The Nightmare King

by Lt_Lance

Chapter 7 – Ballad of the Chicken

[Please forgive me for the unannounced Hiatus. Writer's block is a bitch. I will try to release chapters more regularly.]

It was a nice and sunny day in Ponyville. The weather teams have planned a partly cloudy sky today and plenty of ponies were enjoying a nice day in the sun. All of the little fillies and colts were trying to get in as much play time as possible because school started in a few weeks. Every foal in Ponyville had play on the mind. One was helping her sister with the maintenance of the apple orchards. Another was scooting herself across the floor in boredom. All of the little colts and fillies had relaxed and pleasant things on their minds. Except one.

“crap. Crap. Crap! CRAP! CRAP!"

“Get back here you little rat!”

Three stallions were running after a small thief in the back alleys of town. This foal was unnaturally quick and agile and easily dodged the stallions with ease. She managed to weave through their grip, taunt them, and keep fruit she stole on her back all at the same time.

“You won’t get far!”

“Says you!” The filly shouted.

She looked ahead with a searching gaze. “Where is it? I know I left it around here somewhere!” She grumbled.

She turned a corner. “There it is!”

She found what she was looking for. Her trusted scooter with a wagon attached. She deposited her haul in the wagon and jumped onto the scooter. She began to beat her tiny wings into a buzz while turning her head to blow her pursuers a raspberry. “Better luck next time losers!”

“You can’t run forever we will get you!”

The orange filly drove through town at high speeds but remaining careful and controlled. She didn’t want to risk losing her haul. She stopped in an alleyway on the other side of town away from the market place. This was one of her many spots where she could eat, and on some occasions sleep in peace.

My name is Scootaloo and I live in Ponyville. I get by just fine on my own. I am not a charity case! …I mean that’s what Rainbow Dash would say right? Of course it is! Rainbow Dash is the coolest and fastest pony anywhere! Today started out like any other, wake up, eat, practice on my scooter, and wait for rush hour at the market in order to secure food for this day and next. That last one turned out to be a little more trouble than usual. The strangest part was that I have never seen any of those ponies before. So why would tourists be chasing me? Of course it would make sense that I wouldn't get to contemplate that question. Heavy hoofsteps sounded out on the road. If I’m lucky they won’t see me.

“Here come the three stooges, hell it was too peaceful around here anyway.” I whispered.

“There She is!” one of them shouted.

“Celestia damn it.” I muttered.

I turned around to face them. All three were standing at the entrance of the alleyway blocking my route of escape.

“You boys just don’t know when to give up do you?” I deadpanned.

“That’s enough out of you! You little rat.” A unicorn stallion shouted.

I took a bite of an apple and tilted my head “So what do you want?”

They didn’t answer me. I took this time to take stock of them. The one who kept calling me a rat was light brown unicorn with a silver mane. He must be the leader of this little ‘group’. The other two were a couple of earth ponies they looked plain and dull.

“We chased you all over town little rat.”

They were getting closer to me approaching slowly, probably trying to corner me. They were so close now that I could smell them. …I could smell them.

“Wait a minute …that smell.”

“No”

“*sniff* *sniff* You stink!”

“How dare you!”

“No it can’t...”

“Y-you stink like that place.”

“No it can’t be. How could they have found me it’s impossible.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about little rat just come along quietly.” The unicorn said walking slowly towards me.

“No! You’ll never take me back there!” I screamed.
I ran away as fast as I could. I can’t let them take me back. I have to get away fast. Damn if only I could fly this would be easy.

The three stallions watched her run into the alley like a frightened cat.
“Damn she knows. Go to plan B” the Unicorn grumbled to his companions.
The earth ponies nodded and followed him into the alley.

I ran away from them as fast as I could. I couldn’t even move my wings in order to help propel myself. Sometimes when a pegasus is scared their wings lock up. I was most definitely scared right now.

“Damn, a dead end! …Really!? Who builds an alley like this? Crap they’re coming I have to hide.”

I looked around at my surroundings. I had my back to a wall looking at a dumpster near some trash cans against the wall on my left. The wall on my right was totally bare. It looked like the building was condemned long ago telling by the state it was in.

“Well …dumpster it is then.”

Not my proudest moment climbing into a dumpster to hide. Desperate times you know. Luckily this thing doesn’t seem to get much use. The three ponies walked into view and looked around the dead end.

“Did she fly away?” one of the earth ponies asked.

“Impossible. Her wings are in no condition for that. I’m surprised she managed to use them on the scooter.” The unicorn answered.

“Last I knew fillies don’t just disappear boss.” The other Earth pony responded.

“She’s around here somewhere just give me a second.” The unicorn said closing his eyes.

The unicorns horn began to glow as the alley began to darken. All light in the alley faded until the only thing that could be seen was the unicorn’s dull glowing horn.

“Crap how is it so dark!? It’s the middle of the day!”

It’s not that I’m afraid of the dark it’s just that …the dark is creepy. How can anypony stand not being able to see? I like the light, most ponies don’t know how lucky they are to have it. Terrible things can happen in the dark.

“Oh no… It’s lights out. They used it all the time back there. It takes away all the light in the area while at the same time locating the target for the caster. It never comes before anything good.”

“Of course this leaves no doubt. They really have found me then. …If I’m going down I’m not going without a fight.”

The unicorn’s horn faded and the light returned to the alley.

“She’s in the dumpster.”

The unicorn shoved one of the earth ponies. “Get her.” He commanded

The earth pony begrudgingly followed his superior’s orders and went to retrieve me from the dumpster. As soon as he was about to open the top, the sound of a thousand pissed off honey bees raged from inside.

“Wha-”

*WHAM!*

I jumped out as fast and hard as I could hitting the bastard right in the face. He fell onto his back, holding his face as I sailed over him landing in between him and the other two.

Out of sight in the shadows a blue earth pony cracked a smile. “The cornered rat bites the cat.” He whispered.

“I am different now. I’m no longer the helpless filly you knew! I will not let you take me back!” I screamed

The earth pony that wasn’t lying flat on his back charged at me. I dipped and weaved around his hooves, fluttering my wings in a quick rhythm. It almost feels like I’m dancing, only this isn’t nearly as dumb. I slid in-between his legs and bucked out his left fetlock. I ran through his back legs as he fell over. I used my momentum to charge at the unicorn as fast as I could. I don’t know what happened next.

Lance had been following this marry band ever since he saw them chasing Scootaloo past his pub. At first he thought she was just getting into trouble again, but her behavior with these stallions had just been bizarre. Scootaloo was no stranger to trouble, but she had never freaked out like she had here. As far as he could tell these ponies were after her to take her somewhere. An orphanage perhaps?

Lance was surprised at Scootaloo’s little outburst. Looks like the filly has some fight in her. She surprised one stallion out of the dumpster quickly getting through him. She could really move on the ground! She twirled and sidestepped the other stallion like he was playing a losing game of whack-a-mole. She was on her final charge before she… just passed out on the floor.

*Facehoof*

The Earth pony that Scootaloo knocked on his ass was the first one to get to the unconscious filly. It looked like he had gained a black eye from Scootaloo’s dumpster stunt.

“She’s out cold.” He said.

The other earth pony joined him in looking her over. As the Unicorn started to look around making sure they were alone. He didn't see Lance hiding in the shadows.

The black eyed earth pony kicked Scootaloo into the back wall of the alley.

“Oh fuuuucckk nooo”

The unicorn walked over to her and started touching her wings looking them over.

“They're not even half grown and yet she has such control over them.” He observed without looking up.
He turned around to talk to his companions. “Sickhouse will be pleased with these unforeseen advancements.”

Lance had decided that he had watched enough and stepped out of the shadows to confront Scootaloo’s assailants. “What business do you have with this filly?” he asked gaining there attention.

The unicorn got over the surprise of Lance’s sudden arrival first and gave a quick retort. “Our business, not yours, now butt out!”

“I’m sorry it just looks to me that some stallions are about to take advantage of a child in an alleyway, it would be any decent ponies business to intervene.” Lance said taking a step closer.

“It’s not like that. She stole some food from the market and we were being good citizens and apprehending her.” The black eyed earth pony responded.

“Did she steal from any of you?” Lance asked.

“No”

“From any business you’re associated with?”

“…No”

“…Okay and what exactly were you planning to do with her then? It doesn’t look like you were about to turn her in to the guard.”

They all looked at each other and then back to Lance.

“Sir, if you know what’s good for you then leave.” The unicorn said threateningly

Lance smiled. “Oh threats! I love threats.”

Lance began to walk towards the three grinning stallions. “You see, back where I come from I was rarely ever threatened. Not because it was the safest of places of course. It’s just that no one was that stupid! After all, boys will be boys, they will always fight. I considered myself weak once upon a time and I hated it. So I became strong. When someone becomes strong others try to test their strength against him. When they are too weak they fall …viciously. Nightmare wasn’t the first one I have bitten. No one ever wants to fight a psychopath.”

The unicorn had heard enough. “Get him!”

The two earth ponies charged him while the unicorn stayed behind to guard Scootaloo.

“Fallback plan one.”

The first pony to reach Lance planted his front hooves in order to turn his body and use his momentum in a powerful buck. He didn’t even get his rear hooves off the ground before his face was slammed into the ground. (Apparently ponies don’t ever expect to get punched in the face.) His momentum was enough to carry him across the ground with his face still buried in the dirt. He slid into a trashcan nocking it over with a loud clang.
Lance turned his attention over to the shocked looking earth pony and the stone faced unicorn both staring at him.

“No one.” Lance smirked (Yeah he feels like a badass right now.)

The reckless earth pony appeared to be down for the count because, he wasn’t getting up. The second earth pony started to cautiously approach Lance, eying him up and down looking for an opening.

“What’s the matter? When it comes to beating up little girls you guys have no problem. No, wait... you did. You can’t even fight a little girl!”

This appeared to get under the earth ponies skin because he stopped his cautious approach and charged Lance.

Lance smirked with a feeling of accomplishment. When he was prepared to hit the stallion unceremoniously in face like the last one he was thrown for a loop. Instead of planting his hooves to buck or charging through he jumped to Lance’s right. If lance was taking this fight seriously he probably would have been able to react in time. Before he could react he received a quick buck to the jaw.

Lance was knocked off balance and stumbled towards the wall thanking Thank god that he wasn’t hit at full power. He knew what earth ponies could do with their legs. Before he could right himself the earth pony lunged at him with his forehooves knocking him down on his side. He was put in the pony equivalent of a full mount. Lance learned that hooves are horrible for protecting your face somewhere around the fourth punch.

Lance finally managed to roll out of the mount and tried to stagger up onto his hooves. When he finally got back on all four hooves he looked to where the pony was standing …to get a look at two raised rear hooves.

“Oh fu-”

Lance was bucked through the wall. (Literally through a fucking wall.) The building appeared to be abandoned because no one came to investigate. Lance was buried under a pile of rubble and bricks. There was no movement at all coming from the wreckage.

“Heh all talk.” The earth pony laughed to himself.

“You fool! What did I tell you about taking things too far?” The unicorn yelled over to him.

“Boss?” the earth pony asked.

“You didn’t have to kill him. This will only complicate things further.” The unicorn said glaring at the earth pony.

“I sorry boss”

“You will be if you don’t collect him, we need to make sure he is not found.”

“Right away.”

The earth pony walked up to the pile and started to dig through the bricks as the Unicorn turned his attention back over to the unconscious filly. He couldn’t help himself but smirk at her unconscious form.

“Nopony can help you now zero-nine-three.”

He turned his attention to the unconscious earth pony buried in trash on the other side of the ally and shook his head in contempt. When they would get back to the institute he would recommend that he received ‘special’ training.

“Are you almost done over there?” he asked the earth pony digging in the rubble.

“I think I can see him now boss.” The earth pony called back.

Lance’s voice was heard from under the ruble. “You can’t kill me.”

The earth pony recoiled in surprise falling back on his haunches. The unicorn started to walk towards the ruble with one of his eyebrows raised.

“What? How is he still alive? He got bucked in the face.” he asked.

What seemed to look like thick black vines shot out of the ruble slamming into the confused earth pony sending him flying across the ally crashing into a dumpster.
A pair of glowing green serpent’s eyes peered out of the darkness of the pile and a new deeper voice called out.

“Nothing can KILL ME!”

The unicorn pulled the earth pony to his hooves and they turned to look at their opponent. Lance emerged from the ruble wearing a look of fury. His shades were nowhere to be seen and his eyes glowed brightly in the low lighting of the alleyway. The odd black vines that seemed to be coming from the shadows around him were clearing the rubble from his path.

“Magnificent …Sickhouse would have a field day with this one. New plan, we take him too.”

“Yes boss.” The earth pony nodded.

“As enticing of an offer as you make that sound, I’m afraid I have to decline.” Lance sneered his voice lowering to normal.

“It wasn’t an offer we are prepared and fully willing to take you by force.” The unicorn stated.

“And just how would you do that all by yourself?” Lance asked tilting his head.
The earth pony looked at Lance confused “Wha-“

*Crash* The earth pony flew into the dumpster denting it beyond recognition. Lances tendrils retracted into his shadow as he turned his attention back over to the Unicorn.

“Just you and me now tough guy.”"

“You are mistaken creature. …it’s just me.”

The unicorn’s horn began to glow and all the light faded out of the area.

Lance closed his eyes and smiled “heheh!”

When it was almost pitch black in the alley the unicorn’s horn died down to a low glow leaving him and lance alone in the dark. Lance kept laughing as it got darker.

“Just what are you laughing at?” The unicorn said looking at where Lance was standing.

“Let me let you in on a little secret. I don’t just wear my shades to hide my eyes, although that is a big part of it. My demons eyes are very sensitive to light, and I mean VERY sensitive.”

Lance opened his eyes the green serpent like orbs were glowing in stark contrast to the darkness around them.

“I can see in just about total darkness like it was the middle of the day. Your spell has no effect.”

“You have just been one huge insufferable mess.” The unicorn groaned.

“Thank you, I try.”

The unicorn gave up on banter and decided that he was going to rush Lance head on. Lance smiled and rushed him back. Lance had been in this scenario many times before, two guys running into each other with reckless abandon. They collided with a loud thump. The unicorn fell back as Lance drove him into the ground.

“Weak.” Lance spat

Lance hit him in the face once before the unicorn regained his senses and kicked him off. The unicorn rolled over to his hooves and bucked Lance in the face. He stumbled back a few steps before lunging at the Unicorn who had just put his hooves back on the ground. He landed on his back bringing them back to the ground. Lance wrapped his forehoof around his neck in a choke hold. The unicorn started to flail about and squirm. He threw his head back hitting Lance’s nose with his horn.

“Damn!” Lance yelled letting him go.

The unicorn rolled over hitting Lance in the face with his forehoof. Lance hit him back across his face.

“I take it you’re used to bottoming then?” Lance asked with a laugh.

“I will kill you!” The unicorn yelled hitting lance in the chest.

“This fight is getting boring. I’m done.”

One of Lance’s tendrils Shot to wrap around his horn quickly diffusing his spell. The darkness disappeared showing a bruised and battered unicorn and a scratched up
Lance. The tendril was holding him in place.

“If I see it glow I’ll break it off.” Lance said glaring down at him.

“What are you?” The unicorn panted.

“Very pissed off.”

The tendrils slammed his head into the ground. The unicorn didn’t even make a sound. Lance pulled him up to eye level again.

“It’s never good when I’m angry. These things get harder to control when I get like this. I might slip and break something. So let’s try to calm me down a bit and answer some questions, yea?” Lance asked tilting his head.

“I will not tell you anything.”

Lance rolled his eyes before asking. “What is your name?”

“…”

*Slam*

“What do you want with Scootaloo?”

“…”

*Slam*

“Who sent you?”

“…”

*Slam*

Lance shook his head. “We are off to a poor start”

“F-fuck. Yo-oouuu.” The unicorn slurred.

Lance smiled at the distant look on the unicorns face. “I take it we are experiencing a side effect of your head trauma, hmm?”

Lance dropped him onto his stomach. He backed up a few steps putting on a serious look and looking him over appraising the damage he had done.

Lance smiled again “Do you wanna know fun fact about unicorns? They can’t really use any form of magic if there concussed. Not even there naturally occurring magic! It must have something to do with the horn because you guys are the only race with this flaw.”

“Th-there is nooothing flawed about unicorns.”

“You say that as if it were fact?” Lance questioned

“It iss unicorns are t-the superior race.”

“…Well I’m not here to argue against your bigotry.”

Lance approached him calmly until he was face to face with him.

“Are you afraid?”

“Nooo.”

Instead of putting on a knowing smirk and closing in like he had done a few times before lance recoiled slightly dropping him back onto the ground. Something was wrong with this situation.

“What!? This is different. This unicorn doesn’t fear me. I don’t know whether to be pissed or impressed.”

“…well.” Lance mumbled

“What?”

“They always say that …but you’re not lying to me.” Lance said looking slightly confused.

“And?”

“Well that’s just it. You are not afraid.”

“Now let’s see if I can fix that.”

The Unicorn collapsed onto the ground with his eyes open. Lance looked behind him to the other ponies knocked out in the alley. A genuine smile grew on his face.

“Looks like I got a package deal.”

The unnamed unicorn woke up with a groan.

“Ohhh my head.” He said rubbing his forehead.

He looked up from the ground to take in his surroundings.

“What the hell is this?”

He looked around to see he was now in a strange looking city. It looked dirty and the air smelled of burning coal. He had never seen such a city before. All of the doors seemed too tall to be for ponies and the buildings had a decrepit look to them. What looked to be gas powered street lamps ran alongside the road. He was on an unnamed street corner with nopony in sight.

“What is the meaning of this?” He asked.

He stood up and began to walk in a random direction looking for something of relevance. Over the course of his walk his memories came back to him and a scowl grew on his muzzle. He looked around at the street he was on and then looked up.

“Do you think you can fool me with your petty illusions? Ha good luck you… whatever you are.”

An eerie laugh permeated through the air chilling his bones. He quickened his pace looking around for a way out or a way to break the illusion he thought he was in. his trot was interrupted by the sound of a loud crash coming from an alley ahead of him.

He heard groaning followed by another crash. The sound of two ponies quietly bickering came after. The unicorn relaxed slightly, he knew who these voices belonged too. He turned the corner to see two earth ponies angrily whispering to each other about the fight they were just in. the alley strangley resembled the one they were just standing in minutes before but instead of a dumpster there was a half open wooden door.

“I’m telling you that he just hit you with his forehoof and you were out.” The earth pony without the black eye quietly whispered to the other.

“There is no way a scrawny pony like that could have taken me out like that. He had to of used some kind of weapon.”

“Ahem!” the unicorn coughed to get their attention.

The two ponies stopped there bickering and looked over to him. “Boss?” they both asked.

They walked over to the unicorn and stood at attention. The unicorn looked them over and made sure that these were his ponies.

“Star?” the unicorn questioned.

“Sky.” The earth ponies answered.

The unicorn relaxed. These were his ponies.

“How did you idiots get here?”’ He asked

“Uhh…” They both looked at each other and then back to the unicorn. “We don’t know.”

The unicorn shook his head. “You two are useless.”

“I sorry boss. One minute I’m charging that stallion and the next moment I’m here.”

“Where is here boss?”

“I think that weird colt has us in some sort of illusion.”

Lances voice permeated from all around them. “This isn’t an illusion. This is sooooo much more!”

“Show yourself!”

“Hmmm… no. I’m sorry I already did that in the alley”

“What do you want with us!?” The unicorn shouted.

“Oh nothing much I just want to play a game.”

“A game?”

“Yes a game. The rules are simple really. You just need to stay alive for as long as possible.”

“Stay alive?”

“Yes for as long as possible. Pay attention.”

“I will not waste my time playing your stupid little game. I will escape your little illusion and then I will drag your lifeless corpse back to the Institute.”

“The Institute you say? Do go on.”

“That is all you will hear out of me.”

The unicorn closed his eyes and started to strain himself.

“Well as amusing as it is to see you give yourself an aneurism, I feel I should tell you that your magic won’t work I’m afraid. Even if you feel fine now you are still confused.”

“I hate you.”

“Aww but we just met.”

*crash*

“What was that?”

“And let the games begin!” The voiced boomed out and. Laughter that could only be described as maniacal faded away in the breeze.

“Grrr you two go check out that sound.”

“But boss.”

“Don’t question my orders! Now go.

“Okay boss.

The two earth ponies walked into the door cautiously. “Do you hear dripping?” the black eyed one asked the other.
When they were gone the unicorn sat down and started to contemplate his situation. As far as he could tell this was the best illusion he had ever seen. Even some of the best unicorns he knew wouldn’t be able to break out of something like this. As he was contemplating his options the two earth ponies ran out of the building slamming the door before they looked toward the unicorn.

“It was horrible boss!” The black eyed pony yelled.

“It was disgusting!” said the other.

“I have never seen anything so horrible in my life!”

The unicorn started to rub his head with his hooves. His companions’ yelling was not helping his growing headache “What are you two idiots talking about?”

“It made a freaky screeching noise.”

“No it made a gross gargling sound.”

Hwryyyyyglglglrrrr!

“Yea something like that.” They said in unison.

The door busted off its hinges and flew over their heads. In the door frame stood a monster that came out of Lance’s twisted imagination. A solid charcoal grey stallion with a light brown mane was standing in the doorway. It looked like a pony but it wasn’t. It stood on its rear hooves with one of its forhooves outstretched from punching to door of it’d hinges. All of its hooves were covered in blood. Its eyes had no whites or pupils they were just solid black orbs secreting thin trails of blood from the tear ducks. It didn't appear to have a mouth just bare skin beneath two flaring nostrils. The creature appeared to be sniffing for something.

"What in the name of Celestia is that thing!"

“Now introducing the Bloody Hoof Mark 2! Now to add in some places, I had to take away from some. Sacrificing most of its ocular functions I made the damn thing strong as all hell. Not to mention that it has the nose of a bloodhound. Get it blood hound, Ha!”

From behind the one standing in the doorway two more appeared. One already had its mouth open and was bleeding from the fresh wound of a mouth. It had two rows of jagged sharp teeth all stained with blood. This one stepped forward in front of the other two and shrieked a challenge to the three ponies staring dumbstruck and terrified at the monsters before them.

Hwryyyyyglglglrrrr!

It sounded like a loud screech but in the middle of the roar blood poured into its wind pipe, gurgling the screech.

“Run!” The unicorn commanded. He didn’t have to say it twice. They ran in the opposite direction of the monsters in an almost comical fashion. The Bloody Hooves did not give chase but just merely stood there as they ran. A voice rang out from around them.

“Let the hunt begin. Leave the unicorn for last my pets.”

They disappeared into the shadows with a nod of acknowledgment.

The trio of ponies were running down a street of boarded up buildings. The sky was starting to fill up with dark grey clouds blocking out the sun. Soon it was almost pitch black outside. They couldn’t even see there hooves in front of their faces.

“I can’t even see my hoof in front of my face!” (Told ya)

“Stop shouting you imbecile! We need to get distance between us and those monsters.”

“But boss if this is illusion why should we worry about those monsters?”

“I’m actually surprised that you managed to think up that argument. If this were a regular illusion you would be absolutely right, but can’t you feel the ground beneath hour hooves and the wind in your mane? This is no ordinary spell if I had to guess I would say that this is black magic and that he pulled our souls from our bodies.”

Lances voice called out from behind them in an impressed tone. “Oh you are good. Color me impressed.”

Without slowing down the unicorn shouted over his shoulder. “I will find a way out of this!”

“No… you won’t.” there was no play or joy in the response. Lance meant it not as a challenge or a quip, …it was fact.

They turned a corner to find that all of the street lamps were on but the lights weren’t really shining. The lamps just acted as beacons in the blackness illuminating no more than a five foot radius from the lamp.

“This is not right.” One of the earth ponies stated.

They began to trot along looking over their shoulders and into shadows trying to find where the next monster will come from.

One of the earth ponies tripped over an uneven stone in the ground falling onto his face.

“My leg!”

The Unicorn and the black eyed pony both stopped and went back to check on him. As soon as they reached him they could make out the sound of slow deliberate echo of hoof steps approaching from the shadows.

Looking out into the darkness the other earth pony bent down and whispered. “Did you break something?”

“No I think I twisted my hoof.”

The sound of hoof steps suddenly stopped echoing throughout the street. The trio looked up to see that in the light of the four street lamps away stood a bloody hoof seemingly looking in random directions.

“Stay quiet. He said that they couldn’t see very well.”

The monster started to sniff at the air vigorously. Eventually it turned to face them. A moan coming from its face as the skin began to tighten and tear.

*rrriiiiiiiip*

All of its teeth came into view through its gory mouth. Two rows of crimson stained shark teeth gleamed brilliantly in the low lighting of the street lamps.
The injured earth pony tried to stand up but only ended up falling over on his side. The other earth pony ran over to him to try give aid.

“I got you.” he said picking him up.

“Leave him we can’t be slowed down.” The unicorn ordered.

“Just leave him?” the earth pony asked shocked.

“He will keep it busy as well.” The unicorn stated pointing to the slowly approaching bloody hoof.

The bloody hoof picked up its pace slightly

“Celestia forgive me.” He said dropping the hurt pony on the ground and running past the unicorn.

“Help me! Please boss, help me!” he pleaded.

“You’re on your own now.” The unicorn said running away.

They ran off and turned a corner.

He watched them leave his eyes growing wide as he understood he was left to die. Terror struck him as he realized that the monster was still behind him.

*rrriiiiiiiip* *rrriiiiiiiip*

He turned around to see three bloody hooves approaching with their mouths torn. Their teeth were shining brilliant crimson and there lifeless eyes gleamed in anticipation of their meal.

He started to cry.

The two remaining turned the corner and were halfway down the block before they heard it.

The sounds of his screams would have been enough to make the hardest of stallions cringe with fear. Bloody Hooves were not built to kill cleanly.

“One down”

They came to a stop next to a closed cast iron gate along a cobblestone wall to catch their breath. This street was actually lit with lights that worked correctly. One side of the street was filled with boarded up decrepit buildings, the other side had a tall cobblestone wall running along it’s length.

“We just left him there… He’s dead boss. We left him to die!”

“Would you have rather died with him? No? Then shut up and let me think.”

The gate wasn’t locked and there was something in there. The fact that the gate was made from solid iron made the location seem defendable.

“You stay here and make sure that thing doesn’t sneak up on us. I’ll go ahead and look for a place to hold out.” The unicorn said looking through the bars of the gate.

“You’re not going to leave me are you?” the earth pony asked.

“No, I need all the help I can get to survive this.” He said opening the gate.

On the other side of the wall was different world all together. As soon as he stepped through the gate the sun started to shine showing a field of grass leading up a hill. There was a house up on the hill light was coming from the windows and the front door was open. It was the most inviting looking place he had seen since he had arrived in this place. Smiling to himself he decided to return to his companion.

“Okay I think I found somewhere where we can ho-”

He turned the corner to see that the earth pony half eaten by one of the monsters. His throat had been torn out explaining the lack of screaming. It looked up at him with blood dripping from its maw. He stood frozen in fear and shock, staring into the lifeless cruel black eyes of the beast. Then it went back to eating the earth pony.

“Sweat Celestia.” The unicorn whispered.

The sound of hooves clopping on stone echoed behind him. The unicorn turned around to see that the street was now littered with bloody hooves. They didn’t appear to be moving they all just stood there staring at him he still heard the sound a teeth ripping through meat signaling that the earth pony was still being consumed. He started to back up slowly into the gate. The bloody hooves began to walk towards him as the roar of ripping flesh filled the air.

He quickly closed and barred the gate in an effort to keep the monstrosities out. Slowly they all made their way to the iron gate. The gate was sturdy enough to hold but the stones it was attached to seemed to be coming loose. They wouldn’t be kept out for long. He ran to the house desperate to reach some kind of shelter to get away from these monsters. He ran through the door slamming it shut behind him.

He looked around the room and saw a basic living room. Simple wooden chairs were scattered about the room. In the center of the room a heavy looking coffee table stood next to a decrepit looking sofa.

“I need to barricade the door.” The unicorn thought to himself.

He proceeded to grab some chairs and put them against the door. He ran to a chair picked it up and placed it backwards against the door. He ran to get the next one and Lance handed it to him and then he placed it against the door. He ran behind the coffee table and tried to push it struggling for a few seconds.

“Let me help you with that.” Lance said.

“Thanks” the unicorn gratefully replied

He stopped suddenly and turned slowly around. He came face to face with Lance wearing his shades again.

Lance smiled “Hey”

“Fuck!”

Lance grinned and approached him laughing darkly to himself.

“You see I was worried when you weren’t frightened by my display earlier. So I thoughts to myself. Everyone has to be afraid of being eaten alive. It’s one of those things that’s just hardwired into your brain. So after I put you under I saw your two goons on the floor and was like ‘What the hell!’ I put them in here with you and fed them to the Bloody Hooves. I love those things.”

“You did this… What is this?”

Lance took off his shades and threw them to the side. “A very very bad dream.”

“I will ask you again …Are you afraid?”

“y-yes” the unicorn stuttered.

“Okay then” Lance said smiling walking away from him.

“That’s it, I’m free to go?” The unicorn said hopefully.

Lance stopped walking away. “Well …normally that would be the case. After I gained your fear I don’t need to push any further.”

“Normally?”

He turned around to face him again removing his glasses. “Well I really really reeeaaalllyy don’t like you.”

“Please let me go! I won’t tell anypony I swear!” The unicorn begged.

Lance approached him appearing to be in deep thought. Eventually he looked at him again and asked. “Okay, Who sent you?”

“I …I can’t tell you that, they’ll kill me!”

“Oh well man. That was your last chance.”

“You can’t! Why are you doing this to us!?”

Lance grabbed his head and looked him in the eyes. “Because I saw you chase a child through the streets, I saw you trap her in an alley, and I saw. you. hurt. her!”

“We were just doing our jobs.” The unicorn mumbled

“And that’s the answer that landed you in this predicament.”

“Please don’t!”

*rrriiiiiiiip*
*rrriiiiiiiip*
*rrriiiiiiiip*

Three bloody hooves stood around him with their mouths torn and a gurgling growl coming from their throats.
Lance turned his back on the terrified unicorn “Sick em boys.”

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!”

I was looking over the unconscious filly looking for any cuts and bruises. I found a mark on the back of Scootaloo’s right ear.

“Is that a tattoo?” I questioned moving her ear to get a better look.

There appeared to be three numbers written In light red ink that read ‘:093:’.

“:093:? Is that a tattoo or a brand? Jesus Scoots what is your story? Why does every pony here have to have some sort of dramatic back story? First I find out she really is homeless and now it seems that she went through pony Auschwitz. Maybe I should stop all this snooping into these ponies’ lives? …Nahhh.”

“Hey wake up filly.” I said nudging her with my hoof.

It didn’t work so well at first. I tried lifting her eyelids, holding her nose, and shaking her like a British nanny. Nothing seemed to be working.

“…Wake up chicken!”

She begrudgingly opened her eyes looking up at me “A bar colt?” she asked confused.

“…HAHAHAHAHA!”

I smiled down at her “Hello little filly my name is Lance and the shadows have told me much about you and your …situation.”

She suddenly remembered what just happened and started to take in her surroundings looking for the ponies that were attacking her. After she was sure they weren’t around anymore she turned her attention back to me.

“Wait who are you? What do you mean the shadows told you?”

She narrowed her eyes “…What did they tell you exactly?”

“Okay let’s see if I’m as good an actor as I think I am.”

“Young one if you are ever afraid and find yourself cornered by your enemies follow this advice.”

“W-w-what?” she was scared of me. Ughh the fear of children. It tasted cheap and stale like bad bread.

“The shadows dear Scootaloo if you find yourself alone and scared the shadows will keep you safe.” I said in the most caring tone I could manage

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about mister.” she said looking into every shadow she could see. “The dark is kinda scary”

“Scootaloo from now on the darkness should hold no fear for you. It is a sanctuary and a protector. You are guarded by the king of nightmares.”

“What the hay is that supposed to mean!?” she screamed at me.

“The Nightmare King has taking a liking to you young filly.” I put my hoof against her skull and willed the black beneath her skin. It didn’t hurt I made sure of that. I took her pain.

“And so you receive this gift.”

Scootaloo backed away rubbing her forehead with her hooves “What was that?” she asked

She was too busy being weirded out by the mental breach to notice me walk away. I dropped one of my business cards on the ground and walked out of the alley. I started towards Molly’s. I need a drink after I got my ass kicked in that alley.

“Hey wait!” Scootaloo called out after me.

She began to chase after me but stopped when she felt a weird pressure in her head followed by a sound.

“What?”

“…Sup” I spoke into her mind

“Who said that!” she said looking around the now empty alley.

“Greatings young one my name is King Myrvang”

“King …Myrvang?” she asked confused and a little concerned about her safety. Weird voices in your head calling themselves kings are not always a good sign. (The more you know)

“You don’t need to speak aloud you know, doing it in public like that would make ponies think you’re crazy.”

“Wait I don’t understand, who are you, where are you, what’s going on?”

“Lance opened up a telepathic link between you and me.”

“Tele-what!?” She yelled

“I’m speaking into your mind.”

“Oh, Well why didn’t you say that in the first place!”

I have a sinking feeling that this is going to be the weirdest day of my life.

“Could be but you never know what the future might hold.”

“Gah! Did you just read my mind?”

“Did you not catch the bit about the telepathic link?”

“You’re speaking into my mind I got that but you didn’t say you were reading it.”

“That’s pretty much exactly what I said. We are speaking through our minds!”

“Then why do I need to speak out loud.”

“…”

“What?”

“So mature but still just a child. Pay attention!”

“Hey I’m not some helpless foal you know!”

“Oh yea you proved that to those stallions earlier in the alleyway.”

“Hey I had them right where I wanted them!”

“Yea gathered around your unconscious body. Way to go Scootaloo you really had them on the ropes!”

“Hey they must have used some crazy magic thing to knock me out!”

“Actually you just passed out after you got past the second earth pony… you just passed. the. fuck. out.”

“I don’t think I like you.”

"Meh. Now I have some questions."

"Why should I answer anything?"

“Because …I saved you from those goons?”

“…You win this round Myrvang. What do you want?”

“They mentioned an institute. What is that?”

“…The past. I don’t want to think about it.”

“Why not?”

“I got away that’s all that matters.”

“Running away from your problems won’t make them go away.

“That’s all I can do though.”

“And why is that young one.”

“I can’t get help because they are the help. If I am found by the authorities they will send me back there.

“Back where, some kind of orphanage?”

“No it’s more like a hospital.

“Are you sick?”

“No, but that’s what they would say.”

“How did you end up in this hospital in the first place?”

“What I’m supposed to drop my life story at your request? Look I really appreciate the assistance back there but I don’t really even know who you are.”

“Fair enough I suppose”

“Finally now leave me alone-”

“-I am Myrvang the Nightmare King. I am a being that feeds off the fear of others as a result of a demons curse. I am not a unicorn so I am unable to really use much magic. However I have a bag of tricks that runs deep. I saved your life today. I have been keeping an eye on you for a few weeks making sure you were safe.”

“Why me? Why am I so important?”

“Let’s just say you have a destiny to live up to. …Also I watch a few others as well.”

“What?”

“We can discuss your future later. Right now I am more interested in your past.”

“Why are you so interested in my past anyway?”

“I need to know what your problem is if I am going to fix it.”

“What makes you think I even want your help?”

“I don’t care if you want it. The fact is that you need it Scoots.”

“…I don’t know how I ended up in the hospital. …I grew up there.”

“I am going to sound really depressing now. That’s only because the memories you are bringing up are nothing but bad ones.”

“One must open the festering wound to heal it Scoots.”

“Well that puts lovely images in my head.”

“Go on Scootaloo.”

“Evil has a name. Its name is Sickhouse. His face is the only one I see in my nightmares.”

“Hell exists. It is disguised as a place of healing. The Sickhouse Institute of Pony Advancement is my place of torment.”

“What the hell did they do to you?”

I didn’t say anything I just fluttered my wings. After a while I realized he couldn’t really see me.

“*Sigh* my wings. They …did something to my wings”

“*growl* …of course they did. What kind of universe would this be if scootabuse wasn’t cannon?!”

What the hell is he talking about? Is that supposed to be some sort of lame pun?

And then a wave of something …bad… hit me. It was almost like I could feel how someone else was feeling. Is this because of our link? …What is this feeling? It’s almost …indescribable. This isn’t anger I have been angry before but not at this level. I could feel it seep through that tele-whatsit he gave me. Maybe I need to get a dictionary or something because I can’t think of a word to describe this.

“…”

“...Are you okay?”

“…”

“Uhh… Mister Myrvang?”

“I take it that you are not a fan of pity young Scootaloo?”

“…Yea?”

“I won’t offer you an apology for what was done to you then but I will promise you that I will look into who is after you and I promise you, that as long as I draw breath that they will never take you back to that place. You have many years in Ponyville ahead of you and I will be damned if your dragged off to some sort of Nazi laboratory!”

“Nazi?”

“Never mind that now do you know where these bastards came from?”

“The institute is in Germaniegh up on some mountains I think.”

“Did you just say Germaniegh?”

“Yea?”

“…you can’t see it but I’m facehoofing right now. Ugh. Any landmarks that you can give me to help me find it?”

“It should be just outside of Bridleburg. The train can take you strait there.”

“Thank you Scoots I will look into this and do what I can to fix your problem.”

"Hey I managed to hide from them for this long I can do it again.”

“They are not your only problem little girl.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You still lack a home.”

“I can do just fine on my own.”

“Heh of course you can.”

“Who was that Stallion who woke me up?”

“A friend. His name is Lance, he was the one who engaged your assailants. However he is a little too cocky for his own good. I had to step in to save his sorry ass.”

“Why was he here?”

“Like I said we are watching over you. We saw that you were in trouble so we helped.”

“That’s kind of creepy when you think about it.”

“A little bit I guess. Lance dropped his card for you I want you to go pick it up.”

“Okay then…”

I picked up the card and looked it over. This card is kind of creepy. Along the right side of the card was the symbol for Nightmare Moon and taking up most of the space was a whole bunch of… words.

“Why do I need this?”

“The address on the card is what’s important. If you ever wind up in trouble you can go there for help.”

“…”

“What?”

“What’s the address again?”

“…illiterate, of course.”

“Hey I don’t know what illiterish means but I don’t like the sound of it!” I shouted.

“You shouldn’t. It’s a damn shame really. Have you ever been in school?” Myrvang asked.

“…No” I reluctantly answered.

“Well that’s going to change.”

“What?”

“I know you’re a smart filly Scootaloo. I’m taking the liberty of enrolling you in school. Before you say I can’t realize I have connections with the local Ponyville government.” Myrvang said proudly.

“…What?”

“You are going to attend school.”

“Why are you doing this to me?”

“Why the hell not Scootaloo?” Myrvang cheerfully asked.

“…I really don’t think I like you.” I said rubbing my temples. I can’t tell whats giving me a bigger headache this strange method of communication or Myrvang’s up and down personality.

“I don’t need you to like me I just need you to trust me.”

“It would be easier to trust you if I liked you, I’m just saying”

“Just show up to school on the first day and you will find that you are registered.”

“Why would I even want to go to school?”

“Rainbow Dash went to school.”

“Really!?” I asked excitedly. Anything Rainbow Dash did is instantly way cooler.

“Yea she even made it all the way to advanced flight school.”

“Wow! I bet she finished best in class."

“You would think that wouldn’t you. Well… Life can be complicated little one.”

“How so?”

“Basically shit happens Scoots.”

“You can say that again.”

“Why the obsession with RD anyway?”

“Are you crazy! Rainbow Dash is the fastest and coolest pony in all of Ponyville. Hell maybe all of Equestria! I was thinking of starting a fan club for her sometime in the future."

“Well she is pretty cool I’ll give you that. You might want to hold off on that fan club for a while, you know? find some good friends in the meantime..”

“Meh.”

“We’ll be in touch Scootaloo. I will look into the institute.”

“…Hello?”

“…Well goodbye then?”

“Well this is something unexpected. I guess I have my own guardian angel now. Heh and what an interesting angel he is.”

“I wonder what happened to those creeps that were chasing me anyway?”

I looked around and couldn't find a trace of them. the alley was torn up though. there was a hole in the wall and the dumpster was damaged beyond recognition.

“Meh better not worry about it at least they are gone. …so now what do I do.”

It was back to business as usual for the next two weeks. My wings were sore after that fight though so I didn’t use my scooter for a few days after the whole thing.

I was hanging out outside the back of sugar cube corner. It was Super Awesome Chocolate Amazing Donut Thursday (Pinkie’s idea) and I was waiting for Mr. Cake to throw out the extras. I sat out there for about five minutes before I heard a familiar voice shout right into my ear.

“What do you think you’re doing?!”

“Gah!”

I fell over in surprise flailing my arms as I lost balance. It must of seemed funny because I heard laughter from the one who thought it was a great idea to scream in my ear. I looked up to see that blue pony from the alley two weeks ago. I think his name was Lance.

“…Hey I know you!”

“Hey, I know me too! That is one hell of a coincidence don’t you think?”

“Heheh. I like you, you’re funny.”

“Holy Christ. I like me as well. This is just getting freaky Scoots.”

I smiled. “Well it was nice talking to you again but I need to do something.”

“Do what?” he asked.

“Nothing important.”

“Then it can wait.”

Mr. Cake walked out with his bag of stale pastries and treats.

“Not really I need to do this soon”

Lance appeared to be eyeing Mr. Cake as well. “But you said it wasn’t important”

“Well…”

Lance looked back at me and then back to Mr. Cake and then back to me tilting his head questionably.

“Fine! I was trying to score some breakfast.” I snapped crossing my arms.

Lance sighed shaking his head. “You need to stop stealing Scoots.”

“Yea I know, it’s wrong” I said rolling my eyes. I had heard this speech more than once before.

“No, because it draws too much attention to yourself.”

“Yea y-say what?”

“I don’t think less of you for scavenging to survive. I watched you do it for weeks now and I never told a soul. However those stallions found you somehow. Also I like your style Scootaloo. I saw you kicking flank in that alley like a champ. If you were just a little bigger…”

“Yea! I would have wiped the floor with those creeps!”

Lance smiled again. “Walk with me Scootaloo let’s talk.”

“Where are we going?”

“I happen to know one of the best places in Ponyville to get a good meal and I am taking you there.”

“Aren’t you too old to be taking me to breakfast?”

“You are a little too young to make comments like that young lady.” Lance said crossly.

“Geeze Sorry…”

Awkward silence… the worst kind of silence, right after eerie silence. I guess it’s up to me to fix this problem.

“…So.”

“So.”

“The one I spoke to in the alley the one who said he was going to help me. Do you know him?”

“…Myrvang.”

“Yea he said that was his name! So you do know him?”

Lance smiled. “…Yea …Better than anypony.”

“Well he really saved my skin back there.”

“And he will continue to protect you and the others. School is starting soon right?”

“Yea it is. What others?”

“You have a bright future ahead of you Scoots.”

“What? Why do ponies keep saying that!?”

He didn’t respond, he just laughed and smiled well walking on ahead. I had to pick up my pace to keep up with him. When I caught up with him I decided to ask him a question that was bothering me for a while.

“So what ever happened to those stallions that were chasing me?”

Lance looked ahead and thought for a while. He looked back down at me and smiled, “Oh there being taken care of by top colts.”

“Who?”

His smile vanished and he looked at me very seriously “Top. Colts.”

We stopped in front of the pub. It was renamed a while ago so I assumed that it was under new management. Are we getting food here?

“Why are we at the pub?”

“I live here.” He said flatly

“What?”

“Yea I own the place. Come on in and sit down.” He said holding the door for me.

“…Sure thing Lance, but only because I trust you.”

“I don’t doubt that Scootaloo.”

I had never been in here before. It isn’t really a place for children after all. It was mostly empty besides the tables and a red pegasus behind the bar.

“Red Skies feed this filly I’m going to go wake her up.” Lance yelled walking up the stairs in the back of the pub.

“Da boss”

"Privot little pony my name is Red Skies. I am a friend of Lance’s and the cook for Molly’s Pub and you are?"

“Umm hi, I’m Scootaloo.” I answered slightly confused. I had never heard an accent like his before.

"Comrade Lance said that I was to serve you breakfast. Anything you would like."

I was unsure about this. The only hot meals I had ever really had were not really enjoyable. Half the time they were drugged and the other half they were just disgusting.

“I think I’ll skip out on breakfast thanks though.” I said turning to leave.

Red Skies flew over and grabbed me squishing all hope I had of escape. Don’t get me wrong I could have gotten out easily enough but I didn’t want to hit Lance’s friend in the face.

“Neit, little pegasie need a good balanced breakfast to grow up hearty and strong!” Red Skies said sternly placing me in a seat at the table.

He went into the kitchen area and came back out a few minutes later carrying some plates on his back and wings. He then proceeded to serve up the greatest thing I have ever seen in my life. Real food!

I’ve never seen a spread like this in my life! Hay bacon and eggs along with a stack of pancakes all for me?

“Is this for me?”

“Da little pony. This is yours and this.” He said putting down another plate

“Is hers” he finished motioning behind me.

Then some filly sat down next to me. She was a turquoise pegasus with a solid lavender mane.

“Hello?” I greeted her unsurely

She smiled and stuck out her hoof for a shake “Hi, I’m Belle!”

.