> Within Tartarus: A Collection of Horrifying Events
>  by Cromegas_Flare
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Intro:Warning
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Warning


There comes a time where we all have nightmares, fears that hide deep within our minds, waiting for the moment when we’re at our weakest to strike.

The stories here are such moments. And with that, you are warned.

Tartarus, a place of suffering, torture, and Hell.  Some say it is a place where the darkest and vilest of creatures exist, guarded by beasts and dark magic far more powerful and terrifying than anything you can possibly fathom.  

What if one were to tell you that this prison has reached out far beyond the walls of agony and evil and rooted itself deep within your mind? Everypony is connected to this place, for within the peace of their minds, do the real monsters rise.  Only love and serenity have kept this evil at bay, but the nightmares have begun to rise again, dragging the minds and souls of their helpless down to the depths of Tartarus.

This is not only a record of our Nightmares, but also of the very evil that still haunts the land of Equestria to this day.

Here I offer a warning.  These stories are fact. No matter how terrifying, how gruesome, how unbelievably evil; they have happened. These stories have been guarded by the souls of those recorded deep within the catacombs. We have brought these tales back to the surface, back to reality, so that they may serve as a warning to those who refuse to believe.

Read on and learn. Save your souls. For those of you who continue to live in doubt, you have been warned.

> Fluttershy's Angel
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was just another day for Fluttershy, she had gone out in the morning to check on her friends near the forest. She received a call from Twilight, asking her to help with some research on a particular subject.  Fluttershy had also spent some time with Rainbow Dash as the speed master had asked for her opinion on some of her new tricks that she had picked up over the weekend.  To tell you the truth; Fluttershy had seen Rainbow with better maneuvers in the past, just seeing her friend so excited about it. It just didn’t seem right to bring her friend down when she was already so happy.

After dinner, Pinkie had asked her to join in a party for a new pony who had come into town that morning.  Even if the new stallion named Cumulus Rapture was nice, there were still too many ponies there to be a fun occasion for her.  The party ended and Fluttershy was making her way home, smelling the fresh air and even stopping a couple times to smell some sweet rich lilies that were growing on the side of the path.

The one thing about the party that Fluttershy liked was that the new pony, Cumulus Rapture, had given her a nice complement, if one thing was to go nice today it would be somepony being kind, especially to one who was in a tough grind. Just thinking of the new stallion made the shy Pegasus blush like a crushing school filly.  It was not until that Fluttershy had made it into her home that she realized how exhausted she was. Angel Bunny, who she had saved from certain death, was waiting for her return.  

"I am so sorry Angel, but I was just so busy today that I had no time to come and prepare your dinner" said the yellow mare as she was coldly reminded of the bunnies suffering.  Fluttershy was convinced by Pinkie to join the party before she had time to go and feed Angel and all the other animals, causing Angel not to only fend for himself, but to feed all the other animals as well.  A job that he did not like to do at a moment’s notice, so he stood there giving Fluttershy his version of the “stare” demanding payment for his act of service.  

"OK Angel, how about a nice juicy carrot for your hard work?" said Fluttershy hoping that the bribe would be enough payment.  The little white bunny just shook his head vigorously, so with a small sigh the pegasus offered 3 carrots instead of one only to get the same result from the bunny.  This went on for the next ten minutes until the bid was: five carrots, three cherries, his favorite salad, and an apple from Sweet Apple Acres.

Angel put his paw on his little chin thinking the offer through until he came to a decision, with a quick nod from his head he leaped up and gave Fluttershy a hug and went off to the other room where he stayed the night.  Once the bunny was gone Fluttershy remembered how drained she felt and went upstairs to her bed.  

***

Night had fallen over Equestria as Luna's moon shone over the land, giving the clouds that beautiful silver gleam in that night sky.  Down in Fluttershy's cottage the little pegasus lay in her bed, sleeping the night away, the nocturnal creatures outside singing their lullaby.  

As the night wore on, the sweet mare kept to her bed, the only sign of her sleep being the slight rise in her blanket as she took her deep restful breaths. The comfortable serenade of the night giving a light, relaxing sensation; only to be suddenly hushed. Only the rustling of leaves could be heard as a breeze blew by.   Feeling uneasy, Fluttershy woke up. As she drowsily examined her room, she began to feel as though she was being watched.

In alert the mare looked around her room, trying to find the culprit; for Pinkie once told her that “if you feel like somepony is watching you, then you're being watched.”  As she looked around her room she saw nopony. She listened into the darkness, trying to identify any noises that shouldn’t have been there. She heard nothing. 

Nothing...

Fluttershy got out of her bed and walked to the open window and looked out into her yard, there were no animals going about like usual.  The realization caused Fluttershy to wonder if there was something wrong.  She looked up from her yard and into the Everfree forest to see if there were any Timberwolves watching out, but she saw nothing for there was nothing to see.

Nothing...

"Fluttershy" the word came quick and course, causing the poor mare to scream and jump.  Turning around to see who had called her name she saw the dark void that once was her house. She could feel something was wrong.  Having the sudden urge to run and get away, she walked to her stairs and headed down to her living room, making her way to the front door which lead outside.

Putting her hoof on the door to open it she stopped, wait what am I doing? she thought.  This is my home and I should be safe here, so why should I leave?  That was when her mental argument began, You should leave because something is not right, and if you stay you might get hurt, said the other voice in her head.  Yes, but if i go, I'll be leaving Angel and all my other friends in danger, that is, if, there is danger here. The part wanting to leave cut in, But if you stay, something bad might happen to you, go ahead and take them with you.  The thought sounded like a good idea at first. "But they’re sleeping I couldn’t just wake them up, I don't even know if there is danger. I probably had a nightmare.  I'll just go the kitchen and make some tea to calm my nerves."

With that, she turned away from the door and trotted over to the kitchen, passing Angel who slept peacefully in his bed.  Entering the kitchen she put a tea ball in her kettle with some jasmine leaves inside and placed it on the stove to warm up.  The pegasus waited until her tea warmed with no unusual event accruing, even her thoughts were pretty tame as she gathered her nerves.

The tea now ready, she poured it into a small cup and sat down on the table.  She began to feel tired again. That was when she noticed that a strange smell that had filled the room. It smelled like a heavy smoke with a hint of sulfur within.  The stench nearly made Fluttershy lose her tea.   "I'm not saying you're a devil child, but I think that Satan would be pretty impressed with your resume..." the sudden voice came back, sounding more menacing than before.

Fluttershy's blood ran cold, and in an instant, she was in her bed under her covers leaving behind a shattered tea cup on the ground.  Out of terror, Fluttershy went to where she felt safe, her bed.  Even in her panic she could feel herself yelling within to get out, but even the sanest of ponies can’t listen to their own voice of reason when in chaos.  

Laying in her bed, she kept herself quiet even to the point of breathing softly.  The only thing she could hear was her own heartbeat, drumming in her head like a gong.  With sweat pouring down her face, she took a deep breath to calm her nerves.  

The illusion of peace seemed to take hold of the atmosphere, as the pony took control of her ever-so-sensitive nerves.  Letting the sheets slide off of her, she began to look around the room for any sign of intrusion. What are you doing? You need to get out of here now!  Fluttershy’s thoughts shouted.  However no matter how loud she would yell at herself, she seemed to be compelled and content in staying right where she was.  However those words somehow woke the mare up from her frightful daze, she then came to the decision to get out of there.

Pulling off the covers, she pivoted herself so her back legs would be dangling over the edge of her bed. Flaring out her wings, she prepared herself to take flight, giving out a light push to ascend out the window. 

A sudden violent shove onto her bed. 

She landed on her left side, her wing pinned under her at an excruciating angle.  Before she could get her senses in order, she felt pressure come upon her pushing her down farther into her now uncomfortable bed.

The sound of cracking could be heard throughout the whole cottage, causing all the animals to wake as Fluttershy’s screams of terror and pain rang out. Her wings were slowly broken, causing bone to rupture out of its protective skin.  Marrow oozed out like toothpaste coming out of a tube, causing a shriller scream of desperation as her body was forced into a painful position, feeling broken and twisted. She looked in horror as an all-white pony slowly materialized in her doorway. She saw its pure black eyes as it slowly advanced towards her. It opened its mouth, revealing a maw filled with jagged teeth ready to rip her apart at any moment. “Wh-what are you?” She asked, her voice almost inaudible. The creature merely laughed. She watched as it advanced closer, the rest of the room fading into darkness. 

“You’re pathetic.”

The voice rang out, appearing to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. She felt tears well in her eyes as memories of her failed attempts to be brave came surging back. 

“Yes… your sorrow, your fears… Give them to me.”

She remembered the time she first met Twilight. She came to her with a warm smile and a gentle hoof and she was too scared, too weak to accept it…

“Yes…”

She remembered when her friends convinced her to become part of the mysterious mare-do-well. All her friends pulled off amazing heroics, and all she could manage to do was a mere flyby.

“Give it all to me…”

Hell, the one time she was brave was when Discord altered her. The only, bucking time. And what? She was tough, she was brave. But she was a jerk, a meanie! She was still trying to apologize and she couldn’t even manage to do THAT! 

“Hahahahahahahaha…” A demonic laughter filled her ears.

Maybe Discord was onto something, maybe she did need to change…

“Yes… I can give you the change you desire…”

Fluttershy stared numbly at the mysterious entity. She wanted with all her heart to be different, but not if this was the cost. The creature extended its hoof. Fluttershy thought for what felt like an eternity… Finally she shook her head.

“What?” she heard the voice ask, “You dare defy Me!?!” The voice grew in volume, shattering her eardrums. “Who are You, a Pitiful, Pathetic mortal with no guts, to defy a being of MY power!!??!! If you won’t GIVE me your body… I’ll simply have to take it..” And with that, the pony closed the difference between them. Before she knew it, it was holding her head in its hooves, forcing their eyes to meet. She heard static and growls as she slowly lost consciousness.





Angel woke up to screaming coming from Fluttershy’s room. What is she dreaming about now? He thought, annoyed. He sighed, better go check. He walked into Fluttershy’s room and saw her sitting on her bed, a look of horror and amusement on her face. 

Fluttershy was drifting in and out of consciousness, struggling to remain in this world. Through blurred vision, she saw a familiar white shape enter the room. Angel Bunny! She gasped. “Oh… you like this mortal… hehehe…”the laughter faded away as she felt him sit next to her on the bed. Angel… she thought, as she lost consciousness again.

Angel stood next to Fluttershy. Hey! Come on! Wake up! he thought as he poked at her sides. Her head snapped to face him. “Hellooooooo Angel Bunny.” She said. About time! He thought as he crossed his arms at her, looking slightly annoyed. He felt Fluttershy grab him tightly and lift him up.

It happened in an instant. One moment, Angel was staring at Fluttershy’s beautiful face, the next he was staring at the back of her throat. 

She placed his head in her mouth and bit down on his neck. He began struggling as she slowly pulled his body away from her prize. His skin was the first to tear, revealing the red tissue underneath, stretching and tearing as the ligaments severed. His nerves were the next to give, tearing and being shredded by Fluttershy’s teeth, but not before giving the owner one last massive surge of pain before dying off. Finally, he hung limp, the only thing connecting his body to his head being his blood vessels. Fluttershy began pulling, stretching and tearing the rubbery threads until they each snapped, allowing massive amounts of blood to torrent out. Finally, she put his body to the side, a grin of triumph on her face.

Fluttershy regained consciousness. She was immediately aware of a coppery flavor in her mouth. As she came back to reality, she felt a massive lump in her mouth and felt fur. She quickly spit it out to find her saliva red. She looked around her room until she saw the body next to her. “A-angel?” She said. She looked to where she spat and felt the urge to vomit. His face was forever twisted into a look of shock and horror, his eyes giving off pure sadness and betrayal. “Angel?” She couldn’t believe what she saw. “ANGEL!!!!” She shrieked, before doubling over and regurgitating her dinner.

From the shadows came a low, subtle snicker. “Thanks for the fun…” Came a demonic voice. “Maybe we’ll try taking on bigger prey next time…” And with its final statement, the being dissolved into the shadows, waiting for its next opportunity to strike.

> FaCes&EyEs
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

True-- nervous?  Yes I am Nervous, even as I was, I am now.

Why, might one ask?  About my Sanity-- the madness that has opened and freed me from the curse of acceptance.  

It was never a descent for me, but more of a rise.  One could only imagine the greatness of the madness with in my very being, yet with that nopony can understand what I had to do.  You see, without passion and care, I truly loved that mare.  She did nothing to offend me, not once did she raise her voice.  No, she did not even let out a scowl.  Now that mare was the most sweet and kind of all ponies to be known.  However there was that one thing, the very thing that destroyed her innocence... no not her innocence, her charm.  On the very front as of all ponies have, there was that eye.  Right on her beautiful gray face, was that one eye, it never matched the other.  Whenever I entered her suit, I would hand over her food, and as a thank you she would bring that one eye down and have it rest on my soul.  Sending the very cold of the great pit Tartarus into me.

I could of just walked out you know -- been safe from that eye.  But how could I if i know that the orb stayed in existence to haunt all life around.   I had to stay and solve the problem.  

Honestly-- I don't know how I came up with the idea, It just started as an idea to fix the eyes.  It was just a matter of time before it became too late to realize that the eye could not be fixed.  With that very conclusion, the fate of the young mare was sealed.

Now this is the point: You fancy me mad, insane, illogical, and cruel.  I'll tell you something right now: mad ponies know nothing, the insane can't think, the illogical are dumb, and the cruel are illogical and thus, also dumb.  You should’ve seen me, my work of both intelligence, and patience.  Creeping up the stairs, you see I don't have wings like she does, but I can still be quiet if I need to be.  I would walk up to her door-- and oh so silently, I would open the door-- Not quickly mind you, but slowly.  Once the door was open just enough to get my head in, I thrust ever so gently as my head, and just my head entered the room.  For three weeks I did this, poking my head into her room, using my horn to emit a thin beam of light-- a light that would rest right on her left eye.  It had to be the left eye, for that was the eye that threatened all of pony kind.

Day after day I would serve her, she not knowing my brilliant plot.  For I would walk in to serve that mare with all the confidence and pleasure the world could give.  As I looked into her one right eye, the only good one, I nearly felt bad for what had to be done for it was not her fault.  Then I would see the laziness of the left, and my mission would be reconfirmed, she had to go.  A small sad sacrifice really, but happy all the same.  As I would assist in the house keeping she would talk, her cheer filling any soul with joy, yet it was her eye that tantalized that bliss, a sad curse that she would soon be free of.

Weeks passed again, yet with my patience my time soon came.  It started like any other night-- with me creeping up the stairs in perfect silence.  Making my way to the door, the carved wooden barrier that called out to me.  Like a habit that was burned into me I slowly opened the door without making a single peep.   Placing my head through the now existing crevice, I then looked around in the dark room.  Like all the other times, I could not see a thing for the darkness blanketed the room like it was wanting to protect whatever was in there.  I let out a soft chuckle from within, but she must have heard me, not knowing how.  Hearing movement from within, I imagined the pegasus sitting up.  “Who's there,” came the mare’s voice, “By Celestias name, tell me who is there.”

Most would think that by then I would have retracted with fear and retreated from being caught.  But oh I did not, for I planned for this to happen.  I waited there standing still-- no not even moving a muscle.  During that time my senses picked up on breathing, not the breathing of peace, nor was it the breathing of love.  No this was the damned breathing of the worst form of anxiety! I could hear her stifled breath as she told herself that it was all but the wind, that the night will soon pass.  But despite her own futile attempts to wager down her terror, her brain would not be fooled into a false sense of peace.

Still I waited in absolute stillness, listening intently to her own distilled breaths.  She continued to tell herself that all was safe, all was calm.  That nothing in this world could harm her, not under the protective eye of her protective servant.  Yes me being that protective eye, doing my duty to protect all from hers.  Finally on what felt like hours, I decided to carry on to the next segment of my insidious plan.  

Without hearing her sit back down, I used my horn once again and for the last time, and placed it on the left eye-- and found it open.  That yellow eye staring back at me, bugged open with fear.   In an insult the coldness of Tartarus, that coldness filled my soul as anger filled my logic.  This is when I must tell you that while some would say I am Mad, and no matter how hard they try to convince me-- I am not mad it is a heightened sense of reality, and that over-acute sense gave me the greatest of all blessings--and curses.  A drumming, a beating, first as calm as a ticking of one of Time Turners creations, soon intensified to a deafening war cry.  A war cry that was still muffled like being enveloped in cotton. 

That sound, I knew that sound.  It was a sound that surrounded the very definition of fear, the disposition of which, is what the mare was.  Looking at her I could smell the sweat dripping off from her blond mane, I could hear her coat start to pail.  These were all blessings that came from my over-acute sense, blessings that gave me the strength of what needed to be done.  It was however-- that sound, the sound of her pure heart.  A heart plagued with the eye of intense evil.

As I looked into that menacing eye, more rage filled my veins at that time than any other time.  I stood there using my magic to light up that eye, that menacing eye, the very orb that spawned from the pit of Tartarus.  As I stood there, so still that I would've made a statue look animated, the beating grew louder-- and louder… and louder.  It was with that realization that the thought came into me, a thought that struck my heart with fear.  If I could hear the heartbeat, the time would come where even the ponies outside could hear it through their walls.

It was then, at that time when I had to make my heroic move.  Moving faster than what that mare could even possibly comprehend.  I moved to her bed side grabbing her and pulling her off the comfort of her sanctuary-- that sanctuary that will save her from her sinister eye.  If I were not a strong stallion, surely I would have failed-- no I was not only strong, I was determined-- that is the greatest of strengths. Pulling her off the bed, all she could do was let out a shout.  Once I had managed to move her down to the ground I pulled the mattress off from the bed and forced it on top of her, then I sat on top and waited for the drumming to cease.

As I sat there I laid my head down to listen.  Listening as the beating of the drums died down.  First was the struggle that the young mare gave-- It soon died away.  Then the beating of her precious heart started to slow.  I listened to the gradual decent of the failing heart, as it slowed and weakened, I being no longer afraid of people hearing her heart, for it was now so quiet that I could not even sense it.  Soon that sound that I had come to love and hate, died all together.  The mare was free from her curse. 

Dragging the limp body to the room next door, I hoisted the carcass and placed it into her vile bathtub, and began to to cut and carve the body.  I started with her legs, using my saw that I prepared many days ago.  Scraping and grinding into her tissue, severing limb from body as her organic fluids flowed down the drain.  Limb after limb did I do this, then I started on her mark, the mark of bubbles.  I carved out that mark and set it to the side, as I proceeded to sever the head from neck.  Each thrust on the saw gridded on the tip of the spine, but after feeling the nerves give out I detached the head and lifted it up before me.

Grabbing my spoon, the one I had sharpened for this very purpose, I buried it into her left dead eye.  Splitting the skin of the eye lid, I licked my lips as I dug around, trying to find the optical nerve.  Sensing the soft snap of the nerve being severed, I scooped out the damned eye from its home.  “No more,” I said, “No more will you haunt me!” With that said I picked up the fur with her mark and laid it down before me, placing the large evil eye on-top of it.  I then wrapped it up and placed it next to me.

Washing all the limbs and body, I placed them into a bag-- a bag that I had prepared from the beginning.  I then rinsed out the tub, so that not even a bit of blood would stay behind to stain.  After I had cleaned not only the mess, but also myself. I grabbed the bundle of fur and walked down to the kitchen, where I approached the apparatus that was to free me from the eye.

It was a blender, a crystal clear blender with a black lid, which had belonged to my dear master.  Looking down at the bundle in my hooves, I then tossed that eye into the blender, gifted to her by that Pinkie Pie.  Turning on the machine I watched as my senses slowed down time, blessing me to see what no normal pony could see.  I watched as the blades skinned away the fur, revealing that fateful eye.  It was looking at me, even as the blades sliced ever so slowly through that cursed thing.  Cutting the top third, revealing the thick crimson liquid inside.  Then it cut and shredded the bottom half, filling the beaker with that same crimson blood.  Only the iris and center of the eye remained as it got drowned into the vat of gore.  The golden ring looking at me as the blades swiped through it with ease.  I watched as the last of the eye was liquefied and destroyed from existence.  I grabbed a jar and lid, and poured the brew into it, sealing it to never be disturbed again. 

After cleaning the apparatus, I made my way upstairs, not only with the jar--but with a tool to lift up floor boards as well.  Retrieved the mangled corpse from the bathroom and went back to the mare’s old room.  There I dismantled the floorboards and placed the mangled body with in, and as a finishing touch, placed the jar next to the bag of flesh.  I then replaced the boards and sealed to boards in such a manner that nopony would know any less.  My deed had been done perfectly.

It was then that I realized that I was ever so hungry, I looked at the time and noticed that it was only early morning still, not even light out yet.  So I made my way back down to the kitchen and made myself a lily sandwich.  I began to devour the meal, when I was suddenly interrupted by a knock-- a knock that came from the front door.

I went to the door and found, some of the royal guard at the front steps-- three ponies to be precise, one was a unicorn and the other two were pegasi.

In complete confidence I invited them in for they informed me that a neighbor had heard a shout in the middle of the night, and had come to investigate.  I smiled and told them to have a look through the house.  I knew that they would not find anything, for I had played my part with exact accuracy.  After inquiring if the mare who had lived here was present, I informed them that she was in fact out of town visiting family.  They took in my words rather well and proceeded to search the house.  

My confidence got the better of me, for I had lead them into the very room where I had done the deed.  Having offered tea to my visitors, I gave them hospitality.  I soon then took up my own seat right above the spot where the mare now lay, and began to have a conversation about casual things.  That was when I started to get a ringing in my brain.  I did not think much of it, for the talk I was having with my distinguished guests was quite enjoyable.  However the ringing grew, and I soon came to recognize it.  I watched the faces of the guard, watching for any sign that they have heard it too.  Sweat spilling down my face, the ringing growing louder-- louder… and louder.  I started to talk in a little bit more of a raised voice, hoping that I could drown out that horrid sound, fearing that the guards would soon hear it as well.  

No-- I see one of the guard’s smile, at that moment I knew that he was onto me.  I had then declared to myself that I would not lose this game, I had bested the master of myself, and i would best the guard as well.  The ringing, beating of a heart grew in my mind, now I was certain that the sound was not coming from my head, but from under the floorboards at where I sat.

I started to bang my hoof on the floor, still hoping to drown out that reclusive noise.  Yet the officers still sat there conversing merrily with one another.  My mind was racing, as to why they would not leave-- obviously I had one the game and surly there was no reason for them to stay.  No-- they were still here like they knew something.  Why, could they hear the heart?  I picked up my seat and started to hit the ground, the guard still oblivious to my ach and suffering.  There joyful voices searing into my head, as my strength failed me.  I was losing the game.  The damned beating ringing in the room, the joyous talking of glee emitting from the ponies before me.  The beating-- the joy -the beating-- the joy --  the beating, the joy

“Villains-- cease your lips-- I admit the deed” I dove to the ground and pride out the floorboards, reached into the bag and pulled out the red lump ”Here is the beating heart of Ditzy Doo!"



> Twilights Assistant
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Owlicious watched Fluttershy bite the head off of Angel Bunny. He had never really gotten to meet Angel except those few times. Oh well… he thought, as he watched the scene unfold through a window, He would’ve just complicated things… Owlicious watched as Fluttershy carelessly tossed Angel’s body onto the bed next to her. Still pretty harsh… Then, he saw something strange; something he thought he’d never see again. His eyes widened as he saw a very faint pony exit Fluttershy, then retreat to a corner of the room. Oh wow… he thought as he recalled his late-night reading sessions, A real Incommodum. An evil entity manifested from the hatred and jealousy of a close friend. How ironic… He thought with a sadistic smile. He had no time to waste, the preparations had to be made as swiftly as possible. He left the cottage, feeling conflicted as he imagined how his plans would play out; fantasizing about the various, gruesome deaths that would be made. I swear… he thought, anger slowly filling his thoughts, never again will I be reduced to a mere servant! 

Twilight was sitting down, reading one of her many books. She took a look at her current read. 
NECRONOMICORN

Necronomicorn, a single word that brought shivers down the spines of even the bravest of ponies. She had found it out of place. It wasn’t with the other members of her forbidden section. She had decided to read the old book, learning about dark magic and horrifying beings that would make even Snowflake quake in fear. She had read about all kinds of horrible entities, dark spells that she didn’t want to think about, and summoning rituals to call upon massive beings of destruction. It also warned her of risings and great events that, if left unchecked, could easily spell the doom of Equestria. She learned of the end of the world, Ramnarok, a large confrontation between several deities that would be the end of Equestria. It would start with the turning of an Element to the darkness, followed by the moon and the sun unleashing their full wrath upon the dishonored protector. Ancient beings would rise from the darkness to defend their new comrade in battle, resulting in an intervention from Eldars. Various battles would rage across the land as the earth would rise to combat the sky, oceans parting and crashing into one another as the waves would be taken by combat. Storms would brew and fire would rise from the Obscurum, located deep in the center of the earth, to stop them as more and more gods and entities joined the battle. Eventually they would clash at Koniec, where the moon would fall to the seas, Harmony would fall to the Eldar, Judicio, and the sun would be swallowed by the Obscurum. The continents would sink into the depths and resurface centuries later as a perfect utopia.

Sometimes we must go through hell to escape it… thought Twilight as she began speculating what the scene would look like. She didn’t notice Owlicious silently advancing on her.

Soon… 

All the preparations had been made, the concoction ready, the special markings made. 

He must die…

It was nothing personal… But that pathetic excuse of a dragon was the only one who had the sense to realize that Owlicious had been planning revenge from the very moment he became that accursed Twilight’s servant. He was the biggest threat, and thus had to be eliminated first. Enough waiting! He thought as he went into the kitchen to retrieve a cup, it happens NOW





Fluttershy was sitting on her bed, thinking about what she had done to poor Angel, when she caught a glimpse of a familiar pony. She stared numbly as the familiar white entity slowly advanced towards her. She wanted to scream, but bit her tongue.

Hello again… My beautiful friend.

She heard the same, chilling voice from before.

I’m bored, and want to have some fun…

Fluttershy gulped. Please… no… she thought as she felt the familiar dizziness and loss of consciousness. 

I believe it’s time we tried bigger prey… I know of a certain snooping owl that knows what you did to Angel… 

Fluttershy tried to fight it, but in the end she succumbed to the darkness and lost consciousness. 





Owlicious waited till the perfect time to strike, and it had finally arrived. Spike had just settled down for a nap and Twilight was busy reading the Necronomicorn, And to think that fool thought she was worthy of my services… He thought bitterly, she can’t even put two and two together! He was ready, he was angry, and he was going to get revenge. He scooped up some of the potion into a cup and carried it to Twilight, trying his best to hide his look of disgust as he flew to her. He offered the cup with a smile on his face and Twilight gladly accepted. His smile turned into a sneer as she finished the cup very quickly. The effects to hold almost instantaneously. 

Twilight grabbed her head as she tried to steady herself, her legs suddenly almost unable to hold her weight. She leaned against a bookshelf as she let out shaky breaths. She became aware of whispering in her ears, coming from everywhere and nowhere. She collapsed against the bookshelf and slid to the floor. She looked up as Owlicious stood nearby, looking down on her. 
Meet your master…

Twilight’s ears perked as she heard one whisper rise above the rest.

You belong to him…
Praise and worship…
Be thankful he doesn’t end your life right here and now…

The many voices soon became too much for her to handle and she covered her ears in a futile attempt to block them out. 

SUBMIT NOW!!!

A booming voice rose above the rest as Twilight’s vision began to dim until she could only see bits and fragments in the center of her field of vision. Her brain went numb as all her senses dulled. 

Hello, Twilight Sparkle…

A lone voice broke the silence.

I am now your master. My name is Blekking, but you insisted on naming me “Owlicious”... I have been very angry Twilight, but not anymore. You are going to something for me, as a sign of my ownership. You’re going to kill the dragon…

Twilight’s body began moving to the space she and Spike called their room. She went up the ladder and walked up to the sleeping Spike. As she stared at him, her horn began to glow, tears streaming down her emotionless face. She lowered her head and took aim.

“Twilight?” The voice sounded shocked and hurt. There was silence. Followed by a deep voice. 
“Twilight isn’t here anymore. Only Blekking.” Spike began to tear up as Twilight’s horn glowed brighter.  He shut his eyes, waiting for the blast, when their bedroom window shattered and Twilight was sent flying back to the ground floor. Spike watched in awe as Fluttershy took a fighting stance then followed Twilight down to the library. 

Blekking watched in anger as his newly acquired servant was sent sprawling down from the upper levels. He watched as that damn Fluttershy descended the ladder and stood before the two of them. He noticed the pony from earlier standing beside her, just like before. He had had enough of games. 

What the hay are you doing here? He asked.

Looking for fun. Was the sarcastic response from the Incommodum. 

Well why here? Why now? Asked Blekking, feeling more than aggravated. 

Because, nothing is more fun than hunting large prey. 

Well you’re not having my new servant! That’s for sure. He said, his blood boiling.

That’s perfectly fine, I have a new target anyway…

And who might that be? Asked Blekking, beginning to feel a bit uneasy.

You… His blood ran cold. 

Why? Was all he managed to ask.

“Because…” Said Fluttershy with an unnatural voice, showing her now sharper teeth, “She makes it way more fun when it’s somepony she knows personally…” 

Run

That’s what his inner voice said. But before he could comply, she was on top of him. 

He watched her hoof rapidly approach his face. He felt the devastating impact and several bones break. He felt multiple blows delivered to him in rapid succession. Suddenly, he was lifted off the ground. He felt a hoof take each of his wings and began pulling on them with a agonizing amount of force. Bones broke, skin tore, and blood vessels snapped like rubber bands as his wings were separated from the rest of him. He collapsed to the floor, writhing in pain as a thundering hoof landed square on his temple, finishing him off.

Twilight awoke, dazed. She heard crying, but couldn’t tell whose it was. She opened her eyes and saw red all over her library. She quickly scrambled to her feet and scanned the scene. She immediately regurgitated everything she had in her. 

She saw Fluttershy curled into a ball, crying and rocking in place. All around her was blood, gore and the body and wings of Owlicious. At least she assumed it was Owlicious, the body was far too mutilated to allow proper identification. “Fluttershy?” She cautiously called out, “W-what happened?” 
“Twilight!” She heard spike call. “Are you okay?” She looked at him, he appeared very cautious, as though he expected her to leap out at him. 
“Spike, what’s going on?”
“Oh boy…” Spike took a deep breath then began recounting the tale. When he was finished, Twilight could only look in shock. She looked at Fluttershy, who had stopped crying and was laying motionless in her ball, then at the mutilated Owlicious, then back at Spike, who she almost killed. Wait! She thought, looking at the Necronomicorn then Fluttershy. Her eyes grew wide as realization hit her.

“Oh no…”

> Trit Trot
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Trit Trot through to the mirror By the Window, that is where I’ll be, Come Trit Trot through the blossoms with me





Ponies say that if you wish upon a star, all your dreams will come true. Little did they know how true that really was. 

Apple Bloom lay on top of a hill, watching Luna’s glorious sky. She took note of the shining stars and the various constellations they made. She saw the Ram, the Alicorn, and the one that gave her shivers every time she thought of it, the Butcher. As she was watching the stars, she noticed a single, shimmering star rocket across the sky. Ooh! A shooting star! She thought, I wish for my cutie mark! She excitedly looked at her flank and waited for her Cutie Mark to appear. She waited for a long time till she eventually lost hope. She sadly got to her hooves and made her way to the farm. When she arrived she found Applejack waiting for her on the front porch. “There you are sugarcube! We’ve been worried sick!” Apple Bloom simply nodded and continued making her way to her room. She fell into her bed and began sobbing. It just isn’t fair! she thought, everypony else has their cutie marks! Why can’t I have one! After a couple of minutes, Apple Bloom cried herself into a light, fitful sleep.


 

Apple Bloom sat in the center of her cell, watching the white walls as if they were about to vanish. How ironic, she thought with a pained chuckle, What I wanted most wound up being my biggest nightmare… She was brought back to reality by the sound of a guard calling her. “Hey, prisoner! I’m talking to you!” She looked at the guard. “You’re execution is tomorrow!” he barked out, “Enjoy your last night at our luxurious resort.” He said with an arrogant sneer before walking down the hall. So… she thought, Tomorrow's the big day, huh? A sad smile formed on her face, What did I do to get myself here? 




The next day, Apple Bloom arrived at school late. “Sorry Ahm late miss Cherilee!” She called as she rushed to her desk. 
“Glad you could finally join us, Apple Bloom.” Replied miss Cherilee. Apple Bloom sat down in her chair. “Now, as I was saying…” Cherilee continued, “Don’t forget to start working on your group projects!” The class cheered, except for the CMC, Diamond Tiara and her lackey, Silver Spoon. 
“Miss Cherilee.” Said Diamond, raising her hand, “Do I have to work with that?” She asked, pointing to Apple Bloom. 
“Hey!” Cried Apple Bloom.
“Now Diamond Tiara,” began Cherilee, “I specifically put the two of you together so you could learn more about each other and hopefully become friends.” She said in a stern voice.
“But why would I want to be friends with that?” She said, again pointing to Apple Bloom.
“Hey!” Said Apple Bloom, starting to feel a bit agitated. Why do I have to put up with her? She silently asked Miss Cherilee. 
“See miss? It can’t even say more than one word.” Said Diamond, a smug smile on her face.
“Now wait just a minute!” Cried Apple Bloom.
“Oh my gosh! Congratulations! A full sentence!” Exclaimed Diamond, causing the class to erupt in giggles. It was too much for Apple Bloom to bear, and she ran out of the class, tearing up as she went. Miss Cherilee gave Diamond a stern look.
“I want you to apologize.” She said, trying to control her voice.
“But-” Diamond began to object.
“Now!” Said Miss Cherilee. Diamond Tiara got up from her seat and began walking to the door. 
“I hope Apple Bloom gives her a black eye, cause if not I will…” Scootaloo muttered under her breath. 
“Now Scootaloo,” said Sweetie, “You don’t mean that.”
“Yes I do Sweetie Belle!” snapped Scoots, “I’m tired of her always picking on us!” 





That day… thought Apple Bloom as she sat in the silence of her cell.




Apple Bloom was sitting under a tree on top of a hill far away from the school. It was where she always went when she felt like crying. The grass was even flattened into a perfect seat for her. “Hey Apple Bloom.” She quickly spun around, her eyes widening as she saw Diamond Tiara walking from behind the tree. “Miss Cherilee wants me to apologize, but we both know I’m right.” She began, Apple Blooms hooves tightened into balls as anger quickly took control of her body. “Besides, you need me to pass this project. It’s not like you can do it,” she sneered, “You can’t even speak properly.” She added with a chuckle. Apple Blooms hooves clenched tighter. “So, I’m just gonna go say that I apologized and you accepted but that you wanted to be alone, got it?”
“No…” muttered Apple Bloom, “But you’re gonna get it!” She yelled as she knocked Diamond Tiara to the floor. She sat on her chest and let out all the pent up anger she had. She began mercilessly beating Diamond’s face, each strike denting it in and leaving a large gash. Diamond tried to put up a measly defense, but was quickly overpowered by the far more accustomed to work Apple Bloom. 

She continued beating Diamond far after she had gone limp. She didn’t stop when she felt her skull caved in, she didn’t stop when her hooves were covered in Diamond’s blood, she didn’t stop when brain splattered out of her skull and splattered all over her favorite tree. She kept punching, kept striking, kept crying. “This is for that time you hurt Scootaloo! And when you made Sweetie cry! And when you turned my own cuz against me! And all those nights I cried myself to sleep!” Tears were streaming down her face as she continued her assault. When she finally stopped, she looked at the scenery. Diamond’s face was beaten beyond a pulp, her blood and brains splattered all over the ground, the tree, and Apple Bloom. She looked at her hooves, wondering why she did it, when she heard a familiar voice, followed by another vomiting. “Apple Bloom?” She turned and saw Scootaloo staring at her, emotionless. Next to her was Sweetie Belle, regurgitating her lunch.

“Now let’s get you cleaned up.” Said Scootaloo. Apple Bloom lowered herself into the river and began washing herself, never making eye contact with the two fillies standing on the river bank. Once she was finished, she walked back over to where they had hidden Diamond’s body. Deep in the older orchards, where no Apple had gone for generations. She was buried underneath the biggest, sturdiest oak they could find. The three fillies stood at the makeshift grave, not saying a word before Scootaloo broke the silence. 

“So that’s it, huh?” She asked, monotone and showing no emotion. The other two fillies looked at her, shocked. 
“Whaddya mean ‘that’s it’?” Asked Apple Bloom, “She’s dead!”
“Exactly… she’s dead.” Sweetie bell looked at Scootaloo, horrified. 
“Is that all you can say!?!” She stammered, “How uncouth!” Scootaloo looked her right in the eyes.
“She’s dead now, it’s over. We’ll never have to put up with her again. Think about it girls.” The two fillies thought about it. 
“Soooo… does that mean no more bullying?” Asked Apple Bloom, a hoof to her chin in a pondering way.
“And no more ponies calling us blank flanks?” Added Sweetie Bell. There was a brief pause.
“...I guess so.” Said Scootaloo. The three fillies stared at the grave of their greatest enemy. It was finally over, they were free.




Free… Oh how “freedom” rings… She thought as she heard the distinct chime of a bell signifying the execution of another prisoner. 




Apple Bloom lay on top of a hill, watching Luna’s glorious sky. She silently observed the shining stars in their eternal glory. It had been weeks since Diamond Tiara’s “disappearance”. She had been questioned, after all it was no secret that the two weren’t on the best terms. She stuck to her story that Diamond had gone to apologize, she accepted then never saw her again. Eventually the Guard stopped coming and the investigation came to a close. 

She saw a shooting star streaking across the sky. I wish… I wish… She stopped, unable to finish her usual wish for her cutie mark. She began crying. She looked back up to the night sky, her vision blurred by tears, as she chose a random star and made her wish. I just want to stop feeling so guilty! She sat up and wiped the tears from her eyes.

She looked sadly at her blank flank to find that something had appeared. Right on her flank was her cutie mark. An apple with a knife stuck in it. Her blood ran cold as she realized what her special talent was.




Looking back on that day showed Apple Bloom just how ironic and callous life could be. The one thing she wanted most wound up being her worst nightmare, her freedom her prison, her destiny a fate worse than death. It wasn’t that she minded doing it. No. After all, her wish had finally come true. Once she realized why she was placed on this world, all her guilt, her worries, her very being died. Applebloom left and was replaced by the pony that called her body home.




As time went on, Apple Bloom became far more efficient at her talent. She already had a method all set. Lure a wandering traveler away from the path, back to what was once the CMC Clubhouse. She would lead them into seclusion then show off her talents. Scootaloo and Sweetie knew, they’d known from the first victim. Back when Apple Bloom was still learning, she missed a spot of blood during clean-up. The result was a permanent discoloration of that one spot. Scoots and Sweetie quickly picked up on the origins of the spot, but neither said a word.

Scootaloo had been detached and uncaring about what Apple Bloom did, as long as she wasn’t made a part of it ever again. Sweetie was sickened by Apple Bloom’s methods and procedures, but said bit her tongue and even offered to help during some clean-ups, all for the sake of their friendship. 

Then the incident happened.

It had been years since Diamond Tiara. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were now all grown up. Sweetie became a famous singer, touring all across equestria. Scootaloo became a stuntmare, doing all the high-intensity scenes in the latest invention from the princesses “Television”. She was one of the best at what she did, and was paid accordingly. Apple Bloom decided to stay on the farm and help with the family business in more ways than one. She had called the trio back together on multiple occasions to help her ‘take care’ of many competitors (Scootaloo eventually warmed up to the idea and gave Apple Bloom her full support). 

Apple Bloom had called the others in for another job. Sweetie Bell had arrived early, as usual. Scootaloo was nowhere to be seen, as usual. Apple Bloom liked this, some structure in her life. It helped her, made her feel like she was more than a killer. She was in the former clubhouse, readying the supplies, when she heard a familiar voice enter the structure. 



Apple Bloom’s eyes began to water as her mind played the scene out in slow motion.




Sweetie Bell walked in. “Hey Apple Bloom.” She said in her soothing, melodic voice. 
“Hiya Sweets.” She said. 
“What’re you getting this time?” Apple Bloom showed Sweetie Bell the  assortment of drills, blades, bludgeons, and bindings that she was preparing. Sweetie Bell shuddered. Tsk… thought Apple Bloom, why does she always gotta react like that? She shrugged it off and began explaining what each tool did. Sweetie said she needed a moment and ran outside. At least she tried to. 

Apple Bloom sprinted ahead of her and blocked the doorway. “Now wait just a minute…” She said. Sweetie Bell stopped in her tracks. She looked at her fellow crusader, and realized just how different she looked. Her mane was messy and unkempt, her skin growing paler. Her eyes were what scared Sweetie the most, dilated to pinpricks. She slowly advanced on Sweetie. “I have not waited so long, suffered so much, to lose a friend over her being a bit squeamish.” Sweetie could only back up as her friend slowly got closer, advancing towards her. She backed up against a wall, quaking in fear as she felt a warm fluid run down her inner thigh. Apple Bloom gave her a lopsided smile, “the easiest way to explain what these do would be to use them on you.”

With a leap, she flung herself at Sweetie Bell, punching her in the stomach and slamming her against the wall, never taking her hoof off Sweetie’s stomach. Sweetie Bell lurched forward and vomited all over the floor as her stomach was flattened and the contents forced out. Apple Bloom grabbed her mane and slammed her head back against the wall. 

Sweetie Bell’s vision swam as she tried to make out different shapes. She felt a hoof slam into her face and immediately tasted copper. She struggled against the far stronger Apple Bloom.

Apple Bloom shoved her foreleg against Sweetie’s neck and slammed it against the wall. She immediately felt her struggles weaken. She kept pressing hard against Sweetie’s neck, causing her energy to slowly ebb.

Sweetie Bell fought with all her heart, trying to beg for her life. Apple Bloom was far too powerful and Sweetie was finding it hard to even attempt breathing. Her vision slowly faded to black as she went limp for the last time.




The guards rushed to Apple Bloom’s cell as soon as they heard her sobbing. They stood outside, looking at the pathetic display before them. Apple Bloom was curled into a ball, rocking herself back and forth as she wailed for unknown reasons. 
“Yep… that’s about it.” One of the guards said.
“That’s why she’s here  anyways, right?” Asked another.
“It’ll be a mercy kill.” Said the final guard before an awkward silence fell on them. They walked away, leaving Apple Bloom to fend off her own psyche alone. 

After what felt like hours, she got up and called out to the guards to use the bathroom. They escorted her there and allowed her privacy to do her business. She opened the faucet and let the warm water flow into the sink, steam rising. She splashed some on her face and looked herself in the mirror. She wiped the mist off and saw a gruesome sight. It was her, but as a filly. It was covered in blood and smiling like a maniac. She stood there, paralyzed as the thing reached through the glass and grabbed her chest. With a surprising amount of force, the filly yanked Apple Bloom into the mirror, striking it with enough force to shatter it.




“Apple Bloom?” Apple Bloom turned to see Scootaloo staring at her, eyes wide with shock. “W-what’s going on?” Apple Bloom froze. What is going on? she thought. Her mind went blank as everything around her faded to black. She felt an foreign object pressed against her foreleg. She turned and saw a beautiful white unicorn mare, her coat red with blood and her mane and tail messy from a struggle. She looked at the pitiful sight and wondered how she wound up like that. She felt a great weight slam into her, knocking her to the ground. She felt a similar weight land on her chest, pinning her to the ground. She looked into the darkness that surrounded her and saw that an orange pegasus mare had appeared from the shadows and was now sitting on top of her, holding her arms down with tears in her eyes. A hoof connected across her face, snapping her back to reality.

She looked up and saw an orange hoof quickly advancing towards her face. She felt a devastating blow as the hoof connected, causing blood to fly from her mouth and her vision to swim. She looked back and saw another orange mass quickly approaching her. She felt another blow from the otherside, more blood spurting from her mouth. She felt a dribble leave her nose and lost consciousness. 




She uncurled from her protective ball. She looked at her white cell, tears blurring her vision. She was a monster, just like everypony said. They had always been there, the accusations, but she always tried to shrug it off. From the day she had disposed of Diamond, ponies had always been accusing her, calling her a monster. They never did it to her face, but she heard the whispers, saw the looks ponies gave her. As time went on, others were more open with their accusations. Some going so far as to beat her publicly, calling it “justice”. She had ensured that they would never harm anypony again, but the scars stayed. She lay there in silence, looking back at her life. In the corner of the room she saw a faint image of a dark brown earth pony looking at her with a smile on his face. He wore a coat that covered most of his body, and a black cowboy hat that hid a good part of his face. She closed her eyes and drifted off to a light slumber.

“Get up.” 

A rough voice woke her. She groggily rose and looked at the cell door. In the little window she could see a royal guardsmen staring at her coldly. “It’s time.” He said, his voice never losing its rough edge. She looked at him for a moment before allowing herself to be taken. 

When she exited the cell, she noticed an entire platoon of guards waiting for her. She positioned herself in the center of the group and followed their lead. They led her through the maze-like structure before she was finally taken outside. They were on a rampart. The hanging rock… she thought, looks like they want to show off their capture. 

The hanging rock was the nickname given to the rampart they were on due to the location of it. It was located next to a cliff overlooking the ocean where the actual noose was held. The rampart was connected to it via a narrow bridge that only permitted ponies to cross single file. 

She noticed something that made her blood freeze. Waiting on the rock was Applejack and Big Mac, tears streaming from both their eyes. Apple Bloom stopped in her tracks, overcome by shame and not wanting to face her older siblings. “Move it!” shouted a guard, prodding her flank with the tip of his spear. Apple Bloom bit her lip as the spear tip punctured her flank, causing her to instinctively move away from it towards the noose. 

As she slowly got closer, she noticed just how much stress had affected her kin. Applejack’s once strong features had begun withering away, her mane and tail a mess with gray hairs on each. She had bags under her eyes and looked exhausted. Big Mac fared little better. His deep red coat had dulled, his once ginger mane gray.  His strength had ebbed away and so had his size, he too appeared exhausted. Apple Bloom looked away in shame.

“Hiya Apple Bloom.” Said Applejack, her voice hoarse but gentle. “How’ve ya been?” Apple Bloom couldn’t make a response, her words getting caught in her throat and refusing to leave. 

“It’s ok Apple Bloom,” said Big Mac, “ya don’t need to speak.” She couldn’t take it anymore, she rushed over to the two ponies and tackled them into a big hug. She nuzzled each of them, blubbering apologies and promises through tears. Neither earth pony said anything as they embraced her, choosing to enjoy the moment. One guard sniffled, and was immediately sent back inside by who she assumed was the guardsmen in charge. “If you can’t handle this then just leave the prison now! I don’t need spineless fillies containing the most dangerous ponies in Equestria.” 

The warden approached the trio, he removed his helmet, revealing his face. He was brown, his eyes red and his mane split into red and yellow. He kneeled down beside the three embracing ponies, his voice suddenly warm and fatherly. “I understand that you’re having a bonding moment,” he began, “but I’m afraid I’m gonna have to ask you to say your final goodbyes…” 
“Please, just give us a little more time…” Begged Applejack.
“I’m sorry, but this is the way it has to be.” Said the warden.
“Nopony ever said that.” Interrupted Big Mac, standing between the warden and his sisters. Although he was slightly withered away, Big Mac still had all the heart he had back when Apple Bloom was a filly. The warden simply looked at him, calculating his next move. 

The next moments happened in slow motion. Big Mac charged the warden, who sidestepped the large stallion. Big Mac quickly turned around, receiving a hoof to the face that sent him sprawling away. The warden walked over to Big Mac, ready to finish is when Apple Bloom cried out. 
“NO!” 
The warden stopped in his tracks, then looked at the crying mare. “I’ll go peacefully… just don’t hurt them.” The warden looked at her, confused. He slowly smiled and nodded. 
“It looks like we share similar values… I’ll give you a few more minutes.” He calmly walked away an ordered his squad back in before standing guard in front of the entrance. “For the record, if you try to escape…” He motioned upward. Apple Bloom looked and saw multiple guard unicorns on the walls, their horns aimed directly at her. She gulped then nodded and turned back to Applejack. 

They had been talking for a few minutes, catching up and explaining how much the world had changed in the time Apple Bloom was incarcerated. Big Mac had grown silent, simply sitting there with a grin on his face as he watched his two sisters chat. Applejack had led most of the conversation, asking Apple Bloom about the way she was treated, talking about the farm, how the hired help was nothing compared to Big Mac and Apple Bloom’s help. Apple Bloom simply sat there and enjoyed her family’s company, only speaking when absolutely necessary. They heard the steady clopping of hooves and a familiar voice say “Time to say your final goodbyes.” They knew the moment was coming, but it didn’t make it any easier. A few more tears were shed, goodbyes exchanged, then Apple Bloom nodded to the warden.

She was led to the noose, a small platoon of guards guiding her there. She stood on a stool and felt a rope slip around her neck. She looked at Applejack and Big Mac. Neither could say a word as they watched their baby sister being prepared to be hung. Once the preparations were made, the warden offered them one last chance to say anything they wanted. Apple Bloom spoke first. 

“Sis, brother, I’ve done some pretty horrible things throughout my life. I was never really scared that much, except for those times you came close to discovering my secret. The point is… I’m scared. Not of death, but of dying alone…” Applejack interrupted, rushing to her sister’s side and taking her hoof in her own. 
“Now don’t you be scared Apple Bloom,” she shakily began, “Big Mac and I are gonna be right here by your side, right Big Mac?” Big Mac walked over to her other side and took her other hoof.
“Eeyup…” he said, tearing up.
“Ya mean… Ya don’t hate me?” Apple Bloom asked, her voice cracking.
“We would never hate you Apple Bloom, you’re an Apple; and we Apples gotta stick together!” Applejack replied.
“E-eeyup.” added Big Mac, on the verge of crying. Apple Bloom’s eyes watered as she felt the love and support of her family by her side. 
“Well then… If there are no other words to be said…” Said the warden, pulling the lever that opened the raised platform she stood on.
“I LOVE YA-” Apple Bloom’s last words were caught as she felt the rope immediately crush her windpipe. 

Applejack looked away as she felt her sisters grip tighten. She could hear her muted screams of pain as she wiggled around, as if trying to slip out of the rope. She felt tears come to her eyes as she thought she heard her name cried out by her sister’s dying voice. She felt empty as the body went limp and her sister’s grip loosened till her hoof slipped out of Applejack’s.

> Reality Is a Nightmare
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ca clop. Ca Clop. Ca clop.

The sound of the ghastly white complexion of the horned, purple haired equine was stunning, a swirled lop-sided mane seemed to fit the wavy figure that was this mare. Eyes of curiosity and awe filled the path, sticking out like a 40 ton gastrophant in the middle of ponyville.
The surrounding woods hovered over the pristine mare's shoulder seemingly laughing at her for coming here.

Deep Everfree forest.

Finally the legs of the equine stopped ears perked and shoulder tense and full of force, ready to run. Turning her head she saw it.

The figure was in no way evil, maybe it had been a certain level of why and how did it get here. It was like her, only different. A certain brown that you see when you look down, the dirt just under the surface of that ground. The moist brown equine stared at her with eyes, eyes the color of oblivion when it consumes everything and spits out anything black and glossy. Maneless and tailless it continued to stare. The awe in the white equine's eyes grew as fear began to omit from her body, she didn't know what the thing was. To her it was danger.

Starting to slowly take a step back she saw it slam a hoof on a rock, Clack! CLack! CLAck! CLACk! CLACK! The hoof progressively slammed it harder and faster until it hit a final time. Smelling fear the docile looking it twitched towards its lips. Slowly opening it's mouth it revealed long gnarled, twisted, disgusting yellow fangs the seemed to unsheathe from deep inside the monsters gums. It let out a scree of hunt before it jumped, it's prey tripped.
"AHHH!" The white seamstress jolted awake, the fear slowly feel, that was until she started hearing the noise, those hooves on a rock. Slowly turning her head to look.

Clack!

The window at the end of her bedroom slammed again causing Rarity relief as she  shuffled out of bed. Even in her drowsy state did she walk like a mare of the upper class (though her hair was unkept and messy from sleep).

Click! Was the latch. It went into the hinge made to lock the two windows together. Letting out two soft laughs she started to lift her hooves to turn when it sounded again.

CLACK!

Was it the window? No she had just closed it, frigid as a stone she started to turn her neck towards the entrance of her vast workroom-bedroom and her mannequins. Turning it forward again he felt a heavy, rank smelling breath. Her blood ran to the south tundra and even deeper into her floorboards.
"SCREE!"

It jumped. Leaving Rarity under its complete control. Eyes of pure oblivion were filled with bloodlust as the seemed to gleam a eery red inside the blackness of its eyes, and it's soul.
Watching the gnarled fangs come down upon her was possibly more painful than the tearing her muscles, veins, and skin. Blood poured into every crack and cranny of the floor boards and Rarity seemed to scream, seemed. But the creature named it had already sunk their fangs into the soft and delicate white flesh of the mare's neck.

Blood gurgled from the mouth as it started to well up in her throat. Tugging upwards it pulled out the vocal cords and wind pipe of the seamstress.

It let out a scree of victory. No one except the younger one would know. Young meat for later.

Lapping at the mare's still warm and dripping veins for blood it seemed to go to heaven with the taste. It wanted more.

That was a different story though. A story of demons and the want for blood and taste for killing a hunting demon. It always is.


> Memorioums: Uncensored
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was not always like this: Bleak, gray, sad, and miserable.  There once was a time where I was happy, where all my dreams came true, but now... I'm alone with only me to entertain.   My hooves are now gone, only bloody wooden planks are left.  It’s interesting really how I got here and came to me.  I look at you in the Mirror and see what I used to be, then what I am not.  It’s sad really that you’re all I can talk to-- others don't seem to try.  

You know what I hear whenever I go to bed?  I hear a heartbeat, my heartbeat!  Only I don't just hear it, I can feel it!  The push and pull as it keeps me alive, blood pulsating in my veins, living just to be awake all through the night.  Not even that shadow will let me sleep, their beady red eyes and hot breath staring and stinging into my soul waiting for me to rest.  Oh... that must be why I can feel my heart, I must have been scared.  Scared of What?  All well I can't remember any way, even if I did, I would never tell me.  Well I would tell you but then I would be telling me-- because you are me.  You feel what I feel, eat what I eat, and taste what I taste.  Why, you even laugh when I laugh.

Wait... when was the last time I laughed?  Last year?  No too soon.  Yesterday?  Maybe, Ya maybe I laughed yesterday!  Then I could laugh today!  Oh... no I can't I'm here, so logically you are here too.  Too bad I really needed to laugh, its been too long since I laughed.  You want to know why?

Of course you don't want to know why!  I don't want to know why so why would you want to know why!  Well bad news for you!  I'm going to tell me anyway!

A few years ago, I don't know how long ago exactly, maybe six months?  Ya, about six measly months! No wait that was when this came real... ya it started a year ago, that's it a year ago.  So a few years ago my life was perfect-- that is until last year.  

I was still young, still am now, but then I was younger.  I had to leave home to figure out how real life was.  My mommy gave me a hug when I left.  I can still feel her loving hooves around me.  No...Wait those are my own bloody hooves.  So any way I left home: went to sell, buy, eat, sleep, love play cry, and laugh.  NO! I never laugh, I can't laugh if i laugh then I'm dead, but it would feel good.  Maybe it’s worth it to laugh even if it kills me.  No I'm already dead so I could not laugh even if i tried.

When I was out selling, something snapped in my pony brain.  I found out my great gift, you want to know that gift do you? Well I do, So I think you do too.  That gift was pure hate towards pony folk. The very desire to feel their eyes ripping out of their sockets as the nerves disconnect with a sickly snap.  At least that is what the shadows tell me, the light over there tells me that my gift is that I love all pony folk though.  HAhahaha. Folk is such a funny word, of all words... Oh no!  I laughed, what am I going to do now, My Brains are going to be painted on the walls! I laughed!  I laughed?  Not only that I'm still alive, my head is still attached? And the walls are not red.  Well who would of thunk?

So there I was selling and I loved every one so much that I hated the stupidity!  Imagine that, I of all people hating stupidity.  
THAT WORD IN OF ITSELF IS MY MIDDLE NAME!
  Yet I can see fuck through walls so it does not surprise you really.

You know I'm tired of calling You, Me and Me, you so I'm going to say us.  How does that sound to us?  Good?  Good.

So back to the story,  I was walking down a street and we came across a young mare. Yes we were there too remember?  So anyway, that mare smiled at us and oh all I can say we were so happy.  A mare actually smiled at us, even if we weren't sales pony's no pony smiled at us, except for that mare.  A fair intelligent unicorn, what was her coat color?  Purple? No. Lavender?  Yes!  Thank you, lavender is such a pretty color, though we only think we believe that because of her. Just imagine what she would look like as her head is torn of slowly, allowing the flesh to spread and tear as chunks of blood come..., NO! I CAN'T THINK OF THAT! So us and the mare talked, not about selling, but about each other.  We told her our name, and she told us hers.  What was her name?  I can't seem to remember... Night Light?  Twi-Spring?  No those are not it, but let’s just say she sparkled.  Just like our teeth our... wait no they’re not.  We forgot to brush, sad day.  

We know?  Our days have been sad for a while, and It's getting old.  We did laugh today so that is something to be happy about.  Now to where things went really wrong.  After we met her, we never saw her again because we had to leave Ponyville, and head back to Phillydelphia.  Back home to where we were happy, but not anymore.  After meeting her, there is no happiness in us.  Well maybe you because you are not me exactly are you?  Well you are but you aren't, my mom told me that mirrors link to other worlds.  Well let’s just say that I can see the shadows behind you.

Yes those shadows, the ones that haunt our dreams, that kill every bit of joy we had hoped for.  I'm telling you that they are behind you, because you should at least know.  It's OK, even if you tried you could not run away from them.  They are always there, waiting to eat you, tearing out your heart and threading your intestines through the oozing ball of life.  Yet that crystal armor, yes the one from my world, will protect you.  No need to thank me, I am you after all... No who am I kidding, I'm no one.  

"If I'm no one, then why does the light tell me that I am someone?"  I thought to the Mirror.  It's not like I'm special, I'm not the only one that get chased by the voices.  The ones that you can hear, but can’t hear what you are saying.  The very voices that cause a ringing in your ear.  Have you ever had a random ringing in your ears?  Well that is the Voices trying to talk to you.  Just don't listen to them OK.  If you do, then you will see them, and if you see them you become like me!  Oh...ya right, you are already me.

HOW COULD I FORGET! her name is Twilight, and oh was she so nice!  Such a young mare who was so nice.  I say was because it's in the past.  If I see her in the future then it will be 'is'.  

OK so it’s time to take my medication,  I really do feel numb after taking this though, like really look behind me those dark shadows turn invisible for a bit after I take the pills.  Only for a bit though, I would say that I could still feel them there, but then again, I can't feel after I take them so here it goes.  

You know we look weird when we drink water, or anything for that matter, just like how we look weird when a quill slowly gets shoved into our skull sinking into our brains.  Yet here we are talking to me like your somepony, No that's not what I meant, talking to you like I'm somepony, yes there we go.  So I came back home from selling, and selling... and selling...and selling... and selling... and selling.  OK we'll stop now, if it makes us happy.  So I came home, feeling a little more sad.  I literally felt like I had nothing worth living for, but my parents still said that they loved me so I went to a room where they wanted me to go, my mom went with me.  After sitting for about 15 short minutes that felt like forever, a stallion came out and asked me to follow him, so I followed him.  The first thing I thought when I saw him was how good his esophagus would taste as I shoved him into a steak.  

That was the first time I saw the shadows, the creepy floating bullies that have never stopped following me, telling me to kill and cheat and hurt and cut off everypony's tong!  I never listened of course, It just felt wrong.  Ya, I felt back then.  Like I said I was not always like this, I even smiled time to time.

As I sat down with the stallion I found out that his name was Dr. Cranium.  I must say, What an unusual name.  Yet he smiled at me, looked like a banana with angry eyes oozing yellow matter with if you ask me.  He asked for my name so I told him, the shadows told me to say something else and use his glasses to gouge out his eyes, but I just ignored them, they did not like that so they promised to follow me for the rest of my life.  At first I did not care, but now I still don't.  

Hey look at that! The shadows behind you are starting to fade, must be the medication.  So as I spoke to the Doctor I kept looking at his eyes, the more I looked, the more they turned black.  It was like looking into shiny coal.  I blinked, and they turned back to normal.  So I stared some more, and they turned into shiny coal again.  It was weird, after a while it happened to whoever I looked at. It was weird at first, and then It was scary!  

Weird things started happening, I saw thing, I heard things and people transformed!  The only one who did not was you, you are my only friend.  

Oh, look the Shadows are gone, and my head is tingling, I can hear other things then whispers, I can't feel my heart anymore!  Well I have to thank you friend, you help me get through the hard times, but even now I really don't care.  My stomach hurts, so I think I'll go get some food.


Good bye, friend.  I would say that I will never forget you, but I will.



> Ripe Flesh (Part One)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Deep and dark was the meaty cave with walls of flesh beating like a strong heart. The protein protruded from the walls like big, fat sacks of flesh. So red was the color of blood saturating the fat covered bone that it was enough for somepony to crave and roast. There were rib-cage-like bones scattered as stepping stones between the fleshy folds. 

Twilight lay on top of these meaty steps on the grand meat hallway, feeling the flesh pulsating below her hooves. Her eyes valiantly opened up, and her nostrils flared at the stench of the disgusting atmosphere. She took a deep breath as the walls pumped and pushed liquids through the meaty system. The muscles pulsating from bodily exertion pumped nutrition for each muscle to flourish. Twilight felt an obtuse feeling of disgust from inside her body as she pushed herself up from the tensed floor.

Twilight Sparkle smiled as she heard the jiggling noise of the flesh. She could barely contain herself from the horrible stench and the putrid area she was in. Such decadent horrors to endure, Twilight was ecstatic with masochistic gay. Excitement filled her up till she could not handle it any longer, and she jumped on the meat and bounced on top of it like a trampoline. She gave such laughter as she bounced higher and higher reaching all the way to the blood vessels that were carrying precious blood to the hungry system.

As her descent continued and the air wafted through her mane, she felt a hunger so strong that it was almost akin to a foal hungering for milk. Her ravenous appetite snatched any chance of bouncing anymore on the meat. She landed down and pressed her hoofs firmly as the flesh settled down. Soon, the fat encrusted bubble of flesh jiggled softly on top of her weight. She breathed heavily from the ordeal and squished her face right into the raw meat below her. Her teeth carved into the tough and rancid red meat, she bit her favored morsel deeply as if it was a heavenly cake. Her eyes dripped tears as the smell got horrifically worse. She chewed the slop of protein and swallowed the gook even though it had a rancid taste.

Her body ached from such a foreign nutrient and she shivered from the oddity, but she had to have the meat for it was all she ever wanted. Twilight engorged her mouthful, swallowing the whole meaty goodness. Her body soon reacted to the unusable nutrients. Twilight could not hold back the strong push in her stomach. She bent over as the contents of her stomach and emptied it out into the hole she had bitten. She looked at the perfection of waste emptied into that tiny hole. She smelled the nasty contents as if it was a decadent cheese. She could not let go of something that precious to her. She had no other choice but to make herself whole again. Her horn lit up with a beautiful reddish aura and the waste was lifted with magical energy.  She stretched her mouth as far as it could go. Twilight went face first into the vomit and covered her face with it. She got it in her nostrils and her eyes. She swallowed the food right back into its unnatural place.

Twilight shuddered from her bodies digestion for it would not accept it at all. Her eyes went red as she fought the need to regurgitate the delicacy inside her. She cradled her stomach as she fell back on the fleshy floor, begging her system to reel it back in. She squeezed the muscles in her abdomen as it was coming back up. Twilight screamed from the intense pain in her chest and she could not hold it in any longer. Going limp, Twilight released her hurt body and felt the torrent of vomit flow out of her mouth. She couldn’t breathe from the intensity of the explosion as it poured out like a fountain. The eyesight came heavy as the torrent would not cease. Her stomach soon let down it’s push and Twilight coughed a heavy crackle, expelling the gunk stuck in her throat. True tears wrought from her eye sockets. She cried bellows of desperate sadness from deep inside her soul.

“Why!?” screamed Twilight Sparkle as she reached out her right hoof at the sky in hopes for an answer. “Why must I be denied something so delicious!?”

A quiet so silent and uncaring was met with the sound of the pumping and pulsating organs.

“Answer me!”

Twilight curled up into a safe haven of a ball from the deterioration of her mental comfort zone. She bit her vomit-encrusted lip as she shook in place. The meat that held her aloft felt nice and warm so she slowed her shake and closed her eyes to sleep soundly. 

-----

Twilight Sparkle awoke abruptly from the sudden chill in her hoofs. She opened her eyes that were still slightly red and sickly looking. The meat area she was around was deathly quiet as the organs ceased their pumping to a crawl. She looked around and a sudden squishing sound resounded in the other side of the meat hall, where the darkness was most prominent. Curious, Twilight stood from the once pulsating flesh and flared on her magic to see in deeper. The darkness seemed ever endless and the light from the odd organs seemed to cease almost entirely from that direction. 

The magic sparked in her horn, yet she could not light a single magical luminance. Her magic failed into a flicker and faded. Suddenly, her head began to hurt incredibly as the pain in her brain caused her to grasp her head. She fell to the meat infested floor and grimaced from the intense screeching in her mind. After a while, the pain left her and she stood to look at the darkness that was closing in on her. The flesh’s brightness began to turn into an inky dark and it was apparent that it was spreading.

Desperate, Twilight began to move around frantically. She turned around searching for anything to help her see. 

“Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! This can’t be happening! What do I do!?”, Twilight watched as the spreading black soon approached where she was. Then, hope came to her at the sudden idea that crossed her head. She dug deep into the meat that still was lit and ripped it out with ease from her scared hysteria. The Dark swept over her and only she and the ball of flesh watched idly as she sat in a sphere of light surrounding her. She slabbed the flesh onto her horn and stood up and searched around until she put one hoof forward and another. 

She continued on through the darkness with the squish of the meat below her hooves. She made it through until the pitch-black soon changed lighting into a more seeable apex. Circular rotations of bone aligned the dark meat into a pattern around her like a cave system of rib. She soon reached the end of the meat hallway to notice a massive opening that lead to a huge space. It was incredibly deep-down and forward that it reached unforeseeably far. 

Twilight looked down from the perch as little droplets of hardened flesh dropped down from her hoofs to the enormous space like falling rocks. She was entranced by such emptiness, it struck the inside of her stomach making her realize how hungry she was. A howl that resounded behind her made Twilight gasp and she turned around to hear a resounding sound of fast steps coming at her direction. Twilight could not move, she was too afraid at whatever creature or abomination may have come for her. She was too frozen and only watched as the assailants came hastily.

From the dark, these aberrations of this horrid dimension presented themselves. They were completely black from head to toe and they had massive single claws on four paws. Their mouths were long and protruding with anemone like hair on their bodies. They had no eyes, but some sort of holes that were filled with chitinous puss and sloshing with mucus. These things had horribly thick tails with six sharp bones that looked like they could slice you in half.

It seemed there were six and they certainly were not friendly. Almost the same size as Twilight Sparkle, one of them howled and ran forward. With their mouths foaming with a red liquid, the rest of them entailed after. Twilight stepped back as the six creatures came in fast to her. She could feel her hoof find no place and she turned to look at the emptiness. 

The monsters coming close, Twilight had no choice. With sweat falling from her brow, she gave a leap of faith right into the unknown. One of the creatures swiped her hoof and she screamed as she fell, blood trailing after her. She fell fast and saw all the hollow meat caves just like the one she came from etched all over. It seemed ever endless until she finally saw the ground and she hit the black meat with a heavy thud.

Twilight lay there unconscious on the black meat, she slept soundly, unharmed by the bounce-like flesh that she smashed into. Only her nose suffered from the fall as it was broken and bleeding. Out of the darkness, a figure appeared with his eyes peering out from his fleshy black cloak. A hoof grabs Twilight and pulls her away…

---

The smell of something delectable and sweet swept through Twilight’s nostrils. She opened her eyes and saw a haze before recovering her consciousness. A feeling of comfort was felt on the nice and warm meat bed. She closed her eyes to rest peacefully when a stabbing adrenaline shot from within. Twilight stood up to find herself in a room with blackened walls, there was a light emanating from a chitinous lantern right on top of a solid-green, metal-cube to her left. Across her visual threshold was a kitchen with oddly shaped metal pans hanging from the ceiling that were squarish and a container shaped as a sphere with stalactite protrusions that was made from some foreign element she didn’t recognize.

Searching around with those scared eyes, Twilight noticed in the darker passages of the complex that something was watching her. She only watched in return as the creature in the darkness stood motionless in a silhouette of black.
Twilight grasped a pan as a defensive measure and readied herself while still in the meat bed. The Creature stood out from the darkness, it was wearing a mask that looked similar to those creature’s faces that she encountered before. On it’s back was a fleshy cloak with anemone-like protrusions. 

The Creature came close towards Twilight while mumbling something incoherent that was muffled in it’s mask. Twilight did the only thing she thought at that second, she smashed the pan right on his face. The Creature fell to the floor and the mask slipped off. She readied her swing once again and turned whatever it was to see it’s face. A gasp came out from her when she noticed what the creature was. It was… a stallion, he had a purple-face with long streaks of uncut mane colored just like hers. 

Twilight dropped the pan onto the floor and just stood frozen. He shakily stood back up while massaging his head.

“Hey!? What was that for?” 

Twilight could only look at him with tears flowing from her eyes. She jumped and hugged him while crying a deep pain that was made from a mix of fear and helplessness. 

“Hey, hey knock it off.” said The Stallion. Twilight pulled away from him and sat down.

“I… I thought that I was the only pony in this place, I was going to go back home after my little trip but… wait, who are you?”

The Stallion looked down depressingly and looked back up at her.

“Um, my name is Dusk Shine, I kinda had a nervous breakdown and I ended up here.”

“Why, why, do we look so much the same?” said Twilight.

“I don’t know, I’m your long lost twin or something?”, Dusk shine stood back up and looked up pensively. “I only remember some things from back home, Like Ponyville, all my friends, Bubble Berry, Rainbow Blitz and Elusive…”

“You're from Ponyville? Me too, but I have never seen you before.” said Twilight.

“Well, can you tell me how its been going over there? I haven’t seen or heard from my friends in a long time… or King Solaris.”

“King Solaris? Who's that?” said Twilight confused.

“What? How do you not know King Solaris? Ya know, from Canterlot? The Alicorn King?”

“Ahem, the only Alicorns I know are Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, not to mention Cadence as well as myself.”

“What!? That doesn’t make any sense, if we don’t have the same royalty then…” Dusk Shine turned his head at Twilight with eyes agape at the realization. 

“Are you The Royalty’s Assistant? Do you also like to read a lot of books and study a lot?”

“Wuh? How did you know?”

“How many best friends do you have?” said Dusk Shine questionably.

“Uh… six including my friend Spike, who is also a dragon, but...” , Dusk Shine turned away and unsheathed his cloak to show from his side, two beautiful and strong wings.

“But… that can’t be, who, who are you?”

“Isn’t it obvious, I’m you.” 

Dusk Shine eyed Twilight’s sides to notice that her wings were not there, Twilight was filled with realization.

“You wanted meat too. And to get away from all the problems in Ponyville…”, Dusk Shine said sheepishly.

“Yea, I remember, we both killed cows and pigs for their delectable flesh, it all started in that human world, those cravings.” Dusk Shine eyed Twilight like a wild animal, breathing heavily and making her shiver. “Don’t remind me! The flavor of that meat, that delicious smell! Don’t bucking remind me! I’ll go crazy!”

“I’m sorry! Please calm down!” said Twilight.

“Do you have any idea!? Do you!? How long its been?” said Dush Shine desperately. Twilight scooched backed away to the bed from Dusk Shine’s advance. “I had to eat disgusting mushrooms to survive! All of this meat in this universe tastes like shit!”

Dusk Shine looked and saw how frightened Twilight was and realized how he had been acting. He looked at her, eyes closed with terror and trotted out of the odd kitchen.

“Wait Dusk Shine!”, said Twilight. She got up and followed him where she saw more of the interior of the home. There was a table and chitin lamps all over with that strange white light. There was one seat that was black with two arms. She scoured and found Dusk Shine sobbing in fetal position next to the back wall.

“I’m a murderer! I… I killed those poor pigs and cows… all for their meat.”, Dusk Shine shook as Twilight came in close towards him. She hugged his abdomen, he was filled with clarity and let loose a sigh.
“There, doesn’t that feel better?” Dusk Shine nodded happily. “Good, now I’m starving, do you have any of those disgusting mushrooms?”

“I, uh think I do.” Dusk Shine got up and trotted back towards the kitchen. “Uh, right this way, I was just cooking them before-hoof.”

Twilight sat in the little makeshift seat and table made out of dark meat as Dusk Shine got the mushrooms from the black sphere. He pulled them out with his odd heat-resistant gloves and set them on the flesh table for him and Twilight to eat. The mushrooms were light-green in color and looked similar to Cauliflower albeit much thicker. The smell was sweet and powerful the closer her head got to it. 

“Well, dig in, but be careful, it’s hot.”, said Dusk Shine while pulling off his gloves. Twilight leaned her head and took the first bite quickly. Her hunger got the best of her and she engulfed the whole thing in a few chews. She flavored the mush in her mouth and it was sweet, but had an absolutely strong aftertaste. She grimaced and swallowed the chewed substance and smiled at Dusk Shine. 

“Yea, it has a strong aftertaste.”, said Dusk Shine as he pulled out another mushroom from the black ball, he trotted to the table with his own. He sat near Twilight in which she moved a bit to make some space.

“Dusk, I have to know. How long have you been here?” Dusk Shine took a bite out of his steaming meal before turning towards Twilight. 

“Well, I’ve been in this horrible place for about four-hundred and sixty-two days, it was a pretty eventful time if you ask me with all the surviving and…” Dusk Shine lowered his head as if a painful disease just erupted in his stomach without a yelp or scream.

“Whats wrong? What happened?”, said Twilight worriedly. Dusk Shine rose from his depressive slouch and bared his teeth happily towards her. 

“Wrong? Nothings wrong, heh, just some reminiscing is all.” Dusk Shine got out of the table and ate the mushroom in one gulp. “Hey, you should get some rest, we have an eventful evening tomorrow.”

“What are we gonna do tomorrow?” questioned Twilight. 

“Oh! Stupid!” Dusk grasped his forehead. “I forgot to tell you, how stupid I can be with something this important.” Twilight eyed him curiously.

Dusk Shine turned towards her and was very serious. “Alright, listen very carefully Twilight, this might be the strangest thing in the world, but you are the ticket I have been wishing to get me out of this place.” Dusk returned to the table with both hooves on its frame. “You see, I have been working on a portal to Equestria for so long and it’s finally finished, but here's the problem. For half a year after I finished it, I realized that my power wasn’t enough to power the portal. It had the same properties as the one we both used to get here, but of less quality, so it couldn’t get me back home. I searched all over in this place for anything magical that could help me power it, but it seemed all hopeless.

“You, you need me?”

“Yes Twilight, we need each other so we can get home and leave this infernal place.” Dusk Shine lowered his hoofs from the table. “There is one thing though, I needed a place where the dimensional rift was strongest and so, it had to be away from my home and its pretty far, with dangers that will attack and try to kill you.”

Twilight shuddered at the possibility of her getting maimed or worse. 

“So when we leave for tomorrow, you must, and I mean MUST follow my orders, you hear? It is absolutely dangerous”

“I read, but I can handle myself ya know, I’ve taken on a god of chaos and an army of changelings...”, Dusk slammed his hoofs on the table startling the surprised Twilight.

“Hey what was that for…”

Dusk’s eyes began to tear up with water dropped down from his rage intensified eyes.

“This isn’t a bucking joke, Twilight! This world, is a living hell! A place no pony should have gone and we are both fools to even consider coming here, ya don’t bucking know how hard it was to survive on nothing!”

“I’m sorry… I didn’t realize… I’m just scared, really scared.” Twilight looked away from him as he breathed in slowly after his restlessness calmed down.

“It’s… it’s okay, you of all ponies should understand.” Dusk got out of the table and trotted away towards the living room. “Uh… follow me” 

Twilight followed Dusk through the room until he made it into the bedroom. It had anemone like sheets but, was shaped as a regular bed although with the strange black meat substance as the material. There where the odd candles sitting on dug out flesh and not much else. 

“You will be sleeping here, madame, heh, make sure to get plenty of snores.” Dusk watched as Twilight touched the little bumps on top of the mattress and slid in feeling the odd warm sweat from the dark meat. 

“Dusk! Where will you be sleeping?” Dusk stopped trotting away and turned towards her. “I’ll be sleeping in the kitchen bed of course, don’t want a pretty lady like you to sleep in such poor living conditions, good night.”

Twilight blushed a bit before watching Dusk trot out of the room, she lay her head down on the makeshift meat pillow and closed her eyes aching deep inside from what could be in store tomorrow…


End of Part 1



> Philosophy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As I laid awake I stared, it wasn't an uncommon task, my mind as blank as a freshly made piece of parchment, as my eyes stared out at nothing, normally. Yet I found myself staring out that natural lighting, that piece of melted sand. I always found it strange, something. Something so irritating when getting into your food or hooves could make such a clear piece of solid transparency. Clarified, in the world as a commonly overlooked object. "Oh, you broke the glass? Don't worry we can just replace it, your still grounded though, mister."


So trivial. So completely... overlooked, and as I looked out over this over looked object I found another. Luna's moon ignored, pretty as always, yet like that piece of sand, most found it so trivial... was Auntie Luna's moon no longer a gift of silence and good blessings to all those who slept beneath it? To those who enjoyed its sight, was it no longer as graceful and pretty? None of that, mattered to the normal ponies or the royals roaming the streets of this damned city. Snobs so low-class even the Night Princess was no longer good for them. WAS THERE NOPONY WHO UNDERSTOOD EVERYTHING IS SPECIAL!? 


That I was uncertain of. I however thought of it all. Every single moment planned, as everything mattered and was important. Every memory, moment, or hoof step, every piece of melted sand, or the moon and stars, IT WAS ALL important.


I had that night learned what no one could teach. It enraged me, yet it was somehow enlightening. It was to be shared, the philosophy, the sciences, ALL OF IT WAS NOW IMPORTANT AND WANTED, NO NEEDED TO BE SHARED.


Then it dawned on me. I had no one to share my enlightenment. I was alone, separated by my will from the ponies of low mentality, or of such low-class their blood was like grease needing a good waste disposal. I needed someone, in my house of gold, marble, and mahogany wood, a house where if you took a step rail you could live three lifetimes and still have enough money to support five others just as long. There was no one. Empty of every, and all thing living, except me. The thought had never reached my mind before... My hooves had started to shuffle under my thick silk and cotton blanket.


That night my mind had been made up. Whether whoever I found wanted to or not, I refused to be alone any longer. That's when the plans came. Oh, how the plans came, such well thought out plans. I would have someone. Someone who understood my logic on any subject. One that wouldn't try to escape. I had it figured out. I knew who I knew when and how, I knew why, and where, it was perfect.


I would have someone, someone for me to take as mine. It would happen that night. Best to catch my only try at to finding someone truly understanding, all at night before the dawn of Auntie's sun.


By then my hooves had already started to grab all I needed. If I could stop her magic then it would be okay, no worries past that. I was physically set for this, but at that moment, I wasn't mentally prepared, oh but you will be when the time comes. You're a prince. My mind kept replaying, little to my enjoyment. By the time it played through the 40 times in my mind, I was already down past the Canterlot streets and on my way to the train station when something hit me, not physically, but something hit me. I was able to teleport into that disgusting low-class town that my aunties loved all so much. Pigs and low life idiots, that's all that town had to offer, all but one mare. Somepony I had seen many a time, one I could say was quite at home where ever you put her. That was good, it meant when I got to her she wouldn't be all to uncomfortable.


Of course by now all of what I did was illegal, or it was as soon as I preformed teleportation. You see, after flashing though the spacious void to arrive, it was well past even the hours guards are allowed out. A time of criminal activity, in this quiet piece of filth, I doubted there would ever be any trouble at this hour. The place had landed was the middle of town market. Deserted, missing life, that was always true for this time of night. But for then I moved, not to fast as not to draw the attention of light sleepers to my shuffling hooves. Looking back I saw I still had the magic cuff. Grinning. This will be much easier than I imagined, all that was left was bypassing a single door lock and the lock implant.


This much I could do. A prince taught how to lock pick? Unheard of no, I wasn't going to do that much. I shifted my eyes to look back and forth in my peripheral vision, seeing nothing in sight I proceeded even further. The great oak tree, a seemingly ironic fortress of knowledge. I however wasn't pleasures the time to laugh at it, lighting my horn I quickly clicked the door handle's lock open as fast and quietly as possible, millimeter by millimeter. I thanked my bloodline for the strength and magical power it had brought into my hooves, my  favorite DNA trait was that of my magical strength.


Was that what drew me to her?

It had to be.

I pondered only a moment, hearing a soft click I began my invasion to the inside of the house. The door didn't creak and with what little magic it needed I held the doorbell in place. Keeping light on my hooves I surveyed the dark front room.
Nothing.

I enter the next room over.

Nothing.

Bathroom.

Storage.

Stairs.

What? My mind clicked back to the last one on the list, as if I had  had tunnel vision I simply waved of the stairs, almost at least. Almost though was good enough as I crept up the old oak stairs, the surface of the unpolished wood was cold. Like death, making it all the harder to travel up the stairs of this abomination of knowledge and irony, I wanted to take out the books and burn this place to the ground. Oh how cruel it was, I had normally never bothered with such things. Most buildings made of tree were normally just homes. I could live with that. This, however, wasn't the case. Putting parts of some dead tree inside one of its living brethren. It was practically cannabalism in plain sight! Not that these low life moral less scum could even have enough smarts to realize such a thing.


Another goal came apparent at that time. I was saving a higher being from being clogged and stuffed with the grim and dirt of these disgusting maggot filled street whores and low life lazy scum bags. I was in all cases her knight in shining armor from then on.


By the time my thoughts had concluded to this point I had found it. A large study room. I had checked her room already, my love was not in her bed as anyone would think. No she was asleep head against a book and a desk, a rag of some sort draped over her shoulders.


Seeing my chance I slumped down low. Not out of caution but so that I could be at eye level. I was bowing to my queen, my one and only queen. Quickly my magic flowed over the magical horn cuff, made by Auntie, and strong enough to contain even she. Quickly I slide it onto the sensitive appendage.


Finally, my prize was won. FINALLY, I could talk to one who could never judge me. I needed only time to prepare the next step. Embracing my love in a tight embrace and kiss I was faced with a startled lavender mare.


Quickly my horn flashed and my mind went to my castle. The room I had only seen 15 times in my life so far. The cells. I had already prepared the cell earlier as it was only the best for my love. Soon we were their, I was faced with a shocked lover who was still too drowsy to process the situation of this unity. My horn lighting again it pulled the key out and unlocked the cell I had fixed. The cushions, books, and several pieces of furniture surrounded the cobblestone-walled cage.


"Stay well. My lavender love." I called, as I forced her into the cell. Unable to use magic she had been at a loss, as I had levitated her in and simultaneously locked the cell door. When that was finished it was close to sun rise. Grabbing aside a servant, I ordered for them to get a maid prepared for getting ingredients I was quick to list down on a piece of paper. Handing it over I went to find the spell I needed and the potion that was required as well. The recipe of success and a spell of victory in conquest. Oh the scandal! Oh the love that would burn on from here.


My hooves pounded on the carpeted floor as I found myself I a mad dash for my personal study. This was serious business. No more  deprivation, no more lonely nights, yes it was all mine now, a charming young mare for my own wife, intelligent as the got, cleverness, however was not her strong suite. I knew this already known, before any of this. I was in fact one of the few that had ever known my lavender wife in her filly years. Through out school, her work as Auntie's apprentice. Oh, oh what joy.


My mind escaped reality as it scanned book, after book, after book, after book, after book, after every wretched damn book. But finally I found them.


Siegfrei's spell of permanent, sane-love tampering


I scanned it over. The potion was simply to open any additional mental problems and delete them. The spell to permanently, through the potion's neuron rewriting I could make her love me, WANT me, it was all too simple. Difficult to pull off, but simple in mind.


I went to work as soon as I finished memorizing the information. The maid had long since collected the necessary supplies and I wanted this done, I wanted not to imprison my heart's reason to pump a moment longer.


A dash of Tibulin Domasion, three cups of purified glacier water, two spoonfuls of Dimbalis Lavenders (ironic I will admit), two pints of liquified magic. That was the entire recipe, the entire way to first unlocking my mare's heart. But it was not yet time. I had to wait 'til Twilight. Under the ironic time would I finally have my object of affection, feel the same towards me.


------

Ah, Auntie Luna's moon... I was truly thankful for such a beautiful night, my desire would be able to love me on a night so dream-filled. Yes, it was time. I had prepared it all. From the spell, to the potion, next was getting it into her throat. That was the challenge. Or it should have been had I not brought along my hoof cuffs. As I entered the cell I had left her in I found a heart aching sight. I wanted not for her to cry. No, that would be the worst situation, in my head at the time. Walking over I saw just how exposed she was, now was my chance. Levitating the hoof cuffs I quickly clicked them onto the mare.


It was easy from there, the potion, I had had to plug her nose to force it down. The spell all the simpler. So simple I waited from there on. If it worked of didn't work was my only question. I began however to think. Think like I did while staring through that transparent, burnt sand.
I was beginning to like philosophy.



> Punctured Lollipops
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not the same, Ponyville was.  It had been only a few days since Pinkie Pie disappeared, and life could only be happy no longer.  Fear, greed and sorrow laid the small town to waist; though still functional, only grey coats matched the clouds.

        For one pony in particular, he had enough.  Fighting depression all his life, he moved to Ponyville to keep happy.  Then once he arrived, the catalyst of joy vanishes!  Having spent all of his savings to the move, which included yet not limited to: A house, cart, food, furnishings, and for all benefit-- a connection to the local aqueduct.  There was nothing he could do, that poor stallion.  So in all he was, he made his way; not to move again, but to walk until he could walk no more.

        The streets were still filled with ponies, our sad Stallion saw.  Ponies that were gray, with not a single smile around.  In the homes of each resident, there came no laughter, no crying, no sound.  Only the wind whistled down the streets, and time became irrelevant to each equine.   Despite the wish he had with this one town, it was not hard to leave it behind.   

        Yet, when this young brave stallion found his way to the forest side, he could not bring himself to walk in.  No amount of depression was strong enough to lure anypony into the grasp of a place so terrifying.  It was however, not fear that caused him to enter, no, it was a cry for help. “Help” it called, “Help me, why am I so light and cold?  Oh please help me”  If there was one power strong enough to bring somepony in, it was that endless will to help.  With a huff of air escaping his lungs, just to be refueled by the last bit of fresh air, he pushed his way into the darkness, the abyss of wisdom.  It was all that life could afford to allow this stallion to keep going, and nothing could stop him in his tracks.  

        The cry for help however would not ever come closer, no even as he ran towards the unknown source, it only then was farther away.  Yet he kept on running, no pony knew why he did not stop, to turn flee back to his home, was it because he had no more will for his own self, or was it because he was possessed.  It was a question that would never be answered.

        Running, galloping, his stride never slowing.  Even when he realized that the cry for help had stopped, he kept his pace.   

Stopping, stopping.

       It was then that the pony could no longer remember if he were colt or stallion.  Was it true that his life to this point had been an illusion? had  he been truly long dead?  That he was never in fact alive?  No, it just could not be true, nothing connected, nothing at all.  Why were thoughts like this rushing into his mind?

        That was when he saw it, shining in the darkness like a beacon of hope in the night.  Brighter the Luna’s moon.  What layed on the ground?  It was all but a simple, flat and colorful lollipop.  Much more it held then hope, it was survival, it was color.  In a world full of gray, color was reborn.  How to utilize it though?  That was the question.  How could a simple pony use this gift to bring joy to others?  If there was hope, then it was time to go home.


~~+~~


         Five days of joy, oh what a wondrous treat.  We all knew how to fight the bland state of reality, but having that lollipop in his home had brought him joy.  It was soon that he was smiling to all around him, just simply ignoring the glares of hate from the ponies around.  Yet in his head, he could hear the whispers.  “Sweets, candy, seeds, we want to live, let us feed.  Sweets, candy seeds, we want to live, let us feed.  Sweets, candy, seeds, we want to live, let us feed,” they said in a voice so soft, nopony could recognize it.  Though only one pony could hear it, it called, steadily getting louder.

        Our pony would yet still live his days ignoring the call, the plead for freedom.  He wanted the candy stick for himself, it was after all the only source of color, and joy.  Yet as he looked out the window, he finally came to his senses to the danger he was in.  The ponies of Ponyville did not want to be happy, they wanted nothing to do with joy, and to them even the slight bit of enthusiasm and hope was a threat. 

        It happened quickly that day, being driven out of his home, there was no hope to stay.  True, a minor defeat for the lollipop was still in his possession, and nothing could stand in his way for peace.  Yet the cry still called, “Sweets, candy, seeds, we want to live, let us feed.”  It was now loud enough to him to hear, and now joy was being sucked out of him.  It was never clear to how he lost his joy, but the love for color was soon lost.  Picking up the stick of sugar he stuffed it into his pack, so to be forgotten.

        
~~+~~


        Following days hence, we found the young pony in a new town, founded for those who had hope.  It was like food, and something that could be shared.  Yet joy was lacking, and was only desirable.  He no longer knew what to do, so being bored he moved his way to his old pack and opened it.  He found pots and pans, old snacks that were now too stale to enjoy.  Old coats that he no longer needed, not in that time of year.  

        His eyes widened as he found his prize that he had recently forgotten about.  There at the bottom of his bag he found the lollipop, shining out calling to him saying.  “Sweets, candy, seeds, we want to live, let us feed”  The saying that he had come to ignore so well, until he found his treasure again.  

        It was sugar, the sucker was in fact made of sugar.  He could not remember when the last time was when he ate something.  All he knew now was that he did need to eat something.  Struggling not to divorce his only link to joy, it was all he could do as his mouth went down to the gambit of the floor.  The muscles in his neck quivered as he tried to fight the temptation, but no more.  As soon as his buds sensed the sweet strawberry punch flavor, he could no longer fight his wishes.  In an instant he picked up the sucker and began to morsel out the size.  His body delighted to have something so sweet as nectar enter into his system, and It was all to joyous to be free from the call.  Upon the very thought, his heart stopped as he realized that the call had ended.  No more sweets, no for candy, he was feeding, and he was living!  Oh, what a fool he had been to ignore the call so long, and to think that all it took as a bit of selfishness.  

His tongue wrapped around the tasty morsel, savoring the liquified sweets, mixing into his saliva.  Could candy really have been this scarce since Pinkie Pie disappeared?  Is this why the world had become a dark gray?  It was then when the decision was made.  The decision to go and recreate candy.  His taste buds remembered the flavor, and sugar was still around, it had to be.  Oh how great was this!  Our stallion was going to save Equestria and bring back color.  Yet, his self proclaimed goal, was never his mission designed by fate.  Even as he finished the scrumptious treat, did he walk out of his home to share the news.

At first, nopony listened to him, not interested in making candy when there were much more pressing matters at hoof.  It was enough to push all to Celestia's sun of madness.

A cult soon arouse, being lead by our stallion, his determination could not be deterred by such insolence.  Without end, he proclaimed his cause, gathering followers, even until the last pony decided to join.  This is the miracle that I shall share, and this is the miracle that shall be remembered as the rebirth.  Not of all, but of one.

Even as all the ponies in the colony gathered round to witness the backing of the first ever cupcake since the disappearance, for that is what the event was called.  Our stallion stood in front of his mixing bowl waiting to strike his genius!  His hooves holding the bag of sugar, ready to recreate the joy that was so long lost.  His hoofs tilting ever so slightly as sugar began to pour from the bag.  It poured and poured, the sugar did.  Not one pony noticed the pain our stallion was in, for his eyes dilated as he felt his stomach expand,  It was his time to fulfill his destiny, a destiny that would save all of Equestria from miserable depression.

        Yes it was him who started it, but all who were there were also destined for this, each nameless to keep their records sacred.  In the end none would know what truly happened but I, and that is all that matters.

His eyes were dilated, and his stomach hurting as if spikes were going to erupt forth.  Of course in a splatter of iron crimson, spikes did erupt forth, then began to engulf him, mesmerizing his crowd to the glory it truly beheld.  Like pink and dripping red candy canes, did the spikes wrap around him fusing into a round thick ball, trapping him into his own sweet cocoon.

        The ponies sat there stunned, not one moving to flee from the unknown.  There was too much hope to fear, too much hope to see that they were in danger.  I was thankful for that, for I don’t think my consciousness could handle such a travesty.

        It was only seconds before the next stage started, for the giant ball before them started to quiver.  Muffled screaming could be heard from inside, but what held the ponies attention was the massive spikes that began to grow from the smooth edges.  Sharp Enough to impale through any rock and crevasse.  Songs of joy ringing out as the ball started to move, going down the stage as it crushed the stove meant for the new cupcakes.

        Fear then began to spark in the ponies hearts as they witness the first few get the heads impaled, dragging the empty shells across the room.  Death was what rung in the town as the ball chased and killed all that were near.  Those who were foolish enough to watch, saw the bodies sink into the pink mass, being absorbed into the anomaly, just before they themselves were stabbed and crushed from existence.

        If one were to listen they could her the birds cry in the distance, what they did not know was that the cries of nature where in fact the deaths of many ponies as they got absorbed into the once brave stallion.  Yet nopony would listen, for the world was too dark to care about such tragedies.

        Massive ball soon rolled its way from the now dead and empty town, making its way to the west, towards Ponyville. Even as it rolled though time slowed down, pieces of the mass began to melt of, bit by bit.  No blood was found, no bones or flesh.  Just crystallized sugar fell from the ball.  Only one was aware of what was going on, for I had been aware from the beginning.  From the moment I heard the stallion cry in agony, wishing for friends, wishing for Equestria to be joyous once more.  

        Even then as I arrived at Ponyville my hopes arise, as the last bit of candy fell from me to the floor.  The cost had been high, but the reward had been worth it.  Equestria was saved, even as I shouted out cheerfully….


"Hiya Everypony, I want to see you smile!"




> My Role as Death.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Loud screams and horrible moans of pain, my fuel for life as lay here in this cell.  Occasionally, I move my head to the bars just to see if I could see what is going on only to be denied the feeling of warm blood dripping down my face.  It's not the taste, it’s not the color that I like about it.  No, it’s the warmth!  Warm fresh blood!

It's probably those reasons why "I" the prince of all glory, Hard Hoof Blueblood the first is still alive to this day.  I'm here simply because I want to be, I'm here because one day I accidentally walked down a set of cold steps to find myself in the cobblestones of Hell, my Hell.   What I saw first disturbed me, it was a nightmare come true!  I was in a panic and ran as fast as my hooves could carry me, knocking down pots and gore of all kinds.  I still don't know what they are for and why they are there.  I was locked up, being insulted by dirty hooves, the most vile and dirty of hooves I have ever laid royal eyes on.  Least to say, I was royal no more, and that is what set me free.


So from then on, I sat in this cell, listening to the screams and the sound of bones being cracked apart.  At first I was terrified, unable to cope with such a horror.  My thoughts trailed to things like a secret lair of cannibals.  But no, I listened.  In my fright I listened to the people around me, as if they were my only escape.  True as it were, they were my only escape.  Simply because my life was their hands and my death was their will.


Still I watched from my cell listening to the screams day after day, never able to sleep but only listen.  It soon became a shock as I realized enjoyment was being made.  Not by the ponies outside, but by me!  I wanted to help, I wanted to bring the pain and the hurt to all around me.  I was ignored long enough and now I could make something of it.  My life was a waist in useless flailing of names, and now my life meant something.  To take upon myself the name of death and bring myself the enjoyment of warmth!

I stop to listen some more as the gurgling of screams comes to a halt, by the sound she was a young mare, with foal, was.

I laid back on the cold stone behind me taking a deep breath.  It all happened so quick, the death of many and the short weeks I've been here.  True, I never said a word.  Why should I?  Why should I go ask to help, bring their attention to me?  That would either get me into their group, or get me killed.  No, I needed a sure plan to get me on those tools... no... Toys.   I needed to be patent and let myself in naturally.  I'm Blueblood the Red, and I will become Death.


In my ranting, I suddenly heard a new voice come about.  It was lovely and laced with honey, a voice I was all too familiar with.   I acknowledged the servants, soon to be my servants, no not servants, slaves.  They acknowledged her majesty with a bow, I could see this from my cell.  She began to speak in riddles that I had never heard before, yet I listened.  I know her voice, but I could not put a name to it.  Yet she spoke with the soft motherly tone that could be made.  A tone that made this beautiful cool place more homey and comfortable.  

She spoke of things like food, nourishment and power.   Magic was rare, but the magic she had was of differed nature.  That the warmth of the ponies cured her weakness and made her strong.  The fresh butcher of life brought beauty to her mane, which the most stylish of ponies would want to touch.  Then after hearing something about her needed her package, she left.  Her farewell, her good bye gave way her Identify as she said "Good Bye," I know who she was.  She was none other but my spoiled sister, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza!

As soon as I heard the door close in the chamber, all life returned as I knew it.  I wondered about my sister for ages, how she was suddenly able to gain power.  Even to this moment, I don't know how she ever became so powerful.  All I knew was that I could share in such power.  If the heat from blood could make her strong, than it could make me strong.  It was soon time to draw attention to myself.

Even as I was getting up to do so, with a smile on my face the door in front of me opened. And I watched as three masked ponies entered into the cell.  The lead took off her mask showing herself as Spitfire of the wonder bolts.  "Well, Blue Booty, it's been a while since I have seen you.  I would have never expected you to smile in a place like this, but now that I am aware of your 'blood line' I am aware as to why."  She had spoken these words to mock me, to get me to react.  Yet I just stood there smiling at her with my eyes, mouth and heart.  I knew my purpose and I knew that she was my key, soon she and all would bow before me as I took my rightful spot in the world.  

As I smiled, walking up to her telling her that I wanted the role of death.  She calmly informed me that death would be my role, that I was perfect for the role.  But now, I know what she meant.

I had hoped to be in charge, to be great.  Death is my role and now I'm going to die.  After times of working, not once ever touching the toys that could give me immortality, outliving so many, I write this before I'm bound.

Sister, Know this.  I will destroy you, I won't be gone forever, and I will destroy you.  I am dead, and I am Death.


    
	


> Heaven
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


HEAVEN






~~+~~








"Shhh! Don't worry!" she says.

Her beautiful eyes stare into mine. She doesn't blink. She doesn't rob me of their magic for one moment. Her face radiates endless life, even when I see her wince from time to time. Nothing could take her beauty away.

Her smile is red. A red pool beneath her eyes. It pours out of her mouth and spills all over her chin. Her hoof reaches out to stroke my cheek. It's still warm. Still strong. I almost melt under her caress.

"It's alright," she says. "We're going to be alright!"

Every breath is a white-hot lance that thrusts into my chest. My teeth ache from pressing against each other for so long. I suck in the air through them silently. I don't want her to notice. I don't want her to hurt any more than she does now. Whatever I feel is irrelevant.

I'd like to roll over and climb onto her. I'd like to suck in her breath once more. I want to taste the red pool that grows in her mouth. I want to fuse together with her flesh. My body cannot move. There's a heavy weight resting on my lower half. Everything is broken. My insides are sacks of crushed meat.

A warm and wet sensation floods my underside. Something drains out of me in a slow and constant flow. There's a sweet, slightly metallic scent. My flesh starts to go cold around the point where the pool beneath me grows from. I can hardly move any of my limbs there.

My forelegs shake as I try to lift them. They try to reach out to her. They want to touch her skin.

I can't speak to her. It would reveal the pain. I try to let my face tell her what I want. But it doesn't matter. Even if she could understand me, she couldn't do anything. We're both stuck here.

"I love you," she whispers. Her hoof strokes the top of my head, then touches my lips. I can feel its wonderful scent. "I love you for now and ever..."

Her words ignite my spirit one last time. I feel warmth in my limbs. Taking a deep breath, I strain against the weight that holds me down. The gravel and dirt crackles as the boulder moves slightly.

"Wait..." she says. "What are you...?"

I hush her. The effort and the pain makes me hiss, but I don't stop. Finally, the rock decides to give. It rolls away and lands further down with a dull thud. Cool air touches my skin as it becomes exposed. I breathe a sigh of relief.

I can hear muffled voices in the distance. My eyes travel up to the sky. I can hardly see now. The stars and the moon are still there. They blur together into a glowing mess. No more beauty awaits me there.

We should have picked a higher spot. We were afraid somepony would notice, and they might try to stop us. The outcropping halfway to the peak seemed like it would do well enough, and it was empty.

Only the pale ones followed us. That was the sign that we needed, though we were still too hasty.

We smiled and held each other tightly as we stood on the edge. Our first and last flight together made us kiss like never before.


I turn back to her. She's still looking at me, confused. I caress her cheek with one forehoof, while the other starts dragging me toward her. I grit my teeth. It's a tremendous struggle. My lower half is a dead weight. If I could, I'd just break away from it so I could get to her sooner.

She's still whimpering as I brush up against her. I place a hoof on her lips to hush her, then wrap my forelegs around her. I pull her in as close as I can. Her hind legs are twisted into unnatural shapes. She tries to help me, but her limbs are too weak now.

I lie down next to her, making sure we are face to face. I stare deeply into her eyes. Her skin is pale. Her breath is slow, but it still feels warm as it washes over me.

"I'm so glad you're here with me..." I whisper to her. The blood in my throat forces its way out in a fit of coughing. "You would never let me go alone..."

I caress her face. She caresses mine. I pull her closer. She pulls me as well.

"Is this heaven?" she whispers.

Our lips meet. I taste the red in her mouth. I breathe in the warmth in her lungs.

"We'll be together..." I reply. "We're going to heaven together..."

I hear the slow pounding of her heart. The sound keeps the darkness from taking me. But as it slowly fades, the edges of my vision are consumed by the black void.

I take one last look at her face, then close my eyes and kiss her again.

"We're in heaven..."







~~+~~