//------------------------------// // The Path of Lies // Story: The Friendly Plague // by TheClownPrinceofCrime //------------------------------// Twilight, Spike, and Starlight showed Slash all of Ponyville and its residents. The evil panther was slightly impressed by the ways of some of the ponies who lived therein. Once Slash was presented before them, some of the ponies were terrified by the sight of a dark talking beast of prey; others were amazed by his presence and started to like him. “You have quite an interesting hometown, Twilight Sparkle.” Slash remarked. “I must say that these ponies are definitely an interesting species to mingle with.” “Indeed, they are! I’m glad you noticed!” Twilight replied, smiling brightly. “Now, I would love to introduce you to my best friends!” “Yep! They would love to meet you, Slash!” Spike added. Starlight nodded in agreement. “So do I, Spike.” Slash said, smirking. First, the four went to Sugarcube Corner; after Twilight opened the door of the place, they met a familiar pink pony who just finished baking strawberry pies. Pinkie Pie looked behind and saw her three friends standing beside the door. “Hey Twilight! Hey Spike! Hey Starlight!” she happily greeted. “Hey Pinkie!” they all said. Slash beheld the pink pony with a raised eyebrow. “Are you guys here for a celebration of King Sombra’s defeat? Oh! Oh! I forgot! We still need to have a ‘Thanks for Saving Equestria!’ party!! I focused too much on cakewalking that I forgot all about it!!” Pinkie shouted enthusiastically. “It’s all right, Pinkie. It’s not that.” giggled Twilight. “We’re actually here to introduce a new friend to you guys. He’s new to Ponyville.” Pinkie gasped as loudly as she could the moment the words ‘new friend’ were uttered. “A NEW FRIEND?! I LOVE MEETING NEW FRIENDS!! WHERE CAN I MEET HIM?!” Pinkie energetically yelled. “He’s right behind us.” Starlight said. Both she, Spike, and Twilight stepped aside to reveal the black and purple panther. Slash stood there examining Pinkie from top to bottom. “Greetings, pink pony. The name is Slash. It is a pleasure to meet you.” he introduced. “WOW!! Cool!! You can talk! I’m Pinkie Pie! Your name is so cool! I love that name!” Pinkie said, jumping up and down. “I know right?! It’s so awesome!” Spike agreed. “I see that you’re an enthusiastic type of pony. A rare trait in a common creature.” Slash remarked. “Aww, shucks. You’re quite a charmer, huh? Oh! Oh! Do you like treats? Do you have a favorite? What’s your favorite pie? Or cake? Or cupcake? Or sweetener? Or flavor? Or dessert in general? Oh! Do you like milkshakes?” she asked, nonstop. “Why does she remind me of Joypath? For some reason, I suspect that this Pinkie Pie is a descendant of that annoying hyena. Two of a kind, I suppose.” Slash thought. Disregarding all her questions, he went closer to Pinkie, “Is baking and decorating sweets your special talent, Pinkie Pie?” he asked. “Yes, sir! I love doing this! To make everypony smile and be happy!!” she replied before quickly gobbling on several cupcakes. Slash considered her words and then looked up to her again. “Well, I am happy that you are passionate about making everyone happy. In fact, I’m sure that we would make great friends from here on out.” Slash then opened his arms for embrace. Pinkie willingly hugged him and celebrated their new ‘friendship’. Once again, the artifact on his chest glowed bright red while none of the ponies or Spike noticed it. “Don’t you want to tell me about yourself, Slash? I would LOVE to hear your story!” Pinkie asked. Slash thought about it until he evilly smirked again. “Very well then, Pinkie Pie. Long ago, I was a poor creature who had no one to look up to. At that time, I was a cub enslaved to the wicked Grogar in the city of Tambelon. He was a sadistic cruel warlord who murdered several innocent lives to feed his hunger for power. I, however, had no magic, no talent, no knowledge, no parent, no goal in life!” he half-lied. “My parents abandoned me when I was just born into the world. Instead of protecting me, they left me at the cruel world’s mercy, such as that fiend Grogar!” he vehemently lied. “That’s terrible! What a big meanie he was!” Pinkie sympathized. Seeing that his method was working, he continued. “Yes...he even abused me on a daily basis because I didn’t do want he wanted. Eventually, I escaped Tambelon and was left alone in the Everfree Forest during all these years until now.” he lied again. Pinkie sobbed while listening to Slash. Twilight, Spike, and Starlight were also saddened by his ‘story’ as they too listened attentively. “I am so sorry to hear all of this, Slash. I really am! I am sooooooo glad that you’ve come to the right place where you will have friends who care about you and love you!” Pinkie encouraged, wiping off tears from her eyes. “Oh, I am sure you will all be worth spending with. You have the potential to be such great...buddies.” he strained the word. “I believe that you have other friends to show me, Twilight?” Slash asked. “Yes! You’ll enjoy them as well! See you around, Pinkie!” Twilight waved. Spike and Starlight also waved goodbye. “Bye, guys! Bye, Slash! I’ll make sure to throw you a ‘Welcome to Ponyville!’ party!!” she said while shooting some confetti from her party cannon. “Oh, there will be a party all right...” Slash muttered. Slash and the three went to the carousel boutique where Rarity lived and worked. Once they entered in, Rarity took notice and warmly greeted them. “Why Twilight, Spike, Starlight, I didn’t expect you to come here! But still pleased to see you!” She then noticed Slash right beside them. “My goodness! Who is this creature here, Twilight?” “Consider me your new friend, my dear.” Slash politely spoke. His voice caught Rarity off guard completely. “WHAT IN THE NAME OF CELESTIA IS THIS?! He can talk?!” she yelled in fear. “Is everyone like this, Twilight?” Slash asked, clearly annoyed at the same reaction given to him. Twilight blushed in embarrassment. “Ummm...well like I said, ponies are not familiar with talking animals. Sorry if it’s offending you.” she said. “No, no, don’t be. Let’s just make peace with each other, shall we?” he said. He then looked to Rarity. “My name is Slash. It is an honor to meet you for the first time, madam.” he kneeled. Rarity was pleased with his mannerisms. “My, my, what a gentlecolt or um...gentlecat! The name’s Rarity, sir Slash. The honor is mine.” she politely introduced herself. “It appears that you have quite a reputation in this town. I’ve heard some ponies talking about your sense of...fashion and dress. You must be doing a splendid job of doing what you’re doing. I’m very impressed.” Slash said. “Why thank you for the kind words, Slash. Much appreciated. How about you? Where are you from exactly?” Rarity asked. Slash told her the same story that he gave to Pinkie earlier. Despite the love and appreciation he’s been given so far, he was still focused entirely on his master plan. No matter what stood in his way, he would confront it with deception and half-truths. So far, he was succeeding. “My apologies for what you went through, dear Slash. Luckily, you won’t have to face that ruffian Grogar anymore now that you’re here. If you need any help, you know where to find me, Slash. Friends?” she asked. “Friends.” he replied. “Great!” Rarity and Slash shook paw and hoof in acceptance. Once they waved goodbye to each other, they left the boutique. The artifact glowed red again once the process was done. While they were walking/trotting in Ponyville, Dr. Fauna spotted Slash with Twilight, Spike, and Starlight. Excited to see a new animal in Ponyville, she quickly trotted towards them “Twilight! I see you have another good creature with you!” she called out. All four turned to see the newcomer running towards them. “Dr. Fauna? Nice to see you today! Are you here to see Slash?” Twilight asked. “Slash? That’s his name? Interesting name! And yes, he looks so gorgeous today! I’m jealous that you have such a good-looking pet!” the vet praised. Slash didn’t take kindly to being called a pet or treated like one. “Excuse me, what did you just call me?!” Slash angrily snapped. Dr. Fauna immediately trembled at the creature’s intimidating voice and approach. “He can talk?! I didn’t know he could talk!” she exclaimed. Slash drew near to her to attack her while growling. But Starlight jumped between her and Slash. “Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Easy there! It’s just a big misunderstanding! Her name is Dr. Fauna. She loves to take care of animals just like Fluttershy.” Starlight said, smiling nervously. Slash had his claws extended but backed down slowly. His angry expression remained the same. He then thought of an idea. “If it’s a misunderstanding, then all is forgiven. So, Dr. Fauna, pleased to meet you.” Slash said. Twilight, Starlight, and Spike breathed sighs of relief. Slash turned to face the three. “Would you mind giving us a moment? I like to visit her place to know more about her. Bring your other friends in the meantime.” “Oh, um...okay! Sure!” Twilight said. “No problem!” Spike added. After the two ponies and Spike left, Slash looked at Dr. Fauna with an apparent peaceful smile. “Would you kindly show me your place of operation, Doctor? I’m very sure your animals would be pleased to see another creature who could help them as well.” he requested. “Must certainly, Slash! Follow me!” Dr. Fauna joyfully said. She led him to her workplace where all the other animals were being cared for and resting for recovery from their respective wounds. Slash looked around and saw those creatures. They looked at him both astonished and scared by his appearance. He wickedly smiled at their fear. But he was disgusted by the sight of them being cared for and treated well. He then gazed upon the pony with malicious intent. “As you can see, these creatures absolutely—ahhh!!!” Fauna was interrupted by Slash grabbing her by the throat with his paw. All the animals were startled by the sight. “Not only do I hate being second-best to my pathetic brother Grogar, but I also detest worthless creatures who cuddle animals and give them free will!! Animals are to be obedient, not cared for. I am nothing of the sort! Calling me a pet was a big mistake, pony. I SERVE NO ONE!!!! YOU HEAR ME!!!!!!!!” he roared wrathfully at her while choking her. “Pl-please, have me-mercy...I-I didn’t mean to- to offend y-you...” Fauna stuttered. Slash looked upon her with scorn; he grew an evil grin that sent chills to her spine. “I’ll give you mercy all right. You won’t live to see the fruit of my labor when I’m finished with your friends. Monsters will arise to show the whole world who is the true Father of Monsters...and we both know that it won’t be that foolish goat. And so...” he said before releasing her. “Have a good night rest.” he darkly spoke. He bit her throat with his sharp teeth and mauled her to death. After he killed her, he turned to the animals who looked traumatized by the horrific death scene. “You poor poor children...how long have you been deceived by the lies of freedom and love. Those so-called benefits corrupt the strong and oppress the weak. All of you will have a proper understanding of what happens when you allow those things to cloud your judgement.” he lectured. “So unless you want to join your deceased mistress, I suggest you keep silent until the time comes.” The animals fearfully obeyed his word, unwilling to share the fate of Dr. Fauna. “See? That’s what obedience is all about. Very soon, all of Equestria will be cleansed...by my FIRE!!!” Slash cried out before breathing purple fire on Dr. Fauna’s corpse, devouring her flesh and revealing her skeleton.