"It's been a thousand years since I've seen you like this."
Betrayal. It digs deep. It strikes when you aren't looking. The very ponies you think you can trust, sometimes, serve up some of the worst. I think I've been betrayed. I have betrayed myself, before. It wouldn't surprise me if everypony else was only pretending to be my friend or ally. Can you be stabbed in the back even if both of you are on the same side? I couldn't imagine two beings with the same goals going at each other's throats. Why go behind the other when you could work together? I guess that doesn't matter if you have different ways of achieving that same goal. What some think is immoral, it might be the only way for the other.
I wouldn't let the rest of that tape play. It flew from my Pipbuck back towards Pepper. It bounced off her hooves before I realized that I was the one who had thrown it. The confusion etched across her face slowly began to combine with anger. It wasn't enough to break the tension. I stared at the Pipbuck, wondering how it had managed to fool me. I wanted to forget about the situation the recording was presenting me. This was a cruel joke that drilled deep into what was left of my heart. Bolt Chaser would have never done this to another pony. He wouldn't have even stood for the notion.
The proof is there. Don't be stupid.
I finally managed to ease my glance towards the mare in front of me. The glare on her face hid a mix of emotions. After a few seconds, though, even that melted together. Our stares locked onto each other, remaining incessant and without blinking. My denial and heartbreak crumpled under her unforgiving eyes. I was hurting, but I also felt terribly guilty.
"You don't believe it, do you?" She finally said, softly.
I hung my head, squeezing my eyes shut.
"It was one of your friends, wasn't it?" She said, through a strained voice. "One of your friends would never do this, right? But it doesn't matter to you. You only believe what you want." The tape slid back towards me. "Listen to it when you get the guts. Keep the damn thing for all I care. When I find that bastard, I'll find something else to shove down his throat. I'm sorry to say it, but I don't care if he's your friend or not. I just hope he isn't the stallion you are interested in."
Rage quickly smothered my sadness like a thick tarp. No, it wasn't Bolt. She was doing this to torture me. It wasn't real. It was just another experiment on a plant or technology. I bet they didn't even mention a living organism in the logs. I felt tears well up in my eyes, but they were nothing compared to the anger escaping my soul. She was lying to me. That's what the wasteland did; it tortured ponies with lies and deceit.
"I'll get my hooves on him, somehow. When I do, I'll make sure he dies a slow and painful-"
Before she could finish, my body had moved at lightning speed towards her. I tackled her, sending us both rolling down the stairs. Each step we hit echoed with creaks and bangs. I didn't care if my burns were agonizing. With all my strength, I fought to keep her in my grasp on the way down. She dodged my stomps and shoves, pushing me off of her. Finally, we neared the bottom step. I found an opening and took it. My good hoof caught her throat as she landed on her back. I kept her legs down with my back hooves. I pinned her to the aluminum floor as her neck muscles struggled under my hoof. I could feel her choking.
"You're a liar!" I screamed in her face, spittle flying from my muzzle. The heat in my own face was like fire licking away at my cheeks. "You've done nothing but lie! This hellish place keeps me at al all-time low, and you're no different! You're a part of the wasteland! You're like a parasite that continually sucks the happiness from me!" I pushed my hoof further. A tiny voice in my head kept telling me to stop before I killed her. It was silenced by another wave of anger. "It wasn't enough that I had to pathetically fear for my life! No, you brought my friends down, too! Bolt Chaser is dead! He's fucking dead, Pepper! You'll never get your filthy hooves on him because those raiders did the job for you! Are you happy?! The wasteland prevails!" I could have sworn my voice started to become deeper, almost demonic. "I'll make sure you never win! I'll make sure Equestria never wins!"
Okay, wait. Where did that come from?
She choked and gagged, squirming under me. I saw her horn spark a few times, but I pressed harder against her throat, keeping her from focusing on her magic. I screamed, shaking my head. A burst of pain shot through the back of my eyes. I was suddenly blind to everything. All I could do was feel Pepper losing her battle to stay conscious. It felt... good. I wanted to see her die. She took everything from me and now she would pay.
No! This is not right! She did nothing to me!
"Sia! Stop!" I heard Nico's voice over the thunder in my head. I tried to look around, but I still couldn't see anything but maroon.
How long have I been here?
I tried to move my hoof, but it didn't budge.
Why can't I move? What's happening?!
For a brief moment, I caught a glimpse of Pepper staring up at me in horror as she strangled. I tried to scream for help, but nothing came from my muzzle. Then, I saw my reflection in her watery eyes. I could make out the murderous smirk I wore. You know those horror stories where the monsters have evil, glowing, red eyes? This was worse.
My eyes were red, but then they turned orange. Then, orange to yellow. Yellow to green. Green to blue. Blue to violet. Finally, back to red. I had never seen anything like this. My irises were changing the colors of the rainbow. It was pretty, but terrifying. The smirk was what I couldn't ignore.
Stop smiling! No! Stop!
"Stop it!" I heard myself say in a mocking tone. Pepper's movement slowed.
Pepper! Fight back! Knock me out or something!
I laughed. The chuckle bounced off every wall in the building, turning my blood to ice. The small laugh grew into a maniacal howl.
Suddenly, a body slammed into me, sending me rolling until I hit a wall. Pain erupted into my side. I gasped for air. I could finally see in color, although a little blurry. Weakness spread fast through my body as I crumpled into a ball.
Oh no... Pepper!
Shakily, I looked over to see her still lying in the same spot, unconscious. Nico stood over her, worried. He put an ear to her chest. I saw Dad look at me, worriedly, then back to Nico. The unicorn said something, but I couldn't hear anything but ringing. My senses were fading. I closed my eyes as Dad performed CPR.
This is it. Nico would never forgive me. Pepper would forever hate me. My father would be ashamed of me, as with everypony else. I had tried to kill an innocent pony. Maybe, I am a part of the wasteland.
My head was pounding. Somehow, I had lost control of my body. I thought back to when I tore through that group of raiders. I thought I was in control, then, but the more I thought about it, the similarities kept adding up. I wasn't really in control.
No different. You killed them in cold blood just like you did with her. You're finally gaining some sense.
"N-no... They deserved it... Pepper didn't deserve... this." I whispered.
It's all the same, is it not? You are weak.
"I-It's not true. Not true!" I whimpered.
Did you really think you could save the world? Make a difference? You're nothing but a coward, Sienna. A nuisance. Now, look at what's happened. Look! You can't go back home, you're losing your only friends, and you'll die alone. Pathetic.
I could have sworn the laughter I heard was right in front of me.
Sienna is a cry-baby! The voice sang.
"Please, stop..." I covered my ears and dug my chin into the floor.
Sienna is a scaredy-cat! The school yard bullies kept singing.
"No. S-Stop!"
Sienna is a-
"I said, STOP!" My hooves slammed on the floor, making everyone jump and look at me.
More anger welled up in my chest. Something similar to a shock wave moved through me. For a moment, I saw the same maroon tint, but I quickly shook my head and pushed it away. Once I opened my eyes, again, I noticed the two stallions had gotten closer to me. Confusion and worry covered their features. Another thing joined those emotions: Fear. It wasn't immediately noticeable, but I could see the way their body language reacted to me.
I looked away from them in disgust and hurt, staring at the small dents under my hooves. The aluminum had been engraved in the shape of horseshoes, under them. The resentment was quickly taken over by that insufferable despair. Tears streamed down my burning face.
What is happening to me?
"Sia..." The tan unicorn cautiously approached me like I was a wild animal.
I snatched my gaze away.
"I-" He began to say. His voice was so soft. "I just want to know what happened." He spoke in a condescending way. I hated that. More than anything, I hated it when I was spoken to like a foal.
You deserve it, though.
"She... wouldn't stop. Kept saying... horrible things. Bolt Chaser didn't do anything! I know he didn't!" I hiccuped.
"What did she say?" There it went, again. I was getting annoyed.
"She said it was Bolt Chaser who took her. She's lying! Th-that tape..." I pointed towards the top of the stairs. "It had a recording on it. Experiments they were conducting..."
He spotted the tape on one of the steps and floated it towards us with his magic. He went on to inspect it, turning it over a few times. This time, he was silent. I didn't know what he was thinking. I probably didn't want to know.
I sniffed. "I-I'm so sorry..."
"I'm not angry at you." He said.
"Look what I did!" I pointed to Pepper's body. "I-I'm a... monster..."
"It's okay, Sia. You didn't mean it... right?" He stepped closer, but not trying to get too close.
He was acting like I was a mental patient who just had an episode. I hated it. I would have much rather him be angry. I wanted him to yell at me and tell me it was not okay. I wanted for him to hit me with the reality of what just happened. That way, I could hear it from another pony. I should have been punished for what I did.
"I did mean it. I did!" I cried.
"Don't say that! You're a good pony, you just... have a lot riding on you. We'll talk about it when Pepper-"
"I am not good!" I yelled. "She is not going to speak to me! She's the only one who doesn't see me as some problem foal!" I looked down.
"That's not true. Nopony-"
"Stop patronizing me!" I boomed. It was coming back. The anger was swelling into a giant lump in my chest. "I have some mental issues! I'm unstable, Nico! Just say it! Say I'm an unstable mare! I was a coward! Afraid of my own shadow, before I got here! Now, I try to pretend to be a hero and look what it cost me!" I pointed to Pepper. Her breathing was back to normal, but she was still out. "I did this... I killed, before. What if it goes too far next time? What if I kill an innocent pony?"
"It was an accident!" He stepped forward.
"Shut up! Just, shut up! You know, damn well, it wasn't an accident!" I heard the whispers. I repeated everything they said. They were right. "I did mean it!" My tone changed, again. "She lied to me! Bolt Chaser did not foalnap her! She insulted him! She insulted all of my friends! She hates me! I've felt unsafe since I've known her in this short time!"
"That is not true, either! She just doesn't... know you!" Nico yelled back. "Why are you saying these things?"
I looked at him. I felt a brazen smile forming on my muzzle. "Look at you. What happened to 'poor Sienna' or 'it's not your fault, Sienna'? Do you finally see me for what I am? You're wrong, anyway! She doesn't want me around you! She wants you all to herself and she doesn't even love you like I do!"
Stop. Talking. Sienna!!! It's not even true!
Nico threw his ears back and glanced down. "Sia, we talked about this..."
"Oh, so now you get to decide how I live my life? Why? Because you know the wasteland? You're an expert at these things, yes?" I laughed. I knew what I was saying, but I couldn't control any of it. "You know what's best for everyone, right?" I laughed, again. The red filled my vision, again. I tried to fight it, but my brain wouldn't take control of my mouth.
I turned in the direction Dad was standing. He watched in shock as I lost my mind. I felt guilt and shame. I wanted to die. I wanted somepony to shoot me so I'd never hurt anyone, again. Terror clenched my heart as I felt the evil smile on my lips.
No! Leave my father out of this!
"You!" I heard myself say. "You left me! You left when I was only a foal! Fleeing to this place, and for what?! To run a stupid bar? It's no wonder you both are such good friends. You're exactly the same! Only caring about what you want with no concern how others are affected!"
He bowed his head, not wanted to show his eyes. I was sure he was starting to cry.
I don't mean that, Dad! Please, stop this, right now!
I fought as hard as I could. Something had taken my body from me. It was clear, then. I felt like I was watching a memory orb, again. I had to get out!
"You are all worthless!" My mouth screamed.
Enough!
I closed my eyes and willed myself to pull through. It was like being suffocated by thick, black smoke. I don't mean wispy smoke you get from cigarettes. I'm talking about the kind of smoke you get that fills the skies when you burn piles and piles of rubber. The other entity fought back, too. It was a battle that no one could see. A war that was only felt. I was losing my body. The familiarity of a panic attack would have been welcome, at that point. I could barely even feel myself breathing, anymore. For a brief moment, the wine-colored goggles vanished. Only for a second did I see Nico and Dad staring at me in sheer terror. Something was wrong about the sight, though. The usually taller stallions were far below me. I had to look down on them! The red came back into view. I should not have been hovering above them. My wing was featherless!
"What's ...-ppening?" I barely heard Dad yell over the commotion in my head. The ringing was only getting louder.
Nico looked around. The light illuminating from me was definitely new. "Her eyes... changing... !" He replied.
That was all I heard. The ringing changed into a loud buzz. Like the annoying buzz of a faulty fluorescent light. It would have given me a headache, if I could feel it. A loud rumble suddenly thundered. It wasn't outside, though. The thunder came from inside my head, but it sounded distant. That's when it happened. A pain, unlike anything I could imagine, rolled through my torso. It was enough to reconnect me back into my body, but only long enough to let out a gut-wrenching scream.
"Sia!" Nico called to me. I heard the clanging of hooves to metal. The closer they came, the worse the pain got.
No! Don't come near me!
My very soul was being sucked out of my body. It's the only way I could describe it. Everything burned. My heart felt like it would stop any moment. I was so cold. The numbing chill slowly migrated down my spine. I hoped my backbone wouldn't shatter. Next, the feeling of being literally torn in two overcame me. Pulling. Ripping. I was being taken apart by some giant pair of scissors. I couldn't even scream, I was in such shock. I was falling, then. The windows that were my eyes stayed aloft as I fell, descending into a dark place. All I could hear was the faint buzzing that would have driven me insane.
Suddenly, the pain stopped. I couldn't hear anything but a deadly silence. I thought I felt myself looking around, but I was pretty much disembodied. This must have been death. Actual death. I knew it wasn't a dream, because I was all too aware. I tried to take a deep breath, but I wasn't even breathing. I just... thought I was. I felt nothing. Absolutely, nothing. Not even my emotions could be sensed. It was just black, all around. It felt like I was a part of the blackness. I was here, but I wasn't.
Where the hell am I? What happened to me? Why can't I do anything?
My voice was heard all around me. Impossible, since I didn't have a freaking mouth.
Nico? Dad? Pepper...
The louder I "yelled", the louder the echo sounded.
Where are you guys? Hello?
Again, nothing but an echo.
I have to get out of here!
Somehow, I managed to move forward. Well, I wouldn't say move. More like I imagined it. Whichever direction I wanted to go, that's the direction I figured I was going. I still felt nothing. No breeze, no floor, no need to breathe. If I could feel anything, it probably would have been panic. I was beginning to believe I really was dead.
I traveled forward for a few more minutes. Or maybe it was hours. Days? Was time a thing after death? Soon, I had started to doubt I was moving at all. Finally, I felt a small light in front of me. You heard that right: I felt it. The warmth was subtle, at first. I moved towards it. It's not like I had any other choice, really.
Hello?
No answer.
It was just there. Gravity seemed to pull me towards it. Wait. The light was moving towards me. No, that can't be right. I had no idea what was happening, only that I could feel the heat growing. Slowly, but surely.
Are you... alive?
It was a stupid question, but I didn't think anyone would be around for me to be embarrassed by it.
Green. I can see green! The blackness around me began to brighten. It still seemed to be a void, though. As the color changed to white around me, I surged forward, unwillingly. Warmth turned to cold. Whatever I had been, began to morph into something else. The strangest part was my eyes forming, again. It was easier to see color. Like, I wasn't imagining anything, anymore, but seeing it.
Hel-
"-lo?" I felt my mouth move. I grabbed at my face, feeling for my nose. Then, my mane. Everything was back! Except, I wasn't burned. I didn't have any injuries or scars. My clothes were gone, too!
I breathed a sigh of relief. I could breathe! "Now that I can speak, properly... Where the hell am i?!"
"Sienna?" A voice came from in front of me. I focused my attention on the silhouette. I barely made out who it was. "What are you doing here, darling?"
I perked up. "R-Rarity?"
She finally solidified a couple of yards away. Her smile was so welcoming, though confused. I couldn't help but run to her.
"Thank Celestia, you're here!" I cried.
She wrapped her forelegs around me. "It's good to see you too, dear. What on Equus happened to you? One minute, I was watching you yell at everypony, and the next thing I knew, my view is disrupted. I was afraid something bad had happened!" She held my hoof. "Are you alright?"
I thought for a moment. "I... I don't know what happened. The last thing I can recall is yelling at Nico and... and..." I trailed off.
Oh, no.
"Rarity, I think something else has control over my body! I got so angry with Pepper and I lost control of myself! I said awful things to everyone... M-my vision turned red a-and I just don't know! I remember pain and feeling like I was being torn in half-"
"What did you say?" She planted her hooves on the floor. Or... whatever was below us.
I pulled my ears back. "Like I was being torn in half..."
She bit her lip, worried. That wasn't good.
"It felt like my soul was being..."
"...ripped from you." She finished for me.
I nodded.
"What else happened?" She asked.
"I-I think my eyes changed colors a couple of times."
Rarity looked away, in thought. "The spell should not have worked that way." She paced. "It should not have affected anypony."
"W-What do you mean? What spell?" I watched her.
Her bottom lip quivered, slightly. "This may be a long shot, but I will try to explain what may have happened."
"Huh?"
"It must have been the spell. Remember when I said you are the only one who can use the necklace? In order to do that, I had to enchant the stone to also connect to a small part of the wearer's soul. However, you were not supposed to be affected by it. It was only supposed to be a small spark to bond you to the magic." She tapped her chin. "I don't think the spell itself has done this. I believe something has polluted the magical connection between you and the necklace. It has found a way to use the jewelry to keep your body and mind separate." She gulped. "I think it may have control over your body, now."
I asked, "Someone or something has my body?!"
There was silence, followed by her sudden realization. "Those nightmares you keep having, I think whatever was causing them may have been doing so to try and take control. Assuming it thought you could be weakened, emotionally, it would be easier to overtake you."
My brain put together the pieces. "That makes sense and all, but you're still telling me I'm stuck like this?!"
"Well, you see, your soul is connected to it, but once the necklace is removed, you were supposed to stay in your body. In my case, I severed a piece of my soul to place in the gem. Yours is only connected like a wire would be connected to a terminal. Once it's unplugged, it just shuts off the connection. The terminal's data doesn't go with the wire." She added. "That's how it's supposed to be, anyway."
"But I'm not in my body!" I whimpered. I gripped her shoulders and shook them. "You gotta help me! I-I can't stay like this!" Could I not feel panic attacks? I normally would have been crippled by one. I was scared, but no physical signs were there.
She stared at me, sympathetically. "I-I'm not sure what I can do, but I'll try my best to help, darling. First, we have to figure out what's going on out there. Let's see if we can take a peek outside, shall we?"
The beautiful unicorn flashed a comforting smile before she lit her horn. The green glow did little to stand out against our similarly-tinted void. It didn't take much effort for her to form a large sphere with her magic. It hovered between us, slowly gaining its form. The glow warmed my face. At least, I could feel temperatures. The magic around her horn faded away, leaving the sphere. I felt like I was about to stare into a crystal ball.
*ERROR* *ERROR* *ERROR*
Level Up!
S- 3
P- 4(+1)
E- 4
C- 4
I- 5
A- 4
L- 4
New Perk!
Right Between the Eyes - For every headshot you make with a small firearm, you deal 2x more damage to an enemy.