Chapters The Journey off Reality and towards Insanity
The Arrival of something Dark
It feels like it was only yesterday, because it was yesterday. I was like any normal pony at my college, great in all my classes,campus world famous student,until one faithful day came. I got a new room mate and his name was Ironjaw. In a few months we became the best of friends. He was just like me in many ways, awesome personality, great taste in music, and very kind. One problem he had though, he struggled in his sleep and when I decided to wake him, I was met with a punch to the face and kissed the floor.
"DUDE! What's wrong?! You just suckered punched me!"
He awoken and said",huh? Man you're crazy you need to stop struggling, in you're sleep", he said as he drifted of to sleep.
I was surprised and stunned when he said that, I ponder the idea, did I really struggle in my sleep, in fact am I asleep now? The alarmed blared on my clock, I got up and slammed down on the button. I took a shower and went my way towards the first building.
I got ready for my first class, with Professor Cromwell. I made it to his class just in the nick of time, and as I set down he began his lecture. After about 20 minutes I finished copying the notes, and something caught my eye, it was a shadowy figure standing in the corner of the room looking at me like it was going,"
"Mr. Crimson, I would appreciate if you didn't daydream in my class, like you usually do." I simply apologized and after the bell rang I left. As i left, everyone of course, laughed at me, some said I was crazy. I said to myself,
"I should go see the counselor, he could help me."
So that's what I did, I went to where his office was in the main building on campus. It was my turn so I entered. He wore a professional suit, a dark shade of brown, he was white,skinny, and towered over me like a mountain.
He said,"Ah, how may I help our most honored student today?"
I got down to the basics and told him about what I've experienced so far, then he asked me about past events, I told him a bit and he finally stopped me and said,"You should look at you're medical history then."
He said chillingly as he passed me my file of my record. It felt like my brain farted as I read the words, "subject profound to night terrors,anxiety attacks, schizophrenia, and should not be told about this information." Written in a scarlet red.
He then said,"I wish they could of told you,but I knew you needed to know, I'm sorry." I thanked him for showing me, then I left.
As soon as that happened, I heard a voice said,"Well well well, looks like the last horse finished, everyone knew you was crazy, you're sick, demented,you're just a monster who can't handle the real world! "
I then said out loud,"SHUT UP! " And every student look at me. I ran into the nearest bathroom and splashed my face. I saw my reflection change to a more sadistic version of me. It said darkly"You will suffer so much now ",he said as it laughed,"If only you could take it, I know you can't,you're weak! Useless! Like I said, you're just a mon- "
I punched the mirror before he could finished. My arm and hoof started to gush out blood, and soon a vein exploded in my arm, causing more blood to escape my body, I immediately ran out of the bathroom and to my dorm, to mend my wounds.
I stayed there for nearly 4 hours when my stomach decided otherwise. I went towards a restaurant near the campus, besides most students eat their anyway. I ordered my food and sat alone, I then saw news of what looked like a very bloody event, an explosion happened nearby causing two buildings to fall, killing 100 poor ponies and leaving 50 injured, "wow good thing some people are feeling more miserable then me now", I said to myself.
I finished my food and left shortly, then HE came by and pop up in my head," Awww, feeling sorry you didn't cause that pain? "
I just ignored him for now as I made my way back to my room. Upon reaching home, I drifted off to sleep, good thing Ironjaw wasn't there, and when I thought my day couldn't get any worse it did, I had a night terror.
The one from my mirror stood there, he had 10 more duplicates, that all grabbed me with dark long tentacles, I tried to scream, but my mouth was covered. He approached me with a crimson glowing dagger, and then he spoke,"About time you went to sleep, now you will feel only a touch of my power !"
He then laughed manically and stabbed me in the stomach. Then he pulled up, only tears escaped my eyes as the pain grew. He then ripped open my rib cage and made the final blow, my heart, he stabbed right threw it. I awoken screaming, and after I let it out, broke down emotionally and physically. I was just hoping it would never happen again, and that's when I snapped, his voice was even more chillingly, but promising when he said,"I can help you, just except me? "
I don't know if I should, but I do and the pain will end. I decided in the morning to except his offer, next I knew everything went dark.
I awoken in a strange facility, not knowing where I was, or where I was. I then saw the door open and a doctor stepped in and said,"Good, you're awake."
I asked him a few questions, and I was shocked when he said I was in a mental asylum.
3 hours ago, Ironjaw saw me walking down the hallway and he said yelling to me,"Hey how it going for you, you need any-"
he stopped in mid sentence to see me holding a dagger as long as his arm, and me with a dark, sly smile. He hid behind a trash and brought out a video camera from his editing class and video taped me on it of what was about to happened. He saw me ripped the hearts out of other students. Blood covered the hallways as he saw me stabbed them through their chest like it was as flimsy as paper. By the time he finished recording, 30 heartless bodies laid, oozing puddles of blood, I laughed sickly as it echoed through the hallways. He then called the police and they appeared 15 minutes later, I ended up slicing about 10 in half with one clean swipe. It took another hour before I was apprehended, I was then put onto an ambulance and shipped off to the asylum where I gave Ironjaw one last chilling smile. Ironjaw walked through the same hallway where the bodies still lie, then he heard a voice saying,"You're next my friend ."
The voice then laughed as Ironjaw looked around finding the source, he did. It was the shadowy figure I saw. He tried to run, but it was too late for him, his fate was sealed as was mine. By the time the Doctor told me everything, I sat there and cried, it felt like I died a bit on the inside, wishing I could change what happened, knowing I can't.
He then said," I'm sorry crimson, but you will remain here at the finest mental institution Manehatten has to offer, I do hope we make progress on you're situation."
I believed him, he gave me hope which is what I needed, but for Ironjaw, he needed more then my right now. He has to deal with that "thing" of an entity.
The Journey off Reality and towards Insanity
One year later
Life at the institution is pretty much the same thing for me now, I wake up for the morning check, I take any necessary medication they give me, then I wash up and begin my day. That voice hasn't returned to me, but I do hear a new voice, a voice of reasoning. The doctors and nurses find it creepy that I give this voice a name, who I now call LightningStar, it gives me hope from time to time when I need it the most. So I find it only necessary that I tell you about the life here. The institution is funded by the government, it being to most prestigious and most famous for all the patients that get cured to a point they have a normal life. That was a year ago, when I came in, patients started dying, well suicide, and they are now rank #10 in Equestria, they are also infamous for holding me, but for some reason they don't care about all the fame, they just want me. So, when I first arrived I was unconscious, and covered in blood, they ran me on a few test involving everything that had to do with my mind and body. They found nothing wrong with my physical traits, while my mind seemed completely healthy. The only mental problems they detected was my schizophrenia, anxiety issues/attacks, and my night terrors. They were dumbfounded on why they couldn't figure out why I killed all those innocent lives. So, they locked my up in solitary confinement, and I stayed there for four months before I was considered non-lethal. As soon as they did, a voice came in and squeezed into my mind.
"Hey,CrimsonBlaze, I know what you went through when you well did those actions, I wish I could of helped you, but He was far too powerful, and you lost hope already. But, don't worry! I'm here now and that's all that matters now!"
The voice was so nice and reasonable, I obviously did the silly thing and spoke to it.
"Uh, thank you, but why are you here now? Is there a reason you came now?"
The guards escorting me turned and started at me, I quickly silenced myself before we reached my doctor's office. When we got there I was greeted by many warm faces of the staff, the doctors even applauded for me, seeing that made me have hope in them, and I smiled with warm embrace. They all quieted down and finally I took a seat in front of Dr. SparkBolt. He quickly responded with a hoof sticking out towards me and I shook with him. He then said,
"Crimson, I'm so glad you finally are able to walk about the glorious institution of Manehatten's mental facility! I really hope in the next year, you will have made so so so much progress with you! Now, I will discuss over the reason why you are here, since you really didn't receive any news are information, now shall we get started on a good hoof?" I nodded and he began telling me everything I needed to know. When he got done I moved out of solitary confinement and moved into a nice looking room with a bonus, a room mate. It feels just like college again, except the whole "insane" part of this. The great thing is, it's January for me when I started my year here, so it will be easy to keep up. I waited in my new room, and seeing to inspect that every element of this room had some sorts of linking to my personality, and to whoever was going to be my room mate. I also remember hearing something about "Bird girl of Manehatten", when I was escorted here, that sounds really creepy. I also ran into a random pony by accident when the guards had to check something, she seemed to happy to be in a place like this, and I could also tell she had anxiety issues to, but I digress, there were more important matters now, and that was focusing on getting back into myself, and starting a new life. Even if it takes more then a year. As I heard the door click, my jaw dropped and I jumped out of my skin to see who it was. It was Ironjaw, and he looked like hell. He lost his colors, he looked so gray. There were long marks up his fore arms, and cuts around his throat. He was also had an extreme shade of white in his mane and tail, with only a red stripe down the middle. He immediately ran towards me and hugged me, I made it last for him, because I knew he needed this more than anything in the world. After that touching moment, he then told me what happended to him after I was apprehended.
One Year ago
He immediately ran out of the main corridor an into my dorm room.
*"You can't escape me, just you try I'll always be right around the corner." "Shut up, you're not real, whatever you are you're not real!"
"Oh I wish it was that easy, and Ironjaw, I'm extremely real. You're friend CrimsonBlaze also suffered from hearing me! You will never escape!"
Ironjaw began to panic, he was utterly terrified of this thing inside his mind, only because I heard it. He stood there for a minute unaware that the school counselor walked in.
"Crimson!? Are you okay is any-"
He cut himself off when he saw Ironjaw. He walked up to him and stared into his eyes, they were light-green and the size of marbles. He didn't know what to do, or how to help what was really going on in Ironjaw's mind.
*"I TOLD YOU MORTAL FOOL! THERE IS NO ESCAPE! TRY ALL YOU WANT, YOU WILL SUFFER, ALL OF YOU! ,he screamed. The screams of his voice shatter his consciousness and it got into his subconscious. Ironjaw now felt what I did, insanity. He immediately ran out of the room and off campus, he didn't know where to go, just as long it was away from the campus and everyone else. What he saw was probably worse then I've seen, but I can't really know that, everyone is different in what they interpret. So, Ironjaw ran and he kept running, far away from me and far away from anyone else, that's what the voice told him until he approached a cliff.
"Come on, jump I know you want to. If you do, I'll promise I will leave and you will never see me again.".
Another hopeless lie was seared across his mind, and he jumped. Somehow he wasn't dead, another pony came by and jumped after him and caught him with before falling to his impalement of sharp pointy rocks. He was taken to the hospital after that and he awoken to not hearing a voice, but instead seeing something worse, a dark shadowy figure floating in front of his bed. He only watched as it floated away saying,*"A promise is a promise." *
Ironjaw was completely shocked by way happened, but somehow he felt something was wrong. He looked around, his limbs still intact and not hearing some crazy voice. He looked left when he saw the pony who tried to save him seeming to be mangled.
"HA, YOU'RE SUCH A FOOL, THOUGHT I WAS GONE DID YOU!?!? I'm sorry, but you're stuck with me, unless we can strike a deal? Care to try you're luck?
Present Time
"So, what was the deal? What did he want, huh?", I said.
"I'm sorry Blaze, wish I could tell you, but it scares me thinking about it, besides I declined it anyway, wasn't worth it.", Ironjaw said.
"Wow, you gave up you're freedom even after all you been through, Ironjaw, you got guts.", I said that as I nudged him in the gut.
"Heh, thanks man, being here with you makes me feel well, normal I guess, since we was both caught in the same predicament."
"Yeah I guess so, it has some sorts of us meeting for the first time, well I guess we can meet again.", Asia said that an announcement came up, Attention all members of Manehatten Asylum, we are expecting technical difficulties, please round up everyone and prepare them for lights outs. T-minus thirty minutes."****
"Well, I guess we can save this for later, let's get to bed okay.", I said.
"Yeah sounds good, well goodnight Crimson.", he said as I also said goodnight. The only thing that was on my mind was that deal Ironjaw declined, why did he declined his freedom? It makes no sense, I'm starting to get a feeling that Ironjaw may seem untruthful in a way. It's also weird how he was paired up with me in this place.
The Journey off Reality and towards Insanity
The ascension towards the light
At 6:00 a.m. I awoken to an announcement being made, Attention all staff, we need all patients awake and ready by 7:00 a.m. . Doctor SparkBolt wants all staff and patients in the main auditorium. , it said. I awoken like any normal day I've spent here so far, got up, waited for a staff member to give me my medication for the day, and went to the nearest restroom to wash up. Only this time it was different, I had a friend with me, I know it sounds pathetic, but the thought counts. As me and Ironjaw walked to the nearest restroom, an idea popped into my head.
"Crimson you've got a great idea. Showing Ironjaw around will definitely improve you now, besides it would help you and him. " LightningStar said.
I thought about it and went with his word, besides what's the worse that could happened?
After we washed up, the staff pointed us towards to main auditorium, along the way Ironjaw spoke and said,
"This place seems to good for being ranked ten among other facilities."
"Well, it was ranked one, but after a year it went down for some reason", I said. I didn't want to tell him that I caused it, he wouldn't want to be around new, causing me to lose my only friend in this place.
"Oh, well that makes some sense, also why do you think they called everyone to the auditorium?
"If I had a clear idea, I think Dr. SparkBolt struck an something genius, and wants to tell of his discovery." I said.
"Well that is a good guess." Ironjaw said as we walked into the auditorium. We was then pointed towards a section based on what hallway we was on, we had a pretty great view of the area. When everyone was seated I noticed something strange, there was the professional looking ponies near the front, maybe that's the reason why. Two of them looked like doctors, but the third one trumped me, she looked like a doctor, but as well as a business pony. I stopped thinking about that when Dr. SparkBolt called us to attention. He went up to the mic and spoke,
"Attention everyone, you're all wondering why I called everyone here. Well the reason why was to show off our three new employees of the Manehatten institution! Everyone please give a warm hand to Dr. SilverWing, Dr. Cromwell, and finally Dr. BrightStar!"
Everyone began clapping as the three doctors took the stage under all the commotion. As the clapping died they each shook hands with Dr.SparkBolt and then Dr. BrightStar took the mic first. She began,
"Thank you all so much and Dr. SparkBolt for the honors. I am gladly to say that I will be helping the most troublesome patients, and when I say that, the ones with the most mental problems. Dr. SparkBolt gave me someone to work with. I now want CrimsonBlaze to come up to the stage so I can meet my new patient and soon to be friend!"
I was shocked when she called my name, but I did what she said. I slowly rose from my seat and walked down the isle. I stepped onto the stage and when I got up there, I saw her holding a hoof out, I quickly shook it and stayed next to her as she said,
"He will be the first of many I will work with here, I am guaranteed that by the end if this year, Crimson here will be able to live a semi-normal life and will learn how to deal with his mental issues each and every day. I am proud to say that I'm an employee working here to advance the life's of everyone, including the one next to me."
I thought about her words and they filled me with hope, I did what my mind told me and I quickly hugged her, I know she felt surprised, but she quickly embraced it.
I merely whisper to her,
"thank you, just thank you." I couldn't really say much after that because I was choking on some of the feelings I felt. Dr. SparkBolt quickly took the stage again and said,
"Now, I would like all staff to stand up and please escort the group you had to their representative places for their schedule. We will be off scheduled due to this event so we will call for these groups when lunchtime hits. Thank you all for you're cooperation!"
I saw a glimpse of Ironjaw as he smiled at me, I could tell he was happy for me. I then followed BrightStar to the elevator, I never went to the first or third floors, nor have I seen them so it was a little spooky going towards it. She and I enter as well as the other three doctors, and then pressed the First Floor button. The doors closed and we quickly went up. After the elevator I waited outside of another office and then me and Dr. BrightStar went back to the elevator and back to the Second Floor. I followed her down a couple of hallways till we reached her office, I then enter and took a seat as she did.
"So, you're the one they call CrimsonBlaze. I've heard a lot about you, some good and some bad, but that doesn't matter right now, what does is can you tell me a couple of things. Dr. SparkBolt says you talk very little when around us, so can you speak for me at least?"
I didn't know what to do so I simply said quietly,
"I can speak."
She was booming in happiness as she heard me, she then ask me,
"Now, I why was you sent here?"
I said, "Because I suffer from mental issues."
"Good you are very smart, now how do you feel about you're mental issues?"
"I really don't know, i feel normal, but I can tell something is wrong with me."
"A very good start, you're very aware of how you feel and you have a great understanding of it. Now, do you hear a voice from time to time?"
I really didn't want to answer that, but I know I needed to it would help me a lot,
"Yes I do, this voice I hear gives me a reasoning of understanding and hope, I call it LightningStar, because I feel it deserves a name."
"CrimsonBlaze, you don't know how much progress was made from those little questions. I find it un-natural that schizophrenics in you're type of case would lie, but you shine bright amongst all of them. I also understand why you gave it a name, and LightningStar is a lovely name. Remember, just because I asked only three questions doesn't mean a lot, it does on how a patient responds on them."
"Wow, thank you Dr. BrightStar.", she could tell I was now more confident in my speaking. Talking to her brought something into me, a void that use to fill me, now brims with light. My spirit literally rose from the depths of it and ascended towards the light, I felt whole again for awhile. A smile adorn my face and she was happy for that.
"Now, if you wouldn't mind I'd like to perform an examination on you just to see if you're physically healthy. After that we can move on to you're new treatment."
I quickly hopped into the examination table and laid back, she told me I would be put under, just to make things fly faster, and for the reason to numb some pain that it could induce. I then quickly drifted off, when I awoke I saw Dr. BrightStar and
Dr. SparkBolt. They helped me up and Dr. SparkBolt said,
"Today we are trying a new treatment, I know you're aware of this so let's begin shall we?"
I quickly nodded and then they quickly put these patches around my body. Wires were attached to them and lead to a strange looking machine.
"Okay Dr. BrightStar will be asking you questions while I look over the readings we receive from you're answers. This machine sends electrical impulses throughout you're body via those patches on you. With every answer we get from you they will be sending back data to this machine here. This type of treatment has been around for quite some time and has helped many people like you Crimson. So no need for worrying, it's better you stay calmed and relaxed, which is why you will be laying down, as Dr. BrightStar ask questions you two will do a couple of breathing exercises for thirty seconds, sounds easy enough?" Said Dr. SparkBolt.
I quickly nodded and we began the treatment. After an hour we decided to end, I saw Dr. SparkBolt removing a roll of paper, to me it looked rather large. They took of the patches and I was given a drink and a bit of food. After that I asked Dr. SparkBolt,
"Would you mind if I showed Ironjaw around the facility? Before all this happened he was my closet friend I knew."
"I would love to see you do that I'll send along Dr. BrightStar with you as well, so you can show her around too." I then got up, and went to the elevator along with the other two doctors. Me and Dr. BrightStar got off on the Second Floor and went where Ironjaw was suppose to be, but we ran into him at the nurse's office, he had a bloody nose when he got punched accidentally by another patient, he told us. I then quickly went to where the main auditorium entrance is and began my tour for the two.
Crimson, I know it was tough talking to Dr. BrightStar about that touchy subject and questions, but you powered through and did it anyway, I'm proud of you.
I simply smiled and pointed my two tour attendees down another hallway leading outside where the patients have a recreational time.
I ended my tour abruptly when an announcement came up.
Attention all, we are now calling for lunch, will group A please report now.
"Well looks like I need to go, you two can come along with me, I should know the way with the tour you gave me Crimson", she giggled and we followed her.
"Crimson, thank you for the tour, I was getting so lost in this place from the start." Ironjaw said to me.
I replied, "hey man no problem, besides it gelled me a lot, along with you."
I saw that Dr. BrightStar was stopped ahead when I saw what looked like a massacre, one of the rooms has blood coming from the bottom of the door, next to that door was on of the staff who had a shocked look on his face, the patient in that room killed herself. No one didn't want to look neither did any of us, but we all saw the gruesome scene. The patient somehow got a hanger from somewhere and mutilated their eyeballs. It then looks like they stabbed the hangar through their throat, I held mine at the look of it. The other staff members arrived and covered her body and placed her on a stretcher. We three walked towards the cafeteria without another word. After that little "incident", I was then sent to my normal schedule, luckily I had a recreational time. I decided to pick a few flowers, I saw one of the staff members who carried the patient, I gave him the flowers and told him,
"Please give these too the one you carried, I feel like she would want this."
He smiled at me and immediately left, I felt happy for doing that. As soon I was walking from that spot I saw something, it was a shadowy figure I saw before, it was coming back go me. I heard little whispers, but they quickly went away along with the shadow figure, I then heard a little yelp from behind me.
"Hello? Anyone there?"
"Sorry you startled me. Did you see that shadowy figure as well?" She asked.
"Yes, I was wondering the same, also who are you?"
"My name is FeatherLight, but I'm just known as the Bird girl of Manehatten, I don't like that name, the only reason because is I like watching the birds during this time. I feed and play with them as well."
"Well FeatherLight, I am CrimsonBlaze. It's nice to meet you."
"You're CrimsonBlaze? I thought well you was in solitary confinement?"
"I was but that was a long time ago, still nice to meet ano-"
Attention all patients thirty minutes till everyone must report towards their room. After that ten minutes till lights out.
"Well nice talking to you, but If I get the chance I'll speak with you again.
"Bye Crimson." She quickly said and left.
I found Ironjaw already asleep in his bed, I took my time and red a book before lights out. I heard the call and quickly saved my place and put the book back. For the first time in a long time, I slept with no night terror awakening me, I had an actual happy dream. I was smiling in my sleep, I could tell because I knew this was the start to something good. I could feel like I was getting better already.
"Crimson, I don't how to express my happiness for you. You've done so much in a days time that would of been done in a month. You really are getting better... " LightningStar's voiced faded and I fell into a deep sleep.
The Journey off Reality and towards Insanity
I was awakened with such force that I ended up in the floor. Ironjaw had kicked me out of my bed.
"Ironjaw are you crazy!? What's wrong?"
"Look I didn't want to do that, but you wasn't waking up when I tried to be gentle, and we need to get to the main auditorium. Dr. SparkBolt called everyone there just a couple of minutes ago, he said it was an emergency. What does he suppose it means?"
I quickly stood up and responded, "well if it's emergency it can't be good, something must of happen during the later hours while everyone was asleep."
"What makes you think that?", he quickly resounded as we exit our room and walked towards the auditorium.
"I'm not calling it a hunch, I just know something had to happen...", I said. After that we walked the rest of the way, joining other patients as they walked there as well. After a couple of minutes Dr. BrightStar saw the both of us and joined with us.
"How's it going for the two of you?", she said.
"We was called for an emergency, did something happen last night while everyone was asleep?"
"Crimson, you don't know how much your right, but I'll let Dr. SparkBoltbtell you the rest, for now I must go ahead and get towards the stage.", after saying that she quickly galloped off towards the doors where she entered. I could tell from thecodynd of her voice that whatever has happened, can't be good.
As the patients and staffed poured in taking their seats, Dr.SparkBolt took the stage, looking like a utterly colete disaster. He wasn't well dressed and sweat was beating off his head, he finally spoke after a few quite minutes.
"Attention everyone, you may be wondering why I called you all here, it appears that we lost a few patients over the night. Someone or something broke into three other rooms, killing two attendees of our wonderful stuff and six patients. The MHPD are currnetly here with us searching the crime scene on who did this horrific crime. Please, don't worry of them, there here to do their job and protect us from whatever killed those poor souls. We will still be going on normal schedule, so please go into your designated groups and return to a sense or normalcy." He finished off by signaling me and Dr. BrightStar to follow him. I quickly went to the stage next to Dr. BrightStar and we walked to his office.
A couple of minutes we arrived and he closed the door and cast a spell, he finally spoke, "I want to know something, while you was touring around! did you see something unusual yesterday?"
I quickly responded, "why yes I did, me Ironjaw and Dr.BrightStar went by a room where one of the patients killed herself. It was a pretty gruesome scene, I think that's the only unusual thing."
"Dr. BrightStar, is this true?"
"Yes sir it is, but it wasn't a murder, just suicide."
"Well I'm stilled worried, I wasn't gold about this by any of the staff at all by this, I'm just worried about the patients especially, I know the staff can handle themselves, but not what I saw..."
It went quite for anther couple of minutes before I finally spoke again, "Sir, I did see something else, it was a shady shadowy figure during my recreational time. It was standing next to a tree, and when i blinked it simply went away."
"Well that helps a lot, now we know that there was someone here during the night! He must of found a way to break in, but what gets me is, why did he kill the patients and two staff members? What did he get out of it?"
"I wish I knew, so we could be prevented..." Dr.BrightStar said. The more she talked about this touchy subject, the more her voice became dull and full of dread. I didn't like seeing panic with something that could easily be part of my mind, or was that shadowy figure even apart of mind? I really wish I cou- another scream came from down the hallway as I thought about that. It was a piercing blood curdling scream that hurt my head, then another one came, and another, and another, and finally an eighth came and finally stopped. We all rushed out down the hall way and found the gruesome scene before us. Four patients with their head cut cleaned off, and four staff members hanged from thier intestines from the ceiling. Dr. BrightStar grab and hugged me tightly as she adverted her eyes. I simply stood next to Dr. SparkBolt with the same look on my face, terror...I can't believe that someone would do such a thing, in such a gruesome way as well, it was all to real. For some reason it kept reminding me of when I- "Look Crimson, that was the past this is the future. You didn't know well good enough what was wrong with you. That will never happen to you again." LightingStar's voice always brought me comfort is such evil times I face. The Manehatten Police Department quickly found us and started the next investigation. We left them to continue with my new treatment. After a couple of minutes I was ready to begin day two of my new treatment, the more hopeful I felt about it, the more it did to help. I answer all the questions they ask me the most truthful way I can possibly give. I could tell at the end of this treatment that the roll of parchment seem a lot bigger, but shortly soon ended. Dr.BrightStar took me to my next destination for my schedule, surprisingly was another recreational time. I didn't ponder why it happened or how I just went with it and took my time as much as I could. I simply walked around again outside enjoying the scenery and the views that I had while out there. It made me feel like a bird, like it could simply escape this place forever and be truthfully happy. That wasn't the case though, but that doesn't change my mindset on leaving this place one day, able to live a semi-normal life. Dr.BrightStar's words bring me hope and happiness. I can just picture my life after a year, and it's beautiful that I simply could cry from the thought. I quickly regain my thoughts as I heard a noise behind me, but I figured out it was FeatherLight, with her birds. I walked up carefully to not disturb the birds she had. She quickly spotted me and responded,
"Hey it's you again, do you came back.", she said without turning to look at me.
"Yeah, I realize that you may want company, show you don't mind me being around?",I said. I sat next go her while she fed her bird friends a bit more. "So, you really like birds don't you? I can understand why you do.
"You can? Well please explain how you know this.", she said with a sly grin.
"Well, birds are basically like us Pegasus. Able to conquer the skies and have the freedom of it." , I said with pride.
"Well you got one part right, can you say the second part?"
"Well not that being the only reason, they are also majestic in many ways and very caring like us Pegasus. You could say birds are like us.", I told her and waited on her answer.
"Wow you did know what you talking about and you are correct. Birds are like us, caring for their young ones, along with families and friends like we do. We're also majestic just like them. Birds are just extremely amazing on how much they have in common with us.", she throws a few more breadcrumbs towards the ground.
"Well, all being true there's just so much more they can do that we really can't. They can keep their wings after a serious injury, not like we can do that.", I said in a somewhat melodramatic tone.
"Yea...that is true...", I could tell that made her uncomfortable, but I can't understand why, so I was an idiot and asked, "Hey, did you damage your wings...to where you can't fly normally?"
It felt like an eternity before she finally answer back at me, "Yes I did...I long to fly again, i miss that thrill of flying that I used to get. I miss it, which us why I look at birds. It also doesn't help that my mental issues affect me as well."
I didn't know what to say next, I felt sick for asking that, I just needed to do something. So I did the best thing in a situation like that, I gave her a hug. I could tell it took her by surprised, but she soon went for it and just let it out, she cried for a good bit. I just sat there letting her dump her feelings, I knew she wanted that for a long time. After the rather, well awkward, situation I felt I continued on my way, though I did feel I bit of happiness and remorse for her, she really needed that. Good timing too, because I was just starving myself to death, so I met up with Dr.BrightStar on the way there, she did seem better, but I could still tell you was still shocked about the incident this morning, I really need to break the ice with her, just so that's it's not so awkward.
"Hey you okay? You don't seem like yourself after well, the incident..."
She was a bit startled and jump for an answer, "Yes...I've just been worried is all, I don't know what to think of it..."
"It's okay no one really knows what words to say of the event, we can't stop everything, I know that from action..."
Things went silent again, she asked me a question after awhile.
"Why aren't you well, so worked up about this? Every patient I've seen has been literally crawling in their skins from fear."
It hit me like a rock, it was so blunt, was i really not scared, I quickly thought up an answer,"Sometimes fear is nothing, especially when you know from experience..."
"So your not scared? Why is that, even some of the cops here look scared."
"To be honest, i've seen worse performed then that..." It was getting to that point now. Soon she'll know why.
"What you've seen worse? How do you know? Was you there?"
She asked that dreadful question, I panicked a bit, but it regain my composure and told her my answer.
"Reason why is that I performed worse, you see when I was sent here I was only college campus student, but I killed five police officers and twenty of the other students there, on being sent here I was put in solitary confinement for at least a year, that's when I regain my thoughts and mind back, because something attacked me, in my dreams, in my sleep, in my mind..."
After that she stopped, she just looked at me in true horror, I could tell she was scared, couldn't blame her.
"Wait I thought you knew that,didn't they give you a briefing on some of the patients you work with?"
She hesitated for a moment and said, "no, I was never told that, because that was lost in part of your file on you, I thought you was a normal patient here!"
I didn't know what to say next, I was oblivious to knowing about that. I quickly rushed over to her and set her down near a bench.
"It's okay just please calm down, that happened three years ago, I've improved upon my behavior and self control since then. I'm not going to let myself lose control again."
She smiled at me and just hugged me, "I'm sorry, but I did know, I just wanted to here you say that. I'm very proud of you, you took control when you needed to, I think you made so much improvement already, now let's head to lunch."
We both got up and went to the cafeteria.
I could see it now, as we walked I let my mind wander, I could see me and the staff wishing me luck and see my waving goodbye as I exited the facility. It will probably be the most happiest day of my life...if only if it was that easy, but I shook my head and continued walking till we got to the cafeteria, I got in line and waited for the food, for once I actually looked forward to eating the food they served. As I finally got served I noticed something out of the corner of my eye, it was moving fast and swift, but I ignored for now. I sat down and I began to dig in, but that's when I noticed the Pegasus in front of me.
"Oh it's you again, how's it going?"
"Ahh so you remember me do you huh? Well what's my name?"
"Oh I don't know...FeatherLight?", I said.
"Clever you, so how's it been going for you?", FeatherLight said.
"Oh I just got finished with my treatment for today, it was a piece of cake, out of a very large cake...."
Featherlight continued, "At least you get treatment of that level, most patients here get the same thing over and over again, it's saddening."
I felt her pain, I was one of those patients, I felt terrible now, the fact that I'm receiving class A treatements and others aren't is sickening, I didn't feel so hungry now. After lunch I bid farewell the featherlight and went with Dr.BrightStar to the next phase of my treatement. We was walking down a part of the wing where I saw that malicious entity before, I really didn't want to go down, but I push forward and few arrived in a room. She sat down and ask, "Crimson, do you ever get the feeling like your being watched?"
I thought about it and finally said, "Sometimes I do, but that's just me being paranoid most of times and I usually shrug that off."
"Well I can't help but get at feeling, it's like something is in here with us."
She doesn't know how right she was because, right behind her was the very thing that attacked my mind at college, I stumbled back and pointed behind her and she was solid white, it...had returned. "Well, Well, Well....looks like someone missed me..."
"why...WHY ARE YOU HERE!"
"Because your so called"Friend" sold you out...he told me where you was after our little visit...I kept him sane in order to find you Crimson...you have a strong will and mind...and I want it..."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing, I grab Dr.Brightstar's hoof and we ran, far away from that thing, we met with Dr.SparkBolt shortly with a collision.
"Whoa! What's the rush you two, it's like you seen...a ghost...", he saw it too, the very thing that we saw a corpulent of minutes ago, he imimeatily ran into the office nearby and over the intercom shouted, "ALL PERSONNEL, THIS IS A CODE-RED, REPEAT CODE-RED, BEGIN EVACUATION OF ENTIRE FACILITY AND BEGIN SECURITY PROTOCOL, PHAZ-AHPLA24, THIS IS NOT A DRILL!" He grab the both of us and we ran towards the exit. The shadowy being just stayed their with a demented smirk, I never pictured myself leaving like this...being scared to death by the thing that created me.
The Journey off Reality and towards Insanity
Order Has Fallen, Chaos Rises
Six Months Later...
It's been a long six months since the incident, the entire facility was moved to the Baltimare Correctional Institution, Dr.SparkBolt used to worked there, so he pulled some wires, good thing Baltimare has a absurdly huge facility to house us all, shortly after the event he didn't talk much about it, but now since he has time, he called both me and Dr.BrightStar to his old office he had there.
"Ah, thanks you two for seeing me at such short noticed, and Crimson congratulations on all the progress you've been making, I'm glad to see you go out with BrightStar here into this lovely city we have here."
I simply nodded and Dr.BrightStar shortly responded, "So, why did you need to see us?"
He closed the blinds in the windows and in his doorway and dimmed the lights, "I want to know about that...that thing, how...how did it get in..."
Neither one of them knew the answer and they looked to me, I gulped and finally spoked, "It was my friend, Ironjaw...he...he set me up. He was being bribed in order...to get to me, this entity wants me...for my determination and my...mind..."
He leaned back in his chair, "alright, then we know what we need to do, we find Ironjaw, we talk to him, and we get that thing out of our facility in Manehatten, I'm not going to run from this."
"But Docotor, that thing...it's filled to the grime with evil, that thing attacked us! There's no way we can fight it, especially with that type of power!", I had the same concern, it was extremely powerful indeed.
"I don't care, besides I have a plan, this thing may have a heart of darkness, and that can be destroyed..."
I stood up and interrupted him, "You don't mean...the elements?"
"Yes, I've sent Princess Celestia a letter already telling about our situation, she is going to send the Elements of Harmony to cleanse our Manehatten home, they will be arriving Friday of this week, and you two will be coming along."
Dr.BrightStar asked cautiously, "Why do we need to come?", I shortly answered, "Because, that thing knows us...it's been watching me and you the longest out of any of us...if we're there, then it will surely come for us..."
Dr.SparkBolt applauded me, "That's exactly right Crimson! If it sees that you two are there, it will have to come, and that's when the elements will strike, destroying that malicious entity!"
So the plan was set, we lure the entity of evil out of hiding, as we roam about our manehatten home, the bearers of the elements will surprise it and destroy the very core of it's darkness, sounds simple enough, wrong. TheManehatten institute could have changed by now, to it's twisted form of a home, it could be anything g from it's subconscious, take any form and shape.
"Well what about any defensives this thing maybe have setup? You don't expect it for us to barge in and well, be a cake walk now do you?"
Dr.SparkBolt thought about it for awhile, then he came up with an idea, and two of us didn't think so happily among that plan.
"Crimson, you and BrightStar will enter in first, this thing will go after you first, I'll try to get to my office, because I kept something just incase things ever got...hairy, and that will give us the chance to get the bearers inside to relinquish this demonic entity!" I simply looked at him if he had gone crazy, BrightStar quickly responded, "Do you want us to die!? Why do you think it will go after us immediately upon entering!?"
"Becuase of the fact that it tried to attack you two six months ago! Look I know it looks grim, but Crimson is basically going against a darkened version of himself, of course it will be dangerous, but I know You two can handle it!" I honestly was dumbstruck now, he believes that we can succeed, so i accepted his deal. "We'll do it. I know it Sounds stupid of me to say, but it's true...this thing is basically me, but demented, BirghtStar you know we can take it."
"Well if you say so...but I'm not entirely agreeing on it, but let's get our home back!" SparkBolt applauded us and that's when we began to think of a stragety of approached. We began thinking of all the possibilities we could be up against, the ideas were somewhat endless. We finally concluded on that and our plan we complete, Phase one was ready to launch at a moment's notice.
"alright the plan is pretty much full proof, but one problem stands aside, The Elements of Harmony have no idea what there up against, we're the only ones capable of doing battle."
I quickly thought about it for a second and interrupted him, "there capable of surviving Doctor, they are the elements of harmony, the Princess's strongest warriors. Trust them..."
As everyone's role began to be decided, the mane six have just made there way into Manehatten.
"Twilight, I'm not so sure about this, will it really be this easy?", spike said with concern.
"Spike, these ponies need our help! As the elements, we can't shy away from this, besides the princesses have faith in us. We can accomplish this task spike, now try to stay somewhat calm about this."
The purple dragon nodded and kept to his thoughts, but shortly after that the train caked to a sudden halt. Not knowing what stopped it, the Alicorn Princess went to the top of the train. As she arrived a grizzly scene waited for her, the conductor was massacred, his body parts covered the entire cabin. "everyone come here now!", she was stricken with a new sense of fear now as her friends came and saw the scene as well.
"Twilight...what happened?", one her friends spoke up with a somewhat amount of courage.
"I don't know, but whoever did this...doesn't want us at Manehatten, let's get off this train, the station is right there." As the seven exited off the train, it quickly hissed back to life and began going backwards. They nodded the strange occurrence off and continued into , shortly they will know why the city near the hospital is long desecrated. As they began making there way to the station, the group from Manehatten Mental Institution has begun making the long journey back to the vile place.
"I'm not so sure about this, do you think we actually stand against a chance that came from well...you?", I just looked at her, and I thought about it for a second, I quickly responded, "I swear that if this plan fails, and the mane six can't stop this either, I've got a backup plan..."
She looked at me for a second then asked, "Well what is it?", i responded monochromatic, "I don't want to say just yet, but it's a last resort..." She looked at me one more time and faced away as we boarded the train to Manehatten. I knew what I was up against, becuase I had experienced every bit of it, the others, i don't know if they could survive a minute of the torture for what was in stored. I sat down and looked at the window, this was going to be the beginning of the end, the Fall of all order, and replacing it...chaos, Phase one is now beginning as we approach the once home i called, Manehatten...
View Online
The Journey off Reality and towards Insanity
Phase one: Breaking Manehatten Phase Two: Utter Death
The time has finally come, we have arrived at all of our once called homes, but we wasn't there to have a reunion, we was there on a mission, and we are going to succeed, if it kills us in the end. Our main objective is to distract as well with some divide and conquer. Me and Brightstar well go off in one wing of the area, while we distract the main threat, as Dr. Sparkbolt hits up the main security office, and pulls information on ironjaw, he is the key to our success, we must find him, no matter the cost.
"Okay, so we are here, this is it, all the marbles thrown down, all the cards played, you two ready?", Dr. Sparkbolt said with such confidence.
"Yes, we are ready, prepared beyond our mines.", i quickly replied and Brightstar nodded. It was time, i pushed open the doors, and the chilling air as i open rushed forward. The place hasn't changed much, well with all sorts of corrupted blackness eating at the floors and walls, none the less it's all still the same.
"Okay, you two begin your phase, radio me when you have began the next stage okay?", he had a look of worry, why wouldn't he, we was literally putting ourselves at danger to something capable ripping us limb by limb, but we nodded and began our descent down the west wing of the facility. I held Brightstar close to me as we traveled, I didn't want to lose sight of her, it's just something that ticked inside of me, i needed to keep her safe, there was a purpose. As we traveled, she spoke up, "Blaze...I know what you're going to say but, I'm really worried still about all of this, what if he separates us somehow, what do we do then?" I tried to think of something to say, but she was right to worry, so i assured her the best. "Look, we are not going to lose each other okay, i'll keep my grip on you and keep a close hold to you, you're not getting out of my sight. I care too much to let that happen, now perk up okay, we are going to be just fine, I promise." She smiled up at me and stayed closer to me, I know for a fact that she's doing much better now with the situation, but there's something else that eats away at my mind, I feel as if she has feelings for me. What if she does? What do I do then? It just means i have so much more on my head now, it worr- "Blaze! Look! It's...", I merely glanced and fear literally takes it's mortal coil on us, it was him...the very thing we sought to distract, but the thing is about this situation, it had a much more volatile look on it, as well as having friends.
"well well well...look what the trashed dragged in...Crimson and Brightstar, how lovely to see you in MY DOMAIN ONCE AGAIN!" How has it been since you left me hmm? Was it well deserved, was it relaxing, well doesn't matter, you have returned by the hand of faith, i know all about your plan too, you came to destroy me isn't that right? You really think the Elements are going to their job so easily! I have a little surprise already chasing them down as we speak, as they make their rounds here, they will have a tough fight ahead in the short future...
"You...you monster! Why do you have to hurt such innocent people!", Brightstar yelled at in fury.
"How pathetic, I don't attack innocent people, I attack those who are much more evil then I, you shouldn't be so close your so called "lover" you have feelings for... , she was blushing hard, from being pointed out, and from anger.
"Looks like lies won't get you far, especially for me, even if you are me.", i snapped back, but at that point he has started to chase us, and at that moment i radio Dr. Sparkbolt and he began his actions now, as we ran, he grew more and more demented, hunting us down. It was rather exciting and very terrifying of him, but we made our turns and dashed around corners smart and slowed his speed. Soon, son it would all be over, then we can begin the real plan, we can take real action, but none of that matter because the two of us ran right into a group of element bearers, heads collided and bodies flailed, but to as a shock, they all targeted me for some reason.
"LOOK! IT'S HIM!", a certain pink pony yelled out, followed by all sorts of gasp and quick looks of anger, all but from the purple one. They were all about to attack me, when Dr. Brightstar stepped out in front of them all.
"What is your problem!? He's not the one! He's the one trying to defeat the other! Look listen to us, we was being chased be the other!", she yelled out, but it didn't work, they all cornered us and began stalking us down, the end was coming to us as we was going to get the living shit beat out of us, so i did what came naturally, as the blue Pegasus charged, i shielded Brightstar and took the hit full on, right into a wall. There was a massive crackling sound, and debris falling onto me, making me immobile, i tried my best to escape, but shortly met with a buck to the head, to my surprise, I wasn't dead yet. "Please stop! He's not the one! I promise you!", she was in tears now, and the rainbow maned Pegasus made an attack for her now, she walked over to her and pushed her aside, "Look, he's the one we got the letter about! He matches the description! We are taking him in for his crimes against all Equestrians! WE need answers, and this is how we get them, now pipe up!", but before she could make another strike against her, i quickly broke out of my tomb and charged her straight through a wall, as it came crashing down i emerged in the dust. "No one, and i mean no one, hurts the one I love, you hot headed filly.", the words bounced off and she came crashing out, she was beyond mad now, she was out for blood. "Look, whoever sent you the letter, they was wrong, I'm not the threat, there is something far much worse then me in these halls."
"Explain then.", the purple one finally spoke up, "What is much worse then you, as you seemingly prove you are a threat, and you will do anything to protect her."
"Me of course..." , We all turned around and looked who finally showed up, he made it right on time.
"Who are you...tell us your name!", "My name s not important, but if a name is what you want, a name is what you'll get, I am called by many things, but you can call me Downfall for short, because that's what i'll be bringing to the all of you, not good enough name? Call me Torment then..." , the halls shook as he spoke, i held her close to my side, and as the others watched, they all got into a stance, and prepare for a battle, "So you was the one who sent that creature after us, well you must try harder next time, it was rather weak against our powers.", Twilgiht, which i finally figured these were the mane six, spoke out to the figure, as they studied each other, me and brightstar made our movement slowly and got out of the way, we went a little away from the rest of them, so she could see my wounds. "You're hurt crimson, she really put the number on you...", she was on the brink of crying, but I just nuzzled her chin and said, "I'm going to be fine okay, it was nothing at all, as long as you're safe, then I am okay." I smiled sweetly at her, and she return the gaze, she place her lips upon mine and all the worry in the world left the area around us, it was something magical alright, but the moment was cut short by a radio call, "Look, i know where he is! He's in D-Wing, your guys area, go find him now okay, and bring him to the auditorium, make haste!"
With that being said, we got up, and made our path deeper into the facility, this was it, we would finally have our answers. As we left, lights and sparks of energy went off, the elements we're doing their thing, we didn't need to stay, so we pushed on and eventually found the wing, we looked, but there was only one door, it was at the end of the hallway. "Of course it's one of these hallways...okay well, we can do this okay, we goto the door, open it, pull ironjaw with us, we get out, meet with Sparkbolt, easy peachy.", she nodded and we sprinted down and threw open the door, we grabbed for the air, and we somehow got ironjaw in the process, we then carried him and like that we was done. We began making our way back towards the auditorium, but something caught our eyes,the fight the elements, we passed by, but they seem to disappear. "Where did they go?', I responded,"Couldn't have gone far, look!", I pointed out a rather large hole, looks like the fight was very intense indeed, but the hole seem to lead straight to the auditorium, that was not good indeed. "Okay, so Saprkbolt is going to have company, hurry, we must meet up with him!" We began leaping through the many holes, with a knocked out ironjaw on my back, and a very lovely Brightstar to my side, we eventually made our way out of the holes left, and met at the auditorium doors, to the left was the Doctor.
"Good you made it, and with ironjaw as well, the elements and that thing, blasted through here recently, they are in there as we speak, also with that many holes being created, this place is coming down! We have to get out of here now, before we all die!", but that was something I couldn't do, I know what must be done. "No, you take her and ironjaw out of here, I should of have finished this a long time ago, Bright, please don't forget me, live on okay, If I make it, i'll come find you, I promise." She started to cry and kissed me one last time as the three of them began to leave, and I burst through the door, but there was no elements here, it was just him...
"It is time, I knew you would be the one to end this, well the time is dawned on us, it is time to finish what you started...are you ready Crimson?" I looked at him, "More ready then I will ever be, and I have someone waiting on me, so let's make this quick."
As we ready up, the final moments of the dark lifted up, and the sun began to dawn, it shined through the windows, and his true formed emerged from the shadows, mine, I was already there. We both charged each other, and the first blows were collided, after that, we both stood there as the rest of the building began to collapse, with each continued blow, more and more of the building began to crumble at the seems, he struck one more and sent me flying, straight out the door through many walls, i picked myself up and found myself at the main entrance, before I could look, he was already in front of me and kicking me out the main doors. I met with the elements and the others, they fired off the spell, and I was hit, in the background I heard panicked gasps, a maniacal laughter, and the scream of my beloved. The blast, the immense energy that struck my body, as if i was being sent through a black hole, my skin began to turn to stone, and I sat there as he stood there with the sadist smile he had one, watching me suffer, the plan has failed, and utter death would ensue, before I was completely turned over, the facility collapsed and many more screams let out, there was people still in there, and with that added suffering, he would be unstoppable now...Phase one was over, but this was not the end, Phase two is still active. I refuse to let myself turn over this easily, I began to fight back at the spell, I shatter the stone parts and made my way over to him, for once fear looked over his face, he tried to escape, but I grabbed a hold of him and threw him as well with me, back into the remains of the facility. The rest looked as I escaped, the element bearers were in awe, wondering as to why I had escaped their magic powers, the purple one finally looked at brightstar and said, "You, your love for him...it was the only thing preventing him from turning over...you...you can help us defeat this evil..."
