The solitary cell
A single torch threw its flickering lights against the dim crystal-walls. Even though they were of a bright blue color, they didn't manage to make either the corridor or the single, cramped room at the end of it look any more appealing. In fact, it wasn't even meant to look like it. The one and only purpose of this room was to contain a danger that wasn't allowed to ever leave it's cell. A danger that nearly drove Equestria into it's doom two times already. This cell wasn't meant to be comfortable or pleasant in any way. The one who lived inside of it wasn't allowed to have such comfort after what he had done. He wasn't allowed to have the slightest bit of entertainment or joy. This cell was created only to contain him, and nothing else. To contain him, until old age or sickness would finally wipe him from this world. Until then, he would never leave this cell, never see the outside world again. At least that's what the one who imprisoned him thought.
Twilight Sparkle slowly walked along the corridor that marked the way towards the only cell in her whole castle. She shivered every time she took this way. This room was cold, lifeness and, without the crackling sound of the one torch that enlightened it, completely silent. The whole castle was bright, shiny and full of life. Except for this small area. The one who occupied it wasn't allowed to take part in these positive aspects of life anymore.
Her steps left an echo every time she moved, until she finally reached the end of the corridor, and, as such, the cell. The only cell of the Friendship Castle, containing the one pony dangerous enough to deserve to call this place his home for several weeks now. She was greeted by a quiet, high voice which echoed from the walls around her. It felt like the voice was not in front of her, but inside her brain, crawling into every single corner of her mind, leaving not a single part of it untouched.
"Hello there, my dearest Twilight Sparkle. I am so glad that you finally decided to visit the humble place I call my home! Did you have any trouble finding it?“
The source of the voice made one step forwards, and the light revealed a pony that looked like an affront towards nature. His coat was from a dark, septic green color, unlike his mane, which was a wild mix of a girly pink and bright green. His iris glowed orange like fire even in the dark. This colour-sheme would have already been enough to attract the confused looks of many ponies, but even his pointy ears and nose were topped by the lack of a tail. Instead, his body ended in a scaly, long snake-tail.
Twilight gulped once again at the sight of this pony. Not only because of the memories that were attached to this face, to those eyes, but mostly because she still hasn't gotten used to this unnatural, abhorrent look. She took one step back unconciously.
"Oh Twilight, darling, you are hurting me. Do you really dislike me that much? I don't recall doing something that would have deserved such a treatment. A cell deep down under your castle, a life long imprisonment, that's one thing, but your personal neglect? That's just cruel, Twilight Sparkle, even by my standards.“
As he finished his sentence, his counterfeit pain vanished from his face, turning into a sadistic, amused smile, waiting for her reaction. He didn't have to wait long. His words hit Twilight with the power of a mace. Anger and hatred were flowing through her veins, burning closely under her heart.
"Cruel? You...you are seriously calling me the one who is cruel?“ She yelled at her opponent.
„You 'don't recall doing something that would have deserved such a treatment?' How can you even dare to say that? How can you even dare to speak in such a tone after what you have done? After nearly killing Fluttershy and freeing Tirek from Tartarus?“
With every single word, her voice got louder and louder. The echo made it nearly impossible for herself to hear her own sentences. But the smile on the abomination's face just got even wider.
"You caused so much trouble, so much pain, and yet, you dare to speak to me in such a calm manner, like you are a victim of misunderstandings, like I am just a furious child! You should be glad I didn't kill-“ she stopped mid-sentence as she realised that she had made several steps towards the cell. She nearly stood nose to nose with the inmate. She quickly stumbled back, as if he was about to grab her, drag her into his cell, but he wasn't moving even the slightest bit.
"My dearest Twilight Sparkle.“ he said after a small pause. His voice, as well as his face, was completely calm. He spoke like he met with Twilight to have a tea party in this place.
"Asides from the fact that this was, by far, the most unpolite greeting I have ever experienced: What are you even afraid of? Why would you stay away from me, even though you personally took care of my well-being in this marvelous place?“
He raised his curved horn and shot a blast of pure energy towards Twilight. But, instead of hitting her, it simply vanished a few centimeters in front of his face.
"My magic can't leave this room, as you should know. At last, you were the one in force of the security, weren't you?“
His tone changed. He now spoke like he was explaining to a recalcitrant child why two and two made four.
Twilight took a deep breath, trying to win back her sovereignty. His arrogant voice made her want to rip out his throat, but she had to remain calm and in control of the situation.
"That's right. Neither you or your magic will ever leave this cell. I took care of this by myself.“ she said calmly.
Stating the facts helped her to calm down. Her voice as well as her heartbeat became steady again. But before she could form the next question in her head, the pony spoke again.
"Tell me, my dearest Twilight. As glad as I am that you finally decided to visit me in this...“ he waved his hooves around, looking for the right word, "refuge of mine, I can't help but asking one question. Something you fairly touched on just a few seconds before, something I am itching to find out. At first, I thought you wanted to keep me as some kind of slave, as your personal pet, but sadly, it appears that this is not the case. Therefore, I just have to ask: Why in the world are you even keeping me here?“
He pressed his face against the magical wall that isolated him from Twilight as much as from the rest of the world. His smile revealed two rows of sharp, pointy teeth. Twilight repressed a shiver.
"I am keeping you here so you can't harm others. That's the whole purpose of a prison. After the things you've done, I thought you'd have enough brain in that little head of yours to figure at least that one out.“
She tried to sound tough to encourage herself, but she couldn't keep her voice from shaking. The way this monster looked at her...was it desire she saw? Desire, mixed with curiosity? A cold shiver ran down her back.
"Oh, are you honestly trying some dirty-talk here, Twily? Not that I wouldn't like it, I really do, but it's just too cute when you are trying to be dominant.“
He chuckled, his eyes not leaving Twilight's for a mere second. He didn't even blink. Twilight couldn't bear it and turned her head sideways to the wall.
"When you were first caught, it was because of your illegal experiements on other ponies. You were put into the dungeon of Canterlot, but you escaped in a matter of days. After you tried to kill Fluttershy, you were put in Tartarus. I thought for sure that you'd be in good hooves down there, but you did not only escape, you let Tirek willingly steal your magic to get free.“
The abomination chuckled again.
"You just shouldn't have put our cells that near to each other. It was like you were begging for me to come back! I knew you wouldn't want to resign me for too long.“
Twilight continued like she hadn't been interrupted. She would not let this monster into her mind.
"Luckily, Tirek was tracked down pretty fast. He assumed Discord would be a statue again after he betrayed us, and therefore didn't know that we were able to find him.“
She paused for a second, thinking about that past victory. Discord did learn his lesson, and Tirek was once again trapped in Tartarus, far away from all the other inhabitants. He would never return again. The one thing he thought to be Discords weakness – Friendship – was what ruined him ultimately. Twilights voice stopped shaking. Cold, hard facts, and the confidence of past victories. That's what she needed right now, to fulfill the task that was ahead of her.
"As soon as you got your magic back, you started to execute these sick experiements again, turning you into...whatever it is you are now.“
She looked at him, but only for a second, before the glow in his eyes forced her to turn her eyes away from him again.
"I simply thought I should give myself a more...fitting look. Turning the inside on the outside, you know.“ He chuckled and raised his snake-tail into the air while showing all of his abnormal teeth.
"But you are avoiding my question, Twilight Sparkle.“
He now spoke quietly, almost whispering, as his voice crept around Twilight like a snake. She felt like he was standing right in front of her, but without a magical protection to keep him away from her, without anything to defend herself. She felt naked, defenseless, and he was standing next to her, whispering in her ear, and standing in front of her, staring directly into her heart. Smiling cruely.
"Why are you keeping me here, Twilight Sparkle? Why didn't you kill me? After everything I did? After I killed so many ponies just to enhance myself? Even after I almost killed one of your closest friends...You did not kill me, didn't even injure me. You decided to put me into this cell, and since I can proudly say that I know you pretty well, Twilight Sparkle, I assume that this is not meant to be taken as a treatment 'worse than death', or something as stupid as this. I want to know, Twilight Sparkle. I want to know why I am still alive, dearest!“
Twilight shook her head to free herself from the oppressive feeling this monster awoke in her. Then, she thought about this question for a short while. She asked it to herself multiple times since she first defeated him, and therefore already knew the answer. What was confusing about this question was that he asked it. Shouldn't he just be glad that he was still alive? Wouldn't it be smart to just avoid this topic in case she changed her mind?
"You are still alive because I am not a murderer. You are still alive simply because I am a better pony than you are."
The abomination raised an eyebrow, and his cruel smile slowly vanished, slowly being replaced by a look of curious disbelief.
"You are brutal and cruel. If you were in my position, you would kill me without hesitating. You would even laugh while doing so. But I am not you. I am better than you, and I will not take your life. I will not use the same methods as you. I will not fall to your level. I am better than you."
She repeated the last sentence, just to confirm it to herself. The feeling of triumph flew through her as he frowned. Yes, she was better than him. In a way he would never even understand.
"You are lieing to me, Twilight Sparkle."
The feeling vanished within the blink of an eye and was replaced by pure confusion. The confidence she just regained was gone. What in Equestria was this abomination talking about?
"You are lieing, darling, and you know it."
His arrogant, cruel smile returned, showing off all his sharp teeth.
"You can not seriously expect me to believe what you just told me. I am alive because 'you are better than me'? I do not even think that you believe it yourself. The next thing you are going to tell me is that, when you kill a murderer, the number of murderers stay the name? I thought you were smart, dearest! So much knowledge, and yet no intelligence at all? I am not alive because you 'don't want to fall to my level'? Twilight, dearest, I will tell you the real reason I am still alive."
He stopped for a second, taking one step closer to Twilight. She had trouble reminding herself that he couldn't possibly hurt her as long as he was in this cell.
"You are weak, Twilight Sparkle. Too weak to make a decision. Too weak to kill me. You could have easily done it many times. You could do it right now. All it would take is one single blast from that little Alicorn-Horn of yours. You would whipe my handsome face from Equestria, and you know what for? For good. One less psychopath on this world, one less threat. You could easily create a better world, a better future, for the whole kingdom. You know how much of a threat I am, but you keep this threat alive. And it sure as hell is not because one of these stupid reasons you just listed. It is just because you are weak. Do not insult me with telling me different. But it doesn't matter for now, Twilight, dearest."
He pressed his forehead against the magical wall, staring at Twilight with what seemed to be a mix of craving and...what was it...desire?
"Soon, I will show you how strong you truly are. I will make you strong. Stronger than ever before. Strong enough to defend Equestria from all the threats to come. I will make you cross that line. You don't have to wait that much longer, Twily. Just a little more...trust me, just a little more..."
His voice became more silent with every word he said. Suddenly, he seemed weak like an old man. All his joy was whiped from his face, replaced by sadness and...pity? His eyes were lacking the fire that burning inside them for this whole conversation. He turned his head away from Twilight and layed down on the cold, gray stones. She didn't even allow him to have a bed inside this cell.
"I got your book." Twilight said, not allowing her newfound curiosity to affect her voice. As mentally exhausting as this conversation had been, as much as she wanted to get a deeper look into this monsters mind, she was done with him for now.
The monster lifted his head and looked at her in surprise.
"You...actually got it for me?"
He only asked for one thing since he was trapped in this cell. Something to kill the time, something to make it just a little bit more entertaining. He asked for one single book: "Fairy Tales of Equestria". As the name implied, it was a book for children. Twilight wasn't sure why she even got it for him or why she paid any attention to his wish. He was a monster. An abomination not worthy to be called a pony. But now...he seemed different. For the first time since she met him, he didn't look like a brutal monster that would torch the world in fire just to watch it burn.
Without another word, she used her magic to throw the book into his cell. He watched at it in disbelief as it slipped over the floor and stopped in front of his hooves. He used his own magic to lift it and open the first page. Again, she noticed a change about him. The way he looked at that book...he smiled, but it was a warm, nostalgic smile.
"Thank you, Twilight."
His voice was free from laughter and cruel joy. Instead, he actually seemed to be honestly thankful as he bowed his head to her.
Twilight turned around to leave. This conversation had given her a lot to think about. But for now, she just wanted to leave this dark, lifeless cell and return to the bright, colourful life of Ponyville. But shortly before closed the door, she heard his voice again.
"Twilight." he said. He wasn't yelling. His voice completely lost it's arrogant tone.
"My name...my name is Mandrel."
Twilight turned around to look at the monster. At Mandrel. He was still showing this warm, thankful smile. Twilight couldn't help but smile back. Just for one single moment, this wasn't a monster. This wasn't the brutal killer that was a threat to everypony close to him. This wasn't an abomination or a monster. This was Mandrel. A pony.
"You are welcome, Mandrel." She said as she closed the door.
As she walked through the streets of Ponyville, a single question popped up in her mind. Mandrel...hasn't she heard that name before? She searched for a memory in her brain that would explain to her why this name seemed so familiar. It felt like it was important, but she just couldn't reach the answer. She wanted to ignore it and, instead, focuse on the victory she achieved today. She saw the pony behind the monster today. She saw that Mandrel had, indeed, a soft side. And maybe, only mabye, he would one day be able to feel sorry for his actions. To regret. And then...maybe the first step on the path of reformation had been done. She focused on this thought, and smiled at the idea that even somepony who did such cruel things might actually find his way back from the dark labyrinth he was trapped in.
Then, it hit her like a train.
She knew where she knew this name from. She knew where she read it.
She turned around immediately and galloped back to the castle. She had been tricked! She had been tricked! If she was lucky, it wasn't too late yet. If she was lucky, she could save Equestria from an upcoming catastrophe. If she wasn't...she didn't even want to think of it.
*
Mandrel sat inside his cell, staring at the sides of the book that was opened in front of him. The last page showed a picture of the author. Mandrel smiled as he looked at this old photo bearing his own name. Twilight Sparkle couldn't have possibly recognized him since he changed his appearance so much that he wasn't even close to looking like his former self. But that was ok. His old body looked boring anyways. It couldn't represent his true self, it was unworthy of doing so.
He turned to the first page again, read the first word of the first chapter backwards, then the last word of the first passages' end, and continued to read the book in his own code. Slowly, page by page, his preparations paid off, as the book revealed the secrets of portal-magic to him.
Just a few minutes later, a portal from orange colour gaped at the wall that contained him. He smiled, and the feeling of pure triumph and satisfaction flew through his veins. He shook from arousal as he heard the door opening. Twilight Sparkle was back. Sadly, he didn't have the time to play with his darling little girl this time.
"No need to worry," he thought as he jumped through the portal. "There is plenty of time left, dearest."
He reappeared on top of a mountain. He didn't know where he was yet, and before he spend precious seconds thinking about it, he quickly closed the portal behind him. His dearest Twilight was probably flipping insane right now. Oh, he would have loved to see it. She was just too adorable when she was angry! She didn't even notice how cute she looked when she tried to be intimidating. But right now was not the time for this. He needed a plan, a plan to reunite with that darling little girl of his. Without a stupid wall keeping her away from him.
He looked down and breathed heavily as he saw where he landed. Just for once, he wished for Twilight to catch up on him so he could show her what he planned for their next date.
"Tell me, my dearest Twilight," he mumbled to himself while he looked down. A cruel, joyful smile appeared on his face. His eyes were glowing like fire.
"How far do I have to go to make you follow me?"
At the mountains foot, he caught sight of the beautiful, peaceful city of Ponyville.