> Life after Death > by Weisted Machine > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Authors note > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello everypony! I'd like to say afew words before we begin. First of all, for many years I have wondered, where do spirits go when they have no more flesh and blood form? I know about heaven, hell pregatory and whatever, but what if.. theres a different place.... somewhere of good and evil... who knows? I'll keep wondering until the day of my death..... eh. Enjoy life now. You only live once. > Death upon us > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Don't worry Angel! I'll go buy some more carrots! In the mean time, you can eat those apples I bought. I don't want food to go to waste, do you?" Flutter Shy said, packing up her saddle bag and collecting a few bits to go buy some carrots for her pet bunny, Angel. It had been 2 years since her best friend Silver Dashers death, it really hurt her. But as time went on, she knew. She they were going to see each other again, which drove her onwards. Angel stomped his foot in anger and hopped off to the fridge. Angel sure is picky! Flutter Shy thought to herself, laughing a slight before she walked out of her front door to go to the cool morning of Pony Ville. Flutter Shy trotted over the dirt trail, which led to the towns market. The market was rather busy for such and early time of the morning, pegaus flew across the skies, unicorns practicing spells and earth ponies just buying stuff. Flutter Shy approached a stand with no hesitation. "I'd like a bunch of carrots please" Flutter Shy said digging through her saddle bag and brought out 6 bits. "I'm sorry, speak up?" The cashier said, leaning his head closer to Flutter Shy. "I'd like a bunch of carrots" "What?" "I'd like a bunch of carrots!" "WHAT!?" "I'D LIKE A BUNCH OF CARROTS" The cashier rolled his eyes at Flutter Shy and brought out 6 carrots. Flutter Shy took them, and trotted off in the direction of home. As she trotted to the nearest exit, she turned to her side to find a white unicorn with electric blue hair, she raised her horn, and a blast of energy exploded from her horn and shot in the direction of Flutter Shy. Flutter Shy gasped as the beam of light hit her. Pain seared through Flutter's body, and she hit the ground with a dull thud. As she landed, she felt the breath knock out of her. She gasped for breath, but only finding to little. She opened her eyes a slight. Her vision blurred but she saw the white unicorn charge toward her. "Are you alright!?" The white unicorn asked, concern and worry filled her voice. "ohh..." Flutter Shy said quietly as she shut her eyes again, and drew her last breath. She slipped away from consiounse and fell away to a dizzy blackness that seemed to take over Flutter Shy's world. Flutter Shy's life ends here. Only on Equestria, that is. But where her spirit is taken, is a place where she is very much alive. ********************************** Vinyl Scratch watched in horror as the yellow pegasus' breath drew shallower and shallower until the point where she stopped breathing. "no...no.. NO!!!!!!!" Vinyl screamed in terror, and tears streaming down her face endlessly. Vinyl squeezed her eyes, turned and ran away as fast as she could, tears streaming behind her. Vinyl didn't look back. Not that she ever would.. She exploded into her house which she shared with her special somepony, Octavia. "Vinyl! What happened!?" Octavia called as she saw the messy DJ, covered in tears. "I- I can't tell you..." Vinyl said, her voice cracking and an endless river of tears flowed more heavily. "Are you ok!?" Octy asked wrapping her hoof around Vinyl "I'm f-fine...." Vinyl said, burying her head in her hooves. "No... Vinyl, tell me whats wrong. No secrets, remember?" Octavia gently reminded Vinyl. "Octavia .... I'll tell you tommorow.. If that's ok.." Vinyl asked, getting to her hooves. Her knees shook brutally under her, but she forced them to walk to her bedroom where she laid on her bed. One hour past... Two hours past... Three hours past... Four hours.... Vinyl sat on her bed, huddled at the edge watching time tick slowly before her eyes. Already, it was 4 pm. Then a knock on Vinyls door set her off. "AAAAHHHH" Vinyl screeched as Octavia opened her door, to check on the shaken unicorn. "Vinyl? I brought you something" Octavia entered the room with a tray of food in her mouth. She carefully set it next to Vinyl. "T-t-thanks..." Vinyl said, her voice shaking. "I'd like to be alone" Vinyl finished, a slight more normally. "Ok" Octy nodded before exiting the room. Vinyl stared blankly at the food Octavia brought her. She levitated it with her horn and set them to to the ground. Vinyl wasn't hungry after what happened, seemingly 30 min ago. Eight hours past and Vinyl stared out her window. With a quick glance, she looked at her clock 11:00 pm Damn it's late Vinyl said to her self, the first words thought for the whole day. Then an idea popped into her head. She will pay like Flutter Shy. Vinyl would never forgive herself, after accedenly murdering another pony. Vinyl creeped out of her room, checking to see if Octavia was awake. Nope. Octy found her, crashed on her bed. Vinyl got out a pen and paper and wrote a note to Octavia. Then with a shaky hoof, Vinyl picked up a knife. ******************************** The sun's ray shone through Octavias eyelid. Octy opened her eyes and hopped out of bed. As she trotted to the kitchen, to prepare breakfast for her and Vinyl she noticed a piece of paper, folded neatly on the table. Octavia looked around the room, making sure Vinyl wasn't nearby. Vinyl really did hate it when ponies went through her stuff. Dear Octavia Huh. It wasn't Vinyls after all. It was a letter from Vinyl to Octavia. Octy unfolded the paper until it was unfolded completely. Hey, It's Vinyl here, and I'd like to tell you something. Well, remember yesterday? What happened was unbearable, You see, if I told you I was afraid you might hate and hate and hate me. Well, actully I don't deserve to be liked anymore, after what I'v done. So go ahead and hate me. Here's what I did yesterday, at the market place, we were showing off magic, and I accedentley shot a beam at a yellow pegasus, and she... died.... But anyhow, living with the fact I accedntly killed somepony, it bothers me to much, I sent my soul to somewhere, meaning I'm not alive anymore. I'm dead now. I'm sorry Octavia, but you have to let me go..nopony wants a murder as a friend.... but just know, I love you..... goodbye.... Vinyl Scratch Octavia stared at the sheet of paper, now covered by fallen tears of Octavia. "My friend... killed herself... because... she accedently killed a....pegasus" Octavia said, her voice shaking and she set the letter down and let out a wail. "WHY VINYL!? YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO DIE! IT WAS AN ACCEDENT!" Octavia cried, hoping her dear marefriends spirit heard her. Octavia crashed to the floor, shaking hystericlly and crying her heart out. Her best friend. Her mare-friend. Is dead. Octy shook her head, and laid on the now wet floor. she didn't have to die Octavia told herself. Octavia, unable to handle it anymore, closed her eyes and slept, a long sleep, dreaming of her and Vinyl. > Middle World > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Is she going to wake up?" "I dunno" "Well, she should soon!" "Wait! I think she's opening her eyes!" Voices around Flutter Shy chattered, and she opened an eye to see to stallion pegasus standing before her. One was gray, with black mane while the other was red with an orange mane. "Hey you alright?" The orange pegasus asked Flutter Shy. Flutter Shy nodded. "Who are you?" Flutter Shy asked, tipping her head to the side. "I'm Orange Leaf, and he is Mismatch" The orange pony, Orange Leaf said. "Now who are you?" "I'm Flutter Shy. Orange Leaf, where are we?" Orange Leaf paused. "What's the last thing you remember, Flutter Shy?" Orange Leaf asked, a little slowly. "Well, I was shot with a unicorns beam of energy from her horn, and I ended up here" Flutter said, still confused how she got from Pony Ville to where ever she was. "Well, you see... I don't know how well you are going to take this but... we are in .. the Middle World" Orange Leaf said. "Wait, whats the Middle World?" Flutter Shy asked "Well, it's a place where spirits go to move on to the upper world, or the lower world or to just simply re-live again" Orange Leaf explained, looking down and digging a small hole with his hoof. "Wait, were spirits!?" Flutter said in surprise. Orange Leaf and Mismatch nodded. "yes. Here, in the Middle World, there are groups of ponies that wanna live as spirits. The pegasus all live in a group, the earth ponies live in another and the unicorns live together" Mismatch piped up. "Why don't you all live together in harmony?" Flutter Shy asked. "We all lived together as flesh and blood ponies, but not here. Were enimies. End of story" Mismatched replied, flicking his tail. "So, where do you go to restart a new life or whatever?" Flutter pressed. "Well, theres this tree. And in the tree is a hole, where you go through. If you wanna live a new life, simply say, new life. If you wnna move on from the Middle World, say live on and depending if you've been bad or good, you will go to the under world or upper world" Orange Leaf explained. "So what are you?" Flutter asked, giggling a bit. "Me? I'm living here in the Middle World. I don't wanna risk moving on, because I might go to the under world, and I don't wanna start from scratch. Same with Mismatch. So, Flutter Shy, what are you going to do? Because if you wanna live in the Middle World, stay with us and we'll take you into the heard" Flutter Shy paused. "I'll go with you" She said, standing on to her hooves. "Great! Now follow us!" Mismatch said, turning to trot away with Flutter Shy and Orange Leaf on his heels. ************************ "Hello? Hellooooo???" A hoof prodded Vinyl Scratch's side. "M'what Octavia? is it breakfast? I'm starving" Vinyl said, blinking her eyes open not to find Octavia, but to see a pale green unicorn with pink mane stand before her. Vinyl scrambled to her hooves. "Who are you? Where are we!?" Vinyl asked, taking in her surroundings. Vinyl and the other unicorn where on one of many hills, and beyond the hills laid a forest. Blue sky hung above them, and the grass lush and green beneath them. "Well, let's say where in a place called Middle World. Anyways, I'm Minty. What's your name?" Minty said, no hint of threat in her voice, but se sounded welcoming enough for Vinyl to talk to. "My name is Vinyl Scratch. And my stage name is DJ Pon-3" Vinyl said, with a smile spreading across her face. Minty smiled back. "So, Minty. Tell me, what is the Middle World?" Vinyl asked. "Well, the Middle World is a place spirits go too, to decide wether to re-live or go to the upper world or under world. You can only go to the upper world or lower world, depending on how good or bad you've been" Minty explained. Vinyl froze. Then it all came back to her. She died last night. "but if you don't wanna move on yet, you can live here on the Middle World as long as you want! And guess what, you won't age! You can stay young FOREVER!" Minty said bouncing up and down. "Where do you go if you wanna stay here?" Vinyl asked the bouncing pony. "Well, there are three groups. One for pegasus, one for unicorn and one for earth ponies. We just stay in our breeds heard" Minty said, simply. Vinyl blinked. "Well, ok then" "You see, we also have our areas. Unicorns have the forest, Pegasus have the skies and earth ponies take the plains, which is further down north. You could only travel through another one's are if you are traveling to the tree" Minty added. "Tree?" "Yea. The place to move on" "Ohh. Are you going to the tree?" "Nope. I'm staying with the unicorn herd. Hey, maybe wanna stay with us? I mean, if your not going to the tree" Minty saif excitedly. "Why not?" Vinyl said, standing up. "Well then, follow me!" Minty said, trotting for the woods with Vinyl trailing behind her. > To the herds > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Flutter Shy trotted over a soft field of grass, shortly behind Mismatch and Orange Leaf. Mismatch and Orange Leaf halted. "We need to take flight now" Mismatch informed Flutter Shy, spreading his wings "Oh, but I'm not a very good flyer.. How far do we have to go?" Flutter Shy said, unfurling her yellow wings. "Ah, It's kind of far, but Mismatch and I will help you get there if you need help" Orange Leaf said, before jumping off his hooves to fly into the pale blue sky. Flutter Shy flew up with them, and the 3 pegasus proceeded to the clouds. Flutter Shy looked down. The Middle World grew further away with each wing stroke. Flutter Shy looked back up to Mismatch and Orange Leaf, who were approaching the nearest cloud. They landed on it softly and Flutter Shy came crashing down onto the cloud. Orange Leaf flinched as the yellow pegasus collided with the cloud. "Ok, we need to travel across a few clouds before reaching the herd. Flutter Shy, you will need to jump across, but don't look down" Mismatch said, trotting in the direction towards the sun. Flutter trotted along side Orange Leaf, who kept pace with her. Mismatch broke from his steady trot and into a run. He leapt gracefully from his former cloud to the next. "Alright Flutter Shy! You need to jump here, remember, don't look down!" Mismatch called. Flutter Shy examined how much space there was between the two clouds. "I-I-I can't do it" Flutter squeaked. "Yes you can! and anyway, you won't survive our herd if you can't jump from cloud to cloud!" Orange Leaf leaned to Flutter Shy. "It's alright, I'll catch you if you fall" He murmered softly in Flutter Shys ear, who was quivering in fear. Flutter Shy gulped and got to her shaky hooves. She squeezed her eyes shut and charged across the cloudy sky, gathering muscles in her haunches, she leapt, she soared across the Middle Word's sky and landed on her hooves on the other cloud with no effort. "Good job!" Orange Leaf praised as he jumped over the gap for himself. Mismatch continued trotting along, and when gaps arrived, Flutter jumped over them. This went on for awhile, and Flutter Shy felt her fear of heights dissolving. "Hey! Where here!" Orange Leaf called to Flutter Shy and Mismatch and sprinted to a heard of pegasus ahead. ***** Vinyl followed Minty across the hills of grass, towards the forest. Minty broke out into a steady trot with Vinyl on her heels. As they neared the woods, Vinyl noticed a small fog raise at their heels, and trees engulfing them. "Almost there" Minty murmering, trotting to what seemed like group of unicorns ahead. > Acceptance > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Hurricane! I brought you a pony!" Orange Leaf trotted ahead of Mismatch and Flutter Shy across the cloud-covered sky. A gray stallion loomed over Orange Leaf, he spread his wings and Flutter made a good guess of a 5-feet wingspan. "Hm? Who is this pony?" The gray pegasus asked Orange Leaf. "Well, her names Flutter Shy, she's just over there" Orange Leaf said, nodding in her direction. The gray pegasus gave a brief nod before trotting toward Flutter Shy. Flutter Shy hid behind her pink mane and squeezed her eyes shut, although knowing full well he could see her. "Hello Flutter Shy" Hurricane said to the yellow pegaus. Flutter Shy opened an eye and gave a quick glance to Hurricane, who loomed before her. Hurricane furled his wings to his sides, then turned and flicked his tail to beckon for her to follow. "Welcome to the Pegasus heard, Fluttershy" Hurricane said, as Fluttershy bounded over. "Why thank you, Hurricane. Now, um, is it ok if I ask you something..?" Fluttershy asked, her voice getting quieter each sentence. "Yes of course. What may that be?" Hurricane asked, stopping. "What do all of you do?" Fluttershy said, a little to soft for Hurricanes ears. "Hm? repeat that again please" Hurricane said, straining his ears. Fluttershy took a breath "What do all of you do!?" To Hurricane, this sounded like "Hat...ll.....do!?" "...SPEAK UP" Hurricane said, more impatiently. "WHAT DO ALL OF YOU DO!?!?!" Fluttershy screamed, which of course was still quiet. "Well, we travel across the skies, and... do pretty much what ever we want. Was that the answer you were excpecting?" Hurricane answered, not taking his eyes off of his herd. Fluttershy blinked. "Oh, ok" "Well, you see, there's a slight more to it though." Hurricane said, straighting up. "What's that?" "We have food bringers, and defenders and attackers. So like, the food bringers finds whatever they can to feed the herd, defenders guards our areas, which is part of the forest and some of the plains, and attackers attack when there is inturders on our area" Hurricane explained to Fluttershy, which was listening intently to the leader. Fluttershy nodded. "So, Fluttershy does my herd catch your interest? Your welcome to turn down my offer, but just to let you know, you won't be welcome anymore" Hurricane said, looking at Fluttershy. So, we fight other ponies if they're on our area, huh. That's not right.. maybe... if I stay awhile, I can make peace with all of the herds, and we can all live in harmony! Fluttershy thought to herself. "Alright Hurricane, I'm joining your group" Fluttershy said, looking up at the gray leader. Hurricane nodded and smiled. "Welcome to the Pegasus herd, Fluttershy" Hurricane said warmly. "Follow me" Hurricane turned and galloped in a small trot, towards the group of Pegasus in the distance. "PEGASUS'" Hurricane said, in a very loud voice. Everypony stopped what they were doing and looked up at their leader. "We have a new member joining us today, and I would like everypony to give a welcome to Fluttershy!" Hurricane said, looking at the yellow mare. Every pair of eyes fell upon Fluttershy, she grew hot with embarrassment and hid in her mane, once again. "Fluttershy, come here" Hurricane called to her. Fluttershy felt her knees get weak and shaky as she struggled to keep a steady pace coming to Hurricane. As Fluttershy approached, Hurricane spoke again. "Fluttershy, you will become a food bringer" Hurricane said, before examining the crowd. "Sky Bridge! Come up here!" Hurricane called to the sea of pegasus, and in the crowd, a pink pegasus with a black mane falling over her shoulders flew over to Hurricane. "Yes Hurricane?" Sky Bridge asked "Will you teach Fluttershy to care for the herd?" Hurricane asked. Fluttershy saw the pink ponies purple eyes grow big. "YES! OF COURSE!" She said, with utmost delight in her voice. Fluttershy smiled again and looked at her herd. She spotted Orange Leaf and the corner of the pegasus' he noticed her glance and waved. Fluttershy waved a tiny hoof at him before turning her attention back to Hurricane. "Meeting dismissed" Hurricane said and at once the ponies broke into groups. Some ponies turning to Fluttershy and whispering a bit. Sky Bridge approached Fluttershy. "Welcome! Would you like me to show you around?" Sky Bridge asked Fluttershy "Oh yes please!" Fluttershy said, trotting up to the other mare. Sky Bridge smiled and turned, "Alright..." ******************************************************************************** Vinyl continued trotting through the darkness of the forest, on the heels of Minty. As they traveled further to catch up to the group of unicorns ahead, Vinyl noticed the ground getting soggier and squishier. "Hey Minty, are you sure were not traveling through mud?" Vinyl asked, who actully is taking bigger steps, because she seems to be sinking through the ground. Minty looked at Vinyl "What?" she asked before looking at both of the mares hooves which were half sunk in to the mud "OH! I didn't notice! Sorry Vinyl!" Minty said, trying to remove her hoof from the mud but it stayed firm in place. Vinyl tried moving her hooves again. No movement. "MINTY!" Vinyl called, her voice reaching hysteria. "Yea?" "I CAN'T MOVE!" Vinyl cried, but she just sunk deeper into the mud. "I can't move either!" Minty said, with a smile forming onto the green ponies face "WERE GONNA DIE WERE GONNA DIE WEREGONNADIEWEREGONNADIEEEE" Vinyl cried "Vinyl" "YES!?!?" "We could pretend were Daring Do and try to escape!" "What's Daring Do?" "What?" "Nevermind" "MINTY!? WERE GONNA DIE AGAIN" "Is that possible?" "I dunno" When the mud reached the ponies chest, Vinyl raise her horn to levitate Minty out. Minty landed on the moss across the mud. The pastel green unicorn shook her pelt, and bits of dirt flew in all directions. "Uhm... Minty? I'm still stuck!" Minty looked at Vinyl "I know" "are you going to help me?" Vinyl asked, looking around restlessly as the mud approached her throat. "I would but..." Minty's voice trailed off "BUT WHAT!?" Vinyl screamed, squeezing her red eyes shut, concentrating on levitating herself out. But we all know, Unicorns can't levitate themselves. "I don't know any magic" Minty said. Vinyl sighed. She was going to die again. I wonder where she'll end up this time.... >.> "VINYL! Wait here!" Minty said suddenly "It's not like I can move anyway" Vinyl muttered to herself "I'll be right back!" Minty said before disappearing into the fog, where her image gre darker and darker that Vinyl could see no more. The white unicorn felt the mud reach the bottom of her face... Then as the mud crawled up the mare's face, she heard the sound of hoof steps against dirt. Just as the mud reached her nose, she saw two figures emerging from the fog. Minty returned with another white unicorn, her red hair travled behind her and Vinyl recognized this pony... but she couldn't put a hoof on it! "Moondancer please help her!" Minty cried. Moondancer's eyes grew wide. "Vinyl Scratch!" And at once Moondancer lifted the DJ out of the mud. Vinyl's legs ached from struggling and she began gasping for breath. "Moondancer!" Vinyl said between gasps of air. "Vinyl!" Moondancer said, approaching Vinyl and nuzzled her with her muzzle. Moondancer helped Vinyl to her hooves and the three trotted in the direction where they came from. The fog grew thicker and it was no longer visible to view the herd of unicorns ahead, but Vinyl just knew they were there. And as Vinyl guessed, the dark outlines of unicorns appeared. "Dark Magic!" Moondancer called to the group. And one of the shapes looked in their direction and trotted toward them. "Yes Moon?" the other unicorn asked. Vinyl looked up to see a black unicorn with white hair covering part of her pink eyes. "Oh, this was the unicorn you went to get Moon to rescue, hm?" Dark Magic asked looking at Minty. Minty nodded. "Her name's Vinyl Scratch!" Minty gave a smile. Dark Magic nodded thoughtfully. "Vinyl Scratch.... Your interested on joining my herd, am I not correct?" Dark Magic rested her eyes on the dirty DJ. Vinyl nodded. "I am Dark Magic" Dark Magic smiled. "Welcome! Follow us, we'll return to the herd and I will give you a proper position to serve the herd as.." Dark Magic called, turning to trot away. As Vinyl caught up, she looked ahead and found Dark Magic addressing the unicorns. "......Give a warm welcome to Vinyl Scratch!" Vinyl heard Dark Magic say, looking at her. And everyponies eyes looked at her, Vinyl smiled. "Come here, Vinyl!" Dark Magic said. Vinyl trotted up to Dark Magic, showing no sign she was nervous being in front of many unknown ponies. "And you too, Moondancer" Dark Magic nodded to the other white unicorn, who trotted up to Dark Magic "Are you willing to train Vinyl as a defender?" Dark Magic asked Moondancer, who raised an eyebrow. "Of course" Moondancer replied. "Awesome, meeting dismissed" Dark Magic said, and unicorns broke into groups. "I think i'd show you our are before we begin training" Moondancer said, approaching Vinyl. "Sure, but whats a defender?" Vinyl asked. "Defends our are. Attackers will do the fighting" Moondancer explained. Vinyl nodded. "Well, let's go!" Moondancer said, trotting over to enter the depths of the forest > Meeting > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey everyone! Sorry for the late update on chapters, I've been quite busy and I have started another story which won't be out for some time, and I have started creating a mlp fan made computer game,which took ALL week and finished yesterday :3 (I'll upload it soon) so yea, sorry for the wait! Sky Bridge and Fluttershy eagerly left the heard, and trotted in the direction of the setting sun. As the clouds grew thinner, the pink mare leapt and spread her wings, then looked back at Fluttershy. "C'mon!" Sky Bridge called before flipping though the evening sky before diving down, to the forest beneath their hooves. Fluttershy timidly looked down. It was certainly a drop if she failed to take flight, but part of their are resumed down there... Fluttershy spread her wings and jumped. Before she knew it, she was free falling trying to get a grip at her wings. Her wings was spread, but she couldn't control them. FLAP! she screamed inside her head, but her body wouldn't take the command. Fluttershy looked down, the ground was only seconds away. She squeezed her eyes shut and braced herself for a huge impact, which never came. She landed on something soft, yet firm. Fluttershy opened an eye. She looked down and found herself on a pink platform, which was Sky Bridge's back. Sky Bridge landed on the moss covered forest and Fluttershy hopped off of the mares back. Fluttershy looked at Sky Bridge "T-t-thank you" Fluttershy stammered. Sky Bridge nodded and smiled. In the corner of Fluttershy's eye, was a dark figure. She fixed her glance on it, but instantly it disappeared into the thickness of the forest. Fluttershy blinked and changed her focus back on Sky Bridge. The pink mare smiled at Fluttershy. "No problem!" She said. "But, Fluttershy? Why didn't you fly?" Sky Bridge added, tilting her head. Fluttershy looked up at Sky Bridge. She couldn't just say, 'oh, I tried to fly but my wings didn't work' So, what was she supposed to say? Fluttershy smirked. "Well, I tried to fly, but my wings were locked and I couldn't move them" Fluttershy said, digging a tiny hole with her fore hoof, not meeting Sky Bridge's gaze. Sky Bridge narrowed her eyes at the yellow mare before nodding her head briefly. "I see...." She said quietly. Fluttershy looked up with the silliest grin on her face, Sky Bridge looked at Fluttershy before her eye brow furrowed. "What happened next?" Sky Bridge asked. "Nothing. Nothing at all" Fluttershy said innocently. "I just need time alone" The yellow mare said, trotting past Sky Bridge. "Ok, you remember the route back?" Sky Bridge asked. Fluttershy nodded. "Ok, I'll meet you back at the herd!" Sky Bridge said before taking flight. Fluttershy sighed before trotting further into the forest. As she examined her surrounding, she found a log just a bit further. She blinked and trotted toward it. As she neared it, she noticed it was wet and cold. Fluttershy turned away from it and behind her she heard a sharp crack. Fluttershy whipped around to find to unicorns a few pony-lengths ahead. The yellow pegasus recognized one, a white unicorn with electric blue mane... that was.... Vinyl Scratch! The pony responsible for her death. The other unicorn with Vinyl looked like the DJ, except the mane which is a pure red. Fluttershy ducked beneath the nearest tree and listened to the unicorns talk. "You understand Vinyl? Right here, is the border." The other unicorn said to Vinyl, who nodded her head. "Ok" The familiar raspy voice rang in Fluttershy's ears. Fluttershy peered from behind the tree. Vinyl and Moondancer were trotting in the oppesite direction where Fluttershy was. Normally, she would have thought this was a good thing, but Fluttershy needed to speak with Vinyl. **************************************************************** Vinyl and Moondancer trotted away from the border with a steady pace. Just then, a sharp object dug into her back. Vinyl spun around to see something yellow and pink duck behind a tree. Vinyl looked back at Moondancer, who was a few pony-lengths ahead. "Hey Moondancer, I'll meet you back at our heard, I have to do something." Vinyl called out to her mentor, who looked back at Vinyl. "Yea sure, I trust you know your way back?" Moondancer asked. Vinyl nodded in response, then Moondancer soon disappeared into the thick fog. Soon when Moondancer was out of ear shot, Vinyl looked back at the tree. "Hello?" Vinyl called. The yellow pegasus from earlier soon poked her head out of the tree. She looked at Vinyl, and something about her was oddly familiar. The suns heat was unbearible. Vinyl and some other unicorns practiced spells in the market place. Though magic wasn't Vinyls thing, and she would have prefered to practice on her turn table, she came out for awhile. Soon, it was her turn to go again. But her magic lost control and shot directly at a yellow pegasus nearby. Vinyls eyes grew wide. "Oh... it's you... I-I'm so sorry...for killing you" Vinyl said,dropping her ears. The other mare stared at Vinyl. "Oh... Um, even though you killed me, it's ok. I forgive you" The other pony said in a gentle, hushed voice. Vinyl looked up. "Um, thanks even though I don't deserve it. You didn't deserve to die" Vinyl said. "Well, whats done is done. What are you doing here, Vinyl?" 'she knows my name!' "Well... later that day I died... on my own.... because, I killed you, and it was something I couldn't bear" Vinyl stammered. "So you killed yourself?" Fluttershy asked. Vinyl nodded. "You didn't have to, you know. I kinda like it here" Fluttershy said, smiling. Vinyl smiled. "Well, I have to return back to my herd, so I guess I'll see you later" Fluttershy said as she turned to leave. "Wait!" Vinyl called. Fluttershy looked back. "I didn't catch your name" "Oh. my name? Fluttershy" And with that, Fluttershy turned to trot away into the fog. > Feelings > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- hey everypony sorry for the HUGE gap of time before I updated the story. I truly am. although, on the bright side I am releasing another story soon, and I hope you will read that one... Anyway, I have to admit I don't have the real drive to continue this story. I/ll see how far I get before I give up and let some other pony to finish it. Sorry guys, anyway, let the chapter begin :) Fluttershy trotted through the damp forest, feeling good about herself. She doesn't know why, or what about Vinyl made her feel this way but after meeting her accedental murder made her feel good. Theres something about that white mare that Fluttershy just adores dearly. She doesn't know if it's her electric blue mane, or the blood red eyes or just her in general. As Fluttershy noticed shaded forming above, she tilted her head back to glance up. And there, was the cloud she and Sky Bridge and come down. Fluttershy extended her wings to prepare for flight. As soon as she took off from the ground, a raspy voice screamed her name. "FLUTTERSHY" The voice screamed from below. Flluttershy looked down and saw the white unicorn running toward her. "Oh Fluttershy, I'm glad I caught up to you... " The DJ paused "I need to ask you; will you meet me here, tommorow same time same place?" Vinyl asked, out of breath. Fluttershy hesitated. What happened today was something simple, and meeting with an enemy wasn't the brightest plan. But the yellow Pegasus knew the other mare. Fluttershy blinked. "Ok... fine we'll meet again" Fluttershy said cautiosly. The other ponies face lite up "Okay! Awesome, see you here again tommorow" Vinyl said with a huge grin plastered all over her face. Fluttershy smiled as Vinyl dashed away. Immediatly, her heart warmed and ached for Vinyl. what? This isn't right... Fluttershy thought to herself as she landed on a snow white fluffy cloud. "Hey Fluttershy, there you are" A voice called from above. Fluttershy looked up and saw her friend, Sky Bridge hovering just above her. "Hello" Fluttershy squeaked. THe pink Pegasus landed next to Fluttershy, wings still unfurled. "Ready to head back to camp now?" Sky Bridge asked. Fluttershy nodded. The two walked in silence as they drew near the cloudy camp. At this point, faint images of other pegasi were visible. Sky Bridge and Fluttershy finally reached their destination, and Fluttershy was happy to be back, but something with the other ponies felt a bit... off. The timid mare felt uncomfortable with this, so she leaned over to her pink friend and muttered something silently into her ear. "Doesn't something about the Pegasi herd feel... different in anyway?" She asked. Sky Bridge looked back at Fluttershy. "Well, kinda yea. Maybe you should see the healer..." Sky said a bit unsure of herself. Fluttershy tilted her head to the side. "healer?" She asked, uncertain. "The healer heals our wounds after battles" Sky Bridge explained. Confusion hit Fluttershy like a tidal wave. "Wounds?" she asked. Sky Bridge looked at Fluttershy. "Yup. She heals us in case we're going to die again. Yes, we CAN die again if that's what you're wondering. We fade away to nothing, for eternal peace." Sky Bridge sighed. "Her name is Angel Wing, you can find her in there" Sky Bridge angled her muzzle to a cloudy den, just poking its way out of the cloudy floor. Fluttershy smiled nervously. "It's fine Flutters. You're jut anxious. She can help you get over it" The other pegasi said with a reassuring smile. Fluttershy nodded and trotted over to the den. ************************************* Vinyl ran through the forest at top speed, her heart on fire burning with love and pain from running to much. She didn't know why, or what the hell is wrong with her, but as soon as she laid her eyes on the yellow pegasi, her blood eyes popped into pink little hearts and her heart melted. Vinyl skidded to a halt. waiit. That's not right. What about Tavi? Vinyl asked herself. But I have to leave her behind. I must move on. I'm here, Octavia is there. I love Fluttershy and Tavi has to respect that another part of Vinyl argued. Vinyl started with a small trot, when all of a sudden a heavy object went flying into her side. "WHAAAA" Vinyl fell over with the weight weighing her down. She opened her eyes to see a smiling Minty, just ontop of her. "AUGH! GET OFF" Vinyl screeched before backing off. Mintys smile faded and her ears dropped to the side of her head. "You don't like me anymore..." She said before turning away with her head to the ground. "No, it's just, UGH" Vinyl said with frustration. "You caught me by surprise, that's all" Vinyl said. Mintys smile reappeared on her face and began to jump in glee. This mare remindes me of... what's her name... Pinkie Pie, yea thats her. Pinkie Pie. Super annoying. Although, Minty doesn't to be as bad. "Let's go back to the herd~" Minty said before bounding off somewhere into the forest with Vinyl shortly following behind her. Every hoof step, her heart ached for Fluttershy. Vinyl let out a sigh. "Whats wrong Vinyly Winyly?" Minty asked, looking at her. Vinyl looked up, ears straight up. "NOTHING.. nothing at all" Vinyl finished her scentence with a cheesy grin. "I've got my eye on you missy" Minty said seriously, her pale green eye seemed to come out of her skull and approach Vinyls face. Creepy. "yea yea ok let's go" Vinyl said rushingly before running away from the mint green unicorn. > Dedication > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fluttershy pushed her way throught the jambles of clouds. Inside the den were rows o f many shelves supplying pony goods, and i the center of the room was a purple Pegasus, with a deeper purple eyes, matching her wavy light purple mane. "Hello dear, how can I help you?" She ask Fluttershy in a sweet voice that Fluttershy somewhat liked, but to her, something seems the slightest bit off. Fluttershy giggled nervously. "I'm feelining a bit anxious here, can you help me please?" Fluttershy asked the purple mare. Angel Wings purple gaze bore through Fluttershys soul. Oh how creeped out she felt. "Of course..." She said, not blinking once or tearing her eyes off of the shy Pegasus. "Ummm actully it's ok, I don't need help" Fluttershy turned to trot out of the den when Angel Wings called out to her. "Fluttershy" She said Fluttershy turned around to glance at her. "If it will make you feel any better, I can let you visit your living friends" She said. Fluttershys heart bursted with excitment. "Really? you can do that? Oh yes please" She said with warmth entering the smile she showed. Angel took out a white leaf, she broke it in half, giving one half to Fluttershy. "Eat this" she said as she began to chew on her own. Fluttershy poked it with a hoof before nibbling on it. The taste was bittersweet, it exploded with the taste of maple syrup but the after taste tasted of dry wood. Angel Wings lay a hoof on Fluttershy as the two began to fade... They appeared in a dark world, surrounded by stars and comets off all kind. The milky way painted the black sky splotched off white while the moon gave off a sweet glow. Fluttershys eyes beamed in wonder as she took in her surrounding. "Follow me" Angel Wings said, walking to single star shining alone in the night sky. Flutters noticed Angel Wings fur slathered with stars, and she could see right through the healer. She looked down at her coat, which was unmistakingly like Angels. As they apporached the star, Angel Wing stopped. "Touch the star to appear in Equestra, Fluttershy" she said. Hesitantly, Fluttershy took a step foreward to reach out to the star. It shone brightly as Fluttershy drew near, and it's twinkling reflected in her huge green eyes. With a hoof, she extended and touched it. The yellow mare glowed white before disappearing from the universe. "Oh Fluttershy... It's been awhile..." A famliar voice choked out with a sob. Fluttershy turned to see her friend, Rainbow Dash standing just above a cross. "R-R-Rainbow Dash?" She called out quietly. If Dash heard her, she ignored her. Rainbow Dash continued to weep at her grave, and just at the sight of the poor mare brok FLuttershys heart. Fluttershy trotted away from the graveyard in deppressed state. Rain began to pour from the sky onto the soul, searching for her friends. As she neared PonyVille, a dark shadow caught Fluttershys eye. A dull pink mare in a black cloak, hood over hung around in the shadows. Fluttershy approached the pony, and as she drew closer she saw that it was her best party friend, Pinkie Pie. "Pinkie?" Fluttershy called out. Pinkie Pie whipped around, her eyes red and swollen with wet tear marks running down her face. Her straight pink mane covered part of her face as she searched around. "WHOSE THERE?" Pinkie screamed. "Pinkie, it's me, Fluttershy" Fluttershy said, lost. Pinkie Pie sighed. "Leave me alone, who ever is there" Pinkie said before turning away again. As Fluttershy backed away to give her friend peace, she heard Pinkie quietly say something. "Oh Fluttershy, why did fate take you away?" Pinkie said sadly. "Pinkie, don't talk like that, I'm here with you right now" Fluttershy said, taking in a step to the pink mare. But Pinkie Pie turned away. "I said LEAVE ME ALONE, AND I'M PINKAMENA, NOT PINKIE. FOR YOUR BUCKING INFORMATION, I'M GRIEVING ON MY DEAD FRIEND FLUTTERSHYyyyy" Pinkie--mena then fell to her knees. "Please, anypony that's there, I need some space... Please.." Fluttershy was crying herself at Pinkamenas state. The sound of hoofs clopping with the ground made Fluttershy turn around. There, she saw Twilight, Rarity and Applejack, walking slowly together to Twilights Library. "TWILIGHT, RARITY, APPLEJACK" Fluttershy cried over to the remaining 3 friends she hadn't visited. Twilights head snapped up. "F-F-Fluttershy?" Twilight asked in a shaky voice. "Yes, It's me" Fluttershy, skidding to a halt right in front of Twilights face. "Oh Fluttershy" Twilight said, wrapping a hoof around her. "Uh, Suga cube are ya'll right?" Twilight looked back at Applejack, with her smile grinning from ear to ear. "HOW CAN I NOT? FLUTTERSHY RIGHT IN FRONT OF US!!!" Twilight screamed. "Hush Twilight, theres nopony in front of you. I think Fluttershys death got ye all shuddered up, ya need teh go rest honey" Applejack said as she began to haul Twilight away. "And it is VERY unlady like to be screeching like that Twilight" Rarity added. "No! Wait! FLUTTERSHY! PROVE TO THEM YOU'RE HERE!" Fluttershy called out again. "How!?" Fluttershy sort-of-yelled. But by now, Twilight Sparkle was in the library. ------ Vinyl was sitting on a mossy log where she met Fluttershy yesterday. It's been 5 min and Fluttershy STILL wasn't here. Vinyl was so bored, she began to count the trees. After the 8th one, a voice called from behind her. "Vinyl?" Vinyl turned around to see Fluttershy approaching. Her pink mane was a mess and her eyes were red, as though she had been crying. Instantly, her annoyance with her secret love was gone. "Aw, what happened dear?" Vinyl asked. Normally, shes not the unicorn to call others 'dear' but with Fluttershy, she can make an exception. "I went to visit my friends, but none of them talked to me except my friend Twilight Sparkle..." Fluttershy said quietly, so quiet, Vinyl had to strain her ears to hear what the yellow mare was saying. "Aww.." Vinyl said "Let me make you feel better" Vinyl said as she drew near Fluttershy. Vinyl planted a small kiss on Fluttershys neck. Fluttershy giggled a bit. Vinyl began kiss harder, moving over to Fluttershys lips. The white unicorn gently pushed Fluttershy on her back and hopped onto her stomach. Fluttershys eyes grew back as she flung to her hooves. She knew where this was going, and she didn't like it. Fluttershy slipped under Vinyls weight and back to her hooves. Vinyl looked offended. "What's wrong?" Vinyl asked with embarresment. "I-I'm sorry but I don't think I can do that!" Fluttershy squeaked. "Oh.. it's fine. Sorry.. But truth is.." Vinyl began "I LOVE YOU!" the unicorn screamed The yellow Pegasus blinked her eyes. "Um.. truth is, me too. I love you too" Fluttershy said. Vinyl then, exploded with happiness > Something off > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "So, what do we do now?" Fluttershy asked, tilting her head. Vinyl looked up thoughtfully. "I dunno, to be honest" She said, letting her famous goofy smile take place. Fluttershy returned the smile. "Will you be ... my marefriend?" Vinyl asked. Fluttershys green eyes went wide. Vinyl looked down, blushing furiously turning her usual white face a red. "Only if you'll be mine!" Fluttershy exclaimed, unfurling her wings. Vinyl looked up happily. "Yay!" Vinyl said, planting a small kiss on Fluttershys fore head. Fluttershy nuzzled Vinyl on the cheek in affection. "But the problem is" Fluttershy started. Vinyl looked up at Fluttershy. "Yes?" She asked. "We are supposed to be enemies ... doesn't that affect us?" Fluttershy asked. Vinyls mouth turned into a frown. "I dunno ... But we can go against the rule, can't we?" Vinyl asked desperately. Fluttershy looked into Vinyls blood red eyes. She saw desperation, she could see that this unicorn wanted her. Badly. Fluttershy nodded. "Alright, fine. But no more rule breaking, okay?" Fluttershy asked. Uncertainety flooded Vinyls face but left as soon as it came. --------- Oh my Celestia, I'm dating Fluttershy now, but if Tavi was here, she'd be pretty ticked.... Vinyl thought to herself before a new thought came about. Like we said earlier, she's the past. This is the future the second voice reminded Vinyl gently. Vinyl shook the thoughts from her head. "Vinyl?" Fluttershy started. "Yea?" Vinyl asked. "I think It's time for us to return to our herds now. Why don't we meet tomorrow?" Fluttershy asked. Vinyl nodded. "Sure, take care, my dearest" Vinyl said, kissing Fluttershy. Fluttershy put a hoof around her marefriends neck. "I will, you too" Fluttershy said as she pulled away. "Good bye now" Flutter said, as she trotted away into the forest. As Flutters left Vinyls view, she herself turned and trotted in the direction of home. As Vinyl trotted through the soft moss, a dark figure, alicorned shape caught her eye. Vinyls head snapped up. Just as she looked in the direction, the shadow seemed to fade from sight. Vinyls belly turned with uneasieness as she felt like something was watching her. She quickened her pace and dashed back to the herd. As soon as fog poured at her hooves, she was greeted with a friendly laugh. "Vinyl! How are you?" Mintys familiar voice rang from behind her. "Oh, hi Minty" Vinyl said wearily as she looked the other mare in the eye. Minty was at her usual happy self, but her wide smile stretched from ear to ear and her unblinking eyes was starting to scare her. Something was off on this pony. "Umm, Minty, are you ok?" Vinyl asked, lowering her head. "I'm just fine, why do you ask?" Minty asked, keeping her gaze. "Umm, nothing! Nothing at all ..." Vinyls voice trailed off. "Let's head back to the herd, shall we?" Minty asked, bounding closer to Vinyl. "Yea! Sure, let's go" Vinyl forced a smile as she trotted along side Vinyl. Maybe Mintys just overly happy today ... Vinyl thought to herself. Maybe. --------- It's been two days since Vinyls death. Octavia stared at the blank wall ahead of her, bathing in her memories of her marefriend. Are they still dating? Vinyls dead. Octavia asked herself over and over with no answers. Since the day Vinyl died, she has gotten no food, sleep or water. She had only gotten up once to stretch, but soon returning to her now-boring-life. Octavia was getting restless. She didn't wanna get up, but she didn't wanna stay there forever, either. Since she hasn't moved in ages, she heaved herself up to her hooves. Her muscles were stiff from immobility and her knees were shaky. She slowly crept over to her room. As she passed Vinyls, she stopped briefly, shutting the door and continuing to her room. There was her cello, begging her to play it. She picked it up with a sad hoof and slowly began to strum this song. As she played the last chord, her head drooped in sorrow as she placed her cello back on it's stand. Her head snapped up as she heard a few raps on the door. She answered it, to see a purple unicorn standing before her. "Yes?" Octavia asked wearily. "You knew Fluttershy?" The unicorn asked. Octavia tilted her head to the side. "Fluttershy? Details please" Octavia said. "Butter yellow Pegasus, pink mane ..." the mares voice trailed off a bit. "I might've recalled ... Vinyl ... Talking about her .." Octavia said as she felt her heart sink lower than it was. "Fluttershy was found dead a couple days ago. Ponies have been saying that a cause of a unicorns magic killed her" she paused. "Do you know anything?" The other pony finished. Octavias head snapped up. "Stay here, wait, can I catch your name?" Octavia said suddenly. "Um, yes of course. Twilight Sparkle" Twilight said. Octavia smiled, nodded and rushed into the kitchen. She snatched the note up from the counter top and brought it back to Twilight. The unicorn took the letter with intrest as she began to read. She blinked her lavender eyes as she looked up back at Octavia. "You mean ... Vinyl did it .. It was an accedent, that caused the life of two ponies" Twilight broke off with a sad sob. Octavia folded her ears to her head and looked down. "I don't know what to do anymore" Octavia said with a sigh. > Shes hiding something > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (this chapter is on Octavia, only) Twilight looked at Octavia sadly. "She was special to you, wasn't she" Twilight said in barely a whisper. Octavia nodded as she broke down once again. Twilight put a comforting hoof around Octavia. "Shush .. It's ok.. I'll bet you anything Vinyls safe and in good hooves" Twilight said quietly. "I can't make my life without her .. If only I could see her one more time" Octavia cried. Twilight looked at the sobbing mare. "I think I can make that come true" Twilight said, showing a tiny smile. Octavia looked at her despreatly. "Oh please" Octavia said at once. Twilight smiled as she shut her eyes. Her horn glowed a lovely lavender. She opened her pure white eyes as a beam of light shot from her horn. As it subsided, the faint image of Vinyl stood before Octavia. Twilight then collapesed to the floor from exaustion. "Vinyl oh Vinyl" Octavia cried in happiness. The ghostly mare looked at her. "This looks like ..." Vinyl managed to say before resting her gaze on Octavia. "Tavi?" Vinyl asked. "Yes, it's Tavi" Octavia said with tears of sadness and joy as she heaved herself over to Vinyl. "Octavia ..? OCTAVIA" Vinyl said as she rushed over to greet her best friend in a hug. Octavia returned the hug back. "Why did you go?" Octavia whispered in Vinyls ear. "I'm sorry ..." Vinyl said looking at the ground as they broke apart from each other. "You shouldn't have gone, my dear" Octavia said softly. Just then Vinyls gaze snapped up to hers. "Did I say something wrong dearest Vinyl?" Octavia asked. Vinyl looked away from Octavia. "No. Nothing at all .." Vinyl forced a smile. Vinyl was hiding something. Yes. Defiantly. But nows not the time. As Octavia opened her mouth to speak, Vinyl inturrupted her. "Oh how I've missed you" Vinyl said with a small smile. Octy smiled back. "I missed you too ..." Tavi said as she looked back at Vinyl, who was becoming more and more transparent. "Looks like I'm going ..." Vinyl said, examining herself. "Oh" Octavias heart broke again as Vinyl began to fade. "Vinyl .. I love you. Goodbye, I hope we meet again" Octavia said just loud enough for Vinyl to hear. "Bye Tavi" Vinyl said before she disappeared once and for all. Why didn't Vinyl say she loved her? This pained Octavia. A lot. A low moan cried from the floor. Octavia looked down to see Twilight shifting the slightest. She opened her eyes and looked at Octavia. "Did it work?" She asked. Octavia nodded as tears of joy streamed down her face. Twilight smiled. "That took a lot of magic ... I sure don't wanna do that one again any time soon" Twilight said with a small smile. Octavia closed her eyes. "I must thank you Twilight" Octavia said. "No problem" Twilight replied. Octavia quickly glanced at where Vinyl disappeared. What was her marefriend hiding? After all, NO SECRETS! "So now we know the death of Fluttershy ... And Miss Scratch" Twilight finished. "Thank you for your time, Octavia" Twilight said as she dipped her head in respect. "Oh no worries Twilight" Octavia said, her voice dull once again. "I shall be on my way now, we have lost enough time" Twilight said as she started towards the door. "Goodbye, Twilight" Octavia said as Twilight left her house. Without a ponies prescense left a lingering feeling of unease in Octavias stomach. With fatigue biting at Octavia, she trotted to her room. She pulled her blankets over her as she began to sleep. Lush forest, with mist gathering at the pale unicorns hooves. Octavia took perfect note at the unicorn, for it was her Vinyl. Vinyls face had pure joy, as she galloped through the forest, past Octavia. "Wait!" She called, but Vinyl didn't look back. Octavia dashed towards Vinyl, but as fast as she would go, she couldn't keep up. At last Vinyl halted. Octavia came trotting slowly behind Vinyl, slower as she drew closer. "Oh how I've missed you my dear" Vinyl said, as a butter yellow Pegasus came slowly into view. "Vinyl!" She said as she nuzzeled Vinyl affectionaly. "Fluttershy, my love, how have you been?" Vinyl asked, happiness clearly taking over. "Oh I have been just fine, how about you?" Fluttershy asked, batting her eyes back up at Octavias Vinyl. Anger and pain washed over Octavia at this sight. Sadness mostly. Feeling betrayed and angry, Octavia backed up. She turned around and dashed away from the two ponies. Octavia halted to a stop. This was a dream, right? But everything seemed real! Why!? Octavia shook her head to rid of the question. 'Well I sure do hope this is a dream ...' Was Octavias last words before waking up. (hey guys, sorry for making this a bit short =X ) > Reunitation and Dead Notes > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey guys, Awhile a go, I write this story called, I'll wait for you So then, I decided to make this kind of a sequel! I should go edit the beggining chapter first though. So yea, read this story just to kind of understand why Fluttershy and Silver Dasher have a good relation ship .. ;) Fluttershy flew back to her heard, feeling great about herself. She sang softly to herself as she reached the clouds, and that is when a Pegasi emerged from the shadows. A familiar white Pegasus with long lovely bleach blond mane came slowley out. Recognition hit Fluttershy hard. Could this truly be, her long lost friend, Silver Dasher? Fluttershy shook her head, but continued to watch the mare as she strode past her. Half of Fluttershy wanted to call out to her maybe be friend whie the other was quite shy, and didn't speak a word. Joy got the best of Fluttershy. "Silver Dasher? Is that you?" Fluttershy squeaked out. The mare turned around. "Yes ... why? Who are you?" She asked. "SILVER DASHER!" Fluttershy screamed out, embracing the other mare in her arms for a hug. Silver gasped. "Fluttershy!?" "Yes! It's me!" Fluttershy said, as she felt her eyes water up with tears of happiness. "Oh how I missed you so much! How have you been?" Silver asked, taking Fluttershys hooves in hers. "I'm good, how are you?" Fluttershy asked. Fluttershy hasn't seen Silver Dasher since she was a young filly, she had befriended Silver Dasher at the park one day. They were forced to depart after Silver did suicide. "You seem much better now Silvs" Fluttershy commented, taking a glance at the behind of Silvers arms. Scars seemed to be nearly healed. "I am" Silver Dasher smiled. "I'm so glad!" Fluttershys. "How I have missed you!" Fluttershy just about screamed, hugging her friend once more. "I've missed you too, Fluttershy, and the promise came true. We waited and we reunited once more!" Silver Dasher said happily. "How old are you now?" Fluttershy asked. "We don't age here. I'm still 15" Silver said. "How old are you?" "15" Fluttershy said. "Woah! You're my age!" Silver laughed. "Crap! Has it really been 4-5 years!?" Fluttershy asked, exclaimed. "It seems .." Silver said thoughtfully. "We have alot to catch up on. Let's start now" Silver said with an inviting smile as Fluttershy trotted along her side. ---- Vinyl had a good time after being teleported away to Octavias, and after, seeing Fluttershy. She was super happy, and felt as is nothing can let her down. She bounded down the forest when a rough shove pushed from behind. "Wahh!" Vinyl cried as she fell nuzzle first on the ground. "Heey .." Vinyl said angerliy as she picked herself up and turned around to get a good look at who pushed her. Except nopony was there. "Huh?" Vinyl asked, looking around. Nope, there was for sure nopony there. "Weird .." Vinyl said to herself as she continued her way home. Something in her was nagging at Vinyl, she didn't know what, but it wasn't a good thing. All the way home, she kept wondering to herself, what could this feeling mean? --- Dear Vinyl, Hey, it's me, Octy. Oh, I just miss you so much! It's undescribable. I can't express my self in words how much I would like you back ... If only you could stay here with me, everything could be back to normal. Unfortunatly not, you're there, where ever you are and I am still here on this earth. Why am I wrighting a dead letter to you? Well, I guess I need to do it to keep my sanity here. Well, if only a day with you would be good. We could say our good byes ... and what not. I still love you as much as ever. Loving you, Octavia Dear Vinyl, Still missing you. You had to take your life, didn't you? Why? You left me here in sorrow. If only we can reach out one more time ... Missing you dearly, Octavia Dear Vinyl, Without your prescence, it's driving me insane. I am this close to taking my own life just to be with you. Anyway, the other night I had a dream you were with another mare. Oh my Celestia, how angry and sad I was! Eh. I should get a life and stop wrighting you all these notes, ones that you can't recieve ... I have no other friends here in Equestria, down here in Ponyville. Yea, Pinkies nice, but not really my type. She's to hyper, while I am first class. Well, I was. I'm pretty messy looking now. I don't know what to do anymore, either. Well I did meet this nice mare the other day, her names Twilight Sparkle. Maybe I can get to know her better. I need a friend. Love, Octavia Octavia put her quill down and took in a breath. It wasn't only lonley, but her heart was broken. What was there to do anymore? > The Battle > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- As Silver Dasher and Fluttershy neared home, Sky Bridge came rushing to them, she seemed in a hurry and her eyes are lighted with fury. "Sky Bridge?" Fluttershy asked. "Unicorns are casting spells to walk on clouds, and for wings too" Sky Bridge snarled. Fluttershy and Silver Dasher exchanged glances. "And since most of our members are wounded, we need more fighters. Fluttershy, Silver, can you fight!?" Sky Bridge looked at the two. Silver quickly looked at Fluttershy before responding. "yes, we can!" She said. "GOOD! LET'S GO!" Sky bridge said before flying off, with FLuttershy and Silver trailing behind her. The Pegasis sped through the air, the wind whipped throught their mane and their wings folded in an arch. A beam of light then shot throught the middle of them. The Pegasus immediatly paused as the beam faded away. Looking down was a green unicorn, his black messy mane was flaring in all directions as the beam missed the Pegasi, but barely. Silver Dasher dove down and knocked the unicorn off his hooves. Just as the pony fell, she rose him high into the air. His hooves flailed in all directions as Silver Dasher released her grip, letting him fall past the clouds. “Come on guys, we must hurry!” Sky Bridge called, waving a hoof. Silver Dasher and Fluttershy flew side by side, veering through the clouds until they were in the heat of battle. Pegasi and unicorns fought, the horned ponies using their horns as a weapon, trying their best to stab through the Pegasus ponies. Just as a yellow unicorn stabbed her horn through the chest of a Pegasi, she was hauled off by a familiar looking face. The one of Orange Leaf. The other unicorn spun around on her hooves, giving him a big buck in the face. Orange Leaf flew backwards, stumbling, until his hooves fell off the clouds. He let out a cry as he fell. Fluttershy sped towards the almost unconsiounse body of Orange Leaf. Without thinking, she dove beneath him, and tried her best to fly up wards with as much power as she possessed. Her weak wings could barely hold the two of them, and the yellow Pegasus felt her strength quickly draining from her limbs. She let out a scream of terror as the broke that sent the two crashing towards the ground. Vinyl Scratch stomach knotted with anxiety as she thought of Fluttershy. Her head whipped around wildly in search for her mare friend, which was no where to be found. A hard kick then dug into her side, Vinyl stumbled down as she turned to see a pink Pegasi with black mane, her purple eyes glaring with the heat of battle. Vinyl then fired up her horn when an ear piercing scream broke through the sounds of combat, striking her ears. The scream was familiar. Vinyl then sat up, and looked over the edge of the cloud she perched on. A small yellow body raced towards the ground, her hooves flaying through the air as she fell. Vinyls heart raced with terror as she recognized her instantly. That was Fluttershy! “FLUTTERSHY!” Vinyl screamed as her marefriend fell from a height to high to survive. Fluttershy was a Pegasus, right? Why isn’t she flying? But that’s not important at the moment. “I don’t know how to do this …” Vinyl muttered to herself. “But I can TRY!” Vinyl said loudly as her horn glowed a red, that swirled towards her body, lifting her upwards. She felt new limbs grow into her back as the red air faded. Vinyl looked at her back to see two powerful wings unfurled. With a leap of faith, Vinyl jumped. Everything seemed to be in slow motion. The battle raging behind her, Fluttershy’s falling body, and herself, crashing through the air. ‘Come on COME ON!’ Vinyl thought to herself angrily as she flapped her wings, yet nothing. Vinyl pointed her hooves towards the ground as she caught speed, as she fell beside Fluttershy, she saw her cast a glance her, wondering what was with the wings. “Save him!” Fluttershy mouthed to her, before looking below her. An orange stallion too, was nearing the floor. Vinyl dove beneath him, and pressed her hooves against his back, trying her best to heave him up. That’s when her mind cleared. Why not use levitation? Vinyl looked down again. “Oh no!” She cried as the ground was soon 25 miles beneath them, and they were free falling at 50 miles per hour. With her horn, she stopped Fluttershy and the other stallion from proceeding to the ground, as herself fell. Just as the ground neared, Vinyl shut her eyes and prepared for another death when she landed on something soft, but firm. She opened her eyes a slight to see the pink Pegasi from earlier. She halted, and slowed her pace to the ground. Vinyl hopped off her back, as she as she slowly lowered Fluttershy and her friend. As she placed them gently on the ground, the pink pony turned to her. “Why are you helping us?” She asked Vinyl, eyeing her suspiciously. “She’s a friend …” Vinyl said uncomfortably. Fluttershy rushed up to the pink pony. “It’s true! We were good friends when we were alive” She shot Vinyl a desperate glance, begging her to play along. After a short pause, she piped up. “Yea! We were … Good friends!” Vinyl said sheepishly. “Oh, yea, Vinyl, this is Sky Bridge” Fluttershy said, putting a comforting hoof around Sky Bridge, who narrowed her eyes. “Why do you have wings?” She asked. “I was going to use them to save Fluttershy, until I found that I didn’t know how to fly” Vinyl said quietly, looking at the ground. Fluttershy let out a laugh as Sky Bridge facehoofed. "You risked your life ... to save one of ours ..." Sky Bridge said slowly. Vinyl nodded. Sky Bridge looked up, and gave her a brisk nod. Our herd thanks you ... Vinyl?" Sky Bridge cocked her head to the side. "Yes, Vinyl, and it is no problem" Vinyl said blinking. "Well we must return up there, Vinyl, you should go home" Sky Bridge said, looking back up at the clouds. Vinyl nodded, as she trotted off in a good mood. > Why did this happen? > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- It’s been a week since the unicorns attacked the Pegasi’s home, and everypony still had their feathers ruffled at every noise. Except Fluttershy. Sky Bridge and Silver Dasher are calming down, and are the only three that don’t have to see Angel Wing for reassuring and comfort. Fluttershy and Silver Dasher went back like how they used to live together, and Fluttershy hasn’t seen Vinyl since she saved her life. Anxiety and fear knawed in Fluttershys belly, fearing for her marefriends safety. What if she got hurt? She was longing for her soft, gentle touch and comforting red eyes. As Fluttershy bounded through the forest, towards to the normal spot she would meet Vinyl, a snap echoed through her ears behind her, sending the yellow pony whipping around. There, was nopony in sight. Fluttershy relaxed as she proceeded to the log. Vinyl often sat here, and no surprise to the shy pony she was already there. “Vinyl!” Fluttershy called. Vinyl turned around. “Oh hey Fluttershy” Vinyl said, smiling. Fluttershy trotted over and took a seat beside the white unicorn. “Flutters? Are you busy next week?” Vinyl asked, looking her in the eye. “Not that I know of” Fluttershy smiled. “Wanna … well, actually I wanna take you somewhere” Vinyl said with a wide smile crossing her face, “Oh! That sounds delightful!” The yellow Pegasi’s face grew happy, as they leaned foreward for a kiss. Sky Bridge darted behind a tree before Fluttershy turned around. Panting, she peeked back out again to see Fluttershy bounding away. Sky let out a sigh of relief as she continued to follow her friend. Fluttershy has been disappearing lately, and she doesn’t know, but the other ponies are noticing it too. Sky Bridge was curious, so she decided to follow her. On a log, far in view, sat the white unicorn, the same that saved Fluttershys life. Fluttershy approached with nothing but happiness. Silver Dasher watched in confusion as they sat for awhile, speaking to one another before drawing into a kiss. At the sight of the mares, Silver Dasher nearly puked. What the buck is that pony up to!? Fluttershy sat there, dreamy eyed, locked in her and the pale unicorns gaze. Rage and fury bubbled up in Silv's chest as they sat together. And I thought she was loyal. Silver Dasher thought angrily. “Fluttershy” Silver Dasher called, her voice hard and cold. The pink maned pony’s head whipped up to her mentor. “OH! Umm, Silver” Fluttershys voice grew quiet. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THIS MARE?” Silver Dasher practically screamed. Rage grew, and she used all her will power to prevent murdering Fluttershy. Fluttershy looked across the room wildly. “I ummm ….” She said sheepishly. Silver Dasher thrust her face to Fluttershys, the two mares nearly snout to snout. “What am I gonna tell Hurricane?” Silver snarled. “Tell him. I dare you” Fluttershy said coldly. Silver Dasher looked taken aback for a sec, before her eyes returned that mean glare aimed at her friend. Silver then gritted her teeth together before turning and stomping away. Fluttershy looked back at Vinyl. Her eyes wide in shock at what just happened. “What if she does tell Hurricane?” Vinyl asked. “Then I can deny it” Fluttershy said. Vinyl laughed. “To make sure you don’t get in trouble, why don’t we make the next meeting the last?” Vinyl Scratch asked slowly. Fluttershy sighed sadly. “Aww but Vinyl ..” She protested. “I know whats best for you. I say these meetings should draw to an end” Vinyl said, flicking her blue tail. Fluttershy let out a breath. “Ok. Fine. We meet here?” Fluttershy asked. “Yes, we will” Vinyl said, seriously. “It’s been 3 weeks Twilight. 3 weeks without Vinyl. I need her back. Please, can you please try what you did last time?” Octavia begged as she stared at the lavender unicorn, her eyes pleading and filled with sadness. “Like I said Octavia, it uses a bit to much magic! I don’t know what I can do! And if the Princess finds out, who knows what shes gonna do to us” Twilight exclaimed calmly. “BUT IT’S MY BIRTHDAAAAY!” Octavia cried, as she collapsed at the unicorns hooves. “We spent every birthday together …. And now I have … nopony here” Octavia whispered, her voice on the verge of tears. “When’s your birthday?” Twilight asked. “In 3 days …” Tavi said quietly. “We can spend your birthday together if you want us to” Twilight said, putting a smile on her face. The tear-soaked cellist looked back up at Twilight Sparkle. “You really would?” Octavia asked, her voice laced with new cheer. Twilight nodded. “ OH THANK YOU THANK YOU THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUUUU” Octy screamed, as she wrapped her hooves around Twilight, who stepped back in surprise. “Woah! It’s ok, no problem! I love to spend time with friends, especially on their birthday” Twilight laughed. Octavia stared at Twilight through her tears of happiness. “Thank you Twilight, thank you” Over the last three days, Octavias expression changed to a fairly happy one. Twilight showed that somepony actually cared, and maybe just maybe- she could see Vinyl today. A knock on her door proved Twilight was there, Octavia dashed to her doorstep, where she opened the door to see the violet mare, standing there with a smile plastered on her face, and in her magical grip, a small box and an over sized one. Both were wrapped in a cupcake wrapping. “Hey Twily you’re here!” Octavia said happily “Like I said I would be” Twilight smiled. “Come on in!” Tavi held open the door to let her friend in. “Where may I put these?” Twilight asked, levitating the presents closer. “Umm … Over there” Octy pointed a hoof to an unused table. “Great. Now Octavia, I want you to open your gifts” Twilight said excitedly, as she placed the smaller one on the table and the larger one leaning against the wall. Octavia blinked before trotting over. As she drew near, her eyes darted back and forth onto which present she should open first. “Open the smaller one first” Twilight said, coming closer. Octavia took the wrapping before stripping it from the gift underneath. On the table laid a single, rainbow colored feather. Tavi inspected it carefully. “ooo what does it do?” Octy asked in wonder. “Promise me you won’t fly out of the house if I tell you?” Twilight asked, trying her best to hide her amusement. The grayish mare did the Pinkie Swear motions swiftly. “If you hold the feather, and let your mind wander, you will be able to see life through Vinyls eyes. You can hear what she hears, hear what she says, see what she is able to see, and feel what she feels” Twilight explained. Octys mouth dropped to the floor. “ARE YOU SERIOUSE!?” Tavis mouth turned into the wildest smile. Twilight nodded. “I’m quite seriouse” Twilight said, raising a brow. “OH MY CELESTIA THANK YOU SO MUCH HOW CAN I REPAY YOU!?” Twilight didn’t answer her question. “Open the other one” Twilight nodded to the other gift. Tavi ripped it apart, to see a mirror. “A mirror?” Octy asked. “A portal” Twilight corrected. “What does it do?” The earth pony asked, puzzled. “Say a chant to it, and Vinyl will come through” Twilight said. Again, Octavias mouth fell open. “What do I say?” Happiness bubbled in her chest. “From the living and the dead come to me. Whoever you are, come to be. I need a pony, find her quick And you’ll be free from this magic trick” Twilight chanted. “And then you say Vinyls full name” Twi said. “Thank you so much ..” Octy looked at her friend. “it’s no problem. I know how much you love Vinyl-“ Twilights voice cut short as a quick flash of pain lit in the mares eyes for a sec, leaving as quick as it came. “I know you need her. Now get to it! I know you want her. I’ll leave you in peace” Twilight nodded her head before trotting back out to Ponyville. Octavia snatched up the rainbow feather, closed her eyes, and let her mind wander else where. > Did she actually!? > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Green scenery filled the view, the tree tops blocked out the suns rays from beating down onto the mare. Octavia saw through the eyes of her marefriend, and watched in awe as Vinyl trotted through the beauty. She darted across logs, through ferns and under tree branches. She moved so swiftly.. The sight ahead seemed to be a blur at the white unicorns pace. She looked back, and an unfamiliar mint green unicorn raced along on her heels. The two seemed to be laughing, and playing. As they raced along hills, they skidded to a stop by a wide far open plain. "Hey Vinyl?" The other unicorn asked. "Yea?" Octavias mouth opened as if she was Vinyl. "We shouldn't go passed here. Earth ponies rule from here on" She said. "Yea ... Hey Minty?" Vinyl asked. "Yea?" Minty asked. "I gotta go somewhere, I'll catch up with you later" Vinyl said, as she trotted back into the misty forest. She broke into a run. As she ran further away, she slowed down to a trot. Vinyl stopped fully at a log. She hopped into it and sat. Why is she resting here? Octavia thought as she took in the view. "Hey Vinyl~ I'm here as I said I would be" A soft and gentle voice called from behind. Octavia felt her head being whipped around to face the oppisite direction, where a yellow Pegasus sat there, smiling. "Oh great! I'm glad you're here dear" Vinyl sat up to kiss the mare, who shyed away, blushing. Anger and rage filled Octavias heart, to be replaced by sadness and betrayal. As much as this pained the earth pony, she continued to watch. But, was Vinyl really cheating on her? Are they even still dating? The questions kept coming. "Are you ready to go?" Vinyl asked, standing on her hooves. The pony, who Octavia recognized to be Fluttershy, nodded. Vinyl turned and trotted away from the forest, with Fluttershy at her side. "Vinyl ... Can we please, make this the best last meeting?" Fluttershy asked quietly. "Of course it can Flutters. We'll make sure the moment never ends" Vinyl said, nuzzling Fluttershys cheek. "Vinyl, I don't want these meetings to end" Fluttershy said sadly. "Me neither" Vinyl said grimly. "We will find a way to be together, and together in the end" Fluttershy said, brushing into Vinyl. That little bitch Octavia thought angirly. If she lays another hoof on Vinyl, I will- "I'll love you forever Vinyl ... You are the most beautiful mare on this world, and Equestria" Fluttershy whispered, facing Vinyl and leaning foreward to a long kiss. Octavia tried to open her mouth as she felt Fluttershys mouth connect with hers and Vinyls. That little slut! Did she actually!? What the BUCK IS HER PROBLEM!? Octavia screamed in her mind. “Shall we go, my love?” Vinyl asked in a hushed voice. Fluttershy closed her emerald eyes and nodded. The two ponies trotted away from the direction they came from, and as they moved through the lush forest, they noticed the trees growing thicker, and the space seemed tighter. Octavia looked through Vinyls eyes uneasily. What happened to the beautiful forest back there? “Vinyl? Where are we going?” Fluttershy asked. Vinyl had come here awhile ago, and just past here was a clear blue pond, reeds sticking out of the bed, and it was a home to animals and such as ducks, beavers, and squirrels were they? “No … This .. This isn’t supposed to be here” Vinyl muttered. The white unicorn turned around. Their path completely blocked off by overgrown trees. The canopy of the trees covered the suns ray, and nothing lit the space except a light blue fungi growing on dead trees. “Vinyl .. I’m scared” Fluttershy said, terrified. The yellow mare pushed herself into Vinyl, and Vinyl stroked her mane, trying to keep calm. “Flutters?” Vinyl started. “Yea?” “Do you think you can fly up above the trees?” Vinyl asked, not wether its safe or not for her marefriend to go. “I- I can tryy” Fluttershy stammered, her voice wavered slightly out of fear. “You don’t have to go if you want to” Vinyl said after a moment of silence. “I am going to! I wanna prove that I’m strong! Prove that I can look out for others as well as I” Fluttershy then said, letting her gaze rest on Vinyl. “You don’t need to prove anything! I know you can do those already, theres nothing to prove” Vinyl then exclaimed. Fluttershy looked hurt. “So you don’t believe I can?” She said, before unfurling her wings. “No! I believe you can do this! But I don’t know if it’s … safe or not .. This place here wasn’t like last time I came” Vinyls voice trailed off. Fluttershy narrowed her eyes before taking to the sky. And soon, she disappeared towards the tops of the trees. She was almost out of sight now, only her silhouette remained. Vinyl examined her surroundings again. Something here … It didn’t seem … normal. > Save Vinyl! > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fluttershy continued to fly higher and higher. The tree leaves were starting to thin, and the light drew near. She’ll show Vinyl that shes not a weakling. She’ll prove her marefriend she can actually do something. And to do something good! “Oh! The suns light! It’s nearly here!” Fluttershy said happily as she reached the tree canopy. But as soon as she could reach out to it, an invisible barrier touched her hoof. Fluttershy drew her hoof back in surprise, as she prepared to try it again. Nope, no luck. Why can’t she get past!? “Vinyl! Theres like an invisible wall blocking us from the light!” Fluttershy called from above. Vinyls expression changed and her eyes grew wide. “WHAT THE HAY!?” Vinyl screamed, kicking her hoof. “It’s just not FAIR!!” (reference joke) “Come down here Flutters! We need to find our way back!” Vinyl called. Fluttershy obeyed as she lowered herself to the ground. Fluttershy looked around. It felt like something was watching her, but what? The thought gave her a cold shiver down her spine as she clung to Vinyl. Just then, something caught her eye. The same dark figure seemed familiar, but Fluttershy just couldn’t put the hoof on it. The figure continued to glare at her in a disturbing way as Fluttershy continued to hold the gaze up. Slowly, she felt fear rise up in her chest as the thing continued to stare at her. The butter yellow mare let out a squeak as she looked away. Through her pink mane she looked up again, but her eyes only met the darkness of the forest. “FLUTTERSHY!” Vinyl cried. “VINYL!” The Pegasi whipped around in time to see the white unicorn being dragged away by a dark force embracing her in its grip. “NO!” Fluttershy lunged foreward and took hold of Vinyls hoof. As the ponies were dragged through the dark forest, Flutter felt her grip weaken. “Fluttershy! Let go! Save yourself!” Vinyl called. “No! I won’t let you –“ The shy mares grip then was realeased. She looked up to look back at Vinyl, but found herself alone, and lost. > Ruun Awaaay > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fluttershy looked around hopelessly as she let herself fall onto the moss beneath hoof. Just as she began to cry, a snap cracked behind her. Fluttershy's head whipped around at the sound, and a pony calmly stood a few feet before her. "Oh my! Hey you! Uh, hello?" The pony just stood there. Darkness covered its form and its mane was hidden behind its body- if it had any hair. "Um .." Fluttershy looked down. "Fluttershy" The butter yellow pony looked up. As it drew closer, she saw its features better. A horn stood proud on its head, still, the color was impossible to tell. "Y-Yees?" The timid pony looked up to the unicorn. Just as she was going to unfurl her wings to fly away, the pony spread two wings from its side. Fluttershys eyes grew wide as she was about to then turn on her hooves and book it. "There's no sense in running away now, is there?" It asked. Its voice was deep and threatening. "W-who are you!?" Fluttershy asked, trying her best to not break down. "You've seen me before. Remember that dark image you would have seen, but when you look at me I disappear?" It said. Fluttershy nodded. "And since you're here with me now without your 'marefriend' to protect you now, I can fianlly do what I planned to do since the beggining." It took a step towards the petrified. "B-Beggining?" Fluttershy asked, growing smaller at the second. "This isn't the middle world, sweetie. This is ... Tartorus" "No .. W-We can't be!" Fluttershy exclaimed. "We are. And you know your pony friends? They're fake. All of them. But maybe they were ponies once. HAHAHAHA" It let out a cold and harsh laugh. "S-So what are they now?" Fluttershy asked, wishing she never asked. "Demons. Some are normal, I can gaurentee you that. But they don't know that they're here. I created an illusion into all of the ponies' minds to make them hear and see what you saw earlier. Would you like to see what this place actually looks like?" The demon asked, its voice growing demonic by the second. Fluttershy gulped and nodded. The alicorn demon unfurled his wings before spreading them out at full length. His wings were more bat like compared to Princess Celestias and Luna's, but Fluttershy continued to watch. In an instant, the world flashed red. The skies were a bright orange and cracked, the trees hung limp and dead while the ground under hoof were the same as the sky, but in a darker tone. Just ahead of the ponies was a ledge, and inside a pool of fire raged. Fluttershy then fainted. > Escaping > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fluttershy felt herself awaken on a cold, hard floor. She rubber her pounding head with her hoof. "W-Where am I .." Fluttershy said wearily, glancing around the room. She was on the floor of a barred cage, trapping her inside. She leapt to her hooves, searching for a way out. A weak torch lite the place ever so slightly, allowing Fluttershy to see the past ponies. They hung from chains, and awkward holes littered their body. Fluttershy noticed a trail of blood flowing freely from the holes, as if they were fresh. She backed up in surprise, and huddled in a corner. The echoing of hoofsteps rang from the floor above. Fluttershy looked into the bars to see a shadow of a pony. "H-Help!" She called softly. The shadow stopped, and same with Fluttershys breathing. It ran down the stairs and stopped in front of Fluttershys cage. Before her stood a ghostly image of Octavia. "O-Octy?" Fluttershy stuttered. "Fluttershy?" The pony ahead of her cocked her head to the side. "Yes! I-it's me .." A smirk crossed Octavias face. "W-what?" Fluttershy asked, growing nervous. "Wheres Vinyl" Octavias voice was flat. "I dont know! A demon took her before I had a chance to save my love .." Fluttershy broke into a sob. "YOU LET A DEMON TAKE HER!?" Rage entered Octavias voice as she reached through the bars, trying to get ahold of the depressed mare. "I didn't let t-the demon take her! I-I tried to s-save he-e-er!" Fluttershy fell the ground with tears flowing freely from her eyes. "Bitch, you deserve to be behind bars. One, for letting a demon take MY love. And two, you knew she was dating me" Octavia hissed, her eyes glaring at the weak Pegasus. "I-I'm sorry!" "Sorry's NOT gonna cut it!" Octavia spat. "I-If you let me out of this cage before the head d-demon comes back, y-you can have Vinyl all to yourself and I can help yoou f-find her" Fluttershy grew desprate, looking up at the older mare with sad eyes. Fluttershy knew that if Octavia did let her out, she can bring the two back together ... Unless Vinyl truly loved her. "Do you really think I believe this 'demon' story, bitch?" Tavi snarled. Fluttershys eyes grew wide as a shadow climbed down the stairs behind her. "Dont even try girl" Octavia looked away. "I-if theres no demons down here .." Fluttershys voice grew quiet. "Then what's that behind you?" Fluttershy whispered in fear. Octavia turned around to see a tall pony towering over her, its flesh is peeling from its skin and black holes took over from what used to be its eyes. Octavia let out a cry before the creature picked her up in her hooves, opening the cage a slite and throwing her in with Fluttershy. "CELESTIA BE DAMNED!" Octavia screamed, throwing punches at the bars. She sighed, giving up and looking at Fluttershy. "Fine. I'll team up with you" Octavia said. Fluttershy nodded as they put their hooves together in a bro hoof. -- Octavia glared at Fluttershy coldy as Fluttershy examined their cage for weak metal or an opening of some sort. As she trotted to the very back, she heard her hoofstep ring out as her hooves touched the wet, cold stone beneath her. "I can use a little help here" Fluttershy said, loudly before side glancing at Octavia, who was sitting on her haunches, watching her every move. The ghostly image of Octavia trotted over. "Make sure Vinyl is safe. I'm watching, always. Don't do anything to her once shes out of this hell hole" Octavia said, before she started to fade. Before she disappeared completly, she came fading back in, more clearer this time until you couldn't see through the ghostly mare anymore. She was now solid color. "W-Wha!?" Octavia said, leaping to her hooves. "But I don't understand!" She cried. Fluttershy facehooved. "Will you help me now?" Flutter asked in the slightest annoyance. Octavia narrowed her eyes. "Fine" She said, trotting over to Fluttershy and looking around the stone wall that blocked them from the other side. "Whats this?" Tavi asked, galloping to a stone amulet locked within the wall. "I dont know" Fluttershy said, coming up to the brown-gray mare from behind. She examined it carefully, until the yellow mare noticed a giant circle in the middle. Almost as if .. "Octavia!" Fluttershy said excitedly. "What?" "It looks like you can put your hoof in this circle .." Fluttershy said, raising her hoof up to the circle. "Are you CRAZY!?" Octavia asked, looking at the Pegasi in astonishment. Fluttershy snorted before putting her hoof into the groove in the stone. Couldn't be that bad, right? A satisfying click came from behind the wall. Each mare casted each other wide eyed glances. Within seconds, Fluttershys hoof was forced into the wall. "WHAT THE!?" She cried, struggling to free herself. At the tip of her trapped hoof, something licked at it. Fluttershy thrashed her arm wildely as the what seems to be a tounge continued to lick at her hoof. She steadied herself and tried to beat the thing behind the wall. She heard a dull crack and a cry of pain from behind. Then pain. "HELP!" Flutter screamed as Octavia grapped her arm, trying to help pull the trapped mare free. The pain dug into her, and it burned like never before. Right when she thought she couldn't take it anymore, she ripped her hoof free. The hurt Pegasi went flying backward, hitting the bars behind her painfully. Fluttershy groaned. She lifted her hoof wearily to see it surely has been bitten. Teeth marks grazed her hoof, and blood poured freely from the open wound. "Ow .." She said weakly. "Fluttershy!" Octavia cried as the yellow mare looked up. A wormlike creature tried its best to wriggle through the opening. Its mouth wide revealing rows of teeth, and a black tounge hung out of its mouth. It fell into their cage the a splat. The worm rushed at her, screaming. "Back off!" Fluttershy cried as it opened its mouth to take another bite out of its prey. But then, it fell dead to its side. The injured mare looked up to see Octavia, panting wildley holding her hoof up in the air, preparing to hit the creature again. Octaiva collapsed, and let her tears flow. "A-Are you ok?" Octy looked up at Fluttershy. Flutter nodded, looking back at her wound. "We must keep going" Fluttershy said, trying her best to heave herself to her hooves. Her injured hoof fell into a world of pain as she put the slightest pressure. Flutter winced before limping on three legs back to the hole. The amulet had disappeared, and a hole had opened up. Just big enough for a pony to squeeze through. "Should we go through?" Flutter asked, looking at Octavia. Tavi nodded. "Then lets go" > Together > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fluttershy crawled through the hole, squrming her way through the little space. As she hauled herself through, She heard Tavi struggling along behind her. "Engh ... How much .. FURTHER!?" She called tiredly. "I .. don't .. know" Futter said between breaths. "I see a light!" Flutter called as a blinding white light shone from ahead. Fluttershy and Octavia continued to crawl through the hole, until the end. As fluttershy examined the other end of the hole, she let out a defeated sigh as she realized where they ended back up. "Where does it lead to?" Octy called. "Tartus" Fluttershy sighed. "Really?" "Yea" Fluttershy squirmed through the hole, and landed with a thud on the heated ground. Octavia followed shortly after her. "Well, where to next?" Octy asked. "I'm not to sure myself" Fluttershy said quietly. "Well, lets jsut head this way" Octavia said, walking forward. Fluttershy groaned, trailing after the mare. ---- The heat underhoof was comforting to Fluttershy, but the texture was .. somewhat distrubing. It was kind of like a gritty sandy feeling to it, and a couple times the yellow pegasus would feel a sharp edge digging into her hoof. It kind of seemed impossble, since the ground seemed to be made of a red stone. As Fluttershy drifted off into thought, Octavias voice snapped her back to reality "F-Fluttershy?" "Yes?" "I-Is that .." Octy stuttered. Her eyes were shrunken down to a seed size, and as Fluttershy noticed, Tavi was shaking the slightest. Flutter followed Octavias gaze straight ahead. Just a few feet ahead of them was the dark alicorn Fluttershy met before. Its broken horn glowed a red, as it spread its hole-filled wings to fly. Just then, Octavia screamed. Fluttershy shoved her hoof into the other mares mouth, but it was too late. The demon turned to face the mares. Its red eyes glowed a blood red as its mouth turned up into an unormal smile. "O-O-Octavia?" Fluttershy said weakly, but the gray-brown mare had already fainted. The demon started to walk slowly towards them, keeping the smile up. Fluttershy took a step back. The demon began to pick up the pace, without moving his legs faster Fluttershy turned her back and darted, with Octavia on her back. Now the demon was in full sprint towards her. Fluttershy took large gulps of breath as the demon strided behind her. It was a game of cat and mouse. Except she was the mouse. The yellow pony unfurled her wings and took to the sky, flying through the orange sky. A familiar pony too, was in the air. "H-Hurricane?" Fluttershy called. "FLUTTERSHY!" Hurricane replied, looking at her. "Fly .. FLY AWAY THERES A DEMON BEHIND ME" Fluttershy screamed, knocking him over. "What demon?" He asked, studying the landscape behind the frightened pony. Fluttershys head whipped around. It was just her, him and Octavia. Fluttershy sighed and broke out into tears. "The weathers sure nice isn't it ... Blue sky ... " Hurrican started. "N-no .. Hurricane ... T-this isn't what you think" Fluttershy sobbed. "What do you mean?" He asked. "We're in Tartos" Fluttershy said quietly. "B-but I dont see anything, silly filly" Hurricane laughed. "W-wait lemme try something" Fluttershy stood up, taking a steady breath, she bashed her head into the stallions. He then fell over, unconsiouse.