Pinkamena returns to reality with the help of Pinkie Pie and her friends, but everything is not as it seems when events start to take a turn for the worse.
It's been several months since Pinkamena's re-imprisonment, and the residents of Equestria have been working diligently to repair the damages she has caused. But when Pinkie Pie decides that she can no longer accept Pinkamena being trapped again, she seeks help from her friends in order to bring her back to reality. Will others accept her return and help her lead a normal life? Or will she be rejected from everyone and fall into depression and insanity once again?
WARNING: This story will have a few OC's of my friends. They will have an impact on the main storyline, but I promise to make it as enjoyable as possible. Also, if you have read my story "A Wandering Soul", Lilith will make an appearance, but everything that she did in the story will be nonexistent.
*This is a sequel to "Pinkamena's Awakening", so if you haven't read it yet please go do so* ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 1: Memories
Several months have passed since Pinkamena, the deranged altar ego of Pinkie Pie, was re-imprisoned within her mind and everypony has been working hard in order to repair the damages that she caused in her wake. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna have also been working without rest. Countless guards were severely injured when confronting Pinkemena and many did not make it, unfortunately. Princess Cadence and Shining Armor had also been assisting them with whatever tasks they could before returning to the Crystal Empire. Queen Chrysalis was not heard from since her departure from Canterlot when Pinkamena was sealed, but Princess Celestia does not see her as a threat at the moment. Luckily, the damages were not too great, since it wasn't long after she gave the order that she was defeated.
Ponyville, the town in which Pinkamena was resurrected, was the first to be repaired since it didn't receive catastrophic damage. Most of the citizens have tried to put it all behind them and continue with their daily tasks. However, there was one pony who just couldn't pull herself together completely. Pinkie Pie, Pinkamena's prison, was still not completely happy with the outcome of everything. Many ponies looked at Pinkie Pie with worried expressions and discontent, not completely trusting her yet for the outbreak, but that isn't what bothered her. Even though Pinkamena wanted nothing but to bring despair unto everyones lives, she redeemed herself in the end when she willingly imprisoned herself, at least to Pinkie she did.
It was late in the afternoon and Pinkie Pie was lying in her bed thinking if there was anything she could possibly do to help Pinkamena. After many hours of thought, she heard hoofsteps coming up the stairs.
"Hi Pinkie Pie," Twilight said.
"Oh, Hi Twilight," Pinkie said with a concerned voice.
"Are you still thinking about Pinkemena?" Twilight asked. "You've got to forget about her and stop dwelling on the past!"
"Forget about her? You were the one who got her to change Twilight! She finally realized that all she ever wanted was to have friends and be accepted by everypony!" Pinkie said. "And now you just want to lock her up and throw away the key!? Shame on you Twilight!"
Twilight sighed, "I hadn't thought about it like that... I'm sorry Pinkie, I wasn't thinking straight..."
"I forgive you Twilight. I just wish there was something--anything I could do for her!" Pinkie said. "I promised her after all..."
"What was that? You made a promise to her?" Twilight asked. "When did you do that?"
"When you convinced her to switch places with me. I made her a promise that one day I would find a way to help her leave my mind without using my body as a vessel," Pinkie said. "So she could lead a normal life with us in reality..."
"You really are something else Pinkie," Twilight said.
"That's funny, that's what she said before I left too," Pinkie said, giggling.
"Listen Pinkie, I'd like to help her too," Twilight said. "But I don't think there's anything we could do honestly. I mean, not unless we could talk to her somehow..."
"I can talk to her," Pinkie said.
"What? You can!?" Twilight asked. "How?"
"Every time I go to sleep, I can go to that place in my mind and speak with her directly," Pinkie said. "I talk with her every night!"
"Why didn't you tell me this sooner!?" Twilight asked.
"You never asked," Pinkie said.
Twilight facehoofed, "But wait, weren't you able to hear her last time when you were awake? Why can't you do that now?"
"I'm not sure, I think it has something to do with the sealing," Pinkie said.
Twilight pondered, "Well if you can still talk to her then maybe..."
"What is it Twilight?" Pinkie asked. "Tell me!"
"...No it's way too risky," Twilight said.
"Come on Twilight, what is it?" Pinkie said. "Whatever it is I'll do it!"
"Pinkie, I really don't think it's such a-" Twilight said.
"Alright fine!" Twilight said. "But first let me ask you this... Do you trust her?"
"Of course!" Pinkie said.
"Don't lie to me Pinkie, do you absolutely trust her now?" Twilight asked. "Be honest with me."
"Twilight," Pinkie said. "I trust her completely."
"...Alright," Twilight said. "Then I guess we can try it."
"What is it?" Pinkie asked.
"When you go to bed tonight, I want you to speak with her and ask... If you can trade places again," Twilight said.
"You want her to take control of me again?" Pinkie asked.
"Yes, I need to be able to talk with her directly if I'm going to be able to figure any of this out," Twilight said. "Do you think you could do that?"
"I'm not sure, I've never asked her about something like that and I'm not even sure if we could," Pinkie said. "But I'll see what I can do!"
"Alright," Twilight said. "Another thing, tell her to wake you up after every question so I can determine it, then afterwards go back to sleep."
"Alright Twilight," Pinkie said.
"Lastly, ask her why you can't talk to each other while you're awake anymore," Twilight said. "Being able to do that would make everything so much more easier."
"No Problemo!" Pinkie said, yawning. "It's about nightfall Twilight, should we get started now!?"
"I don't see why not, let's just hope this works," Twilight said.
Pinkie lied down on her bed and started to fall asleep.
"Remember to ask her everything!" Twilight echoed.
Pinkie Pie opened to her eyes and found herself in Pinkamena's Prison once again.
"Welcome back," Pinkamena said, constricted in the air by her chains. "It's nice to see you again."
"It's nice to see you to," Pinkie said. "But listen, tonight... Things are going to be a bit different."
"Hm? What do you mean?" Pinkamena asked.
"Do you remember a few months back at the moment when you were sealed again?" Pinkie asked. "Although it might feel like it's been much longer to you."
"Of course I remember, why do you ask?" Pinkamena asked.
"Do you remember what I said to you before I left?" Pinkie asked.
Pinkamena's eyes widened, as she thought back to the day she was sealed.
"You... Have no idea?" Pinkamena asked, a hint of discontent in her voice.
"Nope!" Pinkie said.
"...So how exactly do you plan on freeing me?" Pinkamena asked.
"Well first things first, you remember Twilight right?" Pinkie asked.
"Yes, she's the egghead of your group of friends that can get quite obnoxious sometimes, right?" Pinkamena said.
"Hey! That's not nice! I thought your view on everypony changed!" Pinkie asked.
"S-Sorry... Being stuck in this place again after working so hard to get out can really get to you..." Pinkamena said. "I'm glad you come to talk to me every night when you go to bed, if you didn't..."
"Pinkamena?" Pinkie said. "Are you alright?"
"Hm? Oh, yeah, I'm... I'm fine," Pinkamena said, unsure of herself. "So what about Twilight exactly?"
"Twilight told me to come and talk to you and ask you a few questions on what we should do," Pinkie said.
"That makes sense," Pinkamena said. "What does she need to know?"
"Well first, she wants to know why we can't talk to each other while I'm awake anymore, since we used to be able to hear each other last time," Pinkie said.
"It's the binding, when I was re-imprisoned here, it sealed your mind up to the point where we couldn't hear each other anymore, but no more than that," Pinkamena said. "Hence why you can enter this place every time you fall asleep."
"Is there anyway to weaken it?" Pinkie asked.
"Yes, I could probably struggle hard enough to disrupt the seal like I did last time, but only to the point where we could talk again," Pinkamena said.
"You could always do that?" Pinkie asked. "Why didn't you do it before?"
"I wasn't sure if you'd like that," Pinkamena said.
"How could I not like it!? I love talking with you Pinkamena!" Pinkie said.
"Heh... Yeah, of course," Pinkamena said. "I forgot it's you were talking about... So you want me to weaken the binding?"
"Yes! That would make things so much easier!" Pinkie said.
"Alright, give me a minute," Pinkamena said, as she contorted in her bindings, releasing her dark energy throughout the area. The sound of something shattering could be heard shortly after.
"Did you do it?" Pinkie asked.
"Yeah, It wasn't very hard considering it's not nearly as strong as it used to be," Pinkamena said.
Pinkie looked at Pinkamena's body, she was surging with that black electricity of hers.
"I noticed you still have those powers of yours," Pinkie said.
"Yes, I can't exactly get rid of them since it's technically a part of me," Pinkamena said. "But don't worry about that, we should be able to talk now."
"Awesome!" Pinkie said. "Think you could wake me up?"
"You can't wake up on your own?" Pinkamena asked.
"I don't know how, that's why I just suddenly disappear when were talking sometimes!" Pinkie said.
"Well now it all makes sense," Pinkamena said, sarcastically. "I'll wake you up now."
_________________
Reality _________________
Pinkie woke up in her bed abruptly, startling Twilight who was standing next to her.
"Wake up a bit more subtle next time would you!?" Twilight said.
"Sorry Twilight, I didn't realize she could do that so quickly," Pinkie said.
"Did you ask her my questions?" Twilight asked.
"Yep! Well only one, she was able to get us to talk while I'm awake again," Pinkie said. "I thought starting out with that would make things more easier."
"That's great Pinkie! That will definitely make things much more simpler," Twilight said. "Ask her right now if it's possible to switch places temporarily."
"Alright," Pinkie said. "Hey Pinkamena! Is it possible for us to switch places?"
"Switch... Places? You mean as in me taking control of you again?" Pinkamena asked.
"Yeah! Twilight wants to be able to talk with you directly about the situation," Pinkie said. "Can we do it?"
"I... I think we can," Pinkamena said. "Yeah... Yeah I could probably take control of you again as long as you let me."
"Alright! Let's do it!" Pinkie said.
"You... You trust me to do this? You don't think I'll keep your body and start everything from scratch again?" Pinkamena asked.
"Of course I trust you Pinkamena! You're my friend now after all!" Pinkie said.
"Sometimes I think you're too trusting Pinkie," Pinkamena said. "But thank you... That means a lot."
"Anytime!" Pinkie said. "Now hurry up and switch places with me! Twilight is getting impatient!"
"Alright ,alright, but this'll hurt a bit," Pinkamena said.
Pinkie's body started to surge with Pinkamena's black electricity. She fell to the floor and did her best to endure the pain as her body contorted and twisted.
"This! This isn't as painful as it was last time! OUCH!" Pinkie yelled.
"Pinkie are you going to be alright!?" Twilight asked.
"Don't worry Twilight! Erh... I'll be fine, I can tell she's trying not to hurt me as much!" Pinkie said. "I've just gotta be strong! If were going to save her... Gah!"
Pinkie's body started to change to a darker shade of pink, her mane deflated and turned dark pink as well. Her body underwent the same transformations from last time, along with the cloak that she once wore during her resurrection.
"...Hello," Twilight said.
"...Hi," Pinkamena said, as they looked at each other for a few minutes.
"It's... Nice to see you again," Twilight said, nervously.
"...Likewise," Pinkamena said, stretching her body. "Just so were clear, I could keep her body and start over again if I wanted to, and there would be nothing you could do to stop me this time!"
Twilight looked at Pinkamena worriedly.
"...But I won't just because I want to try out this "normal lifestyle" Pinkie tells me about. Yep! That's the reason," Pinkamena said, turning her head away.
Twilight smiled and reached her hoof out to Pinkamena's shoulder.
"I'm glad you changed," Twilight said.
"Yeah... Changed," Pinkamena said. "So! Any ideas on how you could separate me from Pinkie?"
"Not exactly, that's why I wanted to talk to you about it, do you have any ideas?" Twilight asked.
"If I did I would have told Pinkie a while ago," Pinkamena said.
"Well there's gotta be something we can-" Twilight said, cutting short as she heard hoofsteps coming up the stairs.
"Hey, Twilight! You here? Spike said we could find you he-" Rainbow Dash said, stopping mid sentence. "W-What... What is SHE doing back here!?"
The rest of the group made their way upstairs shortly after Rainbow's outburst.
"It's nice to see you all again too," Pinkamena said.
"Why in the world is she back!? Did she take over Pinkie's body again!?" Applejack asked.
"I thought we were done with you months back!" Rarity said.
"Why have you returned now?" Fluttershy asked.
"It doesn't matter why she's returned, I'm about to knock her senseless right here and now!" Rainbow Dash said, flying towards her.
Pinkamena raised her hoof and stopped Rainbow mid-flight, air choking from a distance.
"And here I thought we could all be mature about the situation," Pinkamena said, tightening her grip.
"That's enough Pinkamena! Put Rainbow Dash down!" Twilight yelled.
"...Very well," Pinkamena said, dropping Rainbow to the floor. "I'm just trying to be the orderly one here."
"Choking our friend isn't helping!" Rarity said.
"She came at me. What was I supposed to do...?" Pinkamena asked.
"I'll come at you again if you don't shut th-" Rainbow Dash said, cut off.
"ENOUGH!" Twilight yelled. "Guys, Pinkamena is back because me and Pinkie want to help her lead a normal life here in Ponyville!"
"Lead a normal life? Here in Ponyville?" Applejack asked. "Seriously?"
"We can't possibly let her frolic around in Pinkie's body again!" Rarity said.
"Isn't there an alternative?" Fluttershy asked.
"That's why she's here, I'm trying to find a way to separate her from Pinkie's body," Twilight said. "I need you guys to help me!"
"Why should we trust her? How will we know she won't just trick us and start attacking us and everyone else again?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Trust me, if I wanted to go back to my plans of conquest I wouldn't be sitting here talking with you," Pinkamena said.
"...All right fine," Rainbow Dash said.
"I guess we can give her a chance..." Rarity said.
"If you guys are all okay with it..." Fluttershy said.
"You better know what you're doing Twilight," Applejack said. "We don't want a repeat of last time."
"We won't. I promise you that," Twilight said. "Now then, how exactly should we approach this?"
"Hey! Don't I get a say in this?" Pinkie asked. "I'm still here you know Pinkamena!"
"Oh, Pinkie has an idea," Pinkamena said. "What is it?"
"Is she talking with our Pinkie?" Applejack asked.
"Yes, they can talk with each other again, that's also how they can switch between each other now," Twilight said.
"Pinkie actually has a good idea if you don't mind me speaking," Pinkamena said.
"What is it?" Twilight said.
"Well, Princess Luna is the one who overseers the night and everypony's dreams, correct?" Pinkamena said. "Well, Pinkie thinks that maybe we, or you, should go ask her if she knows anything at all on the subject."
"That's actually a good idea," Twilight said. "I think I'll head over to Canterlot right away!"
"You want us to come with you Twilight?" Applejack asked.
"No, you stay here with Pinkamena," Twilight said. "Actually, have her switch back to Pinkie and wait for me in the Library, having her go outside as she is would not be very good at the moment."
"If you say so," Rainbow Dash said.
Twilight left Sugarcube Corner and made her way down towards the train station. She boarded the train headed for Canterlot and hoped for the best, that Princess Luna would know something, anything on the matter.
_____________________________________
Celestia's Castle - Before Twilight's Arrival _____________________________________
"I know there's something you're not telling me!" The Little Pony said. "What are you hiding?"
"What makes you think I'm hiding something? There's nothing here out of the ordinary!" Celestia said.
"Because I'm your little sister and it's only natural for big sisters to lie to their siblings!" The Little Pony said, turning around and walking away from Celesta. "I'm different from you and Luna though, I sense it and I'll find out what you're hiding here in the castle..."
After several hours, the train Twilight took to Canterlot had finally arrived at its' destination. Twilight got off the train and headed towards Princess Celestia's Castle with haste, hoping that Luna would have the answers she sought for. Not wasting any time, she arrived at the entrance and pondered her thoughts carefully before entering.
"Ohhh... What if Princess Luna doesn't have the answers I need? Come to think of it, she's only an expert on dreams, not on split personalities or otherworldly entities!... But I guess I have to take my chances and hope for the best," Twilight said, trying to ignore the possibility that Luna couldn't be of any help, she continued on inside.
_______________________________
Back At Sugarcube Corner _______________________________
"Alright Pinkamena, you heard Twilight, give Pinkie control of her body again!" Rainbow Dash demanded.
"I'd appreciate it if you spoke in a more subtle tone," Pinkamena said. "Demanding things from others will not get you anywhere."
"Why you little! I outta-" Rainbow Dash said, interrupted.
"Easy Rainbow Dash, she's actually being cooperative at the moment, let's try and take it nice and slow, okay?" Rarity said.
"What!? Are you kidding me? She won't listen to anypony unless-" Rainbow Dash said, interrupted again.
"Um... Pinkamena... Do you think you could... Let Pinkie have her body back... At least for now?..." Fluttershy asked. "I mean... If you don't mind that is..."
"I'll gladly give control back to Pinkie," Pinkamena said. "You see that Rainbow Dash? You could learn a thing or two from this one."
Rainbow Dash's face flushed red with anger.
"Alright Pinkie, you can have your body back," Pinkamena said.
"Awesome!" Pinkie said. "But uh... How exactly do I take it back?"
"Just tell yourself that you want to switch places with me and the rest will be taken care of," Pinkamena said.
"Alright, I'll try," Pinkie said.
Shortly after, black electrical sparks ran through Pinkamena's body, as it underwent transformation once again. Her mane returned bright pink and poofy, along with her tail. Pinkamena's cloak disappeared and her coat became bright again as well.
"Hey! I did it!" Pinkie said. " Did it hurt at all Pinkamena?"
"Slightly, the more we do this the easier it will get, so eventually it'll be quick and painless," Pinkamena said. "Now come on, Twilight said we should head back to the Library correct?"
"She did say that..." Rainbow Dash said. "But I think it'll be better if we just catch the next train to Canterlot right now and meet her there!"
"But Twilight told us to-" Applejack said, cut off.
"So what if Twilight told us, she's not exactly in charge here," Rainbow Dash said. "The day I acknowledge all of Twilight's ideas is the day she sprouts wings or something! Which we all know will never happen!"
"I just don't think it's a good idea to ignore Twilight with a situation like this," Applejack said.
"As much as I hate to say it, I agree with Rainbow Dash," Pinkamena said.
"When did you change back?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"That's not important, what's important is that we should go to Canterlot," Pinkamena said. "If Luna really does know something about releasing me, then it would be best to be there in case we have further questions to ask."
"She does have a point," Rarity said. "Besides, we have a much larger range of people to ask over there in case Luna doesn't know anything."
"Then it's settled! We'll head for Canterlot right away!" Rainbow Dash said. "Make sure to change back into Pinkie, we don't want the townsponies having a heart attack y'know?"
"Yes, yes I know," Pinkamena said, changing back into Pinkie.
"Come on everypony! Let's get moving!" Pinkie said, rushing out the door with her friends towards the train station.
"Huh? Oh, um yeah... Nice to meet you..." Eternal Sleep said, turning back to Celestia. "Now if you'll excuse me Celestia, I have some investigating to do."
"Eternal Sleep! If you'd only let me talk!" Celestia said.
"What's wrong Celestia? What's she doing?" Twilight asked. "And you never told me you had a little sister!"
"That's because she's not really around, she doesn't exactly mettle in everyday affairs like me and Luna do," Celestia said. "She's quite... Different from us in many ways."
"Like what? I want to get to know her!" Twilight said.
"She isn't exactly big on making friends, even though I've tried my best to convince her to at least attempt to mingle, but she just refuses completely," Celestia said. "You really want to know about her?"
"Yes please!" Twilight said, excited.
"Alright then, Eternal Sleep is to simply put it... The Embodiment of Death," Celestia said.
"The... Embodiment of Death?" Twilight said. "Does that mean..."
"Yes, she possesses powers far greater than that of me and Luna," Celestia said.
"But, she's just a little filly!" Twilight said. "How can she surpass both of you?"
"She was simply born like that, she gets unexpected bursts of power sometimes, but it isn't anything she can't handle," Celestia said.
"Does that explain her odd mane and coat color?" Twilight asked, looking at Eternal Sleep, who had a pure black coat and a mane that of silver mixed with a light blue. Her pupils were also silver and her cutie mark was that of a skull and crossbones. Her mane style was also quite unusual, as it resembled that of her friend Derpy Hooves.
"Yes, although she seems quite confident now, she's actually pretty shy when talking to people she isn't familiar with," Celestia said. "Like with how she greeted you."
"I see... So what exactly is she doing here?" Twilight asked.
"After the Pinkamena Incident, many ponies here succumbed to her, and didn't make it. Eternal Sleep's main job is to escort the souls of the dead to their appropriate afterlife, using her own body as a vessel for them," Celestia said. "Hence why she is The Embodiment of Death."
"Wow... I never knew there was somepony who had a job like that..." Twilight said. "it's incredible..."
"I know, she has special powers and I'm trying me best to-" Celestia said, cut off.
"AH HA! I'VE FOUND IT!" Eternal Sleep said, running behind Celestia's Throne. "You could never hide it from me Celestia!"
"What are you talking about? There's... Nothing there!" Celestia said. "I'm telling you to get away!"
"No no no... You see Celestia, I know when somepony is suffering or when they're time is coming to a close... For some reason this was a bit more difficult to pinpoint but I've finally located it!" Eternal Sleep said, feeling around the floor behind the throne until she unlocked a secret passage way, leading down into the Castle's Depths. "What... Or better yet who are you hiding down here..."
"Eternal Sleep I FORBID you to go down there!" Celestia said.
With her first step downwards, Eternal Sleep felt uneasy, as a feeling of dread and extreme depression coursed through her body.
"What... Do you have down here?... It's... Suffering beyond belief..." Eternal Sleep said, hearing a blood curdling scream in her head, which was a trigger that told her that somepony... Was nearing death. "Whatever it is down there it's dying!"
Eternal Sleep raced down the stairs as fast as she could, hurrying before time ran out for the victim.
"Stay here Twilight, I'm going after Eternal Sleep," Celestia said. "I'll be right back."
"What? No way I'm going down there with you," Twilight said, racing ahead of Celestia and following Eternal Sleep.
"Twilight get back here!" Celestia said, going down the stairs. "Ugh... Why does no pony listen to me!"
Eternal Sleep raced down the seemingly endless hallway when she heard hoofsteps behind her.
"Why are you following me?" Eternal Sleep asked. "This is my duty and mine alone!"
"Hey I wanna see what Princess Celestia has locked up down here too!" Twilight said. "I won't be a bother, I promise!"
"Hmph, fine," Eternal Sleep said, "Just don't do anything you're not su-"
Eternal Sleep and Twilight came to a complete halt when they reached the end of the hallway. What they saw before their eyes was unbelievable. A filly with a pure white coat and light blue mane had been chained up against a wall. She was small and slightly crying to herself. Several protection spells of a high caliber had been placed around her as she was locked up in a reinforced cell.
"Is that...A filly?" Twilight asked. "Why... Why would Celestia have somepony down here trapped like this?"
"...Hold on a second," Eternal Sleep said, observing the prison. "That filly... Something isn't right about her."
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked. "What's wrong with her?"
"Eternal Sleep!" Celestia said, finally arriving to the scene. "Don't you dare release that pony!"
"Why have you kept her locked down here all this time? Stuff like this is my department Celestia, you have no right to interfere!" Eternal Sleep said.
"I'm so confused! Please explain to me what's going on!" Twilight said.
"You want to know? Fine, that pony is a demon," Eternal Sleep said.
"A demon?" Twilight said. "I didn't think those even existed."
"They are a very rare case, I myself have only seen about 1 or 2 in my entire time doing this," Eternal Sleep said. "They are created by experiencing extreme grief, pain, and sorrow in the time they were alive, they then resurrect themselves as a being composed of what they were most affected by, creating a demon."
Twilight sat there astounded, still trying to grasp the situation.
"Hate and malice are usually primary contributions to the creation of a demon, however... This one is different. I sense small traces of those feelings," Eternal Sleep said. "What I'm sensing... Is mostly sorrow, that must mean this pony had a rather emotionally traumatizing life... Where did you find this poor soul Celestia?"
"...We found her in the attic of an old house. Apparently she had brutally murdered her own mother and locked herself in the attic with her corpse, starving herself to death," Celestia said. "When we tried to help her... She killed many of our guards out of blind rage, it took all of my strength just to restrain her."
"Why didn't you contact me when you found this pony?" Eternal Sleep asked.
"She possesses powers that of a demon and she refuses to listen to reason! I wasn't sure if you've dealt with something like this before, so I didn't want to risk it..." Celestia said. "I'm... Sorry Eternal Sleep."
"It's alright, I forgive you... You were only looking after me after all... So thank you, I appreciate it," Eternal Sleep said. "However, something still most be done about her."
Eternal Sleep walked towards her cell and deactivated all the protective spells.
"You two stay back," Eternal Sleep said.
"I'm telling you she won't listen to reason! Please just leave her!" Celestia said.
"it's not that she won't listen to reason," Eternal Sleep said, opening the pony's cell and walking inside. "it's just that you haven't been portraying it correctly."
Eternal Sleep walked closer to the filly, hearing her strained breathing. As she got closer, the filly looked up at her, her eyes were pure black with small blood red pupils and red streaks were going down her cheeks.
"It's alright, I'm here to help you," Eternal Sleep said. "You have nothing to be afraid of."
The small pony started to breathe frantically and to everyone's surprise, she ripped off the chains constricting her and brought Eternal Sleep down to the ground, choking her neck.
"Eternal Sleep!" Celestia yelled, about to rush in and help.
"Stay out of this!" Eternal Sleep said. "I can save her, I know I can!"
Eternal Sleep reached her hoof out to the little pony's face and touched her cheek.
"You... Don't have to fear me... I'm here to help you... To care... For you," Eternal Sleep said, feeling the little pony's grip getting lighter. "I'm not like the others... I won't fight you or raise any violence towards you... I just want to help you."
Eternal Sleep took the pony's hooves and pushed them up gently, sat up... And hugged her tightly. "You might have experienced a lot of grief and sorrow in your life, but not anymore... I promise I'll be here to help you through everything," Eternal Sleep said.
The little pony slowly returned the hug, her eyes changed from blood red... To a glistening bright yellow.
"I'm... I'm sorry," The Little Pony said. "it's... Been so long since anyone has ever showed me any form of compassion... I'm sorry if I hurt you..."
"It's alright... You definitely are much different from other demons I've encountered..." Eternal Sleep said. "Heh... But the good kind of different."
"Thank you... I'm just... So happy!" The Little Pony said.
"Tell me, what's your name?" Eternal Sleep asked.
"My name?" The Little Pony Asked. "...It's Lilith."
"Lilith... What a beautiful name..." Eternal Sleep said. "Come on Lilith, let's get you outta here."
Eternal Sleep and Lilith left the cell and started along the path back to the castle.
"Hey, Eternal Sleep?" Twilight asked.
"Yea?" Eternal Sleep said.
"I just wanted to say... Well that you handled that amazingly," Twilight said. "What are you going to do with Lilith? Are you going to send her way onto the afterlife?"
"Not yet, demons are a special case as I said, so they take time until I can send them to their peaceful slumber," Eternal Sleep said. "For the time being... I'll just have to stay here with her and help her with whatever it is she needs... Also keep her under control... You never know what to expect from any demon."
"I understand..." Twilight said. "Hey, since you can interact with those whom are spirits... Would you happen to know anything about psychological parts of the mind?"
"The mind? Yes I know quite a few things about it, why do you ask?" Eternal Sleep asked.
"I actually came here to ask Princess Luna for help with something... But I think you might be more help to me on the subject," Twilight said. "I'd really appreciate your help if you don't mind!"
"Well... I'm not exactly doing anything at the moment so I don't see any reason why I can't," Eternal Sleep said. "Alright, when we reach the surface I'll help you with whatever it is you need."
"Oh, thank you so much!" Twilight said, hugging Eternal Sleep.
"H-Hey! K-Knock it off! I didn't say you could touch me!" Eternal Sleep said.
"Heh... Sorry about that, I couldn't help myself," Twilight said, laughing.
Eternal Sleep returned a chuckle and then continued on down the hallway until they reached the surface, only something was waiting for them this whole time.
"Hi Twilight!" Pinkie said. "We thought it'd be better if we went to meet you here in Canterlot!"
"What are you guys doing here! I told you to wait at the Library!" Twilight said. "Gah! It doesn't matter anymore I suppose."
"Hey Twilight, who's the little pony with the black coat?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"That's Eternal Sleep, Princess Celestia's little sister," Twilight said.
"I didn't know she had a little sister!" Rarity said. "She's adorable!"
"Yea, you don't wanna do that," Twilight said, looking at Eternal Sleep, whose eyes were open widely and staring at Pinkie. "Is something wrong Eternal Sleep?"
"...Something... Is very, very wrong here," Eternal Sleep said, walking towards Pinkie. "I sense... An unfathomable amount of malice coming from this one... I've never seen anything like it..."
Eternal Sleep raised her hoof and tapped Pinkie on her forehead, ultimately forcing her to switch places with Pinkamena.
"Well I uh... Didn't expect you to do that," Pinkamena said, looking down at Eternal Sleep, who was looking right back up at her.
"What... Are you. I've never seen anything like you before," Eternal Sleep said. "The fact that your power... Seems to rival my own is... Unsettling."
"Well you learn something new everyday am I right?" Pinkamena said. "But I suppose introductions are in order correct? I am Pinkie Pie's alter ego, you may call me Pinkamena... And I was born from the years of searing hate and malice that was locked away within her mind..."
"Twilight! I thought you sealed her away for good!" Princess Celestia said. "Why is she back!?"
"Princess Celestia, believe me when I say this, she's changed! She wants to be separated from Pinkie's body so she can lead a normal life in Ponyville!" Twilight said. "I know she's changed Princess! You have to believe me!"
"It's... Hard for me to say Twilight, she was the one who devastated Canterlot and the rest of Equestria!" Celestia said.
"I know, but don't you think if she really wanted to try again she would have already? I'm begging you, give her a chance." Twilight said.
"...Alright Twilight, I'll give her one chance, one and that's it!" Celestia said.
"Oh, thank you Princess! You won't regret it!" Twilight said, looking back at Pinkamena and Eternal Sleep.
"I'm Eternal Sleep... The Embodiment of Death," Eternal Sleep said. "And I'm not exactly sure If I can allow someone like you to roam around this world freely..."
"I have no intentions of using my powers for the purpose I once did before my dear," Pinkamena said.
"Even so, you... Intrigue me... And I want to see just how far your malice can take you..." Eternal Sleep said, getting into position.
"Oh, so it's a fight you want eh?... Very well, if you so choose to pick the time of your own death... I'll be happy to oblige," Pinkamena said, getting into position.
"You guys don't fight! It's not-" Twilight said, cut off my Eternal Sleep.
"Don't interfere Twilight, this pony intrigues me very much..." Eternal Sleep said. "Lilith stay close to Twilight for now."
"Oh um... Alright," Lilith said, moving next to Twilight.
"Stop this right now! It's-" Rarity said, cut off.
"Didn't you hear Eternal Sleep? Stay out of this, this is between us now!.." Pinkamena said.
Eternal Sleep And Pinkamena both got into a fighting stance, staring at each other with the motive to kill. Bright energy with feelings of kindness and hope circled Eternal Sleep as she gathered her strength, while utter darkness and feelings of despair and sorrow enveloped Pinkamena instead.
"Let's see just how far your hate has taken you!" Eternal Sleep said. "Although... Even as you are, I don't expect much..."
"Don't expect much do you..." Pinkamena said. "Believe me, if you underestimate me... You're in for a rude awakening."
Chapter 4: Eternal Sleep vs. Pinkamena: Between Two Souls
"A rude awakening, huh?" Eternal Sleep said, gearing herself up. "Well then show me what you can do!"
Eternal Sleep bolted towards Pinkamena with unprecedented speeds, her hoof about to punch Pinkamena dead in the face, but was stopped when she hit something in front of her face.
"A barrier?" Eternal Sleep said, trying to muster more strength to break through it.
"Obviously, it's only necessary for things like this," Pinkamena said, still having not moved a muscle. "Don't bother trying, nothing can get through my shield."
"Heh... Well this is your first time meeting me, isn't it?" Eternal Sleep asked.
Pinkamena stood there straightfaced, when all of a sudden she started to notice cracks in the air before her. "She's getting through!?" Pinkamena thought, jumping away from Eternal Sleep, who shattered her barrier in mere seconds.
"Anything else?" Eternal Sleep asked, rushing Pinkamena immediately after. "I know this isn't all you can do!"
"If you so choose to see my true strength that badly, then I promise not to disappoint..." Pinkamena said.
Pinkamena vanished as Eternal Sleep was about to deliver another blow and then reappeared right behind her.
"How did you-" Eternal Sleep said, interrupted by Pinkamena, who had punched her straight in the gut and released massive amounts of electricity through her body, causing her to be launched to other side of the room against the wall.
"If you still want to give up you can," Pinkamena said.
Eternal Sleep dug herself out of the rubble and charged at Pinkamena. "I'm just getting started!" Eternal Sleep yelled, running towards Pinkamena and vanishing right in front of her.
"Copying my tricks, are you?" Pinkamena asked, scanning the room carefully.
"Not entirely," Eternal Sleep said, rising from Pinkamena's shadow and constricting her. "I can change my body into... Just about anything, y'know? It really comes in handy for situations like this."
Eternal Sleep threw Pinkamena up in the air, and followed up with a straight blow to the back upwards, "Oh and as Death itself, I carry a little something with me." Eternal Sleep's mouth glowed brightly, and a long scythe formed in between her teeth. As she griped it tightly, she brought it slashing down on Pinkamena, piercing her stomach and sending her crashing down to the floor.
"That... Actually really hurt..." Pinkamena said, lying on the floor as blood flowed out of her body.
Eternal Sleep walked up next to her, thinking about delivering the final blow. "I'm not sure if I should kill you exactly... You are using that body only as a vessel after all..."
"Heh... You shouldn't hesitate about this things like this," Pinkamena said, pointing at Eternal Sleep's stomach. "You'll regret you're decision."
Eternal Sleep gave Pinkamena a questioned look, but suddenly she found herself unable to move, paralyzed where she stood. "What... What did you do!?" Eternal Sleep asked.
"I left a seal on your stomach from the time I punched you before, I knew you wouldn't notice," Pinkamena said, getting up slowly.
"You're... Still too injured to do anything to me!" Eternal Sleep said.
"Not exactly... Take a look," Pinkamena said, pointing at her pierced stomach. Red streaks of electricity were flowing through her wound, and it started to close up as if nothing ever happened.
"Regeneration!?" Eternal Sleep said. "Even I can't do that! How can someone like you possess a power like that?"
"Like I said, I'm a lot different from you Eternal Sleep," Pinkamena said, placing her hood under her chin. "In many ways."
Pinkamena stuck her hoof up in the air and created a black hole, sucking Eternal Sleep inside of it and Pinkamena following her inside, closing itself and taking the form of a pulsing ball teeming with electrical sparks. Eternal Sleep was floating in the void as Pinkamena could move at hypersonic speed within the area. She delivered several blows over and over again to the incapacitated pony, her black coat becoming drenched with her own blood.
"I never imagined you were..." Eternal Sleep said.
"I think it's time we finish this," Pinkamena said, leaving the void and returning back outside.
Pinkamena raised her hoof and clenched it tighter and tighter, the ball getting smaller with every action. "Bloody Prison..." Pinkamena created a fist and brought her hoof slamming down to the ground, the ball convulsed and exploded with spikes shooting outwards, the sound of Eternal Sleeps screams could be heard even in the void, and her body fell to the ground after it was over.
"Now do you see? The difference in our power?" Pinkamena asked, looking at Eternal Sleep's mangled body.
Eternal Sleep rose up immediately and delivered an unfathomable punch to Pinkamena's face, sending her flying back. Eternal Sleep's eyes were glowing white, she appeared in front on Pinkamena again, punching her multiple times, each blow was absolute torment, as if she was being impaled with every hit. Eternal Sleep brought her scythe out mid-fight and slashed away at Pinkamena's body, not giving it a chance to regenerate, and launching her up against the ceiling.
After Pinkamena's beating, Eternal Sleep's eyes returned to normal, and she collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily and trying to keep her mind off of the excruciating pain.
"It's one surprise after another with you..." Pinkamena said, crawling on the ground towards Eternal Sleep's body, leaving a trail of blood behind her as she did.
"I'll... Finish you off right here and now..." Eternal Sleep hissed, as she creeped weakly towards Pinkamena.
As they were about to deliver the final blows, Twilight intervened.
"It's time for this stupid fight of yours to end!" Twilight exclaimed, as she appeared in a flash of light. "Pinkamena, I think you've proved yourself to Eternal Sleep."
"Why did you interfere!?" Pinkamena exclaimed. "I was about to finish her off..."
"This wasn't supposed to be a battle to the death y'know, we do need her after all if you have any chance of being free." Twilight said.
Twilight grabbed Pinkamena's frail and decrepit body and absconded back to Celestia and Lilith. "Was there a need for you push your body this far?" Twilight asked despondently.
"She was... A lot tougher than I expected her to be," Pinkamena said. "If anything I didn't push myself hard enough..."
Celestia rushed over to Eternal Sleep's body, worried for her injuries, "Eternal Sleep! Are you alright!?"
"Yes... I'm fine," Eternal Sleep said, slowly getting up and walking towards Pinkamena, even in the amount of pain she was in. "You... Are indeed nothing like I've ever faced before."
"Is that a compliment?" Pinkamena asked, as she snickered and raised a hoof to her. "Well, you weren't so bad yourself."
Eternal Sleep smiled at Pinkamena and shook hooves with her. "Well, I suppose I can allow you to roam as you will... But I'll still be keeping an eye on you, don't forget that."
"Nag, nag, nag," Pinkamena said, lying down on the ground.
"Hey Twilight, is there anything else you want us to do?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Actually, you guys can go back to Ponyville. I appreciate you coming out here, but right now I think it'd be best if you head back," Twilight said. "I promise I'll figure out how to free Pinkamena!"
"Well if you say so Twilight, let us know if you need anything else," Applejack said, walking out the castle doors with the others.
"Now Twilight, I'll be glad to assist you with whatever help you may need," Eternal Sleep said.
"That's great! I can't thank you enough!" Twilight squeed.
"Just..." Eternal Sleep muttered. "Let me and Pinkamena rest for a bit first..."
"I'd be surprised if you didn't," Twilight laughed.
__________________________
Outskirts of Ponyville __________________________
"Finally! I made it!" The Brown Pony said. "I've head great things about this place! Hopefully... I'll be able to make tons of new friends!"
The Brown Pony squeed and jumped with delight as she trotted her way down the path into the town.
"Alright Twilight, I think I've rested long enough." Eternal Sleep said, getting up and stretching her body.
"Really? Already? I would have expected you to rest for a while rather than just a few hours after what Pinkamena did to you." Twilight said.
"You'd think that yes, but even though I don't possess healing capabilities like Pinkamena, I still recover faster than any normal pony." Eternal Sleep said. "Now then, what is it that you wanted to ask me?"
Twilight waved Pinkamena to come over.
"Oh this is so exciting! We're finally going to be able to set you free!" Pinkie said. "Aren't you excited too!?"
"Heh, yea I suppose you could say that, as long as I don't have to go back to my prison I'm happy." Pinkamena said.
"Now then..." Twilight said softly. "Eternal Sleep, do you know anyway to separate Pinkamena from Pinkie's body?"
"Yes I overheard you asking Celestia this before... unfortunately there isn't anything I can do for a situation like this..." Eternal Sleep said.
"What!? I expected more from "The Embodiment of Death" y'know!" Pinkamena mocked.
"Calm down Pinkamena! I-I'm sure there's something Eternal Sleep can do!" Pinkie said worriedly.
"I don't want to go back to that place! After finally leaving it there's no way I'll go back!" Pinkamena declared, sitting on the floor angrily.
"There isn't anything you can do?" Twilight asked.
"Listen, I know my own powers and I know for a fact that there isn't anything I can-" Eternal Sleep said.
"You've got to be able to do something E.S." Lilith said. "After all... you saved me... surely there's something you can do for this one..."
Eternal Sleep looked at Lilith with hesitant eyes.
"Fine... I'll try... Just give me a minute to think..." Eternal Sleep said, pondering for a bit.
"Ya think of anything yet?" Pinkamena said rudely.
"There isn't anything I can do." Eternal Sleep said. "However there may be something that can..."
"What is it?" Twilight asked.
"Well... I've been around for a while and on one of my reapings I came across... a very unusual artifact I should say." Eternal Sleep said. "I've done some researching on it in the past, and I actually only found out recently what it is."
"Well what is it?" Twilight asked excitedly.
"It's a black book, but whomever opens it is taken to another realm I should say." Eternal Sleep said. "This realm is called "The Apocrypha" and it contains an unfathomable amount of knowledge in the known universe, you could say it's just a massive library."
"A library!?!" Twilight screamed. "A library that contains all of the knowledge in the known universe!"
"I didn't say all the kn-" Eternal Sleep said.
"This is great! That place must have the answer we're looking for!" Twilight said. "Also I wouldn't mind helping myself to some other books..."
"I'm still not entirely sure that it will have the answer you seek." Eternal Sleep said. "Pinkamena is a once in a lifetime case, I've never seen anything like it before, and I'm pretty sure no one else has."
"So you're telling me that even if we go to this big library, there's a high chance that it won't even have any information on freeing me!?" Pinkamena said angrily.
"I'm sorry, but that's the truth." Eternal Sleep said.
Pinkamena looked down at the ground, infuriated that she may never escape the prison that bonded her.
"But even so there is still a chance that the answer you're looking for is there." Eternal Sleep said. "With that being said, would you like to enter The Apocrypha? I have never been there myself, so I don't know of the dangers within there."
"You bet we'll go!" Twilight said. "If there's a chance, then that's all the motivation we need!"
"Alright, but let's do this tonight, I want all of you to be fully rested and ready to go." Eternal Sleep said. "Meet back here in the throne room at midnight."
Twilight went ahead to ask Princess Celestia for spare rooms they could use for the day. Lilith however stayed close to Eternal Sleeps side, and Pinkamena looked angrily upon them. However, after looking at Lilith for some time, a smile came across Pinkamena's face, as she laughed silently to herself.
"What's so funny Pinkamena?" Pinkie said.
"Oh it's nothing you need to concern yourself with Pinkie." Pinkamena said. "Nothing at all..."
"I guess we just have to wait for Twilight to return with good news yes?" Rarity said.
"I suppose, but until then I think we should-" Applejack said.
"Excuse me... but... do you... know... where.... City Hall... is..." The Brown Pony said, breathing heavily. "I've been... running around this place... all day!"
"Yea it's um right here." Applejack said, pointing to the large building next to them.
"Whaaat!? I've been running around this town all day! How did I miss this!?" The Brown Pony said.
"I'm going to assume you're new here correct?" Rarity asked.
"Yep! I got here hours ago and I was looking for City Hall so I could register into the town and I could get a house and start meeting other ponies and make some friends and-" The Brown Pony said.
"Calm down there sugarcube, you sure are an energetic one." Applejack said. "I think you'd get along real well with our friend Pinkie Pie."
"Really? Where is she? I love making new friends!" The Brown Pony said. "Oh! My name is Caramel Swirls by the way!"
"You're even named after a type of candy!" Rainbow Dash said. "You're a laugh already!"
"Is there something wrong with my name!?" Caramel Swirls asked.
"No no no, nothings wrong with it, it's just such a coincidence." Rainbow Dash said.
"Ohh alright then!" Caramel Swirls said happily. "I was afraid you wouldn't like me."
"Not at all dear, and I must say I absolutely love your mane!" Rarity said, admiring Caramel's mane. She had a long, blonde mane and crystal blue eyes. Her cutie mark was that of a tornado, which was unusual at the moment. She also seemed to wear hoofbands and be quite hyper.
"Thanks! I love yours too! It's very lovely!" Caramel Swirls said, remembering what she had to do be doing this whole time. "Oh! I completely forgot I was supposed to register! I'll talk to you girls later!"
Caramel Swirls said goodbye and then sped off into City Hall at unusually fast speeds.
"She can sure move quickly can't she?" Fluttershy said. "That could explain her odd cutie mark."
"At this point in time Fluttershy I wouldn't be surprised if we came across a pony that could breathe fire." Applejack said, walking away with her friends.
"Come please now Applejack! Surely you are just-" Rarity stopped, turning around and looking at the bushes. "Hmm... how odd, I could have sworn I heard something... guess not."
Rarity disregarded her thoughts and continued on to catch up to her friends, when a mysterious figure with a black mane rose up slightly from the bushes, and cautiously followed the group.
______________________
Throne Room - Midnight ______________________
Twilight and Pinkamena had returned to the Throne Room at midnight, just as Eternal Sleep instructed them to.
"How are you guys feeling?" Lilith said softly, whom was standing next to Eternal Sleep.
"I'm ready to do this!" Twilight declared. "How about you Pinkamena?"
"Hmm?... Oh yes... I'm ready whenever you are..." Pinkamena said, grinning at Lilith.
"Alright, if you guys are ready, then I'll get the book ready." Eternal Sleep said.
"I'd just like to say one thing first if you don't mind..." Pinkamena said.
"What is it?" Eternal Sleep said.
"Well you said you haven't been in there yourself, and you know nothing of the dangers..." Pinkamena said. "I think it's be absolutely horrible if someone inside got hurt... more so your little friend there..."
"Lilith?..." Eternal Sleep said, looking into Lilith's eyes. "I suppose you do have a point..."
"Don't you think it would be for the best if she stayed behind for now? I'm sure we won't be in there too long right?" Pinkamena said. "Why don't I walk her back to Twilight's Quarters?"
"Umm... S-Sure... I guess that would be alright." Eternal Sleep said, looking over to Lilith and hugging her. "I just don't want anything bad to happen to you alright?"
"You'll come back won't you?" Lilith said. "Staying close to you helps me stay sane..."
"Of course I'll be back! I won't be long at all alright?" Eternal Sleep said, smiling.
"A-Alright." Lilith said softly.
"Come on Lilith, I'll walk you back to Twilight's Quarters." Pinkamena said. "I'll come back as soon as I've dropped her off..."
"Alright, we'll wait here for you!" Twilight yelled, as Pinkamena and Lilith exited the Throne Room.
Pinkamena and Lilith were walking for a few minutes, getting farther from the Throne Room with each step.
"Hey! Pinkie! You there?" Pinkamena whispered.
... ... ...
"Nothing, she must have fallen asleep..." Pinkamena whispered to herself. "Perfect..."
Pinkamena walked up closer behind Lilith and put both of her hooves on Lilith's head.
"H-Huh? Pinkamena? W-What are you doing?" Lilith asked scarily.
"Sorry Lilith, but the chance of me never getting out of my prison is too great, and I can;t wait any longer..." Pinkamena said. "I can't survive outside Pinkie's mind since I'm still merely a "personality"... not without a vessel that is..."
Pinkamena's body turned shadowy, as her hooves integrated with Lilith's face, she slowly poured herself in Lilith's mind and took control of the small demon.
"W-Why... I... wanted to help you..." Lilith said. "We were... so similar..."
"Not similar enough I suppose." Pinkamena said, transferring successfully into Lilith's mind and taking away whatever will she had. "Hmm... it seems that I'll need to feed off what remaining life force Lilith has left in order to survive... how irritating... but it will have to do for now."
Pinkie's body had fallen to the ground, asleep the whole time.
"Pinkie!" Pinkamena said, speaking as Lilith. "Get up!"
"Huh!? What? Where am I?" Pinkie said.
"No time to explain, you have to head back to the Throne Room! Twilight and Eternal Sleep are waiting for you to enter The Apocrypha!" Lilith said. "Pinkamena switched places with you because she was still tired, so hurry up and go!"
"Alright alright! Thanks Lilith!" Pinkie said, making a break for the Throne Room.
Lilith waved Pinkie away, turned around and walked back to Twilight's Quarters, laughing silently to herself...
_____________
Throne Room _____________
"Guys I'm sorry I'm late!" Pinkie said, out of breath.
"Pinkie? Why did you switch places with Pinkamena?" Twilight asked.
"Lilith told me she switched with me because she was still feeling tired, so I'll just take her place for now." Pinkie said.
"Hmm, she looked fine to me." Twilight said.
"She must have just been nervous, I would be too if we were going into some unknown universe that determined my future after all." Eternal Sleep said.
"I suppose you're right." Twilight said. "Well, let's open that book shall we?"
"Here we go." Eternal Sleep said, opening the book, the words glowed green and after a few seconds of staring into its' contents, multiple black tentacles sprang from the book and pulled the 3 ponies inside, disappearing shortly after.
______________
The Apocrypha ______________
Twilight, Eternal Sleep, and Pinkie woke up on an iron floor. The Apocrypha was nothing what they thought it would be like. There was an ocean of an unknown green-like liquid everywhere, and black tentacles rose up in all different locations. The sky was a mix of brown and green, but the walls were lined with an obscene amount of books.
"I don't know how to feel towards this." Twilight said.
"Me neither." Pinkie added. "It's really gloomy."
"It doesn't look like there is any real hostile activity though." Eternal Sleep said. "At least that's good."
Twilight turned around and noticed a larger book on a pedestal.
"Hey guys, come look at this." Twilight said, walking towards the book. "Do you think this has the answers were looking for?"
"Is there something I can help you with?" A Voice said.
A large eyeball formed above the book with tentacles sprouting from every side.
"What the heck is that?" Twilight yelled.
"Maybe he's friendly!" Pinkie said.
"Yea right Pinkie! When you look like that you're anything but friendly!" Twilight said.
"Coming into someone's home and then insulting them is not the best way to start off a conversation..." The Figure said. "You should be more understanding like your friend here..."
"Who are you exactly?" Eternal Sleep said.
"Someone with some sense I see... "The Figure said." My name is Hermaeus Mora... and I oversee everything here in The Apocrypha."
"See Twilight? Don't go jumping to conclusions, this is exactly the guy we need to talk to." Eternal Sleep said.
"S-Sorry..." Twilight said.
"Now, why is it that you've come to my sanctum? Surely it cannot be for such a trivial matter?" Hermaeus Mora said. "No you've come here for... information on a more dire situation..."
"Hermaeus Mora, our friend here has been cursed, or gifted, with having a split personality that has taken on a mind of it's own, and now we are trying to separate the two of them." Eternal Sleep said. "I did not know anything on the matter, but perhaps you must know something correct?"
"You ask for something that you do not need... for I sense no one else within this pony's mind." Hermaeus Mora said.
"What? What do you mean there isn't anyone else in her mind?" Twilight said.
"If you doubt my answer then by all means, check for yourselves..." Hermaeus Mora said.
"Come here Pinkie." Eternal Sleep said. "Put your forehead against mine, I'm going to check for Pinkamena."
Pinkie walked over to Eternal Sleep, their foreheads touched and Eternal Sleep scanned Pinkie's mind.
"...!?" Eternal Sleep realized. "S-She's gone!"
"What do you mean she's gone!?" Twilight asked. "She can't leave Pinkie's mind!"
"Well she must have somehow because I don't sense her within Pinkie's mind!" Eternal Sleep said.
"H-How could she have escaped!?" Pinkie said.
"I don't know!" Eternal Sleep said. "...We have to go back. Now. Hermaeus Mora, can you please open a portal for us to leave?"
A green portal formed across from the pedestal that the book was on. Eternal Sleep rushed through the portal and Pinkie followed swiftly.
"Bye mister eye guy!" Pinkie said, jumping through the portal.
Twilight turned around and headed towards the portal, but she was stopped by Hermaeus Mora.
"Twilight Sparkle." Hermaeus Mora said.
"Y-Yes?" Twilight said.
"Do not let anxiety and fear cloud your thoughts... not while the demon hides within the angel..." Hermaeus Mora said.
"W-What?" Twilight said, noticing the portal expanding and ultimately consuming her.
_____________
Throne Room _____________
"Twilight get up!" Eternal Sleep said, infuriated.
"W-What? Where's Pinkamena?" Twilight asked.
"I don't KNOW!" Eternal Sleep said. "I go out of my way to help her and what does she do? She just leaves without any warning or trace!"
"I thought I heard something." Lilith said, walking into the Throne Room. "I'm glad you're back..."
"Lilith!" Eternal Sleep said, running up to her and hugging her, feeling something was off. "Lilith? Are you alright? You feel... different."
"Well... I was away from you for a bit, I started to get a bit... unstable since I was alone..." Lilith said. "But now that you're back, I'm starting to feel better..."
"That makes sense... I'm sorry I left you alone." Eternal Sleep said. "Now we have other problems to deal with..."
"We might as well head back to Ponyville in the morning, I promised my friends I'd inform them of whatever good, or bad, news we receive."
"Fine, but know that I'll keep my eye open for Pinkamena's whereabouts the entire time." Eternal Sleep said. "I have no sympathy for her anymore, and when I find her..."
"I understand..." Twilight said. "I'm sorry Pinkie, that this happened..."
"I... I just can't believe she'd do something like this y'know?" Pinkie said. "I thought I could trust her..."
"Come on, let's all get some sleep for now." Twilight said. "We'll head back to Ponyville first thing in the morning."
Twilight and Pinkie left the Throne Room and returned to their quarters in the castle.
"Come on Lilith, let's get some sleep." Eternal Sleep said. "We'll find Pinkamena... don't you worry about that."
"Alright E.S." Lilith said, smiling in the other direction. "I have the utmost faith in you that you will..."
Twilight and Pinkie had entered the Throne Room once again, noticing Eternal Sleep and Lilith also entering from the door opposite of them.
"Did you girls sleep well?" Twilight asked.
"I didn't sleep much actually..." Eternal Sleep said. "I have too many things on my mind at the moment..."
"We'll find her Eternal Sleep, don't you worry about that." Twilight said. "How about you Lilith?"
"I slept like an angel Twilight, thanks for asking." Lilith said softly. "Now, you said we were going to Ponyville?"
"That's right, I promised my friends I'd inform them of whatever news we received." Twilight said. "Even if they probably don't want to hear it..."
"Well then what are we waiting for? Let's get going." Eternal Sleep said, making her way towards the exit.
"Everything alright Pinkie?" Twilight asked, noticing she looked depressed.
"I suppose, I'm just still shocked about the whole thing..." Pinkie said sadly.
"You know what has to be done when we find her right?" Twilight said.
"Yea... I know... I don't want it to happen... But if we can't trust her yet then I guess there's no other option..." Pinkie said. "Come on, let's catch up with Eternal Sleep and Lilith..."
Twilight, Pinkie, Eternal Sleep, and "Lilith" all headed down towards the train station, catching the next ride that goes to Ponyville.
Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash were sitting outside City Hall conversing about what to do next, when a familiar pony came to greet them again.
"Hi girls!" Caramel Swirls said gleefully. "I was hoping you'd be out here!"
"Why Hello there Caramel dear." Rarity said. "It's so nice to see you again darling."
"It's nice to see you too again Rarity!" Caramel Swirls said. "It's nice to see all of you again! What are you doing anyway?"
"We were just talking about our friend Pinkie, and how we hope they found a solution to the... problem we've been having." Rainbow Dash said.
"I really want to meet this Pinkie you guys keep talking about!" Caramel Swirls said. "When can I meet heeeer!?"
Applejack looked over Rarity and smiled. "You can meet her right now! Look!" Applejack said, pointing at Pinkie Pie, whom had just arrived back in Ponyville with Twilight and the others.
"Hi girls." Twilight said. "I'm sorry to say this... but I'm afraid I have some rather bad news..."
"Don't tell me, there wasn't anything you could do about the separation was there?" Rainbow Dash said.
"I'm afraid you're right and also wrong Rainbow... Dash was it?" Eternal Sleep said. "We didn't exactly find anything on freeing Pinkamena... but it doesn't matter because somehow she's escaped..."
"Escaped!? How!?" Fluttershy said. "I didn't think she could leave Pinkie's mind on her own."
"There's clearly something we're missing here, if she could leave anytime she wanted then why did she waste her time asking for help?" Eternal Sleep said. "Or maybe something else occurred... Either way I'm still not sure on anything."
Pinkie was listening to Eternal Sleep's explanation, when suddenly she felt a rather... strange and wet feeling on her tail. She turned around to see what it was, when to her surprise she saw Caramel munching on her poofy pink tail.
"Hey! What are you doing!?" Pinkie exclaimed.
Caramel pulled herself away from Pinkie's tail. "Sorry! Your tail looked like cotton candy and you smell so sweet! I couldn't help myself!"
"Oh it's alright! I've done it to myself in the past, sometimes I still do!" Pinkie laughed. "You also have a tasty smelling aroma!"
"Can we get back to the matter at hand?" Eternal Sleep said.
"Heh... Sorry." Caramel Swirls said. "I got caught up in the moment."
"Right then... now before we continue with our discussion..." Eternal Sleep said, turning around and looking at the bushes. "Can you please come out already? I know you've been there this entire time watching us."
There was no response. "You're not fooling me y'know, come out right now before I make you!" Eternal Sleep declared.
For a few seconds there was nothing happening, but suddenly the bushes started to move, and a very unusual looking pony with a beige coat slowly emerged from inside of it.
"Come over here." Eternal Sleep said.
The unfamiliar pony hesitantly walked over to Eternal Sleep, startling other ponies who were observing.
"Why exactly were you watching us? If you don't mind me asking." Eternal Sleep said stoically.
"HeHe. I'm sorry if I bothered you, I tend to... observe other ponies as a way to pass the time. HeHe..." The Odd Pony said.
"Right..." Eternal Sleep said. "You have an odd speech pattern if I might add... and your appearance is quite unusual as well... who are you exactly?"
"I'm so sorry if my looks bother you Hehe... I didn't mean to cause any trouble..." The Odd Pony said. "HeHe... my name though however is Grimm Smiles if you wanna know HeHe..."
"Hey Twilight! What's up with her mouth? She's got a real creepy smile going on there... and she looks so... scary!" Rainbow Dash whispered. Grimm had an unusual appearance, her mane was black and was very messy. Her eyes were an icy blue color, with a black scalera surrounding them. She had a beige colored coat and was quite taller than the other ponies. She also had an odd speech pattern that isn't explained, as she tends to cackle quite frequently when she speaks to others. But one of the things that stand out the most is her mouth, as she is always smiling no matter what, even if she is sad, angry, or bored, it doesn't matter, as her cutie mark is also that of a smiling bloody maw.
"Yes I see it Rainbow." Twilight whispered. "I wonder why she looks so different..."
"Why don't you ask her then?" Rainbow Dash whispered.
"Why me? Why don't you ask her!" Twilight whispered.
"I would, but you're better at this stuff than I am." Rainbow Dash whispered. "Besides, I wouldn't know what to say."
"Ugh fine, I just don't want to sound rude or anything." Twilight replied. "Hey um... Grimm was it? If you don't mind me asking... why do you look the way you do exactly?"
"Same reason you look the way you do HeHe... because I like it." Grimm said. "As for my smile HeHe... well I'd rather not say if you don't mind..."
"Oh, well alright then." Twilight said. "Do you... have any friends? I've never seen you here in Ponyville before, so you must have come from somewhere with someone right?"
"Well HeHe... I did just recently come here... but I don't have any friends to be honest with you HeHe..." Grimm said. "Ponies don't exactly want to be around me because of... well my appearance HeHe..."
"I'll be your friend Grimm!" Pinkie said. "It doesn't matter what you look like to me! A friend is a friend no matter what and I'll gladly be yours!"
"HeHe... Y-You will?" Grimm said surprisingly. "T-Thanks... I've never had a real friend before HeHe... most ponies just tend to avoid me, and I've grown used to it over the years..."
Pinkie went up and held Grimm's hoof. "That's because no one ever gave you a chance, but I know that past your appearance... there's a kind and friendly pony! Who only wants to do what she can to help those she cares about!"
Grimm looked at Pinkie with watery eyes, still smiling widely. "T-Thank you Pinkie HeHe... you're the first pony I've come across that wanted to be my friend..." Grimm said happily, wiping her eyes. "It means a lot HeHe..."
"I'm glad!" Pinkie said. "After were done with everything here, I'll show you around town and introduce you to everypony else!"
"W-Why don't we hold off on that last part for now HeHe... I'm still getting used to everything after all." Grimm said, looking at Lilith and noticing something was very wrong. "HeHe... Um Pinkie? I think there's something wrong with your little friend there..."
Pinkie and the others turned to look at Lilith, her pure white coat had turned to an ashen gray, and her body was on the verge of collapse.
"Lilith! Lilith what's wrong!?" Eternal Sleep yelled, trying to speak to Lilith. "What's wrong with you! Please tell me! I can sense your life force getting weaker!"
Twilight and everypony else started to panic, Lilith was on the verge of death and nopony knew why. Twilight was about to lose hope, as she saw Lilith slowly falling to the floor, but then the words echoed back to her... the words that Hermaeus Mora told her just before she was forced from The Aprocrypha.
"Do not let anxiety and fear cloud your judgement... not while the demon hides within the angel Twilight..."
"Not while the demon hides within the angel..." Twilight thought. "Not while the demon HIDES WITHIN THE ANGEL! THAT'S IT! ETERNAL SLEEP I KNOW WHERE PINKAMENA IS!"
"Is this really the time for that!? As much as I would love to hear it, Lilith is about to DIE RIGHT NOW!" Eternal Sleep yelled.
"But that's just it! Pinkamena is inside Lilith! She's using her as a vessel!" Twilight said. "If Lilith is a demon then!..."
"Then she can feed off her in order to survive outside Pinkie's MIND!" Eternal Sleep said. "Oh you just made a BIG MISTAKE PINKAMENA!"
Eternal Sleep's hoof glowed brightly, as she touched Lilith's forehead and started to integrate with her.
"Tch!" Pinkamena said. "I really didn't expect you to find me!"
Eternal Sleep pulled back forcefully, as Pinkamena's black electricity discharged everywhere while she was being pulled out of Lilith's body.
"Get... OUT OF THERE!" Eternal Sleep screamed, removing Pinkamena from Lilith's body completely and slamming her down to the ground in a choke hold. "Escaping is one thing Pinkamena... but when you do something, ANYTHING TO LILITH! That's when you've really pissed me off."
"Ugh... W-Where am I?" Lilith said confusingly. "E.S?... I-Is that you!?"
"Don't worry Lilith, I promised I'd always protect you didn't I? Eternal Sleep said. "You just get your strength back... while I take care of this one..."
"Eternal..." Lilith said happily.
Pinkamena struggled to release herself from Eternal Sleep's grasp, but to no avail. She was too weak without a host body to control, and her body was still discharging with electricity as she faded between solid and transparent.
"It looks like you're starting to deform correct? I should just let this happen and let you die... but that would be too good for someone like you." Eternal Sleep said. "No... you deserve something much worse than death..."
"What do you plan on doing to me then!" Pinkamena said weakly.
"Putting you back in Pinkie's mind is out of the question, I can't have her bare the burden of being your prison anymore." Eternal Sleep said. "No I'm putting you somewhere where you can't bother anyone ever again."
"Tch! And where would that be!?" Pinkamena said.
"I spoke with Hermaeus Mora last night... and he's agreed that, if it was necessary... The Apocrypha would be your prison, and you'll never be allowed to leave." Eternal Sleep said, summoning the black book above her. "This... is end of the line for you my dear."
"No! You can't do this to me please!" Pinkamena cried.
"I gave you a chance for freedom, all you had to do was be patient and hope we found a solution... but you lost your chance, you lost your freedom, and you lost everything!" Eternal Sleep said, slowly opening the book.
"No! No please don't!" Pinkamena cried. "Twilight! Caramel! Someone please help me!"
Twilight and everyone else looked away from Pinkamena.
"P-Pinkie!? You'll help me won't you!?" Pinkamena cried. "After all! Y-You promised!? Right!?"
"...I'm sorry Pinkamena." Pinkie said sorrowfully. "But you're too far gone already..."
Pinkamena's pupils shrank, and she looked up at Eternal Sleep with fearful eyes.
"NO! NO YOU CAN'T DO THIS!" Pinkamena screamed. "I WON'T LET YOU!"
Pinkamena screamed and let out a massive shock wave, pushing everyone away from her.
"Why you little..." Eternal Sleep said, getting up slowly. "Think you can still put up a fight can you?"
"I... I won't go back... go back to the madness... I won't let it... It... consume-" Pinkamena stopped, dropping to her front hooves and vomiting blood.
"Looks like you've already reached your limit!" Eternal Sleep yelled, pouncing at Pinkamena.
"STAY BACK!" Pinkamena screamed, releasing another shock wave, sending Eternal Sleep flying back, but at the cost of more blood.
"I can't do this...I'll... I'll die at this rate..." Pinkamena wheezed. "I need... power..."
Pinkamena raised her hoof and edged it forward. Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy were all pulled towards her and suspended in front of her.
"You'll do... just fine..." Pinkamena coughed. Releasing a black aura around them and ensnaring them in it.
The black aura entered their bodies and their eyes became hollow with darkness, only a blood red pupil illuminating their eyes. Their faces and bodies cracked as the hate and malice spread throughout their bodies and their bright colors faded. The corrupted ponies stood in front of Pinkamena, staring at who was before them.
"How... H-How could you do something like this!" Eternal Sleep yelled.
"When one is faced... with nothing but death... or imprisonment... there really shouldn't be anymore surprise..." Pinkamena said weakly. She surrounded herself in a dark shield, protecting her body. The corrupted ponies each obtained an black amulet resembling their cutie mark on their neck, for what reasons are still unknown. Rainbow Dash flew towards Grimm Smiles faster than she ever did before and grabbed her off the ground, flying away to another location with Fluttershy following swiftly behind.
"Grimm!" Lilith yelled. Running as fast as she could towards Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, away from the area.
Twilight teleported in front of Caramel, and Rarity in front of Pinkie. They both grabbed the ponies and teleported them away with them to a different location. Only Applejack remained, guarding Pinkamena from Eternal Sleep.
"Let me tell you something Eternal Sleep..." Pinkamena said weakly.
Eternal Sleep looked at Pinkamena with pure anger.
"...I've only experienced happiness and bliss once in my life... and I thought it was what I was looking for all this time..." Pinkamena wheezed. "But I... was born out of malice and hatred... and I've finally come to terms with what I am... I can never lead a normal life... and I can never have real friends... not everyone... can have a happy ending..."
Grimm Smiles & Lilith Vs. Rainbow Dash & Fluttershy
*For those who'd like to get a better understanding of Grimm Smiles, here's a link to what she looks like c: Grimm Smiles* __________________________________________________________________________________________
The sky became dark and cloudy due to the release of Pinkamena's energy. Ponies flustered all around in panic and fled into their homes for safety. Rainbow Dash flew in from the sky holding Grimm, and threw her violently into The Carousel Boutique. Grimm grit her teeth harder and took the impact, falling down shortly after with debris on top of her.
"Grimm!" Lilith said, running into the area and using her magic to lift the debris off Grimm. "Are you alright?"
"HeHe... yes I'm fine..." Grimm said. "T-Thank you for helping me... Lilith was it? HeHe... I was surprised that you came after me..."
"Why wouldn't I? We're friends aren't we?" Lilith said happily. "Just because I was possessed doesn't mean I couldn't hear things. I heard the whole conversation between you and the others... and I see no reason why we can't be friends."
"Oh HeHe... really? I don't... know what to say." Grimm said. "I actually have HeHe... ponies who want to be my friend..."
Lilith smiled at Grimm, and then she immediately turned around, noticing Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy landing on the ground opposite of them.
"Why are you guys helping Pinkamena?" Lilith yelled.
"OBEY." Rainbow Dash said, with a demonic voice. "OBEY. OBEY. OBEY."
"What the heck is wrong with them?" Lilith asked.
"They're clearly under Pinkamena's control HeHe..." Grimm said. "I don't think we have any other choice but to fight them HeHe..."
"Seriously!? That's the only option!?" Lilith said sadly.
"I... don't really get myself in situations like this since I tend to avoid others HeHe..." Grimm said. "But I see no other way..."
"I guess so... but what do we-" Lilith stopped.
"OBEY." Fluttershy screamed, bolting towards Lilith at breakneck speed and lifting her hooves over her head.
"How did she-" Lilith stopped.
"OBEY." Fluttershy continued, bringing her hooves crashing down on top of Lilith with all her power.
"GAHHHH!" Lilith screamed, her back shattered from Fluttershy's attack.
"Lilith!" Grimm yelled.
Fluttershy turned to Grimm and started to walk towards her. "OBEY. OBEY. OBEY." Fluttershy said. Rainbow Dash appeared at Fluttershy's side and chanted along with her. Both of the corrupted ponies lifted their hooves and started to attack Grimm with all their might.
"No!" Lilith yelled, standing in front of Grimm and holding back their attacks. "I... won't let you... hurt my... friend!"
Lilith released a shock wave and sent Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy flying back. Exhausting herself and suffering from the excruciating pain that she received from Fluttershy, she collapsed to the floor.
"Lilith! Are you going to be alright? HeHe..." Grimm cried.
"Heh... don't worry about me Grimm... I'll be fine hopefully..." Lilith said weakly. "If I was at full strength... I could do more than this... but I'm still recovering from being possessed by Pinkamena... but I'm glad that I was able to protect you... at least once."
Grimm put her hoof on Lilith's body and looked at the possessed ponies.
"OBEY. OBEY. OBEY." Rainbow and Flutters chanted, as they sped towards Grimm and Lilith.
"Don't worry Lilith HeHe..." Grimm said angrily, turning around and grabbing both of the ponies by their necks. "I promise that I won't let these two hurt you anymore HeHe..."
"OBEY. OBEY. OBEY." Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy repeated, as they struggled to get out.
"Is that all you can say? HeHe..." Grimm said. "That's funny... but now I'm actually pretty mad... so let's have some fun shall we?"
Grimm threw Rainbow Dash into The Carousal Boutique with extraordinary power, causing a vast majority of the building to collapse. She looked at the squirming Fluttershy in her other hoof and her grin extended across her face. Grimm raised Fluttershy in the air and brought her crashing down to the ground, lifting her up and repeating it multiple times until she decided to throw her into the debris of building.
Rainbow Dash emerged from the debris and tackled Grimm, flying upwards with her and then back down at insane speeds. She released her grip just before she was about to hit the ground and sent Grimm plummeting down. Fluttershy recovered and followed up swiftly by biting Grimm's tail and spinning her around until she released her grip towards Rainbow, who then punched Grimm straight in the face, sending her tumbling back.
"Okay HeHe... now I've had it up to here with you guys..." Grimm said.
Fluttershy flew towards Grimm and extended her hoof out to punch her. "OBEY."
Grimm raised her hoof and caught Fluttershy, gripping her hoof intensely. Grimm looked at Fluttershy, and threw her to the ground, sitting on her stomach and punching her relentlessly in face over and over again. Blood started to cover Fluttershy's face as it splattered with every hit Grimm delivered.
"OBEY." Rainbow Dash yelled, flying towards Grimm and about to tackle her.
"Not so fast!..." Lilith cried, still lying on the ground, she used her magic to suspend Rainbow Dash in flight, and then throw her back into the debris of the building. "I won't let you interrupt..."
Grimm looked over at Lilith happily, and then got up from Fluttershy's stomach. The yellow pony struggled to get up, but the amount of pain was too much to even move anymore. Grimm clenched her hoof as hard as she could and then looked down at Fluttershy.
"Let's see how you like it HeHe..." Grimm said, raising her hoof up and bringing it crashing down on Fluttershy's stomach.
The yellow pony let out an ear-piercing scream as she felt her insides crushed. After a few seconds of screaming, Fluttershy's head fell to the ground as she passed out from the unbearable pain. Rainbow Dash got up from the debris once again and charged Grimm, catching her off guard.
"I don't have anytime to react!..." Grimm thought.
But before Rainbow Dash could do anything, the amulet around Fluttershy's neck shattered, and a sharp pain filled Rainbow's head.
"GAHHHHHHHHH!" Rainbow Dash screamed, as she contorted on the ground from the intense pain.
Surprised, Grimm took this opportunity to finish her off right here and now. She picked up Rainbow Dash, who was still writhing in pain, and brought her up towards her face. She smiled widely, moved her head back and headbutt Rainbow Dash right in the forehead. The impact dropped Rainbow to the ground, as she held her face with her hooves and cried as blood rushed down her face. Grimm walked over and clenched her hoof, getting ready to do the same thing that she did to Fluttershy. But before she could, she felt a tug on her tail and noticed that it was Lilith, who had limped over to her.
"So you think... I could have this one?" Lilith asked.
"HeHe... I don't see why not." Grimm said happily. "Just make sure it's not fatal HeHe..."
"You're one to talk... I'm pretty sure Fluttershy is going to have a hard time recovering over there since you smashed in her organs..." Lilith laughed.
"HeHe... fine fine, do what you will... just try not to kill her." Grimm said happily.
Lilith looked at Rainbow Dash and picked her up with her magic. She stretched out her limbs and started to twist them, the sound of bones popping and cracking was so vivid, and Rainbow Dash's eyes swelled up in tears as she screamed profusely.
"OBEY. OBEY. OBEY." Rainbow Dash cried.
"Shut up already!" Lilith said, twisting more of Rainbow's bones until the pain was too great to handle and she passed out on the spot.
Lilith dropped Rainbow Dash to the floor, and the amulet around her neck shattered shortly after.
"You were something else Grimm." Lilith said. "But I always had faith that you could do it."
"HeHe... thanks Lilith." Grimm said. "I don't know if I would have been able to do any of this without you here..."
Lilith smiled, but then fell to the ground, as she was still in pain from Fluttershy's attack.
"You're still hurt aren't you?" Grimm said, sitting next to Lilith. "HeHe... just sit and rest for now, we've done what we can for now..."
Yea... you're right..." Lilith said weakly. "Hopefully... the others can handle the rest of it..."
Caramel Swirls (& Pinkie Pie?) Vs. Twilight Sparkle & Rarity
Twilight and Rarity both reappeared just outside the barn in Sweet Apple Acres. Having Caramel and Pinkie in their grasp, they launched them into the side of the barn violently.
"Ouch!" Caramel said, getting up from the debris. "So much for making lots of new friends..."
"Ugh... that really hurt..." Pinkie said, getting up as well. "Are we at Sweet Apple Acres?"
Pinkie and Caramel looked around confusedly, noticing Twilight and Rarity staring at them from across the field.
"What's up with you guys!? Why are you attacking us?" Pinkie yelled.
"OBEY." Twilight said, in a demonic voice. "OBEY. OBEY. OBEY."
"What's wrong with them?" Caramel said. "Why are they helping Pinkamena?"
"Look at them, Pinkamena obviously did something to them." Pinkie said. "...I don't think we have any other choice but to fight..."
"F-Fight?" Caramel said. "But... I came to this town to get away from everything..."
"I'm sorry Caramel but what other choice do we have!?" Pinkie exclaimed.
"You don't understand! I have tendencies to... lose control of myself when I get violent..." Caramel said sadly. "That's why I came to this little town! I was hoping to start over y'know!? A clean slate!"
Caramel looked down at the ground for a few seconds in dismay.
"I don't want to become the thing I used to-" Caramel stopped.
Twilight teleported in front of Caramel and kicked her towards the ground. She fell and tumbled on the floor, as Twilight used her magic to lift Caramel up by her tail. Twilight spun her around in a circle above her head and then sent her flying up in the air. Rarity jumped to an extremely high height and used her magic to grab Caramel, spin around, and then threw her violently towards the ground, causing her to cough up blood on impact.
"How dare you!" Pinkie screamed. "Get away from her!"
Pinkie sprinted towards Rarity and kicked her away from Caramel's body. She picked her up and brought her to a reasonably safe distance from the two corrupted ponies.
"Caramel are you alright!?" Pinkie asked.
Caramel was silent.
"Please answer me!" Pinkie cried.
No response.
Pinkie held in her tears, as she feared for Caramel's condition. Twilight and Rarity began to walk towards Pinkie and Caramel, their horns glowing with intense magical sparks.
"OBEY." Twilight and Rarity said in unison.
"I'm sorry Caramel..." Pinkie cried. "I'm sorry I was so useless..."
"OBEY." Twilight and Rarity said, as they were about to unleash upon the two ponies. "OBEY."
Caramel swiftly got up, and put her hoof on Pinkie's shoulder. "Move."
Surprised, Pinkie quickly got out of Caramel's way. Twilight and Rarity both released their magic towards Caramel, but she jumped high in the air and dodged it completely, landing directly behind the two ponies and slamming their heads to the ground with immense power, causing the ground around them to crack.
"C-Caramel!" Pinkie yelled. "I didn't know you were so strong!... Caramel?"
Caramel started to laugh sharply to herself and hug her own body. Her eyes became dilated as she dragged her hoof down her face. Twilight and Rarity recovered from the attack and turned back towards Caramel, clenching their hooves and attempting to punch her. Caramel stood their and didn't move at all, but their attacks stopped just before contact. A sharp pain went through the heads of the two corrupted ponies, as they fell to the ground and writhed in agony as they held their heads.
"Pinkie dear..." Caramel said calmly. "Why don't you just sit there and watch..."
"U-Umm... alright then." Pinkie said, still unsure of what was happening.
Caramel looked back at the two ponies suffering on the ground. She kicked Twilight away into the wall of barn violently, causing a vast majority of the wall to fall on top of her. Caramel looked back down at Rarity and stomped on her tail so she wouldn't be able to run away. She picked up Rarity's head and slammed it towards the ground, over and over again with a large grin on her face. Teeth and blood were released with every hit and Rarity's face was soon stained red. Caramel heard Rarity crying and saw her struggling to get out, so she lifted her hoof and Rarity tumbled on the ground.
As Rarity was about to get up and run to a safe distance, a second sharp pain pierced her head and she fell back down crying. Caramel smiled and walked towards the pony. She picked her up by her neck and punched her repeatedly in the face and gut, laughing manically as she did so. As blood splattered all over Caramel's body, she stopped punching Rarity and then grabbed the amulet that was around her neck. She clenched it and started to rip it off her body. Rarity screamed as a black electrical discharge was released while Caramel struggled to take it off.
After a few moments of struggling, Caramel ripped the amulet of Rarity's body and dropped her to the ground. The blood stained pony let out one final breath and passed out. Twilight finally emerged from the wreckage and looked at Rarity's bloody body. Fear took over as she tried to back away, but Caramel used her magic to pull Twilight towards her. The purple unicorn struggled to stay away, but Caramel took the amulet that she robbed from Rarity and crushed it in her hoof. A third sharp pain pierced Twilight's head and she screamed in pain as she fell to the floor.
Caramel pulled Twilight towards her and then threw her towards a nearby tree, running and holding Twilight up against it. She raised her hoof and punched her multiple times all over her body. Blood splattered all over the place and Caramel only continued to smile. She stopped punching after some time and looked at Twilight, who was breathing weakly with her tongue hanging out of her mouth. Caramel released her grip, let Twilight fall to the ground, and stomped on her amulet to finish it off. Twilight screamed as the amulet shattered around her neck, crying from the immense pain and passing out.
Caramel looked at her bloody body and started to hug herself again, her pupils were in a frenzy as they bounced all around her eyes. She fell to the ground holding herself and laughed manically again.
"Caramel!" Pinkie yelled. "CARAMEL!"
"Huh!?" Caramel said, seeing Pinkie next to her with tears running down her face. "W-What happened?"
"...You stopped them Caramel..." Pinkie said sadly. "You stopped both of them by yourself..."
"I... did?" Caramel said, looking at the ponies covered in blood and then looking at her own body. "I... knew this would happen... Pinkie I didn't mean to go that far!"
"You looked so... happy while doing it..." Pinkie said scarily. "I was terrified of you... I was too scared to stop you... you didn't kill them did you?"
"No... I don't think so..." Caramel said. "I think they're only passed out."
"Thank goodness..." Pinkie said.
"My head... really hurt now..." Caramel said weakly.
"Just rest for now... After what I saw you do... it's probably for the best..." Pinkie said.
"I'm sorry Pinkie..." Caramel apologized.
"Heh... don't be... you only wanted to protect me... so I know your heart is in the right place." Pinkie said, smiling.
Caramel looked at Pinkie and returned the smile.
"Now just take it easy for now." Pinkie said. "I'm sure the others can handle Pinkamena's motives from this point on..."
Eternal Sleep stood and watched as she saw her friends being taken away in opposite directions. The sky lost its' color and became darkened from Pinkamena's aura. Eternal Sleep looked at Pinkamena, who had enveloped herself in a protective barrier to protect her weak and fading body.
"I've think we've all had just about enough of you Pinkamena!" Eternal Sleep said, materializing her scythe in between her teeth. "I'm going to end this here and now!"
Eternal Sleep leap't towards Pinkamena with fleeting power. But as she was about to swing her scythe, she was interrupted by Applejack, who seemed to be the only pony who remained behind. Eternal Sleep backed up and adjusted her weapon, while keeping her eyes on Applejack.
"What's the matter? Can't fight me yourself?" Eternal Sleep boasted. "Are you just gonna hide behind that little barrier you put yourself in?"
"Of course that's what I'm going to do." Pinkamena said weakly. "You tore me from that filly's mind, and without a host body I'm destabilizing... I'm so weak right now I could lose to anypony..."
"Well then, I would say let me put you out of your misery, but I still think death is too good for someone like you." Eternal Sleep said.
"Staying in this barrier is keeping me from destabilizing... as of now my power is split to each of the five ponies I've assumed control of." Pinkamena said. "So basically, I can't do anything but watch..."
Eternal Sleep looked up at Applejack, readied her scythe, and ran towards her swiftly. Applejack stuck both her hooves out, cuffs materialized on her hooves and one long chain connected the two of them. Eternal Sleep jumped and brought her scythe slicing downwards, while Applejack used her chain to catch the blade. Eternal Sleep struggled to remove it, but Applejack constricted the blade with her chain, and ripped it from Eternal Sleeps mouth, sending it flying down next to Pinkamena's barrier.
Completely stunned by the outcome, Applejack took the advantage of the opening and brought her chain slashing across Eternal Sleeps face, causing her to spiral backwards on the ground.
"How... is she so strong?" Eternal Sleep questioned, while recovering from the blow.
"Did I mention I poured most of my power into this one right here? You're technically fighting a slightly lesser version of me." Pinkamena said.
Applejack ran and was suddenly next to Eternal Sleep in mere seconds, lifting her hoof up and crushing Eternal Sleep's chest. Eternal Sleep started to cry tears of pain, rather than expressing screams.
"It's a shame, you were so much more challenging when I fought you in the Castle." Pinkamena said. "Was that power of yours just a fluke then?... Well it doesn't matter anymore... I'm afraid this is where the road ends for you..."
Applejack lifted her chain up and readied to bring them crashing down on Eternal Sleep's head, but as she was about to deliver the final blow, a splitting pain rushed through Applejack's and Pinkamena's head. Applejack screamed as she backed off of Eternal Sleep and cradled her own head tightly.
"Wha... What is this? Where is this coming from!?" Pinkamena said painfully, as her barrier started to show cracks in it. "W-What!?"
Eternal Sleep got up and pulled herself together, she had to endure the pain in order to win. Without her scythe, she instead used her magic to pull Applejack towards her. Her horn glowed a bright white, and as Applejack got pulled into Eternal Sleep's face, she released the purifying light dead center at Applejack. Applejack writhed on the ground from the light, as it burned the impurities from her body. But as she started to recover, a second ear piercing screech radiated through their heads again.
"GAHHHH! WHAT IS THIS!? WHERE IS IT COMING FROM!?" Pinkamena screamed, noticing her barrier cracking even more.
"I don't know what's happening, or why it's happening." Eternal Sleep said. "But you can be sure I'm glad it is."
Applejack started to get angry, the pain still ringing through her head. She ignored it and charged towards Eternal Sleep, which surprised her greatly, she reacted just in time, and both were caught in a hoof lock, staring at each other dead in the face. A third screech rushed through their heads, Pinkamena's barrier continued to crack, yet Applejack used the pain as fuel to push harder. Eternal Sleep was brought down to her knees, struggling to push Applejack back upwards.
The fourth and final screech pierced their heads, and Applejack was pushing down as hard as she could. Pinkamena screamed even more, as her barrier looked as if it began to crumble.
"No... t-this can't be happening!" Pinkamena cried. "WHY IS THIS HAPPENING!?"
Eternal Sleep's horn started to glow a bright white to the point where it became blinding. She released her grip from Applejack's, and Applejack fell down on top of her. Using all her power, she released her magic from under Applejack and sent her flying upwards.
"I don't think it matters anymore correct?" Eternal Sleep said, running towards her and grabbing her scythe with her teeth.
Eternal Sleep ran back to where Applejack was launched and readied her scythe, looking at Pinkamena's crumbling barrier.
"Regardless of all your efforts... everything you've done has been all for naught..." Eternal Sleep said, adjusting her scythe to the descending pony. She pulled it back and swung it forward with immense power, hitting the amulet with the blunt of her scythe and sending her flying towards Pinkamena's barrier. Applejack flew and shattered Pinkamena's barrier, causing them both to tumble backwards, Applejack more than Pinkamena though however.
Eternal Sleep adjusted the scythe in her mouth again, and slowly walked towards Pinkamena, who was trying to crawl away.
"P-Please don't do this to me..." Pinkamena cried, as she laid on her back looking at Eternal Sleep. "I never wanted it to turn out like this..."
"...Neither did I." Eternal Sleep said, materializing the Black Book in front of her. "But I'm afraid there isn't anything else I can do."
Pinkamena's eye swelled up in tears, she cried and continued to try to crawl away. "I can't! I can't be trapped again! I just can't!"
"I'm sorry... I wish things... were different." Eternal Sleep said, opening the book and revealing the grotesque black tentacles that seeped out, moving to entangle Pinkamena's body.
"PLEASE DON'T! I'M BEGGING YOU DON'T!" Pinkamena cried, as the tentacles latched on to her limbs one by one. "I DON'T WANT TO BE ALONE AGAIN!"
Eternal Sleep was silent. The tentacles pulled Pinkamena closer and closer into the book until she was soon engulfed by it.
"I'M SORRY!" Pinkamena cried, as the book shut tightly and fell to the floor.
"...I'm sorry too..." Eternal Sleep said, with a single tear rushing down her face. "I am too..."
Eternal Sleep picked up the book and de-materialized it. She turned around to notice the four ponies that were taken by the possessed, standing there.
"Pinkie I'm..." Eternal Sleep said, stopped by Pinkie's hoof on her mouth.
"You don't have to say anything... I know it had to be done..." Pinkie said sadly. "I just wish... there was another way y'know?"
"I know... but like she said herself... not everyone can have a happy ending." Eternal Sleep said.
"Yea... I guess you're right." Pinkie said. "...Can we ever visit her inside sometime?"
"I don't think that would be a good idea." Eternal Sleep said. "I'm sure I don't need to explain why that is right?"
"No... it's fine I understand." Pinkie said sadly. "I'm just really depressed right now... not just because we had to re-imprison her again but..."
"What is it?" Eternal Sleep said.
"...I promised her I'd help her lead a normal life, to help her make friends, to help her... be happy." Pinkie said. "I never forgot my promise to her... and I just hate breaking promises..."
