Chapter 1
Beginning
The early night was dark, the moon waning into a crescent in the sky, it's color lightening with the dawn approaching. In Ponyville, all was silent and unmoving. Or at least within the small town. On the edge of the town though, in a small red brick house, a black pegasus struggled to sleep. She tossed and turned, her form going in many poses, wings outstretched then tight against her body as she struggled to sleep soundly.
Hmm... At this rate, you'll never get your beauty sleep. Though I don't see that helping... You could always take the big sleep. Should clear things up.
The dark, eerie laugh that followed chilled her spine but she rolled her eyes sitting up in bed.
"Would you leave me the buck alone so I can get some sleep? I have a novel that's due next week and I'm nearly done. Just one night of peaceful sleep is all I need," she groaned, slipping out of bed and dragging her hooves towards the night stand.
Sweat held her bright red hair in place against her face, the white stripe stuck dilapidated in the mess. Her tail was frizzed and dragged behind her as she picked up the glass of water and drank.
It felt so hot in her room that she opened the window, welcoming the cool fresh air that went in. What a beautiful night. Princess Luna had worked extra hard to make the stars shine their brightest.
Sparkle Pen smiled, turning to look at the plush doll she had gotten as a child. It resembled the princess very much and it was her most prized possession. It allowed her to write such riveting tales. And afford actual food for a while.
Using her wing, she lightly scooped it up from it's place on the bed and held it between her hoofs as she watched the quiet night pass by. Unfortunately she no longer felt tired which meant she wouldn't be getting to sleep anytime soon.
It must be truly frustrating trying to sleep when the voices in your head won't shut up isn't it? You know, you really should probably talk to someone about these voices. But probably not yourself for once.
The black pegasus sighed irritably, grabbing her bag and putting her usual pen, paper and plushie in before going back to the window.
“Maybe I can drown you out with the wind howling in my ears,” she said, before stretching out her wings and jumping from the window. A warm current of air caught her feathers and lifted her higher as she flapped to gain altitude before starting off.
The dawn was fast approaching and such a quiet and peaceful place; perfect for some early morning writing. She wasn't sure if Fluttershy was up at this time but being the pony she was, she would go find out anyway, most likely waking the poor mare from her sleep.
Small clouds hung around Ponyville soon to be cleared as the Ponyville Cloud patrol got up to do their job. Today was suppose to be a beautiful sunny day. Sparkle Pen sighed happily as the wind went through her mane and attempted a small loop in the air. She looped, without slowing down this time. Her eyes looked down towards the ground and she spotted a familiar pink pony with a bubbly mane and tail.
“Pinkie Pie? What's she doing up at this hour?” she asked herself; her wings curled in towards her body as she descended to meet up with the most popular pony in Ponyville. She landed softly a couple feet away as Pinkie Pie came up, carrying a tray with a single cupcake on it.
The cupcake was dark with red frosting and a white stripe, similar to Sparkle Pen herself.
“Hey! I was just coming over to see you!” Pinkie Pie said, mysteriously being able to speak though the tray was in her mouth. But strange things like that always happened around Pinkie Pie. The black pegasus enjoyed those moments.
“Wow, so early? That's so nice of you Pinkie,” she said and took a bite of the cupcake. As soon as she did, she tasted not sweetness but salty bitterness. It didn't taste right at all. This wasn't Pinkie. Her cupcakes were always so sweet and sugary, not at all like this.
Pinkie's eyes were on her, a smile wide on her face as she waited for her friend to tell her how good it was. Sparkle Pen wasn't sure whether to spit it out or swallow it. And she really didn't want to swallow.
“I made this cupcake special for you Sparkle. It's made of only the best ingredient that could compliment you. You of course.”
A dark look went around Pinkie's face and Sparkle Pen suddenly spat up the cupcake. The cupcake fell to the ground, showing up as bloody meat and she tripped backwards feeling like she wanted to puke.
Pinkie started to laugh, not her usual giggle snort but an insane maniacal laugh; a crazy look went into her eyes. From nowhere, she pulled out a bloody knife.
“Your number came up Sparkle Pen. It's time for you to play the game. Just like everypony else.”
Sparkle Pen looked up in horror at the monster that was her friend as she scooted back.
In Sugarcube Corner, she makes her home. Ponyville is hers to roam. Greeting ponies with a happy grin, less they know what lurks within.
The voice in her head rhymed as her heart accelerated, Pinkie walking slowly nearer and nearer.
For under her house is where peacefulness dies. Where she'll cook you into a rainbow surprise. As Pinkie's new victim, you won't see sunrise.....
She snapped out of it as Pinkie rose the sharp knife into the air and flapped her wings, flying above and out of reach. She flew out of Ponyville, towards Fluttershy's cottage. With all the little animals around, she'd be safe there. That and Fluttershy knew martial arts.
Why don't you dare run to Miss Butchershy, for in doing so you will surely die..... She'll laugh and smile and be your friend but turn your back and the facade ends. She's always been quiet, shy they said, but even somepony like her has skeletons in her shed.
Sparkle Pen stopped in mid-flight as the voice spoke again in rhyme. At the same time she heard maniacal laughter, and an engine roar. Not wanting to know, she turned.
Rarity. Rarity was level headed and always generous. She'd let Sparkle hide out in her boutique. That and she too knew martial arts.
Little Miss Rarity's? Surely you are mistaken. Whips and Chains is all she's been makin. She'll tie you down and punish you. Shall be weak in the knees when she is through.
Again she stopped almost before she even started in that direction. Fine, Rainbowdash then. The most loyal, dependable, athletic pony in Ponyville. She'd hear her out and help her. Rainbow never let down a friend.
The black pegasus hurried towards the direction of Rainbowdash's cloud home, landing on the sidewalk to her house. She got to the door, raised a hoof to knock....
The broken loyalty is who you seek? I'm afraid what you'll find will make you meek. Stitched together and twice as hostile, her love for anyone has become quite fragile. Revenge is all she's ever wanted. It's made her all quite haunted.
The sound of a blade being sharpened perked Sparkle's ears and she backed away, heart hammering out of her chest before starting off again.
Applejack. Applejack would help her. Another dependable pony, not to mention honest. She hurried to Sweet Apple Acres as fast as her wings could take her. She could just see the orchard when the voice piped up again.
That hammered ole' mare couldn't help a fly. Depressed she let her best friend die. Leave her be unless you wish to get plastered. It's been so long only the drink she's mastered.
Applejack couldn't help her. That only left one other pony who could. She turned and headed for the library tree, racing as fast as she could push herself. The most magical, the most knowledgeable unicorn in Ponyville. Twilight Sparkle.
Sparkle Pen rushed to the door, opening and closing it. It was dark and cold inside, so cold she could see her breath. The voice called this time, not from her head but from outside.
Poor paranoid Twilight is the one you seek? I warn you, she is not for the weak. Spending her day and nights shut in, using for parchment old dried skin! Her sanity left because she was tardy. What remains is only for the hardy.....
Sparkle looked around the cold, not daring to move, much less to breath too much. There were hoofsteps, coming towards her. She froze watching a faint purple glow as something came into focus. It looked like Twilight, something like Twilight. Except it wasn't; there was something dark and unpure about it.
“W...What are you?!” the black pegasus cried out, her fear escalating. The Twilight creature's eyes glowed as did it's horn.
“I am.... Grimdark....” It spoke before opening it's mouth and swallowing Sparkle Pen whole.