The silent dark broke when some pony coughed And shattered their most fragile peace of mind. They thought they were safe; then... some pony coughed.
‘Who coughed?’ asked Twilight, knowing she must find ‘Fore the foul infection spread to them all.
With a small spark, her horn, brought light to dark. She shuddered at their sight; at their cruel fall; At failures so stark they did brand their mark. Through twitching eyes and lips she did repeat. Dull, sunken eyes bereft of joy and hope And all that was sweet, on her did entreat. ‘This blight is serious; not cleansed by soap...’,
Eyes jolted every which way but at her, ‘Don’t make me the bad guy; you know; like I; This plague is contagious; it has no cure; Once symptoms show; the bearer has to die; And time is of the essence; time flies by-’
‘We get it Twilight... we all go bye bye.’ Then Pinkie started a dark lullaby, Which did naught for their woe but amplify.
We’re shadows fading into night, We danced, when sun was high, Now shudder at the falling light. Where did it go awry? Soon all that we know will be gone; Come shadows; sing along; Why bother to e’en carry on? When nothing matters, not e’en this song.
So giggle at life’s greatest joke, A little tee-hee-ha The egg’s broke; on us is the yoke, A little tee-hee-ha Come my friends, laugh along with me, A tiddle-iddle-ee
If t’were more words then laughter ate them whole, As Pinkie tightly clasped her bag of flour.
Twi saw the pressure’s toll; wished to console, But ‘twas no time, they’d be deceased within the hour.
‘Girls, we have to -’ / ‘What does it matter, Twilight!’ Snapped Rainbow Dash who cradled Fluttershy, Who squeaked, ‘If we wait, it might be... alright... Perhaps it’s just some pony’s throat is dry?’
‘O Fluttershy if only that were so -’ Said Twilight with all the care she could muster.
‘I have had it! Some pony here must know!’ Roared Rarity who rose with raging bluster, ‘How can you be so selfish? You must go!’
‘Hold on there sugarcube, let’s not be rash.’
‘Twi, you’re a Princess, why can’t you do something?’
‘Hush Applejack -’ / ‘There’s no time to rehash -’
‘We’re shadows fading -’ / ‘Not another word!’
‘Leave her be, she’s not harming anyone.’
Each in turn slashed with fears, each more absurd, Regarding what they had or had not done.
‘Twas Fluttershy alone who did not speak, She merely watched her friends; tears in her eyes, Remembering how the week turned so bleak. All the coughing, screaming, mournful cries... They were the Elements of Harmony.
Equestria was saved by them before; So many times, they had quelled disharmony. When the cough started, they were so... so sure They would save the day... surely destined to But like the browning leaves their hope did fall.
The cough was different; it was something new. It bested magic, medicine, them all. The Princesses, one by one fell to it; Poor Cadence died in a foul coughing fit; The Crystal Empire shattered with her loss. Celestia in fearful hope burned bright The sun and set aflame each plant; e’en moss. Some slower ponys were lost to her light, The others safe behind the castle’s wall.
But such sights are not easily forgot, Nor is Celestia bent; forced to crawl, And coughing... coughing... coughing... a whole lot.
‘Twas Luna, who did end her misery, And in des’prate breath she brought back the Nightmare, Who with unbridled fury, bitterly Cast every spell whilst screaming, ‘Tis unfair!’ As each in turn failed; spurning her e’en more. ‘Twas few pleased when they needed Nightmare Moon But less still when she fled for the Moon’s shore, Which left the moon and sun cross the sky strewn.
Discord too had fled to his pocket home, Unable to click the foul cough away, ‘The cough’s too ordered, chaos needs to roam’. All Fluttershy’s sad pleading could not sway.
Twi had sent Starlight trav’ling to the past But nothing changed; not like they would e’en know.
They did not e’en know if they were the last. ‘Twas mayhem; all not knowing where to go. Poor little Spike was trampled as all fled, When the girls next saw him, he was red... dead.
The visions faded but her friends still fought. Torn, bruised and ragged were their pale, gaunt forms... ‘Tis not what Harmony’s Elements taught...
Should not their friendship weather all life’s storms. E’en if she wished, she’d not the strength to fight; It hurt to breathe; to think; to merely be. But worse than their plight was this horrid sight.
It’d get e’er worse... ‘twas nowhere left to flee. They were all guilty; she alone could see... This was it... this was all they would e’er be. Who had coughed? For all she knew it was she.
Events of this room her mind could not see. Just shadows in the night, who will ne’er see. Unless she told them; she forced them to see.
‘It was me,’ Silence fell o’er every pony, ‘It was me. I’m so sorry... it was me.’
‘O Fluttershy, no; its some other pony.’
‘Hold on there Rainbow, she’d know if ‘twas she, Don’t bully her out her her bravery.’
‘Who should do the deed?’ / ‘Tiddle-iddle-ee.’
‘Have some tact Rarity.’ / ‘Guys you can’t; please! It’s Fluttershy; look at me; look at me!’ Cried Rainbow turning on them viciously.
Twi sighed out, ‘We all know who it should be.’
‘Who!’ / ‘’Tis you Rainbow, it has to be you.’
‘No!’ / ‘Ask yourself, which of us, if not you? You’d stop any pony else who tried. Your head might know but your heart would stop you. She is your filly-friend, you must decide.’
‘No!’ / Twilight reared up, ‘It has to be you!’
‘It’s alright Rainbow... you know what to do.’
‘No,’ Rainbow Dash moaned, swallowing her pain And hiding her tear strained face ‘hind her mane.
‘If I may,’ Rarity cooed as she rose And held aloft a clothe, ‘I don’t suppose...’ She bit her lip then mumbled, ‘If you wear This Fluttershy, it’ll help us all to bear.’
‘Of course,’ responded the kind Pegasus, Who blindfolded herself without a fuss.
They both embraced as Rainbow’s eyes glazed o’er, Whilst she thought, they could not get any lower.
Then one by one, as they had often done, They joined together, this is what they sung.
Applejack - ‘Tis the end of another sun, Your pain will soon be done Your treacle sweetened everyone, O hun, you made life fun.
Fly Fluttershy, fly to the sky. I’m so glad, I knew you.
Rarity - Fly Fluttershy, fly to the sky. I’m so glad, I knew you.
You modelled kindness with such grace And fashioned us like lace, You’re going to a better place, With love that’ll ne’er erase.
Applejack/Rarity - Fly Fluttershy, fly to the sky. I’m so glad, I knew you.
Twilight - Fly Fluttershy, fly to the sky. I’m so glad, I knew you.
I don’t know how to say goodbye, I’m sorry, Fluttershy. Your kindness, often made me cry, With joy, I can’t defy.
Applyjack/Rarity/Twilight - Fly Fluttershy, fly to the sky. I’m so glad, I knew you.
Pinkie - Fly Fluttershy, fly to the sky. I’m so glad, I knew you.
Poor little shadow, all’s alright, Despite our wicked plight; You’re Fluttershy; You’re kindess light. You’re daylight, moonlight, starlight, twilight; Me-lite, you-lite, her-lite, her-lite, her-lite, her-lite, Wait!... That would make you Twilight-lite... Alright So...right... alight bedight with bright insight; Polite, delight; finite... we’re nearing midnight... So take light flight, bright white knight, like a kite; No fright; all’s alright; it’s been a delight; We’re merely shadows fading into night.
Applejack/Rarity/Twilight/Pinkie - What can we say that’s not been said? What’ll we do when you’re dead, E’en now you bravely face your dread. I wish ‘twas me instead, Because of you our friendship grew, We’re so glad we knew you.
Poor Rainbow did not sing, she merely watched, Preparing for the deed that can’t be botched. The cloth o’er Fluttershy’s eyes had grown moist And grew more so as her last wish, she voiced.
‘When you can, bury me beneath a tree. There’s many in the forest Everfree. But any tree... wild... free is good for me. For you know well, I’ve longed to be a tree, And now; in death, I’ll get my dream; be happy. But ‘fore the deed is done and I go... ‘sleepy’... Let me just say to everyone, I’m sorry, And hopefully you will remember me, And come and visit me when I am a tree... Now Rainbow Dash; strike fast and do your dee-!’
TWACK! Twilight cut the light but ‘twas too late To spare the sight of Fluttershy’s sad fate.
CRACK! Nor did darkness spare them from the sound Of muscular hooves on flesh, pound by pound. The horrifying sound made worse by laughter And sudden screaming when hit by warm splatter. The laboured breathing signified the end. As did the strong scent, of their former friend.
No words were shared in the dark; silence reigned. Fear of the situation drained; restrained. The silent dark took everything away, Though none were sure why, all wished here to stay. Safe little shadows fading into night. Where they could at last rest; give up the fight.
Believe all was alright...
Give everything to night...
Give up the futile fight... Alright, alright ... alright ... all was not alright. HACK! Silent dark broke, shattering their peace, All reaching the conclusion, it’ll ne’er cease. The nightmare of the cough would ne’er be done Till it had taken each .... and ... every ... one.
Still they sat... Silent... Still... perhaps they thought, It was naught; merely their minds... taut... distraught.
The silent darkness stretched eternally, As fear scratched at their souls, infernally. Like balloons being twisted till they burst, And of them all, poor Rainbow, had it worst.
Her mind unable to forget her hooves, Which she feared were now homicidal hooves. What if the Cougher had coughed the first time And Fluttershy died for another’s crime? She grit her teeth at such a horrid thought, Which tore through her mind like a juggernaunt. Till with her mighty wings she rose aloft And cried, ‘Who was it? Which of you just coughed?’ But in her haste she swept up Pinkie’s bag Of flour, which caused them to cough and gag.
The room became cacophanous quite swift, Where the room, like those twisted balloons - burst. Each hoove that swung; each spell cast; grew their rift. Each second past, replaced the last, as ‘worst’.
Coarse, laboured hooves entwined with manicured, Whilst the air thundered with fierce raging wings. Still the binds of their friendship fought; laboured To help remind them how good friendship sings; To reach their Element of Harmony But such things rarely are heard in a fight, Which feeds and grows great on disharmony; Convincing everyone that they are right. Through all the furious storm Pinkie sat, Unseen; unmoving; one with the abyss. Whilst all the others traded tit for tat She listened to the Dark’s most blissful hiss.
There was a sudden crack as Twilight screamed, And all the fighters were seized by her spell.
‘Stop! Lest we fall too far to be redeemed; We must stop; Can’t you hear the tolling knell?’
‘Just finish us off Twilight; do it quick; We’re all aware it’s what you want to do!’ Spat Rainbow, ‘So we don’t find out you’re sick!’
Twi’s eyes flared purple; Rainbow turned more blue. ‘Is that what you think? Is that what you think!'
A.J and Rarity cried out in pain, As they both struggled to find the spell's chink.
‘How can you think that Rainbow... that’s insane.’ Hoarse gasping is what she got in reply. She stared at Rainbow’s bulging; bloodshot eyes; At her reflection, ‘I’m not the bad guy...’ The spell dissolved, ‘I’m very sorry guys.’
Not e’en a moment passed ‘fore she was struck. ‘Do that again and you had best kill me. Now, stay down Twilight, don’t push your luck. Just keep that light a burning; help us see. Now, first things first, we need to know who’s sick -’
‘That should be obvious,’ hissed Rarity, Whose eyes and horn sparked, ‘I see through your trick, Who could not see through such temerity?’
‘I ain’t sick Rarity,’ / ‘Can you prove it?’
‘No pony can prove it -’ / ‘I think I can, But all would have to willing submit To a spell I’ve just finished.’ / ‘O great plan,' Stabbed Rainbow, ‘How dumb do you think we are?’
‘I don’t -’ / ‘So it’s just a convenient spell That only you can cast that seems... bizarre.’
‘We have to stop returning to fear’s well, It’s poisoning us; tearing us apart!’
‘I’ve had enough of listening to you!’ She pounced at Twilight aiming for her heart. ‘I hate you! We’re all dead because of you!’
Thick darkness swallowed the room as they fought, Disguising those amongst them who then coughed. ’It’s you!’ became the shrieking of the caught.
A soggy squelch then made all voices soft, Which allowed them to hear another sound, That serpent-like, entwined around their hearts And constricted till their hearts could not pound. A sound that never ends but always starts.
‘What was that Applejack?’ / ‘I don’t know.’
‘Twi, turn on the light.’ / ‘Rainbow, you alright?’
‘Twas no reply... just their own growing woe, Which weighed on their minds, all was not alright. They wrapped each other; falling into one.
‘I’m sorry for all that I said -’ / ‘Me to.’
‘O Applejack... what are we to do?’ / ‘It’s done, But I’ll say this... I’m glad that I knew you’.
The sharp unnerving giggle was shared twixt But swiftly scuttled into silent stillness. Then just as swift a moan held them transfixed. They held their breathe and stared at silent stillness.
‘Tis oft’ said there’s no words worse than if only, For it doth question everything; if only, Ne’er ending spiral of one’s fears; if only, Where dark fears are all that one hears; if only,
In their minds fear did slowly drip... drip... drip. Down to insanity they did slip... slip... slip
A.J and Rarity both once more giggled, ‘Twas nothing they agreed, but their minds niggled. One started but stopped, then the other tried. They knew this silence they could not abide, But every topic seemed unsuitable, The silent dark’s rule undisputable. ‘Say something Appplejack.’ ‘Alright, say something.’ ‘That’s not what I meant.’ ‘I know.’ ‘Then say something.’
‘What happened to your sister?’ / ‘Don’t ask that. Ask something else.’ / ‘How old was she?’ / ‘Too young.’ ‘How did she -?’ / ‘I no longer want to chat.’ ‘Do you know if my sister was with her?’ ‘I’ve no idea; my memory’s a blur.’
Regret and guilt drew forth tears from A.J, ‘I should know, I’m her sister... I should know. I failed her Rarity, I failed, I -’ / ‘Hey, That’s quite enough of that. Just let it go.’ ‘You can’t mean that -’ / ‘What do you think I mean?’
‘Poor Sweetie Belle, some pony has to grieve -’
‘I assure you, I grieve; I’m not obscene. If I could, I would untangle this foul weave, But I can’t Applejack! I simply can’t, And I know if I think ‘bout it, I’ll die. What’s keeping me alive; already scant, And if I think of her, I’ll want to die.’
She pulled away from Applejack and sobbed.
‘I’m sorry Rarity, I did not think -’
‘That’s perfectly clear!’ Appplejack then sobbed, ‘I’m sorry Rarity, I did not think.’
The sobbing, was left bobbing, in the dark. What had happened to their sisters? What dark paths Befell these Crusaders of Cutie Mark?
So in the dark their minds took different paths. A.J’s went crusading with Applebloom, Whilst Rarity’s tried it’s best, not to move. In their own ways both paths led them to gloom. Both hoping soon that something would improve.
‘My horn,’ moaned the dark, ‘My wings,’ it replied. ‘Don’t listen.’ Country said, as Glamour cried.
They would not have to listen to those sounds, For they were soon replaced by far worse sounds.
‘This little pony went to market, - Twack! This little pony stayed home, - Crack! This little pony had roast beets - Crack! This little pony had none - Twack! These little ponies tiddle-iddle-ee - Thud! Crud!’
A.J and Rarity both held their breath, As they both felt round blindly for the other. The only thought on their minds now was death. Then there was a cough followed by another.
There was a squelching, scampering sound then, Reminding them of balloons being twisted. Then Pinkie giggled counting down from ten, An ominous sound that grew e’er more twisted.
Success! A.J and Rarity’s hooves met,
ONE! Rarity pierced the dark with her scream.
‘I’ll help you little shadow, do not fret, Once you join the night, all will be a dream.’
‘She’s not sick Pinkie! Just leave her alone.’ A.J shoved Pinkie as the Darkness coughed.
‘Looks like this little pony’s all alone.’ Said Pinkie as again the Darkness coughed.
‘You’re the one whose sick Pinkie.’/ ‘Guess again.’ A.J swung blind hooves as the Darkness coughed. Again; again; again; she swung again. And tripped o’er Rarity’s form, which then... coughed.
The silent darkness swallowed the fresh sobs, Most greedily; how it adored fresh sobs. But stock from this lone pony were soon gone, All that was left, was rotting wobegone.
Adjusting her hat she roze to her feet, And used the wall to guide her to the door. Each step sure; the next would bring her defeat. Each step wore; tore; accumulated gore.
She seized the handle, twisting; pushing out; But Pinkie’s shaking voice made her turn ‘bout’.
‘Don’t leave me Applejack... I’ll be alone.’
‘Perhaps it’s better that you are alone.’
She turned to go when Pinkie scrambled out, ‘No Applejack; you’ll die! I have no doubt.’
The light from the celestial messed sky, Revealed her twisted pink form to the eye. Her face was clown-like with a mask of flour, With scarlet globules and a smile most sour. Her head jerked as the dark hissed in her ear.
‘We’re shadows Applejack, we can’t leave here.’
A.J saw the red dripping rolling pin, And how tight Pinkie held that false grin. As she looked to the door, the pin was raised, She turned back, showing no signs she was fazed.
‘I ne’er bought into fancy poetry, It seemed dishonest, like a dressed up tree. So I won’t sugarcoat it; not a lick. We were all infected; we are all sick. Coughs were the red sky of our setting sun. Naught could be done; naught was done; we’re just done,’ She hugged her cousin, ‘I can’t stay in here.’
Through their embrace A.J felt Pinkie’s fear.
‘But we’re just shadows fading into night.’
‘We’re apples Pinkie, we are owned by the light.’
She shuddered as the cough exploded out.
‘Don’t make me die here Pinkie, let me out. This rotting apple needs to see the sky, Without it how can this earth pony fly?’
A coughing, shuddering mass they became. Each different from the other; each the same.
‘We’re apples fore’er Pinkie, you and I. We stick together; one die, orchard die.’
They coughed together, slumping to the floor.
‘O Applejack, there’s no more. We’re done for. I’ve done such evil things and then some more!’
‘I know you. You’re an apple, to the core.’
As the pin dropped, the dark let out a roar.
‘Come Applejack, the lights just out this door.’
They helped each other; fam’ly and yet more. They both collapsed as they passed through the door. Unable to stand, coughing in the dirt. They both then started laughing, through the hurt.
‘Guess we’re the apples that don’t fall far.’
‘We’ve fallen far enough, see that there star.’
‘Yeah... pretty... pink, like me." / ’‘Yeah... just like you, Pink Lady Pinkie, a star just for you. It is surrounded by dark but it glows.’
‘You need a star to,’ Pinkie coughed in throes. A.J smiled, ‘You don’t have to -’ / ‘There! See it?’
She followed Pinkie’s hoof to a small slit.
‘It’s simply perfect, you have to admit.’
A.J hid her sigh ‘hind another cough, ‘What was that? I could not hear ‘hind the cough.’
‘It’s just...’ she sighed, mad at herself, ‘a slit?’
‘You mean, a Golden Nugget that won’t quit.’
A.J wept as they shared a coughing smile. And thus they stayed for what seemed quite a while, But really was just a few minutes more, When the waves of the cough took them ashore.
All of Equestria was silent... dark And thus remained until there was a spark.