//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: The hunger unleashed // Story: The Everfree Darkness // by Humanarian //------------------------------// Five hundred and twelve... One thousand and twenty four... Getting better at controlling my tendrils. About time too. The sun is starting to set. I can feel my powers slowly returning to their full strength. And I'm starting to feel that hunger again. Soon it will be the time to hunt... But who? Luna and Celestia were the royal alicorn sisters that ruled Equestria together for centuries. They have seen many things. By that day, there was nothing that could surprise them or trully catch them off-guard... Or so they thought. It's not everyday one happens to witness the royal jaws hitting the floor. That day was the case though. As for the others, Rainbow Dash sat there with her eyes closed and her body shaking slightly. Twilight's eyes had almost turned blue as her mind returned an error after error while trying to process the information. Applejack was crying, her thoughts focused on the fact of her little sister being that close to what seemed to be the most deadly of all creatures existent. Pinkie's mane deflated a bit. Fluttershy was nowhere to be seen, which, most likely, was exactly what she wanted. Spike joined Rarity in the la-la land. "That... was most disturbing," - the Princess of the Night had finally broken the silence, - "I... can see why you three were quick to trust that creature, but still, it was..." "I don't think getting further lost in the forest would be a much better idea, sister." After recovering from the initial shock, Celestia was quickly back to her stoic figure and calm, soothing voice. "Perhaps, you're right, sister. And it's a good thing that these three little fillies are back to their respective homes safe and sound. But that creature... must be dealt with. We cannot simply ignore the horrors it is spreading!" "Princess Luna, are you... Are you suggesting that we must go into the Everfree Forest and start a search for that creature?" - Twilight was quick to see the meaning behind Luna's words. "Indeed so, young princess. Moreover... don't you have another friend to worry about now, besides Rainbow Dash?" - she arched an eyebrow, emphasizing her point. That had caused a nervous glance between those who were still conscious in the room. "Oh, no..." "ZECORA!!!" A house... No. A hut. In the middle of the forest. Not abandoned. Remember now. A zebra named Zecora lives there. Should stay away. But the hunger is growing... even faster now. It isn't a desire. It is a physical need. Must eat. Must shut that hunger up before it grow worse. Must not let it cloud my thoughts. Feelings that interfere with mind are what I always hated. "Ugh... I'm so bored! Why didn't they let us come with them?" Scootaloo wasn't happy about being left behind. Neither were the other two fillies. But the certain dragon wouldn't have any of that. "You three are not going anywhere. What? Do you want to get hunted by the timberwolves again?" "No!" - Sweetie Belle was unusually assertive, - "I want to tell mister Slender how thankful I am for saving my life." That had earned a pause. "Mister Slender?" - Applebloom raised an eyebrow at the white filly. She was really following her big sister's hoofsteps... "What? That sounds like a fitting nickname. He was really tall, but also really thin." "Look," - Spike was not going back on his duties, - "I'm not letting you to take a single step out of this castle, you hear? Don't even think about t-that... that thing!" Sweetie Belle furrowed her eyebrows at his choice of words, then her face changed into a smile. A dark, evil smile that could only mean a nasty idea suddenly coming to her mind. She stood up and walked closer to Spike, looking him in the eyes. "You know, we didn't pay much attention to the details during our story earlier today. That must've been because of the Princesses being here and making us nervous. But now, that they're gone, I can remember more. Escpecially about those... things," - she then started to slowly walk in circles around Spike, whose bravery was leaking out and fading away quickly, - "Yes, those living shadows... It was so amazing how the infinite amount of them shot right from Mister Slender's back and coiled those timberwolves before they could even yelp. And then... then they started crushing them. Slowly," - the poor dragon gave a huge gulp at such a detail, - "Even I could see how afraid they were. They looked into the eyes of their death. And you know what was the worst? Their death had no eyes! And then... their bodies were crushed to the core." Spike's unconscious body hit the floor. Sweetie Belle turned to face her two rather confused friends and gave them a smug smile. "Nailed it!" Hungry. So hungry. So very hungry. And even hungrier now. Have I mentioned that I am hungry? I'm wandering around Zecora's hut. She was quick to notice. I remember she acted like a shaman. Perhaps, she could feel me on a spiritual level. Not important now. Standing in front of her window. Staring inside. Feeling fear. Tasting fear. Tastes good. But hardly enough. Strange. Haven't felt that hungry yesterday. The fear is increasing. Still not enough. Taking a step. Inside the hut now. She shrieks. Reminds me of invading Rainbow's dream. But this is the reality. Must remember: no harm. The hunger keeps growing rapidly. Must eat. Zecora is on the floor, coiled by my tendrils. The fear tripples. And it keeps increasing... But not just from her. Something... somepony else is afraid. And they are coming here. "Focus, girls. We must be ready to use the Elements of Harmony any second now. They might be our only chance if that creature proves to be hostile," - Twilight was lecturing the girls all the way to Zecora's hut. But she didn't do that only to give them a briefing, but also to distract them from their new found fear. She turned to yawning Rainbow Dash, - "Boo!" "AHH!" "See? You weren't ready for the incoming attack." That earned a chuckle from the princesses. "Gee, Twi," - Rainbow was quick to recover, - "You're trying to think ahead, as always. Doubt it'll work this time." "I'm afraid young Rainbow Dash is correct, Princess Twilight Sparkle. With the creature of such... dark nature, you never know what to expect." "Well," - Applejack had chosen a perfect time to interfere, seeing as they've finally reached Zecora's hut, - "Ya'll are about tah fahnd out." An opening door. A shriek. A thump. A source of fear is out cold. I see it is Rarity. The others are with her. And the princesses too. One of them is first to react. "Thou shalt free the poor zebra this instant!" The beam of magic is fired at me. Taking a step. Avoiding it. Behind them all now. Hunger is not satisfied. Notice: being attacked increases the hunger. Could just get away. Or could use these mares to satisfy it. What to do? A yelp. I am reminded: Fluttershy can feel me. The others are quick to follow her signal and turn their heads to face me. The fear is increasing. Tasty. "Princesses! Friends! Oh, I could not be happier. I am afraid, it's no longer safe here." Zebra's voice was shaky, but loud. "'Tis a pleasure to see thou art safe, Zecora. But now is not a good time to talk." "No turning from the path this time, Applebloom," - Scootaloo was trying to act as brave as she could inside the Everfree Forest, - "Knowing Twilight and her friends, they will find what they are looking for. We just need to follow them to Zecora's hut." "Ah know that, Scootaloo! We, Apples, learn from our mistakes." Sweetie Belle, however, remained silent the entire time. A part of her felt guilty for scaring Spike like that. The other part of her was occupied with the thoughts about Mister Slender, as she called the creature. For some reason she was certain it was him, and couldn't help but frown every time the others called her saviour an it. Three little fillies continued their way deeper into the forest. Zecora's hut wasn't that far away, after all. I am not amused. The night princess keeps trying to attack me. Keeps making my hunger grow. It's getting insane. It's starting to cloud my mind. Got enough... "Standest still, thou foul creature! Thy execution shall be swift!" Got enough. "Nopony darest to invade the dreams of our subjects and remain unpunished!" Got enough! "Thy fate is already..." ENOUGH! The tendrils shot. All of the ponies are too slow to react. All of them are caught in the coils of my darkness. All of them are afraid... It will be a feast! "Shhh! Did you hear that?" - Applebloom whispered to her two friends. "I heard that, but also I..." - Sweetie Belle had finally broken her vow of silence, - "...felt it. It somehow felt... familiar." She closed her eyes and focused on the feeling. She knew that she had experienced it not so long ago... Why didn't she think about it until now? What did it remind her of. After a minute of thinking just one word popped up in her mind. One word that had told her everything she needed to know. "FOLLOW!" She jerked up from her crouching position. "It's him! It's his voice, his presence! I remember now! Come on, girls!" The two confused fillies didn't seem to think of any better course of action but to follow their friend. However, soon all three of them were aghast. The picture in front of their eyes was something they've never seen even in their nightmares: their saviour was standing there, just like the nigh before. With one major difference: instead of the wild and hungry timberwolves, he was holding their sisters, also Twilight, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Zecora and the two elder Princesses of Equestria. And the three fillies knew all to well what was going to happen next... Before they knew it, their legs were galloping towards the dark creature. "STOP!!!"