10
These things are so strange, that pink ghost, this Applejack, that dream invader Luna. I hope she is done playing with my mind, I wonder if she is the source. That display was weak, how could you be that weak. Loss indeed, ridiculous. Now they know of her, you had to say something, fool. The pack, they want more, they are becoming more confident. Have to change location again. ‘Follow the triangles’ what were you thinking?! Now if she does come you are responsible for her. Fool. I can still smell her on my...wait, if I can smell her...now what’s this wolf growling- looks like they followed me, clever. No good deed right. Better me than her I suppose, get blamed for that one too. Well then, lets hope the lights don’t fade yet.
“Come then! Growl, bellow and snarl! Show me your teeth! EARN YOUR MEAL!”
*
Rarity trotted up the path to the fresh spring of the glade. She could see the mist hanging over the pool and felt more excited to get there and rest in the soothing waters. This was her private sanctum of which nopony else knew, not even her friends. Here she could do, and think, as she pleased feeling completely free of all judgement and scandal. Today however she was more grateful for the time she would have to think. More than anything she needed time alone to think things out, aloud if necessary. She wanted to come up with a solution to Twilights problem. The answer was close but hidden, something needed to be done to help her friend adjust, at least that Applejack scare kept her busy a while and out of the library.
Twilight had been an emotional wreck ever since she met that monster under the castle, how Rarity hated what it had done to her. Forcing her to think about such disturbing things, torturing and warping her mind for its sick pleasure. Admittedly she had thought a lot about the beasts interference in Queen Chrysalis’ takeover, were it not for that help they would have lost. Help, she thought sarcastically, that was a strange way to phrase the brutality. Even now she could remember so clearly the events of last week, how it broke the Darklings like glass and scattered them with its might. What disturbed her most about how it fought, was the control. Never at one moment was it taken by surprise, it was as if it knew where every foe was, how they wanted to attack it, and where to hit them hardest. She thought to that moment when it toppled and crushed the head of the Darkling under its heel, truly merciless.
The path wound neatly between an outcrop and Rarity took a deep breath of the clouds of mist enjoying their soothing aroma. The smell came from the most beautiful golden flowers that decorated the pool, growing large and radiant from the nutrient filled water and warmth. The pool itself was a few hooves away from a cliff face and rose high above a beautiful view of the Everfree forest. This was one of the only reasons she would allow herself to sweat. A large towering rock formation provided much appreciated shade from the hot afternoon sun, stretching over the pools waters. The mist was thick though today and she minded her steps worried she would slip and fall in with her bag. She placed her belongings down and neatly arranged her exfoliant, eye drops and makeup in the order they would be used. She took her exfoliator angrily rubbing it in, thinking about that night. Taking a deep breath to calm down she tested the waters and gently slid in, the warmth slowly rising up and caressing her body better than any masseur. The tension seeped away under the blanket of comfort surrounding her. This is what I needed, she thought sitting on a submerged rock and leaning back on the pools edge.
Even here though the monster came to mind. In all her time Rarity had never truly thought so deeply. She was concerned for her friend and the emotional turmoil. As well as the monster who was now lurking in the Everfree Forest. She remembered Twilights face when she confessed her fears and how angry she was at herself for not finding the answers her friend so desperately needed. That brute was so arrogant! She wanted to scream at it for putting such cruel thoughts in their mind. How it merely chuckled as Twilight fell back with her realisation. Rarity had always been patient and composed but in that moment she very nearly taught that monster a lesson. Even though it was restrained with all the magic of the princesses it could still harm them so completely. She remembered stepping forward with the others to Twilights side trying to comfort her and that sickening grin plastered on its face, contempt in its small victory.
From Fluttershy's description the creature suffered gravely that night. Least it deserved. Despite what it had done Fluttershy still did not want to cause it harm. She was more traumatised by its pain that it was. Rarity closed her eyes and sank to her neck, engulfed in thought drinking in the odd smells, now an earthy rust prevalent in the mist. Why did you help us? The question seemed distant. It fought for its freedom promised to it by Fluttershy. The way it fought however was strange, its tactics were boorish and primitive, but all the while it fought it protected them, the guards, Princess Celestia, Twilight. Despite its wounds it did not falter, never slowing and driving forwards with all that rage. It fought like the beast it was to save them. So why didn’t you save yourself? She could see it again in the aftermath, standing over the unconscious Celestia, one eye swollen shut, bleeding onto the princess from countless wounds and barely able to support its own weight. It could have easily escaped when it stood at the torn entrance, leaving them to the Queen and King. It was doubtful to her that such a beast had honour. She remembered it staring down the guards demanding they stand aside, Luna ordering them to do so and the monster limping past them.
Fluttershy had told Rarity how it refused her help and went into the Everfree Forest carrying all those injuries. An incident involving a mob had led to her scolding discord for some odd reason. It was always heartwarmingly amusing to watch Fluttershy fight. Not a minute passed with Discord’s pouting before she gave him a hug and all was forgiven. Her friend truly was the kindest pony. Rarity took comfort in the knowledge that the monster would not be a problem for much longer, the forest after all was a dangerous place. She looked outwards to the scenery imagining the contrast. Up here it was peaceful and beautiful, down there a constant danger to anything that called it home.
There was the concern though that she had managed to enjoy this spot for many years without meeting any other pony. It was deep in the forest and the guards had not seen her leave for it. An unsettling idea came that if she could do it, so could the monster. Rarity quickly dismissed the sinister thought, after all Applejack had been in the forest recently and had no problems. Thankfully she did not see a trace of it. She had been strangely calm after the journey, that evening it was as though they were seated with a new pony, almost radiating her happiness to them. It was oddly pleasant to see her that happy, contagious.
The monster most likely tried to return home. She caught herself smiling about it, remembering the Darkling’s expressions when it thundered into them, their invincibility shattered like their glass bodies. That creatures fight was amazing to watch. After being imprisoned for so long, barely any comforts or time to heal it was still a savage monster tearing through that golem that choked her. Charging into their ranks battering heads and throwing them away as if they were flies being swatted, what a beast. The whole event felt like a page from her novel, the exciting final battle before the end. She shook her head trying to ignore the memory and focus on more important things, it was without a doubt the right decision to ask for its help and she would concern herself no longer with it.
Yet the concern came back. Those sad eyes and broken grimace were as haunting as she had remembered. How it quickly changed in the fight becoming a wall of focus and peace. She pressed her chest and throat feeling the bruises still left by the golem. Her heart raced thinking about it; the lack of air as she hung in its grasp broken and tired as the lights blurred around her, the relief to breathe as the creature tore the arm from her assailant and quickly meeting the remains turning them to dust. Such monstrosity was barbaric and cruel but she could not fault that for without it she would not have made it. There was a feeling though she wanted to hide from, it was gratitude to this monster for aiding them.
To her the action itself was as poetic as the novelised heroines she read about. The protagonist was tired and weak after being imprisoned, yet it rallied itself and mightily bore every hit to make it stronger. The fury and rage driving each step. There was an elegance to the way it fought, turning the opponents against their own bulk. She had noticed the whole time its focus was on them and not itself, each strike pushing the golems away from her and her friends. She had felt strangely safe when it towered above her and met the advancing monsters without hesitation.
Shaking her head she tried to brush away her thoughts and reminded herself about what it did to Twilight. She saw her reflection in the pool and the tired eyes that stained it. The guards in the town were difficult to deal with, leaving her strained from all the work it took avoiding them. She let her face dip to rinse off the now burning exfoliant. The warmth of the waters seeped over her closed eyes and she felt truly refreshed. Again that thought invaded the peace, Why didn’t you run?
“Ahem,” She was startled by the sound of somepony and she turned to see where it came from. Her blood ran cold and her body froze as beside her in the pool was the monster.
*
Fluttershy had slept very well yesterday night after Applejack had returned. Her big brother was overjoyed she was safe and her little sister as energetic as ever. She did not ask Applejack about the bandage, it did not seem to be a good idea. She appeared far too tired to withstand another interrogation after Twilight. At least her friend was out of that library, preoccupied with hearing about Applejack. She had cheered up a little, the absence of her friend worried her to the point where she halted her research to go after her. Fluttershy was grateful Applejack was alright, never running into any unsavoury creatures of the Everfree Forest. She wondered where it was now, if it was alright. She was worried about it but all her animal friends had not seen it. Animals were never very good at descriptions though, they were only able to identify familiar things through size and shape. One piece of good news though was that the two monsters prowling Ponyville were gone. Mr. Swallow had seen them rejoining with a larger pack, she knew then they were wolves. She could not tell the guards but she did mention it to the others, Twilight took great interest in this news planing on crating an effective barrier to keep the more aggressive animals out. She was happy Applejack agreed to dinner at her home. Tomorrow night everypony would come and they would sit together and enjoy the meal. Now she would have to focus on preparing the home for company. She hoped discord would be on his best behaviour but she knew he would not, always trying to make her laugh. Sweet but naughty Discord.
*
Applejack lay against the old tractor and looked into the afternoon sky enjoying the calm clarity she had now. Ever since that trip there was this unequivocal peace in her. The day today had felt like her first one. She had thanked Fluttershy for her help and scolded Big mac for burning yet another barn down. After s short recollection of her journey, omitting some details, they were happy and went on their way home. Big mac had been elated to see her again, holding on for a full five minutes before he let go. Applebloom had been more complex to handle, many questions posed over what had happened coming closer to the truth. With her newfound skill of evasion she had managed to barely satisfy the fillies curiosity. On this day though she could laugh more, work harder, be completely free. Tomorrow she could even look forward to dinner at Fluttershy’s home with her family, all of them. That weight was truly gone and she owed it to Princess Luna, and her monster. She wondered where it was at this time, glancing at the bush and thinking it was still hiding there with that giant puppy. The greater concern though was what it was up to. It was strange but last night after her friends left and she lay in her bed, there was a feeling something was missing. She did not want to admit it, but wished they could have one more night. She found she missed the touch of the beast, the digits through her mane and that gentle song. It was too dangerous to risk a trip so soon, although she wanted to go. This was wrong; it was a monster, it had hurt them, the Princesses, hiding behind a farfetched story of blackouts. The feeling she had for it though was not new, it was the best one to have yet it was tainted, scary, forbidden. The question was if it felt the same way, if it could truly be her friend. On that night she returned, the nearest solution was to hug the pillow to her and just pretend.