Author's Note

Yeah...So all those who read the earlier chapters will notice the incredibly crap time span in between the third one and this one. I don't really have an excuse, but I can offer an apology. I picked up music recently so I have devoting most of my time to growing my musical knowledge rather than writing, and I only picked it back up recently.

If this chapter isn't as good as you were hoping the return of "Abnormal would be, feel free to strike me down with ample force. I still don't have an editor, so It may be mistake aplenty. Please notify me of big ones, or distracting ones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e3OuUyKvbg That's the song for this one.

Pitch Black

-Pitch Black-

I awoke to a blackness.

I groggily rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and stood up, or tried to at least. When I put my back legs out to stand they met no floor, kicking out aimlessly. I gasped, preparing myself for a fall, but to my relief and utter confusion I did not. I looked at my feet, pushing them around, feeling for solid ground, coming up entirely empty in my search.

Nothing.

I swiveled my head to get a look around, but every direction I assessed told the same story. Absolutely nothing. I swished my tail from side to side, still clearly seeing the motion as if it were a bright sunny day. The area around me was surrounded by an impending blackness, but I wasn‘t a part of it.

I took a tentative step forward, but my leg only pushed downwards with no solid ground beneath it. It was as if I was floating, or falling without the resistance of wind. What the buck have I gotten myself into?

It took minutes to gain motion out of a simple swimming pattern, but after some trial and error I was successfully propelling myself through the endless black, hurtling towards some sense of reality. I swam for what felt like hours, pushing and pulling my hooves without even the slightest clue where I was heading, or if I was even moving at all.

I began hearing a low sound. It was not a hum, but a soft scratching sound that slowly increased in volume until it had my sole point of attention. The way it burrowed into my head like a bore, wrenched me from my thoughts was excruciating. I folded my ears against my skull to muffle the noise, but to no avail.

It was then that I heard a rough voice. A greeting but without words, just a gruff sound that carried venom and angst. It held no hurt, but only anger. It and the scratching became one, raising in volume until I stopped my motion just to cover my ears with my hooves.

It never stopped.

I sat motionless, eyes closed and hooves pounding away at my head until it all stopped. Breathlessly I awaited for another brutal entourage but nothing came. Only silence remained.

With the silence came an uneasiness.

Something arose in me, starting from the bottom of my stomach, but seeping into my chest. It felt like it was grabbing at my insides, making my stomach churn and my heart thumping all but out of my chest. The anxiety, the wait.

I opened my eyes and she was staring back at me. Chrystalis.

My mouth opened and a scream crawled up from my inner being, but her hole-ridden hoof slammed into my mouth before I could speak.

“Shh little one. You have reason to fret, but not here.” Her ominous voice cascaded into my ears, and pounded at my head until I could no longer fight her grasp. The scratching had returned, but louder and worse than it had been before.

“You chose incorrectly when you joined in with these ponies. You became a traitor, a deceiver, a liar, and a wart on the hide of my hive, and to me.” I used all my might to scramble away from her but it was no use. This was her realm. She smiled sickeningly, and all my breath was pulled from my body, leaving me a gasping sweating mess.

“We’ll see you soon, little one.” Her eyes intensified and the scratching became a wail, a screech. I began screaming and flailing, as when she dropped me from her hold I began to fall. The world was no longer black, but I was above my hive and falling fast. With one final choke and yelp, I rocketed towards the rough death that awaited me. I began to pray, to whom I don’t know, that I could relive my day’s, or just have one more to my self. I closed my eyes and prepared for the inevitable, or so I had dreamt.

“It’s o.k! It’s o.k! I’m here. Please be o.k!” I awoke screaming as well, thrashing and kicking like I had never before. I was drenched in hopefully just sweat, and had become impossibly entangled in the blankets that once comforted me. I tried to get up, to throw myself as far away from… -whatever that was- as I could, but I was being locked in place by something. I opened my eyes to find myself to be, this time, staring at a very teary, blue eyed Fluttershy. She had me encompassed in a hug and was nuzzling me in the neck.

It took me a moment to stop thrashing about, and much longer to gather my senses, but once I had, I did nothing but burry my muzzle far into Fluttershy’s mane: And cry. And I’m quite sure I cried for hours.

“Shhh, It will all be alright, It was just a dream; a really awful dream.” She cooed while I wept; I was latching onto her like a parasite and had no Intention of letting go. Most definitely not going back to sleep. I felt, thankfully, no pain. I did feel very sick and was physically shut down.

She used her wings to unwrap and pull the sweat-drenched blanket off of me, while stroking my mane and humming out a soft melody. It flowed into my ears like a slow river, and soothed me to the point that I was no longer babbling incoherently.

“There there, It’s alright. See? It’s all over, and you’re safe right here.” She placed the blanked on the floor and moved onto the couch, wrapping me in her wings. The over abundance of pegasus fluff provided ample heat, at a comfortable level. I rested back into her and looked at my surroundings. It was still dark out, but If the clock told true, the sun would be breaching the horizon soon. A few confused critters had scampered into the room, looking to find the source of all the commotion. Some of the bigger ones were being used as stepping stools for squirrels and rabbits.

“Heh” I chuckled and started wiping the remaining tears from my eyes. At least they aren't trying to maul me... this time.

“Better?” Fluttershy asked, inviting the devils child, I mean, Angel onto the couch and into her mane. The dastardly rabbit didn’t even attempt to bother me and he gave me a knowing nod when I looked at him. He’s probably seen this before, with Fluttershy. A lot.

I nodded, “A little, I just think It’s… funny how I’m supposed to be a hard working soldier of a powerful army, yet here I am getting a lullaby from you… and crying.”

“Well I’m sure that wasn’t a very good dream.” She once again started to stroke my mane, and it brought a smile to my face.

I chuckled, “You don’t even know the half of it. I’m not going to accept that as a dream, I’ve had bad dreams before… this was different.” Sunlight was just beginning is hopeful stream through the window, with the light stretching ever so slightly above the treeline, giving the forest in front of the cottage an almost surreal look. Inside the Everfree was still eerily black, the thick vegetation blocking sunlight from reaching the bottom of the forest. I shuddered and brought my vision down to the floorboards.

“Y-you want to talk about it, I-If thats alright?” She was now talking at normal, Fluttershy normal, volume again, no longer worried about frightening me and making my nightmares worse.

“What’ll that do?” She shrugged and snuggled into my back. this is nice.

“Sometimes, when things happen to me, no matter how awful, talking about them with somepony makes it much better. It was I got through many um... hardships in my life.” She sniffled and her tone of voice shifted dramatically with those last few words.

“I...I am very sorry to hear that.” I pushed my head further into the crane of her neck. I drew out a long sigh, and closed my eyes, preparing for the intense storytelling to come. “Yes, I want to talk about it.”

---------------------------------------------------

Fluttershy was shocked when she heard how awful my dream was, To be truthful I was shocked while telling it. I’ve never had a dream that vivid. Ever. She told me how the princess Celestia’s younger sister’s job, other than to raise and lower the moon, Is to stop ponies all over Equestria from having bad dreams. I’m probably the only creature in all of Equestria who has had a dream that horrible in… ages.

The story telling droned on for longer than expected, and very much against my will, I had to leave her embrace so she could, “Start the day.”

“Why do we have to go so early?” I pleaded, giving her the best puppy-dog eyes I could.

“Because animals won’t wait for their food, they don’t know better.” She opened a cupboard and pulled a wide variety of animal feed out.

“Yeah but, It’s only six.” I rubbed more sleep from my eyes and yawned, almost tipping over, only narrowly regaining my balance. You would think I would be awake by now.

“They can’t tell time.” She giggled, and started pouring the food in assorted bowls lining her kitchen. “I-uh, could use help, If that isn’t a… problem.”

I nodded and grabbed a bag of bird feed off the ground. “I can do that. Maybe.” I hovered over to a large bird feeder, one that had a hoof sized food tray, I leaned the bag over, only to have a tiny white paw stop me.

“Huh.” I looked up, and was greeted with an ugly sight. A white hare warrior, armed with a stockpile of nuts and carrots was crouched inside the birdhouse. He reared his arm back, looked me in the face, and grinned. And unnaturally sinister grin. He let loose the first carrot, and then an uncountable amount soon followed, all making their mark on my forehead.

“Ow, ow, ow ow ow, get away!” He threw carrots like a machine gun, rapid fire, orange projectiled pounded my face and I dropped to the floor. I pedaled hard with my back legs, and I slipped and slid my way over to the couch, in which I hid behind. I narrowly peaked my head out from the battle ready sofa, only to be smacked immediately with a walnut.

“Angel! Stop, that’s not nice.” Yes! I peered over once more to find Fluttershy in mother-mode with Angel frozen mid throw below her. “You know better than to hurt other creatures.” He gave a nervous grin, and he slowly lowered the carrot to his mouth, where he began chewing on it. “Now say you’re sorry, then go to you’re hut and think about this, um, please.? Angel drooped his arms and sauntered off, giving a half hearted wave towards me. I suppose as his apology.

“Hehe, good going.” I peeled myself from the battle-worn cover and trotted over to the fallen bird seed, picking it up and continuing the chores I was given. I caught glimpse of Angel staring at me, maniacally, sitting atop a slow moving vulture, and chills flew down my spine. I quickly looked away and resumed my chores double speed.

“Yeah…” She sighed and pawed at the ground, “Sorry about Angel, h-he doesn’t like other… ponies, stealing his attention.” She closed her bag of animal food, and placed it back into the cupboard; a fat baby chipmunk skidded over to her and held his hands out, to where she promptly placed a nut into his paws. He took the nut without haste, and shoved it into his mouth, scampering off to who knows where. These animals don't really treat Fluttershy very well…

I sat with a dumbfounded look on my face, as to how she put up with these, varmints, taking her food without thanks. I finished my bird feeding and promptly threw the bag back to where I found it. “He didn’t seem to bothered when I was all torn up on the couch.”

“H-he was probably, planning…and confused more than angry.” She shuffled her way to the kettle and added water to it, getting tea-bags ready. “He should know better though… sorry” Her saddened tone of voice drained any residual anger I had from my earlier onslaught. I need to get her to stop apologising, soon.

“Don’t be sorry, I’m sure he’ll get used to me, or something.” I trotted over to her couch and sat down, fluffing the pillow I was lying on for extra comfort. She nodded her head and grabbed her saddle bags, throwing them onto her back as well as a little green coat. She turned to me and gave a cute giggle. She’s… adorable?… yeah that fits.

“I have a weakly spa thing with one of my friends today, Rarity. You met her yesterday; but I have to go… W-will you be o.k here, alone?” I began to nod but turned my head only to witness Angel glaring and pointing at me, holding a carrot like a knife, and poking an old rickety vulture with it. He gave the ‘death glare’ and I gulped.

“S-sure.” I nervously turned away and back to Fluttershy, “I guess, but, whats a spa?” She cocked her head sideways and looked at me like I had a dragon strapped to my head, but softened her expression and giggled again. So...Cute?... Yes.

“Sorry, I keep forgetting you didn’t have back in your… Hive, that we do here. A spa is a place you go to relax, and its...nice. You can come if you want, I’m sure Rarity won't mind.” She trotted to her counter, opened a cupboard, and pulled out a hidden stash of “bits” as she called them. “I’ll pay for you.”

“Oh no, I can… Nevermind I can’t pay, but are you sure? I don’t want to cause a scene.” Fluttershy turned away from me, and watched as Angel sat upon the lazy vulture, poking his head with a carrot, glaring at me all the while. The vulture slowly toppled over, like a large building, where then he sat motionless, letting the vegetable viking jab him as he pleased. She cringed. “Quite sure. Do you remember your disguise?” Of course!

“Yup!” I quickly changed without a hitch and snagged an extra coat lying on a rack. “I’ll just talk as little as I can, and If something happens, I’ll just tell her I have to go… and stuff.” I pushed her door open and got hit with a chilly, but somewhat pleasant breeze. It smelled like...Life. She slid by me and began trotting down her path, me following suit. I could have sworn I heard something shuttering in the bushes near by, but I shrugged it off. Probably just a bear…Bear. Bear! I Jumped nearly half a mile, and sped off at a running pace. “I’ll-I’ll race, you there!" Yeah! that's why I’m running.

She took off after me with this distressed look smeared on her face. “But you don’t know where the spa is! Or Ponyville.” She was far lighter than me, and apparently much more skilled with her hoof work, surprising for such a demure Pegasus, and caught up immediately.

“Don’t care, lets go, far away, quickly!” I sped up to my maximum as I trotted down the path, she caught up to me but evened her pace with mine as she brought her head level with mine. This might actually be a fun race… I’m so smart.

Minutes before, on Fluttershy’s path.

“Ah’m tellin’ y’all, Fluttershy will tell us the truth if we ask!”

“Yes, but Applejack, you can’t pressure her like that, she’ll have a heart attack! And what if she doesn't even know. She isn’t one to keep secrets.” Twilight has to trot to keep up with the brisk pace the country mare was making. They were heading to Fluttershy’s cottage, although angrily storming towards it would be better put.

“Twilight, ah know that won’t happen, and ah’ll bet my farm and Granny Smith’s hip she knows. And on the secret keeping thing, that's why ah’m askin’ her.

“You know how wrong this is? She is our friend!” Twilight stopped on the muddy path and shook off some sweat gathered from the run. Applejack skidded to a halt, kicking up long laying dust and pebbles as she did so. She slid off her Stetson and gave Twilight a pleading look.

“Ah know that, but this is fer’ her safety as well. The longer we wait, the more wrong can happen, so please just trust me on this one.” She sighed and pushed her worn hat back into position, and continued on towards the cottage.

“Uhhg.” Twilight bowed her head and took a few quick steps to catch back up with her country friend. “I’m just rather reluctant to be-rid of the only new friend Fluttershy has made in...forever.”

Applejack rolled her eyes and pointed her hoof ahead towards a large berry bush. “Ya’ll can see her cottage from here, and we can use this bush for cover.” Applejack poked a hoof into the shrubbery and moved some branches to the side. “And look,” She stuck her head in, “It’s got room in here fer’ the both of us.

Twilight took a tentative step forward and placed her head in as well. “If you really want to go talk to her, then go do it. There's no reason to over complicate things, with… this.” Applejack had herself laying across some of the branches, winding her way in and out of them, resting her head on the dirt just behind the bushes protective greens. She paid no heed to Twilight's judgments and continued scoping out the cottage.

“Where are ya’ll, varmin’.” Not a bug nor bird stirred as they waited for their target to come down the road to Fluttershy’s house. The wind seemed to blow but not a leaf rustled, a deer was grazing only a few feet in front of the subtle home.

Applejack was fully bewildered when Her target came not down the road, but out of the cottage, along with Fluttershy herself. “Wha’ that little creep is already here.”

Twilight once more rolled her eyes at her friends rude behavior, but pushed her way fully into the bush and down into the dirt. “Oh look, she’s walking calmly. You might be right about her being evil…”

A glare and a prompt shushing stopped Twilight's sarcasm as soon as it began. It was then when “Toffee” Jumped, and ran ahead shouting incoherently as she went, Fluttershy soon following suit.

“Aha! Ah’ told ya’ll somethin’ was ahoof! Lets git’ after em’. Blueg.” Applejack leapt from the bush only to be magically halted by a quite calm Sparkle.

“Look, Applejack, if we really want to prove she’s got things to hide, chasing her screaming down that trail, and following her to who knows where won’t help.” Twilight released the struggling mare onto the path, their targets now long out of sight. Applejack stood up and shook herself from the dust she had collected. She took a long gaze at the stetson that fell off its perch

“Ya’ll’re right because they’re gone.” She shot a glare at Twilight and placed the country attire back atop her head. “Ya’ll better hope Fluttershy comes back from wherever soon.” She turned and began a slow trot back to their shrubby cover.

“Well if we head back to the library we can…”

“Enope, you and ah’ will be awaitin’ right here, until they git’ back, She snapped off offending branches to make her perch more comfortable. “Like ah’ said, It better be soon.” Twilight face-hoofed and sighed, but gave up on her already thought up protest and joined her friend in the bush.

Today is going to be a long one.