly trembling voice, “Throw harder then!”

Thunderlane stopped and thought of something, “What if we destroy the book?”

Twilight stopped as well, “What?”

Thunderlane nodded quickly, “Well that thing came from it so it has to be connected to it somehow.”

Rarity nodded as she threw a boulder at The Bracken, “Plus we are running out of options and objects to throw.”

Scribe picked up the book, “But…I paid good bits for this.”

Twilight narrowed her eyes, “Scribe.”

Scribe quickly said, “What if we just tear out the last page.”

Cloudchaser was getting agitated, “Scribe.”

Scribe then looked at The Bracken, “I mean come on-“

He was cut off as everypony yelled, “SCRIBE!”

Scribe handed it over to Twilight with a quick, “Just make it quick.”

Twilight slammed the book down and blasted a burning hole clear through the center of the cover.  The Bracken stopped in its place and wailed as a burning hole appeared in its chest and began to fountain out ink and then exploded into ink.

Rarity then wailed, “IT’S ALL OVER MY MANE AND COAT!!!”

The vines loosened as the excited ponies ran to meet their saviours.  Soon the ponies arrived at Ponyville and were greeted by a standing ovation.

Scribe looked at the five ponies, “I can’t believe you all want to be my friends.”

Cloudchaser looked at the rest of the group, “Well we all think you’re a pretty interesting dude.”

Vinyl nodded as she came to Scribe’s side, “Plus Octavia says I should expand my horizons in terms of making more friends, but yeah you seem like a cool dude.”

Scribe smiled, “Wow…this is awesome.”

Vinyl wrapped a leg around Scribes neck as everypony cheered the six friends for their victory, “So Scribe what now?”

Scribe thought for a second, “Now?” he pointed at Vinyl, “Drop me a beat!”

Vinyl magiced her equipment into the town square as an upbeat tune started.

Scribe put on a pair of shades, “Yo, hey what's happening pony? I'm a pony who had a rep for bein' lonely.  Avoiding ponies wherever I go, it was intentional, just avoidin' the flow!

Scribe hopped atop a roof, “Fixin' my writer to get the best literary scores Droppin' social meetings all over the place I'm the pony that wouldn’t leave for a bribe.  My first name, Cryptic, last name, Scribe!”

Scribe dropped into the throng of ponies, “I'm here today to introduce the next phase the next step in the big Scribe phase I got a dance, real easy to do I learned it with no rhythm and so can you!

Scribe started doing an odd dance which everypony started imitating, “So, move your body, if you got the notion front to back in a rock-like motion Now that you got it, if you think you can do it to the music, that's the Cryptic Scribe!”

Several ponies then began to sing, “Everypony, if you can, do the Cryptic Scribe.  Shake your body; turn it out, if you can.  Move your plot to the side, yes, you can, can Everypony in the house, do the Cryptic Scribe.”

Scribe sat on a bench with Twilight, “It wasn't long ago, just a couple of hours I got evicted, yeah, pretty bad.  Celestia gave me scroll; she was trolling too, because I put here advice in the proverbial stew.”

Scribe trotted along the road, “Train ride time, in the air lurks gloom.  Sittin' by myself, confined to the booth.   When all else fails, nothin' else left to do I turn on the music, so I can feel the groove!”

Scribe and all the ponies dance and sang in unison, “Move your body, if you got the notion Front to back in a rock-like motion.  Move your flanks from side to side now don’t ya slip, let your hooves glide now!”

Scribe turned to three fillies, “If you've got the groove, you gotta use it rock rhythm in time with the music.  You just might start a chain reaction If you can do the Scribe, you're bad like Rainbow Dash!

Rainbow and Scribe then danced in unison, “Everypony, if you can, do the Cryptic Scribe.  Shake your body; turn it out, if you can.  Move your plot to the side as you can, can everybody in the house, do the Cryptic Scribe, and do the Cryptic Scribe!”

Sweetie Belle then put on her own shades, “Do the Cryptic Scribe, everypony back and forth, from side to side Do the Cryptic Scribe, and do the Cryptic Scribe.  Now, here a dance beat that you can't deny!”

A random old stallion then yelled from his window, “Turn it down will you stop that infernal racket?”

Everypony then yelled in unison, “Do the Cryptic Scribe!”

Scribe group hugged his five new friends, “Now, I'm in the house feelin' good to be home, I have these awesome friends I’m free of my dome.  My assignment won’t be tardy, COME ON EVERYPONY LETS PARTY!”

All ponies then sang and danced in unison, “Everypony, if you can do the Cryptic Scribe.  Shake your body; turn it out if you can.  Move your plot to the side, as you can can.  Everybody in the house, do the Cryptic Scribe!”

Scribe and the five landed on town hall and sang into the sky, “Do the Cryptic Scribe everypony, back and forth from side to side do the Cryptic Scribe.  Do the Cryptic Scribe, she can do it, and he can do it, so can I!”

All of the ponies then partied until the morning light of the next day.

Episode 3: Driving Ponies Bats

The time read eight-o-clock and the sun had set long ago blanketing the entire town in a layer of darkness which caused much joy and giddiness amongst various young ponies.  Thunderlane and the gang were currently situated outside Scribes house looking rather impatient.  Colgate was dressed as a mad doctor, Vinyl wore zombie make up and rigged up one of her records to look like it was going through her head.  Flitter and Cloudchaser were dressed as twin nurses who had on a LOT of make-up.

Thunderlane was dressed as skeleton as he knocked on Scribes door for the sixth time, “Come on Scribe, you’ve been in there for HOURS!”

The door opened to reveal Scribe dressed in a tattered black dress clothes with an equally tattered top hat on.  He had a black wig on that gave the illusion that his mane was longer and unkempt and it obscured his face slightly.  He had also painted his coat a mossy green and put black circles around his eyes and had a fake shovel on his back along with a lantern that was shaped like a skull attached to his flank.

All of his friends stared wide eyed as Scribe raised an eyebrow, “What?”

Flitter looked him up and down, “Who ARE you?”

Scribe smiled in satisfaction, “I’m The Gravedigger.”

All of his friends were silent as Scribe rolled his eyes, “It’s from a book I read.”

They all nodded in understanding and proceeded through town.  All of the ponies were up and about enjoying the festivities.  Scribe glanced around at the various ponies having their fun and smiled.  Canterda had Nightmare Night before, but he never really attended due to…reasons.  He stopped at the bobbing apples booth and witnessed a pony drop into the tub out of clumsiness.  He shared a laugh with the other ponies as the pony in question exited the tub and walked off.  Thunderlane nudged him as they glanced upwards and saw Rainbow Dash dressed as a ninja leaping from rooftop to rooftop and pouncing on unsuspecting ponies.

Scribe stopped walking when he noticed the sky darkened for a moment and then a fierce wind kicked up, “What’s happening?”

His friends smiled as a voice was heard behind him, “Salutations Cryptic Scribe.”

Scribe leapt two feet in the air and yelled in surprise and turned around to reveal Princess Luna, “Please don’t do that.”

Luna chuckled, “Apologies, I forgot you are new to the town.”

Scribe raised a hoof, “It’s cool.”

Flitter smiled as she approached the princess, “Good evening Princess.”

Luna looked at the sky, “Yes, it Is a good evening isn’t it?”

Colgate nodded, “One of your best.”

Luna waved a hoof, “Nonsense.”

Scribe looked at the princess, “So how’s things?”

Luna rolled her eyes, “Atrocious, me and my sister are buried in a preverbal mountain of paperwork.”

Scribe looked to the side, “I know how that feels.”

Flitter was staring at the far side of town, “Hey.”

Cloudchaser looked at her sister, “What’s up?”

Flitter pointed, “Who’s that?”

Standing at the far end of town was a pony cloaked in a black hooded…cloak.  The pony was glancing around and seemed to be taking in his surroundings with medical precision.  What freaked the ponies of the town out more than his sudden appearance was the fact he seemed to literally appear out of thin air.  Luna tilted her head slightly as an ominous wind blew the pony’s hood off to reveal a dark purple stallion with a rose red mane that had a white streak in it.  He had calm gold eyes which fixed on the ponies staring at him.  Scribe and Luna smiled at the pony’s face who also returned the smiles.

The pony approached the group as Scribe bid him hello, “Nocturne, I didn’t know you were in town.”

Nocturne tilted his head and spoke with a faint English accent that could only come from Trottingham and its other countries, “Nor I you.”

Luna approached the stallion who bowed in respect, “Ah, Princess Luna. It is an honour to see you again.”

Vinyl was really confused, “uh, who is this?”

Scribe realizing his mistake grinned as he walked next to Nocturne who was a few inches taller than the Pegasus, “Everypony this is Nocturne Sable, an old acutance of mine that I met when I stayed in Trotronto for a few months.”

Thunderlane walked to the stallion who removed his cloak revealing he had a silver cross as his cutie mark, “Hey, names Thunderlane.”

Nocturne smiled as he shook the Pegasus hoof, “Charmed.”

Scribe was ecstatic, “I’m so glad you’re here! What happened, you never wrote me.”

Nocturne nodded apologetically, “Sorry, I have been busy with certain matters.”

Scribe nodded, “I understand. Nocturne I’d like you to meet my friends,” he then pointed in turn with each pony, “You’ve just met Thunderlane. That’s Vinyl Scratch, Flitter, Cloudchaser, and Colgate.”

Nocturne nervously smiled, “It’s nice to meet you all.”

Vinyl approached Nocturne, “Same here dude, anypony whose friends with Scribe is cool in my book.”

Pinkie Pie was behind Nocturne who slowly turned to stare at the pink mare, “Greetings…strange one.”

Pinkie Pie looked to the side then back at Nocturne.  She then screamed and ran off.  All the ponies were immensely confused as Nocturne quickly put his cloak back on and put the hood up.  

Flitter looked after Pinkie Pie, “Sorry…she does that.”

Nocturne shook his head, “It’s understandable. I sometimes have that effect on ponies.”

Thunderlane tilted his head, “Why have you come to Ponyville anyway?”

Nocturne sighed as they all looked at him, “In truth, I have come here to…retire in a way.”

Colgate was confused at this, “What do you mean retire; you look like you’re in your prime.”

Nocturne started walking, “Well that’s just it, I am in my prime.  It’s just that I am SO very tired of everything.”

Luna and Scribe nodded in understanding while the rest of the group didn’t understand.  Soon they all came to Ponyville Park as Nocturne sat down and sighed once more as he stared into the pond.

Thunderlane whispered to Scribe, “Why’s he so down?”

Scribe gestured to the water as all the ponies followed his gesture and what they saw made them all become pale.  Nocturne’s cloak could be seen in the water, except Nocturne’s reflection was nowhere to be seen.  Thunderlane rubbed his eyes and looked again with a squinted look only to yelp in surprise and fall backwards.  Luna merely glanced at them and approached the stallion that stood.

Luna stared at the group, “Yes, Nocturne is not a normal pony.  He is one of the last of his kind.”

Nocturne looked at Luna, “I think I may be able to make the point better.”

Nocturne took a step forward as his eyes became blood red and his pupils became slits, “I am a vampony.”

Scribe smiled with a slight smugness, “He showed me around Trotronto and gave me inspiration to write some books.”

All of Scribe’s friends were slightly nervous as Vinyl pointed at Nocturne, “Does that mean you drink-“

Nocturne waved the comment off as his eyes snapped back to normal, “Rarely, I drink a substitute composed of herbs and specific food juices.”

All the ponies exhaled in relief and caught themselves when Nocturne raised an eyebrow, “Hmm.”

Colgate chuckled, “We mean no offence.”

Nocturne dismissed it, “Your relief is understandable.”

Scribe got an idea, “Hey since you’re here, why don’t you join in the celebration.”

Nocturne nervously paced, “Well…I wouldn’t want to be a burden.”

Scribe and Luna grabbed him, “Nonsense.”

Nocturne was slightly nervous and a little agitated, “There is no objection to this scenario is there?”

Both Luna and Scribe nodded and said in unison, “Yep.”

Nocturne slumped as he was dragged toward town.

*

After that, Nocturne himself was very reluctant at first to partake in any activity.  He mostly avoided Pinkie Pie who seemed to make it her personal duty to spy on him.  Scribe and his friends however would not be deterred from letting him enjoy himself.  They first brought him to a blindfold race through a haunted hedge maze which he saw no interest in.  He was none the less blindfolded and thrust into the throng of the maze as he weaved through it.  He evidently came out second, but Scribe and friends applauded his effort which caused the vampony to smile slightly.  Next was the spider toss which Luna personally took him to.  It took Nocturne several tries before he got the spider in the center; he raised an eyebrow as ponies applauded his game.  Nocturne looked from side to side and nervously smiled.

After more games and events he finally sat down with Scribe and smiled, “That was…fun.”

Scribe nudged him, “See I told you.”

Nocturne raised an eyebrow, “No you didn’t.”

Scribe smiled, “I was thinking it.”

All the ponies laughed.  Flitter however looked at Luna, “How do you know him anyway?”

Luna looked to the stars in memory, “It was before my banishment.  We met one night under the full moon.”

Nocturne smiled, “Out of everypony in the kingdom, I was most grateful for the nights she brought.  I told her as such, she was grateful for my love of her craft.”

Luna nodded, “I even offered him a position as one of my honor guard.”

Nocturne turned his head, “I declined of course due to certain…reasons.”

As they swapped tales Pinkie emerged from a nearby bush which caused Nocturne to snort as he approached her.

Nocturne spoke in slight agitation, “Now, I am a very patient stallion.  But your consistent spying is beginning to grate on my nerves.”

Pinkie pointed at Nocturne, “I KNOW what you are.  And I won’t let you hurt anypony.”

Nocturne lowered his voice as nearby ponies turned their attentions to the two, “Listen, I have no intention of doing that.  I only wish to live peacefully and without being treated as an outcast.”

Pinkie was slightly confused, “But isn’t that what monsters do? Scare others?”

Nocturne got really close, “I. Am. Not. A. Monster.”

Pinkie and he began to banter back and forth as Vinyl looked at Scribe, “Why’s he so testy when he’s called a monster?”

Scribe sighed, “He wants to be seen as more than a monster.  Nocturne as you all saw isn’t really good at being in public, for years he’s been treated as a monster and an outcast by ponies because of what he is.”

Nocturne jabbed a hoof at Pinkie as she began to back up and he raised his voice unintentionally, “This is your last chance, leave me alone or else.”

A collective gasp emitted itself amongst the ponies.  Nocturne looked at them all and saw they were all staring at him; he turned his head and noticed he was standing in front of a large funhouse mirror.  Everypony saw a warped Pinkie Pie, but no reflection of the strange pony.  This coupled with the threat that was uttered caused a chorus of screams to rise from the crowd.  Nocturne looked around in panic.

One pony pointed and yelled, “IT’S A MONSTER RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!”

Nocturne stood there as everypony continued shouting in fear, his left eye twitched as he looked at the pink pony and saw red, “YOU!”

Pinkie bolted indoors and placed several cloves of garlic on the house.

Another pony pointed, “The monster is going to attack Pinkie Pie!”

Scribe came to Nocturne’s defence, “Wait! Stop!”

Nocturne smiled angrily, “FINE! YOU WANT ME TO BE A MONSTER,” Nocturne’s coat then became an unnatural white as his eyes transformed to his silted ones and a pair of bat wings unfurled followed by a pair of fangs growing in his mouth, “I’M A MONSTER!”

Nocturne yelled in anger as a massive swarm of bats erupted from behind him and swept through the town.  He looked at several ponies and spoke in a demanding tone, “Be. Silent!”

His irises flashed red as the ponies seemed to be transfixed then they obeyed.  He looked at a nearby booth and turned into mist and solidified atop it and roared unnaturally which caused all ponies to be silent and stare at the creature as the bat swarm circled him.

Nocturne glared at all of them and spoke in an unnaturally deep voice, “I only wished to live among you in peace, but it seems that I am denied that privilege.  So be it then.”

Nocturne was enveloped by the swarm and soon vanished.

Scribe shook his head as he and his friends ran out of town to look for the vampony.  Luna however was not amused.  She glared at all the ponies that transited from fear to shame as Luna began to berate them.

Luna walked to the center of town, “You should all be ashamed of yourselves! That pony only wished to live among you as an equal, not as the thing you merely perceived him to be.  The reason he did what he did was because of all of YOU, not because of his nature.”

Luna then turned to leave and assist in the search, “You of all ponies should know not to judge a pony by appearances.”

When the princess flew off all the ponies looked at the ground ashamed of themselves and their actions.

*

Nocturne sat under a weeping willow when he was found, his wings lay limp and he was saddened.  A bat on a branch screeched at the approach of intruders.

Nocturne looked up to see Scribe, Luna, and the group, “Leave me be.”

Scribe approached, “You were doing so well, and why did you go and lose your temper?”

Nocturne’s wings flared as he stood up in anger, “WHY!? Because of everything!”

Luna and the group looked at the vampony with sympathy not hearing the approach of others.

Nocturne continued, “It’s just because of being me.  Ponies take one look at me and go, “AH! Run a big stupid monster!”,” his wings drooped as he looked at the ground in sadness, “They judge me before they even know me.”

Somepony clearing their throat was heard which caused him to look up to see Pinkie Pie who hugged him   Nocturne’s wings flared in surprise as he changed back to normal.

Pinkie stopped hugging him and stared at the vampony whom noticed all of Ponyville was there, “I’m sorry about the way I acted everypony.”

Pinkie shook her head, “No it was my fault.  I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions the way I did.”

Nocturne nodded, “No you shouldn’t have.  But I accept your apology pink one.”

Pinkie pie corrected him, “PINKIE pie.”

Nocturne smiled, “Right.”

Mayor mare approached the vampony, “during the time you participated in the events, the princess informed me that you were looking to settle down here.  Is there any place in mind you wish to buy?”

Nocturne scratched his chin, “Well…”

*

Scribe, his friends, and Luna all stared at the large black three story mansion that stood before them.  From its gothic look it gave off a massive haunted house feel.  Nocturne looked at it with a smile as he glanced at the Everfree forest trees which provided the property line.  A pack of timber wolves that were nearby slinked away at Nocturne’s approach as he opened the door to his new home.

Nocturne turned to his friends, “Thank you all very much.”

Vinyl smiled, “No problem.”

Flitter and Cloudchaser spoke in unison, “Yeah.”

Scribe looked at his new friend, “SO what are you going to do now?”

Nocturne looked inside, “Clean up a bit, maybe do some renovations.”

Nocturne smiled, “I’ll be seeing you all VERY soon.”

The ominous tone caused everypony to stand in silence only for Nocturne to laugh as everypony joined in.

Nocturne cut them off, “But seriously I am prone to feed in my sleep so lock your windows.”

Everypony was silent as Nocturne gave a good natured smile and retreated inside.  Luna however giggled at the silence which caused the rest of the group to laugh anew.  Later that night, Scribe sat down at his type writer and began a chapter on his experience that day.

Episode 4: Family Ties

Ponyville was always calm and quiet in the mornings; it was picturesque in its scenery.  A year had passed by since Scribe’s arrival and a lot had changed, Twilight becoming a princess and many other significant factors.  Cryptic himself had actually started up his own book repair and special order business.  If someone wanted their books repaired, he was there stallion.  This also included if the ponies in question wanted him to write their works as a paid editor and prereader which he was more than happy to oblige.  The money helped to furnish his home quite well and he had made some good acquaintances and friends, one being the new Alicorn princess of whom they spoke on even terms fluently.  One such time was Twilight giving him an order to fill before she went for a three day trip to Canterlot.

“Now Scribe this autobiography is VERY old,” Twilight was levitating the thick tome in question, “The glue holding some of the pages together are starting to loosen and I need it replaced.  Also if it’s not too much trouble, could you please replace the covers?”

Scribe smiled, “No trouble Twi.  You’re my favorite customer after all.”

The indigo Alicorn smiled, “Thanks Cryptic.  Also, could you check on Spike from time to time to make sure he doesn’t get into any trouble?”

“What don’t trust the little guy home alone?,”  He smirked slightly as Twilight just chuckled.

“It’s not that I don’t trust him,” she smirked in equality to Cryptic, “I just don’t want him throwing any wild parties while I’m gone.”

Scribe bid her fair well as the door shut.  Just as he turned from the door a knock caused him to return to the entryway.  He opened it to reveal the Mail-mare Ditzy Do aka Derpy smiling at him.  She produced a letter and passed it to him.

Scribe read the mail address and opened the contents and read to himself as Derpy left with a farewell, “Hey kiddo it’s Mom, I have some good news for ya,” Scribe smiled as he read on, “The doctors have given me some medication to control my…episodes and I’m more than happy, I’m ecstatic!  But besides that I’m writing to you to tell you that I’m coming for a visit tomorrow,” Scribe’s expression slowly fell as he read; “I can’t believe my little Scribey is so successful!  Owning a massive business, a great house, and having an attractive Mare-friend.  See ya soon <3.”

Scribe then began to have a panic attack.

*

Pinkie Pie popped up at the reader, “Hiya everypony now let me educate you on Scribe’s family and why he’s,” she looked at Scribe, “Well…let’s get started!”

Pinkie Pie pulled down a projector screen depicting a burly dark grey bald Pegasus with big gold rimmed reading glasses, “This is Scribe’s father Deep Thought, for a time he was a FAMOUS philosopher.  He even wrote some DOOZY’s of novels.  But eventually he retired and fell into obscurity but he’s still as happy as a little pony can be.  Now let’s discuss Scribe’s mother, Traci Tini.”

A slide shifted revealing a stunning plaster white unicorn with a long wispy light brown tail and mane.  Her cutie mark was a martini glass with a sword crossing it, her dark brown eyes focused on the camera man with a cheeky smile.  Her horn however was broken.

Pinkie shook her head, “Don’t even ask me what her special talent is because I don’t even know.  Traci is nice and funny just like her son.  But there’s one thing that she has that thankfully Scribe never got from her, that being her temper and anger issues.  Let’s just say a stallion once made a line about her flank,” a purple Earth pony with a blonde mane was speaking to Traci who glared at him, “Let’s just say that pony was in intensive care for record time in a full body cast.”

Pinkie then showed a slide of a young Scribe and his father bidding his mother farewell as she ventured into a large white building, “Traci then decided it was high time to learn some self-control and she enrolled herself in the Canterda Stress Relief Institute or CSRI.”

*

Scribe then stood up and bolted out the door with the letter, “Oh man what have I done!  If she finds out I lied,” a vision of a fiery eyed Traci Tini entered his head as he trembled, “I’m doomed.”

Vinyl stood nearby, “Dude are you alright?”

Cryptic glanced at the DJ, “VINYL!!! WHAT DO I DO?!”

Vinyl noticed the note, “What’s this?”

She read the note, “Oh wow,” she looked at Scribe, “Your Mom is coming here?”

Cryptic nodded slowly, “Yes…”

Vinyl re-read the note, “Dude, you know you don’t have any of these things right?”

“Yes,” the response was emotionless.

“Scribe,” she placed a hoof on his neck, “You’re gonna have to come clean.”

Scribe shook his DJ friend, “NOT with her!  You do not know what she’s capable of!”

Vinyl raised an eyebrow, “What’s the big deal?  She’s your mom, not a force of nature.”

Scribe got really close and gazed into her eyes, “When she’s angry, nature itself flees in fear!”

Vinyl’s glasses drooped down in shock, “Seriously?”

Cryptic nodded, “I have never been more serious.  I just need to come up with a way to make all of these things be true!”

Vinyl shook her head, “Your just gonna make it worse for yourself.”

Scribe smiled deviously, “Miss Scratch you underestimate me, I can tackle this with the upmost efficiency and calm state of mind.”

*

“PLEASE YOU HAVE TO HELP ME!!!”

Applejack snorted as she trotted toward the orchard, “Ah already said no.”

Scribe was clinging to her leg, “Cmon AJ it will only be for one day!”

Applejack glared at him, “Scribe ah’m the most honest mare in these parts and I will NOT help you lie to your own mother because of something you did!”

Cryptic released her, “PLEASE!  You have no idea what she’ll do to me if she figures out that I lied to her!”

“She’s yer mother so she’ll forgive ya,” she kicked a tree, “Sides, it ain’t mah problem.”

Scribe stood up and then dramatically and proclaimed, “Help me with this or so help me I will RAIN down upon you the wrath of a thousand annoying Scribes for a thousand MOONS!!!”

Applejack chuckled at his threat, “Scribe-“

She was cut off as he wrapped himself around her front legs with desperation lacing his voice, “PLEASE I’LL DO ANYTHING IN RETURN, ANYTHING!!!!!!!”

Applejack inhaled sharply and shook her head, “Ah’m so gonna regret this…fine, but two things.”

Scribe looked up as she listed off her demands, “You owe me a dragon sized favour an when I come to collect you’ll do it with no complainin or objections,” she freed herself from his grasp, “and the second is that when yer lie comes crashin down on you, don’t come cryin ta me.”

Scribe nodded with a grateful smile, “Alright, deal.”

Applejack muttered to herself, “The family is gonna have mah hide for this.”

Cryptic clapped his hoofs together, “Great, now I have to go visit Rarity.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow in surprise, “What the hay are ya plannin?”

Cryptic had already taken off.

*

“I’m sorry darling could you repeat that,” she shook her head, “I seemed to have misheard you.”

Cryptic sighed, “Rarity if it’s not too much trouble could you, for a day, pretend to be my mare-friend…just for one day?”

Rarity blinked in surprise but then lightly giggled, “Oh Scribe though I am flattered that you came to me first of all mares,” her expression became serious, “I simply can’t, it’s not lady like for me to be just passed around by any stallion.”

Scribe sighed, “Please, if my mother Traci finds out that I lied to her she’s gonna do-“

Rarity gasped, “Did you say Traci?  Surely you don’t mean Traci TINI?!”

Scribe blinked in confusion, “Yeah…she’s my mother.”

“You’re kidding,” Rarity’s expression was on of skepticism and disbelief.

Scribe’s wing reached into his lapel pocket and produced a miniature family portrait which caused Rarity to scream in glee.  Scribe covered his ears as she rushed into a back room.

Rarity was levitating a stack of old fashion magazines depicting a unicorn mare no older than a teen filly out of high school in various poses advertising different designs, “Your mother is THE Traci Tini?!  Oh my!  I’ve followed her career since I was in school!  It’s such a shame she stopped when she did, is it true that Fleur De Lis showed her up?”

Scribe smiled, “Nah, their actually good friends.  My Mom just got bored with the whole model scene and kept all the earnings when she left.”

Rarity stepped forward, “Alright I’ll go along with this charade of yours on one condition.”

Scribe prepared for the inevitable “you owe me” line.

Rarity squee’d, “You have to get me a one on one with her when this is all over.”

Scribe nodded, “Deal.”

*

Scribe was becoming fidgety on the spot as the train pulled up.  He prayed that his mom would buy in with his lie.  The train came to a halt and a familiar face exited, Traci was wearing aviator shades as she glanced around the terminal.  When her eye came upon her son she beamed as he approached and hugged her.

Traci smiled down at him, “Hey my boy.  How’ve ya been?”

Scribe nuzzled his mother, “I missed you.”

Traci returned the gesture, “Same here bucko.”

Scribe stepped back and smirked, “I see all that time behind those padded walls didn’t change you.”

“Hey, there’s one reason for that,” the shades were removed with a copper colored aura, “Your mom is too awesome to be driven insane.”

Scribe led Traci through Ponyville as she took in the sites, “Wow this place is pretty homely.  I think me and your dad should move here.”

“Yeah,” he noticed the trail to Sweet Apple Acres and inhaled, “SO!  Want to see the business?”

Traci smiled, “Lead on.”

Soon they arrived at the front gate as she stared with awe.  Scribe smiled and began to point out all of the farms main exports.

Traci stared at him with a raised eyebrow, “I thought your talent was writing,” Scribe began to sweat but stopped when she nudged him, “Guess you’re spectacular at book keeping.”

Scribe nodded nervously, “Yeah I am…COME ON lets head back to town.

Traci stopped him, “Wait a minute…who are those two?”

Scribe turned and looked on in horror as Big Mac and Applejack approached, “Oh crud.”

Applejack smiled as she stood before Traci, “Howdy Miss Tini ah’m Applejack and this is Big Mac.”

Scribe smiled awkwardly as his mother turned to him, “And these two are?”

Scribe quickly responded, “My employees, they do most of the heavy lifting,” Traci glanced at the sign as he quickly added, “THAT’S A TYPO.  They were gonna fix that.”

Big Mac raised an eyebrow, “We actually came over here cause The Boss was gonna pay us today.”

Scribe blinked, “I am?”

Applejack leaned in and whispered angrily, “You are.”

Scribe quickly forked over the bits and both ponies quickly went back to town.

*

Traci and Scribe sat in the chairs at the small café munching happily.

Traci tilted her head, “Say Scribe, where’s your mare friend?  Isn’t she gonna join us today?”

Scribe laughed nervously, “Of course she is.  She’s just such a fan of your old work she’s taking time to prepare herself before meeting us.”

Traci placed a hoof under her chin with a small smile, “Really?  Well I always like meeting fans of old.”

“Scribey,” a sing song voice caused Scribe to turn his head and his jaw dropped.  

Rarity had done here hair up in a cascading curled waterfall and she wore a much more sparkling eye shadow then her usual one.  She was also wearing a crystal white outing dress that almost shined in the light.

Rarity took a seat beside Scribe as she shook Rarity’s hoof, “It’s so nice to meet you Miss Tini, I am Rarity and your son is SUCH a gentle colt.”

Traci smiled, “It’s so great to meet you as well.  Hold on did you say your name was Rarity?”

Rarity smiled in utter glee, “You’ve heard of me?”

Traci nodded, “Your gala dress designs were all the rage in Canterda,” she beamed with pride at Scribe, “You picked a really good one.”

Scribe nodded slowly, “Yeah…”

Traci looked off, “Can’t wait to see your house next.”

Both Rarity and Scribe became wide eyed.

*

Scribe led Traci toward a familiar road and was inwardly praying that this gambit would work.  Rarity had departed back to her boutique with a promise of a girl’s day with Traci in the future trailing with her.  Scribe then stood in front of the structure and gestured.

Traci pursed her lips, “You live in a tree?”

Scribe nodded, “Yep.”

Traci continued, “That’s also a library.”

Scribe nodded once more, “Yep.”

Traci smirked, “Wow, I knew you were nuts.”

Cryptic rolled his eyes as he opened the door, “Wait here for a sec.”

Scribe immediately found a confused Spike staring at him, “Spike-“

Spike shook his head in disappointment, “Applejack and Rarity told me everything.  You ought to be ashamed of yourself Scribe.”

Scribe didn’t answer, “If you spend the rest of the day upstairs I’ll get you a date with Rarity.”

Spike did a double take then said, “Alright…but I won’t like it.”

The giddy dragon ran upstairs as Traci entered soon after.  She glanced around nodding.

Traci smiled, “I gotta say Scribe this is all pretty amazing, I’m so-“

The sound of the door opening interrupted Traci who turned to behold an indigo Alicorn who was less than amused.  Scribe stared with horror.

Twilight smiled at the white unicorn who bowed, “There’s no need for that,” she then glared at Scribe, “You on the other hoof have some explaining to do.”

Scribe looked at Traci who raised an eyebrow, “Twilight!  B-back so soon?”

Traci was dumbfounded, “You know Princess Twilight.”

Twilight shook her head, “He does.  He also knows the other elements of harmony who all told me something VERY interesting when I went to say hi to them.”

Scribe roughly shoved her out the door and slammed it with gritted teeth, “Don’t you do this me Twilight!”

“You’re lying to your own mother,” Twilight scolded, “and you’re the one yelling at me?  Look at you!  You forced Applejack and Rarity to go along with your lie and now your mother is praising you for it.  Have you no shame?”

Scribe failed to hear something behind him as he dropped before the princess with tears of shame, “I KNOW!!!  I feel horrible for it too!  I just didn’t want her to be disappointed in me,” he looked at the lightly smiling Twilight, “BOTH my parents were successful at my age and now look at me!  I’m a writer who can’t get anything off the ground and so I’m running a book restoral and custom writing business!  Do you know what it’s like living in their shadows,” he began to tear up again, “worst of all I have no mare to call my own and that makes me feel worse.”

Twilight placed a comforting hoof upon him, “I’m not the pony you should be telling this to.”

A throat being cleared caused Scribe to turn his head to reveal a neutral faced Traci, “Mom, please don’t be mad at me.”

Traci exhaled, “I’m not mad,” she dusted her son off, “I’m just disappointed in you for lying, Scribe you were raised better than that.”

Scribe looked down as the rest of Twilight’s friends and his showed up, “I realize that.  I just wanted you to be proud of me.”

Traci ruffled his mane, “Cryptic Scribe, you’re my son.  No matter what you do with your life, I will always love you and be proud of you,” she glanced at the assembled group, “And from what I’m seeing and from what you said on the doorstep, in my eyes, your successful as both myself and your father combined.”

Scribe smiled with tears in his eyes as Traci gave a smooch on his forehead, “You’ll go far kid.”

Traci then looked around, “Well it’s getting late.  I’m gonna turn in for the night at the inn, see ya in the morning Rarity.”

Rarity squealed with glee as Traci started trotting away.

Scribe looked at Vinyl, “You told them didn’t you?”

“Of course,” Vinyl smiled, “you needed help, plus it didn’t end as badly as you thought.”

Scribe looked after his mother as a random stallion began to make small talk, “Yeah, I guess you were right.”

Twilight looked at his mother with a raised eyebrow, “I’m curious Scribe, Vinyl mentioned that your mother was on medication for her anger issues right?”

Scribe nodded slowly, “Yeah why?”

Twilight opened her saddle bags and produced a pill bottle, “I found this on the platform with her name on it.”

Scribe’s eyes widened as the stallion mentioned something to his mother which caused her eyes to flair.  All the ponies then witnessed the scene that occurred soon after as Scribe grabbed the pill bottle and ran toward the fray.

“MOM YOUR PILLS!  REMEMBER YOUR PILLS FOR CELETSIA SAKE!!!”