//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: 1 down // by Writey the writer //------------------------------// 1 down, 4 to go The night was coming to a close and a lone walker crossed the stone bridge leading out of Ponyville, on her back was a large string tied satchel containing the few remnants of what was the ‘fastest flier in Equestria’. She made her way further up the cobbled track the distant sun on the horizon slowly emerging bathing the scenery in a luscious orange glow, the fingers of light reaching over the hills caressing the landscape . She made her way up a small hill and glanced back on the quaint little town, perplexed by the staggering beauty of the place; she smiled at the memories she had once and how a cruel twist tainted them with lies. She followed the stream further up too its source, a large pool at the foot of a waterfall somewhat of a tourist sight however a secretive spot, due to it being a rather distant walk quite far out of Ponyville. She traced her hoof over the surface of the gleaming water, a deflated mane and dull matted fur stared back with equal enthusiasm. Her matted fur gave her a sullen look, her eyes were dark and glassy. She blinked slowly and sighed. Where had the Party pony gone? In a way she missed her old self but the memories she longed for so dearly were now regrets burned into her misplaced mind. Physically she was a shadow of her former self but mentally she was so much more, the loss of friends gained her the only one she could trust, herself... and the monster she strived to become. With another sigh she dropped the bag down on the floor next to her by the side of the pool. Her shoulder ached from the labourous task of carrying it up there. She undid the tie at the top of the bag and spread the bag to its maximum diameter. Inside the shadowed eyes of a friend lost stared back, the face contorted in its final expression of agony. She was repulsed by the sight and a lump grew in her throat as she remember the time they had spent pranking. No. They were lies...her eyes grew wet and she wiped them angrily. Speaking aloud "You lied to me!" she looked down and fell to her knees "You all did...". She had never felt so alone I her life everyone she had relied upon were now icons of betral. What was left for her now she pondered. What in this bleak temple of misfortune which she called her life required her input anymore...She was lost. She fell into the deppressive state of self loathing once again. But how would the others feel she wondered, they would take great happiness that the thorn in their side was at long last gone from the world and they would all be able to party without her. A mixed emotion stirred within her she longed for her own suffering to end but equally didn't want to give the others such a satisfaction. They must all die too. Pent up fustration and fear of discovery forced her to carry on. She wiped her eyes again and glanced about warily to see if anypony was around, with the area seemingly clear she began furtively filling up the satchel with stones from the side of the pool. She didn’t need to weight it too much; just enough to know it would sink. It weighed almost twice as much as previously. After a dozen or so stones were sitting on top of what used to be cyan Pegasus, she picked up the satchel sullenly and grimaced under its increased weight made her way round to the far edge of the pool, as close to the precipitous edge of the overhang as possible as this is expectantly where the deeper water would be. She of course knew of better places to hide it but she would prefer it if people knew of her existence, she sort of got a buzz of it. Their finding of the body wasn’t really much of a concern as due to her adequate soaking of the body in bleach and various other chemicals this would make identifying the body difficult, but more importantly any trace of whom the killer may be would remain a mystery which is the way she would prefer. She liked the idea of creating an entire community even if it was only as small as Ponyville afraid of a mystery killer. She reached the edge of the deepest part of the pool and taking a few steps into it adopted a 2 legged upright stance which allowed here better leverage to throw the weight into the depths. Despite her muscles not being designed for this sort of labour in this sort of way she managed to throw the satchel a considerable distance into the pool making a large splash as it hit the water. She gazed into the water for a few moments checking to see if the present was at all visible from the surface which from what she could tell it didn’t appear to be. The task was done, she could return piece of mind, the first part of the pla-. "Ah' thought I heard somepony else up here” The thick southern accent came from behind her. Pinkie spun on the spot to face the pony that had greeted. “Oh hey Applejack...w-what you doing up here this time in the morning?” said Pinkie behind a clandestine smile. “Well sugarcube ah were jus about ta ask you the same thing, I head up here most mornings before I start ma work down on the farm, it’s the first time a seen you here tho.” She said crossing her legs. “Well you know I just woke up this morning and I thought *gasps* wouldn’t it be great if me and gummy went for a walk to the waterfall and he could have swim” said pinkie falling back into her old false rhythms. Applejack glanced over to the side of pinkie then to the pool. “Well where is gummy?” she said looking confused. Think pinkie. “Oh he’s erm” You stupid foal, you can’t even think of a simple cover! “He’s at home... ill, he’s sick you know with the erm illness.” Pinkie said trying to cover with a smile. You’re not even the element of honest and you can’t tell a friend a simple lie. “Ah' know why you’re really here” said Applejack looking solemn “You do?” replied Pinkie inquisitively “It's Rainbow dash isn’t it?”Said Applejack stepping forward Pinkies eyes widened and her heart dropped, Applejack knows she thought. Im going to have to kill her to keep her quiet, her eyes quickly began scanning the floor for a large stone or some sort of object which could be used to bludgeon her until she passed out at least then she would have to take her home and reap the necessary amendments. Pinkies mind was a maelstrom of activity. Without thinking she began trying to calculate her odd's against Applejack, she's stronger definitely but pinkie was faster and she knew it she would need to use that to her advantage or maybe-. “Ah miss her too ya know but a’hm sure they’ll find her, don’t cha worry” said Applejack smiling. Pinkies eyes shot up off the floor. “Find her? Oh yea sorry I’m sure they will she’s probably fine” She said trying to sound saddened although very much relived, killing Applejack especially during the day would be difficult also transporting her body through the town would be risky enough not to mention the fact that Applejack being larger would weigh more. “I should probably be getting back to sugarcube corner, I’m sure Mr and Mrs cake will be looking for me by now.” Said pinkie beginning to walk away from the pool past Applejack. As Pinkie past Applejack, a hoof raised to stop her “If ya' need to talk to somepony a know I’m probably not tha' best but still jus' come see me down on the farm cos' ah' don’t want you wandering round this time a the morning, there are some real monsters out there.” “Of course ill stop by and see my number one friend” said Pinkie suppressing the urge to comment on the ‘real monsters line’ “Ata' gurl' sugarcube, ah' see ya' later ok?” said Applejack said walking toward the pool. “Okie dokie lokie, I be round later, bye Applejack” and with that Pinkie began walking back down the hill toward Ponyville. There are most certainly monsters out there Applejack thought Pinkie to herself. And soon you’ll know about them first hand, a smile spread across Pinkie’s lips. You’ll really see your friend for the monster she really is and you’ll be all alone...just like you all made me be, Alone and afraid after your friends abandoned you. Speaking aloud, “I’ll never forget that party, the lies you all told to protect me from the truth, you all left me, and through me you will all leave this world". The following morning. Pinkie slowly awoke, eyes adjusting to the lighting as the essence of the new day poured in through the partially open curtains. She glanced around to see another pony in her room. She quickly sat upright startled by a hooded stranger who seemingly hadn’t noticed her movement. “Um..Hello” pinkie managed weakly trying to sound assertive. The stranger didn’t stir. She opened her mouth to speak again when the strangers head sprang up and deep magenta eyes glared at her own. The face was covered in scars and tears were streaming down their face. Pinkie was in shock trying to rationalize the creation before her. It looked so familar but felt so unbelonging seemingly emitting an aura which filled her with dread and hopelessness. “Why Pinkie?...” it spoke slowly and deliberately with voice frail and dark. “I...I, .I don-“ spoke pinkie softly. The stranger stepped forward in a shallow and gentle movement. The light from the window enveloped the right side of its body. The fur was a purest white, the wings appeared to have been both sewn on and were a darker colour than the rest in a dull light blue similar to... “Dashie?” asked pinkie tears welling in her eyes The stranger blinked and turned a flank toward her. The flank bore the cloud and rainbow belonging to that of her friend. “I never meant for you to be first dashie... I knew you didn't lie, I knew you were to loyal too, You weren't like the others” tears began to roll down her cheeks and matted her fur. “I would never have even put you in if I knew I could trust you dashie...” She said trying to convince the stranger. “...but you’re so...so, loyal, i could never have left you, you would have told...” the stranger stirred slightly. “Do you want my forgiveness pinkie...do you want me to leave you alone so you may forget me?” “I’ll never forget you dashie, you were always my mare...”said pinkie removing the cover from her upper body. “Then make me a promise pinkie, and in dept I’ll give you a gift of great value.” Said Rainbow dash with her own voice, the sound of it was music to her she wished she could hear once again telling her it was her friend like old times. “Anything” said pinkie now standing just in front of the Pegasus. “Promise me you’ll kill all our friends-" Interrupting pinkie smiled darkly “I’m already planning that one dashie in a few months they’ll all-“ “No Pinkie. I want you to kill all of our friends and I want it all done in one night, this Friday to be exact” “Friday? But that’s only 2 days” pinkie said in alarm. “Well if anypony can plan something it’s you pinkie” Pinkie smiled. Rainbow leaned closer and began lightly tugging on pinkies hair. “Ow stop that; hey ....hey ...get off.” The pain wasn’t initial, but slowly felt more belonging. Pinkie opened her eyes. Gummy was sitting on her chest gently tugging at her hair. Her mind worried for a brief second before realizing it was a dream. “Morning gummy” said pinkie playfully. Gummy let out a croak as a token of response. Pinkie sat upright as gummy jumped to the floor. She rubbed her eyes glancing about the room. The dark corner where the stranger was seemed tainted with the strangers presence. “Today the Planning shall begin...” she said voice wavering. She opened up her bedside drawer and pulled out a tied locket of cyan fur. “I won’t fail you dashie...cross my heart and hope to fly stick a cupcake in my eyes” She said solemnly. She untidily removed the covers and got out of bed. She stretched for a brief moment and walked over to her writing desk. She pulled out the oak chair and sat down, with a gleam of anticipation in her eyes and pen in mouth she began the plans for tomorrow and ‘The Party’.