Chapter l - By the lantern light.
"Every light casts a shadow, especially the brightest of lights for they casts the greatest of darkness."
-Tanin Guard, The Seeker.
It's been a very long time since I have traveled through the lumpy hills of Eerie Peak. A providence that was once my home was now a strange and unfamiliar land. The oak trees all around were bare, its scraggly branches hanging like claws. It was early fall then, so it is normal for a tree to lose its leaves, but I saw no leaves at the feet of these rotting trees. What was meant to be a sunny day was now ruined because as you travel further past the disheveled and nearly illegible sign that read "Welcome To Eerie Peak", the clouds begin to block out the sky and the air fills with a dense fog. The atmosphere was now grey and depressing yet full of an uncomfortable pressure signaling a rain that may never come. In fact, I hope a thunder storm rolls in, because after what I'm about to go through here, I hope lightning burns this hell on earth to the ground.
My name is Pinkie Pie, and I have been depressed lately.
Yes, I know that seems like an oxymoron, but it's true. Lately I have not found much to smile about. I love my friends, and I love the Cake family, and I love Sugar Cube Corner, but I loved him the most. I wake up every morning angry at myself for making him leave. Not a day goes by that I don't feel sad for the mistakes I have made.
My love, Ink Wells, he was always so serious. I loved him so much since the day I met him. I remember that day if it were only hours ago. The day when I came to greet a new resident in Ponyville but instead get struck speechless at the sight of him as he walked into Sugarcube Corner. It may have been love at first sight, just as I imagined how I would meet my future lover.
He was a new guy. He needed a friend, so I happily became his closest pal. But I didn't befriend him just because I befriend everyone. I befriended him because .....
I loved him.
I can say my friends were more then sympathetic to help me through these times. But unfortunately, they can only do so much. They can't make me forget his hurtful words, or fix mistakes that I've made. It's my problem, and my problem alone. I will always be regretful of the events that took place, and I will always remember. I've kept my hair down in memory of what I've done. Looking in the mirror and instead of the disgusting cotton candy mush that was on my head was now the straight strands of a refined mare.
I wish I could have been a refined mare for him before he left.
But enough about that. It's really a story I don't like digging up on.
I believe the worst of my problems is the task at hand. I find my self riding a cart to one of the most remote locations in all of Equestria. Eerie Peak, my home village. It's been so many years ago since I left here that I can't even remember. So many childhood memories locked away here. So many ponies I used to know.
I wish I could be going there on better terms, but unfortunately I'm not here for a surprise visit, like I'm notorious for. No. I'm here for a funeral. The funeral of my father.
I received the letter only a day ago. It was in unrecognizable handwriting, and on very old paper. The news hit me hard. As if my life wasn't already falling apart, now another loved one has left me. Why!? Why must I be punished so!?
I cried for hours on end in company of Twilight who just recently got back from her trip to northern Equestria. She held me tight and told me that everything will be okay. She says that my father is in a wonderful place, a place were he will live for eternity in wonderful paradise. She told me no evil can harm him there, and no sadness will ever befall him. Even if he is not here physically, Twilight said that he is always with me. strangely, she said that as she looked over my shoulder as if their eas some one behind me. I felt like she was just telling me some foal's tail, but then she told me she's seen that place. She told me she has witnessed paradise, and that new sword on her wall that she brought back from her trip was proof. What ever paradise or not, my father was in a happy place.
It was that evening I packed up for the trip with help from Twilight. I'll leave unannounced, and only telling the cakes that I'll be gone for a few days. My other friends will worry, but Twilight said she nwould clear it up and apologize for me. I can't thank Twilight enough. She's always been there for me whenever I needed her. I didn't know how to truly express to her how much this all meant to me, her friendship, her advice. So, before I left, I gave her a kiss on the cheek and waved goodbye. She smiled and waved back to me as I rode the cart off to my destination, and quite hopefully, closure to all this sadness.
Which brings me here on a worn country road, on a cart. I had to pass through a few turns, and change carts here and there to get here. It took almost the entire day, so it was already evening. The low sun was already making the grotesque look of the bare oak trees look even more menacing. I could have at least remembered this place having a much happier atmosphere.
"This is our stop ma'am." The cart driver said as he brought the bull pulling the wagon to a halt. I was confused. The cart was in the middle of the road which stretched on for probably three more miles.
"But sir..." I say softly. These were actually the only words I've spoken to him during this long trip. "There is still a few miles to the village, why stop here?"
The old stallion turned to me. This was when I first notice he was missing an eye.
"I Ain't going any closer to that place lady. You're going to have to walk."
Okay. That's not cool. But what can I do? I just scoff, took my belongings off the cart, and hopped down. The carriage driver just let out a grunt, turned the reigns, and put the bull in full running speed as he sped away. What's got him so worked up? It's almost dark, and he's going to leave me stranded here?
I have no choice but to walk.
Luckily my luggage was light, and only consisted of a backpack. All that was in it were three days of clothes, toiletries, and a baker's cookbook. I figured that some bakery goods could help cheer my family up. I was also wearing relatively comfortable clothing like my relaxed fit jeans, and a red cotton shirt with long sleeves. I also wore a light sweater because I knew it might get cold.
Speaking of cold, the winds picking up a little. Not only that, it's getting dark. I better get to the village quick, who knows what could be in this forest at night.
It got dark a lot faster then I thought it would. So dark that I was tripping on the unkept dirt road that I could barely see. I should have brought a flash light. Crap. Remember when I said Twilight helped me pack? She didn't really help me with what I put in, more did she just help me from not collapsing to the floor in a fit of sadness or anger. In my haste, I forgot the necessities.
But Lady Luck was on my side. There was a house up ahead, a lit house with smoke coming from the chimney! What a relief that some pony can help me.
The house was two stories, and very old. The once white paint was cracked and chipping. the house certainly matched the unkept yard, full of junk, and broken tractors. I half expected to suddenly have dogs come barking at me, that's pretty normal for some country folk. But as I stepped up on the porch, and knocked on the door, I heard no barks, or even any signs of anypony in there.
"Hello?" I say. I knock again, and the door creaked open.
The flickering glow of a burning fire eliminated the hall foyer on the other side of the door, making it look slightly welcoming. But I know my manners as not to break and enter some pony's home when they may not be there. Especially to the fact this house is completely unfamiliar to me since I used to live here, so this must be a new residence.
But then again, I don't want to stand around out side. Who knows, maybe the owner is old, and can't make it to the door.
"Hello?" I say again. "Is anypony here?"
I can here the soft clunk hiss of wood being thrown into a fire.
In the den was a burning fire place, the only light in the room. A stallion stood by it, feeding small logs into the open flames from a pile near by.
"Excuse me." I say softly.
The stallion freezes in place. He then slowly turns around. He was a young fellow, quite handsome. He had a scraggly unkept black mane and tail. His fur was light gray, and wore filthy work clothes as if he just got back from tiling the fields.
"Um, hi. Sorry for the intrusion, but I was wondering if you had a light I can use to get to the village up road?"
The stallion was silent. His gray, emotionless eyes were cold. He stared at me in silence for a long time.
"I used to live there, Eerie Peak. I'm here to visit my family. My name is Pinkie Pie by the way." This guy was making me nervous. I've met all kinds if creatures, and introduced my self to the. Many became instant friends, some wanted to just be left alone, but never had they just stopped and stared.
"You're from the outside?" He finally says in a hoarse tone. It sounded like he's been gargling nails. But his question felt more like an accusation. I didn't know what he meant by it, but it almost seemed like he wanted nothing to do with me.
I was kinda lost for words. The stallion turned back to the fire, possibly accepting my silence as a yes.
"Um...may I ask your name?" I tried.
"My name is not important..." The stallion grunted. His movement was slow as he reached for something by the wood pile and picking it up. I couldn't see what it was, it's too dark.
"My name is not important..." He says again. In a flash, he turns around to face me. The fire light made the thing in his hand twinkle. It was long, with something metal on the end. It was an axe.
"To an outsider like you." I let out a scream as the stallion lifted the axe above his head and tried to swing at me. The axe missed me, but my panicked dive to the right sent me to the wood floor on my back.
The stallion wiped around; and swung at me again. I let out another scream, and roll out of the way. The axe stuck itself into the wood floor where my chest was only seconds ago.
"Get away from me!" I was on my feet, back away to the door. I don't know why, or what possess this guy to attack me, but all I can say is that this is the worst first impression I have ever made. Never before have I met some pony trying to kill me!
I bolted for the door. I'm getting out of here. I reached for the door handle, but the sharp edge if an axe was hurled into the wood just inches from my fingers. I yelp, and stumble back a little. The stallion was right behind me. His eyes looked so terrifying. Are those the eyes of a killer? I've never seen them before, they're so hypnotic. He charges at me. I just stood their like an deer trapped in headlights from fear, and inexperience in a fight. I've never fought anypony before! Ever! The stallion slammed me against a wall, and held my arms down. He was really strong, abnormally, and unnaturally strong. He was string enough to hold my arms together at the wrists with only one hand.
"Let go of me!" I shriek, struggling in his grip. The stallion says nothing, his expression unchanged from since I met him.
With his free hand, he pulls the axe from the door, and raises it to chop my head off. I frantically struggled in his tight grip. No way am I going out like this! I gave him a forceful kick to the groin. His expression finally washed over into pain as he slightly double over and dropped the axe. He let go of me too, and I shoved him off of me.
I ran to the door, and flung it open. I ran out into the forest dark forest.
Oh Celestia this is awful. How can this happen? I've never envisioned myself running for my life through a forest. I never thought it was possible for anypony to try and kill another, especially me. What ever did I do to deserve this?!
The tears rolled down my cheeks as I teared through the forest. The scraggly branches cut my arms and legs, and ripped my clothes. I had no idea where I was going, or if I'm going to make it out alive. Please let me live. There's so much I'll miss. Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, the Cakes, the list could go on.
I felt the end was near. But like a light at the end of the tunnel, I see lights up ahead. Village lights. Thank Celestia! Somepony can help me!
I couldn't cry for help from being chased by an axe wielding maniac, I was out of breathe. My legs felt like molten lead, and my arms flailed like jelly as I run through the trees. Surprisingly, I didn't trip over a branch and twist my ankle. That would be bad.
The light was getting brighter, I'm getting closer to salvation! Praise Celestia! Take me to your ever warming light!
I burst through the trees, and fall into a clearing of the village. Well decorated cottages were built around what seemed to be a huge bonfire that was causing the large source of light.
I'm home. Eerie Peak. I can remember these old buildings, the town square for the bonfire. I was smiling so widely, filled with do much nostalgia that I completely forgot what I was running from. The light of the fire was so welcoming, I must go to it.
I run to the bonfire. I can see ponies standing around it. Are they singing? I can hear voices in tune to some kind of instrument. It sounds so lovely. I want to sing too. I want to stand around the bonfire and be with my towns folk too.
Finally! Reunion! They probably won't recognize me. I can't wait to tell mom about my adventures in Ponyville!
"Hey everypony! It's me! Pinkie Pie!"
The crowd of ponies fall silent. They all turn to me. Mares, stallions, and foals, wearing robes, all stare in silence at me like I'm some kind of alien from outer space. I even recognize some of the old faces. But why do they look so angry?
I can smell something cooking. What is it? I look closer at the fire.
No. No. No! Celestia No!!
They're not burning wood in that bonfire. Logs don't have faces. I retract in fear. My body shook, and the tears flow again. This isn't my village. This isn't my home. This is a nightmare that I can't wake up from.
I let out a scream and turn around to only be greeted by the axe guy. I'm trapped.
For all I know now. I'm probably the next body they're going to add to the bonfire.
