Acheron, Meet Equestria!

The alarm rang for the fifth time, shocking me out of bed. My blue-haired compatriot, Sherman, continued to snore as I righted myself. It was another day where the classes would hopefully be good, at least, for me. With a quick flurry, my pants, shirt and jacket were on, while I hopped around trying to get my socks on in a hurry for breakfast. Considering it was Thursday, it was probably more waffles. Stretching out my hand, I poked Sherman, attempting to wake him up.

“Geez, man. You don't wake easily.” With my free hand, I reached for the air horn I kept on top of the desk where my laptop was set up. I pressed the button, bracing myself. With a loud blast, Sherman was awake, smacking his head once more on the bunk above him. Bunk beds are amazing.

“I'm awake! I'm awake! Sheesh, dude. You have to stop with the air horn. You probably woke up the entire dormitory.” I shrugged. It was most certainly not my fault if they missed breakfast.

As we passed by the stairs to the upper wing of the dorms, where the girls' rooms were, someone leaped onto my shoulders, giggling. She spun me around before drawing me into a hug.

“Ash!” I smiled. My friend of a few years, Krystal was probably the best-looking girl on campus. She had dyed her hair green, matching perfectly with her green eyes.

“Hey, Krys. Heading to breakfast?” She smiled, nodding silently. With a quick walk, we were inside, the door to the Academy slowly closing.

Breakfast was, of course, waffles, the most boring food without whipped cream and strawberries at your disposal. With a generous portion of each, I was seated with Krys across from me, Sherman beside me, and Trinity, an annoying bookworm who had dark hair with pink highlights, chattering beside Krys. Two other girls decided to sit at the table. With a groan, I shook my head in exasperation. Heaven and Louise, though everyone called the latter Lulu, much to her chagrin.

“There was always that strange part of the story I was working on where the character learned how to control fire, and tried to punch...” I tuned out Trinity's conversation with Krys to face Heaven and Lulu.

“Well, look who decided to join us!” I stuck out my fist, Lulu returning the gesture with a smirk. Heaven just had fruit and orange juice; she had gluten allergies. Lulu was busy wolfing down her waffles, various fruits covering the copious amounts of whipped cream covering them.

“And look who once again is 'The Human Vacuum Cleaner!'” Sherman chuckled at his own joke, while everyone else merely rolled their eyes and glared at him. I put my hand on Sherman's shoulder, frowning.

“It is better to never speak and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” With that, the table erupted in uproarious laughter, all at Sherman's expense. I stopped laughing to point my fork at Krys, before I started laughing again. Krys blushed, hiding her face as she smiled. Lulu stopped eating for a second to smirk at Heaven, who simply shrugged. Trinity had already finished, leaving the table quickly.

“I've got to get to class here soon!” I held up my hand, stopping her from leaving.

“Trin, you realize that it's only seven-twenty in the morning? Class is at eight. We've got forty minutes.” Her face mimicked a tomato as she returned to her seat, letting me have my victory against her obsessive studiousness. Something behind us exploded, someone's bowl being exposed to the cherry-bomb antics of the new student, Artur. He was a master at causing havoc and chaos, letting other students run around akin to chickens without heads. I merely continued to eat my waffle, letting the chaos peter out as one of the faculty dragged Artur out from the cafeteria.

Class consisted of the same boring lectures, the same boring topics... suffice to say, every day was the exact same routine of waking up, quickly getting dressed, moving to the main building to eat, going to class, going back to the dorms, doing homework, and then sleep. I sat in the main common area where all the students seemed to congregate every once in a while. Krys had afternoon classes, which meant she and I never really saw each other much outside of breakfast, and sometimes in the common area. Trinity sat down beside me, three books firmly in her grasp. With a glance, I rolled my eyes. She was once again studying quantum physics and mechanics, subjects which were more of the style of someone who planned to enter the field of experimental physics.

“You realize that none of those book have any real applications outside of a laboratory, right? Unless you plan to be cooped up in one for the rest of your life, I'd look for other pursuits.” Trinity stuck her lip out, pouting. Chuckling, I leaned my head back, yawning. Every day, every single day, I was always tired, always on the verge of passing out. It never made any actual sense to me, but I never complained... much. Hands wrapped around my neck as a familiar scent of morning dew entered my nose.

“Hey, Ash. I'm kind of tired, so I'm heading back to my dorm room. Don't stay up too late, okay?” I nodded, staring back into her big green eyes. It was almost cartoon-like, how her eyes seemed.

“All right. I'll try.” With that, Krys left, leaving Trinity and I alone. Trinity, looking around, slid up next to me, cuddling close. She had taken her glasses off, staring up into my eyes as I looked around. “Trinity, this isn't safe. If Krys ever found out-”

“She won't find out. Don't worry.” With that, she leaned in for a kiss, her lips meeting mine as I closed my eyes. The night went on for a while after, the darkness seeming to melt away as we sat there in each others company, simply kissing. There was a strange spark, something which seemed alien, yet all-too-familiar. She backed away, breathing heavily. With a smile that could melt the heart of a frost giant, she left, leaving me slightly confused.

The following day was the beginning of the weekend, the day I always got things done. Saturdays were always productive... usually. Most of the time, I spent too much time sleeping, as I barely slept throughout the week.

“They're coming to take me away, ha ha...” I was in enough of a humdrum mood when I woke up that even my alarm barely gave any humorous comfort. I moved into the usual Saturday funk, my mind blank as I attempted to do anything productive, with zero results. I just could not focus on my schoolwork. Leaning back in my chair, I stared up at the ceiling. I wanted to do something, but I did not know what.

“Just another Saturday, as usual.” A fist slammed through the door, looking almost exactly like- that was impossible. The door opened, revealing myself wearing a long trench-coat, pirate hat, and seeming extremely pissed-off.

“What are you doing, you moron? Wake up! Discord won't defeat himself, you know!”

Something slammed into me as I woke up. Coughing, I saw the blood trailing my arms. My eyes darted around, catching glimpses of someone torturing me. The pain was immense, almost causing me to cry from the sheer immensity of it.

“So, is the human going to cry, hmm?” I stared down. In front of me was a small... well, I could not tell the color. I could tell it was a mare, but she was greyscale, a massive contrast to the rest of the room. Across from me, a light was focused on Chrysalis, blood dripping from her head. Anger boiled in my chest as I stared without moving.

“You... hurt her.” The mare stared up, a cruel half-smile directed at me. Her mane was covered in blood, various implements of pain and misery surrounding her on bloodsoaked tables.

“You would not believe how long I had to take just to find which one was you. And yes, I hurt her. She was fun to break.” I heard moaning from the other side. The anger focused in my hands, the fire expanding, the manacles slowly turning red. Muffled screaming came through a vent above me, the voice sounding like... Twilight!

“Let me go, now, or I'll destroy you.” A small platform raised, bringing her to eye level.

“And what would you do, human? You're bound, and no matter what you do, you'll never break free-” I flicked a small amount of molten metal at her face, watching it burn her as she backed off, screaming. My hands came free, flipping me upside down, staring directly at a dead body below me. It was a changeling. I cursed myself. They were my new friends, the force that I would have used to help me defeat Discord. Reaching up, I watched the mare while I melted the metal loops around my ankles, the metal dripping down and setting fire to the body of the changeling, allowing whichever one it was a  moment of peace in a fiery makeshift funeral. As soon as I was free, I was searching through the tables, looking for anything that might work as a makeshift weapon. Something caught my eye. At the end of the table was a long, thin blade, a rapier, of sorts. Smiling, I picked it up, twirling it to test.

“Perfect. Now to-” Something slammed into my back, throwing me onto my stomach. The rapier bounced away, landing near Chrysalis. She looked up at the noise, then up at me. Her eyes widened as she mouthed my name, then smiled. I frowned. The mare was on my back, pushing me down every time I attempted to stand.

“You are going to pay for that!” I rolled, getting a good look. The burn was clearly in colour, something she had no control over. I smirked, rolling out from under her. My arms burned, the flames lighting up the darkness of the room.

“And what would you do? I'm going to burn this place to the ground, and take my friends out of here! Try stopping that!” The mare backed away, anger on her face, but clearly understood what I was attempting to get at. Keeping myself facing the mare, I backed towards Chrysalis, who was crying softly. With a small amount of heat, I melted her bonds, allowing her some freedom. I turned to her, only to have her slap me. Hard. I was even more shocked that afterward, she gripped me tightly in a hug, squeezing.

“Never let me go again.” I nodded, pointing at the rapier.

“Arm yourself. We're springing every prisoner inside this insipid torture chamber.” The greyscale mare continued to growl in anger as Chrysalis and I made our way out. With a final farewell, I pushed my fire-encompassed hand onto the door handle, melting the door into the frame to permanently lock it. The mare's face pressed against the bars of the metal door, glaring at me.

“I will be free, and then you'll be sorry, human!” I sprinted away, Chrysalis following me.

“Okay, Chrysalis, fill me in. How did we end up here?” Chrysalis spat on the ground, blood clotting on her head wound.

“We were on our way to Ponyville to meet up with Twilight Sparkle, and Princess Luna, when we were ambushed. Discord must have gotten to her friends. That one in there... her name was Fluttershy. She was apparently a sweet and kind mare, one who cared for animals before... the switch.” I nodded. Another reason added to my list of reasons to kill Discord. Mind control was not as serious from my time on Earth, but something like that, simply modifying a person's behaviour, that was just... I had no words. Simply put, I was angry.

“I heard Twilight screaming. You can spring the remaining changelings, I'll go free her.” Chrysalis nodded, turning to the locks and breaking them with the rapier. Voices mingled with sobbing as various prisoners were released. Reaching a set of stairs, I sprinted up them, trying to move as fast as possible. There were no guards, which was incredibly disturbing... until I saw the corpses. At the end was a single pink pony, her mane straight, and her grin wide.

“No one... escapes Pinkamena. No one ever escapes.” With a single bound she was on me, her force knocking me onto my back. I barely had enough time to squeeze my legs against myself and kick her away, her malnourished body slamming into the ceiling. Her sighs escaped as she fell, unconscious. I caught her, hanging her over my shoulder.

“And no one rushes me. Okay, okay. Prisoners... what do I do?” An idea hit me, a very wonderful idea. Setting down Pinkamena for a second, I threw fire at the various doors, the locks melting and the doors opening. Ponies and changelings alike entered the dimly lit corridor, staring at the human who stood beside an unconscious Pinkamena. With a cheer, they rushed down the corridor, up to another set of stairs. I hoisted the unconscious one once more, sprinting to the stairs. There was a long corridor here, but only one door. I frowned. One of the changelings stopped, staring at me.

“If you need to take care of that, I'll take her up to the surface. Godspeed, Acheron. And may the Order be forever mindful.” The changeling stood still, allowing me to drop Pinkamena softly onto his back. With a growl, I kicked the door as hard as I could, bouncing backwards and hitting the wall. Standing up, I gripped my shoulder. The back had been torn open, blood starting to slowly pour out. I had not hit an artery, good.

“I'm coming, Twilight.” I held my hands in front of me, pouring all the anger I could muster into that flame. The door, a heavy steel slab, now that I actually had checked, began to melt. The screaming was more pronounced, something whipping something else. As soon as the edge of the door was melted, I kicked it open, staring down the long room at... Rarity... whipping Twilight.

“Don't worry dear. As soon as you give in, I'll make sure you have an extra special place with the rest of my slaves!” An inhuman scream issued forth from my mouth. My vision was tinted red, the sheer amount of rage controlling me as I charged forward.

“Get away from her!” My foot connected with Rarity's stomach, propelling her up into the ceiling, where a strange X was placed. Loops clicked shut around her legs, keeping her in place. Twilight looked up, her eyes blinded by a leather strap. With a swift motion, I removed the strap, letting her eyes re-adjust to the room.

“Let me free, human, and I'll make sure I won't break her. I'll condition her just for you!” I pointed a burning finger at Rarity, the anger clearly gleaming in my eyes as I freed her.

“One more word, and the authorities won't be able to identify your corpse when I burn this hell-hole to the ground.” Her mouth clamped shut, nary a peep leaving her mouth. Twilight stared at me, her mouth dropping open. We stared at each other for a few minutes, unspoken words passing between us. Without a word, I knelt down, bringing Twilight into my embrace.

“You... you didn't leave me... you could have, yet you didn't.” I leaned back, my hands on her forelegs.

“Twilight, I don't leave my friends behind. Your friends appear to be long gone, but Chrysalis and I are springing every prisoner we can and heading to... the surface.” A thought occurred to me. The time difference... something like this was impossible. My pants were still on, so that was good. “How long were we in here?”

“... a full month. Rarity became a slave to Fluttershy, conditioned to create other slaves. Her mind... I can't save her.” A single tear escaped my eye.

“I...” I stopped speaking. My mind was growing erratic, ever-shifting. “Did they take my case?” A voice at the door made my heart sink.

“I... I found the red case... All the models... they were smashed. The pieces... I have them all in here.” I stood up, the red star on my chest flaring as the anger reached a peak. I could feel my shoulder blades burning, my whole body warming up hotter than should have been possible for a human being. Twilight tapped my leg, bringing my attention behind me.

“Acheron... you have wings. You have wings of fire.” I glanced over my shoulder. While they appeared translucent, they were, in fact, wings of fire. I gripped my fist, the wings stretching as I stared at my hands. The scars clearly showed, scars from a month of torture. “Acheron, what's the plan?” I stared down at Twilight, no emotion besides anger coursing through my veins.

“Discord... I'm going to kill that son of a bitch. Rip his throat out, snap his neck, torch the corpse. I am going to murder him, and never again shall anyone suffer such travesties! Never again! Never, because that son of a bitch is going to die!”