//------------------------------// // Concentration Is Key // Story: Theater of The Damned // by Chemtest //------------------------------// —(Apple Bloom)— I trot on into the next room, ready for whatever horrible challenge the pony’ll put me through this time. Like every other time, the room is dark when I enter. Orb on the table, “Alright, go ahead, what’s this time?” The orb lights up, the pony on it as always, “This time, your small size will work in your favor. Look into the chamber.” The lights flick on, and I look into the chamber. Inside is some earth pony, “Who’s that?” The pony looks right at them, “Pest controller, one who enjoys his job a bit to much. Ever hear of Twittermites? Harmless species made by ponies to get rid of pests like flies. They were set lose, and ponies soon discovered they didn’t like them. So, ponies did as they do best, made nature conform to their standards. This pony here being the one hired to get rid of the insects, the only one. He did so good, and enjoyed his job so much, that all ponies that might take his position disappeared. He took particular joy in useing a specific pesticide against the innocent animals. Now, he will be on the receiving end.” I look over at the orb, “How do I save him?” The pony looks back at me, “Go into the vents and activate them when you reach the end. His chamber shall have a gas introduced to it until he dies, or you activate the vents. He enjoyed killing the animals with A. Now, he shall face the better version, Zyklon B. So, Apple Bloom, do you watch him suffocate as he deserves, or do you try to save him? I will wait until you make your decision to start.” I look at the pony, “Oh, now your giving me a head start?” The orb simply stops transmitting visually, “Choose, Apple Bloom, life or death.” I immediately go for the vents, and pull away the cover, “It ain’t right to just kill ponies, no matter the crime. He will be sent to jail after this, and serve time. I can make sure the Princess does so.” The orb speaks out, “Then crawl, Apple Bloom, crawl for his life. Starting the concentration of Zyklon B.” I instantly crawl into the vent, moving forward as fast as I can. I can hear the sound of the gas being activated behind me. The stallion’s cries and coughing. Every wheezing gasp makes me speed up. I see a switch at the end of the vent, and flip it immediately when I get to it. I make sure the sound of whirring vents hit my ears before I crawl back to the main room. There, I see the old stallion hacking blood up. Banging against the thick glass, trying to escape. The vents are on, but he already breathed to much in. Smashing every part he can against the reinforced glass, leaving blood all over it. He jumps forward with all his might, sending the glass outwards, but not breaking it. He then collapses, and takes one last breath before stopping all movement. The room he’s in hazed with a slight blue tone. I collapse under my own weight, and just sit there for a while. Another orb rolls out in front of me, “You tried, but his lungs were too weak. Just like the insects he killed, he could only take a faint whif before death.” I look the pony right in the eyes, both of wich are differnt colors. One blue with red streaks, and another one brown with green streaks. I ask one simple question, “How much more do I have to go through?” The pony looks right back into my orange eyes, “Three more. Then, we will meet, face to face.” I nod, “Alright, open the door. Let’s get on with it.” The ponies eyes lighten up a bit, “You are strong, my dear. Hold onto that strength, because you will need it.” I look forward, “Let’s just get to this. I will meet you, face to face. I will listen to what you have to say. I will decide then if I should kick in your head.” The pony nods, “That’s for you to decide.” —(???)— I trudge on down the path paved only by pony hooves. The apple orchard is really kicking off since I’ve last been here. Only bad thing about this is that I trip easily. Only able to catch myself and force myself along with some magic. I can’t let simple roots in the path turn me back again. I walk out the orchard proper, and see the house resting where it belongs. Light in the window speaks of a cooker inside. I walk up the path to the door, and knock. Some shuffling comes from inside, before the top end of the door opens up. The pony inside peeks her head out, “Oh, I should’ve known you’d been coming! My senses must be getting weaker.” I smile, “The privilege of our age, Smith. It’s been so long sense I’ve been around.” She opens the door, “Well come on in, dear. I just made some pie for supper, but I’m sure Applejack would understand me sharing it with you. Why, I don’t think she’s seen you since, well... their deaths.” I walk inside with her, and we sit at the table, “I’m sorry, I’ve just been so busy. All the set up, needed preparation of at least five years to make all these orbs. I remember the days where I would be able to make a hundred in an hour.” Smith comes back with her apple pie, you haven’t lived if you haven’t tried it, “And I used to be able to clear this entire orchard with one kick. Yeah, sure, we get to sit back and enjoy the easy life as we watch our children grow, but sometimes I wish for the old days. We wern’t able to catch a break, always off fighting or farming. But, now we sit in our chairs, and just make sure our future stays safe.” I nod, and take a slice, “Our little Bloom is a great pony. Strong in character, good morals, the most grit I’ve ever seen. I only hope she will listen when we meet.” Smith starts to eat with me, “You aren’t doing to much to her, are you? This ain’t the old days, ponies usually ain’t as strong.” I shake my head, “Compared to what the old coot did to me, she is having a cakewalk. Believe me when I say she would fit right in back in the old days. She’d become the Captain of the Canterlot Guard if she wanted to. Now, that position means nothing. This current Captain? I think I could beat him with a swish of my hoof, and I’m so much older than him. I think our little Bloom could beat him into the dirt if he didn’t have weapons or armor.” She laughs, “Oh, I would pay to see that! She’s gonna have a rough future ahead of her. All those ponies we beat will be coming back in her lifetime. If she takes the responsibility, then she will have to be clever.” I take a bite of pie, “Well, they’ll also be the other two. I hear that I’m the first to start. I hope you and Lightning get to it. Bloom is good, but she alone can’t take on everything.” She takes another bite as well, “She’ll make a great pony. Carrying on our legacy. Until she eventually starts the cycle all over again. Hay, she might just use that Theater just like you.” I smile, “But this visit isn’t just about business. How’s Mac doing?” It’s then that the door opens, and in walks Applejack. She is about to say something, until she sees me at the table, “Grandpa!” She rushes over to hug me, and I hug back, “Been a long time, Jackie. Sorry about that, but I can be here more soon.” She starts to cry into my shoulder, “Oh, grandpa, Apple Bloom has gone missing! Some pony is killing ponies! Twilight hasn’t come out her library in an hour, and she won’t respond!” I look her right in the eyes. My multicolored bicolored eyes meeting her green eyes. I say in a steady voice, “Bloom won’t be harmed, Jackie. We just need to wait here, I’m sure she will return. If anypony hurts her, I will kill them myself.” If I hurt her, I will kill myself, damned be the legacy. She’ll return safe, and hopefully even safer than she is now.