//------------------------------// // Pinkamena // Story: Episode 1: Nightmares and Lunascapes // by mr lovecolt //------------------------------// Twilight Sparkle watched as Edger’s eyes widened in horror as Pinkie Pie pulled him away from Caramel and into her fore hooves. She and Caramel looked to each other and then they both turned to Rarity as they watched the scene unfold. “Oh my gosh, Tiller, I can’t believe it’s you. I mean I do believe it’s you so saying that I can’t believe it’s you is kind of silly. It’s been four years. Where did you go? You just disappeared and I never got a chance to say goodbye. I always need a chance to say goodbye to a good friend with a goodbye party, and you were my best friend, so I needed to give you the best goodbye party but I couldn’t. Nobody would tell me where you went. It doesn’t matter because you’re here now and now we can have a best friends reunited party.” Rarity almost leapt forward when Edger ripped himself away from Pinkie Pie and caused her to squeak. Edger continued to back away until his back way against a wall. “Pinkamina…” Edger whispered as he controlled his breath, “What are you?” And then she watched his eyes twitch with a realization. “Pinkamina... Diane… Pie… Pinkie Pie. The Pie was a last name, not part of your first…” Edger continued to mutter to himself as Rarity took a step forward. She reached out her hoof to touch him, but Edger pulled away. “Edger, why is Pinkie calling you Tiller?” “Because that’s his name, Rarity, duh.” The three ponies turned away from Edger and back to Pinkie Pie. “Tiller was my best friend in Flatts. He and I and Forge would always-” Pinkie Pie slammed a hoof against her face, “Oh my gosh, Caramel, I can’t believe how much you look like Forge. We always hung out together after I was finished with rotating the rocks and Forge and Tiller were finished with their jobs. Forge was an iron worker, strange, so are you, Caramel. But one afternoon after I got my cutie mark and threw a party for my family, I went to meet them at the old ruins when I saw them kiss and I thought to myself ‘Oh my gosh, you just have to throw them a party.’ And then I thought to myself ‘How do you throw a special somepony party for two stallions’? So I went to ask the elders about it, but they wouldn’t tell me, so I had to find out on my own. And then I thought to myself ‘Hey, it can’t be that different from when a stallion and mare become special someponies, so I got things together, but then I couldn’t find Forge or Tiller anywhere.” Rarity held a hoof up to her mouth, unwilling to let any sound escape from her lips. A moment later, Twilight Sparkle could hear the sound of more hooves approach, and Rainbow Dash and Applejack soon joined them. “Hey guys,” Rainbow Dash said, “Fluttershy’s asleep. Doctor said visiting hours are over, so-” “Pinkie Pie,” Twilight Sparkle said, “Are you sure you didn’t read one of Edger’s stories and imagine this?” “Are you calling Pinkie a liar?” Pinkie Pie yelled. “I’m not saying that, Pinkie,” Twilight Sparkle replied, “I’m just saying that maybe you don’t understand the implications of what you are saying. Edger?” Twilight Sparkle and the others turned to Edger, but were shocked to see that he was no longer there. The only things in his place were a bottle of pills strewn on the floor and an empty flask. They looked to the door, only to see that it still swung back and forth in the night air. Another burst of energy flew through the air, and Twilight Sparkle and Rarity reached up to their horns. “Does this mean,” Caramel asked, “I-I don’t know how to put this, but-” Rarity moved her hoof from her mouth to cover his and shook her head. “We can’t think about that, now,” Rarity said, “Edger is out there, and we need to find him before he does something rash.” “Is anypony gonna fill us in?” Applejack asked. “Not now, Applejack,” Rarity replied, “First we find Edger.” “We should split up,” Twilight Sparkle said, “But if the story is any indication, I think I know where he’s going.” “I’m going with you,” Caramel said. “Me too!” Pinkie Pie added. “No!” Caramel, Twilight Sparkle, and Rarity replied in unison. “You stay here and look around Ponyville with Applejack and Rainbow Dash,” Twilight Sparkle said, “just in case we’re wrong.” ***** The hooves began to emerge from the sides of the buildings again, but Edger simply walked past them. He felt them as they scratched against his skin, but he felt nothing except for a bit of coldness. The hooves continued to reach out towards him, and eventually, Edger could see more of them as they fully emerged. They bent at odd angles as they approached the circular light of the street lamps. Edger could feel his entire body vibrate from the energy. As the shadows around him moved faster, Edger could hear the sound of their hooves as they scraped along the ground. The sound didn’t sound like hooves, but instead like thick glass as it scratched against rock. The hooves shrieked in the darkness, but Edger continued on his way. He didn’t move consciously towards his final destination, but he knew where he was going to go. Edger looked up towards the Everfree Forest, at a small point on the horizon – he saw just the tip of an old ruined spire glisten in the moonlight. Edger could hear whispers as he approached the town square. He watched as three white ponnequins stood next to a small fountain. They stood absolutely still. Edger moved quietly along the road, but the whispers became louder. All at once, the three ponnequins turned to face Edger, and Edger held his breath as their bodies jerked around violently. The shadow ponies that surrounded him slowly moved towards the three white ponnequins, and Edger came to a still as the shadows consumed them. The ponnequins jerked their heads back and forth and reached their white hooves out to Edger. The whispers continued as the shadow ponies began to take the ponnequins apart, one by one. The shadow ponies dispersed, and Edger walked by the broken ponnequin statues In the distance, Edger could hear the sound of a low moan rip through the air where the train station should be. The moaning grew louder and louder until it filled the air completely with its voice. And then just as suddenly, the moaning stopped, and Edger continued on his way. Finally, Edger stood at the entrance to the Everfree Forest. “Tonight, I know that there is no more light.” Edger muttered to himself as he made his way into the darkness. With each step he took, Edger could see more shadow ponies emerge from the shadows of the trees. “Take me!” Edger shouted as he charged one of the shadows. As soon as he reached one and connected with its body, the shadow dissipated. Edger charged towards another and another, but each time the same thing happened. The branches twisted around his body as he charged through the trees, and the limbs tore at his clothes. He continued to chase after the shadows until all that was left of his pants and vest were tatters. Edger continued to run through the forest until he got to a small bridge at the edge of a cliff. Edger took a deep breath and made his way across the bridge; each step sent a creak through the air, and soon, Edger disappeared into the fog that surrounded the bridge. ***** Twilight Sparkle and the others charged through the town until they reached the town square. Twilight Sparkle held her nose and Rarity suppressed the urge to gag when they smelled the scent of blood and sweat. Rainbow Dash hovered above them for a moment and the gasped. “The fountain.” She yelled and took off. The others followed her and then came to a stop when they saw what lie at the base of the fountain. Rarity finally turned her head to the side and vomited. Applejack just stood there gape mouthed. Caramel and Twilight Sparkle simply stood and stared at the scene before them. The sound of air escaping flew through the air and the ponies watched as Pinkie Pie’s hair slowly deflated. “Daisy… Lily… Rose.” Rainbow Dash said as she moved from pony to pony. “Twilight,” Applejack, “I get the feeling that you, Rarity, and Caramel are keeping something from us.” “What makes you say that?” Caramel asked, only to be hit by Applejack. “Cause this is exactly what would have happened to Fluttershy had Edger not…” Applejack turned to the bodies, and then back to Caramel, “They said timberwolves attacked Fluttershy, but that ain’t the truth, is it?” “Applejack, please.” Twilight started to say. “Who is Edger and why is he here?” “His name is Tiller!” Pinkie Pie shouted. “Pinkie, stop-” “No!” Pinkie Pie shouted again, “I may not have seen his for four years, but Tiller was and still is one of my best friends! Tiller would never have done anything like this!” “I’m so sorry girls,” Rarity said as she wiped her mouth with her hoof, “But could we please move to somewhere not so… traumatizing?” “Of course,” Rainbow Dash said as she rolled her eyes, “There’s a murderer on the loose, and all Rarity cares about is keeping her mane clean.” “That’s not it at all!” Rarity exclaimed. “That’s what it sounds like.” “We need to make a plan." Twilight Sparkle said, "Things are getting out of hoof as it is.” “We should get this Edger… Tiller… whatever, and make him talk.” “Tiller didn’t do this!” “Girls!” The ponies turned their heads in surprise at the force in Caramel’s voice. Caramel trotted over to the fountain where the bodies of the three flower ponies of Ponyville lay. They watched as Caramel reached down to touch the heads of each of them and turned his head away for a moment. He then turned back to the girls. “I agree with Applejack,” Caramel said, “We need to find Edger-” “Tiller.” Pinkie Pie corrected him. “It doesn’t matter, Pinkie,” Caramel replied, “We need to find him. I also agree with Pinkie. I don’t think he could do something like this. But he does know what is going on. He kept mentioning something about shadows and white ponnequin creatures. We need to-” Caramel stopped what he was saying and looked into the distance. The girls turned and watched as a white pony made its way towards them. Twilight Sparkle could see the fear in Caramel’s eyes grow as the white pony moved closer and closer. They stood still as it continued on its way, its limbs jerking to the sides as it made its way towards the town square. Finally, the white creature stopped just before it entered the light of the town square. “Princess Twilight?” The voice asked. “Script?” Twilight Sparkle replied. “Oh thank Celestia.” Script said as he ran towards the ponies, “Where’s Edger? We have to get to him before-” Twilight Sparkle saw Script’s eyes widen as he lifted his hoof to his nose and his attention moved towards the source of the offensive smell. “Oh Celestia, not again. I can’t-” Script tried to stop himself, but it was too late. “Again?” Rainbow Dash yelled, “He’s done this before?” “Not it’s not like that, I mean-” “The stallion in Manehatten.” Caramel said. “Edger told you about that?” Script moved his hoof form his mouth to his chin as though thinking of something, “Then he has spoken of the shadows?” “Yes.” Caramel said, “And he spoke of the medications you’ve been giving him.” “Wait, you’ve been giving him medications?” Twilight Sparkle shouted, “You aren’t a licensed physician. You’re a literary agent. Do you realize how many years you could get in the dungeons beneath Canterlot Castle for something like that?” “Literary agent is my occupation,” Script corrected, “Making specialized prescriptions is my special talent. They’re more supplements for unicorns, really. They usually enhance anypony’s talents. Or, in the case of Edger, they inhibit them.” “Why would he do that?” Script slowly lowered his hoof and pointed at the bodies next to them. “Edger is a very unique pony.” Script said, “He can control light and shadow.” “Like Celestia and Luna?” Applejack. “It’s nothing like that.” Script replied, “Suffice it to say that Edger has a special talent that hasn’t been seen since before... well, let's just say it's a rare talent.” “And how did you find this out?” Twilight Sparkle asked. “Oh I knew it since I first saw him give one of his ridiculous poetry readings. He started his sestina about love and then he reached the part about-” “A palpable force, like darkness or light.” Twilight completed. “This is all mighty interesting and all,” Applejack interrupted, “But we need to do three things. We need somepony to get to the police station to bring in these girls.” Applejack pointed to the bodies, “We need somepony to check the town to make sure there ain’t no more attacks like this one. And we need to find Edger.” “You’d best take a unicorn with you.” Script said. “Why?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Well, usually the shadows simply follow Edger, but if this happened, then who is to say there aren’t more of the shadows around here somewhere?” “What does that have to do with anything?” “Well,” Script said matter-of-factly, “Only the unicorns seem to be able to feel the energies of the shadows. And only unicorns can create light that drive them away. Any light will do, really, but having a unicorn is good because they can create light in any place.” “Rainbow Dash,” Twilight Sparkle said, “You fly overhead and see if there are any more pony attacks. The shadows seem earth bound. Rarity and Applejack, you two go to the police station and make sure to be as sensitive as possible. Caramel and I are going to the Everfree Forest to find Edger.” “I have to go with you.” Script said, “I need to give him stronger medications. The energy waves that have been flowing through here have undoubtedly had an effect in his abilities.” “I’m going, too.” Pinkie Pie added. “Pinkie Pie,” Caramel said as he rubbed a hoof to the bridge of his nose, “I don’t think Edger wants to see you now.” “His name is Tiller!” “And you know this how?” Script asked. “I’ve known Tiller since we lived in Flatts together.” “Oh, so you’re the one Edger described of in his book as the naïve pony.” “What did you call me?” “If you two do not stop this right now,” Caramel said, “I swear to Celestia herself that you will wish the shadows get to you, too.” Script and Pinkie Pie turned to Caramel, and when they saw the look of fury in his eyes, they both became quiet. Rainbow Dash nodded her head and took to the sky. Applejack and Rarity turned towards the bodies and stood at them for a moment. Rarity shook her head from side to side, and when her shoulders began to quiver, Applejack leaned over and wrapped an fore hoof around her friend. They turned away and slowly made their way towards the Ponyville Police Station. Twilight Sparkle, Caramel, Pinkie Pie, and Script stood at the fountain at the town square for another moment before they turned and made their way towards the Everfree Forest. ***** Fluttershy stared out the window of the hospital room. Luna’s moon sat in the heavens right above a small white cloud. Fluttershy squinted for a moment and pretended that the moon actually sat on that small cloud for a moment before she sighed to herself. The space between her shoulder blades hurt even with the painkillers she had been given. I was never a good pegasus, Fluttershy thought to herself, I hated heights. I was never a strong flyer. “I-” Fluttershy mumbled, “I deserved to lose my wings.” Tears formed on Fluttershy’s face as she turned once again to the window. It was at that moment that Fluttershy saw Rainbow Dash fly through the air. She watched as Rainbow Dash’s eyes darted from side to side, as though looking for something. She watched as the cyan pegasus flew effortlessly through the air, her body spinning and turning fluidly like water. Even at night, Rainbow Dash’s multicolored mane seemed to glow, as though it was its own light source. Fluttershy watched as the moon rose from the cloud, and she imagined Luna herself had stood just to watch Rainbow Dash fly. Fluttershy leaned forward, crossed her fore hooves over her chest, and slowly sobbed in the darkness. There was a shuffling sound in front of Fluttershy. She looked up but saw nothing. A moment later, however, she watched as a dark hoof emerged from the shadow in the corner between the small table and the window where the light of the moon couldn’t reach. Fluttershy’s breathing hitched and her movements stopped as the hoof moved further and further out. She knew in an instant two things: that this was the same thing that attacked her, and that this thing was moving towards her again. I’m a bad Pegasus, Fluttershy thought to herself, I deserve this for not being good enough. As the shadowed hoof inched closer towards her, Fluttershy remembered all of the animals that resided at her cottage. She thought of Elizabeak, the stubborn chicken who couldn’t keep out of the Everfree Forest. She thought of Hummingway, and laughed to herself as she remembered how he tried to help her heal Philomena. She thought of Mr. Mousey, whose leg had been severely broken after a falcon attack. Fluttershy stared at the shadowed hoof that reached her. I don’t want to die, Fluttershy thought to herself. It was at that moment that the lights suddenly turned on. Fluttershy turned to the door to see Nurse Tenderheart as she stood in the doorway. “Fluttershy,” Nurse Tenderheart asked, “Is everything all right?” Fluttershy turned to where the shadowed hoof was, only to find that it was gone. “Yes,” Fluttershy replied, “But could you keep the lights on?” “Of course, I can. Is there anything else?” Fluttershy turned back to the window and saw Rainbow Dash once again fly in front of Luna’s moon as though she performed for the princess of the night herself. “Yes. Can you close the blinds, please?”