The walk through Canterlot was dreadful, the citizens were gawking at me the whole time. I despised all the attention. They knew I wasn’t normal, and to actually see me accompany Princess Celestia herself made it worse. I stared at the ground and shut myself off from everypony else. It made the agonizing trip go much faster that way.
My mental state was another story. Somewhere deep within my mind, a lurking darkness stirred within. Slowly but gently, it consumed every inch of my brain that it could possibly seize. It was taking out my emotions one by one until I would soon be nothing but an empty husk of what I used to be. I didn’t even bother resisting.
Many voices plagued my mind, some friendly, others not so much. Most were writhing in eternal agony while others were laughing hysterically. A few cried while others screamed. Suddenly, all went silent. Something has awakened.
”Kill them! Maim them! Devour their flesh! Swallow their blood! Feast on their souls!”
My vision stirred, I started seeing things very differently. No longer did I see ponies, I saw walking piles of flesh and bone. I frantically looked around for a way out, the scent and hunger was almost unbearable.
”Soon... Eclipse. Very. Soon.”
My mouth watered as the relentless hunger in my stomach tried worming it’s way into my mind. I need to get out of here. I rapidly shook my head as I casted a teleportation spell. Thankfully after a few seconds I was out of there, standing just outside the city in the tall alluring grass. The grassy fields stretched far out away from Canterlot, the sun’s warm rays bathed the lands of Equestria. A moment of respite.
I closed my eyes and the let the calm winds brush past my body. Deep breaths Eclipse, deep lengthy breaths. I don’t know how much time has passed but after my brief recovery I looked up to see Princess Celestia use her wings to gently land a few feet from me. There was intense concern in her features.
“Eclipse?! Are you alright? I noticed you weren’t by my side, what happened?” She was clearly panicking from my little stunt that I pulled off. Honestly, I wasn't thinking clearly. But I knew I had to be somewhere away from the city, who was that voice in my head? Could it have been my father?
“I-I’m alright your majesty, it’s nothing.” It was wrong to deny what transpired but I was in no mood to talk about it. But the alicorn princess was not convinced, she knew I was hiding something. She took a seat in the grass and sighed heavily.
“Eclipse, I know that you may not trust me, but I promise that I want to help you. I want you to have a happy life, I just can’t do that if you don’t tell me what’s been bothering you. The moment I first met you I knew that you were special. Your presence was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, there is something remarkable about you Eclipse. Please, let me help you.”
I knew she wanted to help and I wanted her help more than anything! But I’m a creature that was not meant to be in this world. Evil doesn’t belong with good, it’s just the ugly truth. If I unmask my true facade, it would be catastrophic. It’s time she stops.
“Just drop it Princess.” I answered in a dark tone while glaring directly at her.
She recoiled in complete and utter shock from my hostility, her magenta eyes widened to the point where I thought they were going to fall out from her sockets. My heart ached inside, it looked like I really devastated her. This truly surprised me, I never would’ve thought I would have such an effect on her.
I looked behind the distraught princess to find her sister Princess Luna approaching. Celestia said she had a difficult time getting her sister up. She had to be very persistent, and in the end she was successful. I guess Luna needed time to get ready so Celestia must’ve told her where to meet. I wouldn’t say I was not happy to see her, but maybe a little nervous. It’s not everyday you spend time with the rulers of Equestria after all.
The princess of night landed gracefully next to her big sister and offered me a smile which I returned as well.
“I hope I didn’t miss too much, to what do I owe the pleasure?” Her voice was smooth and elegant, just like her sister’s.
Celestia cleared her throat and smiled at her sister while putting a hoof on her shoulder.
“Sister, this is Eclipse. Eclipse this is my little sister Luna which I’m sure you already know.” I noticed she was still recovering from my little outburst moments ago, I still haven’t forgotten her face. It reminded me of my mother when I showed my anger towards her.
I took a moment to clear my thoughts and bowed respectively. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance Princess Luna.”
Luna motioned for me to rise and nodded. “The pleasure is all mine Eclipse, however I deeply regret to inform you that I must cut the introductions short.” She turned towards Celestia and gave her a letter that I now noticed was in her possession.
“This has been given to me before my departure. Says it belongs to Eclipse.” This piqued my interest, a letter? No pony has ever given me a letter, I wonder, could it be from my mother?
“It appears one of our subjects has requested for assistance. I myself shall handle this personally, there’s no need for your help sister.” She said, giving me one last look and smiled.
“I do hope we can see other again soon Eclipse. My sister has told me a lot about you, I look forward to witnessing your potential. Sister, Eclipse, I bid you farewell.” With that, she took to the skies and begun her flight back to their city. Celestia examined the letter as I eagerly waited for her to tell me who it’s from. She turned towards me and offered me the letter.
“It doesn’t say where it’s from but the only name I could find was Dawn, she is your mother correct?” I mentally screamed in joy, I knew it was her! I accepted the letter and looked up at her with a beam in my eyes.
“Your right Princess, I just can’t believe it’s actually her! I feels like it’s been years since I’ve seen her.” She couldn’t help but smile as I greedily opened it like an innocent foal opening a present. It’s time I finally hear back from the one pony in this world that I love the most. I could feel myself struggling to hold my tears.
Dear Eclipse,
I hope this letter reaches you, for I have some great news to tell you. It’s my birthday!
My defenses have shattered, the walls have been breached, the blood of my soul was flowing gently down my cheeks. Seeping through the hairs of my white fur. The letter has hit its mark. I could hear Celestia gasp as I continued reading, but I didn’t care anymore. I didn’t care if all of Equestria could see me now, it was my mom’s birthday today and I completely forgot. I should be with her right now planning this special event. I struggled to read on.
I hope your okay honey, I knew Canterlot was the one place you would go. I’ve been thinking a lot about what you told me Eclipse, and your right. I’m not your real mother, and I hope that maybe one day you could reunite her. But the moment I found you as a foal, to the all the years that I’ve taken care of you. There is one thing that I truly believe in, you are my son. I am so sorry that I have never knew of your struggles, and you have no right to forgive me. My only wish is that you could be here for me, you are the only birthday present I could ever ask for. Tonight I’m baking your favorite, strawberry cheesecake! All I ask is that my handsome baby stallion could share this moment with me tonight. You mean everything to me my son, and I love you more than life itself.
Your loving mother, Dawn
I dropped the letter as it gently landed on the grass, I fell to my knees, whimpering uncontrollably. I continued to shed bloodied tears as they dropped one bye one gently down into the soft earth. I could hear Celestia approach me and I could see her body slowly drop down into the grass as well. I couldn’t bear to look at her.
“I’m sorry Princess Celestia, I’m so sorry.” There’s no use hiding it any longer, it’s time I showed her who I really was. I closed my eyes briefly and finally looked right into hers. With the devilish orbs of my true form, to welcome her to the gates of hell. So she could finally gaze, deep into my corrupted soul.
The mask has been shattered, and now the thing behind it has finally revealed its hideousness, in all its demonic glory.
I remembered a time when I saw that face, I tried desperately to erase that image.
Now... to see it again...