//------------------------------// // Pressure // Story: Dancing with the Devil // by Nathaniel Fray //------------------------------// Chapter 1: Pressure -Time to wake up, Nathaniel…- The soothing voice echoed inside my skull, waking me up from my anxious sleep. I opened my bleary eyes, but the intense lightning of the room forced me to close them as soon as the white blaze flashed my pupils. Unable to catch a glimpse of my surroundings, I laid down, feeling the warm sheets covering my naked chest, my neck resting on the comfy and fluffy pillow… a regular Sunday morning I thought… but then I remembered the horrible images from few hours later… and, what the hell, I never sleep with the lights on. I nervously palpated my right arm, but aside from a hard spot on the elbow, I didn't feel anything remarkably painful. My eyes finally got used to the intense light. I grasped the thin, white sheets and carefully moved them aside. My black knickers were the only clothes I had on. Any bruises or cuts anyone would expect to have after receiving such a beating weren't there; I simply looked like I just had a long, relaxing shower. Unable to find a rational explanation, I stood up. My eyes quickly focused on the only element that wasn't painted in white: A full-body mirror, with clean glass and an antique touch in its decoration. I could see myself on its surface: uncombed hair and a tired shine in my eyes… typical after sleep issues… but still, I found myself walking towards it. My "me" inside the mirror placed his hand on the glass the same moment as I, but something wasn't right with him: something red was painted on his chest. I looked down instantly, staring with curiosity at the discovery: slightly below the upper left part of my ribcage, a menacing and strange word blazed with bloody red, just like the weird pentagram I had seen back in my home. I looked upwards again; half-expecting to see my reflection going all creepy, but it was just my imagination… blue sparkles now? Am I going crazy? I turned around swiftly, staring at the emptiness of the room with distrust; those sparkles weren't product of my hazed mind. I was about to take a step forwards, when something pushed me back. A shudder crossed my body when my naked back leaned on the cold glass of the mirror. -So… perfect…- A female voice whispered next to my ear, the sudden proximity of the stalker startled me, but the voice didn't sound hostile. My eyes widened in surprise as a blue unicorn appeared from nowhere, resting her front hoof in one of my shoulders, and nuzzling my cheek with the other. Her lips were curved in a smirk, and she stared at me with uncomfortable desire. My muscles tensed as she moved closer, her short, smooth fur tickled me, but it was a rather pleasant sensation. -So strong… I hope you show the same enthusiasm once I end my speech, Nathaniel… - She whispered, playfully gnawing my ear lobe. -How do you know my name? – I ask coldly, fighting to keep firm under her assault of caresses. -I know everything about you, Nathaniel, I've been waiting for a long time… you are the last piece of this puzzle, cutie, you should feel proud- She explained while playing with my hair. I had enough, I tried to push her back, but my arms didn't answer. A light blue aura covered them, it didn't took me long enough to realize I was being held in place by some kind of magic. -What is this puzzle you are talking about? And why am I a piece of it? - I ask in a rush, as I wanted to keep the unicorn busy talking, rather than touching me. She gave me a quick kiss on the forehead before freeing me from her spell. I rubbed my wrists, staring at the way she moved her bum from side to side at each step, in purpose or unintentionally, I didn't know… and I preferred to stick in the ignorant side. -Come to the bed if you want to know- She said before jumping on the mattress, I ignored how bad her sentence sounded and joined her in silence, trying to sit as far as I could. She cleared her throat before commencing the speech -I'll start from the beginning: I used to be an errant wizard long time ago, showing my magical skills in every town I came across on my undefined journey. I was a good mage, but not the best one. My superiority struck me in one town: Ponyville. There, an old friend of mine, Twilight Sparkle, humiliated me in front of the entire village, ruining my job, and my life. I kept traveling, but everypony knew the events that took place in that town, therefore no one assisted to my spectacles. Even sometimes, the guards didn't allow me to enter the major cities. For a whole year I traveled under these circumstances, slowly starving to death, and with a fierce anger growing inside of me every day. My will of taking revenge on Twilight was… is a necessity…, so with a last effort, I stole two of the three ancient books of sorcery from the Palace, and hid in the Everfree Forest. I settled my headquarters and started to study all the forbidden spells I could. This is where you are, though another year has passed- She took a brief pause –I'll conquer Equestria, and proclaim myself as the new Queen- She added, finishing the speech. I tried to look like I actually cared about her childish vengeance. -Don't you think that's a little bit too much? I mean, all this effort… is it really worth it for a simple revenge? – I ask, the look she gave me once I ended up my talking convinced me that there was no way I could possibly change her mind –And where do I fit in all this? – I add, already forgetting about smooth-talking things out. -I want to show you something before we get to that point… - Trixie said while standing up and walking towards the wall we had in front of us. Her horn shimmered, making a couple of chameleonic white curtains slid sideways, revealing a 2x2 square of translucent glass. I followed her, pushed by my curiosity. I regretted it a second later; dozens of hellish creatures were sitting motionless on the foul floor of a gigantic hangar built on the other side of the thick glass. They all seemed to be in trance, waiting for something to happen. My eyes danced through the crowd, shivering at every new creature: Giant spiders with frightful women on top of their hairy backs, blood-covered Taurus carrying gigantic hammers, numbed and mutilated figures… every new creature was a poem of horrors; the overall looked like a painting of "El Bosco" in its climax of bizarreness. My pupils got drawn towards a single figure, my hands started to slam the glass before my mind could realize what was going on. -Sara! – I shout, my girlfriend was standing still on the middle of the ominous crowd, her long hair rested unflappable on her shoulders. Her pale face slowly turned towards me; her cold blue eyes gazed at mines, I felt tears of helplessness sliding down my cheeks. She suddenly disappeared in a golden blaze, leaving me broken, scared and angry. I fell on my knees, trying to convince myself that she couldn't be there. Trixie placed a reassuring hoof on my shoulder, but it didn't have the desired effect. I closed my right hand around her "wrist" the same second I stood up. I yanked her towards me before releasing her hoof, and wrapped both hands around her neck, tackling her onto the ground and holding her still under my knee. -Tell me why I shouldn't kill you right now- I spit, Trixie smirked and pointed at her waist with her gaze, I looked down. A tiny red symbol suddenly appeared next to the weird tattoo in her flank, breaking the blue harmony of her skin. I recognized the symbol vaguely; I had an identic one a dozen of centimeters below my chin. -Any pain I receive will be transfered equally to you, so you better control those anger outbursts when talking with me- She explained with a haughty tone –And what you have seen is my army, I personally summoned each one of them from their respective worlds to aid me in this battle. I suppose you have seen one of Barbas (colloquially labeled as the fear demon) minions… I guess you saw something horrible, I'm sorry- She said, she did really sound sorry, which made me ease the grip from her neck. I stood up, took a deep breath and stared at her with cold rage. -What do you want from me- I mumble, trying to not raise my voice. -You must infiltrate in Ponyville, and kidnap Twilight Sparkle- She answered, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. -You... teleported me, having an entire fucking army of demons at your disposal, just to kidnap a single... what the fucking ever that is? – I ask, astounded. I sat on the bed, eyes wide open. -They are too stupid to even comprehend a simple order, one of them aided me in your summoning, and we both know how you ended… - She replied. I shook my head with my eyes closed, trying to erase the memories from the incident. -And what do I get back? – I ask, Trixie sat next to me. -Princess Celestia is the only one able to revert the spell, once we get our hooves on her, you'll be free to leave this world- Trixie said soothingly. I sighed deeply, realizing I had no other chance. -I'll help you… so… I only need to kidnap this poor... I guess pony… and that's it? – I ask, without having much hope in a positive answer. Surprisingly, Trixie curled nervously on herself, covering her mouth with her mane. A slight blush appeared on her cheeks as she spoke. -A year has passed since I last talked with someone fairly clever… and cute. You'll be my closest companion for this battle, we'll show up together in every public event and we'll both help each other in case we're forced to battle, we'll be…lovers… there are a lot of other creatures more intelligent and stronger than you, why do you think I chose you for this task? - She asked, I kept silent. She cuddled next to me, much more confident than before -You have charisma, beauty, you can get almost everything you want with your body, if you play your cards well in this game, you won't need to kill a single pony- She whispered next to my ear, I stood up and glared at her. -Then let's make this quick, give me some clothes and I will get you that pony in no-time- I say, with a tone of tiredness in my voice, Trixie smiled. -Easy… the operation won't start until 8:00 AM, you still have 4 hours before sun rises on the sky, sit on the bed and rest for a little, I'll get you some clothes- She said while standing up and walking towards the door. As soon as it closed behind her, I punched the wall, grunting in pain and despair; I was screwed, "She says that I have to act like a whore to get a bloody pony out of a town, she says that I have to... battle? Next to her, she says that I have to be her fucking lover, I can't hurt her… and I don't have any other choice…" I thought bitterly, punching the wall for a last time before falling onto the bed. I silently stared at the ceiling, unable to drift off to sleep, as memories of my beloved ones showed up in my mind. ________________________________________ 3 years ago -Nathaniel! - My dad screamed as he appeared from the security control of the airport. -Dad! - I yelled, already running towards him, the entire airport went silent as we hugged for the first time in years. -I'll never leave you…- He whispered to me. ________________________________________ 2 years ago -… will you go out with me?- I asked firmly, Sara blushed for a second before jumping on my neck in an embrace, I smiled before hugging her back with equal strength. -I'll always be with you…- I whispered next to her ear before kissing her for the first time. ________________________________________ 1 year ago I silently gazed at the dusty grave on the floor. I knelt and placed a white rose under its inscription before slowly walking away, my father placed his arm around my shoulders as we both made our way out from the cemetery. -I'll never forget you…- I whispered for myself. ________________________________________ Now "I'm going to help her; I won't let her steal my home…" I thought as the door opened, the unicorn was levitating a set of new clothes in front of her. -Hope you like them, I wasted a lot of time searching what kind of clothes would fit you- She commented while placing the outfit on my legs, I stood up and started to wear it. A tight and short white shirt which, basically, made me look as if I was naked, was the first. A forest camo army trousers followed, they were long and heavy, with numerous pockets and zippers. Two black trainers were the last piece, their size was perfect, and their sole was clearly made for running. I tied the shoelaces quickly and admired myself on the mirror. I had to admit that everything suited me perfectly. -Perfect…- I whisper, suddenly, a necklace with two familiar badges appeared in front of me: "Pvt: Daniel Fray" -How did you get this? - I ask to Trixie, she smiled and magically tied the thin chain around my collarbone. -Magic can do wonders… you look smashing; this will be easier than I thought! – She exclaimed happily, I smiled and sat next to her. -Can you answer some questions? - I ask, she nodded and sat next to me, cuddling next to my right arm, I rose an eyebrow, but kept immobile. ________________________________________ 1 hour later… -… and that's why Princess Celestia sent Luna to the moon- Trixie finished saying. I kept asking questions for a whole hour, knowing more about the strange world I had landed; it basically was a ponified version of the modern era in earth, at least politically. I couldn't help to smile when I compared both. -Any tips or details concerning my operation? - I asked, Trixie took a couple of seconds to think. -Act confused, try to feign that you've just landed and you desperately need a place to sleep, I'm sure it'll work. By the way, your father necklace is imbued with magic, it will cancel any spell casted on you, unless you allow it. If Twilight asks you something related to magic, don't tell her anything about it- Trixie said, emphasizing her last words. -Will you hurt her? – I ask in a sudden, Trixie seemed shocked for the question. -I-I… It's not in my plan, we'll use her to blackmail the Princess…- She mumbled, she cleared her throat before speaking again -If that doesn't work, we'll attack Ponyville and kill everypony in sight, which will sure scare them- I shivered at her words. -How much time do I have? - I ask, trying to sound like I couldn't care less. -You have 2 days; if you can't get her out of the town in that time, we'll destroy them… that reminds me of one thing, follow me! - She said, standing up and trotting towards the door. I felt how stress made my stomach ache: lives of innocents rested on my shoulders, and the weight was getting too heavy to withstand. I couldn't tolerate such a slaughter for a simple revenge, "but revealing Trixie's plans is like saying goodbye to my life…" I shook my head and followed Trixie out of the room. The narrow corridor waiting behind the door was equally white, without any kind of window or overture. The overall structure was oppressively closed. After two turns to the left, a couple of black doors appeared on the dead-end of the corridor. I felt slightly excited to know what was behind the tainted glass. The unicorn horn sparkled for a second, magically opening the doors lock. I eagerly pushed them open. The room had a semicircular shape, its floor tiles were painted in black, though the walls kept white, three crystal cabinets were precisely lined next to each other on the center of the semicircle, the left one revealed a jeweled blue wizard hat and an equally ornamented cape; the one in the center had an entire set of completely black armor, sharp curves and spikes covered the masterfully forged pieces, the right one had a gigantic red claymore, with a drawing of an eye on its hilt. I approached it and took a closer look; the mark of my chest shined through the shirt as I approached the sword. Suddenly, the eye blazed in red light, covering the edge of the blade with a menacing red aura. -Like it? The sword is for you, nopony can handle it without bursting into pieces, it will be a loyal weapon through your entire adventure- She explained from behind, I opened the cabinet and took it with my right hand, it was light, though I still needed to brandish it with both hands to wield it properly, the aura deepened as the blaze of the eye strengthened. -This is awesome, thank you- I comment with a faked grin, "Hope I never get a chance to use it…"I thought. Trixie smiled and opened the door. -Remember the way back? – I nodded -You should rest, I'll wake you up when the time comes- She added before walking out of the room, I carefully placed the claymore in its cabinet and walked out of the room, closing the doors behind me. I strode towards the bedroom and sat on the bed, unable to stop thinking, but also unable to escape from Morpheus tendrils.