WARNING: Some sexual situations, but nothing that would put it in the adult genre. Also some dark themes.
“Mrs. Jam, Mrs. Jam.” The incessant whining of Diamond Tiara pricked the ears of all the foals. Her pink hoof waved frantically in the air, desperate to gain her attention.
Victory mentally went over the reasons why she shouldn’t include Diamond Tiara as another future occupant of the hole. She was overseeing the hole being enthusiastically dug by three colts with small shoves that fit in their mouths. They were collecting the sod into little pails that were hefted out when full by twine pulled by foals outside of the hole.
Victory told them that the hole had to be six feet deep . . . in order to better preserve the time capsule she had told them. Several foals were excited to dig, while others like Diamond Tiara were not.
“Mrs. Jam, I took a bath this morning so if I dig I’ll get all dirty.” Her prior excuses were she wasn’t meant to dig, she wasn’t strong enough to dig, and simply she didn’t like to dig.
“Diamond . . . Crown . . .Hat? What was your name?” Victory knew the filly’s name, but she chose not to call her by name lest it let her assume she was on the same level with her.
“Diamond Tiara!” The pink filly shouted so hard her hooves left the grass for a second.
“I would imagine that a little exercise wouldn’t hurt you. In fact, it may help you out.”
“What?’ Diamond Tiara stood with gaping mouth.
“The digging can get ya thin legs.” Victory managed to keep her face straight while the filly looked at her legs. “Okay, Snips, your digging turn is over. Who’s next?”
“Me!” Diamond Tiara lunged into the hole snatched the shovel from Snips and began hastily digging.
Victory looked into the hole and judged it its width and length. Jelly was smaller than her, but it was better to be bigger than necessary before smaller than needed. And it didn’t really need to be a comfortable fit anyway; she won’t be any state to care.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Victory came that morning before she was allowed to check out. Jelly cringed beneath the blankets expecting to be berated if not assaulted, but Victory just smiled at her and asked her how she felt.
*“I’m feeling better,” * Jelly was replied as she searched Victory’s face for any sneers or nasty looks.
Her face was as blank as a sheet of paper. * “Good, good. Tell me what happened last night. Winter tried to bring you nanonites last night, but he couldn’t find you and here you are as a pony.”*
*”Winter? He’s here? As a pony too?” * Jelly sat up with wide eyes.
*”Yes, he came to bring more nanonites so instances like this won’t happen.” * Victory’s tone took a hard edge which made Jelly feel relieve. This was the Victory she knew.
Jelly recalled the story of her waking up human, her attempt to leave the hospital, and then hiding in the closet.
*”I swear, I didn’t notice anything when it happened. When I pulled off the blanket, I was like this.” * She waved her hooves along her body. * “Do you think something is wrong with me?” *
* “Yes. I think there is a lot wrong with you. Medically, I don’t know. You’ll have to see Trevor and Tibbs when we returned.” * Victory turned away, * “Take the day off. I think I have it under control at the school.” *
* “You’re sure? I feel fine, really.” *
* “I’m sure. Go back to the inn and see Winter.” *
An hour later, Jelly was leaving the hospital just as Fluttershy walked in. She had a satchel around her neck with the flap open. A bouquet of flowers with pink petals gathered together with a white ribbon. The yellow pegasus was glancing nervously about before her eyes saw Jelly signing out.
It was a very odd experience holding a pencil in her mouth and writing. But she managed it, though her signature looked very loopy. She spat out the pencil and offered Fluttershy an apologetic smile. She remembered how panic and near tears the animal lover was when Victory nearly drowned her chicks.
“Hey, Fluttershy,” she greeted.
“Oh, um, hello.” The pegasus looked away, allowing her long pink mane to hide her face. “I’m very sorry . . .that you got hurt. Twilight wanted to come, but she’s very busy with Winter Welcome.”
“When is Winter Welcome? Have they set a date yet?”
“Oh, no one told you? I’m sorry . . .its tomorrow.”
“Really? No wonder.”
“But mama, I did see a monster!” Jelly turned her head to see the colt from last night whining to an adult pony that shared his coloring. “It was big and walked on two legs!”
“It was just a bad dream, Rocky. Just be glad that you’re getting out of the hospital in time for Winter Welcome.” His mother told him with a kind tone as she led him outside.
Jelly knew the colt couldn’t recognize her, but she still turned her face away so he wouldn’t see it. Once the mother and foal were outside, she turned her face around to see Fluttershy holding out the flowers with her mouth.
“Are those for me?” Jelly felt foolish for asking. Of course they were for here.
After a small head bob from Fluttershy, Jelly reached forward and took the bouquet between her own teeth. She sat back on her haunches and curled her forelegs around the bouquet. “Thanks. This is really nice.”
“Twilight really wanted to come, but there’s so much to do.” Fluttershy apologized for her friend again. “She asked me to bring the flowers since I was on my way to buy medicine.”
“Medicine? Are you sick?”
“Oh no. I’m fine. A little raccoon had a bad fall from a tree and I’m taking care of him.”
“You take care of animals?” Jelly remembered seeing the dozens of birdhouses dangling from tree branches around Fluttershy’s home.
“Yes, animals need care too. Just as much as ponies.”
“Fluttershy, I’m . . . I’m really sorry about what my mother did to your chicks. If I had known she was going to do something like that, I wouldn’t have brought her with me.”
“Oh, please it’s alright. The chicks are fine now and it did save some time . . .”
“No, no, there’s no excuse. She could have really hurt one of them and that would have been bad.”
“Fluttershy?” A nurse called from the desk. “Did you come for more medicine?”
“Uh . . .yes, I need . . .” Fluttershy hid behind her mane shyly. “I came for antibiotics and gauze.”
“Come with me and I’ll get you what you need.”
“Thanks again for the flowers, Fluttershy.” Jelly waved a hoof at her.
“It’s no problem. They’re the best because they are really tasty.” The shy pony left with the nurse leaving Jelly to stare oddly at the flowers.
Ember ate a flower and Apple Bloom did say that no one got sick eating flowers. And now that she thought about it, if the ponies were equine and equine did eat plants . . .
Jelly plucked a petal with her teeth and her tongue drew it inside her mouth. She chewed carefully on the petal and her eyes widen. She snatched another petal into her mouth and then another chewing in amazement. Soon she was eating whole flowers from their stems. It had a chocolate taste, but held the sweetness of candy.
She stopped eating when there was one flower left. She wanted to if a flower would taste just as good when she was human later . . . if she changed back that is.
She pushed the thought out of her mind. It was too soon to worry about what ifs. She just needed to get back to the inn and see what Winter was up to and see what sort of pony he became.
She only had to ask for directions once from a hospital visitor and then minutes later she trotted into the inn. It was a clear morning, and she noticed that more ponies were frantically putting the finishing touches. It impressed her that they put so much effort and care into a public celebration than humans would for any holiday.
She trotted upstairs and nearly bumping into the brilliant hair pegasus. “Rainbow, hey, how are you?” She remembered the pony’s name since her hair so matched her mane and tail.
“Awesome! I’m getting the bandage off today.” The pegasus was almost dancing on the steps she was so happy.
“That’s great. Will you be able to fly?”
“Naaaaa-ot right away. Doc says I gotta take it easy, but I should be able to help out during First Snow tomorrow.”
“That’s wonderful. I’m really happy for you.”
“Hey, do you know that black pegasus? He’s staying in your room.”
“Oh, he’s . . . from the north too.” Jelly wondered what his relation to them was or if Jelly had made something up. And he’s a pegasus? Why wasn’t he a unicorn like them? And did he have a cutie mark?
“He looks like a pretty good flyer, like the Wonderbolts.” Rainbow’s wings quivered as if imagining flight.
“I haven’t really seen him fly that much.” Which was true in a way.
“Well, tell him that if he’s up to it, he can help out with the First Snow tomorrow.” Rainbow extended the invitation as if it was a brilliant honor.
“I will, and good luck with your wing.”
“I don’t know luck. I’m too awesome for luck to make any difference.” Rainbow dash placed a hoof against her chest and spread her wings, but it result in her cringing in pain and then sheepishly head downstairs.
Jelly resumed her trip upstairs and entered their room. * “Winter?” *
*“In here.” * The door to the bathroom was edged open and she could hear water running.
She walked to the door she found herself peering through the crack. At first she could see rushing water from the shower, and then a line of flesh stepped into view. She inhaled through her nose as she saw that he was still in his exquisite human form and enjoyed a momentary view of his muscular back, firm buttocks, and fine legs before she guiltily torn her gaze away.
*“So I heard you became a pegasus,” * she spoke through the door as she set the single flower that she saved on the table. She kept it tucked behind an ear in her hair.
*“Yeah, it was awesome.” * She could hear the water gushing and could even see the steam seeping from the crack. It was all she could do to keep herself from stealing another peek.
*“Uh, I wanted to ask. Did you get a mark on your rear?” * She hopped onto the bed, trying to ignore the apparent heat in her stomach.
*“Yeah, it was of a sword made of ice, go figure.” * She heard the squeak of a facet knob as he adjusted the temperature.
*“I don’t know why, but I don’t have one. It’s some sort of coming of age thing for the ponies when they are foals. It’s supposed to represent a special talent or something that makes them unique.” *
* “So I guess my special talent is sword fighting. Sorry sweets, but I don’t handle ice swords.” * The water stopped and gurgle of draining water came from the door crack.
* “I think the marks are symbolic. Rarity makes dresses, but her cutie mark is three diamonds, but she’s really fancy so I guess they could mean a love of beauty or elegance.” *
* “Who’s Rarity?” *
* “She’s a friend that made a dress for me. She runs the local dress shop.” * Just as the heat in her stomach died, it flared back to life when Winter opened the door and stood with only a towel to hide what lay below his waist.
* “Look at you, makin’ friends with the native and playing dress up with them. Don’t forget why we’re here.” * He walked across the room with three long strides and grabbed a pair of black shorts from the bed.
* “I know why we’re here. I thought making friends would help when we contact their government and create a peace accord.”
Winter’s back was to her when he cracked smile and he dropped his towel. Jelly looked away, intensely focusing her eyes on her forehooves struggling not to take a look. She wondered if he was so use to showering and changing in the public showers that he didn’t think anything of changing in front of her or was he just doing this to fuck with her.
Winter let the elastic band popped his waist before he stretched out on the bed. *“Have you met a green unicorn with white streak in her hair?” *
*“Um, no. But then we met so many ponies, I can’t really remember.” *
*“Her coat is the same shade of green as yours and she has a harp as a cutie mark.” *
*“I don’t think so . . . if she has a harp as a cutie mark, then you want to check with musical groups. I know, they’re having a Winter Dance tomorrow night and what’s a dance without music? Check out the town hall and I bet someone will know her. Why do ask?” *
*“No reason.” * He rolled onto his side and looked at her. His wet dark hair clung to his neck and shoulders and his silver earring glinted at her bright against his dark tresses.
He was in the position that she imagined he would be in after her fantasy sex with him. She knew she was blushing beneath and she only hoped that it couldn’t be seen through her green coat. She realized that this was the longest conversation that she ever had with him.
*“You want to go out and eat?” * Winter asked her as she struggled not to stare at his washboard abs.
*“Wha-uh yeah, we can.” * Jelly snapped her head up. * “I think there’s a café nearby. We can go once you change.” *
* “Any explanation of why you didn’t need the nanonites?” * Winter rose from the bed reaching for a bag he set in the corner. She noticed her bag right beside his and she remembered the reasoning behind her fall down the stairs.
* “I needed them last night, that’s for sure, but . . . I think I need to see Trevor or Tibbs soon because I changed back without them. It was lucky thing too or I would have been found as a human. It was very close.” *
Perhaps he heard the tremor of worry in her voice because he then said, * “Don’t worry about it. This is new science after all. It may be a residual affect from the nanonites from earlier injections or maybe it was your body reacting to your panic. Pumping adrenaline can work miracles with your body when shit gets real.” *
She slid off the bed and trotted to her own bag while Winter rifled through his satchel for his medicine case. She opened her bag and went through hers. The sketch book was inside and looked untouched, however she couldn’t relax until she looked through it.
Ice seemed to coil along her spine and fill her stomach. The sketches Apple Bloom had drawn were gone as was the single sketch Jelly drew back on the ship. The foals took them, that was the only explanation for why the fled from her in the shop. How would they know the drawings were there? Apple Bloom did keep asking about seeing the book while they were returning Ember to his father . . . shit, shit, shit, the seesaw incident. That was when she saw them. The book had fallen out of her bag and it had been Apple Bloom who returned it to her bag.
Should she tell Victory? Images of Victory stomping Apple Bloom into a stain on the floor crossed her mind. No, for Apple Bloom’s sake, she would have to keep this to herself.
*”Don’t sweat the foal stealing those pictures, Laotaner took care of it.”* A ponified Winter stepped up behind her startling her.
*”Oh my god . . . did she kill her?” * Jelly felt sick.
*”No, no, she said that she smoothed it over. The story is that you allowed the kid to draw in your sketchbook.” *
*”I guess that’s true . . . back on the ship . . . but Apple Bloom would know . . .” *
*”Kids get confused and they make mistakes. Let’s go.” *
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Now Apple Bloom, let’s not be too disappointed if this doesn’t work.” Applejack tried to sound calm, but she could feel the butterflies in her stomach.
“C’mon, let’s go!” Apple Bloom was literally prancing by the library tree, her little hooves tapping a ditty.
Applejack knocked a hoof on the door. It was only moments before Spike opened the door. The baby dragon’s eyes looked heavy and he looked as if he was ready to fall over and go to sleep at any moment. He yawned first, his mouth wide revealing the small sharp teeth within. “Hey, Applejack, Twilight is kinda busy right now. You know how she gets right before deadline.”
“Ah know and if it wasn’t important, we wouldn’t bother her, but the sooner this is taken care of the better for both of us.” Applejack put a hoof on Apple Bloom’s shoulder.
“Alright, I’ll go get her. It’ll take a while to pull her away from her lists.” Spike headed up the stairs to the upper level.
“Ya alright, sis?” Applejack sat on her haunches and turned Apple Bloom to face her. “It’s alright if ya don’t wanna go through with this.”
“Ah got to. It’ll be alright.” Apple Bloom looked up into her sister’s face and offered an encouraging smile.
“Jest remember, no matter what, I’ll be here for ya.” Applejack smiled back before she drew the yellow foal into a warm hug.
The sisters held each other until Twilight Sparkle appeared at the stairs. Her mane looked unkempt and there were bags under her eyes. “Applejack, I take it that you want me to cast a memory spell for Apple Bloom?”
“Yeah, the not knowin’ has been gettin’ to us. Ah know we’re comin’ in at a bad time, but if ya don’t mind we’d like to try the spell. . .”
“Sure, it worked with Rainbow Dash and I have some time to spare.” She descended the stairs and yawned. “Winter Welcome is tomorrow, are you guys ready for it?”
“As ready as we’ll ever be.” Applejack slid a foreleg around Apple Bloom’s shoulders. “The Apple Family will be there with apple pies, apple fritters, and apple tarts along with fresh Apple Family Cider.”
“Great.” Twilight could only hope her relief could reach her tired eyes. “Let’s get started. Apple Bloom, it may help if you sit on a cushion and relax.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today is a good day.
Victory rarely had these thoughts. She never took the time to determine whether it was a bad or good day. The students were at their desks scribbling away writing letters to themselves in twenty years while she pondered this behind the desk.
Her mission would be complete soon. Winter was around so there would be no more screw ups and soon Jelly Jam would be out of her hair.
Victory couldn’t really understand why the woman irked her so much. There was something about her that infuriated her when she looked at the yeoman. Even during that first day when the yeoman came on board. The girl had stutter whenever she spoke and her handshake felt loose and weak. Victory never respected anyone that would show such weakness.
She used to respect everyone. Even the weak. Now weakness just infuriated her.
That was why Jelly infuriated her. She was a weak little bitch and tonight Victory will be doing her a favor.
Firstly, Victory would need to find out what information Jelly shared and whom she shared the information with. They always talk to Victory after a while. Sometimes it takes minutes, sometimes hours or sometimes it takes a few cuts and burns and other times it takes a bit more ‘effort’ but they always talk to her in the end.
How to do it though? They would be ponies tonight so she wouldn’t have full use of her human body. She wouldn’t have hands to break bones or wield a tool to cut flesh. Nor would she have the full use of her body to restrain or grapple. She had her levitation. She could left and throw objects easily and how could she forget. She had a weapon sharp atop of her head. Her horn was sharped and long.
“Mrs. Jam.” A bright blue filly had laid a piece of paper on the corner of her desk.
She blinked, yanked from her thoughts. “Yes, uh . . . Blue Button?”
“I finished with my letter. Are we going to go bury the time capsule?” Her mane was still damp from the hosing down she received when they returned to the school. Victory found a garden hose and gave each colt and filly a rinse when they returned from digging the grave . . . the hole.
“Jelly and I will be doing that tonight, dear. You got Winter Welcome to wake up for tomorrow.”
“Oh, okay. Are you looking forward to Winter Welcome tomorrow? Was that why you were smiling?”
“Yes, dear. I am looking forward to tomorrow. Go back to get some crayons and color for a bit. Go on.”
She watched the foal go to the small tin that held the crayons before she turned her attention back to the book on her desk. It was a pony biology book and on it was a mapping image of a pony’s skeleton and internal organs.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The café served meals outside at small tables. Instead of chairs, piles of hay had been placed at the tables for seating. They chose a table at the edge of the café and a waiter pony that had a tidy mustache and groomed mane took their drink order.
When the waiter left, Winter leaned forward and spoke in a low voice, * “Is it me? Or does he have a serving platter for a cutie mark?” *
*“He does. But, shhhh, don’t make fun of it. Cutie marks are very important around here.” * Jelly whispered back in a low voice. * “Just be lucky that your name is so ponylike and you got a cutie mark. You have no idea the grief I’ve had because I don’t have one at my age.” *
Winter glanced down at the menu propped open against the salt and pepper shakers. * “A dandelion sandwich? Oatmeal milkshake? Tulip salad? Where’s the hamburgers and steak?” *
*“I don’t think I ever really seen any meat product here. I guess it’s safe to assume that the natives are vegetarian.” * Jelly studied her menu. * “The flowers really aren’t that bad.” *
*”Gross. I’ll take salad without the tulips.” *
Jelly selected the Power Flower platter. When the waiter returned with their drinks, tea and soda ( much to Winter’s disappointment no alcoholic drinks were offered ), and took their orders. As waiter wrote down Winter’s order with a pencil in his mouth and a note back in hoof, Jelly realized that this could be considered a date between them.
*“So tell me, when you aren’t writing letters or prancing around as a pony, what do you do?” * Winter leaned forward, hooves propped against the table, either truly interested or feigning.
* “I like to read or write to my grandparents.”* Jelly took a sip of tea through a straw.
* “Grandparents? Not parents?”*
* “I was raised by my grandparents. My parents died serving the Havensguard.”*
* “So what did they do?” *
Why this sudden interest in her background? It was flattering, but for Winter who had hardly glanced at her in the past to inquire so much was strange. * “They rain a power windmill farm. It provided power to the entire colony and every day I drove my grandfather from windmill to windmill for maintenance.”*
*”Hmm, didn’t know you had a mechanical hand.”* Winter took a casual sip from his soda bottle.
* “Not really. I’m mechanically illiterate. I drove, Grandpa fixed. The windmills were too high up for me and I had an issue with heights. Grandma pretty much ran the household.”*
* “Are they proud of their granddaughter for enlisting?”*
* “N-not really. They think I went into it for the wrong reason and I’m beginning to think they’re right. After this mission, I’m going home. Laotaner said she’d sign my discharge request.”*
The waiter arrived with their food. The flowers were stacked in a circular mound on her plate and she could tell that some of them had been steamed and seasoned. Flavors danced along her tongue as she ate heartily. She kept her eyes downward because Winter was giving her strange look watching her eat flowers.
*”So tell me. Were your parents proud when you enlisted?”* Jelly licked her lips, that tulip had a bit too much season on it.
* “They’re not around to be proud. Mom was killed and Dad was sent to prison for killing her.”*
Jelly froze in the middle of snagging a flower with her teeth. * “Oh god.” *
Winter shook his head, waving a hoof. * “Don’t worry about it. It happened more than twenty years ago when I was a kid. Dad was a bit drunker than usual and he kept slamming her head on the kitchen floor one too many times.”*
Jelly felt all the food she had eaten preparing to exit the way it enter. * “You were there . . .”*
Winter inclined his head, his eyes glancing to the side as if recalling a casual time. * “Yeah, I was one of the usual families in Winslip slums. Drunken father, weepy mother, and too many kids to feed.” *
*”Were you there when it . . .burned down?” *
* “No. I was being bounced around in foster care outside of that district. The fire happened after dad killed mom.” *
Laotaner had been a social worker for Winslip. Coincidence? *”This must be hard to talk about.”*
*”Not really. You either deal with shit or it deals with you.”* He spoke with a small shrug of the shoulders.
Jelly felt her mouth go dry, but she sucked on her tongue to wet her mouth enough to speak, * “Did . . . did your mother ever . . . try to get help?”*
Winter leaned forward, as if noticing her discomfort and taking pleasure in it. * “Yeah, she did. Whenever it got bad, which was often, she’d call this social worker who would call the cops. Mom was too afraid to call them herself. The last time . . . mom called, but . . . the social worker did nothing.”*
*”That’s terrible. What was her name?”*
* “Why do you want to know her name?” * This time Winter looked uncomfortable.
“Jelly?”
The aqua unicorn looked over to see Smokey with his son perched on his back. He was glancing between her and Winter and she noticed the hard line his brows made as if he was seeing something he didn’t like. “Hello, Smokey. This is Winter, he’s from the north like me.”
“Pleasetameetcha.” Winter waved a hoof at him.
Smokey nodded, “It’s nice to meet you too.”
Ember hopped off his father’s back with surprising dexterity for his size and age. He trotted with a short whinny to Jelly. She found herself collecting the foal into her forelegs as she would hold a child.
“Hey, Ember.” She touched her nose to his as her forelegs drew him into a hug. “Do you remember me from school?”
“Cute little squirt,” Winter commented.
“So, Winter Welcome is tomorrow. . . .” Smokey started as he approached their table.
*“Eh, they made a holiday welcoming me.”* Winter the pony/human joked.
Ember wriggled away from her and trotted on small legs around the table to Winter’s side where he nosed through the grass. Winter craned his head around to watch the foal, his attention away from them.
“Yeah, I heard. I suppose Ember is excited.”
“I don’t think Ember understands, but I know he’ll have a good time tomorrow.” Smokey stared into her face so hard it made her look away.
She saw Winter sprawled on his stomach on the grass with legs spread into a star shape. Inches from his nose, Ember was in a similar position with little legs stretched from his body which was completely dwarfed by Winter’s. The black pegasus rolled onto his side which Ember mimicked.
“Is he your . . .friend?” Smokey cast his eyes to Winter. Jelly noticed that the word friend was spoken sharper than necessary.
He doesn’t like Winter. Jelly looked again at Winter who was on his back his head laid back so he was looking at Ember who was on his back as well. “He’s . . .”
“Her step-brother.” Winter rolled onto his other side and then onto his stomach and was followed by Ember.
Smokey stared at him surprise written on his face as was Jelly’s. “But you’re a pegasus.”
“Dad was a pegasus. Heard sis was in the hospital so I flew on down to check on her.”
“Oh . . . I went by to you, but you had already checked out,” Smokey said.
“I didn’t want to spend too long there anyway. It was nice of you to come by regardless.”
“Are you going to the Winter Dance alone?”
“I’ll likely be going with my mother.”
“Uh-I . . . I’ll see you there.” He wanted to ask her something, she could hear it in his voice, but he collected Ember who was at the moment was playing a game of tug of war with Winter using a cloth napkin.
Winter watched him go with bemusement. * “He likes you.” *
*He’s a very nice pony and his son is cute too.”* Jelly resumed eating, her snout dipping into the petals.
* “No, I mean he’s got a thing for you. He thought we were on a date, did you see him give me the stink eye?” *
* “Nothing is going on. But then again as my “brother” you would be concerned about that.” * Smokey was a nice pony, but he wasn’t a human man.
It did sting a little when he labeled himself as her brother. So this wasn’t a date after all. She should have known better, she supposed. They were ponies right now. Maybe once the mission was over and they were both human, maybe . . . maybe she’d ask Winter out. Maybe.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Apple Bloom. Close your eyes. I want you to think back to right before you went missing. Back to when you were with Applejack on the farm. Then we’re going to follow your memory to the point when you returned. It may become scary, but I want you to remember that no matter what, you are safe in the library with Applejack and me. Whatever happened, you made it out okay and returned home. Okay, just nod your head when you are ready.”
Twilight Sparkle saw the small head bob and performed the spell. As gentle as a feather alighting on a surface, she touched the filly’s mind with magic. It started out easily enough as the darkness behind her eyes gave way to light of day. She could see through the filly’s eyes and it brought back nostalgia as she remembered being small and young. She was looking up at Applejack and speaking. They were having a small sisterly argument that resulted in Apple Bloom storming off.
Twilight could see the shadows of the dappling leaves from above, and then felt the sharp pain of Apple Bloom’s mane being pulled. Then she viewed the chase through the filly’s eyes. The filly chased the shade through the orchard toward the Everfree forest.
The darkness of the forest brought a dark feeling to her breast, but she continued the spell, feeling apprehension of what may follow. Time sped up; Apple Bloom wondered the forest for hours after losing pursuit of the specter. Then came the wild cat.
The terror raked icy claws through Twilight’s heart and she had to remind herself that Apple Bloom was safe in her home. The danger had past and couldn’t hurt the filly anymore.
The memory continued until they came to the river. Apple Bloom clung for dear life to the rocks. Death was certain, either by drowning, the cold, or by the hungry animal that waited at the river’s edge.
Then something happened.
Something happened that Twilight Sparkle had never experienced.
The magic recoiled back onto her.
She was pulled downward into a darkness that consumed all light. If she had a voice, she would scream.
Then her body was given physicality. Her hooves pounded on the smooth ebony darkness as she galloped. Her ears were flat, and her legs moved with speed that edged on panic. It was behind her. It was behind her and it was coming for her. Her breathing labor from the exertion of her need to flee and it hissed from her open mouth in desperate whistles.
She wasn’t alone. Her friends were fleeing. Applejack galloped with her head bent and determined, Rarity’s styled curls flew behind her, Pinkie Pie’s teeth were gritted in a grimace, and Rainbow Dash cried out.
Twilight looked behind her and saw what was giving chase. It was darker than their surrounds and moved in a cloud as ink dripped into water. With the depths of that cloud, something brew and festered with hatred.
This wasn’t the envy of Nightmare Moon, the mad glee of Discord, or the greed of the Changeling Queen. This was pure, unbridled, rage and hatred entangled into a web of desire for agony and destruction.
Run run little pony. For if I catch you. I will surely kill you.
The voice was black charcoal across white satin. It’s voice was hatred with sound. The hunger to sink sharp metals into flesh, to pull and break.
Fluttershy was lagging behind, her pumping hooves failing her, allowing the darkness to draw closer and closer. Tears stream down her cheeks and in her eyes, Twilight could see that she knew her death had come.
Black webbing snared the yellow mare’s legs and snapped taunt. Fluttershy’s bones broke as she was pitched forward. Twilight barely cried her name before the being of hatred and rage swept over her shivering form.
The sounds that follow pressed her heart in her throat. Tears blurred her vision, but the terror kept her running for even taking Fluttershy, the hatred didn’t slow.
One by one, they fell.
Rarity was hauled into the Hatred by her beautiful mane. Her hooves kicked and struggled to gain purchase, but she too was taken.
Pinkie Pie fell, she rolled once and the Hatred had her. Her convulsing pink body was consumed.
Rainbow Dash, oh brave Rainbow Dash. She turned and fought. She flew into the darkness with hooves swinging, but the snapping of bone and her short shriek announced her failure.
And still it came. Still hungry, still angry, still hating.
Why? Why did it hate them? What crime did they commit that such hatred should be directed toward them?
Nothing. You exist and I exist. Therefore I hate you. HATE. HATE. HATE.
“Go, Twilight, go.” Applejack’s tears poured down her face and with a smile, the only light in that void.
The hatred snuffed that light as Applejack gave up. She stood still, head bowed and the Hatred swarmed.
Twilight Sparkle wailed, her heart in physical and emotional pain, and still her legs carried her.
A wall, dark, solid as a tombstone blocked her. She stopped, her hooves slamming on the black surface as she keened in desperation.
The Hatred stopped. It stood behind her, watching and enjoying her despair. It drew closer and she could see a shape covered in smears of hue. The eyes were red and dark and below them was a grin, wide as Pinkie Pie’s when she’s about devour a cupcake.
I am going to beat, rape, mutilate, and kill you. And not necessarily in that same order.
It went for her.
“TWILIGHT! TWILIGHT SPARKLE, STOP! PLEASE STOP!”
She flung open her eyes. She was in the library and in Applejack’s embrace. Spike was at her side, fear and concern written on his face and across the room Apple Bloom huddle on the cushion shaking.
Twilight felt tears rolling down her face and her body would not stop shaking. Applejack held her close and said, “Sugar, it’s alright now. Ya started screamin’ and would not stop. The ponies outside heard and they are sendin’ for the doctor. What happened?”
Twilight saw her friend giving her a small smile and she burst into sobs that wracked her body.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the school, it was story time.
Victory chose a story called The Fox and the Rabbit. She had the book open and she read out loud for the whole class to ear.
"The rabbit saw how sharp the fox’s teeth were and became afraid. He ran away as fast as he could and the fox said, ‘Run run little rabbit.” Victory looked up and smiled as she said, “For if I catch you, I will surely kill you.”