//------------------------------// // Thoughts // Story: I Run from the Monster // by Ruby Revenge //------------------------------// -Chapter 1- | ~ | "Every time you smile at me, I want to smile too. You brighten a dark day. You make the sun come out from behind the clouds in my heart. Now, you're gone. My heart is broken. Everything is crashing down on me. I need someone to take this weight off my shoulders. I need someone to dry my tears." -Every Time I See You by Unknown Sometimes, you don't really account for long term consequences, and only pay attention to the matters at hoof. You can get so wrapped up in the now, that you blow things out of proportion, and don't even realize that something far, far worse is ahead. You can distract yourself to a point that you cannot see an attack coming, right for your very soul. All of this was very true for one particular alicorn, one by the name of Twilight Sparkle, Princess and Element of Magic. It wasn't that she's been a Princess for very long--She'd just had her spectacular and surprising coronation just last week--or that she'd been in a fight with somepony. It was because of her own tendency to worry herself that brought her to this. For you see, Celestia--as she was to call her equal--suggested that moving to the castle would be better suited for the new Princess. It would allow for better protection, an easier way for Twilight to participate in politics, and would simply be viewed as normal to the public. Her former teacher saw no faults with the option, and Twilight had instantly agreed. So why was she upset? After returning home to pack, she did much thinking. She began to realize that she'd be moving away from her friends, some of the ponies she cared about the most, and felt regret from making her choice. She didn't want to have to tell anypony that she wanted to stay in ponyville, as preparations were already being made for her to move to Canterlot, so she reached out to blame. She tried to blame anypony, including herself, and felt pressured to continue her move to the castle. Anypony else outside her inner conflict would say that this was all very silly, and that she should be able to see what was really important and could speak up for herself. But to Twilight, it was all very real to her, and it was all she could think of. She felt hatred. Then betrayal. Then sadness. She felt lost alone, thinking of her soon-to-be future. She didn't know what to do, and felt broken and alone because of it. She couldn't stop feeling these negative feelings, and she hated it. Just what was she to do about it? This was just the type of thing a certain somepony was waiting for, waiting for the right time to return. For nothing can ever be truly destroyed or eradicated, and this was her chance. This was her one and only chance for the time being, and such a thing like this could possibly never happen again. She couldn't wait any longer. It was time. Twilight was still in the Library, and was asleep in her bed. Or at least trying to sleep anyway. She was looking out the window, pointing out as many constellations as she could. She was trying to distract herself, but to no avail. Through quiet tears she looked to the night sky. "..Big dipper, l-little dipper, heh-ho-Orion's belt..." she stopped as she took a sorrowful sniff, "O-of course I'm-m picking out the e-easy ones fir-rst... I'm so pathetic!" she wailed her last few words, before breaking down again. She sobbed into her pillow, silently hoping to not wake spike up. "Why can't I stay here?" she whispered, "why won't she let me?" She whimpered as she thought of the coming results of her moving. Without her friends, would she forget what friendship was? Would the Elements become useless? Would disharmony spread? "Is this what you wanted, Celestia?" she asked, ice hanging from every word. She seemed to have concentrated all her hate into the short sentence, and surprised herself. Hooves went to her mouth as she realized what she'd just said. "Oh- oh my... I didn't mean that..." "Didn't you?" a voice asked from the darkness, the words feeling more like a statement than a question. "Wh-who's there..?" was the only answer that came to the unicorn's mind, her voice somewhat quieter than what she'd have liked. "A friend," it sounded warm, and inviting. Was it truly her friend? Had she not been able to recognize the voice completely, she would have thought so. "Who are you?" she asked, sounding more confident than before. "Like I said, a friend," it really did sound friendly, but so did most ponies who were out to harm you. Twilight decided to remain on the offensive, though just a little. "Why are you here?" curiosity was driving her forward. "To help you," its words sounded sincere, as if it really did want to help her. Could she trust it? It felt like she could, she felt like she should. No, she wanted to. "With what..?" her words were getting shaky again. "I can help you save them," it sounded... sad? "Save who?" "You're friends," its answer was short and sharp, but with an undertone of comfort. Like it knew something she didn't. Like... like... "M-my friends..? What's wrong wi-" "They won't live forever," it interrupted Twilight, words forceful and unkind. "..What are you..? I didn't even thi-" "They'll all die sooner or later," "..." "You'll be left all alone," it was mocking her now. "I... stop.." "You won't be able to handle it. Celestia will be disappointed in you," "...Shut up!" "Are you ready to be alone for the rest of your life, Twilight? To feel broken? To feel much, much worse than you do as of now?" "..how do you know how I feel..?" "I know all, Twilight Sparkle. I know that you don't want to leave your friends. I know that you feel betrayed by Celestia. I know that you already feel alone even though your solitude hasn't even begun. You are not ready to face your future. But I can help you; or are you ready to be truly alone?" "I... I... No..." she was crying again. How could it know? How could it? "That's what I thought," it sounded smug and happy, "It doesn't make any sense to be immortal when the ponies you care about won't be there forever, now is it?" Its tone had a sort of motherly feel to it now, and Twilight couldn't help but feel comforted. "N-no.." she sobbed as she spoke, hugging her pillow as she buried her head in it. "So let me help you keep them with you. Forever," Twilight looked up, though she could still see nothing, sniffling as she heard the offer. "R-really? How?" "Now that's not important, my little pony. Do you want my help?" "I- I think..." she sputtered. "Yes?" "...I want your help... so.. yes..." "What was that? I couldn't quite hear that," "Yes! Please help me! Please... just please... I need your help.." she cried into the darkness, frantically begging the unknown. She didn't care to think about who or what it was. She only cared about the fact that somepony was willing to help her, to guide her. She needed somepony to give her this foundation; she didn't wait to see who it was. "That's all I needed to hear," Laughter echoed throughout the room, and suddenly, Twilight felt that she could be in danger. She felt afraid. "Are you ready, Twilight Sparkle?" it sneered, and at that moment, she recognized the voice. Her eyes flared up at the recognition, and her fear grew. "N-no! Stay away from me!" she shrieked, silently hoping that somepony, anypony, would hear her. "Oh, but it is far too late for that," it whispered directly into her ear. The room became darker still, and the temperature seemed to drop to a freezing point. A piercing coldness pierced her chest, pain shooting through her body in mere seconds. She let out a scream as her heart sped up, and she began to sweat and breathe heavily. She stumbled out of bed and over to a desk, fumbling for a pen and paper. It was dizzying to try and write, but she forced herself to try. She had to. De a r Ev e r y p o n y : I ' m S o r r y She barely managed to finish the short note before collapsing onto the floor with a loud thud. Her breathing stopped. Her heart came to a rest. Silence reined the night once more. Bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum bum "Oh, Equestriaaa... I'm BACK!"