The Sweet Sweet Taste of Lavender

by StreamlessBlueChest

First published

Twilight Sparkle and Sweetie Belle of Equestria get captured and sailed off to another land to rescue their friends, meeting souls along the way who need their help to return Lavendarah back to its peaceful, prosperous state...

When Twilight wakes up one morning from a very comforting rest, she finds the world she lived in demolished. She goes to find her friends, who later end up ether have been captured and transformed, or captured to be tested on. Soon she finds that she is alone with Sweetie Belle in the realm of Lavendarah, a whole ocean away from Equestria. Hopeless at returning home, Twilight and Sweetie Belle are found by a lost Delta Mage, who will help them find their way back home. But rocky paths line their future in this land as they meet swarms of strange bugs, wandering curse shadows, and a reject of a top-secret project. Once all united for differing reasons, they prepare and train for Twilight's most threatening challenge yet.

Chapter 1: Morning Ruins

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Sunlight shone through the window of the library. It landed upon a purple alicorn. She was under her blue covers that were decorated with stars. The purple alicorn whimpered from the sunlight that shone directly on her eyelids. She moved her hoof to her face and covered her eyes. A sigh came from her a moment later, along with a startled gasp. Twilight soon opened her eyes. What she took in was not what she remembered as her library. Downstairs, books were scattered everywhere. Many were charred or burnt or both. Others were torn at the edges. The floor not only littered with the horribly trashed books, was char marks and a lot of broken wood. Probably from the shelves no doubt. The walls had many cracks and some had even broke through the wall to outside, which explained the draft. This scene appalled Twilight. Her precious books, destroyed! Quickly, she sprung out of bed and ran down the stairs, forgetting to reset her covers. As she ran, she forgot also that she was an alicorn. Once in her library, tears had started to spring from her eyes. Her once clean and organized Library, destroyed!

"Oh no... what h-happened here...?" she whispered to herself. Her wings unfolded and hung from her sides, showing her astonishment. She shook her head. "No Twilight, Don't worry about your books... if this happened to you" She chided. "Then it must have happened to your friends..." Twilight soon ran to her door, opened it and raced out of her library. The scenery out there was worse. So many buildings crumpled. Many were charred aswell. Some houses had fires that burnt out. While others showed a sign of small smoke stacks of the still burning. The sky had many gray clouds, some from the smoke, while the rest were ominously gray clouds. They floated through the light-blue sky. There is not time to waste, thought Twilight. Pushing the thought of throwing up of the scenery, the purple alicorn sprinted off to the closest place nearest her: Sugar Cube Corner.

Soon, Twilight arrived at Sugar Cube Corner. On the way, she saw all the homes as burnt or crushed or both. When Twilight reached her destination, bile rose in her throat. Sugar Cube Corner caved in and had burnt marks on the roof. The worried Twilight rushed up to the door of the bakery. The boards form upstairs were poking everywhere, sharp and black. Using her magic, Twilight yanked out the door that was wedged shut. She maneuvered the boards and nails that fell from the planks of wood. Her eyes were watering and she wore a worried look. She really hoped The Cakes weren't crushed. Or the Cakes' babies Carrotcake and Poundcake weren't harmed. Or worst of all, her friend Pinkie Pie. This thought that wedged in her brain caused Twilight to look harder. As she was looking, her hooves splashed in something. Twilight closed her eyes and hoped it was't what she thought it was. Twilight took a deep breath and opened her eyes slowly. Turning her head slowly down, she breathed a sigh of relief that it was just cake batter.

The sound of soft weeping sounded as the purple alicorn neared the stairs. Twilight's ears perked up and she zipped between the obstacles. The weeping started to slightly louder. This energized Twilight and quickened her pace. A zap of pain shot up her leg. "Ow!" twilight muttered. Finding were the pain was, she lifted her fore-hoof and found a nail wedged in her hoof. A small trickle of blood sprouted from the rusty nail. A groan sounded from her gritted teeth as she too out the nail with her magic. Once the nail was out, Twilight carried on, ignoring the pain every time she landed on that hoof.

Twilight kept following the sound of the weeping. A sprout of hope started to grow in her chest, getting warmer and warmer the closer she got. All of a sudden, Twilight was rubbing her hoof on her head because she ran into a few intersecting planks of wood, blocking a doorway. The source audible enough now that it was clear the weeping was coming from the other side of the planks. Her head pounded from the impact, but Twilight got up. She growled at the planks and closed her eyes. Using her magic, she lifted the planks that were jammed. She knew if she teleported, it would be hard for the other pony to get out, so its to kill two birds with on stone. Twilight's eyes widened when she finally lifted the planks. The pony was holding Mrs. Cake's head that had a big gash. Mr. Cake lay yonder with a board of wood shoved in his flank, splinters of wood poked out of Mr. Cake's cheek. His eyes were glazed. It suprized and almost killed Twilight on the inside. The pony that was holding Mrs. Cake's head was -- Pinkie Pie.

Chapter 2: Laughter is the best medicine

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"Pinkie Pie!" Twilight gasped. She galloped to her pink friend's side, since she didn't notice her when she gasped.Once at her side, Twilight saw a tear roll down that pink cheek, sparkling and twinkling as it reached her chin and dripped off. "Pinkie... wh-what happened?"

Pinkie Pie looked up at her friend, eyes swollen and puffy form crying. She held her friend's gaze for a minute, and hung her head back down and looked at the dead head of Mrs. Cake. "I-i-i... I loved her... loved her like she was my mother..." The pink pony stuttered. Pinkie cried a tear again. It fell and landed on the blue cheek of the poor gashed mare. Her eyes were closed and her mouth hung open. Her tongue had dried blood from when it dripped out of her mouth. Her teeth had a red-ish color to them from the blood going through er teeth and cascading along her gums. Twilight was appalled once again. She lifted her gaze to the gash and resisted the urge to throw up. The gash was considerably large with pinks and purples and reds, lots and lots of red. The gash was still bleeding, but was drying out because of the lack of a beating heart. A horrid scent wafted to her nose. Of blood and rotting flesh. 'Something tells me... this has been like this for a while... considering the stench' Twilight tried to conclude in her mind. When she was thinking, she was so deep in though that when she saw her friend Pinkie, she was terrified. Her eyes were poised on her chest. Twilight looks in confusion until she looks down.

There was an army of bugs swarming and climbing up her legs. They had black beady eyes, while their shell was a mixture of blues and blacks and purples. Antennas stick out of their tiny heads and sharp fangs sprout from their heads. They were clicking and hissing as the climbing up her legs. A scent was coming from them: Pungent, Stinking, and Rotten. That, and the scent of pony flesh from probably Mrs.Cake's body; Or Mr.Cake. Twilight flicks her eyes around and found the source. Quickly, she used her levitation powers to rid of the bugs. They stuck on her coat like fleas cause they were in fact, fleas. Well, more or less possessed fleas. Their tiny maws started to spew some kind of pink liquid that seemed to be like a sticky substance. It too had a stench. The smell was considerably better than the bugs stench themselves. This freaked out Pinkie, but more Twilight because they were on her flesh. She panicked and started to hyperventilate. But then, she got an idea that might work.'I'm sorry Mrs. Cake!' she thought as she reached and closed Mrs.Cake's Mouth with such force, she heard a dull crushing sound. Soon, the bugs stopped massing and fell to the ground, dead.

Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. But relief didn't come for a party. It left right then and there when more boards above started to creak. Twilight whipped her head to the boards above her. Her eyes dilated as she knew what was gong to happen. "Pinkie, we have to get out of here!"

"But Twilight, what about my par-"
"Forget about the bodies! This place is caving in!" Twilight screamed. Pinkie's face had a torn look, but that soon evaporated and nodded. Soon,the two ponies are racing out of the falling building, dodging planks of wood, splinters, and shards of broken glass. Not to mention nails aswell. The creaking was getting louder and crashing noises sounded behind them. In slow motion, they jumped out and landed on the dirt streets of ponyville in present motion just as the whole of the building crashed down. Pinkie got up quickly, and looked at the places she lived for a major part of her life. Her eyes started to water. Twilight got up and stood next to pinkie soon after. "P-pinkie... I-i-i...I'm so sorry..." Twilight said as she softened her tone from before, her eyes sympathetic and concerned extremely. This scene would continue to haunt Pinkie the rest of her life. It devastated Twilight to see her friend in distress now, and later in life. The purple alicorn lifted her hoof and put it on the pink pony's shoulder. "I know you wanted to save the bodies, but you would have died in there... If you died, they could never forgive themselves..."Pinkie kept her gaze on the house a little longer, and hanged her head. "yeah.. I-i know..."

"If you want me to... I could cremate them..." Twilight offered. Pinkie thought this through, then nodded and replied with a soft, horse yes. Twilight then sprouted a flame from her horn and put it on the building. Once it touched the wood, it blazed into a mighty fire. Both Twilight and Pinkie stood there, watching the fire burn the bakery, while also taking care of the bodies. The wood was making that clicking sound. Crashes sounded as the rest of the wood collapsed in the burning heap. A loud hissing sound erupted from the Bakery as the bugs were being burned to a crisp, their tiny bodies turning to ash. A small dot in the sky erupted from the flames and flew away fast. Twilight and Pinkie were too concentrated on the center of the flame to notice it. After what felt like minutes, Pinkie nodded again and Twilight turned the whole place into a smoldering ash heap. It was rather large and smelled of burned wood, flesh, and dead bugs. It was a sight no pony should ever endure. Finally, Pinkie couldn't take it anymore and collapsed on the ground in a crying fit. Twilight went down to Pinkie and hugged her as she cried. She cried and cried until there were no more tears to shed. Twilight looked up in the direction of Sweet Apple Aches and something peculiar was spotted. An Orange smudge was nearing her and Pinkie.

Chapter 3: Honestly

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Twilight squinted at the horizon. The orange smudge seemed to be running, and fast at that because the details were starting to become clear as to who this is. A small sound could have been heard from it, but nothing could be heard over the sad weeping on the pink pony, Pinkie Pie. She just kept crying and crying, recalling everything in her mind, just letting it all out.All her memories of when she should have cried, she can cry now. It was very pitiful and any pony would feel sympathetic. Including the orange smudge, which has become a bit bigger and more clearer. The orange smudge was zipping by houses and as she neared the two ponies settled outside of Sugar Cube Corner, she could hear the slightest sound of weeping. As she neared, the weeping got louder. Her heart racing, she screamed, "TWILIGHT!!". But to her dismay, the purple figure, Twilight, couldn't hear it. Determined to show that she was not a smudge, she used her reserves of speed and reached the two ponies, the sound of weeping so loud. Twilight had her head down on Pinkie's shoulder with her eyes closed. It seemed she had given up on trying to know who or what the smudge was. The orange mare was breathing heavily and managed to gasp out, "Twilight, its me..."

Twilight looked up and her face lightened up at the sight of her, but then darkened and turned sad. "A-applejack... So glad your here..."
"Twi, I'm always here for you..." Applejack said. Her gaze flicked to Pinkie Pie. "What happened to her?"

"I found her in Sugar Cube Corn-"
"How? Isn't it by the looks of it, broken?" Applejack interrupted as she looked at the crumbled bakery.

"Not when I found her... She was crying like this only softer..." the purple alicorn began to explain. This time, Applejack stayed silent. "I saw her with the dead bodies of Mr and Mrs. Cake..." Applejack's face turned to sorrowful compassion. "And we had to get out of there before it killed us..." Twilight concluded. A sparkle came form Twilight's eye as she shed a tear, remembering the events. Applejack looked down and tipped her hat, making shadow cover her eyes. Then, she took her hat off and held it to her chest, hoping that they rest in peace wherever they may go. Hat placed back on her head, she looked at Pinkie Pie. Then, she knelt down and hugged the pink pony from behind.

"Shhh shhhh shhh... its alright sugar cube...just let it all out..." Applejack coaxed. She too, didn't like to see her friends broken or shattered. Being friends meant being there through thick and thin. When you were at your highest, or your lowest. Friends would always be there until the end, never giving up on you. At least, that's what Applejack would say, considering she is the element of loyalty... but were getting off of track here. Thoughts began to poke and prod into Applejack's mind as she was embracing Pinkie Pie. She imagined being in the same situation. The thought scared her and made her shudder internally. After a few minutes, she thought better than to dwell on her own private thoughts and pay attention to her friend. She needed her most.

It seemed like minutes passed before Pinkie Pie actually stopped crying. The pink mare had gotten up and shook out her coat to rid it of excess tears and ash pieces that flew through the sky earlier. She also reached her hoof up and rubbed away all the dried up tears. Next to her, Twilight got up aswell as Applejack.

"You okay now, hun?" Applejack asked in a soft tone. Pinkie nodded. "Yes... I feel a little better now..."
"Okay, then I think we should leave." The two other mares nodded and they began to walk. They had walked for about 20 feet away from the sight something struck Applejack. She turned to her and opened her mouth to speak."Hey, uhh, Twilight? Where are we going?" Twilight stopped in her tracks, but then kept going. "Well, i guess Rarity's because Fluttershy's is a little out of our way and only I or Fluttershy could possibly reach Rainbow Dash's" Twilight concluded. "Sounds like a plan." And with that, the trio of mares went off to the Carousel Boutique to find Rarity. They knocked on her door. knock knock. no reply. They tried knocking once again. knock knock. still no reply. They had tried many times until it was almost like banging on the door. KNOCK KNOCK. Once again, no reply. Twilight was a little angered and started to back up to ram the door. Applejack put her hoof in front of Twilight signalling she should do it, and do it right. Twilight walked back to her spot and watched the orange apple pony get into position. The orange mare stood on her front legs,drew in her legs and SLLAAAAAMMMMMMM.CRAAASSSHHH went the door. Once the dust from the powerful kick had cleared, it was very clear the door had fallen. Along with half of its hinges still suck on the door, the other half on the frame.The orange body took a sigh and lifted her head up, smirking. "There ya go!"

Twilight nodded her acknowledgment and stepped into the Boutique. The inside was not very pretty. Dresses were scattered everywhere, aswell as torn fragments from other dresses. There were claw marks here and there and many of the small, crawling little bugs from before. One the floor also had a few pony carcasses. Looking at them, some were skinned. Their skinned hides hanging on pony mannequins, bloody from the skin's absorbency. Swarms of bugs crawled on the once colorful and now dull hides. The bugs were eating the skin. Near the back, lay a small broken body. Its sides still heaving with a last effort of surviving. Its shallow breaths could be heard, drifting among the rancid breeze of rotting flesh and dead bugs. Pinkie walked in second, then their came Applejack. Twilight's eyes dilated and she sped into the boutique. The horrid scents were slamming into her. She chocked on the stench, but kept perusing. Twilight skidded to a halt next tot he body, then hunkered down and gazed at the body. It's back was facing her. The purple alicorn gently placed a hoof on it's ribs and very carefully, turned the body over. Twilight gasped at the body. It had a gray coat drenched in blood and sweat. Its mane once curled, was a little uncurled, the pink and purple soaked with something to make it look like a horrid mess. While the horn had a small incision on the side. It whimpered and opened its eyes slowly. A green tint came from them, getting wider. It opened its eyes wide and opened its mouth more than it was. In side the little pony's mouth was blood and a strange pink substance. It took a deep shuttering breath in, then out. Then in again and heaving out with a last ditch effort. "T-t-twi-liight?" it rasped and then lied its head down, unconscious.

Chapter 4: So Sweetly

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Twilight looked at the broken body. It's breathing was slow now, but still ragged and shallow. The Alicorn mare took in staggered breaths, trying not to cry over this body. But this body was no usual body. It was of the lovable, common voice cracking little unicorn Sweetie Belle. The sound of hooves clicking on the floor sounded form behind Twilight as Pinkie Pie and Applejack arrived, skidding to a stop. Pinkie Pie's jaw opened slightly, but was closed suddenly. She bit her lip, tears starting to well in her eyes. Meanwhile Applejack looked hurt and took her hat off. She then held it to her chest and closed her eyes, uttering a silent prayer.

"Poor little one. She never got her cutie mark..." Applejack stated softly as she placed her hat back on her head. Meanwhile Pinkie walks up to Sweetie Belle and lightly pokes her face. The flesh leaves an indentation on the cheek. It was a sign that her flesh hasn't been taken care of in a while. A thought struck Twilight. 'How long have I been out?' was the though on her mind.In order for this to have ever happened, she had to either have been gone for a while, or asleep from a really long time. The Pink mare retracted quick, a little startled and disturbed. " Please Pinkie..." Twilight whispered. Pinkie obeyed and stopped. "We must take Sweetie Belle out of-" Twilight coughed. "-Here. Its hazardous here." Both mares nodded and helped assist Twilight to her hooves and lift Sweetie Belle onto her back. Then, the purple mare spread her wings and ran out of the Boutique, balancing the small white filly on her back.

It took twilight a span of time, but she finally found the perfect place to heal and rest after hours of searching ponyville. The prefect sanctuary: Fluttershy's house. yes of course it wasn't exactly in Ponyville, but it was close enough and secluded enough that no pony would even think a pony lived out there. Twilight ran up to the door and knocked. No Answer. Once more, Twilight knocked. Still no answer, but the door opened by itself, slowly opening with a loud creaking sound of aged wood and hinges that hadn't been oiled in a long time. Just another sign that Twilight may have been asleep longer than she thought. As Twilight ran inside, she set Sweetie Belle down on the dust-covered couch. Everything in the yellow Pegasus's house was dusty, but not harmful enough to not be there. As Twilight lay her down, the filly coughed. Using her magic, Twilight found a blanket and pillow. With the pillow, she raised Sweetie Belle's head and placed it under. Then she set the blanket on her. Sweetie Belle snuggled then into the blanket.

"I'll go make some soup..." Applejack offered and went off into the direction of the kitchen. Meanwhile Pinkie went and tried to find medicine and bandages. Twilight grabbed a stool and sat on it, watching the young Sweetie Belle sleep. Her coat was ragged and red. Scratches also dirtied her silvery coat. It just brought a tear to her eye. She lifted her hoof and put it on the filly's head. It wasn't fever hot. 'Whew... one less problem to face...' The sound of hooves echoed as Pinkie came downstairs from upstairs with bandages and some medicine. She trotted slowly towards Twilight and then stopped right next to her. Pinkie gave her the bag of supplies and Twilight levitated the bandages and placed them all around Sweetie Belle. Some disinfectant spray here and there and applying bandages in those spots. The small filly squirmed and moaned in her sleep all the while. Soon the bandages were applied and the small gashes of blood flow stopped. Sweat has begun to drip from Twilight's face because of how intense she was at getting Sweetie Belle well.

Both mares turned their heads as soon as they heard hoof steps make their way to them. It was just Applejack, carrying a tray in her mouth. On the tray was chicken noodle soup, flowers, and a glass of water. Twilight pulled a small table up and Applejack placed the tray down on it. Using her magic, Twilight levitated the spoon up to the filly's mouth, opening it up ever so gently. Then she poured the spoon of soup in her mouth. Knowing that she was unable to swallow, Twilight put her hoof on her throat and helped her swallow. This process went on, spoonful after spoonful of soup, until the soup was gone. Applejack them grabbed the flower and crushed it into a fine powder. Then she sprinkled it into the water and stirring it with the soup spoon. The crushed flower soon dissolved. Oh so carefully, Twilight lifted the glass of water and medicated flower up to the filly's mouth. Twilight then helped her again swallow the water until it was all gone. Once the water was drained down the filly's gullet,the purple alicorn closed the sleeping filly's mouth and let her rest peacefully.

Twilight then sighed. "Okay. Ill go and see if there are some blankets upstairs. You two stay here with Sweetie Belle" Ordered the Purple mare. The other two mare nodded and with relief, Twilight went upstairs. She searched through the doors. It was several minutes later when she found some blankets. She then took them and went downstairs. The two mares were still down there. She smiled and held the blankets for them to see. A closer look showed that all these mares had dark circles under their eyes. Twilight sighed and gave the two mares a blanket each. Both mares took them and found a place on the floor to set their blankets. Soon all the blankets were settled on the ground along with pillows found in another room on the first floor. All the mares soon yawned ans wished each other a good night as the sun was just setting. It was a few minutes later and the soft breathing of all the horses is what filled the room.

Clop. Clop. Clop. Clop. A lone figure sneaks into the cottage of the yellow mare. Inside lay three full grown bodies and a small body. The figure smiled an toothy grin, it's teeth glowing in the dark. It wears a dark mask with a suit of dark blue. His horn begins to glow a yellow and it levitates the orange and pink mare. A close inspection shows that it is in a twisted fashion. With the levitating mares, the figure sneaks out of the house. Before it can leave, its suit catches on the door. It shakes its leg and the suit rips. The figure didn't notice and just proceeded out the door. Once outside, the figure takes out a bag and stuffs the mares inside. then it begins in a crouch. Springing out of it's sides appears two pairs of bat-wings. A silent woosh sounds as the figure spirals into the cold night air. The cold air makes the figure shed a few forced tears. It soon flies away toward the moon, fading out of sight, along with the two mares in a bag.

Chapter 5: He is Crimson

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The sound of hooves echo on the floor. It sounded nervous and Impatient. The figure paced back and forth on his lavish rectangular rug. In fact, the whole room was lavish. There were a few couches lined on the red walls. The couches had a magenta color and were lined with gold trimmings. The room was a bit rectangular so small chandeliers hung from the ceiling, each containing glowing gem the color of blue. It's soft light glowed through he room, illuminating the couches and side tables next to them, shadowing the intricate designs that were carved. On the side tables, small rectangular table covers were placed upon the brown wood furnishings. The color of the table colors was blue and had gold trimmings. On top of the table covers were detailed coasters. While three out of the four of them were empty, one had full coasters. One coaster held a glass of red wine while the other held an empty glass. The glass reflected the glowing blue.

The walls were covered in large rugs that showed detailed images of the past. Ponies fighting for years on end; Making peace with the Mages; Making alliances with the Dragons; finding the legendary curse power and so on. All the images were on separate rugs and were lined perfectly along the red walls. One wall had 3 out of five couches, while across had two. The couches all had pillows of blue with gold trimmings.

Huffing, the figure increased his pacing, but soon subsided and went to the couch that had the table that held the coast of red wine. The pony figure illuminated his horn and lifted the wine bottle and poured more wine. Once satisfied, he placed it down and lifted his glass. He held it up to the blue lights; it shimmered and glowed. A sudden stray blue ray cast down from the chandeliers and landed on his wine, turning it purple. The figure smiled and lowed the drink, but then he lifted it up to his lips, moistening his dry dry lips and parched throat. The purple liquid flowed into his mouth and down his gullet. One the wine was almost gone, he took in the last drops. Then, he set the glass of wine back down on it's coaster and his horn faded from magenta to blue. All of a sudden, a galloping sound echos. Plastered perfectly is a smile that glows in the blue light that the blue stallion creates. He sits on the couch and waits fro the figure to appear.

Soon enough, a figure does appear. A Stallion walks in, in a dark blue suit that had flowing patterns of a lighter blue. The mare had a head mask on, but revealed it's twisted horn, the color of purple. A few sets of wings appear on both sides of the mare, also showing purple, but the tops of the wings had scales in a darker, more midnight purple. The scales glittered and shone in the light. Around the tail end was three rings that originated from the sprout of the tail. The lighter purple tail seemed to flow out of the silver rings that started her tail and ended in a much smaller silver ring, making a medium sizes tuft at the end. The silver ring at the end had one Amethyst that glittered aswell.

"Ahh, MidnightSplash, I see you have returned..." the figure said in a deep voice. Then he leaned forward egarly. "Did you bring me a present?" He asks, glancing at the bag. It heaved slowly to the movement of two sleeping ponies. MidnightSplash smiled and used his yellow magic to levitate the bag. "Yes, I do." He simply said with a satisfied tone.

"Good. Then, ether let me see them, or take them to the crypt." he replied. MidnigthSplash obeyed and gave the bag to the stallion who then levitated the bag to himself. The bag was of a midnight purple with small gems sewed on. He smiled once he opened the bag and saw two mares, one of pink and one of orange. The smiled glowed in the light. Quickly but gently, the blue stallion closed the bag and handed it back to MidnigthSplash. "See to it these two are ready and prepared for testing. These mares will do nicely..." The stallion trailed off in his most menacing glare. The purple stallion nods and takes the bag and flies out of the rectangular room. Once he left, the Blue stallion lifted the bottle of wine and poured more wine. it poured until it was a little more than halfway until it finally dripped slowly and there were no more contents left. "Aww, I ran out of wine..." he pouted slightly, but them he used a magic spell and more wine reappeared in the bottle. "There..."

He then took a sip of the red wine and once again placed it on the coaster. Getting up, the blue stallion smoothed out the wrinkles on his gray cape with his magic and then he began on his way. Instead of taking the doorway, he simply walked up to between the two couches across the room. Between them was a statue of a pony rearing. The stallion pushed the Statue into the wall and it seemed to go through a rug that hung very low to the ground. Satisfied, the blue stallion moved in the hidden passageway and moved the stature back into place in the room.

His hoof steps echoed the wooden corridor. The corridor was illuminated here and there on the walls with blue crystals. Each time he passed the light, it shone on his brilliant blue coat. His magenta eyes glowed whenever darkness enveloped him. The corridor was long and winding and without meaning to, it spiraled downwards. Magenta eyes revealed nothing surprising about the route the corridor took. He just kept walking until he reached a small set of double doors. The doors were of not interest whatsoever. all it was was wooden with cloth laced at the bottom of the doors and on the sides so it opened and closed without a sound. Slowly, magic began to illuminate from his horn and on the handles. Ever so gently, he opened the doors. Once the doors were finally opened, dull green light spilled into the cavern. The green light wasn't very bright, but it was like moonshine. Green lanterns were the source; they hung from the ceilings. The blue stallion didn't seem at all daunted and trotted inside. As he walked inside, he closed the doors behind him.

With the doors closed, the stallion walked through the crypt. It was lined with bricks and there were many cells that were created by unicorns that made it look like the cells formed naturally to form a cell. The doors to each cell were at the back, were no one without high clearance was supposed to go. Meanwhile the rest was shown through stone bars to the main lobby hall of the crypt. In some cells there were ponies and some there were mutated ones; more precisely test subjects or failed experiments. The low moaning of them all filled the crypt. Along some crypt walls were staircases that led ether upstairs or downstairs. The downstairs seemed to lead to silence below, while the upstairs seemed to lead into the castle that was the abode of the blue stallion.

It was a little bit of time before he finally reached a cell, It was an ordinary cell like all the others except for one thing; it held a neon-ish blue mare. Her hooves were chained and held up on the wall by chains, while her legs were free roam, but just stayed in a sitting position. A lighter blue mane draped down along her face. The top was a mess, while the other half that went down one's shoulder was in a braid that had loose hairs here and there and was streaked with blood. The rest of her body was also covered in blood and scratches. Her tail appeared behind her, also braided. Aside from the fact that her mane was braided, she looked to be in an utter mess. Her head was down and small ragged breathing was heard from her.

".01-UPT, head up. look at me." The stallion demanded. Slowly, the blue mare lifted her head painfully. Once her head was up, her eyes dilated very slightly and she held his gaze. Her pained purple gaze locked with his savage magenta gaze. A large smile appeared on his face and his horn began to glow. The glow reflected off the mare's blue eyes. His eyes also reflected. The mare gave a staggered breath. She knew what was coming.