A ancient book containing ancient black magic has brought an undead army to life and only unlikely allies must join forces to stop it.
The Necronamican has been discovered by a Equestrian pony, Trixie. Thinking it could help with her own magic, she uses a spell that accidently unleashes the Army of Darkness upon Equestria. Worse of all, the elements of harmony are powerless to counter the dark magic of the book. When all hope seems to be lost, Equestria will not need to rely on friendship. Instead, Equestria will need to rely on a blood thirsty monster and psychotic murderer to save the day.
[Ponyville. Five years after the defeat of Tirek.]
Yet another show went a bust. Yet another humiliating situation. That seemed to be the pattern lately. To go from one show to the other for earth and Pegasus ponies only for your own magic to stop working and be laughed at. The life sounds incredibly unpleasant does it not? Well, for the unicorn mare known as Trixie, that is her life. Failed show after show, Trixie is on the verge of being evicted from her home due to money loss. It was insane. Trixie had to resort living with her old rival Twilight until at least two or maybe three of her shows are successful. But that was weeks ago. Now, Twilight is growing more and more impatient with her new roommates time in her castle. Not to mention Twilight had her own four year old daughter to look after. The whole situation was starting to get to her.
Trixie was in her room, which was originally Spikes before he moved out, practicing her latest spell. The spell could change an object into solid rock no matter the size. The unicorn was planning to use the spell to transform a tree to solid stone in matter of seconds. Trixie was sure it could win her some major publicity in Ponyville. She even wished to get more then that old statue near the mayors building. She hated it that statue. A lot to be precise. She thought of Voorhees as nothing but trouble for Equestria, its ponies, and maybe her own fame. Trixie flipped through the pages of one a book she collected from Twilight's personal library. She gave a wide grin as she saw the spell on the page she was looking for. Her eyes glided on the page, reading the instructions on how to make it work. Pretty easy, just imagine seeing something as a rock. Easy. No problem. Trixie closed the book and set it down on a nightstand next to her. She cracked her knuckles. Stretched her legs. And cracked her neck. She then closed her eyes and concentrated. She could feel her horn start to radiate magic as her mind focused on a chair she set up in front of her. Taking in a deep breathe, Trixie unleashed her magic stream hitting the chair and creating a huge grey cloud of dust which filled the room.
Outside the room, a little pony was walking by just coming back from the castles kitchen with a little juice box in both her hands. She heard the explosion go off. Then again who didn't hear that explosion. The child walked over to the door and peeked under the door. All she could see was dust flowing from under the crack. Narrowing her eyes, the child stood up and knocked on the door a repeated number of times. The door finally opened and the child looked up to see Trixie standing over her with a defeated glare. The earth pony child standing to only Trixie's knees was Twilight's daughter. She wore a bright purple dress with pink stars coating it. Her darkish cyan mane and eyes starring up at her. And her blackish coat nearly disguising her in the shadows. She smiled and waved up to her.
"Morning miss twixie!" she said.
Trixie's expression didn't fade, she groaned and stepped aside. letting the child into her room and the dust going out.
"Ugh...morning Dawn."
Dawn plopped herself on Trixie's bed and watched as the unicorn grabbed the book on her nightstand and began furiously flipping through the pages. All the time, Trixie had a puzzled look on her face. Why hadn't the spell worked? She was sure she read it right. maybe she skipped a sentence, verse, or heck even a picture. Trixie reread the page and even triple checked she was doing the right things. She closed it and focused again. Then she remembered Dawn was in the room. She wanted to tell her to sit against the wall on her bed but then she thought of what would happen if Twilight walked in. Then she's really be in deep trouble. Trixie was so caught up in her own thoughts, she didn't notice Dawn started going through the other magic books she possessed.
Trixie had nearly a dozen different books on her nightstand. Each with a lesson for a different spell. Their was healing, destruction, alteration, conjuration, and more. Dawn could hear Trixie continue to mumble to herself, as if her own twin was standing in front of her. The little filly then saw something. A black hard cover book with a screaming frowning face on it. Though it looked as though the face itself was stretched to be the cover! Dawn stopped sucking on the straw to her now empty juice box and pulled out the strange book. The texture felt rough; like it was made from some strange leather. She turned her head to the unicorn mare who hadn't stopped speaking to herself.
"Um...miss twixie?"
Trixie turned her head and saw Dawn holding the strange book. In a flash, she took the book from Dawn.
"Didn't your mother tell you not to go through another ponies stuff?" she said with a firm tone.
The filly shrank a little from the scolding. She looked down at her hands and began twirling her fingers. She then spoke in a timid tone of voice.
"I-I was just gonna ask about that book." Dawn said. Pointing to the book under Trixie's arm.
The unicorn gave a confused look and looked at it herself. Trixie had to admit, she didn't remember grabbing this from the royal library. Matter of fact, she doesn't remember it at all. Must have been that dragon's before he moved out. Trixie flipped over the thick cover and scrolled through the oddly pictured pages. The book was strange indeed. Most of it was written in some strange language she wasn't familiar with. Trixie frowned, that was something she couldn't stomach. Trixie flipped through more of the book until she came upon a page with a illustration of a strange skeleton rising from the ground. She gave the book a wide eyed stare. What ever the reason, this book was starting to creep her out. But if has magic that can advance her own, she'll take it. Trixie levitated the book with her magic and started studying the language. Then, she remembered her guest.
"Um Dawn. Could you possibly leave for a minute?" Trixie said. Giving the filly the most innocent fake smile she could do.
"Okay." said the child.
Trixie signed and gave a not fake grin. However it was short lived when Dawn poked her leg. She looked down to meet the fillies eyes.
"What are you gonna do about the that?" she said pointing behind her.
Trixie looked at the corner of her eyes to see the book she was levitating had broken free of her magic, without her knowledge, and was floating in mid-air. Then, a sudden loud clash of thunder and a flash of lighting made her and Dawn jump. As if a sudden breeze swept into the room, paper and books started to swirl in the air like a tornado. Trixie kneeled to the floor and cupped her hands above her head. Dawn watched with astonished expression on her face, not noticing a paper had cut her cheek. Suddenly, whispers filled the room. Trixie looked all around the room, trying to find the source of the whispers. They started to get louder, the wind in the room increasing in strength, and the storm outside roaring. Trixie and Dawn screamed as the beam of light came from the book and blinded the two. The beam of light shot through the room, launching into the sky like a rocket.
When the flash had gone down some, Trixie uncovered her eyes to see Dawn walking toward the book. She quickly started to crawl toward the child.
"Wait! Dawn don't go near that thing!"
The filly looked back her with a confused look.
"But it looks pretty!" she said.
Suddenly, a blue light flashed from the light as if the book was having a malfunction. Trixie felt her heart sink when she realized Dawn was right under the book. A stream of blood flowing down her cheek. Twilight would have Trixie's head on a stake with she saw this now. The moment Dawn touched the book it slowly glided down to her level. She looked into the light with happy look on her face. Trixie then saw a small drop of blood drop onto one of the pages and all tarturas broke loose. The room illuminated brighter until it was like starring into a white sun! What followed was an fiery explosion which shook all of the castle.
After the dust had settled, Trixie felt as though she was buried alive. She slowly cracked open her eyes to see she was buried until rubble from the blast. She tried to use her magic, but couldn't pull the strength to use it. She was trapped. It didn't feel as though no bones were broken or internal bleeding. She somehow survived and so did-
"Dawn!" Trixie called.
No answer. The unicorn struggled to get free, trying to push off the support beams of wood and crystal off her.
"Dawn!" she called again. No answer once more.
Trixie then heard the stomping. Heavy, and ground shacking stomps on the floor. It felt as though a huge animal or dragon had made its ways into the castle. Had Spike heard the explosion and returned? Trixie prayed to Faust it were true.
"Hello!? Any pony there!?"
Trixie's only response was a deep, and terrifying snarl that filled the destroyed room. The stomping grew larger and Trixie could almost smell something rancid. Her nose twitched from horrible smell. It smelled like sulfur and rotting flesh. Then, she saw the shadow against the wall. The beat was tall, at least a head taller then Celestia. Its head shaped almost crudely. Its tail pointed like sword. Its arms were long and its fingers were as well. She then saw the organic arm reach down next to her line of sight and pull something out of the rubble. It was Dawn! Trixie struggled even harder. Trying to save the child before the beast did the unthinkable. Trixie could hear the beast ram itself through the damaged wall and fall to the earth below. She could hear the beasts gut rumbling roar slowly fade as it fell tot he ground. Then nothing. It was gone. With Dawn in its claws.
An all out alert had been set into effect. Guards were running for their gear and weapons. Shouting and barking orders to each other. Maids and butlers scrambled to their rooms and locked the doors. Visitors quickly fled the scene and back outside. Among the crowd, three mares stood in the middle of the main room. Confused and cautious about what's going on. The orange one wore a cowboy hat with overalls. The cyan mare was wearing a wind breaker hoodie and track shorts. Then, the pink t-shirt and shorts. Apple Jack, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash watched as guards ran upstairs while others ran out the front door.
"What in tarnation happened up there!?" Apple Jack said.
Rainbow Dash sprinted outside, leaping into the air with her wings spread wide. She flew up until she saw smoke coming from a hole in the castle. The room was totaled with bits and pieces of debris everywhere. Except a large pile of wood piled in one spot. Rainbow Dash nose dived back down to Pinkie and AJ as they ran outside to see what had happened. Dash landed in front of the two.
"It looks like a bomb went off up there!" Rainbow Dash said.
"Or maybe a magic mishap?" Pinkie added.
Apple Jack looked up to the smoke and noticed the sun was being clouded by dark and thunderous sounding clouds. A confused look came to her.
"Hey. I thought the weather was suppose to be sunny?"
Rainbow Dash looked at the unusual weather the same amount of concern. The weather forecast didn't call for storms today. Or even all week! She noticed how more aggressive the thunder and lighting inside the clouds were becoming. She noticed how the clouds were approaching at an alarming rate. Moving miles within seconds. A sudden bark from a guard caught the threes attention.
"Hey! You three get in here now!" he ordered.
The mares complied and hurried into the building. They proceeded to follow the captain of Twilight's guard; Lieutenant Rush Zone. AS they climbed the stairs to the fifth floor of the castle. On the level, the mares saw their friend Twilight helping other unicorn guards try to open the door with magic. It couldn't be that hard to yank it off the hinges. The three united with Twilight, who was furiously trying to pry open the door. Rainbow Dash flew over to her side.
"What's going on?" she asked.
Twilight didn't stop her attempts but addressed Rainbow's question.
"W-we think its a magic malfunction! Ponies said they saw a white light shoot from the roof into the clouds!"
-That would explain the weather.- thought Rainbow.
Apple Jack stepped forward to Twilight. Her own concerns showing.
"Is any pony in there?" she asked.
Twilight shot a look toward the three that sent shivers down their spines and boomed a royal Canterlot voice at them.
"MY DAUGHTER AND TRIXIE!"
Without a seconds hesitation, the three mares grabbed into parts of the door and pulled with all their might. Guards sent harpoons through the door and started to pull themselves. The sounds of the door being ripped off its hinges made the ponies shout in victory. Then, they filled the room searching it. Twilight and her friends walked into the room and saw the destruction. The room was totaled. Memories of Spikes time living there gone. Then, she remembered Trixie and Dawn.
"Trixie! Dawn!" she called.
Then came an answer from below the ruble. Freezing Twilights blood.
"Over here!"
The guards looked over to see a pile of debris moving slightly. They scrambled to move the wood out of the way. Tossing wooden boards to the side and metal panels in the air. Trixie was pulled out from the debris, tears running down her cheeks. A medical pony kneeled down to her level, bringing out bandages and blood bag just in case.
"Are you hurt? Any lost of fee-"
"That isn't important! We need to find Dawn!" Trixie yelled.
Twilight pushed her way through the crowd and levitated Trixie with her magic. Her face was furious. Fire in her eyes. Most of the guards backed up a good five steps as purple energy engulfed Twilights horn and eyes.
"What. Did. You. Do!" she ordered.
Trixie struggled, only for Twilight to tighten her hold on the unicorn. She was scared beyond focus. Trixie was afraid of a lot of things right now. She was afraid for her life and for Dawn's. She then noticed the book on the ground, surrounded by black circle of burned floor. She tried to point to the book but the constraint Twilight had on her made it difficult. Apple Jack then put her hand on Twilight's shoulder.
"Sugercube we need her to tell us what happened!"
"Yeah! We cant rescue Dawn you grind up Trixie!" Pinkie added.
Twilight signed and released Trixie who made a mad dash for the book on the ground. She showed it to Twilight, trying to catch her breathe to talk.
"L-look...this book...I-is the reason for the explosion!" she cried.
Pinkie Pie walked to Trixie's side and gave her a silly questionable look.
"Well okay. But where's Dawn?" she asked.
Trixie suddenly broke down crying and fell to her knees. Everyone assumed the worst. Twilight was on the verge of unleashing Tarturas on Trixie for being so careless and causing her only daughter to be killed! That was until Trixie spoke again. What she said caused the whole room to go silent.
"She was stolen by some monster who came out of the book!"
The whole room was in a state of stunned silence. True the thought of a monster coming out from a book wasn't news to PonyVille. Matter of fact it was the casual Thursday. However from how Trixie sounded, it was something different. Twilight looked and saw the strange book on the ground. She rushed over to it and picked it up with one hand and flipped through the pages with the other. The disturbing nature of the pages made Twilight mentally curse who ever made such a gruesome book. Then, she found a page that was shinning with crimson fire. The picture was of a crudely drawn creature holding a corpse. The outline of the drawing was lined with blood and glistening. She slammed the book shut.
Everyone watched as Twilight collected herself for moment before turning to face them. Her face with a hard look of anger.
"Find this monster and bring Dawn home!"
Dawn was dazed and confused. Her body felt heavy. She was in the air. Hanging from something. Her eyes slowly cracked open and she saw she was floating over a dirt path. Her eyes moved back and forth, trying to see what was holding her. She could hear heavy footsteps behind and the shadow of a monster hovered over her. Dawn slowly started to look behind her, expecting to see a ugly abomination of a creature. Instead, all she saw was a massive dark figure. Holding her by her dress with its claw. All Dawn could make out was the shape of its head. It was abnormally big for any creature Dawn has ever seen. The creature must have seen her starring. It stopped dead in its tracks and lifted Dawn higher toward its face.
The filly winced and moaned as the monster lifted her closer to its mouth. She prepared for the worst. Dawn thought she would be in the monsters mouth being eaten but instead she was being sniffed like a dog meeting someone new for the first time. Dawn opened her eyes and looked at the creature. Its teeth with lengthy and pointed. Saliva dripping from its chin. It looked hungry. The beast let out a growl and Dawn flinched. Tucking herself in like a turtle. She started to sob silently, thinking the creature will hurt her. Nothing happened. She was starting to wonder why the monster wouldn't just eat her.
The monster looked at the child with a confused stare. It watched as she tucked her head into her arms and her legs into her stomach. The summoner was different then the usual customer. This one was more scared and timid to even look at it. The creature remembered why it s here. See who or what this summoner wants silenced. That was the job. It didn't care how long it took. If it had a contract to kill, it would take it without hesitation. The monster would admit this summoner was younger, but that just adds to the difficulty to the job. It didn't want to play babysitter, but it appeared it didn't have a choice. The monster lifted Dawn over its head and placed her on its back and continued its walk through the desolate forest. It would be better for her to not be on the ground. A dark presence was making itself known.
The woods did feel weird tonight. The feeling in the air felt unwelcoming. Dawn at the feeling she wasn't supposed to be there. She clung tighter to the monsters leathery back as it walked farther into the forest. Suddenly, a low rumble was heard from the darkness of the forest. The monster stopped and snarled. Dawn hugged the monsters back tighter and closed her eyes out of fear. A thundering roar then rang Dawn's ears, she winced and tears flowed from her eyes. The monster she was clinging to wasn't fazed. It stood its ground and faced where the roar had come from. Instead of running, the monster let out a roar that shook the ground and blew the leaves and bushes like wind. Meanwhile, Dawn watched in amazement. From the darkness came a massive sized creature with some parts of its bodies in deep levels of decomposition.
The creature was some sort of mixture of different types of animals. The undead creature roared a ear splitting shriek but the monster in front of it wasn't fazed. It actually put up a small grin across its face. It started to laugh at the undead animal! The undead manticore snarled and charged the monster. It growled and grabbed the manticore by its neck. With a single swipe of its claw, blood leaked from the manticores throat. Within seconds, it went limp. The monster dropped the corpse and proceeded on its way. Dawn had shut her eyes completely from the whole situation. She didn't want to look. The monster she was holding onto was vicious and even dangerous. She was scared beyond her little mind could take. She didn't want to cry, but started too. She was crying, but not out loud. Dawn was tired, and wanted to sleep. She started slowly closing her eyes and drifting off to her dream land.
Upon the sun breaking over the mountains. A whole regiment of guards marched from Castle Twilight and into the Everfree Forest; searching for the lost child of Twilight Sparkle. Residents of Ponyville watched as the soldiers marched into the dark forest, unknown whether they would come out or not. In the front of the regiment, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Apple Jack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie walked. The forest that once scared them before was nothing but a stepping stone to finding Dawn and the monster that took her. The creature would pay the price harshly and Dawn would be returned home. Twilight clenched her fists and narrowed her eyes.
"If its done anything to her." she said to herself.
Her friends looked at each in worry. Twilight should be worried as could be right now, not angry. But it was the complete opposite. Twilight was scared out of her mind. She worried for her daughter and wanted to believe she was okay. However to think that is tough to do from how Trixie described the beast. Twilight just didn't know what to do. Wouldn't be the first time. Twilight's train of thought was lost as the sounding of heavy rumbling on the ground caught her attention; and your comrades. The regiment and the girls stopped as it felt like an aftershock was going on. The guards readied their spears and swords. Their shields raised to their chests. The mares were guided by the guards closer to them as the stomping seemed to grow. The whole area of the forest seemed to be clouded by darkness as the sun seemed to grow dimer with each passing seconds. Then, dark green eyes shined from the darkness shadows of the forest. The darkness seemed to move by itself. Squirming and slithering across the earth. Shadows turned to spike fingers and spear like horns. They were surrounded. The creatures were no less taller then the guards themselves. Though they weren't armored, they didn't even have weapons.
All the creatures had were their claws, teeth, and wings of a bug. The monsters soon began hissing and pounding on the earth. Their flesh torn and rotting away. Twilight looked and saw one was missing its bottom half of its body. She turned and saw a creature with a missing part of its head. She then saw the spear. A spear impaled into one of the creatures. The same spear...
"Changelings!" a guard yelled.
The undead changeling soldiers roared with a fury that has never been seen. These weren't just ordinary changelings. No, something was wrong with them.
"I thought most of the changelings departed after Chrysalis death!?" Rainbow said.
Twilight thought back, seven years ago, when Jason had killed Chrysalis. She remembered seeing an entire colony of them leave the Everfree Forest after their queens death. However, she also remembered the entire horde of soldiers Jason had killed. Great. Everyone got in battle ready stances and waited for the horde to attack them. A sudden scream, sounding like a banshee, made the horde look in all sorts of directions. Twilight and her friends gave confused looks as they saw the horde stand their ground. Another screech and the horde hissed and growled at each other.
"What's goin on here Twilight?" Apple Jack leaned in to Twilight and whispered.
The alicorn didn't answer. She only stood and watched as the horde seemed to communicate with each other. A large changeling soldier, probably an alpha, hissed at its comrades. From its waist band, it pulled out a sword. It pointed the blade toward the ponies and let out a roar. The rest of the horde roared in unison and charged the ponies in great numbers. The guards charged the horde; swords were being swung, clashing shields beat against each other, lime green and crimson liquid came from the bodies of those already slain. A undead charged the mares, raising a sword high above its head. A violent kick to the undead changelings chest sent it flying back, but leaving behind its head on the ground. Rarity and Fluttershy squirmed away from the head. Both hiding behind the other three mares. Apple Jack kicked the head of the undead away in disgust. Though the head turned itself around, and began moving its jaw and eyes.
"Tarnation! These things wont stay dead!"
A guard plunged her axe inside a undead changelings head but the zombie was still standing and swinging around its weapon. The guard grunted and dug the axe deeper inside the zombies head. It eventually stopped moving and fell to the ground. Its head split in two. The guard rejoiced and yelled to her comrades.
"Destroy the head! Its the only way to kill 'em!"
The other guards yelled a battle cry and began targeting the heads of the zombies. One by one, the changelings dropped on the ground dead once more. None of the guards had been killed. Only a few injuries. Twilight picked up the severed head of the changeling. The jaw and eyes still moving. The head wasn't destroyed, it was only decapitated. Giving the head a solid hard stare, Twilight tossed the head into the sky and blasted it with her magic. Shards of decomposed brain and skull rained down on the mares. Rarity plucked a piece of skull out of her mane.
"Twilight...don't do that again." she said coldly.
The alicorn looked at her friend and gave an embarrassed grin and blush on her cheeks. Then, a sudden whisper from the dark made everyone jump. The voice carried itself like the wind, brushing across the guards armor, and sending the hairs of the mares neck to stand up.
"You think you've won? I wouldn't be sooooo sure! HE is still coming!"
-Who's coming?- thought Twilight.
A pair of sickish green eyes formed from the darkness. The remaining guards that weren't injured drew their weapons and faced the presence.
"Keep away from Pumpkinhead, Unless you're tired of living, His enemies are mostly dead, He's mean and unforgiving, Laugh at him and you're undone."
The feeling of the area had changed completely. The air became thick and hard to breathe. The voice continued its rhythm.
"But in some dreadful fashion, Vengeance, he considers fun, And plans it with a passion, Time will not erase or blot, A plot that he has brewing." The voice was becoming deeper and more menacing. "It's when you think that he's forgot, He'll conjure your undoing, Bolted doors and windows barred, Guard dogs prowling in the yard."
The eyes in the darkness started to become darker. The wind was blowing harder as if a hurricane was coming over the forest. The feeling of fear had washed over everyone. Nobody could move. Weapons dropped from the guards hands. The voice from the dark boomed even louder.
"Won't protect you in your bed, Nothing will, from Pumpkinhead!" the voice roared.
Feeling returned to the guards and mares. The guards picked up their weapons. Everyone took a moment to collect themselves. The voice had left an imprint on the ponies. Feeling as though their souls had been bathed in darkness. No words were exchanged between any of them. Not even glances of fear toward the other. Below the glowing, now fiery color, eyes grew a toothy grin. The dark face faded. The ground began to shake ever few seconds. As if a large animal was stomping toward the ponies. No one dared to move. A sudden growl echoed from the woods. Everyone looked in all directions, trying to find the source of the growl. A sudden, small voice, made the blood of the ponies run cold.
The voice. That sweet and caring voice. It was behind them. Heavy stomps nearly blocked out the child's voice as they seemed to walk past the huge crowd of ponies. A vicious growl soon made its presence know after the child asked...whatever was making the stomping. Twilight felt a lump in her throat form as she looked at the corner of her eye, seeing a large, reptilian looking form with a abnormally large head. Twilights eyes slowly looked at two bone pillars on the creatures shoulders. It was as if it dislocated both its arms. Both of the long appendages were bent at its side with large hands with spear shaped claws. Its chest was nothing but skin and bone. It looks as though it was...starving. Twilight felt the frozen stance of her body break and she shot around and let out a shout toward the creature.
"Hey! Let my daughter go!" she ordered.
The shadow covered creature stopped and the little voice spoke up again.
"Mommy? Is that you?" Dawn called.
The rest of the ponies felt their bodies nerves return to them and faced the shadow creature. Behind the monsters head, a pair of little sapphire eyes. While the guards raised their weapons in battle stances, Twilight stepped toward the shadows. Her friends following close behind her. Twilight saw two, small, blank eyes looking down at her. She slowly lifted her head and noticed how tall the creature was. It was at least a head taller than Celestia. She smelled the breathe of the monster, the smell of sulfur and rotting flesh. Twilight packed away slightly, the smell of the monsters breathe nearly making her toss her breakfast. The feeling of the emotionless eyes didn't help either. The creature scoffed and turned away from the crowd. Dawn looking back on the creatures back. A couple of the guards ran after the monster, their weapons held tight in their hands.
"Bring the princess back!" one shouted.
"Your done for freak!" another barked.
The creature narrowed its eyes. These ponies are becoming a nuisance. Now they were after his summoner! Unacceptable. The creature grabbed Dawn from its back and placed her on a high up tree trunk. It then turned toward the guards behind it. Twirling its body around, the creature swung its massive reptilian leg around and knocked the three guards off their feet. Sending them flying back a good few feet. One of the guards kicked up to his hooves and vastly ran after the creature. Now he was really annoyed. The monster braced itself as the armored pony swung a massive axe down and imbedded it in the creatures shoulder. Just barely missing one of the pillars. The armored pony looked up at the creature. The monster looked down at the pony and gave a sickish grin. Upon further attention, the guard looked down at the weapon and noticed he had only scratched the skin. The creature roared a mighty voice at the guard and swatted him with its spear-like claws. The guard flew back, straight into a tree right next to the two other ponies. A disgusting sound of flesh hitting wood made the other two guards look in horror. Their comrades face was lost of any emotion of pain. He looked down and saw a sharp tree branch sticking out of his stomach. The creature stomped toward the guard. Without a sense of remorse, the creature grabbed the guards head and bent it at a horrifying angle.
The ponies watched in horror at the brutality of the creature. Dawn, thankfully, couldn't see anything beyond the bush of leaves on front of her face. Cold white eyes looked at the remaining ponies. It roared again and leaned its body forward in a running stance. The creature used the ground as leverage as it bounced off the ground; disappearing into the tree tops. The sounds of tree branches breaking above their heads and falling of leaves made the ponies on the ground feel helpless to know where the creature had gone. A sense of panic washed over one of the guards. His face drained of bravery and righteousness. Now, he had a look of true horror. His legs began to shake.
The guard dashed past the rest of the group and back the way they came. The other guard tried to stop him but he didn't hear her call. The others almost went after him but were stopped when hearing the sound of a horrifying growl and the guard screaming bloody murder. Behind a group of trees, the ponies could see blood flowing from the darkness painting the brown trees a dark red. The sounds of the guards gurgling, his flesh being torn apart, and his blood splattering across the ground made the whole group froze to fear. The guards cries eventually stopped. The sound of what was left of his body falling to the ground made everyone flinch. Twilight looked behind her and saw the despair and anxiety on her friends face. Fluttershy was on the verge of having a panic attack; Rainbow Dash and Rarity were holding on to her as she slowly fell to her knees. The remaining guard just stood there, starring at the blood soaked trees and grass. Twilight saw the looks of fear on Pinkie Pie and Apple Jacks faces. She has never seen them so scared in her life. Even she was afraid to move. Wondering if she moved the wrong way the creature will jump out and kill her. She then remembered her mission, Dawn.
Fighting away the feeling of stone in her muscles, Twilight turned and walked back toward the tree where the creature placed her daughter. She looked up and saw Dawn playing with the leaves. She didn't heard the screaming? Twilight signed heavily and spoke softly. Not wanting to catch the attention of the monster. It was still watching them, she could feel it.
"Dawn." Twilight said. Her daughter looking down from the branch. "Are you okay?" she asked.
Dawn gave a warm smile toward her mother. Twilight shared her own.
"Yep! I'm having fun!" she exclaimed.
Twilight put a finger to her lips and shooshed her daughter. Dawn's ears dropped down and she gave a sorry expression.
"That's great honey, but we need to leave okay?" Twilight used her magic and slowly lifted Dawn from the branch and into her arms. For a second, the child could hear the sobs of her mother above her head. She looked up and saw tears running down her mothers smile. Dawn wiped her mothers tears away, earning a small laugh from her.
"Why are you crying mommy?" she asked.
Twilight wiped her eyed. "I'm just so happy your safe dear, that's all." The mother-daughter moment didn't last forever went a spine chilling roar echoed from above the leaves. The remaining ponies huddled together and watched as leaves fell from the sky and the sound of branches breaking came closer.
"We need to move now!" the guard barked.
The ponies had no arguments as they raced with each other back the way they came. They didn't dare look at the mangled remains of what was a guard behind the blood stained trees. A sense of joy came over them as they realized the sounds of the branches breaking was becoming far more distant. They were actually out running the monster. Thinking they had lost it, Rainbow Dash turned her back to the group, still keeping pace with them, and looked and saw nothing coming. She signed and was about to turn back around when she noticed out the corner of her eye. Her eyes went as wide as saucers as she saw the form of a fast running creature in the shade of the trees. It wasn't giving up. She quickly turned back and around and shouted to her friends.
"That things gaining on us!"
Twilight looked and saw the creature leaning closer to the group as it was gaining distance between them. An idea then came to her mind. Twilight looked down at her daughter. She was holding onto her for dear life as she ran. Narrowing her eyes, Twilight looked at the creature and unleashed from her horn a stream of magic toward it. The blast hit the creature and it lurched, hitting a tree head first. Her friends cheered in joy as they made their escape and headed back into Ponyville. The creature straightened itself out, rubbing its bruised cranium. It watched as they ponies disappeared from sight, with his summoner in their hands. It snarled and cracked its neck. He would have to hunt down the ponies that took his summoner and kill them. One by one is the plan. Vengeance will be sweet. After all, no one can escape Pumpkinhead.
Rarity had been drinking heavily for hours since she arrived back in the safety of her home, The Carousel Boutique. She needed to get the image of a royal guard being ripped to shreds and the monster out of her mind. She knew downing a few shots, or glasses, full of Apple Scotch would help her relax. Rarity wore her finest white fur robe. Laying herself on her bed, Rarity filled a wine class with the scotch and, in one toss back, emptied it. She signed happily and laid back, feeling the scotch massage her nerves. She looked to her side saw a book sitting next to her on the bed. She picked it up and flipped open the cover. She eyes began scanning the contents of the page, taking in the setting of the book and the character's dialogue. Rarity had already forgotten the day once she turned to the next page of her book. She thought nothing could possibly drive her away from her evening now. However, a sudden sound of trashcans being knocked over made Rarity shoot a look toward her window. She gulped and waited for another metallic sound. Another metal bang and Rarity muffles a scream. She slowly crawls out of bed and walks over to her window. She tried to tell herself to look to see what made the noise, but her bitter judgment was screaming at her to ignore it. Rarity pauses for a moment, taking in deep breathes to calm her emotions. When she finally worked up the courage, Rarity peaked over the edge of her window. She squinted her eyes to see past the black of night. On the side of the entrance of the boutique, a few of the trash cans were knocked over. The trash littering the earth with filthy. Rarity despised filth and didn't want anywhere near her, except on a few occasions.
Figuring it was only Opal who kicked over the garage, Rarity walked down the stairs from the upper floor and hurried to the front. She opened the door and felt the cold chill of the night nip at her nose. She held her robe shut as she looked over and saw the garbage. With a look of disgust, Rarity picked up the litter and placed it back in the metal cans. She finished in a matter of minutes. When the deed was done, Rarity nodded in victory and was about to turn back toward her open front door and she saw something strange out of the corner of her eye. She stopped and looked toward the Jason Voorhees statue in front of the mayors office. The moon shined from behind the statue, blocking out any features of the massive sculpture and instead made it seem like darkness in the light. Rarity didn't know why, but she just stood there and looked at the scene. It was almost like something you would see in a dream. A omen or prophecy that was being predicted. However, it was some prophecy, it had already come and died years ago. Good riddance, Rarity thought at times. She never like the masked wolf man, but due to her little sisters relationship with him she had no choice but to like him. With him gone, she can hate that statue in peace.
Rarity's attention was drawn to something else at the statue. A massive figure standing in front of it. In its hands was an odd looking tool. She didn't make out any features but she could tell he was very out of shape. The figures mere size alone made it seem intimidating. Rarity felt nervous just looking at it. She wanted to ignore the burly figure but she couldn't help but feel curious about what he was doing exactly. She narrowed her eyes and kept quiet as she observed the figure stare at the statue. Almost like reliving a distant memory. Thinking of the figure as a harmless admirer, Rarity quickly turned to go back into her house when she kicked over the trashcan she just finished cleaning up. She looked over her shoulder, seeing the figure in the moonlight looking directly at her. Rarity quickly scrambled inside the boutique and slammed the door shut. Rarity spent a good hour barracking her front door and windows. Wanting to believe the burly figure she saw ignored her.
"I-its okay...e-everything will b-be okay." Rarity said as she cradled herself.
Who was that pretty white angel? She was pony, but that wasn't what caught his gaze. Her eyes were beyond beautiful and her sweet and elegant voice made his heart throb. He had to see her again. This time, without her screaming and running away. It started to become a pattern with every pretty girl he liked. They always screamed and run way from him. It made it seem as though they didn't like him. He couldn't imagine why. A sudden lift of his heavy boot, connecting with a metal chain reminded him. Oh, that's why. Moaning in sadness, the hefty figure lifted his favorite "toy" and placed it on his back with a strap. He was carful not to cut his mask from the blade. With heavy grunt, the hefty man began his walk over to the building where the pretty pony ran into. He didn't want to kill. He just wanted to see her again and be on his way. He tipped toed around the colorful building, looking inside each window. Nothing but wood covering them.
Frustrated, the hefty man lifted his toy from his back. He grabbed the ignition pulley and listened to the small engine inside start up. Cracking a deformed, toothy grin; he rammed his toy into the window and watched as the wood was sliced apart. When the wood fell from where it nailed, he saw the inside of the home. The inside looked abandoned. Confused, the hefty man reached his arm in to open the window. Suddenly a piercing pain came to his hand and he pulled it back with a pain induced moan. He looked at the back of his hairy hand and saw their was a small gash. She stabbed him, he thought. Fury fueled the man's emotions and he let out a angry growl. Revving up his toy, he walked over to the front door of the building and began cutting through it. With a massive X on the door, the burly man kicked it off its hinges. He heard a woman scream come from within. Cracking a grin, he walked into the building. The man turned off his toy and slung it onto his back. He pulled out a rusty old hammer from his back pocket. He didn't want to cause anymore noise then he already has.
He walked steadily through the interior. Walking past nice looking furniture. He looked and saw a bottle of whiskey sitting on a glass table in front of a couch. She drinks? The man gave a disgusted expression. It reminded him of his brothers and how they drank and smoked all the time. How it smelled from his bed room late at night when they had their parties, ones he couldn't attend because of his...personality. To be in this strange place, away from his family, was an absolute vacation! Finally he could have a few days away from them. However he will miss his older brothers' "meaty" chili though. His mouth watered at the thought. The sudden sound of something being knocked over on the floor above made him look up. She's upstairs, perfect.
Rarity was in the midst of a major panic. A strange beast has broken into her home and is now hunting her. Thinking no where else to hide, she went into the bathroom. She thought if she stayed inside there for a few hours he would go away. Though knocking over a shampoo bottle probably ruined that happening. Rarity held still. Not daring to move any further in the bathtub. She held her breathe as the eerie silence of her home made her shiver. She looked toward the door. She couldn't see a shadow under the crack. Could he have already gone away? Rarity was about to go and check when the sound of a door breaking made her scream silently into her hands. She sat in a feeble position in her tub. She listened as door after door was being kicked open. Rarity could hear her doors being kicked open closer toward her. When it came to the last two doors on the upper floor, nothing happened. She now could hear the heavy steps of the beast walking along the floor. She held her breathe as she saw the shadow crept under the crack of the bathroom door. She heard the beasts heavy breathing and the tapping of his foot.
It was frustrated. Hell bent on finding and killing her. Rarity looked and swathe knife she brought with her into the bathroom. Blood soaked the tip of it. She held it close to her as she saw the shadow not moving. Then, she heard a heavy sign and saw the shadow of the beast move away. She heard it going down her stairs and disappearing. Could it have left? Rarity slowly stood up and tip toed toward the door. She put an ear to it and listened. It was silent. It did leave. Rarity unlocked the door and swung it open. She took a step out of the door frame and saw the figure standing outside the door with a disgusting grin under some sort of stitched together mask with black hair. It wore a green black flannel with a dirty apron around its neck and belly. On the apron was what silently scared Rarity, a bloody hand print. At the last second, Rarity saw the figure lift a hammer in its right hand and swing it at her. Then, everything turned black. Her body fell to the floor like a ragdoll and the burly figure stood over.
He did it. He found her. She wasn't dead though. He made sure not to swing to hard. With a happy moan, the burly man lifted the pretty pony by her back and legs and carried her down the stairs like a knight with a princess. He gently placed her down on the living room couch and sat in front of her. He guessed he should just stay here. The man had no where else to go. Signing he looked at his hammer and saw blood covered the end he hit the pony with. He panicked slightly, jumping to his feet lifting her mane. His suspicions were confirmed. She was bleeding. Biting his nail, the man scrambled into the kitchen and brought back bandages he found next to the sink. He unraveled the bandage like his mama used to and placed it on the pretty pony's head. A job accomplished, he returned to his original seat and waited for her to wake up. Memories of him being this nice were rare. Even them when he was, his brother Hitchhiker always picked on him.
'Dammit Leatherface! Stop being polite to the dinner!'
But this pony wasn't a human. She was a pony. One Leatherface wanted to keep. This time, his brothers wouldn't bother him about it. Because they weren't here. Leatherface smiled and giggled to himself. He liked this place, he didn't know why. It was like the moment he went through that strange purple circle, he felt more wonderful then he ever did. He then remembered the statue. That thing looked a lot like his friend. His only friend. Leatherface looked out the window and saw the moon gliding past the statue and over the horizon. He wished Jason was still around. He would've enjoyed this place.
The moon was set high in the sky, and the sun was sent under the horizon. Another night had now taken Equestria and painted the sky with bright purple and blue colors. Stars sparkled like tiny light bulbs in the cosmos above. Crickets chirped, owls hooted, and ponies snored sound asleep. Princess Luna looked over from her balcony at the beauty of her night across Equestria. She made sure to create more of a painted look to the sky for tonight. She smiled as she saw her moon glow behind a wave of clouds swarming the sky. It would rain soon, not something she intended for tonight but she doesn't control the weather. Luna took in a deep inhale of the cool air and released with ease. It was something her beloved sister Celestia told her would happen. Luna thought it would never come true, she always thought her mind would be plagued with the darkness that remained in her soul. For years she was tortured by the nightmares. Even after defeating the Tantubus, Luna still experienced nightmares that she didn't conjure. It didn't help the fact because of the incidents with Sombra, Chrysalis, and Tirek. Then, their was the dreams of Jason. The dreams of his slaughter to everyone he met. Ever since the spirit of Star Swirl the Bearded showed the deeds her friend committed, Luna was having a hard time believing it was the same hero. She the heard the voice of Star Swirl in her head.
"Luna, a plague is coming Equestria. A plague...that can not be purged."
Luna signed and sat in a chair she had on the balcony. She placed a hand over her face and rubbed her temple. After she awoke in her room after her and her old friends conversation, Luna immediately went to check on the mask that was on display in the throne room. It was still there, still badly damaged. Someday, she would have it repaired to its original state. However the materials the mask is made of are extremely rare. Apparently plastic wasn't made much in Equestria. Luna signed and placed the artifact back inside the glass case. She signed. It had been five years since her and Celestia placed that mask behind the case. Ever since then, its seen as a holy relict to those who wish to replace Jason. To continue his endless bounty of slaughter with nothing but satisfaction as reward. Luna wished the problem had been stopped years ago, however it the incidents only started last year. She still remembers the day when the first three impostures Interrupted a wedding.
The sun that day was shined in the sky and the air was warm. Luna remembered where she was when it happened. She was sitting next to her sister while the couple were exchanging vows. They looked so happy together. Ready to start a family. Celestia and her were silent for most of the wedding. Just watching and congratulating the soon-to-be newly weds. Luna didn't know them personally, but she knew the groom was a solar guard at the castle. In the audience below, the groom and brides family were posted on opposite sides of the room. Twilight and her friends were seated in the very front of the crowd. Everything was running as it should've. However it changed in an instant when Luna spotted a strange figure out of the corner of her eye standing in the far back of the ballroom. The figure shrouded itself in darkness, not wanting to be seen. But Luna saw him, and she was suspicions. She then saw another figure dash behind the couples pedestal. Now she was concerned. Luna leaned into her sister.
"Tia...do you-"
"I do." the bride announced.
The preacher announced smiled and stepped back. Allowing the two to share a passionate kiss. The audience cheered with enormous amounts of joy and excitement for the two. The couple held hands as they walked down from the ceremonial pedestal and toward the door leading out of the ballroom. However, a figure stepped out from the shadows and stood in front of the two. The figure wore a pitch black hoodie with blue pants. The figure wore a hood over his head as he addressed the two.
"This must be such wonderful day for you two." he said.
Luna felt a chill run down her spine. The way that figure addressed them didn't feel right. The hooded figure lifted his hood down, revealing a shocking sight. He wore a makeshift mask from what looked like a paper plate. The figure spoke with malice in his voice as he drew a large blade from his back.
"To bad it has to end early!"
A sudden blood curtailing scream snapped Luna's head to the to the right to see two more of the masked ponies come from the shadows with blades in their hands. They then charged the crowd, swinging the blades in their hands at any poor soul that would be their unfortunate target. The crowd scattered like roaches across the ballroom. Some running toward the door to escape. However, the masked pony at the front slashed any poor pony that came running toward him. He slit the throat of one pony, killing her instantly. He stabbed the chest of a mare, throwing her body to the ground. Then, he targeted the couple. Luna could swear she could see the malice smile under that mask as he charged the couple. Luna thanked Faust the groom was a trained guard. He grabbed the masked pony and threw him over his shoulder onto his neck. The groom grabbed his bride by the wrist and the two quickly made a sprint for the exit. The other two attackers, after killing their fare share of innocents, chased after the couple.
Luna remembered rushing the two with her sister as the two grew closer to the couple. Celestia attempted to grab one of them with her magic but the psychopath quickly turned and shouted at her. "Piss off bitch!" he then threw his dagger which pierced Celestia's collar bone.
Luna only looked back for a minute but it cost her focus as a vicious slash was delivered to her side, nearly hitting a vital organ. She fell to the ground, holding her bleeding side. Luna attempted to get up but one of the psychopaths decided he wasn't done and kicked Luna in her chin, knocking her over and onto her back. The attacker got on top of her and tried to thrust his dagger into her chest. Luna grabbed the blade of the dagger just as it was being swung down. The blade was digging deep in the princesses hand and growing closer to her heart. Without any choice, Luna unleashed a stream of magic into the psychopaths face. The limp body fell onto Luna like a heavy meat sack. She quickly kicked it off her and returned her attention to the other two. However when she looked up, it had already been to late. The couple were brutally murdered and the rest of the psychos escaped.
Luna was trying her hardest not to cry. She looked into the empty eyes of Jason's mask and wondered. What might have Equestria been like if he was still around. Maybe these psychopaths wouldn't be around and innocent ponies wont have to die because of it. Since his death, many other ponies didn't want to go down the oath others took. Instead, they tried finding ways to bring him back from the dead. However with monstrous results that needed to be destroy. Luna wondered of a magic book somewhere had the power to bring him back. That way, these impostures and wizards can stop making decisions that could potentially destroy other ponies lives. The princess took one last look at the glass case and walked away from it.
The night was almost over and Luna needed to quickly make her way up to her room. Using her wings, Luna glided toward her tower. In a matter of seconds she arrived. She was greeted by her sister Celestia, waiting by for her to arrive. Luna landed in front of her older sister and tow exchanged smiles.
"Tia! I'm glad to see you here already!" Luna said.
Celestia laughed and returned the greeting. "As I am glad to see you Lulu."
The two stepped into the night princesses room and walked toward the balcony window. Luna spread open the glass doors to the balcony, allowing her sister to pass. She followed behind just as she crossed. The two princesses stood there. Looking over the night of Equestria. Luna forgot how long they were there, just starring at the land. Waiting for the time to come to raise the sun and lower the moon.
"Luna...I've been thinking about what you said." Celestia suddenly said.
The princess of the night snapped her head to her sister with a look of curiosity.
"About my what I asked, yes?"
Celestia nodded. She reached into a small coin purse she had around her waist and pulled out a small black crystal. Luna's eyes grew with excitement. She quickly reached for the crystal until her sister quickly hid it behind her back.
"You need to promise me Luna." Celestia looked down at her younger sister with a nervous look in her eyes. Luna looked up at her sister, her full attention grabbed. "Don't let the dark magic in this crystal overcome you...please promise me!"
The younger alicorn clasped her sisters hand with her own pair and looked deep into her eyes.
"Cely...I've learned to harness this type of magic since I sealed Nightmare Moon away. I promise thee, I shall not fail."
Upon returning from their encounter with the monster, Twilight and her friends immediately rushed to the medical wing of the castle. The remaining guard guiding them. Many more guards quickly came to their princess and her friends aid as they arrived. They created a walls around them made of tall standing earth and unicorn ponies, not letting anything get near them. Many of the survivors were still in shock from the incident. Fluttershy was death griping Rainbow Dash's arm, Rarity hadn't spoken since escaping the forest, Pinkie Pies mane had gone flat and her jovial smile had vanished, Applejack was trying to keep herself together but it was obvious she was terrified, finally Twilight was holding onto her daughter for dear life. She didn't want to release Dawn, not ever again. Then, she remembered why this all happened. Twilight suddenly came to halt in the middle of the march, confusing her friends and the guards around them. One of the captains steps forward.
"Princess, is everything alright?" he asks in a deep and mighty voice.
Twilight looked at the guard with a deep sore look on her face.
"Where's Trixie?" she said.
The guard cleared his throat and stood in a strong stance. He's never seen the princess this angry before, heck he never seen her made at all! None the less, the captain held his ground and addressed the princess in the way he was trained.
"She's on the upper level your majesty, in the library as you requested."
Twilight nodded, her friends giving her worried looks. They knew she wasn't stable at the moment, a confrontation with Trixie would only make it worse. Without Twilight's knowledge, Rainbow Dash leaned in to Applejack.
"We need to make sure she doesn't do anything stupid."
Applejack nods in agreement. Dash was right, Twilight wasn't acting like herself. She needed to watched. The medical ward of the castle was flooded within minutes. Twilight quickly flew over to a doctor, nearly knocking him over when she landed in front of him. The doctor took one look at the princess and her daughter and his heart dropped into his stomach.
"By Faust! What happened!?"
He quickly took the child and rushed her over to a medic table. Dawn just looked at everyone in confusion. One moment, she was riding happily in her mothers arms, now it was like she was being checked for a disease. The doctor went over her eyes and head multiple times with a flashlight. Dawn squinted as the light blinded her for a few seconds. She closed her yes and began to rub them. The filly stopped paying attention to the adults conversation then. She began seeing visions. In her eyes, she could see the point of view of something. The vision of the creature was crimson red and black. Dawn the realized she couldn't hear her own voice, just heavy breathing of a tired animal. She did recognized where the vision was however. It was outside the castle, climbing the crystal building. Dawn opened her eyes in bewilderment. She closed her eyes again but the vision was gone. Dawn scratched her head in confusion. She looked up and saw the rest of the ponies being treated by the doctors, she turned her head and saw her mom standing by one of the guards sitting on a table.
"Mommy!" she called.
Twilight didn't waste a second before she was already front and center. She gently caressed her daughters mane and looked into her eyes. She looked confused about what was going on. For Twilight, it was better she didn't know what happened. She gave Dawn a warm smile and wrapped her in a light hug. Twilight felt her tiny arms go around her neck and squeeze. Dawn broke the hug and gave her mother a curious look.
"What happened?" she asked.
Twilight sat next to her daughter, picking her up and placing her on her lap. Dawn leaned in and placed her head against Twilights stomach. She didn't know what to say or how to explain it. Twilight wasn't great at lying, especially to her own child. Dawn could pick up a lie like she had a sixth-sense for it. Twilight to make this lie seem convincing though, her daughter was fare to young to understand death and neither had she ever seen it before. She signed and looked down at her daughters beautiful sparkling eyes.
"We just...had an accident while walking you back from the Everfree Forest." she said with a fake smile.
The princess prepared herself for the onslaught on questions that would be thrown her way. She waited for Dawn to ask early ten questions in a row and expect a solid answer for each of them. "She's just like her father" Twilight thought at times. A leader who wanted answers. A captain of the guard ordering soldiers. Dawn looked at her mother, shrugged, and placed her head back on her stomach. Twilight knew that was to easy, but right now she didn't care. Dawn was her arms, and not in some monsters. The two sat there in silence, not saying a word. Twilight felt a sense of sleepiness come over her. She looked down and saw Dawn was quietly sleeping. Twilight smiled and gently brushed her daughters mane. She fidgeted a little but didn't wake up. Twilight was about to lay down on the medical bed and nap, with her daughter in her arms, ready to forget this day. However it was short lived when a guard's deep voice awoke her.
"Princess."
Twilight yawned and looked at the guard in her best manner. The dark bags under her eyes clearly going against her.
"Hmm? What is it Captain?"
The guard right faced and pointed toward the entrance to the medical room. Twilight looked and saw Princess Luna looking over the room. Looking for her no less. Twilight signed, picking up her daughter and walking toward Luna. The princess of the night noticed her and the two walked toward the other.
"Greetings Twilight. I am sorry if I'm intruding." Luna said politely.
Twilight reassured the princess.
"N-no way princess! Your never intruding believe me!"
The two bow to each other and Luna notices the sleeping filly in her fellow princesses arms. She was fast asleep, oblivions about what was going on. Luna motioned her head toward the entrance of the door.
"I must speak with her in private."
Twilight nods and follows Luna into the empty hallway. The glass windows shining the night princesses moon like a beautiful pearl. The whole hallway was painted as though it was black and white. Luna about-faced to Twilight and firmly stopped. The lunar princess looking ominous in the lighting.
"I need to ask you a few questions." she bluntly said.
"O-okay." Twilight was hesitant. Luna's attitude changed completely. Once second she was happy, not it looked as though she kicked her pet. The lunar princess reached into a satchel around her waist and pulled out the pulsating dark crystal. Twilight could feel the negative energy coming off the rock, and she didn't like it. Luna shared the same troubled expression.
"Luna...why do you have a black crystal?"
Luna simply answered with reaching into her satchel again and bringing out a small notebook. One Twilight recognized. It was the notebook she destroyed in her library five years prior because of a horrifying vision. She looked at the book with a nervous expression. Not only was she scared to see the cursed thing again, but she wondered how Luna got her hands on it.
"I discovered this small book in front of Jason's memorial statue in PonyVille one night. I felt its strong magic and knew it wasn't safe, but when I looked inside it, I found something interesting."
She flipped open the book and showed Twilight a page with a strange bipedal skeleton on it with strange words flooding the page. Twilight looked at Luna in a way made the princess of the night sign. She snapped the book closed and retreated it to her side.
"That page showed the instructions for a reincarnation spell."
Twilight was shocked.
"What!? How do you-"
"Because I slayed the skeleton of was once a pony coming here." she interrupted.
The two stood there in silence. Twilight was taking in the information given to her. It wasn't much, but it was enough to get her concerned. Undead skeletons walking amongst living and not knowing of they were dangerous or not. Luna didn't give Twilight time to take in the information before giving her more.
"That white beam that shot out of your castle...I have a theory that is the cause for it. Do you know who or what caused it?"
Just then, Twilight felt wheels turning in her head. She knew who had caused that beam. And she still had a bone to pick with that some pony. She looked her fellow princess in the eyes and answered her in a stern voice.
"I do."
Luna nodded. "Very good. We'll go find this pony right no-"
"YOUR MAJESTIES!"
Both princesses snapped their heads to the voice of a guard running toward them. Her armor was ripped through, her helmet missing, and a stream of blood running down her head. The guardsmare stopped and took a moment to catch her breathe.
"What's wrong?" Twilight asks.
The guardsmare looked up at Twilight and she could feel the sense of terror in her eyes. She had seen something terrifying.
"W-we tried to fight it...but it just t-tore all of us to pieces!" the guardsmare shakily said.
Luna stepped closer to the guardsmare and placed a hand to her shoulder.
"What do you mean by "it"?" Luna asked.
Just then, a body was thrown down the hallway, knocking the guardsmare off her hooves and onto the ground. The other guards throat was slashed. A puddle of blood forming on the ground. Then, a ear splitting roar was heard down the hallway. Everyone, even Dawn was who awakened by the sound, looked down the dark hallway. The hall felt as though the temperature had dropped below freezing, the wind outside howled, and thunder moaned outside. A sudden lighting bolts light showed it. A massive creature with long arms and legs. Clawed hands. Massive teeth, and expressionless eyes. The monster stomped down the hallway toward the ponies, a limp body in his right hand. The creature looked at the corpse and snarled at it before throwing it against the wall. Dawn gripped harder onto her mother. Twilight took a few steps back. Luna took in a attack ready stance. The guardsmare crab walked backwards behind the two. Twilight handed her daughter to the guard.
"Get Dawn to a safe place! Alter the entire castle!"
The guard saluted and sprinted back into medical wing, Dawn looking over her shoulder and reaching out for her mother. Twilight took a long look at her daughter and returned to the situation at hand. The monster was closer now, just a few steps away. Luna suddenly used her royal Canterlot voice, freezing the beast in place.
"HALT CREATURE! I DO NOT KNOW WHY THOU HAS CHOOSEN TO ASSAULT THIS CASTLE! BUT THOU AS MADE A GRAVE MISTAKE!"
The monster wasn't moved at Luna's booming voice. In fact, it looked as though it smiled as if it was pathetic. The monster unleashed a rumbling warning growl toward the two princesses. They weren't scared. This monster had infiltrated the castle and has killed. Twilight knew it wouldn't leave this place standing.
Pumpkinhead watched as the two ponies stood there ground against him. They were brave, but naïve about what they were facing. The futile ponies thought they could steal his summoner without punishment. How quaint. However the demon felt a little pity for the two alicorns in front of him. They were interfering with regaining his summoner, a flawed mistake. He knew they would feel his wrath, they just might now like it though. Pumpkinhead let out one last warning growl as it stopped toward the two. He wanted to kill them, but that wasn't his top priority. He needed his summoner, because of something happened to her...
"YOU SHALL NOT PASS!"
A savage kick to the nose sent Pumpkinhead's head toward the sky. Then, a massive blast of magic impacted his chest. It burned, but it didn't knock him down. The demon shielded his eyes from the blast as it pushed him back. Sliding his feet across the floor. He was shocked to discover the ponies were this powerful. Maybe he underestimated them. If that was the case, this should be a worry challenge. Pumpkinhead let a ground rumbling roar and shoulder charged Princess Luna, ramming her through a wall. The pony attempted to fly away from the monster, but Pumpkinhead planted his massive foot on top of her. She screamed In agony with the weight of the monsters foot on top of her, possibly breaking her ribcage. Pumpkinhead was putting all his weight into his foot, crushing the pony below him. The demons head lurched forward and let out a screech. He turned and saw the other pony with a shining horn on her head. He growled, taking his attention away from the pony below his foot and stomped toward her friend.
The purple pony flew high in the air, avoiding close combat with the demon. Smart, he thought. Maybe these ponies weren't completely weak as the demon thought they were. The flying pony shot a blast of energy Pumpkinhead, which felt completely light compared to her friend. Come to think of it, the demon barely even felt that blast. He watched as the energy blast hit his body but the stream brushed over his body. He looked at the pony with an unimpressed expression, his version of it anyways. The pony stopped her blast and gave a nervous laugh. The demon regrets what he thought about them now. These ponies are pathetic. The flying pony was staying In the air, continuously blasting the demon. Pumpkinhead yawned and sat on his hunches, starring at the purple pony. She was clearly giving it her all. The alicorn stopped her blasting and gave out a heavy breathe. She was getting exhausted, slowly falling back toward the ground. Pumpkinhead stood up and stomped toward the pony. As he was about to finish her off, the demon felt his body suddenly fly forward and impact the ground on its stomach. He snarled and looked back to see the other alicorn walking out of the hole in the wall the demon put her through.
She looked pissed off. VERY pissed off. A swirl of blue fire coated the alicorns hooves and her horn. Her eyes were slit like an animals and she growled with a deep voice. It was like she was turning into a different being. The alicorn walked toward the demon with fire in her eyes and a sense of danger surrounding her. However, Pumpkinhead gave a disgusting grin as he witnessed the alicorn was being surrounded by the fire. She then growled through the fire.
Twilight watched in horror at the sight of her comrade being taken over by the strange fire. She watched Luna's natural coat color turn a darker shade of blue. Her attire turning into silver maiden armor. Luna's teeth transformed into fangs, her eyes into slits, and her voice. Twilight recognized that roar. A shriek of a banshee she thought was forever dead. The fire roared with fury, as did the new pony inside of it. Soon, the rumbling roar died down and so did the fire. Twilight felt her spirit die as she saw the flowing starry night mane of a different alicorn standing in front of her. Twilight thought she was dreaming for a minute. Maybe she fell asleep with Dawn in the medical ward of the castle and the two of them were laying in a medical bed sleeping soundly. Twilight snapped her eyes shit and kept them closed for a second or two. She opened them again, and she was still there. The dark alicorn that had finally taken over Luna again. Nightmare Moon let out a long sign and stretched her arms above her head. The dark alicorn then looked around and saw the purple pony behind her. She growled snapped her body around to face her.
"Twilight Sparkle!? What's the meaning of this!?" she barked.
The purple alicorn sat herself on her knees and looked up at her mortal enemy. She wiped sweat from her forehead and looked at her with a tired expression. To her, it was over. A hulky monster was standing at the other end of the room while a vicious bloodshed driven alicorn was starring her down. She didn't want to give up, but her odds of surviving were little to none right now. A sudden gasp of breathe escaped Twilight as she felt a invisible hand go around her neck. She felt her hooves float off the ground and soon she was hovering. She struggled for air, she reached up to grasp around her neck. However Twilight was met with a magic spell chocking her. She heard the hoof steps of Nightmare Moon approaching her.
"I want an explanation as to why you summoned me!"
Twilight tried to speak but it only came out as choking noises. Nightmare Moon rolled her eyes and released the younger alicorn. She dropped to the floor onto her butt and coughed for a good five seconds. In the time Twilight took to prepare herself, Nightmare Moon noticed some things. She was an alicorn for one thing. But really caught her attention was where they were. She didn't recognize this place. Twilight eventually cleared her throat and looked up at, was at one time, her sworn enemy. She picked herself off the ground, dusting herself off. The two looked at each other hardened expressions.
"I...didn't summon you. YOU took over Princess Luna!" The dark alicorn looked at Twilight as if she was nuts. Not knowing what she was talking about.
"I have no memory of switching with Luna, I remember being in my quarters when a blinding light engulfed my vision. Next thing I know, I'm standing in front of you!" Nightmare Moon said with a puzzled look on her face. Twilight felt herself shrink. So was so confused and worried about what happened to Luna. Plus her evil counterpart didn't even commit it! She was out of ideas of what was going on. The two alicorns then heard a heavy sound of a throat being cleared. They turned and saw the monster standing their with its arms crossed and an even more crossed expression on its face. Nightmare Moon looked at the creature with a impressed look on her face.
"Sweet nightmare, what Tarturas spawned you?" she asked the monster.
The monster growled with irritation and Nightmare Moon's expression faded so a questionable one. It then began to growl, but it sounded as though it was trying to speak. Then, a it started talking in a unknown gibberish in a deep voice. Twilight thought she was loosing her mind by this point. Nightmare Moon didn't turn to Twilight but spoke, keeping her eyes on the creature.
"He wants to see the child." she said. Twilight looked at her with a confused look. The darker alicorn didn't need to turn around to feel the look she was giving her. She groaned. "The beast you imbecile! He wants the child!", then the gears started turning in Twilights head. Her daughter Dawn. She rocketed to her hooves and shouted at the creature. "Over my dead body!", she screamed; not realizing what she said until it was to late. The monster gave a sickish, toothy smile and muttered another sentence in its language. Nightmare Moon turned to Twilight with an expressionless look. "That can be arranged.", she translated. The monster unfolded its arms and let out a thunderous roar. Twilight gulped with fear but the other alicorn in front of her wasn't even fazed. Nightmare Moon cracked her knuckles and neck, giving a small grin.
"I'm not sure your ready for me." she said.
Her and Pumpkinhead charged each other with vast speed. In seconds they collided and the demon was sent flying backward. He flipped and landed on its feet, sliding against the floor. He looked up and saw the other alicorn was smiling and putting out her hand and folding the fingers in as a mocking to him. He punched the floor, getting on all fours and raced toward Nightmare Moon with fury in its white eyes. The alicorn it was charging grinned. She stood her ground and waited for the beast instead of fleeing. Twilight took off into the air to avoid the conflict. The monster expected to head-butt the alicorn's body but instead he went through a cloud of black smoke, a small cackle following it. Pumpkinhead couldn't stop himself in time before slamming head first into a wall. The cackle of the alicorn swarming inside his head. He snarled and searched for her but he couldn't see or smell her. Impossible, the demon thought. He could smell the other flying pony above him, she was no threat however. Pumpkinhead heard the cackle again, turning in every direction to find where it was coming from. A faint tap to his shoulder caught the demons attention, he turned and saw the armored alicorn hovering next to him. She waved for a second before bringing her arm back and punching the demon in his face.
Pumpkinhead fell onto his back and groaned. It hurt him. That one punch actually hurt him. He raised his nose and felt a warm liquid leaking from his nose. He snarled in anger and kicked up to his feet. The demon unleashed a mighty roar and sprinted toward the dark alicorn. Who still had her smirk. Pumpkinhead lashed out with his claws, each thrust of his arms strong enough to slash a human in two. However this pony was quick, with each swing of his claw, she dodged with incredible speed. Pumpkinhead was growing tired of her, he was thinking of sparing her at first, now he was keen on ripping her to pieces. Using his tail, the demon lashed out with it and for the first time connected with her body. Though it didn't go right through her, it did send her hurtling into a wall and leaving a deep crater. She grabbed her head and groaned. Pumpkinhead gave a toothy smile and charged the pony like a rhino. He ducked his head down and went into a full sprint, intended on ramming her through the wall again.
"To late." he heard her whisper.
The alicorn disappeared into smoke and Pumpkinhead went through the wall with full strength put into it. Nightmare Moon teleported outside the hole in the wall and crossed her arms. Twilight landed right beside her and looked in amazement, something she thought she would never do. They couldn't hear anything inside. The creature must have knocked itself out. The dark alicorn started to laugh in victory.
"I told him I was much more powerful." she said in a cocky tone.
Twilight rolled her eyes. She was ready to call the guards to come and imprison the beast and go see her daughter. However a sudden slam of a door hitting the wall got both the alicorn's attention. They looked and saw Twilight's friends with horrified looks and breathing heavily from running it seemed. They saw her and quickly dashed toward her. Twilight was about to warn Nightmare Moon but found she was already gone. The sound of her friends yelling for her made the alicorn look in worry for her friends. "What's wrong?", she asked them. Fluttershy flew over the rest of them and showed the heavily injured body of Dawn in her arms. Twilight felt her heart sink when she saw her daughter in such a state. She quickly grabbed her. "Sweet Celestia, what happened!?" she yelled. Rainbow Dash stood forward, wiping sweat from her brow. "She just started flipping out for no reason! One minute we were sitting together and all of a sudden she starts screaming every few minutes and getting injured when no pony was touching her!" Twilight looked down at her unconscious daughter, tears of stress and sadness swelling her soul. Dawn suddenly couched, Twilight gripping her closer. "Dawn!? Dawn sweetie are you okay!?" she said shakily. The filly opened her eyes and looked around. She looked confused and worried about where she was. "W-where am I?" she asked. The ponies looked at her, their turn to look confused.
"Ya mean...you don't know what happened?" Applejack asked her.
Dawn sniffled, tasting the sour taste of blood at the end of her throat. Her head hurt, feeling as she rammed it through a wall. She could feel a small burn on her stomach as well. She looked at the adults around her. All starring down at her with worried and surprised expressions. "N-no. I remember I was hurting and then nothing." All the ponies looked at each other. The situation was suspicious to say the least. A sudden deep growl came from behind the group, everyone froze and slowly looked behind them. Pumpkinhead was walking out of the hole in the wall rubbing his head. Dawn rubber her head, feeling a massive headache emerge from nowhere. Twilight looked at her daughter and back at the creature and a sudden horrifying realization came to her mind. The creature opened its pitch white eyes and him and Dawn locked. He starred at the ponies before roaring at the sky and stomping toward them. He was through playing around. He wanted his summoner even if it killed him! One of the flying ponies came from out of nowhere and kicked the demon in its jaw. The creature groaned and rubbed its mouth. Dawn suddenly let out a cry and grabbed her chin. The ponies looked at her in shock.
"She wasn't even touched!" Rainbow Dash said.
Pumpkinhead snarled and gave the ponies an angered look. He then saw Dawn rubbing her chin like he was. The demon felt a part of his soul leave his body. He was afraid of that. Now he really needed the girl. Pumpkinhead roared and charged the ponies full force. They screamed, a few stood forward to fight but Pumpkinhead didn't need these ponies falling on top of his summoner. He jumped and used his tail, wrapping around Dawn carefully to grab her out of the arms of the cream coated pony. A heavy landing on the other side of them. He reached behind and put the filly in one of its claws. They looked at each other for a few seconds. A sudden magic blast hit the creature in its side, causing both him and Dawn to shriek in pain. Pumpkinhead went flying and slid across the ground. He looked up and saw a another alicorn with glowing yellow eyes and horn. Her white coat blending with her magic. She stood strong in front of the creature, a magic powered scowl on her face. Pumpkinhead narrowed his eyes. This could get dangerous. The demon grabbed the child in its claw, opening a door next to him and placing her inside. He motioned her to stay put and slammed the door. A thunderous voice rang through the hallway then.
"SO YOU ARE THE ONE WHO IS ATTACKING THE CASTLE? YOU WILL REGRET THAT!"
The demon let out a small groan of annoyance. Now that he knew he was tied to his summoner, any injury he sustained she would as well. Pumpkinhead cracked its knuckles at the white alicorn. Watching as she started to lift herself off the ground using her massive angle like wings. The white alicorn blasted him again, Pumpkinhead moved out the way and the blast impacted the ground. Bits of debris flying up and then raining back down. She sent another blast but Pumpkinhead wasn't paying attention this time. The golden stream hit him in the chest. Pumpkinhead moaned in pain, the golden blast burning his chest. He thought of his summoner and how she was feeling. She must have been a lot of pain right now. Pumpkinhead tried to hear for her but the buzzing sound of the golden stream was making him unable to hear. The burning of his chest was unbearable by this point. But just as the demon was about to collapse, the beam stopped and the white alicorn floated down in front of him. She landed and Pumpkinhead didn't need to look up. Both their eyes met, fueled with anger and vengeance. Pumpkinhead expected his vision to fade ay any moment, waiting to wake up and find his summoner dead and him back in his realm.
However, it never came. The voice of the purple pony came in front of him.
"Princess wait! If you kill it...you'll kill Dawn as well!" she yelled.
The white alicorn halted her assault. She stared at her pupil with confusion. "What ever do you mean Twilight?" she asks, the purple alicorn glides over to the door the creature that out her daughter inside and screams. "Dawn!? Can you hear me!? Wake up!" the group of ponies quickly runs over to her, leaving Pumpkinhead battered and bruised behind them. The child wasn't moving, her breathing was faint, a large scorch mark on her dress. While Twilight and her friends looked over Dawn, Celestia turned around and noticed something. Behind the monster was her sister Luna, laying on the floor. She quickly flies over to her. "Luna?" she says quietly. The princess of the night groans, picking herself up and looking at her sister in confusion. "Celestia? Why are you here?" The lunar princess found herself being stared at by multiple eyes behind her sister. One that stood out from the rest, was the creatures eyes. Those blank, expressionless eyes, staring at her. Luna got to her hooves and marched toward the injured creature. She recognized the wounds on it, her sisters doing.
"Lets try this again." she began, "Who or what you, and why are you looking for Dawn?" The creature snarled at first and looked away from the ponies, trying to stand on its feet. Applejack gave a cocky look toward the creature. She walked toward him and spoke in a mocking tone. "Oh no you don't ya varmint!" she said. Pumpkinhead scowled, grabbing the ponies and leg, which she tried to kick him with, and sent a powerful punch to her abdomen. The orange pony flew back into her friends arms and coughed violently. Pumpkinhead gave a demonic chuckle. Luna, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and Applejack were growing restless. Celestia put a wing in front of the creature, blocking him from the rest of the group. The ponies were about to protest when she stomped her hoof and gave them a serious look and tone of voice. "Listen to me all of you! You will not go near this creature as long as its alive, or at least until we figure out a way to separate it from Dawn." Celestia looked at the creature, it gave her a deep look of anger. She used her magic to engulf the monster in a magic barrier. "Me and Luna will take it to the dungeon, it will stay there until we found a solution." The ponies didn't have any valid arguments. Their was no other solution besides to wait. Rainbow Dash crossed her arms, she then remembered something.
"Hey wait a minute, where's Rarity?" she asked. Twilight answered her almost on cue. "I sent Spike to check on her, she hasn't come out of her home in a while. I hope she's okay."
Rarity felt disoriented. Feeling as though she was hit by a minotaur's fist. It felt as though something was wrapped around the back of her head. She reached behind her horn and felt something soft. Bandages she concluded. Rarity thought she hit her head on something and one of her friends found her. She would need to pay them back a lot for saving her life. A thousand images went through the unicorns head of what the scene looked like when one of her friends, or even her dear sister Sweetie Belle, had found her. If must have been awful. Rarity tried to open her eyes, but they felt heavy. She must have had a concussion. Rarity opened her yes as best she could and looked around her. She was in her living room on the couch. It was strange because she remembered being upstairs at one point and now she was downstairs. Rarity already didn't trust the situation. She tried to stand, but her concussion was making it hard to do so. Rarity grabbed the top of the couch and used as support for herself. Now sitting straight up, Rarity could get a better look around. She was by herself, for the most part. It looked as though someone had ransacked her shop and home. Mirrors had strange smudges on them, drawers were opened and the contents sprayed everywhere. Her dresses, her hours upon days or work, were ruined. Riddled with holes, dirt, and some other...red substance. Rarity felt a chill run down her spine.
-Is that...blood? Is it...-
She slowly reached a hand over her hand toward the bandage. Feeling around it, she felt a wet spot near her horn. It was her blood on the dresses. Now the unicorn was even more confused and scared. Rarity attempted to stand but it felt as though weights were on her hooves. She let out annoyed sign. She didn't have the ability to walk yet, a possible robber got into the boutique, and she has possibly lost a lot of blood. With no memory of why she was in this situation, Rarity thought of only one option.
"H-hello? Is any pony there?" she said.
No response. She was alone. Rarity gave a sudden jolt to her legs and was on her hooves standing...for a good few seconds, before falling onto her stomach. Rarity felt a sudden wetness on her head, she thought more blood was leaking from her wound. She reached a hand up but found a cup of water had spilled on her head. She looked out the corner of her eye and saw a plate on her glass table. Rarity grabbed one of her couches cushions and pulled herself up, she could feel some of the concussion subsiding. She looked and saw a hay burger on the plate. Someone laid food out for her. Was it the robber? Rarity scoffed at the thought. Who ever this robber was she would make sure he was put behind bars. Rarity felt herself freeze when she heard a sudden dish smash. Followed by the sound of a heavy grunt. She heard the sounds of heavy steps in the next room followed by the sounds of metal hitting metal. He had a weapon with him. Rarity started freaking out, a heavy sense of dread coming over her. She worried if this robber would take advantage of her, or worse, he already did. Rarity heard the heavy steps come into her room, and quickly make their way over to her. She closed her eyes and prepared for the worse.
She felt two hands pick her up by her legs and back and lift her off the ground like she was a feather. Rarity's head didn't feel as concussed as it was. Her vision was becoming much more clear and feeling was returning to parts of her body. At any moment she would fight her way out of this goliaths grip. Just as Rarity was about to throw the first punch, the hefty intruder placed her back down on the couch as if she was fragile. Which in her mind, she was. Rarity's sight was fixed on her couch, pretending to be concussed still. She felt the large hand of the intruder go across her mane checking the bandage. She heard a heavy sign, feeling the bandage slowly come off. Her wound was exposed and the intruder poked it and moved Rarity's hair out of the way to see it better. Meanwhile, the unicorn was scared to move. This intruder was looking her over like she was his patient.
-Why don't you just kill me already!- Rarity thought.
The intruder let out a sign. Getting up from the couch and standing next to Rarity, unsure about what to do. He bandaged her, and even found food for her, but it felt as though he was missing something. Something important. He turned and looked at the unicorn, her back facing him. He puzzled for a minute, picking at the stitches of his "mask". Then he remembered, her name, he hadn't learned her name yet. The intruder wanted to ask her, but he knew she would freak out and try to run away like every girl he liked. Those ones ended up becoming his dinner or new material for his masks. However, this one was different. He couldn't eat her, or could he make her into a mask. This time he needed to make a friend. One he didn't have to kill. Leatherface reached out to her and placed his large hand on her shoulder. He pulled her body over and was captivated by the ponies sheer beauty. He had never seen such a pretty pony before. Leatherface suddenly heard a voice in the back of his head, "Whatcha starrin for ya nit wit!? Slice our dinner up!". The burly man snapped his hand back to his lap and let out a sad moan. If his brothers knew what he was doing, they would yell him at him for sure. Leatherface didn't like being yelled at, especially by his own family. Images flashbacked in his mind, images and voices of his father. The verbal abuse that was thrown at him every time he nearly got his family caught. A reminder to always be carful about what he did.
Leatherface heard a knock at the front door. He snapped his head over and quickly walked over to it. He peered through the peep-hole and saw a lizard walking on two legs. He growled in his throat at the intruder. Leatherface quickly picked his chainsaw and walked out of Rarity's sight. The mare gulped and turned her head to see of the burly creature was still in the room. He was gone. Rarity jumped to her hooves and tipped toed over to the front door. She opened it and was greeted by Spike. The drake didn't have time to say hello before Rarity pulled him in by his shirt. She closed the door behind him and peered out of the curtains to the main street.
"Rarity? Are you okay? We haven't seen you in awhile."
The dragon crossed his arms and Rarity slowly turned around. Spikes eyes grew wide as saucers when he saw the small, bloody bandage on his friends head. "Sweet Celestia what happened!?" he said, running over to her and looking over the cloth. Rarity started to stutter, trying to explain her reason for the bloody bandage. She wanted to tell him to about the intruder, but Rarity didn't hear a door close in her house when he left the room. He was still in the house. She feared that of she spoke of him, he would burst from behind a door and kill the both of them. Rarity placed a finger on Spikes lips, silencing him. Rarity didn't need to say a word. Her face said it all. Something was wrong, VERY wrong. Spike nodded and followed her over to the couch and the two sat in quiet. The mare leaned in to Spike and whispered to him.
"A...burly...whatever it is, is inside the house still! We need to get out of here before he comes out!"
Spike didn't say anything but he nodded in understanding. He grabbed Rarity by her wrist and guided her to the door. He grabbed the doorknob and tried to twist it but it wouldn't budge. He pushed it and pulled it, he shacked the doorknob, he even tried forcing it. But nothing worked. He looked outside the front window and saw the entrance was boarded up. He swore under his breathe. "What's the matter?" Rarity asked. The drake laid his back on the wall and put a hand on his head. "The doors boarded from the outside." he groaned. Rarity hugged herself and stepped away from the door. "H-he must have saw you coming." he said. Spike couldn't help but agree with her. Now the two of them were trapped inside her house with a crazy person. He needed to find them a way out. Spike silently putted at Rarity to stay in the living room. She nodded and the drake made his way toward the kitchen. He peered around the corner of the wall and saw nothing in the kitchen. He gulped and tipped toed into the kitchen, his attention fixed on his entire surrounding. Rarity said the intruder was hefty so it would be easy to spot him.
The drake gulped and cracked his knuckles. He slowly proceeded through the kitchen knowing the intruder wasn't in here. Their wasn't any closets to fit in and the cabinets were far to small. Spike then saw the door to the basement was open. It was open wide, as if someone just went down there. He slowly stepped closer to the open door, sweat running down his cheek. With a swift move of his hand, he grabbed the door and swung it shut. A loud thud echoing through the building. Spike then switched the lock on the door to its side, locking it shut. He let out a heavy sign. He trapped the intruder in the basement. Spike quickly made his way back to Rarity in the living room. He ran around the corner and saw her in a deep state of fear. He gave her a confused look as he was only a few steps away from the living room. Just then, his blood ran cold when she shouted at him.
"LOOK OUT!"
Spike didn't have time to respond as a mallet came from around the corner and swatted him in the head. He fell to the ground hard and fast. Spike's vision was blurred but all he could see was a bloody apron and mallet over him with a burly figure with a stitched together face. As his lost consciousness, he could hear Rarity screaming at the intruder.
The feeling in the cell was cold. A type of feeling Pumpkinhead hasn't felt in eons. The unforgiving cold on his armor like skin. His body suddenly twitched, sending a jolt of energy through the demons body. He opened his eyes and saw he was in a large indent in a wall with iron bars sticking through the ground. Pumpkinhead tried to move his body, but it felt as though he weighed an extra hundred pounds out of his three-hundred. The demon plunged his fists into the ground and used his force to lift himself off the ground and onto one knee. He lifted himself onto his feet and stood at his full height. A sudden hard surface hitting the top of his deformed head made the demon growl in annoyance and pain. He bended over slightly to avoid hitting his head more. Pumpkinhead reached his arm out toward the bar but it was thrown back as soon as his claw hit one of the bars. He roared and stomped toward the exit. He wrapped his fingers into a fist and swung it toward the bars. As soon as they connected, Pumpkinhead's arm snapped back sending his body along with it. The demon fell backward onto his tail and he snarled. He then heard someone clear their throat.
The demon looked up and saw the same white alicorn from before standing in front of the jail cell with crossed arms and a stern face. The demon looked at her with an unamused look and stood on its feet. He stomped toward the jail cell, not bothering to try and hit the bars again. He towered over her only by a head but because of the cell, he had to hunch to her height. With a cold tone of voice, she spoke to him. "Why did you attack the castle?", she asked. Pumpkinhead thought that was a joke of question at first. The reason he came was to acquire back his summoner. Seeing as though he couldn't speak English, the demon only gave the unicorn a scoff and looked away from her. Celestia began tapping her arm with a finger and deepening her scowl. A small electro bolt sparking from her horn. "I'll ask again, why did you attack the castle?", she said. Again no reply from the demon, who slumped on his hinge legs. A small vein popped out the alicorn's head, a sense of pressure building in her emotions. She gripped harder on her arms and she narrowed her eyes.
-No...I have to find an answer.- she thought.
Celestia took in a deep breathe and released it slowly. She loosened the grip on her arms and the vein disappeared back into her head. "Might as well start at the bottom.", she mumbled. "Why are you here?" The demon perked its head slightly and half turned to the white alicorn. She leaned in slightly to hear. Pumpkinhead couldn't speak a regular language, he had his brothers voice. He took a moment to think before an idea came on top him. The demon used his snake like finger to carve a word into the wall. The scratching of the nail against the wall sounded metal being shredded. Once he was done, Pumpkinhead motioned his head toward the alicorn who stepped forward and looked on the wall. Written in sharp style writing and in huge skinny letters was a word on the wall that made the princess choke slightly.
SUMMONER
She looked at the demon in confusion. "Someone...summoned you here?", she asked in a tone of trying to understand the term. Pumpkinhead nodded once and kept starring at the word as if it were in a trance. Celestia signed and scratched her chin. Pondering who could've brought the creature into Equestria. As she delved into her thoughts, the alicorn heard the scratching of the demons claw again. She looked and saw him spelling out a smaller word below the other carving. Once the creature was done, it scooted back and gave the princess a good view of what he wrote. She felt a shiver run down her spine upon reading the carving.
DAWN
Celestia couldn't stop starring at the text. A sudden feeling of dread coming over her mind. Her head looked slightly at the demon in shock. A mere child conjured such a violent creature, for what purpose she wondered. Celestia had countless things she wanted to ask the monster, she thought she turned into Twilight for a moment. Getting her mind back on track, Celestia cleared her throat and the demon looked at her with a raised brow. "Do you wish to speak with the child?", she said; against her own conscience. The demon stood up and locked eyes with the sun princess. With a nod, the creature growled in its throat. She figured answers would be given by the demon and Dawn if the two had their discussion. Celestia turned away from the monster and proceeded toward the exit of the empty dungeon. A guard at the entrance and let the princess go through, he stepped in behind her and slammed the metal door. Pumpkinhead crouched down in his cell and stared at the carving he made in the wall. His goal still alive inside him. Find his summoner, kill everyone. However for now he would be forced to behave himself.
Dawn yawned with a gaping mouth as she laid in a medical bed. bandages covering almost her entire body. Beside her, her mother Twilight stroked her mane and smiled down at her. "Thank goodness your awake." she said to Dawn. The filly looked up at her mother and smiled before leaning forward and hugging her side. Twilight returned the embrace without a moments hesitation. At the entrance of the medical room, the rest of the main six, along with Trixie, sat in a open room filled with chairs. Each with bandages of their own. Princess Luna didn't sit, instead she paced back and forth. Seeing the demon and Dawn share injuries was unsettling to her and she wondered what black magic was used to conjure such a beast. However what troubled her more was her blackout during the fight. The heavy feeling that came over her was still etched in her brain. Luna couldn't explain anything which was bugging her even more. A deep sense of mind came over her as she thought of the reasons as to why. It had to be HER, Luna's other self. She thought Nightmare Moon was sealed forever. She might have broken free.
Dawn scanned the room of the medical wing. She looked down at her hands and saw them full of scratches. She couldn't remember what happened besides the nice monster putting her in a closest and feeling extreme pain after words. She then noticed the monster wasn't around. He was gone. She saw her auntie Luna next to her and her mother and poked her side. Luna turned her head and looked down at her niece. "What is it Dawn?" she asked. The little filly tapped her fingers together, hesitating to ask her. "U-um auntie Luna...where's mister monster?" she looked up at her with puppy eyes. The princess of the night and of magic looked at each other in worry of her question. Luna swallowed and kneeled down to her height in Twilights lap. "Well, we've taken him to a very special infirmary so he can heal." she tried her best to lie but it seemed to work because when she said it, Dawn shed her first smile in hours. A small giggle came from the filly as her mother cuddles her. Luna let out a giggle of her own for a second before the sound of a throat being cleared caught the threes attention. They turned their heads to see Princess Celestia with a not so happy look.
"Twilight, Luna, a word please." Celestia motioned the two to follow her. The two exchanged worried looks for a second before following her. Leaving Dawn on the bed by herself. The filly signed and played with her hands while they were gone. She looked and saw the three alicorns talking in the shadow of the door to the infirmary. She couldn't hear their voices but she could see their movement. Celestia was moving her hands in a drawing fashion while the other two alicorns watched her. Minutes had passed by and they came back in the room with completely different emotions then when they left. Twilight looked as though she was about to have a nervous break down and Luna was trying her best to comfort her. Whispering to her and rubbing her arms. Dawn looked up at the two with a tilted head.
Three of them. Two fillies and one colt. Standing in the middle of their towns local burial grounds. A eerie and ghostly fog had swept n the grounds, making the whole graveyard seem even more haunted then it was said to be. Tales that told of ponies going into the graveyard and not returning, much like the Everfree forest legends. The dark moon shined over then open area, casting a menacing shadow on the grave stones and crosses with suns and moons on them. One of the shorter fillies with a black coat and white mane stood over the grave. Sweat dripping from his head. He reached out with hand towards the gravestone with hesitation. The stories and legends surrounding the two graves are what drove him there, or forced him. "Geez if I knew you were going to be this chicken I wouldn't have bothered", another child behind him, his older sister called from behind him. Leaning on a stone like it was nothing. A sour look on her face. She had told her brothers of the legends and tales of the two stones to tease her younger brother. Naturally he wanted to prove his bravery. So here they were, standing in the middle of graveyard at midnight to touch two sacred stones.
"Remind me", the little colt said, "why are we doing this?" His older sister groaned and rubbed her temple. "I told you! Who ever touches the tombs of the king of light and queen of night will have to face the darkest form of all evil..." She tip toes to her younger and brother, a sinister look on her face. "That means all your fears, worries, and all your sins come to kill you at once in a single body! So little brother...will you do it?" He was shaking in place. His eyes wide and full of fear. He tapped his index fingers together and his teeth chattered. He was scared more then anything. He gulped and took in a deep breathe. The young colt reached a hand out to the sun grave. His sister watched in anticipation as her little brother reached out. Just as he was about to place a finger tip on the sun stone. A low rumble of the clouds echoed over head. Both looked up and saw purple lighting clash and flash in the clouds.
The electricity flashed again, the glow being seen for miles. A top of Canterlot's highest castle, Princess Luna looked over the scene with a look of worry. It looked like nothing any ordinary pegasus would make. It was irregular and aggressive. Lighting bolts struck the ground with vicious roars. She looked up seeing a haze of purple and black smoke forming in the clouds. It felt dangerous just from looking at the formation. Luna narrowed her eyes and walked back into her chamber. Storming out of her room and down corridor much to her guards dismay. She traveled down the stairs and past the throne room toward the library. She burst the doors open and the librarian was cowering behind her desk. The librarian looked at her with a terrified expression. She points to a book glowing dark purple in the far back of the chamber. Luna nodded and stomped toward it, a black smoke trailing her hooves and leaking from her mane.
Rarity and Spike sat across from the burly and hairy man. A bandage over the dragons eye and arm. Rarity sat in silence with a nervous smile. She had sat the boys down and talked with them both about the misunderstanding. Leatherface sat under the shadow of his stitch together mask. His hands on his lap and his chainsaw next to him on the couch. He seemed calm despite his rage from earlier. The massive psychopath sitting across from them raised his arm and picked his stitched together nose. Rarity gulped and tried to keep her disgust to herself. Spike couched into his free hand. "So uh...what's your name?" he asked the monster of a man in front of them. His eyes widened in his mask and looked at the ground shyly. He played with his fingers and groaned. Rarity looked at him with a worried expression. "Can you speak darling?" she asked. Leatherface shot his head toward her and whimpered. He mumbles and taps his index fingers together. Rarity and Spike looked at him in confusion. He looked at them and moved his head from side to side. "You poor dear." Rarity said out of pity. "Yeah...poor." Spike mumbled under his breathe. The mare next to him jabbed his side and he yelped.
Leatherface watched the whole scene with confusion in curiosity in his eyes. He watched as the two bickered and argued but were acting like friends a second ago. It reminded him of his family, and of his friend. A person more of a brother to him then anything. Leatherface signed and looked at his chainsaw, seeing the deep scratch on the blade. A scratch he stills remembers where it came from. A machete, from someone equally as strong as him. He remembered it like it was yesterday. His brothers and him were chasing their latest victim, or should he say dinner, when the broad shouldered masked man came from no where. Him and Leatherface fought at first, but eventually they shared the kill together. After words he was accepted into Leatherface's family as a friend. Finally, the chainsaw wielding cannibal finally had a friend he could relate to. Seeing the mare and dragon in front of him argue reminded him of their times of disagreeing. But in the end they worked it out, like how the two in front of him did with a hug and returned their attention to him.
"We want to help you darling." she told Leatherface bluntly. The stitched mask of the psychopath seemed to loosen on his face when he heard what the pony said. Spike signed and gave a defeated smile toward the burly man. "I'm willing to forgive you for almost killing me...just this once." Leatherface for a moment couldn't believe what they were offering. Help him with what, to speak? He didn't like the thought of it. He had gone so many years without talking, decades even. He forgot what his own voice sounded like. He gave a deep sign and stared at his hands in his lap. Rarity and Spike looked at each other in worry. The burly man in front of them looked concerned and unsure of their offer. Rarity thought about for a second and nodded. She gave a determined look and stood straight up. Both Leatherface and Spike looked at her and waited for what she might do. The mare smiled at the burly man. "Well, at least you have two friends here darling. Just know that!"
Before Spike could protest any further, a violent clash of thunder could be heard outside. All three looked and saw the sky outside hard turned a dark shade of purple. They rushed out and saw ponies standing and pointing as the odd formation of dark clouds spread across the sky and blocking out the sun. Black and white bolts of lighting struck the ground and the sky roared with fury. The wind howled and blows with the power of a lighting storm. Spike wrapped a wing around Rarity to shield her from the wind, Leatherface ran back inside the house and grabbed his murder tool. Placing it on a harness on his back. The sound of high pitch screaming could be heard beyond the wind and thunder. Ponies looked and saw two children running from the dark forest, tears in their eyes, and scratches covering their bodies. They ran into the arms of their parents. As they asked what was wrong, both shouted in unisons to their elders. "Monsters!" The wind soon slowed itself and ponies around talked in whispering voices about what the children said. Then, a sound of utter horror filled the dark forest. A horridness howl and moans could be heard coming toward the town. Ponies watched in horror as limping corpses walked out of the forest, coming by waves, as they approached the town. With everyone standing in shock and fear at the sight. A single word was yelled that caused a massive panic. "Zombies!"
Mares shrieked and grabbed their children, running away from the undead. The army of corpses roared and sprinted after the residents. Their bodies limping and sprinting full speed. Rarity and Spike watched as some ran over to them with blood lust in their black eyes. The dragon was about to unleash a blast of fire when three of the attackers were horribly cut and mangled by Leatherface's chainsaw. Thick streams of blood flowed from their bodies as he sliced the three of them in two and threes. The pieces of their bodies falling to the ground in a puddle of blood. He smiled at the two like it was nothing. Meanwhile, ponies in the town were being chased by the running dead. Two or three of the zombies would tackle a poor pony trying to get away and tear him or her to pieces. Eating their flesh and organs in record time. Some of the ponies stayed behind and fought back against the dead. Using any weapon they could find. Unicorns used their magic as blasters to puncture the dead but they didn't even flinch. It was only when they were hit by melee they were hurt. Almost half the twon was being driven from PonyVille with casualty after casualty as the undead took it over in minutes.
Rarity, Spike, and Leatherface ran into town seeing the residents being tormented. Passing dead body after body as they tried to escape as well. Rarity soon had to stop and lean on a building to catch her lunch as she tried not to vomit from the gruesome scene. Spike put a hand to her shoulder and she looked at him with a smile. Another set of howls come from behind and the three look to see more of the undead stalking them. Leatherface snarled and revved up his chainsaw. The zombies roared and sprinted toward him and the others. The goliath of a man charged and spun like a twister with his chainsaw. Cutting through the undead like they were nothing. Their bodies separated into pieces as they fell to the ground. Painting the dirt road a dark shade of red. Rarity looked away from the gruesome execution and Spike cupped his mouth. At the same all five of the zombies went down. The roar of Leatherface's chainsaw went hand in hand with his yellow grin. His apron and flannel stained with red. He looked toward his friends and saw their expressions. He shrugged and chuckled with a deep tone. "We might need to work on that aggression darling." Rarity said while still trying to hold herself from vomiting.
As the three took a moment to celebrate a victorious encounter. A vicious roar was heard gliding over the clouds. All three looked up and their eyes widened when they saw black winged creatures flying across the sky. Some small, some big, but all of them had the same decomposed skin and glowing purple eyes. One of the larger zombies, a mixed creature with different animal parts, glided down and impacted the ground on its feet. It stood on its hinge legs and snarled. Its scorpion tail twitching and leaking poison. Leatherface revved his chainsaw as he stood at his full height against the monster. He snorted and adjusted his grip on the weapon. Ignoring the fact he had a goliath zombie looking down at him. Leatherface let out a loud shout as he sprinted his full speed at the zombie.
The vibrations of the earth shaking and the sounds of screaming on the surface was like a beautiful music to his ears. He thought the ponies above were tearing each other apart from the noise. The demon looked up, pebbles and dust falling from the ceiling of the dark jail cell onto his face. He wiped his eyes and gave a toothy grin. He wanted to see the potential carnage the ponies were being put through, and in the confusion, grab his summoner. Pumpkinhead leaned on the wall of the cell and sat in silence. The demon was waiting for something. Anything to come through the metal door at the end of the hall to come and set him free. He knew it wouldn't be a pony to free him. It would be a creature birthed from darkness. A monster born from the same book he and his brothers were forged in. Pumpkinhead narrowed his blank white eyes wen he remembered his, so called, family. He didn't like the word. He picked it up from one of the pony guards in gold armor watching him over. She tried starting a conversation with the creature, despite him smelling the ponies fear and anxiety. The pony went on to talk to him, or at least try to, for over three hours before she was relieved of duty and he was left alone for the night. In his time of sitting in the cell, Pumpkinhead was healed to his full strength. He waited for a perfect opportunity to break free. Now was the time.
The demon stood as high as he could in his cell and walked over to the iron bars. He signed and suddenly lurched forward with his fist in front. Both it and the bars connected but his fist bounced back in response. A heavy electrical pulse shocked his body and he growled in response. The cell was still protected by a magic barrier. The demon had forgot in his time of thinking. He roared as loud as he could. The cries and screaming on the surface blocking his voice. Now he wondered what was going on up there. He snarled and started to pound his fists in the electric barrier one at a time. A heavy shock engulfing his arms with each strike. Pumpkinhead breathing increased. The shock from each punch made his heart rate raise to dangerous level. He stopped fearing for his summoner's life. He fell to one knee and looked over the barrier as it only had a scratch in it. The demon growled and was about to give one final strike when he saw something. In a dark corner of the dungeon. A tall, cloaked figure stood and watched him. He wondered how long the figure had been standing there. The two looked at each for a moment before the cloaked figure started to walk toward the cell. Pumpkinhead wondered if this was he chance. Was this monster sent by the Necronamicon to set him free and take his revenge? Their was no doubt about it. This was fate the dark force would come for him.
The cloaked figure drew from a sheath on his belt a black sword like weapon with a purple pattern. The demon heard the figure mutter a strange sentence and the blade lit up with purple fire on the pattern. He raised the weapon and with a fast strike, broke the electrical barrier. Slicing the magic in two. Pumpkinhead saw the opportunity and grabbed the floating electrically. The power seeped into his arms and blue lighting bolts sparked from his hands. He grinned at his new power. He looked up to thank the stranger but found he was already gone. Like he was never there. The demon exhaled and silently thanked the stranger as he sprinted toward the heavy metal door at the end of the dungeon. He impaled the door with his claws and ripped it off his hinges. Tossing it to the side as he walked out. Pumpkinhead expected countless guards to flood him but he was surprised when he saw their bodies instead. Blood poured from blood ridden bite marks and rips their flesh. They looked as though they were eaten alive. The demon looked around the hall, seeing more blood covered corpses. Now he wondered what was really happening. He would have never thought they were actually eating each other. These ponies don't come off as cannibalistic. He narrowed his white eyes, sniffing a strange smell. It was one of decay, blood, and evil. Pumpkinhead could practically smell and feel the dark magic that was plaguing the air.
The demon huffed and began his walk down the castle halls. The empty and stained building making him cautious. These ponies wont think twice to attack him, and he wouldn't mind ripping them in two. He couldn't hear screaming anymore either. It was as if what ever they were doing had stopped and now things laid quiet. Pumpkinhead stopped as he smelled something different. He turned toward the smell and saw another long corridor, he could feel the darkness originating at the end. What ever was down there he wanted no part of, so he continued on his current path, ignoring the sent of evil. The demon soon came upon the same room where he was defeated by that flying magic pony. He saw a sign that read medical wing above a door and from inside was a all to familiar scent. His white orbs grew in surprise as he stomped toward the door. He leaned forward and pushed the door open with his head, looking inside to see an empty hospital with blood splattered beds. Pumpkinhead walked in, hearing a faint crying from within the barely lit room. He walked down the isle of beds and in the far corner was a little filly. Sitting with her head in her knees and silently sobbing. The demon didn't need to know which filly it was from her smell. His summoner, Dawn, was sitting there. The demon stepped further, the filly looking up with tear filled eyes and red cheeks. Her little dress had a small splatter of blood and her knees were scraped.
The demon looked at her with a pitiful look and sat in front of her. The two sat in silence for a moment before Dawn sprang to her hooves and ran into the demons lap, clinging onto him like her life depended on it. Which in the situation going on right now, it did. Pumpkinhead wasn't used to the physical contact but rom the little filly is felt different. He grumbled in his language and picked the filly up in his arms. Sitting her between his neck and pylon in his shoulder. Her little arms wrapped around his neck and she nuzzled his cheek. Pumpkinhead stopped and watched as the filly treated him like he was her protector, something to save her. He felt a strange feeling in his chest from feeling the filly nuzzle and hug him. A feeling he had never felt. He was scared, shocked, and at the same time moved by the feeling. The demon stood on his feet and began to walk from the hospital room. Now with a agenda that went against his original mission. He was now this fillies guardian, her protector, and he would rather die then see her subjected to the evil that is now plaguing this place.
The revenant manticore roared with fury as it looked over three potential meals in front of it. The one meaty creature in front looked more appetizing then the pony and the drake. It gave a toothy grin figuring the taste of the meaty creature in front of it. Though with the weapon it was holding it wouldn't be an easy task to complete. The manticore snarled and drool dripped from his maw with a smile. The white pony held onto the drake next to her and he got in a fighting ready stance. However the creature in front of him growled and revved the tool he had in his hands. The manticore scoffed at the annoying and loud noise of the tool. He brought up its massive arm and swung its hand back, the meaty creature ducked and slashed the tool across the hand of the beast. The undead monster roared in pain from feeling its flesh being ripped from the tools sharp blade. It looked down and saw the meaty creature below him with smirk and a bloody tool.
Leatherface cracked his neck, the blood from the beast in front of him splattered on his apron and chainsaw. The smell of it making him grin. It might of smelled horrible and he didn't know what kind of disease was in the crimson liquid but the feeling of it made him smile. He wanted more of it. Leatherface was blood hungry, he was fired up, he was ready to kill. The monster in front of him roared with fury and charged him like an animal on all fours. He grunted as he leaped out of the way and slashed the creatures arm again. The revving of his tool against the ripping flesh making him smirk. The monster roared and swung its arm back with force. This time Leatherface didn't have time to move, using his chainsaw as a shield, the massive arm hit Leatherface and sent him flying back ad through the window of a building. Rarity gasped and cupped her mouth and Spike grit his teeth and took in a deep breathe. With a growl he blew a ball of green fire at the zombie manticore. The green orb impacted the creature and sent it flying back onto its back.
With the creature staggered, Spike grabbed Rarity's hand and pulled her with him while running. "Come on! We need to leave!" he shouted. Rarity looked back as he ran with Spike toward the broken window. "What about him?" The drake looked back and grunted out of anxiety, "He'll be okay! We need to move now!" With hesitation, Rarity looked away and ran away with Spike as the zombie raised to its feet and sniffed around for its meal. It looked at where it tossed the fatter meal but figured it was dead from the rancid smell. The manticore spread its bat wings wide and leaped into the air, searching for the smaller morsel to nibble on. His bigger meal would have to wait, if he waited any longer his other meal would have escaped him. The revenant manticore looked across the earth but had no sign of the two. Using its enhanced sense of smell, the zombie identified were they were.
Spike had sealed him and Rarity inside a the Cakes bakery shop. The white mare was leaning against the counter, sitting on her rear with her legs up to her torso. She was worried beyond what Spike could imagine. She was scared for her friends, her parents, her sister, and her and Spike's safety. The sight of how the world had been torn so upside down in just a few hours was shocking. The amount of deaths, enough to give a psycho killer the willies. The destruction would make Discord jealous even. Rarity tried to calm herself down, telling herself that everything would be fine, that her friends were going to fix this and everything would be back to normal tomorrow. She also thought it was nothing but a bad dream. A conjuring of her own mind or a vision Princess Luna was trying to show her. Though if that were the case, the princess of the night would have shown herself by now. Then, theirs the case with Leatherface. Nothing out of the back of Rarity's mind could she imagine such a violent entity.
Spike saw the state his friend was in and exhaled silently through his nostril. He walked over to Rarity without any sudden actions. He didn't want to scare her anymore then she was. He gently sat next to her, close enough to give her a shoulder if she needed it. He grabbed a small lantern from the top of the counter and blew a small fireball inside it. The green light soon made the room a little more bright. Spike set the lantern above the two on the counter. Night soon came, the darkness that clouded the sun soon turned pitch black. The temperature growing colder in the room. The noises of the moans and screams echoing from the valley and mountains stopped. Spike didn't like it. He would rather want noise then have to sit in darkness and possibly be ambushed. He brought up his legs, his knees in his line of sight and his feet out of the dark. He could feel Rarity lean on his shoulder and wrap her arms around his own. He turned his head to see her look of anxiety, on the verge of crying. He didn't know what else to do beside get out of Ponyville and make it to Canterlot where hopefully Twilight and the rest of them were.
"S-Spike..." a soft whisper came from his shoulder. The drake looked and saw Rarity looking up at him with those big sapphire eyes of hers. "Yeah?" Spike whispered back. The mare sniffled and wiped her teary eye. "You think...all of them are safe?", Rarity said trying to hold back more tears. Spike signed and looked out the window. A red moon shining in the sky, casting a maroon color of Equestria. "I...I don't know. I hope they are though." Rarity took that answer as best she could. She hoped and prayed all of them were okay, even more so for her sister who lived in Manehattan. After the effects of today coming over her, she soon fell asleep on Spike's shoulder and the drake soon joined her, his head leaning on hers. Before the two could drift off the sleep, a sudden sound of ripping wood and debris woke thw two from their sleep. Both looked up to see the revenant manticore looking down at them with a hungry and irritated look in its black eyes. It reached in a massive claw inside the building to try and grab Spike and Rarity. The drake blew a stream of green fire at the claw, causing the beast to growl in pain and pull back its hand. The two of them got up and ran toward the front entrance. Spike tried to open the door but the laughing of the manticore could be heard. He looked out the window and found two trees had collapsed in front of the building. Spike cursed to himself and turned his back to the door. Rarity quickly got behind him and the two avoided and ducked after every time the manticore reached into the building for them. It was toying with them.
The manticore ripped the entire roof off the building and gave a demonic laugh. It reached two hands in and grabbed Spike and Rarity. The mare screamed for her life and pounded away at the monsters paw. Spike scratched and blew his fire on the claw of the other hand. The beast snarled and tossed Spike away into a another building. Rarity screamed for him as he flew. She looked back toward the beast and quivered in fear from its presence. Her resistance soon faded and Rarity felt her eyes grow heavy. Her screams soon stopped and her body fell backward on the manticore's paw. The zombie laughed and opened its large maw, moving Rarity toward it slowly. Spike crawled out of the building, holding his bloody side. He looked up as the manticore lifted Rarity to its maw. With a the fear and anger in his voice, he screamed. "RARITY!" Suddenly, a revving chainsaw flew across the sky and slit the manticores wrist. The creature shrieked and released Rarity from its grip. Her body fell from the height into the arms of a waiting Leatherface below. The masked man sprinted toward Spike and gently laid her in front of him. "I'll take care of her, now kill that son of a bitch!" Spike said to Leatherface. He gave a yellow toothed grin and picked up his waiting chainsaw. He walked toward the distracted manticore and with a heavy swing, revved his chainsaw through its ankle. The monster roared in agony and fell forward. Leatherface climbed onto its back and thrusted his tool inside the monsters back and ran with it upward to its neck. The creature roared and gurgled from the blood rushing to its head. After the manticores body went limp, Leatherface walked toward Spike and a unconscious Rarity, blood staining his apron and flannel. The drake had found a new sense of respect for the psychopath. He had saved them twice this day and while protecting their well being. Now all Spike had to do was get the three of them to Canterlot.
Ponyville had been nearly reduced to ruble. Buildings collapsed on one another while others stood with gaping holes in the roofs. The streets were empty, hoof tracks and splatters of blood coated the mud. Bodies of undead and civilians were sometimes around a corner. Crows picked at the rotting corpses, tearing flesh away with their beaks. A dark and cold night had descended upon Equestria. The wind chilled the bone of any one still alive in the village. The air was thick and heavy to breathe because of the smell. The only place untouched by the outbreak was the train station. The remaining residents of Ponyville locked themselves away under the stations basement. The area was cramped, filled with over a hundred ponies in only a basement meant for only a hand full. The air was below freezing and filled with dust. Fillies huddled to their parents for warmth while others tried to hug their bodies. In the midst of the crowd, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, along with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, were sitting on the floor in the corner of the room. The sounds above them, making Fluttershy and Apple Bloom flinch from fear. The undead above were pounding away at the doors and windows of the building. Ripping their hands through the wood and glass. A small filly next to Apple Bloom huddled close to her, clinging to her side as if her life depended on it. Which in this case, it probably did. "M-mommy?" she looked up to Apple Bloom with tears. Her mother looked down at her daughter, wrapping an arm around her. "Yeah sugercube?" Appleseed tightened her grip around her mothers waist. "When will the monsters go away?" Apple Bloom didn't have an answer.
Another loud bang and crash upstairs caused more of the ponies to grow scared. Some gasped and others whimpered, seeing at their inevitable doom. The loud moans and roars of the zombies coming closer to the basement door made the crowd quickly move back further into the basement. The large crowd of ponies tried their best to keep quiet, trying to make it seem like nothing was inside. Then, it sounded as though the door was being hit with large objects. The wood of the wood breaking with each impact. Children sobbed and cried softly in the arms of their parents, some adults closed their eyes and sat in silence. The trauma of the situation already sucked away any negative emotion left. No fear, sadness, or anxiety, they sat with defendant looks. Ready to die to protect their loved ones. As the sound of the door breaking at the top of the stairway echoed through out the basement, the ponies went silent. No breathing, no crying, no whispering, just silence as they heard the zombies begin to make their way down stairs. The shadows of multiple figures limped down the stairs, the dim light of the moon shined through.
The crowd prepared for the worst. Seeing the horde of undead coming down the stairs. Just as the horde was about to emerge from the corner, sounds of flesh being ripped and zombies screaming and moaning in pain made some of the ponies cover their ears. In the shadows of the horde, bodies began to drop one by one and various arms and heads rolled or were even throw down the stair case and hitting the wall in front of the staircase. Large splashes of blood coated the walls, some pouring like a river down the steps. The crowd watched in horror as the undead were slaughtered. The sounds of the massacre spread to the upstairs, the moans and screams of the undead soon stopping. After a few minutes, the traumatized ponies waited and watched as a much large figure began to walk down the stairs. Some of the adults grabbed various wooden planks and broken pipes as weapons. Emerging from the staircase was a tall, cloaked stranger walking down the steps and turning to face the crowd. His black cloak was stained with red. He stood there in silence in front of the crowd until he lifted his arm from the cloak and pointed up the stairs. A adult stallion stepped forward and spoke to him.
"Y-you want us to go up there!?" he said with hesitation. The stranger nodded and lowered his arm. The stallion chuckled, feeling skeptical. "What about the zombies? Huh? You think you killed all of them!?" Again the stranger nodded and the stallions face grew nervous. The stranger turned and started to walk up the stairs, leaving the crowd in the basement. They silently talked with one another, debating what to do. Some wanted to follow the stranger, while others wanted to take their chances in the basement. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy looked at each other for a moment before standing up and started to follow the stranger. Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Appleseed got up as well and followed. They didn't know why they were following, a strange power came over the group as they sat there. Causing them to follow. At the top of the stairs, they saw the mysterious figure walking away from the building, waiting as the train sat at the station. The stranger turned and pointed at the train. Fluttershy was pushed to the front by her friends. She squeaked and gulped before she stepped forward. "D-do you wish to use the t-train sir?" she said hiding behind her mane.
The stranger nodded once. Rainbow Dash nodded as well and gave a loud shout down the staircase. "Hey we need a train conductor up here stat!" From the bottom, a old pony dressed in blue walked up the stairs. He reached the top and cleared his throat. "What can I do you for sonny?" he said with a smile. The stranger pointed with his finger on a map of Equestria. Placing it on a city at the far shore of the continent. The conductor adjusted his glasses as he looked at the location at the map. "You want to go to Manehattan?" he asked. The stranger shakes his head and pointed at the group. The old conductor chuckled. "Oh I see. You want the survivors to go to Manehattan?" The stranger nodded, causing the mares to look at him with wide eyes. Applejack stepped toward him. "Why? Whats in the city?" The stranger reached into his cloak, much to the anxiety of the ponies, and pulled out a large hunting knife. He stabbed the knife into the side of the building and carved a large word. The mares looked at the word in curiosity. Carved with thin lines, the word "safe" was on the building. The mares looked at the word in surprise.
"Your showing us a safe haven." Applejack said to him with a low voice. The stranger nodded once. The conductor chuckled and adjusted his glasses again. "Works for me, I'll let the folks know and we'll get underway." Rainbow Dash spins around to the conductor with a bewildered face. "What?! Just like that?! No questions or anything?" The conductor shrugs and keeps his smile. "I trust him. He reminds me of that Jason fellow from years back. Silent, but honest." The mares sat in silence from the answer the conductor gave them. Fluttershy turned and saw the cloaked stranger looking up at the moon. Silently standing there, the wind blowing his black cloak against his back. Looking as though he was an angle of darkness.
The night was late. The moon was shrouded in purple storm clouds. The roars and growls of the coming storm echoing through the quiet atmosphere of the capital city. The streets were empty, just like in the smaller town below. Though less splatters of red covered the walls and concrete ground. instead broken weapons, windows, and carriages covered the streets. it was as if everyone had left the city in an instant. It was as if Canterlot was a ghost town. But in reality, it was still populated. Below the ground was a secret bunker designed by Celestia in case of disasters. The case of the undead and monster outbreak was no acceptation. If you were to travel through the main throne room, there would be candlesticks next to the throne. If pulled, the throne would shrink in on itself and behind it would reveal a hidden passage. The metal door of the passage was sealed with a assortment of innovative locks. All were hard to crack making it hard for even a master thief or locksmith have trouble getting in. Then, their was the magic barrier. it is still unknown how strong the barrier is, due to no one attempting to challenge it. When the door would open, a large flight of spiral stairs built into the rock of the mountain would take you to an underground shelter. The shelter was deep enough in the mountain that nothing could touch the ponies inside.
The sight was of mass hysteria, doctors and nurses along with royal soldiers and guards walked and ran across the bunker, trying to calm or aid the wounded or scared. A nurse with pink hair and a white coat vastly wrote in multiple notepads using her magic. Though her body was growing immensely tired, she fought against it and continued her job. Nurse Redheart finished with a her writing of a patients missing pony report and she sprinted back toward the guards tent where she handed the report to the captain. He nodded and handed the report to two guards who then would quickly go to work expecting the crowd and the details of the report. The report they were holding was from one of the injured nurses of the above ground hospital. The report told to find a filly with a light pink dress and dark blue coat with violet mane. One of the guards felt his heart in his throat upon reading it. He knew the child and departed from his partner to sprint across the massive, noisy crowd to find the child's mother.
In a tent for the royalties on the other side of the complex, Princess Celestia, Luna, and Twilight along with half her friends sat in silence as they thought about what to do. Their was a sense of tension of the matter of the entire population of Canerlot being underground and the fact of how to stop the outbreak above. Twilight out of the rest was the most terrified and worried. her hands were shaking, sweat dripped from her head, and her eyes were red from crying so much. Pinkie Pie and Trixie tried her best to help her friend smile but even she was having trouble keeping a good mood. Suddenly, the sounds of clanking armor caught the ears of everyone. The guard burst through the tent entrance, panting and sweating in his helmet. "Your majesty!" he said toward Twilight. The purple alicorn quickly stood and approached. "Yes? Whats the matter?" The guard wanted to shout what was wrong but his breathing was making it difficult. "I-its Dawn! She i-isn't here!" Everyone looked toward the guard with wide eyes and their pupils shrunk to pinpricks. Twilight felt another meltdown engulf her mind and her legs became uneasy. Pinkie quickly held her and as she started to slowly fall to her knees. Celestia and then Luna stepped forward. "When was the report made?" Celestia asked, her own deep emotions starting to build. The guard took off his helmet and wiped his brow. "Just now. Her teacher said she was lost in the infirmary above." Luna suddenly took a stomp forward, fire in her eyes. "We have to go and get her! I'll be damned if I leave her out there with monsters!" Celestia wanted to agree, she wanted to save the child just as much as her sister for Twilights sake. Unfortunately greater objectives had to be put first. "I'm sorry...but we cant now." Her sister gave a scowl toward her and clenched her fists. "Why not!? That is a precious life out there Celestia! We cant just-!" The older alicorn slammed her palm on the table with force, everyone in the tent growing silent. "Luna we don't have a choice. i want to save Dawn just as much as you! But right now we have more than a thousand ponies inside this bunker. We don't have the means to go outside." Luna turns away and leans on the table.
Back at the front entrance to the bunker, two guards watched the large population with hawk eyes. Even though all of them were in the same boat of misery, you never know when some passengers will cause trouble. Already arrests were made for thieving medicine, food, and supplies. Though they didn't want to arrest them for only trying to help their families, it was for the better to make sure enough was for everyone. Then, a sudden rumble was felt. A small quake under their hooves caused the two guards to look at each other with worry. The heavy stomps on the ground soon caught the attention of the crowd near the entrance. "W-whats that?" a mare asked. The coughed into his fist and addressed the front ponies. "Nothing to worry about, just some minor earthquakes." Another heavy stomp but this time closer. The other guard looked toward the door and leaned in to put his ear to it. Another stomp. The guard gasped and back stepped toward the crowd, drawing his sword from its sheath. "T-that's no earthquake!" The ponies near the entrance gasped and quickly stood up. The stomps grew more and more closer toward the metal door to the bunker. The ponies started to stand from the concrete ground, causing the crowd to grow more. The heavy steps could be heard and felt from the other side of the bunker now. The screaming then started.
"They found us!"
"Were trapped! Theirs no way out!"
"Harmony help us, this is the end!"
The heavy steps reached the door and then stomped. Silence then grew through out the bunker. The princesses flew over the population and landed in front. Weapons and armor equipped. The guards stood by their side, ready to give a last line of defense for the citizens. Moments passed before something happened no one expected. A small knock echoed on the door. The guards raised eyebrows and some looked at each other. The princesses didn't break their bearing. They kept a hard disciplined stance as they watched the door. "Who is there?" said Celestia. No answer for a few moments but then some one called back. "Auntie Tia? Is that you?" Nearly all of the guards dropped their weapons and some fell to their knees giving heavy sighs. Celestia, Luna, and Twilight felt their hearts stop for a few moments before they were snapped back into reality. However, they knew better. "If that's you Dawn, what did your mother give you for your fourth birthday?" A few moments of silence passed before she answered. "Mommy gave me a teddy bear for my birthday." That was enough proof. Twilight jumped up and sprinted toward the door. Unlocking it grunting as she opened the door. Standing at the bottom step was a dirty, smiling filly. Dawn didn't get to say a word before she was swept up in her mothers arm and hugged tightly.
As the two had their heartwarming reunion. Celestia and Luna looked at each other for a moment and nodded. The older alicorn then stood next to Twilight and Dawn. "Dawn, who brought you here?" The child pointed toward the darkness behind the door. her eyes widened and she called out. "its okay! Their not mad at you!" Everyone looked at each other for moment. Cautious of what the child was talking to. Then, the stomping started again. The guards got up with weapons in hand and pointed them forward. The same thing happened for the princesses. But Twilight held her daughter tightly as she backed up slightly. A large monstrous foot came from the darkness and two clawed hands grabbed the frame. Citizens in the back screamed and ran away from the scene. Crowding in the back of the bunker. Finally, the last thing to emerge from the dark was the body of the monster. Its white emotionless eyes starring at everyone. The guards pointed their weapons forward and the princesses readied their magic. "You...you dare use my niece for your own personal-!"
"Stop!"
All looked and saw Dawn fly out of her mothers hands and land in front of Pumpkinhead. Spreading her arms out in defense of it. All starred in shock, even Pumpkinhead did the same. "He's is my friend! He saved me from the monsters!" Everyone gave skeptical looks, everyone except for the princesses. They were hard on exterminating the monster. But with the child in the way, they had to stand down. Celestia ordered the guards to lower their weapons and Dawn gave a wide smile. She then went toward Pumpkinhead and grabbed his finger with both hands, pulling him toward the crowd. "Come on! Its okay!" The beast had to admit, he was very outnumbered in this small encampment. He did as the child said without showing sign of aggression, though as much as he wanted revenge against the blue alicorn for what she did. The ponies let a path form for the two as Dawn pulled Pumpkinhead inside. The guards sealed the door again and the population, upon seeing the princess with the monster and how kind she was to it made them feel...slightly less terrified. Dawn reached the middle of the complex and climbed onto the monsters head. she then raised her hands high and shouted. "Everyone! Meet my friend! Mister P!"
"This is not a good idea." Twilight sat and watched as the demon that attacked her and her friends in the Everfree Forest, play with her daughter as if they were best friends. Dawn and climbed and slid down the demons tail like a slide. Meanwhile it sat on its hinge legs and seemed to be starring into space. The demon would occasionally look at the filly climbing on him but return to the same expressionless look in its blank eyes. The little filly climbed onto of the demon once more. This time into his head and sitting on top of him. Twilight felt a lump form in her throat as she observed from the tent. She felt like the demon would lose its patience with the five year old at anytime. Then, it reached with its large scaly hand and scratched the cheek of the filly on its head. A small giggle coming from her.
"He's surprisingly good with her." said a sudden voice behind Twilight. The purple alicorn turned her body slightly and saw the form of her mentor Princess Celestia smiling at her. Twilight exhaled deeply and leaned against the wall of the tent. She rubbed her eyes with both her hands, an obvious look of concern on her face and the tone in her voice. Celestia took a few steps forward and sat across from her pupil in a chair. Twilight took another look outside the tent and saw the demon listening to her daughter with such patience it could put a royal guard to shame. "This...thing! It scares me seeing it with her." Twilight said rubbing her arm. Celestia sighed.
"Twilight, aren't you the one who inspires friendship in everyone?"
"Yes but-"
"Then this is another time to inspire friendship and...forgiveness in another soul." Celestia silently sighed, remembering the casket her guard brought in of what remained of the soldier that was killed by the demon. "We can not afford conflict with this...Pumpkinhead for now. Now we must learn to co-exist with him until this conflict is resolved. Then a trial will be made to decide his fate."
As much as Twilight didn't want to wait. Her mentor was right. She had a role as the princess of friendship to fulfill. Twilight took in a deep breathe, sucking down all bitter emotions she was feeling and swallowed hard. With a fresh new attitude, Twilight walked out of the tent and made her way toward the demon and Dawn. The creature heard her steps and snapped its head toward her. Twilight felt her hooves freeze looking into the pitch white eyes of the monster. They stood there, starring at each other for what seemed like minutes until the little girl on top of the demons head tapped his cheek.
Pumpkinhead looked up slightly. Dawn smiled down at the demon and spoke in her cute little tone. "She's my mommy! Its okay!" The demon moved his head back down and looked at Twilight. He remembered her very well. The one that teamed up with the purple alicorn and nearly killed him and his summoner. In his mind, Pumpkinhead still held a grudge but for his summoners sake he would put it behind him. The demon scooted over from his spot. Twilight gulped and without making any sudden movement, she gently next to the demon.
The tension between the two could be felt by anyone that passed by. They sat in silence next to each other for some time until Dawn slid down Pumpkinhead's tail once more and skipped in front of the two. Starring up at them with a wide smile. Twilight returned the smile with her own while Pumpkinhead just starred down at her and cocked his head. Dawn giggled and wrapped her arms around her mothers and the demons legs. Twilight rubbed her head, adoring the sight and the demon watched in silence for a moment.
He looked out of the corner of his eye and studied the emotions he was sensing from the two and the actions that were being commenced. He was knew to this sort of thing and didn't know how to react to it. All the demon could think of is lifting his large long arm, much to Twilight's dismay, and patted the child's head. She let out a small cute giggle and looked up at the demon. Suddenly, it felt as thought a lantern had been lit inside a deep dark cave. The explorer holding it wondering through the cave looking for a way out. Pumpkinhead gulped and a heavy beat in his heart caused him to grunt and rub his upper chest.
The two ponies looked at him in silence. Dawn let go of her mothers leg and stood in front of the demon. Her fingers intertwining and rubbing against each other as her puppy dog like eyes laid upon him. "Are you okay?" she asked in a worried tone. Pumpkinhead looked at his summoner, he wanted to say everything was alright but due to the language barrier he couldn't. The only thing he could do is raise his hand and rub her head, earning a small smile from her cute little face. Twilight couldn't help but smile a little at the scene, even though she didn't like the demon next to her, she had to admit he was so good with Dawn. Acting more like a fatherly figure then a blood thirsty creature. Twilight spotted out of the corner of her eye the disgusted or terrified stares of the citizens toward them. The looks of those who think he is an infiltrator or maybe controlling the princess. The figures of ponies moving around the bunkers plaza and the little shelter neighborhood come out of their homes. A total of five formed down the path, holding different weapons in each hand. Pipes, two-by-four wooden planks, and shanks carved from spare metal. As the few started to act causal while walking down the path, Pumpkinhead could feel the emotions and evil motive behind them. His instincts wanted to come over and rip the five to pieces but with his summoner and newly gained alliance next to him, he couldn't risk it. He looked out of the corner of his eye and saw Twilight turning her head and seeing the group as they stopped only a few feet in front of them.
One of the ponies, a unicorn stepped forward and pointed a pipe toward the demon. "Princess...sorry about this...but this freak is just inside here to tell those other freaks where we are! For all we know its just a spy for them! Taking over your daughters mind to get to us!" Twilight pulled herself up and raised her hands in self defense. "Please. Why don't we all calm down. Pumpkinhead...isn't our enemy." The demon's eyes widened at the alicorns words about him. Another one of the group approached with a much more aggressive tone. "Cut the crap! His kind killed my damn wife!" He pointed a rusty pipe toward the demon and grinded his teeth. "I saw screw what the princesses say! This is war man! This fucker dies tonight!" The aggressor charges with the pipe and Pumpkinhead springs to his feet, swinging his heavy hand back and knocking the weapon out of his hand. The pipe sliding across the floor and kitting the hooves of Princess Celestia, who, watched the scene with lump in her throat as she and a large crowd saw the demon grab the hand of the stallion as he tried to swing. A tension grew in the crowd, everyone expected the worst. Dawn clanged to her mom as she watched in silence. Pumpkinhead looked over his shoulder toward the filly and gave a sickening attempt of smile. She smiled back at him and her grip on her mother loosened. The demon then looked back at the pony and released his hand. He looked at his hand in shock and fell onto his rear. The demon then took in a breathe and shocked the crowd even more.
[Canterlot Express Train. Estimated Time of Arrival: 30 minutes]
The eerie silence of the passengers was all that could be heard inside the cart. The remaining population of Ponyville plus two unknown strangers were on the way toward a capital city they didn't know whether it was already hit or not. The old conductor had been trying to contact the station in the city for almost an hour now, ever since they departed from station. All that came from the radio was static. The conductor rubbed his temple in frustration and slumped in his chair. He cursed under his breathe and began mumbling to himself as he tried to radio Canterlot once more.
"Canterlot station this is train number six, requesting stopping at any open railways, do you copy?" No response once again. He grunted and slammed his fist on the old metal of the radio. The conductor stood on his hooves and walked out of his station, imminently turning to his right and stepping toward the odd bunch on the train. The cloaked stranger from before leaned against the booth, starring into space it seemed. Meanwhile, three of the element barriers, their dragon friend, three other ponies with a filly in her mothers lap, and lastly the strange hefty stranger with a weapon on his back. The conductor smiled, it wasnt the weirdest thing he'd ever seen from his time living in Ponyville or even going up to Canterlot. They all were talking with each other, acting as though the zombie attack from before never happened. The white mare with a purple mane was holding up a sigh with syllables and small words on them, pointed toward the burly stranger. He looked long and hard at the white board and with a deep and grumbled voice, attempted to speak the syllables and words listed. His attempt was good but the voice he spoke with gave the conductor a small chill. It was deep, a sense of malice with what he spoke. However his attempt proved good because the white mare nodded happily and gave him a confident pat on his knee. The burly stranger smiled under his 'mask'.
Moving on, the conductors eyes moved over to the other five mares chatting but they seemed more worried about the situation going on at the moment. One of them, a baby blue coat with a rainbow mane spoke with confidence. Talking about the cloaked stranger across from the group. She spoke highly of him, saying he was a 'trump card' for the group. Some of the mares looked at each with skeptical looks. One of them spoke up, a younger mare with a red mane and cream coat. A red matching bow tie in her and her fillies hair. She said the group shouldn't take advantage of the strangers kindness toward them. She said he might leave them by the time they get to the train station. The five other mares went silent and sat with each others thoughts. The conductor exhaled a little through his nose. His happy expression turning down. He looked back at the cloaked stranger, his arms were free of his cloak and in his hands was a small stuffed animal. A bear from the looks of it. Patches of its body was covered in small cloths, meaning it had seen wear and tear. The conductor wondered how long he had the bear and why he carried it around. Then, the small voice of the filly in the red headed mares lap caught the groups attention.
"He wont leave us! He's our friend ain't he?"
Her mother looked down at her with a unknowing look. "Darlin', if we take advantage of him, he'll leave us." The little filly then looked up toward her mother and gave the most sadden eyes the conductor had ever seen. She then spoke of something that caught everyone's attention. "Like how daddy did?" The cloaked stranger's head suddenly looked up toward the group. Everyone frozen and starring at the young mother. Her sister from how she reacted toward the comment stood on her hooves. Her tone both of shock and anger. "He didn't...Applebloom....Apple Pie left you two!?" Applebloom kept her head down, her eyes closed trying not to shed a tear from the hurtful memory. From the way she was acting, it had happened long ago. Maybe when the child was younger. The older sister took off her hat and rubbed her head, walking out into the hall.
"I cant believe this...that boy was straight to the core! How in the hell could he..."
"Applejack please. Its fine. It happened years ago."
Applebloom's fatal attempt at trying to calm her sister down failed miserably as she heard how long ago it had been. Applejack's eyes widened with a narrow to go along with it. The conductor sighed and stepped aside from the booth, holding his hands together and looking down.
"And you didn't have the foggiest idea to tell me or Big Mac? We would've dragged his tail back to you!"
"You and I both know you would've done more then that."
"Darn tootin'! I swear if I see that little weasel again!"
The cloaked stranger suddenly stomped his foot. The ground shaking from the tremor. They looked toward the stranger, seeing past his eyes dark hood and seeing the crimson red irises inside. He pointed toward the weeping filly in her mothers lap and Applebloom wrapped her in a hug, repeating she was sorry over and over again. Applejack rubbed her neck and placed her hat back on her head. Everyone sat in silence, even the burly stranger in the corner of the booth gave a lip quiver toward the crying filly. The conductor watched as the cloaked stranger got up from his post and walked over toward the filly. He slowly downed himself on one knee and looked her in the eyes. Raising his hand and wiping away any tear on her cheek. He then raised the teddy bear in his hand and held it out for her. She looked at the stuffed toy for a moment before taking it and hugging it tightly for comfort. He then looked toward Rarity and held his hand out for the white board and marker in her hands. She handed him the materials and he started to write on the board. After a few seconds, he placed the cap back on and held it up for all of them to see. The conductor smiled with glee upon reading the message.
