The Elements of Darkness: Element #1 Suffering

Chapters

Worlds end
Waking up to a new World
Not Exactly How I Planned
Magic?
What Have I Done?
A Dragon's Fury
First Encounter
Of Fates Undesired
Trapped
Simple Seduction
Reporting In
Consequences
Finding the Way
Pale Stiletto: A Trip to the Library
When Worlds Collide
The Human Option
The Broken Rise
Settling in
Abomination
What is Done in the Dark
I Just Don't Know What Went Wrong
Manipulation

Worlds end

Worlds End

One Man's Decent

December 20 2012, the day the world would end.

When I awoke this morning in my dorm room nothing was different. It was the same
as always for me, the life I always thought I’d have in college. Long nights in my dorm
room, only contact with my old friends from high school was trough Facebook and
emails, spending most of my time studying and avoiding the people of Wyoming. After
spending half the day in my room reading the texts for my test tomorrow, which
everyone else in the class isn’t studying for laughing that the test will never be given, I’ll
laugh at them when they all fail. Maybe getting my medical tech degree will brighten my
outlook. Best not to get my hopes up though.

Time for a walk; too much sitting and I won’t be ready for track season.

The outside is the same as ever, same small old town, same people, same old style
shops that are usually found in rural Wyoming. As I walked passed all the people I had
no intention of meeting and all the shops holding nothing in the way of entertainment,
I couldn’t help but wonder if I would have been better off staying in my own little
hometown in Kansas. At least I wouldn’t have to meet anyone new, and I wouldn’t have
to look at all the happy couples that occupy Main Street at this hour. I even recognized
one couple on sitting on my favorite bench by the fountain from my physics class. Why
do so many people delude themselves with love at such a young age?

I look at my watch, 23:58. Everyone around me immediately turned to look at me as my
hysterical laughter erupts from the knowledge that the day is almost over. Nothing even
happened today except some looting in big cities and people huddling in their homes
saying goodbye over some crackpot idea that the world would end on a day of such little
significance.

Now that I am done laughing I can’t help but feel awkward about all the attention I
attracted during my musings. But wait, what happened to the couple sitting on the
bench. The boy is gone and the girl is just sitting there with a confused look on her face.
Odd, the guy isn’t anywhere and his bag is still leaning gently against the bench with its
front pocket hanging open to reveal a small dark velvet ring box. Really? I never thought
someone would disappear moments before proposing.

As my gaze turns back to the girl, I barely have the time to get a short glance at her face
with it’s twin rivulets of tears gently flowing down her face before she disappears. Just
gone. No flash, no sound, no reaction, just gone.

In fact everyone is gone. It’s just me walking down this empty street. Where did
everyone go? Did the world really end? But wait I am still here. Could it be that my

disbelief saved me. Was the meek really going to inherit the earth? Somewhere is there
another like me standing alone in their own perfectly quiet town?
I am distracted by my watches 17:15 alarm. That can’t be right it should only be a few
minutes after midnight.

A glimpse of my foot allows me to see the effects of the call to Armageddon. With a soft
clink 13 chains fly out of the perfectly smooth pavement a surgically clean hook at the
end of every one. I can do nothing but stare in horror as the first two hooks slam into my
ankles pinning my feet to the ground before slowly tearing their way into my skin
snapping the many tendons of my feet like so much string before imbedding their
backwards curving hooks into my calcaneus (the bone that comprises the human heel).
The next set of hooks approach from either side easily catching the middles of my
wrists, just as I was thinking of trying to remove the hooks from my feet, not so luckily
these go right between my radius and ulna strait into the nerves and veins clustered
there causing the second most painful event of my life and certainly the bloodiest.
These waste no time in pulling my arms away from my chest and stretching my arms as
far as they can go. I am no stranger to pain, if I was, I might have been able to hide
away inside my head, instead I am completely aware of all that is happening and
surprisingly fascinated by the current events. Then two of the hooks approach from
behind me slamming down into my shoulder braking my collarbone in an instant
scraping down my ball joint until their backward facing barbs are all the way in, causing
the set of muscles that control neck movement to spasm forcing my head to face
forward. My head fogs over so that I hear more than feel the hooks slide gently into my
elbows then steadily pulling downward causing the bones of my wrist to crack from the
strain.

A thought goes through my mind I am going to die here. Memories appear before my
eyes like silent videos. Graduation day at my high school, the first day I looked at myself
in the mirror and life was good. That was the year I finally started lifting weights and my
body changed from a scrawny 112 pound boy to a 140 pound man. Hours of playing
video-games with my brother went by in mere seconds. My first girlfriend sat in the
passenger seat of my car smoking a cherry flavored cigar while I tried to talk her out of
it, her handing it to me. Then me taking a pull shortly before the memory snaps into the
next scene. Me and my roommate staying up all night on our bunk beds stratigizing for
the next race. Wait, I had a roommate? I struggle to bring up more memories of him.
Nothing, like he never existed. My mind snaps back into focus as the chains begin to
pull harder. I can do nothing but wait for the end.

Blood flows swiftly from my knees which were impaled about the same time as my
elbows without me even noticing it; they are being slowly pulled toward the pavement.
Then my ankles break and my knees slam into the ground where hooks eleven and
twelve insert themselves right inside my pelvis, rupturing my kidneys and releasing their
burning toxins. In a flash the last chain whips around my head hooking the underside of
my jaw and with a dull crack the bones of my neck burst through my throat.

I’m can see my entire twisted bloody body being torn apart by the now crimson hooks,
I put a spectral hand in front of my face and discover a small bright silver chain firmly
attached to a ring on my wrist. In fact it seems that I have been removed from my body.

A loud clank and I am yanked toward the ground.

Another clank and my feet go through the cement without any resistance.

Whatever is pulling me down increases its speed.

My mind fills with dread as my head approaches the ground. I find the strength to raise
up my hand, barely grabbing my dismembered foot.

The silver chains pull viciously; I can feel my legs stretching.
“Just one more look at the world” I tell myself pulling with all my might to force my head
back above ground.

When my eyes finally reach the surface I am greeted by the sight of an armored angel
holding a large sword flying directly at me.

With a single flick of the wrist the winged man severs the chains and pulls me back
up to sit next to my lifeless body. The blood pools at my feet with none of it actually
touching me. I could think of nothing else to do but stare at the being in front of me.
He was truly a sight, his body was so muscular that it was a wonder he could even fly.
The only unarmored part of him was his massive feet which bore deep red burn-marks
which disappear into his grieves. His had a softly rounded head and his completely
yellow eyes looked directly into my own.

“Just a creator torn from his work to settle the dispute of two lesser beings,” the winged
man said flatly
“Dispute?”

“Yes both the entity you know as the devil and the one you call god lay claim to your
soul.”

“They have given you to me, an uneasy agreement for them to make, but being at each
others throats for so long has made them weak. Unfortunately for you I have reviewed
your life and found it lacking”

“Okay,” I said resigning myself to whatever punishment he chose

“Your situation intrigues me though so I will give you a choice: you can stay here and try
to live on in the broken body you see before you or you can take my offer and live in a
world I made just for you.”

“I chose to go with you.” Anything is better than nothing

“Excellent. Prepare yourself for a world you know and love to be turned into a place of
suffering because of the choice you’ve made.”

“Before we go I’d like to know your name.” shit this guy hates me. Is it worth the second
chance?

“You may call me Michael, the name your worthless kind gave me,” he said with a frown
“Why have I never heard of you if we gave you a name?”

“Enough questions youngling! You are my new entertainment for as long as I wish,” he
paused for a moment his frown turning into a wide smile, “This world bores me to no
end.”

Michael then grabbed me by the throat and we flew up off the Earth stopping to hover
by the moon

I looked back on Earth for the last time watching it disintegrate into nothing. Then
Michael pointed us toward the sun and we flew off again.
It only took a few seconds to pass the sun and before long we came to the event
horizon of a black hole.

“I hate traveling like this,” Michael voiced while struggling against the black hole as
he lined us up for a strait shot at the middle doubling his speed. My spectral body was
stretched to its limit before we finally came to a portal no bigger than the eye of a needle
which Michael flew us through with ease.

Blackness, then a blinding flash of light

“Celestia will have a fit when she figures out what I’ve done!” exclaimed Michael with
glee waking me from my slumber

“Celestia? Like from My Little Pony?” this can’t be happening, how can Equestria
become a place of suffering?

I stood up and looked around for the first time.

Trees on all sides, a small wooden bridge across a river, soft grass covering the ground,
colorful birds in the trees; the stereotypical picture of serenity

I walked over to an eddy in the river and looked down at my reflection. Much to my
surprise I had indeed become a pony, a lanky dark brown Pegasus with cream hooves
and a short unkempt green mane. I smiled Michael had apparently seen fit to make me
exactly the way I’ve always imagined me as a pony except for one thing, my eyes. I
leaned in closer; my eyes had been changed from their previous shade of brown-black
into the color of flowing blood.

I tilted my head back to try and determine more of Michael’s character from his facial
expressions, but he was gone.

“Time to try out my new body.” and stop talking to myself.

I began to do the one thing that always made me feel better, run. I ran as fast as my
four legs could a big smile came across my face as I realized how easy it was, no
trouble breathing, and no joint pain. If he was going to punish me why give me a perfect

body? Are my wings as perfect, they are certainly big. I guess there is only one way to
find out.

I spread my wings wide at a full canter and lifted up into the sky turning my head to look
back at the clearing I started at. I must have run a good 6 miles in just under half an
hour, shit that’s a five minute mile.

“Buck yeah!”
My brain was a cacophony of possibilities for what to do with the rest of my time here.
Try to meet the main cast? Go to a big city like Manehatton? Cause a little chaos?
I’ll need a cover identity, If only I could remember my name. The need for sleep took
priority as I flew over to a small cloud lazily drifting across the sky and lay myself down
to rest. My legs were pleasantly burning from my run and sleep quickly wrapped me in
its warm embrace.

Waking up to a new World

The First Curse

I woke the way I always did after a run, with a morning wood imbedded in my bed which in this case happened to be a cloud. I turned to survey the forest, the sun was just going down and all was quiet except a timber wolf atop a distant hill. A grey shape appears out of the east and moves directly at me.

“Nice I finally get to meet a pony.”

The shape turned out to be Derpy and she was indeed coming directly at me.

“Sorry this cloud was scheduled for destruction before it rains on Fluttershy’s house.” she said quickly panting from her flight over

“But I’m not done sleeping and I would love a ride to Fluttershy’s.” I can’t believe he actually brought me to Equestria.”

“It has to go.” She then calmly pushed me off the cloud.

I opened my wings and started to glide down when I felt a burning sensation on the side Ditzy touched me. My skin melted off as if acid was being poured down my back and my wings broke near the base causing me to accelerate toward the ground. My back legs’ muscles fell away revealing my stark white bones which then imbedded themselves in my chest halting my breathing. My front legs tore themselves from their sockets and hung limply by the tendons. The ground relieved me of the pain seconds later.

Dragons chased me in my dreams running me across jagged rocks and burning lava but I couldn’t stop running, I couldn’t stop the pain.

A baby dragon tripped me then forced me onto a steel grate chaining my limbs down. Then he stood by me proudly.

“Look Spike got one!” exclaimed the lead dragon

“Then let him have the first cut.” roared a blood red dragon emerging from the crowd

“Hell yes.” exclaimed spike as he heated his claws in his dragon fire

He then cleaved my kidney in two. My back arched with the pain as a scream erupted from my mouth. The next dragon pulled my shoulder out of position then cut the skin covering the socket. A black dragon then came over and dripped acid into the wound.

“Come on guys you can do better.” I said from behind clenched teeth

Spike then took out a bow and arrow “let us see how he likes this.” He then shot me through the knee, interestingly enough the pain felt just like my tendentious used to when I was human.

Then the blood red dragon walked over and placed his hand over my leg “I have a gift for you, do you accept?”

“Sure why not Jack.” I said with a little laugh

He then clenched his hand and all the blood in my leg pushed itself out of my leg tearing through bone and flesh alike forming a sphere directly over his hand. I should be unconscious from the blood loss but I’m already unconscious aren’t I?

“I grow tired of this. Let’s end it.” said an emerald green dragon biting off my pelvis with a loud crunch.

“Looks like no children for me.” I said laughing even louder

The black dragon then proceeded to breathe fire down my throat “That will shut him up.” He said proudly

Michael then came before me “I gave you a new life and you die no less than three hours later.” He said angrily

“How was I to know that one touch would end in so much pain.”

“I told you it was a place of suffering, why did you doubt me?”

“I couldn’t see how someone could turn Equestria into a place of suffering.”

“All I did was change the astral ether into atoms and introduce my own physics. Even you should understand that.”

“Then why torture me here instead of the world you made?”

“But this isn't even me; i had to project myself into your own mind. So the better question is; why do you torture yourself?”

“I am the only person I know that deserves torture.” Where the hell did that come from?

“An acceptable answer for once; you will have just one more chance. Don’t waste it.”

_____________________________________________________________________

Fluttershy was walking through the forest at night searching for some of Angel’s favorite flowers for his birthday party when she came upon a horrible sight. On the ground was the remains of what used to be a pony, its skin was ripped off and its legs were sticking out at odd angles. Sadness gripped her heart as she broke down and cried for a pony she never knew… or did she?

She walked up to the body and examined the only patch of skin left, a small piece of the left flank, the blood bubbled up around the skin which had half of a light blue bubble on it.

“Ditzy Do!” Fluttershy exclaimed crying once more. “I better get you to town for a proper funeral.”
She flipped the crippled body onto her back and felt it spasm covering her in blood.

“It’s ok you’re going home.” Fluttershy said softly

Then the corpse slid off her back on its own accord.

Fluttershy turned and watched in amazement as the bones realigned and new skin started to grow.

_____________________________________________________________________

The first thing I saw when I came back to life was a bloody face with the most beautiful blue-green eyes staring directly at me.

“Where am I?” I asked quietly

The eyes then ran off as fast as they could into the forest.

“Hopefully they are running towards town.” And hopefully no-pony thinks I’m crazy talking to myself all the time

Following the pony’s tracks for miles I came upon the familiar sight of Ponyville.

I then spotted a blood soaked shape leap through the library’s door.

walking slowly towards the library; I became even more apprehensive about meeting more ponies.They won’t like me, nopony ever did once they got to know the real me. Can I lie to them? It seems mean but it might be the best choice

Just as I mustered up enough courage to approach the library I was wrapped by a glowing purple force which could only be Twilight’s magic. Then surprisingly a thread of purple light wrapped around my throat cutting off my air supply.

My vision fades as ponies came out of hiding to gather around my unconscious form.

Not Exactly How I Planned

Fluttershy woke up Twilight while she was still covered in blood.

“Hold on Fluttershy I think I have a spell to stop the bleeding.” said Twilight, immediately concerned with her friends health.

Fluttershy just shook her head no. “Then whats the matter?”

“Pony… Forest… Death… Life… Chasing.” Fluttershy said between breaths.

“A pony came back to life in the forest and is chasing you? That is ridiculous you sound like Spike.”

Fluttershy drug Twilight to the window pointing to a bloody pony casually walking into town “See!”

Spike woke up and walked over to Twilight. “Whats going on?”

Twilight stepped between him and the window “Nothing Spike go to bed.”

Spike leaned around Twilight’s legs and caught a glimpse of the macabre pony headed straight for the library. “ZOMBIE PONY!” yelled Spike as he ran to the panic button and slamming his little fist into it, sending the signal that would alert the town that something important was happening.

“Spike what did you do that for? Now it knows we’re on to it.” Twilight said angrily “I’m going to go see if I can’t stop it you two stay in here.”

“Twilight I’m going with you.” said Fluttershy in a semi-confident voice

“There is no time to argue.” said twilight as she ran out of the door, her horn glowing with magic.

______________________________________________________________________________

“I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“Everypony return to your homes, we have everything under control.” yells a booming voice That could only be Twilight. She must be using a spell to augment her voice.

I heard a loud grumble as the crowd dissipated. “What are we going to do with you?”

“You could let me go, or get my face out of the dirt.”

Magic lifts me and pins me against the wall of the library. Fluttershy and Twilight stood before me, their eyes making me feel very self-conscious.

“Spike go get the girls.”

“Come on Twi how dangerous can I be?”

“What did you just call me?”

“Twilight.”

“No you said ‘Twi’ only my friends call me that.”

“Lucky guess .” I replied in an uneasy tone best not to freak them out any more than necessary

Twilight only glared in response

Rainbow Dash landed at my shoulder “This is the dangerous pony? It looks no scarier than Fluttershy. I mean I could take it down in ten seconds flat.”

“Come now Rainbow Dash let’s not brag in front of our guest.” said Rarity in her melodic voice

“oh oh oh oh oh a new pony, I’ll go set up a party.” yelled a very exited Pinky Pie darting back into Sugarcube Corner

A rope wraps around my left hoof “You can put him down now Twilight. I got him” there is Apple Jack

The magic releases me and before I hit the ground the rope was tied around three of my legs and I was flipped onto my
back. “TIME” shouted Applejack

“What’re you doing here” whispered Fluttershy from her hiding spot behind Twilight.

“Uh Twi you better take a look at this.” said a voice somewhere behind me

I turned to see Apple Jack with her head turned to the side staring at my flank. My face reddens deeply as the possibilities of what she was looking at flew through my mind. My curiosity overcomes my embarrassment as I twist my back even more; only to discover my cutie mark had changed to a dead butterfly in pieces next to a half dead butterfly with broken wings being eaten by a third butterfly with wings of fire.

“A moving cutie mark? How is that possible?”

Three butterflies? What happened to my cutie mark? Did I have one before? Why can’t I remember? I strained by back even more in an effort to discover more about my situation when a distressing observation catches me off guard. I’m female. Somehow I’ve gone from my original pony body into something else. A slight pull at the back of my consciousness invades my thoughts.

My wings turn in their sockets tearing all of their connective tissues into a useless mass and falling to the ground. The pain was only a minor inconvenience as my mind pondered my new set of circumstances. Ehh my head hurts, I’ll just roll with it and figure it out later.

“Oh the poor thing is hurt.”

“Fluttershy! This poor thing just scared you half to death and chased you into town. She still hasn’t explained herself.” said an annoyed Twilight

Unfortunately the blood vessels that travel up the wings are quite large, and nopony was doing anything to stop the blood flowing from me.

Damn if I keep on falling unconscious I’ll get brain damage

Magic?

A wooden floor, a soft blanket, my face in a puddle of blood, noa gift “what?” The blood is a gift.“who?” in order for an earth pony to use magic one must split their consciousness. “So you’re my other consciousness?” No I’m just giving you a fighting chance, or am I? The voice fades away.

A bright flash then the only thing I see is a field of black.

Split my consciousness huh. So that’s how Pinkie Pie does it, but I don’t want someone like Pinkamina running free in my head. What is an emotion I rarely use? Pride? Joy? Love? Pride sounds the easiest, but how to separate it? What about the “gift”? A flashback to the dream I had after crashing into the ground, a sparkling black dragon forcing the blood out of my leg using nothing but his mind. That has to be it! What was it Gravity manipulation? Some type of blood-control? Power over Iron? I’ll just try to move the blood first.

I sat down in my mind and focused on my breathing like it was the recovery strait of a race. I’ve got it! I concentrated on the fact that I was worthless and pathetic. Then I tried to convince myself that I was special and that everything I did always worked out. The two thoughts conflicting with each other eventually formed two voices shouting at each other which then turned to an enormous feeling of hate. Shit. ”What’s wrong?” I can’t do anything; I might as well lay down and die right here. “Nonsense I always do what I set out to do.” I did It, I actually did it! I don’t think you could make that blood on the ground into a perfect circle. “Of course I can, but why would I do anything you asked me to do?”

I looked to my left to find a perfect copy of my old human body standing over me in the black chamber. Idea! I turned and bucked him in the face with my hind legs. Then jumped on him and summoned chains from the depths of my imagination pinning him to the ground.

“Because I said so, you may be me but you’ve never had to feel the pain I live with every day, the suffering I cause others simply by existing. Every breath I take pained me until I got here and I will not go through that again. So you can either do as I say or I destroy you right here and start over”

“O my, you are a violent one. Very well, your body is a disgrace anyway, I’d much rather have this form.” he said with a feminine twirl.

It took little effort to bring me out of my reverie.

The same soft blanket was covering me, but a circle of blood with an inscribed regular pentagon slowly formed around me.

“There, are you satisfied?”

Yes as long as you stay obedient I don’t care how you occupy your time.

“As you wish”

Now I couldn’t just see the circle, I could feel it. In fact I could feel all the blood in my body too. Interesting, so this is magic.

I pulled some blood out from underneath my freshly bandaged wings and shaped it into a pentagram fitting it inside the pentagon. This is easy, what do I need Pride for?

“I have a name you know.”

Then you’d best tell me it

“John”

Well John, if I can do this on my own what do I need you for?

The circle of blood lifts off the ground forming a floating hand which flies to my face and slaps it
“Why! Because I can do it perfectly without using any of your strength.”

You’re still using my blood.

“Well, if you give me a body of my own that wouldn’t be a problem.”

If that’s what you want I think we can cut a deal; how about if you help me escape this world I’ll make you a body to call your own

“Deal”

It was then that I noticed something; only Fluttershy would have had the knowledge of how to stop the bleeding and wrap my wounds, so this had to be her house. So where was everypony?
Searching the house quietly so as not to wake any sleeping animals I discovered the house was completely devoid of life. All of the animals’ living areas were clean and orderly. The chicken coop, there has to be animals in there.

As I approached the coop I heard voices coming from the road that led to town.
Running inside I tripped on a loose board. Better to hide then have to explain myself.
“But with the princesses gone what else are we to do?”

“That pony is dangerous. She was bleeding; nopony has bled since Celestia took the throne.”

“The guards said that they disappeared the night before she came she has to know something about what happened”

So the princesses are gone, I guess Michael couldn’t fake those two.

“She’s not here!”

“What do you mean she’s not here?”

“There is an odd puddle of blood where I left her last night, but she is gone!”

“Split up everypony she couldn’t have gotten far.”

Crap

Where to hide? The ceiling!

Jumping up to the rafters I barely managed to catch one in my hooves; as I was pulling myself up Fluttershy ran into the coop.

Come on, don’t look up

“Fluttershy where are you?”

“In here”

“Something has happened to Bon-bon! We need your help in town.”

“I’ll be right there”

I let out the breath I had been holding as she left.

I’d better get myself a disguise

What Have I Done?

What have I done?

I spent most of the trip to Ponyville testing the limitations of my magic. Forming it into blades and throwing it around was easy. I could do almost anything as long as the blood stayed hydrated. The law of Conservation of Energy seemed to apply; the more magic I used the more I was fatigued.

disguising myself as best I could I walked into town.

Blending in is hard

“That’s why we should have used my idea.”

Shut up Pride.

“I told you my name is John.”

How do we know that I won’t die from touching another pony?

“You didn’t die when Fluttershy carried you into the cottage.”

Yes but she’d already touched me by then

“We’ll never learn how this works if you keep running around with that bush tied to your back and those ridiculous glasses on your face.”

Shh someone is coming.

“They can’t hear me idiot.”

Yes, but you are quite distracting

“You must be new in town.” said a caramel colored stallion with a single hoof print on his flank

Silence

“Shy huh. Little tip stay away from the pink one; she likes to throw parties for all the new ponies.”

Silence

“See you around town.”

“Come on that one would be perfect.”

Fine

As he walked by I gently brushed by back leg against his side bracing myself for the pain that was sure to follow

A tingling sensation made its way up my leg, gradually encompassing my entire body.

Well that wasn’t so bad

“See what was there to worry about?”

Looking back on my now blank flank, I was relieved to discover that I was indeed male again. I was less happy with the color, a shining gold, how am I supposed to blend like this?

Then the cold came; a slowly spreading, burning pain forcing itself towards my head. Today I die. Then it stopped.

Pleasantly numb I pulled the bandages off my back. “That is going to be hard to explain.”

What

“Look at your flank.”

A bloody handprint marred the golden finish of my flank

Shit, Only one thing to do

Reaching down with my mouth I bit the inside of my knee. I tried to pull some blood out of the wound, what did surface required all of my concentration to remain in my control.

I bit down harder. This time the blood was flowing swiftly and was much easier to will into shape. So the more I bleed the easier it is to use? Focusing on the individual cells I started to rub them together creating a large amount of heat. What shape to use? A cup? A circle? No that’s dumb. Come on think. I got it!

The smell of burning flesh filled the air as I pressed the steaming blood against both sides of my flank.

“A shield huh, how are you going to explain that?”

Chances are I won’t have to

I used my old bandages to stop the bleeding; making sure that there was enough wrappings so that the blood wouldn’t show.

Time to explore town I guess

I began to walk towards the center of town. I didn’t get far before I ran into a large group of crying ponies huddled around Sugarcube Corner. Moving in for a closer look I was shoved out of the way by a sprinting Applejack.
“Oww”

“Sorry didn’t see you there.”

What could possibly be causing such a commotion?

It turns out that Bon-Bon’s problem was not something that anyone could fix. She was nailed to the wall, her throat cut and intestines splayed out in the shape of a heart.

I vomited in the middle of the street. Who could do such a thing?

I did and it’s entirely your fault.

What?

You left your body so easily when they started pulling on you but I had other plans, that is until you grabbed my foot

Listen, I have no idea what you are talking about or how you got inside my head just leave me alone.

Never! You see as long as you’re still alive Michael will keep me here and I want my freedom as much as you do.

Lies! I would never hurt someone for my own gain!

Oh, but you have and will again

A pressure exerts itself on my eyes until the nerves behind them warp the feeling into a stabbing pain causing me to scream.

The ponies turn and stare at me as I witness the etching of a short poem form above Bon-Bon’s head

Roses are red

Violets are blue

A fifth of vodka cost less than a dinner for two

But low and behold what is shared can be crushed

By the one who is fallen or the one who is pushed

And if you decipher this in time

I might even let you be my Valentine

It has to be directed at me, these ponies don’t know what a Valentine is.

”Or what vodka is for that matter.”

Indeed what do they want?

“Hey didn’t you used to go drinking with your roommate?”

Yeah, wait a minute I can remember him now

The memories came flooding in, but one stood out from the rest. It was a memory of a trip to the grocery store before a run. I had parked on the far side of the street to avoid the heavy traffic and my roommate was almost to the car when the semi came. It crushed the bottom half of his body so thoroughly that I couldn’t identify any part of it. He was trying to say something. I lean in to hear him better.

“Kill me.”

“Is that what you want?” I responded in a cold voice

“Yes.”

I then pulled out the unfolded the knife I had in my pocket and wrapped his hand around it.

“You do it.”

Then I turned and walked away.

A Dragon's Fury

Dygon’s chambers

“It can’t be.”

Dygon ran to his nest and pulled out an old worn spell book.

“It is! That’s why I couldn’t retrieve him! Michael knew he couldn’t win in a strait fight between us, so he split the human’s soul from his consciousness! That also explains the instability of the human’s current body!”

He flipped through the pages quickly using his future sight to read faster than anypony could normally.

“Damn all these spells are for souls! No wonder I couldn’t influence anypony in that fake Equestria, He didn’t give souls to any of them!”

A unicorn guardspony walked into the room

“Is everything all right in here? I heard shouting.”

“Sorry about this.”

“What?”

Dygon reached down and syphoned all the guards’ power he could without killing him.

“New spells take so much more energy than existing one.”

He then set about creating a new magic, not one for bridging worlds, one to destroy them.

First Encounter

I was standing in front of Bon-Bon with a shocked look on my face for a great deal of time.

Something was killing ponies to get to me, and it knew my deepest secrets even ones I’d forgotten myself.

Extracting more blood from my leg and forming it into a crude blade, I cut down Bon-Bon .

“What’re you doing?” a feminine voice asked from behind me

“I couldn’t stand to see her like that.”

“Well thank you; I was coming to do the same.”

Turning around I was greeted by the sight of a blue unicorn mare with a blue and white striped mane

“You don’t seem too disturbed about this.”

“Well I read a lot of books in my spare time.”

Oh this is Colgate

“Do you need help with the coffin?”

“That would be great.” she said with a smile

”Dude she is totally hitting on you.”

Shut it

Changing the blade to a large flat sheet of blood I wrapped Bon-Bon’s body placing it into the coffin

“How did you do that?!”

Oh Shit I seriously did that in front of her

“Yes you love addled idiot.”

I’m not love addled I’m just an idiot

“Whatever.”

“uhh.”

“And what type of cutie mark is that? It looks more like you burned yourself.”

“Gotta go!” I said as I running as fast as I could away from the inquisitive mare

“What an odd stallion.” Colgate said to herself dragging away the coffin.

While I was running I caught a glimpse of the library.

Might as well see what’s up

I walked straight up to the door and knocked twice.

“Come in.”

The only pony in the main room was Applejack

“That’s odd; I thought that all the Elements would be here.”

“Nope it’s just you and me sugar cube. Nice cover job by the way”

“W-What do you mean?”

“I would have never thought of burning myself to cover my cutie mark.”

Damn I’m screwed

“At least your instability made you into the perfect match for me, time for you to DIE!”

Applejack lunged at me growing bat like wings and her teeth becoming fangs. I tried to dodge but ended up being pinned against the wall

I braced myself against the pain from changing bodies again, but none came

“Surprised? I thought you would catch on when I bumped in to you earlier. Oh well I guess you truly are an idiot.”

What is she talking about?

“When you went to go see Bon-Bon’s body she ran right into you and you didn’t even notice did you?”

Well if you’re so smart why didn’t you warn me Pride?

“MY NAME IS JOHN!”

“So Pride still doesn’t respect you? Maybe it’s best if I take him from you then!”

Twilight entered the room carrying a limp Spike “What is going on here Applejack?”

“N-Nothing Twi, Just a little disagreement.” said the now normal looking Applejack

“Don’t you believe her!”

“Why wouldn’t I trust the element of honesty?”

Blood began to drip from the back of my head

“YOU!” Twilight exclaimed

“Yes him.” said Applejack, who was now behind Twilight for some reason.

Pride I want you to distract whatever is possessing Applejack while I get Twilight out of here.

“You’re the boss.”

He formed my blood into a perfect sphere and sent it right into Applejack’s eye

“OWW!”

I grabbed Twilight and jumped through the window

“No time to explain but we have to get out of here.”

I’ll hide in Sweet Apple Acres; she’ll never find me there

“Think Again.” said a bloodied Applejack jumping from an alley

“A-Applejack you’re bleeding!”

“That’s because she isn’t Applejack.”

“You are quite correct.”

The sun set behind the mountains

“Time to show you who I am.”

The fake Applejack’s skin expanded like a balloon being inflated then fell to the ground revealing a quite naked human me with bat wings

“Now Shu!”

“Don’t go mixing languages on me!”

Pride propelled the ball of blood at its face again, but it just opened its mouth and swallowed it

“It severed my connection!” yelled Pride angrily

“Yes a vampire verses blood magic. We both know how this is going to end.”

Twilight’s horn started to glow with magic but before she could even start to utilize it the vampire tore her head from her shoulders

“Silly Twilight, If you had realized what I was during the day you might’ve had a chance.” It said with a grin

“You monster!”

“So what if I am? What are you and your pathetic pride going to do about it?

He’s right we need someone stronger. John do you think you can handle running my body for a bit while I try to drag someone out?

“I can handle anything! Even this ugly thing you’re trapped in.”

I forced myself to relax as Pride dodged every kick and bite the vampire went in for. I summoned all my anger at the vampire for him killing Bon-Bon, forcing me to relive those painful memories, killing Twilight and the likely murder of Applejack.

I was back in the large empty space that was my mind, once again staring at a human version of me, but this one had blue hair and eyes. Curious.

You set me free. I HATE YOU.

That doesn’t matter just kill it

ARGGGGGGG

“I can’t hold it”

My vision returned as did control of my body

“All out of tricks I see.” Said a smug vampire from atop a small house

“Nope I still got one”

I vomited a huge amount of blood which formed itself into a miniature pony

“I thought you learned your lesson last time.”

The vampire jumped down and bit into the blood clone

“You’ve never played Mortal Kombat have you?”

Blood quickly covered all of its body, blood I could still control because I trapped rage inside it. I formed it into a thousand little spikes and used them to immobilize the major muscle groups in his arms and legs. Panting I set my back legs for the killing blow

“You win this round.” said the vampire transforming himself into a steaming cloud of black liquid and racing away

At this point I was thoroughly exhausted from my use of magic mixed with exertion and blood loss.

Sleep came quickly

___________________________________________________________________________

I woke at dawn the next day and to my surprise I was in a bed.

“Good morning. “said a yawning Colgate two inches from my face

“Yay”

Of Fates Undesired

Ok don’t freak out. You only spent the night at a mare’s house.

I looked down at my shining golden hooves

Still golden! How did she get me here without touching me?

“Well don’t ask me! I was just as out of it as you were! Man up and ask her you lazy buffoon”

“Um Colgate?”

“Yes” she said hopping towards me with a plate of whole wheat pancakes

Those smell so good! When was the last time I ate? Arg there are more pressing matters

“How did you bring me here without touching me?”

“Oh I always use gloves when handling my patients. Do you want butter and syrup?” Colgate said sitting down at her kitchen table

“Yes.”

“Well come over here and eat.” she said patting the chair next to her

I stumbled out of bed and warily approached the table.

“You are just too damn cute and oh so strange.”

“Who me?”

“Yeah, I’ve never had a body reanimate on me like you did.”

“So you work with bodies often?” I said sitting down in the previously indicated chair

“Well yeah “ she turned in her chair to show off her flank “that’s how I got this.”

“An hourglass?”

“I deal with people when their time is up. My mom was so happy when she saw it. I think she was afraid it’d be something scary like a coffin. Anyways what’s your story?”

“Uh well I… eep”

“haha that was manly”

“Come on don’t be shy.” she said leaning in close and fluttering her eyelashes

I could feel the blood rush to my face

Maybe pride is right

“Damn strait.”

“What do you want to know?”

“How did you get here?”

“A little bit of magic then some walking”

“Where did you learn to use magic like that? How are you doing magic? Are you an earth pony or a unicorn? If you’re a unicorn where is your horn?”

“I just started using my blood as a medium for magic yesterday, and I am currently an earth pony.”

“Why are you telling her everything?”

Why not?

“What do you mean ‘currently an earth pony’?” she asked leaning in so close that her beautiful deep blue eyes filled my vision completely

“I have a problem with touching other ponies.”

“What sort of problem?”

“Every time I do it I turn into some strange version of the pony that touched me.”

“How exciting! That must be such a great talent to have!”

“Actually it has caused me a great deal of pain and my very presence seems to put ponies in danger.” I said with a tear in my eye

“What’s wrong?”

“I shouldn’t be here. What if something bad happens to you?”

Colgate placed a soft kiss on my forehead

Oh no here it comes

…

Nothing?

“I’m just as confused as you are.”

“You don’t remember anything from last night do you?”

“N-No, what happened?”

Now Colgate blushed

“I really shouldn’t be here. I’ve done some terrible things, things to people I care about, unforgiveable things.”

“But you haven’t even eaten yet.”

“Sorry I have to go” I said as I ran out the door

“But I wanted to know what happened!” Pride said in his best whiney voice

Shut it. We have to find a way out of here before that thing comes after us again

Ponyvile was quieter than usual

”Too quiet.”

The clouds in the sky were drifting steadily on an unseen wind and there wasn’t a pony in sight

This can’t be good

Sprinting all the way to Sugarcube Corner, I arrived at a grisly scene.

Pinkie Pie’s legs were cut off and stacked on top of her in a baking pan. No sign of struggle and not a drop of blood.

The Vampire regaining its strength?

“It makes sense.”

Something shiny catches my attention; it turned out to be an apple catching the light from its place in Pinkie Pies jaws

Applejack! What really happened to her?

The walk to Sweet Apple Acres was a stressful one. At every turn I was greeted by some rustling or birdsong.

Upon arrival I noticed three things. Firstly I noticed that all the apple trees were bare. Secondly the barn door hanging off its hinges caught my eye. Lastly the pale skeleton of a pony in a rocking chair in the middle of a field.

Well Granny Smith didn’t last long

The barn proved to be a much more disturbing sight. Red bits of what I assumed were Big Mac covered the walls and hay giving the bard an eerie glow. The majority of the pieces were clustered around a hay bale in the corner furthest from the door. It was there that I saw what remained of Applejack; her body was posed as if it were curled up asleep, but her skin was completely gone exposing her well-muscled rotting innards.

I dry heaved a few times before was able to collect my wits

Let’s try something new John

“What do you have in mind?

I want to manipulate Big Mac’s blood

“As long as you’re sure you want to try this.”

You know something I don’t?

“No sir”

Good

As soon as my mind came into contact with Big Mac’s still warm blood I was assaulted by visions.

______________________________________________________________________

“You Ain’t gonna hurt my sister” Yelled a very angry Big Mac

“Oh and are you going to stop me? You saw what happened to your grandma and little sister, worthless creatures.” said a very smug vampire

“I said you ain’t gonna hurt her and you aint gonna hurt her!” He said charging in recklessly

Two swipes of the vampire’s claws later it was finished and the vampire advanced on Applejack.
Applejack leaned over and gave a rolled up piece of paper to a blood covered Angel bunny “Tell Fluttershy to run as far away as possible! Now!”

Angel saluted once before running through a hole in the wall.

____________________________________________________________________________

Gahh, my head feels like it has bees stinging it!

”I warned you.”

No you didn’t

“YOU”

I turned to see the vampire hanging from the rafters

“YOU DEFEATED ME WITH A TRICK! SO I PUT TOGETHER A LITTLE TRICK OF MY OWN! LUST GET IN HERE!”

Rarity strutted in through the front door

“Ooo who is this dashing young stallion?”

“KILL HIM!”

Trapped

Rarity turned and ran for me lunging for my neck with her horn

“Come now darling this will only hurt a lot.”

Great! I might be able to get out of this if I can get the Vamp away from Rarity.

“But even one touch from her could stop you long enough for him to kill us. I say we kill Rarity first.”

The Vamp can nullify our magic! How are we supposed to kill Rarity? Barehoofed?

“We’ve just gotta find a way.”

Doge as best you can. I’ll try to drag wrath up from his subconscious sulking to help.

Entering my mind I found it completely dark

WRATH! I KNOW YOU’RE IN HERE

Instead of an answer I got a few drops of blood on top of my head and a soft gurgling sound.

Wrath?

Looking up I found Wrath; someone had staked him to a board out of my reach. I barely had time to catch a glimpse of him when I was forced back into my body.

The Vampire was pinning me against a hay bale with his forearms

“Finally! The whelp emerges! I tire of dealing with your lackeys.”

“Get off of me.”

“Why? Are you scared of me? DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHO I AM?”

“No and I don’t care you’ve done enough to prove your worth.”

“Ha! My worth! Fool I am you. Everything you kept hidden, everything you didn’t want to deal with, you deepest desires. If you had been allowed to live a while longer on that miserable rock you called Earth I am what you would’ve become.”

“Impossible!”

“O really? Who’s foot did you cling on when that dragon was fighting with Michael over you?”

I seeing my chance I turned my head to bite deeply into the vampire’s right hand

“You little bitch!” the Vampire yelled pulling on his arm

He tastes like cherries?

The hand tore free and I swallow it without thinking.

“You can’t beat me, no matter what you do you WILL become just like Me.” the vampire said casually as he alighted on the nearest crossbeam “Lust! Have at him!”

“Where is Wrath?”

Indisposed, besides it doesn’t matter if he’s learned to revoke your control then he would’ve done the same thing to Wrath

I whipped my head around nervously

Where could she be?

A white hoof erupts from the hay bale mere inches from my kidney. My first reaction was to jump back into the wall, which fortunately had a rusty nail that stabbed into my flank.

Yes! Now I can really fight back

Forming the blood that was now freely flowing down my leg into a makeshift pair of coverings for my front legs I braced myself for the impending conflict.

Rarity jumped out of the hay bale and was coming in for a full body tackle. I had just enough time to raise my forelegs in front of me, as she struck I felt an increase in the energy needed to maintain my blood’s shape. I batted her out of the air and into the nearest stall.

It took her a few moments to recover then she came at me with a vengeance turning around to buck me with her back legs. I crossed my legs in front of my face but couldn’t set my feet and I went flying backwards into the open space in the middle of the barn.

“Come now honey don’t you want to play?”

“NO.” I said panting this is harder than I expected

The vamp then swooped down on me and sucked all of the blood off my legs leaving me defenseless

“Momma’s coming!” Rarity said enthusiastically lowering her horn as she charged, aiming this time for my heart. I dodged left.

Why isn’t she using magic?

“You have to stop thinking of her as Rarity. That is Lust.”

Good point

“You know you want to give it to me.”

“Stay away from me!”

“Fool! I know all of your wants! I know you’ve never been with anyone. Give in already! “

“Never!”

“Oh? I’m not good enough for you! Who would you prefer?”

I felt the blood start to pool by my hooves.

“I don’t want it! You do! so come and get it.”

“With pleasure.” she said rushing at me

I launched myself backwards and waited for her cross the blood I left on the ground.

“You’re in for it n-“she was cut off by the blood I formed into spikes the second I thought she was over them, but I was late and they cut into her belly instead of her throat.

Lust’s scream fell upon my ears like a blender full of broken glass.

“THIS SHOULD MAKE THIS FIGHT A LITTLE HARDER FOR YOU!” Lust’s horn started to glow with a bright pink light and I felt a crushing pressure on my genitals.

I thought you said she couldn’t use magic

“I didn’t think she could.”

She yanked and my balls slammed into the ground

Oh crap we’re done for

“Now let me relieve some of that stress for you.” Lust said turning around exposing her soaked backside.

This can’t be happening! I refuse to die like this!

Puling against her magic proved to be pointless as he raised me up to her level

Pride help me!

Pulling again I tore a good deal of skin away but the magic held firm. Blood began to gush from the wound spouting into the air

If she wants it so bad she can have it.

“You can’t be serious! You’re giving up?”

The vampire landed next to her holding his stumped wrist

“Finally the whelp dies.” he said flatly

“Not today.”

I used the blood to cut off my penis and balls; with them free I was able to control all the blood stored in the penis’s chambers and propelled it straight toward Lust. The Vampire seeing this tried to break my connection with the blood, but it was protected by the skin of my mutilated manhood.

“Nooo!”

Forming the blood into a makeshift spear at the last possible moment I forced it into Lust’s body. It traveled all the way through her uterus and stomach before it stopped.

No I can’t fail!

Putting all the force I could muster into the blood, which was being diluted by stomach acid and female lubricants, I shoved until I heard the satisfying crack of Lust’s skull.

“What have you done?”

I fell to the ground bleeding profusely.

Damn I can’t even stand. How am I supposed to beat him now?

“I have an idea.”

Tell me!

”Touch Lust!”

“YOU THINK THAT THIS MATTERS? YOU’VE DONE NOTHING BUT HASTEN TO YOUR DEATH!” the vampire screamed as he walked over to my crippled form.

I crawled as fast as I could towards the rapidly decaying body that was Lust.

“Even if you would’ve managed to defeat me I AM YOUR DESTINY! YOU CAN NOT AVOID ME!”

Slamming my hoof into Lust’s blood soaked flank caused flames to spread up my leg. It smelled completely unique, but if I had to guess I would have smelled markedly like a cow being struck by lightning.

The vampire bit into my side and started to suck my blood trying to kill me before my body changed.

The pain was immense. I had but one thought that I kept on repeating in my head

It ends today

Overcoming the pain I whipped my flaming head around and sunk my teeth into the vampire’s chest cracking a few of its ribs.

Then something surprising happened, the Vampire caught fire.

“You haven’t won.” he said as he turned himself into mist once again and disappeared leaving one of his legs behind.

The fire was still burning. Breathing in some of the flames I felt my lungs burn and fill with fluid.

Then my skull cracked and reformed into a smaller version with a short curved horn.

It felt great! Somehow changing had completely healed all of my injuries.

Pulling my blood off the ground I wrapped myself in it and smothered the flames.

“I did it again.”

WE did it

“Whatever”

Help

Did you hear that?

“What?”

That voice

“No”

I began to feel a weak tugging at the back of my mind

It can’t be

Sitting down I calmed myself and entered my mind.

Simple Seduction

My mind was dark once again, but different somehow. After walking for a while I came upon a spotlight shining down on nothing. My curiosity got the better of me and I walked straight at it.
A gentile force began to lift me upwards as soon as I entered the light.

Well what’s the worst that can happen?

I was set down on a white featureless plain, marred only by a black dot off by the horizon.

Focusing my mind I moved the dot towards me as it slowly took the form of a very feminine crying girl.

“Are you going to beat me?”

“No. Who beat you?”

“You just did.”

“Lust?”

The girl squeaked and curled herself into a ball “Please don’t hurt me.” she whispered

“I won’t hurt you.”

“Lies! You abandoned me to that monster! Keeping me bottled up all those years with Him! You don’t think that hurt?”

“You remember all that?”

“I never forget anything.” she said her voice gaining some confidence

“So you remember all of your time with the vampire?”

“Yes”

“Show me.”

“No. What’s to stop you from imprisoning me to the back of your mind once I tell you?”

“You are a piece of me. If I’ve learned anything from these past few days it’s that I need to accept myself for who I am and not let my fears control me.”

“You are scared of me?”

“I will always be scared of you. You represent all of the feelings that I strove to keep out of my thoughts so I wouldn’t become too attached to anybody.”

The girl stood up and placed her face millimeters from mine.

“You would allow me to be part of your thoughts?”

Leaning forward I wrapped my arms around her; I could feel her muscles tense damn she’s strong “Yes, though I might not indulge you often.”

“How can I be certain?”

“I’d be a fool not to change after all I’ve been through, and I can’t stand to see more people hurt.”
Upon hearing this girl started to cry

“Let me tell you everything you’ve put me through.” she said her voice gaining some venom
“After you had kept me hidden for a few years I noticed some part of you had changed. I had been in the dark so long and my loneliness so great I groped my way through the depths of your mind until I came upon a boy. My first instinct was to run, but my curiosity overcame me. I asked the boy what was wrong and he responded ”There is nothing wrong. The fool doesn’t recognize his potential so I will grow here until I become strong enough to rip him to shreds then I will be in control of this body and I will do what I want.” I was quite taken back at this and when I asked him if he could really do it he stood and slapped me across the face. From then on I did everything he said without questioning him.”

“I’m sorry”

“Let me finish!”

“When the dragon and Michael were fighting over you the boy had become the monster you fight now. He convinced Michael to set us free from you, but he kept me as his slave. I tried to hide from him as he spread his evil into this world but he found me after his first defeat and forced me into the mare’s body to watch you, that night I saw what you did to Wrath. Wrath had just come back from the blood clone and you were weakened by your victory. “

“You can see into my mind?”

“The next time you interrupt I will not finish the story”

“Sorry.”

“And stop apologizing! You made your choices stick by them!”

Wrath had landed a few blows but you seemed unaffected. You screamed a lot about how this was your mind and there was no way that he could win and Wrath just grunted and kicked you in the face. Then a dark look came over your face and you summoned a set of railroad spikes to impale him to the ground. You made a cadaver out of him, pulling him apart and labeling all the muscles and organs you could remember mocking him the whole time. When you were finish with that you decided to make an example of him cutting his throat and placing him on the ceiling. It is good that the mare Colgate couldn’t see any of this because she was standing over you the whole time lamenting your loss and saying something about the good ones dying young and not having enough room in the graveyard. I think she might have some feelings for you even if it is just because you and she are the last ponies alive.”

“What does she mean by that?” Pride interjected

“Don’t interrupt I’m sure she’ll explain”

“Yes you pathetic lug of self-appreciation don’t interrupt.”

“Can I kill her?” Pride asked as he materialized next to me

“No. That would make us no different from that monster out there.”

“If you all are done I’d like to finish.”

“Since you had no pulse the entire time you were fighting with Wrath the mare carried your body to the graveyard where the rest of the ponies now reside decaying into radioactive dust. She cried over your coffin for a while before sealing you with the rest. She then apologized for the informal means of burial before setting everyponies coffin on fire. You woke up in your flaming coffin and called upon Wrath to force your way out of it, but he wouldn’t respond so you went into your mind and melded with his body to gain the strength needed. While you were in that state Wrath wiped as much of your memory as he could in revenge causing you to pass out shortly after escaping your fiery doom. Colgate saw you and pulled you away from the fire before it could catch your tail on fire. She and I could have a wonderful time together, those shapely legs and eyes as deep as the Tokyo trench.”

“Focus! What happened?”

“Oh yeah, not much she put you to bed and read a book over how to deal with radiation using magic until she crawled in next to you. She is so cute! Why haven’t you tapped that yet? I’m sure she is into you. Then again she thinks you are the only stallion left in all equestrian and just watched all of her friends die.”

“Why is she even here?” Pride said with a pout

Deal with it John she is here to stay

“But she tried to kill us.”

“I can try harder if you like.”

Both of you stop it we have more important things to do

“Like what! You just spent the last couple hours talking to this harlot!”

Remember the last time we bested the vampire?

“Yeah”

Well he went on a killing spree after that to feed and regain his strength right?

“Yeah”

And who is the only pony left alive besides me?

“Colgate.”

Reporting In

Celestia’s Chambers

“Princess a letter for you.” Glass hoof said softly placing the rolled up parchment on her desk

“Whoever could this be from? Most of my letters are magically sent.”

“It’s from your sister Mam.”

“My sister? But she lives in the castle. Why would she send a messenger?”

“She was too tired after yesterday’s events; lowering the moon almost made her faint.”

“Curious. You are dismissed Glass.”

Glass saluted and placed another letter on her desk “I almost forgot, here is your report on the human’s progress.”

“Glass! You were read in to that operation?”

“Yes mam, they exhausted the unicorn guard and called in some of the members of the earth pony guard to cover for them.”

“On whose authority?”

“Princess Luna’s.”

“I’m reassigning you. For today you will guard my door until I am done responding to these letters. Is that clear?”

“Yes your majesty.” Glass said shutting the door behind him

Celestia read the progress report first

Human operation #2 Codename: Retrieval

Report Delta five

The human has continued to engage his consciousness’s counterparts and has recovered part of his soul from the monster. His instability is still too high for a direct teleportation but the former dragon king Dygon has discovered a solution to the magical barrier. The survivability projections have risen to eighty-five percent. However the likelihood of the fake pony Colgate also making the journey has also increased to eighty-five percent. Recommendations have been updated to account for these changes. The human’s name has not been retrieved.

Pacification option with highest probability of success: Hold the fake pony Colgate hostage in the castle.

Termination option: disintegration not recommended due to the projected decrease in governmental efficiency under Luna’s rule.

Observer’s notes: This human is unlike any other I’ve observed, his negative manifestation claims he would have wielded great power if his world had not been destroyed. I advise extreme caution in all dealings with him. I overheard a conversation between Luna and Dygon involving some type of ‘Creation Magic’ which I understood to be the ability to create matter that can break the accepted rules of magic. If this magic does exist I highly recommend retrieval over destruction.

Your eye in the dark,

Pale Stiletto

“Stiletto is as thorough as ever.” Celestia mused

“Now what could be so important that Luna had to send me a letter?”

Dearest sister

That worm Michael believes he can free Dygon of our magic. I have spent the night doing all I can to prevent it but I need you to strengthen the binding. Tomorrow I will bring the human to the castle personally; don’t worry about my absence if the word of a worm is to be believed I might have a chance to retrieve some creation magic. If our luck holds we might have enough to stabilize the elements and be rid of the need for the sacrificial ponies.

P.S. Don’t worry about the unicorn guard; they will be fine after a trip to the medical ward.

Love,

Luna

“GLASS!”

“Yes your majesty.”

“Cancel my appointments for today! I’m busy.”

“I shall do so at once.”

Celestia pulled out a vial of dragon blood and a vial of concentrated yellow dragon fire from under her mattress.

“This better be worth it sister.” Celestia thought out loud as she started to draw the pentagrams needed for the binding to be renewed.

Consequences

We have to find Colgate before he does!

“We can’t just leave his leg here. What if he can reattach it?”

Any ideas on how to get rid of it?

“Poison.”

Eat it

Eat it? You can’t be serious.

How else can we be sure he can’t reuse it?

It’s the best idea so far.

Putting the leg in my mouth I was greeted by the taste of cherries and something else

Tobacco?

“That bastard”

What?

“A cherry flavored cigar.”

I don’t get it

“Do you remember the crash that killed your first girlfriend?”
Crash?

It was the day you told her that you loved her.

I don’t think I want to remember

She found your cherry cigar in the glove box. You told her that you quit and she just laughed and started smoking it.

Shut up! I don’t want to remember!

You have to! She took a few drags then handed it to you. You couldn’t keep your mind off of her.

I tipped my head back and swallowed the leg whole
There I ate it! You can stop now!

You didn’t see the semi drifting across the median. She died instantly while you came out of it with only minor scratches.

Minor scratches! I was in the hospital for two weeks!

You were in the hospital because your heart kept on stopping. YOU couldn’t live without her. Then something snapped in your head. I was made. You couldn’t have lived if you didn’t separate yourself from your emotions.

A single tear travels down the side of my face

It’s been three years. Elisa wouldn’t have wanted me to die because of her.

“That’s right”

Come on guys lets waste this bastard.

Running straight for Colgate’s house proved to be an almost fatal mistake

“Aww, the whelp has finally come to ruin my fun.” said the vampire from his perch on Colgate’s roof

“Oh so you can tell the truth after all.”

“You laugh at me now but just look at me”, the vampire did a little twirl showing off his freshly regenerated body, “I’m the picture of health. There is no way for you to win.”

“What have you done?”

“Not much. I couldn’t let my last bit livestock die so easy. You understand don’t you?”

Rage filling my mind I turned to bite my flank above my cutie mark, which had changed to three diamond shaped oozing sores, after I got a good grip I ripped as much skin as I could off.

Pride! Lust! Use as much blood as you want to keep him busy while I save Colgate!

“You’re the boss”

I felt a great deal of blood being pulled out of my wound but I didn’t care. I had a mare to save.

She is my last shot at happiness and I won’t let her go so easily!

Aww

Running through the house proved fruitless

Damn him! Where is she?

A scream pierces the night.

“COLGATE!”

“MR. SHIELD BUTT!”

Mr. Shield butt?

I raced to the door and tried to turn the handle, but it was locked.

The window

Jumping through the window took less force than I expected and I ended up landing on my face

“WHERE ARE YOU?”

“UP HERE!” shouted a voice from a grove of trees in the neighbor’s yard

Running over I saw Colgate tied up to the branches of a tree bleeding from countless bite wounds

“My face hurts.” she said softly her head falling to her chest

That liar! There is no way she could survive that!

I closed my eyes and focused my magic at her to be sure of my assessment. I could feel not just her blood but her essence seeping out of her body in a steady rhythm.

Thump….Thump…Thump……….....Thump

I have to do something!

Lifting her blood from the ground I felt pain start to stab at my mind

I have to concentrate and get this right; this’ll only work once

I forced her blood through the tree gathering as much sap as I could. Then I wrapped soul in the sap infused blood.

The pain increases and my ears are filled by Colgate’s screams

Just a little more

I used the blood to apply pressure to the sap and take out the moisture forming it into a heart shaped piece of amber interspersed with blood and able to hold the whole of Colgate’s being.
One of my back legs is torn apart by what feels like a thousand tiny blades

I can’t lose my concentration now! I’m so close!

I pressed the amber into my chest until it broke through my ribs and settled next to my heart.

Done

My other back leg twists into an impossible position until it finally tears itself off. I don’t care as long as Colgate is safe. The skin of my belly falls away and rots before my eyes.

Pride! Lust! How are you guys doing?

“Just fine until the blood dried out”

What have you done?! Your body is a mess!

Probably the only decent thing I’ve ever done.

We are too tired to fight Him any longer! We’re doomed!

No we’re not

“You just couldn’t stay away could you?”

“No.” I said softly I’ve lost too much blood there is no way I can keep this up.

“I thought it would be fun to kill you myself, but watching you die for the one you loved will be just as entertaining.” The vampire said confidently as he limped into view half his face torn off and a black liquid covering his left leg

You guys sure did a number on him

“Damn straight”

“Yes clouds of whirling blood can be quite dangerous when it is traveling too fast for me to absorb.”

“You can read my mind now?”

“YOU STILL DON’T UNDERSTAND! I AM YOU!”

“You’re right.”

“Excuse me? Say that again?”

“You are right. You are me.”

“Oh sweet victory!”

“But you know what that means.” I said as I lifted the last of Colgate’s blood with my magic

“What are you planning to do with that?”

“You’ll see.”

I sent the blood forward with all the speed I could muster. It pierced his skin but was stopped by the underlying layer of muscle.

“Ha! Pathetic!”

“Now die.” I used Colgate’s blood as a reference and took control of the dark fluid moving through his veins. My mind started to fog over. No! He has no power over me! I sent his black blood flying in all directions tearing his body to shreds.

“Love conquers all” Lust said pulling me back into my mind

Someone has to keep Colgate in the amber!

Don’t worry Pride’s got it

One more thing to do

I pulled Wrath out of my subconscious still nailed to the board and quite rotted from his ordeal

You are released

Wrath smiled and faded into nothingness

How did you know he wouldn’t try to kill you?

I didn’t

“Something’s happening boss”

I returned to the pain and suffocation of my body to find it floating out in empty space

What the hell?

A yellow dragon and a dark alicorn were speeding toward me

You have to stay awake!

A dark force wraps around me as I drift off into nothingness.

Finding the Way

Waking I found myself still floating in space but with a small throbbing pain on the stubs of my back legs.

“What happened?”

“WE SAVED YOU.” shouted a voice from behind me

“W-What?”

“I LUNA AND THE DRAGON KING DYGON CAME HERE TO RETRIEVE YOU FROM YOUR IMPRISONMENT.”

“Can you quiet it down a little I have a headache.”

“Sorry. This better?”

"Yes" I said trying to turn around

“It would not be good for you to move right now.”

“Why not?”

“I am trying to fix the damage to your lungs but that rock is putting up a lot of resistance.”

“NO!” I screamed my voice cracking with emotion

“What?” Luna asked taken back from the suddenness of my response

“If that stone gets removed Colgate will be lost forever.”

“You mean to say that the soul of the pony Colgate is inside of this rock?”

“Yes.” I responded looking down at my chest; the bones had healed as best they could but shards of bone remained suspended around the hunk of amber.

“That means your injuries are from willfully coming in contact with an unguarded soul; was this ‘Colgate’ so important to you that you would risk death?”

”I don’t know! But I had to do something!”

Luna tilted her head to the side and nodded once. “Don’t worry as soon as I rebuild your legs we are going someplace safe; then we can discuss the logic of your decisions.”

Discuss my logic? Crap these ponies don’t trust me either.

Skin reformed around my chest covering the amber.

“That will have to do for now.”

“Where is the dragon?”

“Over there.” Luna said softly turning my head to face two yellow dragons grappling

“Which one is Dygon?”

“The one with no eyes.”

“But he is covered in burns! We need to go help him!”

“HA! Those burns were given to him by my sister when she dethroned him close to a thousand years ago. If he could give my sister that much of a fight a hastily built dragon is no match for him.”

I watched as the new dragon’s yellow flames bent harmlessly around the older dragon

“But where is Michael? Why is he not fighting?”

“Over there.” said Luna moving in front of me to point at a small dot next to the sun

“How did you get rid of him? I was under the impression that he was some sort of god-like creature.”

“He had you hidden in an impossibly shrunken world within his own skull, so we infected it with our own magic and split as many atoms as we could at the same time.”

“What was the dragon for then?”

“He planned on transferring Dygon into the new body and gain his trust before we could ruin his plan for you.”

“And what did he have planned for me?”

“We never found out; I believe he just wanted to cause Celestia grief.”

“Why would my being here bother Celestia?”

“You are just full of questions aren’t you?”

“Sorry.”

“No you have a right to know.”

“LUNA!” Dygon shouted “GET OVER HERE AND HELP ME GET RID OF THIS BODY!”

Luna flew off silently leaving me alone

Hey Pride? You still here?

“Yeah.”

Do you think we could get close enough to confirm the kill on Michael?

“We can try.”

Pride found some useable blood on the hair of my belly and slowly pushed me toward Michael’s still form. As we got closer I noticed no change in gravity or breathability Luna must have perfected this magic after being on the moon for so long.
Michael’s body was more intact than I expected for someone who had a nuke go off in his head. Only the top half was shattered and burned, leaving his hips and legs completely intact.

“Well I think he’s dead.”

Can I borrow some of the blood you’re using?

“Dude it’s your blood. Why wouldn’t it be ok for you to use it? You sure you’re ok?”

No I’m not ok my back legs are torn to shreds, I saw a lot of ponies get ripped apart by a creature that I was responsible for and by all accounts I should be dead right now!

“Whatever.”

A soft golden glow brought my attention away from my argument. Is his foot doing that?

“Like I care.”

Man what is wrong with you? Lighten up a bit at least we made it this far.

“Me? You were the one spouting all the gloom and doom.”

Just help Lust with the amber; I’ll take care of this

Using the little blood I had I cut into Michael’s foot causing a gold substance to slowly leak out.
What could you be?

Reaching out with my hoof I grabbed the end of it and pulled. I could feel magic resonate through the gold substance and into my body all the way down to the stubs of my back legs which then became numb.

This could be useful, but where to keep it?

How about next to the amber?

Sounds reasonable

Not wanting to waste any more strength on magic I used my teeth to tear a small hole in the skin covering my chest. The gold substance slid into it easily and even closed the hole behind it.

What is this magic?

_______________________________________________________________

“That’s the most I’ve seen you talk to a pony.” Dygon said softly as he used his back claws to rip off the tail of the fake dragon

“I can feel his loneliness and despair, it reminds me of…” Luna’s face displayed a contemplative frown as she tried to find the words to finish her sentence

“Yourself?” Dygon finished for her

“Perhaps.”

“I was the first person you spoke to after you were returned to this form by the elements. You were much the same way then as you are now; egger to answer any questions and sympathetic towards my position.”

“You and I were forced into isolation because of the terrible things we did. We do not know why this one feels the way he does.”

“Are you sure you are not just attracted to his vulnerability?” Dygon said giving a sly wink with his newly stolen eyes
“How absurd!”

_____________________________________________________________

“Boss she woke up!”

And she’s just as beautiful in person

Don’t you try anything!

Entering my mind I only saw the white plain, there was no sign of Lust Pride or Colgate so I tried to extend my mind’s reach to the amber, but to no avail. I thought you said she was awake!

“You can’t just barge into someone else’s mind.”

Yes let us slide in gently before rocking her world.

How about we just try getting her to talk outside of her mind?

“You want her to come here!”

Yes! Why not?

“You’re not afraid she will find something unbecoming or scary?”

Can we just hurry this up already?

Yeah

Colgate I called softly Colgate it’s me Shield Butt

“Where am I?” responded a voice from far away

Just come to me, I’ll explain everything.

“Ok, but I’m having a little trouble walking.”

Try not to think about it, just concentrate on getting here

A blue cloud started to form in front of me

Just a little bit more and you should be fine

Pride and lust materialized next to me

“I got it!” Colgate yelled triumphantly as she stepped onto the surface of my consciousness
Good! I sure hope I didn’t inconvenience you.

“How come your lips don’t move when you talk?” Colgate asked with a frown

“Oh, Sorry. Is this better?”

“Yes. Why are you a Pegasus now?”

What? Lifting a foot to my face confirmed that I had changed back to the dark brown Pegasus that I had arrived in the fake Equestrian world as.

“I don’t really know.”

“What is this place? It is so much better than the last place I was at; with bleak red haze and swirling bits of bone. At least that’s what I saw when I wasn’t forced to relive the moment that my blood tore itself from my body and shot about on its own free will.”

“That sounds horrible!”

“It was! But you’re here now everything can go back to normal.” she said nuzzling my chest

“Uh. About that.”

“You never answered my question.” she said as poking my shoulder “Where are we?”

“In my mind.” God she is going to think I’m crazy

“If we’re in your mind right now where was I before? Because I don’t think that my mind would want me to go through all that pain.”

“That’s my fault. I couldn’t just stand by and watch you die so I decided to do something about it. What you are living in is simply a combination of strongly bonded tree sap and what I could gather of your blood.”

“But why would you do something like that? Maybe I should be dead and resting with my friends. Did you know that what it would be like in there?” She said softly a tear gleaming in her eye

“What if I told you we could go someplace where you could be with your friends and me at the same time?”

“You mean you are going to kill us both?”

“No, maybe it’s best if I just show you.” I said as I tried to bring memories of Michael’s conversations with me into the front of my mind, but nothing appeared.

“Dude you have to let her in before she can see that stuff.”

I thought she was already in.

“In where? Who are you talking to?”

You are blocking us from her which is keeping her from seeing anything related to our existence

Then how do I show you guys to her?

“Show who?”

“Just relax. Stop caring so much about how she is going to react let your own thoughts come naturally and we should be able to appear before her too.”

You are right. You two have become a large part of who I am, and besides she’ll find out eventually

“I always am.”

A large book landed at Colgate’s front hooves

“What’s this?” she asked as she opened the book to the first page completely unaware of the two new presences
“I don’t really know. This is the first I’ve seen of it.”

She looked up from the book for just a moment to try and read my expression but it was long enough for her to notice Pride and Lust.

“Aaa! Monsters!” she screamed as hiding behind the book

“It’s ok Colgate. These are my friends.”

Friend Zoned! Lust said quietly

“How could they be your friends when they look just like HIM!?”

“Well actually I am also like the monster that killed your friends.” I said in an even tone trying not to scare her

“What?” Colgate said tears flowing down her face

“Here let me show you who I really am.” I said as I calmly opened the book to a middle page

“Like I would listen to anything you have to say you liar!” yelled Colgate as she turned to run away

“Wait! Colgate! I’m nothing like that monster! Look at me, even in my own mind I’m more of a pony than a man!”

Colgate turned around slowly

“If you’d just let me explain.”

Colgate shook her head no and became rapidly dissipating mist as she retreated to the amber

Well that could’ve gone better.

“Boss the alicorn is back.”

I returned to my body and was mildly surprised by all the tears floating in front of my face.

“Good your legs have regrown, it is odd that my magic did it in such little time, but there is no time for delay I’ll explain everything once we’re safe.”

A strong magical presence enveloped me and I was yanked into a dimly lit chamber

“Dygon! Where are you?” Luna shouted

“Right behind you! MOVE OUTA THE WAY!”

Luna was able to doge but I reacted a little slower than her and got a dragon claw to the face

“Well I had better landings when I was learning to fly after killing my father.” Dygon said absentmindedly as he picked himself off the ground.

Luna’s face suddenly lit up with joy “I’ll go tell Celestia of our success!” she said as she raced out of the room via two large stone doors

Now what do I do? She said she’d answer my questions.

“Patience is a virtue.”

And pride is a sin

“Oh shut up.”

The steady pitter patter of my blood hitting the floor was the only noise in the chamber for a long while until Dygon finally saw fit to address me “Come here my boy! I owe you much and would like to repay that debt before it has time to bite me in the arse!” he yelled excitedly

I approached him cautiously as he sat himself in front of a large mirror

“Take a good look.”

I did as he instructed and was greeted by the sight of a mighty dragon being forced into a hole by thirteen chains of yellow fire “That’s me, and this is you” he said softly as the image changed to my reflection which then transformed into me as a human with a bright light in my chest and a tattered cape upon my back. “This mirror is my pride and joy. It’ll show me anything from souls to entire universes.”

“That is truly impressive.” I replied unsure of where this was going

“You know what the biggest difference between me and you is?”

“No, what?”

“Those chains you saw binding my soul are coming off soon but you have to go to the afterlife with what little soul you have left after your meddling with such dangerous magic turned against you. HA I can just see the look on The Reaper’s face as he sends you to hell. Acutally there is a way! It was very noble of you to try and save that fake pony, but why not take her soul and use it to patch your own? Surely this fake pony means nothing to a man like you who has fought and conquered a monster born of your own flesh?”

I instinctively placed a hoof between him and the amber “She is worth more than my life! She is a person whole and untainted by evil!”

“You say that now but you’ll regret it when you are doomed to an eternity of suffering.” he said giving me a wink

“You can come out now.” Dygon said to no one in particular

“I know you are out there.”

Silence

“Fine you want to play hard to get. I can play hard to get.” He smashed the mirror into the floor causing a wave of magic to surge through the room

“But you said it was your pride and joy! Why would you do that?” I yelled at the apparently insane yellow dragon

“Just because it is the most difficult magic I have ever done does not mean that it is worth keeping.” He said calmly

“Ok, Ok I’m out” said a pure white pony emerging from his hiding place by the door

“Ahh Pale Stiletto if I’m not mistaken.”

“Indeed you are not sir. It is I.” said Pale saluting with his gloved hoof

“I believe you have some questions for this pony.” Dygon said as he approached the door “And I have a ceremony to prepare.”

The door slammed shut behind the large yellow dragon. I took the empty silence as in invitation to familiarize myself with my surroundings. I was in a damp chamber with water dripping from the ceiling onto the stone blocks that made up the floor. Moss covered the corners of the room and there was a large pile of gemstones and bones in the middle of the room. This must be underground, perhaps some type of dungeon?
"look at those cobwebs on the ceiling! They are as thick as ropes! How big are the spiders here?"

Can we not talk about giant spiders right now?

Why? You scared?

No! Spiders are ugly creatures and I would prefer not to discus them while we are in the presence of such a handsome stallion.

"But I'm always with you so when would we be able to talk about spiders?"

Shut up Pride. You are so full of yourself.

"MY NAME IS JOHN."

Nice to know you two can get along.

Whatever.

"Don't you think it's rather rude to ignore our guest?

Turning back to the strange pony I found him looking straight into my eyes “Uh, so this is awkward.” I said trying to break the tension

“Indeed, I thought you’d come out looking more human.”

“You know about humans?”

“Yes I watched you through your whole ordeal from this side of the mirror, and I have to say your four way split of consciousness is quite impressive. Some ponies can handle three just fine, but four! You’re lucky to be alive!”

“Thanks I guess.”

“Sorry for not introducing myself. Pale Stiletto.”

“Nice to meet you.”

He looked at me like he expected something more in response

“Your name idiot”

Oh yeah. My name. What is it?

“Shit if I know.”

No idea

“If you’re looking for a name I’m afraid I don’t have one.”

“Good that will make renaming you even easier.”

“I don’t really understand what’s going on.”

“Let me lay down some rules first then we’ll get to your questions. First, nopony can find out that you are human. No cussing, no drinking, no unexplainable habits, and no disturbing stories. Second, you are here to fill a position held by only the most eligible ponies so any laziness on your part will be dealt with severely. Three we have to do something about that burden you bear in your chest before the ceremony so that you don’t lose so much magic to its upkeep.”

“I understand the first one and feel much the same way and I won’t let any harm come to my ‘burden’ as you call it, but I have no clue what you are talking about on the second one.”

“You have been claw picked as the next sacrifice to the Element of Suffering; this would put you in control of the amount of suffering absorbed by the element via your body. The job puts you at great physical risk while giving you the power to foresee and prevent disasters. It also makes you one of the best kept secrets in Equestria.”

“So you’re saying that I will be able to absorb the suffering of ponies so that they can live a normal life? That sounds noble and all but isn't that a lot of pain for one pony?”

“Exactly! I knew you were a smart one. The Element of Suffering walks a fine line between absorbing too much suffering and causing an unnatural change in the world resulting in an untimely death and absorbing too little causing thousands of ponies to writhe in the pains of past injuries and wilt in their depressions.”

“That sounds like a lot of responsibility. Are you sure that I am right for the job?”

“I wonder if we can still use magic in this world”

Oh John you're so random. Lets see if we can ruffle this stallion's mane a little.

I'm down with that.

Using my blood from the floor as a pair of shears, I cut a small amount of hair from the back of his already short tail and brought it into my own for me to look at later

“Amazing! You can still wield blood magic in this world! You sir are a miracle! How can you doubt your worthiness?”

“It’s not that impressive is it? I mean unicorns do magic all the time.”

“Not that type of magic they don’t! I can easily see the element taking over a thousand years ripping all that potential out of you!”

“I’m still confused. What is going on”

“Don’t you worry Luna will get you sorted out. Come on I’ll show you to your room.” He said as he opened the large doors with one hoof

This guy is seriously strong for someone his size

“I don’t trust him.”

I just love the way that his muscles tense and relax under that tight skin

Was he trying to flatter me with all those compliments?

“Yeap, I wouldn’t believe a word he says”

We’ll wait until the princess explains things to us before we go making decisions. We know she wouldn’t lie about anything.

“Well are you coming or not?” he asked politely

“Coming.”

He led me down a long hallway with guards hanging around doorways every ten paces

"If this is one of the best kept secrets in Equestria who all knows about it? And why do you Know?"

"Only the princess and the unicorn guard know of the Elements, but lots of ponies have meet the holders. I only know of them because I am the head of the retrieval and concealment department of the Shadow Corps. I only take orders from the Princesses and the Council" Pale said he voice beaming with pride

"The Shadow Corps?"

"It's a small secretive organization originally formed to resist Discord, but as soon as the Princesses took the throne the governing council approached them for orders and we were disbanded for a few years."

"Why did you reform? Why would the heads of a secret organization openly approach a new monarch?"

"Exactly. The council's actions were so of character that the surviving field agents reformed and rebuilt the Shadow Corps, And when Princess Luna refused to lower the moon we used our stockpiles to keep ponies fed as long as we could. When Celestia found out she charged straight into our sanctuary and instead of punishing us for existing she thanked us for our help and hired us to work for her as she decided to move against Nightmare Moon."

"So you're saying that there has been a secret organization for the betterment of ponies ever since Discord appeared in Equestria? I find that hard to believe."

If this pony is telling the truth there is a whole lot I don't know about Equestria

"Maybe we can find a record room or something"

Ugh that's so boring! Why don't we go out and party or something

Guys he said we have to lay low. I don't see how we could do any of that without attracting attention

Maybe we should ask him.

I couldn't make out Pale's response to my statement as he was completely unaware of my preoccupation and continued the conversation himself.

"Sorry could you repeat that?" I asked in as innocent a voice I could manage

"The belief that nothing like us could exist in so perfect a world is exactly why we have lasted so long. And I bet you're wondering why i'm telling you all this upfront." Pale said stopping next to an unguarded door made of shimmering black stone.

"Yeah."

Pale leaned in close and whispered five words in my ear "Because this is your cell." he then pushed me into the doors which swung open to receive me than slammed shut after I was in

"I fucking knew it! That guy was so shifty. Why did we follow him?"

Because the view from behind was exquisite

_______________________________________________________________________

Pale skipped down the hall pleased with how he had handled the change in plans but still resenting them

“Target restrained, seeds of mistrust planted, phase two complete” he said into his magic hoofwatch

“Continue with the backup plan until the day before the ceremony. I want him off balance until he is linked to the element.” Celestia whispered in response

“I really must advise against this your majesty; all the reports pointed towards a sympathetic disposition and I don't know how much longer I can pretend to be so chipper.”

“I am the one who has dealt with humans first hand. I will be the one to decide how we deal with him.” Celestia said raising her voice

“My apologies.”

Sighing into the watch before turning it off Pale set off to complete a task he had just assigned himself, a two part assignment, first he would find out why Celstia hated humans to the point of irrationality. Then he would find out everything he could about the Dragon King's job and how much closer he could get to the Elements without being forced into it.

“It’s going to be a long night.”

Pale Stiletto: A Trip to the Library

Stiletto’s Mission

Palace Library

“And where is your ID?” asked the librarian who was apparently not the least concerned by a pony wanting in at three in the morning

“Right here” said Pale who produced a photo ID of a green unicorn pony

The librarian gave him a hard look but his disguise was both seamless and magic proof so he had nothing to worry about besides the charges for grave robbing and misuse of public funds

“You have a good night sir.”

“You too”, Pale paused to read their name tag, “Marion”

“Just lock up when you are done.” Said Marion as he closed down the counter and left the room.

“That’s odd. How will I check out books with him gone?”

Pale quickly cantered up the stairs to the storage room where all the out dated records were kept. After a quick check for other ponies he closed the door and pushed a bookcase against it.

“Upon the valley of death there is a keeper.” he whispered into the newly uncovered wall

“The keeper is nothing without something to stand for.” The wall whispered back

“Four is the number of beasts who come to aid the darkness.”

“The darkness means nothing without the light.”

A small panel opened in the wall and a globe of light floated over to Pale

“State the record of your need.”

“The first human project along with any and all notes and the operational debrief of agents one through five involved in the subjugation of the dragons.”

“All paper copies destroyed on Celestia’s orders. Do you wish to access the magical records?”

“Override delta five; new copies requested.”

“Order confirmed. Please stand by.” The orb hummed as it floated over to a pile of blank documents “Estimated time till completion five hours.”

Pale took this time to write his operational report to the princess

Human Project #2

Project report supplemental 1

Your decision to go against the recommendations has been noted and new calculations are being made though from the outset I can tell you that the chances of success have fallen dramatically. Your irrationality deeply troubles me and this will be my last report as overseer. I have sent a letter to the dragon king asking that I be considered for his position and all estimates point toward me being the pony chosen. Unlike you I’ve always trusted in the advice and views of the council. It pains me to say that I can no longer count you as a friend and confidant.

Forever your servant but never again a blind follower

Pale Stiletto

A single tear lands on the parchment as he addresses the scroll with ‘for Celestia’s eyes only’ and places it on the solitary reading table.

“Reproductions complete sir. Protocol dictates that I inform you that you are committing treason at this point. Do you want to continue?”

“Yes.”

“Very well then the guard has been notified. Agent Cortez you have been convicted of treason prepare for punishment.” Pale reached out with his hoof and smashed the orb back into the wall shattering the magic seal that held it together reducing both the nearby bricks and evidence into ash.

“Now to get out of here.” Pale said to himself

Finding the skylights locked Pale turned to the incinerator chute.

“Well Cortez looks like you have one more mission left.” Pale said as he stepped out of Cortez’s skin and loosened the strap that held the dead pony’s horn.

“Geronimo!” Pale yelled as he jumped down the chute hoping that the pelt and horn would be enough protection from the flames.

When Worlds Collide

I sat on the floor where I landed for what seemed like hours before I could gather enough will to stand. The floor was warm against my hooves, not just where I was sitting but all around the cell, like the stone itself was heated. I could find no discernable sources of light though the room was not completely dark. I found myself banging my shins on the simple stone slab that stretched across one side of the room.

They expect me to live in this. There is no plumbing and they haven’t even fed me yet.

Twenty-two steps from the slab to the seamless door.

Am I going crazy?

No, I’m just beginning to see,

They never wanted anything to do with me.

Tales of secret organizations and darkness they told,

To make me believe I could be part of the fold.

Foolish was me to believe I could be of use.

To these ponies who had nothing to gain and a lot to lose.

“Poetry comes and goes but a mind is forever.”

Don’t you dare quote me like that!

“I do what I want”

Do you? Do you really? Because I was under the impression that you would just be a manifestation of my own pride. But you have the full spectrum of emotions. Sounds more like a hallucination to me.

“You’re trying to discredit yourself?”

Why the hell not? I’m crazy aren’t I?

“Why is it hard to believe that Equestria would hold so many secrets? Do you honestly think you can learn all about a world from a television show? ”

The ponies in that hell acted like ponies should; they didn’t hold secrets or lie to me. Ever since I came into this world everypony has acted with so much forced cheer and tried to answer all of my questions. Why can’t you see that they only saved me so they could get their hands on the pony soul I hold in my chest?

“Let’s pretend that that’s true for a bit. What would our plan be? How would you survive?”

I’ll refuse to give them what they want. I’ll keep Colgate with me forever.

“You honestly think that you could be cruel enough to hold that girl in that torturing stone forever?”

Well…

“Of course not.”

That doesn’t change the fact that they are lying to me.

“Are they? Or have we just not met the right kind of pony?”

I don’t know!

My head fills with pain and I stumble over to the stone slab and throw myself into its warm embrace.

I-I can’t think about it now

“Then when will you think about it? What are we to do? If we believe you then we are screwed as long as they hold us here and if we believe that dragon and pony running off could be disastrous for thousands of ponies.”

Just leave me alone for a while.

The stone is softer than I originally thought and my muscles relax causing sleep to approach quickly

__________________________________________________________________________________________

“But I have to see him! I promised him answers!” Luna’s voice booms from the other side of the door

“Princess’s orders nopony goes in or out of the prisoner’s cell.” came the flat response of the
Guardspony

“And what is to stop me from simply breaking down the door?”

“You know as well as I do that that door is made of pure madness ore. Even the strongest Draconian magic would take hours to get through it and by then Celestia would be here to stop you.”

“What makes you think that this is necessary? He is the last of his kind lost and confused, you’ll be lucky if he doesn’t hate us after this.”

“I don’t question my orders your highness just follow them.”

“UGH” Luna screamed in disgust and the sound of retreating footsteps assaulted my ears

_________________________________________________________________________________

That was a strange dream. Like Luna even cares about me. None of them care. If it wasn’t for Colgate they would’ve let me suffer at Michael’s hands. She doesn’t even care. She sees me as a monster. Maybe it would’ve been better for both of us if I’d just given up and died.

“STOP THINKING LIKE THAT!”

Aww is the hallucination scared that I’m going to off myself?

“What’s gotten in to you?”

Oh just a little thing called reality! Had to catch up with me eventually!

“You’re in a magical world full of talking ponies and you’re lecturing me about reality! Get a hold of yourself!”

I refuse good sir! Now if you will excuse me I have the rest of my live to live in captivity.

“That’s it! I’ll make you listen to me!”

Fat chance!

The pain in my head increased and a hand materialized in front of my eyes.

“Do your worst!”

The hand slams into my face and forces it back until the only thing I can see is a field of white

Oh so you’ve succeeded in forcing me in here. Tell me again how this is going to make me listen to you.

Pride walks out of the nothingness to my left and grabs me by the shoulders

“Damn it! Why can’t you just live your own life instead of constantly trying to help others? What makes you feel so worthless that the only way you can even consider living is for the benefit of some other person?”

Closing my eyes I forced a memory of my favorite hill that I used to sit on to clear my head into my thoughts and blocked out the rest of Pride’s rant.

When I opened my eyes I found myself sitting on a perfect replica of the hill. I’d always liked this hill because no matter what time of day it was the hill was cooled by the vapors coming off the creek at its base and one could see for miles out onto the farmland.

This hill no longer exists. Why do I?

I pulled up memories of the hundreds of sunsets and rises I watched from the hill. I was content to just sit there and stare at nature until a more prevalent memory assaulted my vision; it was the memory of the first time I acknowledged my feelings for Elisa. I turned my head away from my memory of her as soon as I realized what was going on.

She was beautiful you know

Lust? Where have you been?

This is my favorite memory.

Why? Nothing sexual happened. And you didn’t answer my question.

But you had the balls to look her in the eyes and say

The only thing more beautiful than the sunset is it’s reflection in your eyes

Do you realize how far you could’ve got with that line?

I do now, but back then I only wanted to hold her close and know that someone loved me for who I was.

Do you know how far it is getting you right now? Lust said her hand moving slowly toward me.

I slapped it way

GET OUT

But I only want to help. Lust said her bottom lip quivering in a pout

JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!

I don’t see how this is any different from what you used to do on earth; you rather enjoyed that.

If you don’t leave I will make you

Fine, but I will get what I want eventually.

Lust turned away from me and dissolved into nothingness.

That doesn’t sound good. What if she rapes a pony using my body? Why do I care?

ARRG too many questions!

I moved my memory forward to that night when I finally got my wish and slept with my girlfriend for the first time.

We had just finished a Mortal Kombat mini tournament and she was too tired to go up the stairs to the guest bed so I suggested she just sleep in mine. She turned to me and giggled jumping onto the bed and settling in before me taking the center of the bed for herself. That night was the best sleep of my life.

Why am I doing this to myself? She’s gone. The whole world is gone. Hiding away in good memories isn’t going to bring anything back.

I looked over at Elisa’s sleeping form

She truly was beautiful and I am the reason she died. Pride says I should live more for myself but every time I’ve done that something terrible happens. If I would have chosen death over my second chance I would have been with Elisa in the afterlife by now. That’s where I belong! Not in this pit of lying ponies clinging to their happiness. What do I have to contribute to this world? Nothing!

An idea comes into focus

But I can take myself out of this world! Suicide? No I don’t have the guts for that, unless I can get one of the guards to do it for me. No they wouldn’t disobey orders. The princesses! They would surly kill me if I became a big enough nuisance.

I looked down at my newly formed hands and imagined ripping off a pony’s head with them

Yes, that’s how I will do it! It’s just like suicide by cop!

I wrapped my arms around my dead girlfriend and fell asleep dreaming up a plan for a rampage the likes of which Equestria has never seen.

The Human Option

The Human Option

I awoke with my arms wrapped around a pile of bones in a featureless cave

Things could be worse

I tried to escape back to the hill but the cave remained. So I started trying other memories: happy memories, sad memories, angry memories, recent memories, vague memories but nothing could take the cave out of focus

Am I locked in my own mind? Who would do that? Lust? She was angry with me but would Pride let her?

ALL THESE FUCKING QUESTIONS! WHEN WILL THEY STOP?
SHIT THAT’S ANOTHER QUESTION!

I was so angry that I did the very next thing that came to my mind, suicide. I grabbed the tibia of the skeleton next to me, broke it on the cave wall and cut my own throat with it. I stood perfectly still as I watched the blood come out at regular intervals, sixty beats per minute, forty, thirty, and finally ten.

No light headedness, no death I must be in my mind.

But the blood that was now covering the floor was very different from any blood I’ve ever seen before; it was darker than usual and moved freely about instead of pooling or drying.

Interesting. I also can’t sense it or move it with magic so is it truly my blood?

The blood started to hiss and the floor quickly melted away beneath me sending me falling down a dark hole.

Well shit

My legs hit something solid and immediately broke, the pain was immense but I was able to remain conscious for a good ten seconds before the darkness claimed me once again

______________________________________________________________________________

This time I woke lying on top of two piles of bones

Dear whatever is doing this, FUCK YOU.

I broke the first bone I could get a hold of and repeated my previous experience except this time I blacked out before I hit the ground

______________________________________________________________________________

“How long is he going to be up there.” a disembodied voice rang through my head

“Not too much longer; he seems to have made his choice.” a masculine voice responded

I tried to get a feel of where I was or even what I was but a dark void had surrounded me allowing only outside influences

“You have nothing else to contribute?”

“No your majesty.”

“You are dismissed; let no one know of your involvement.”

I could feel the now familiar crackle of magic through my legs

*Drip*

Ok I still have legs now if only I could open my eyes

*Drip*

“Guards!”

I guess that answers the question of where I am

*Drip*

Redness appeared before my eyes with a blinding intensity

*Drip*

I put my hands over my eyes to try and block out a little of the light

Hands? I wiggled my fingers Yeap hands

*Drip*

What is dripping?

“And why are we upside down?”

Pride is that you?

“Who else would it be?”

I don’t know! I can’t sense you anymore!

“Good thing I’m not the type of person to take advantage of that.”

Whatever

*Drip*

“Aaa it burns!”

“Everypony keep your distance”

And that’s the final nail in the coffin

*Drip*

My eyes suddenly focused on the scene before me; there were three guards in my cell, one’s right front hoof was smoking as the other two tried to get his armor off.

I turned my head around to get a better view of my own situation and discovered the source of my confusion. A viscous red fluid had me held fast to the ceiling but it was quickly falling away from me and onto the ground.

If I don’t do something fast I’m going to end up face-planting

*Drip*

“We’re getting nowhere! Bruiser take this pony up to the forge! If they can’t get it off of him take him to medical and have them do what is necessary!”

The afflicted pony gave the other two a terrified look as the one known as Bruiser threw him on his back and ran out of the room with him

“It’s just me and you now.”

“Could you help me down?”

The guard’s horn lit up with a custard colored cone of magic as he gently lowered me onto my feet

“Thanks bro.”

I crouched down and put my hand in the growing pool of red liquid

Why does this stuff burn ponies?

I put my hand to my mouth and stuck out my tongue

“STOP!” an unfamiliar voice yelled

I stood perfectly still

“Put it back on the ground.”

“Ok man just chill out.”

I wiped my hand on the floor

“One wrong move you chaos breeding son of a Trixie and I will shove this blade through your Celestia damned heart

“What blade?”

“This one”

A lightning bolt of pain shot through my back as a pony did a flip over me landing next to the guard

“If he does anything you don’t like just move that stiletto another two centimeters in.”

“Thanks for the help, but I wasn’t aware the shadow was read into this one.”

“As far as you are concerned we aren’t.”

The guard gave the newcomer a wink and left the room

“Are you as willing to cooperate now as before?”

That voice, the head of lies himself “You should just kill me Pale Stiletto. You know it is the proper thing to do.”

“You could do so much for us, why through your life away?”

“Why torture me for the rest of my life instead of just ending it now?”

“Aren’t you even the least bit interested in what is going on here?”

“Like you would even tell me what is really going on.”

“Come on! You know ponies can’t lie very well.”

“HOW MUCH DO I REALLY KNOW? Please tell me what I am to believe!” I shouted at the unflinching pony “That would be so helpful! I don’t even know MY OWN FUCKING NAME! I was told that the last place was a lie, what makes this one so different?”

“You can have a new life here. I can give you a new home, a new family, power, wealth, adventure, anything your heart desires. In exchange I ask only for you to bow down to the Princesses and the Shadow.”

“The Devil will tempt you with an easy way out when the way to heaven is at it clearest.”

“Starswirl’s beard! Nopony even knows if your religion had any base in the world where you are from, but the only thing that matters here is The Reaper’s opinion of you and what type of message is your defiance sending?”

“DEFIANCE? WHEN I CAME HERE I LISTENED TO YOU! I TOOK YOUR LIES TO HEART! YOU COUL D HAVE ASKED ME TO DO ANYTHING AND I WOULD HAVE!”

“Never trust the first offering of a prisoner.”

“Why even bother me in the first place? Was being separated from everything I knew not enough for you people? Why not leave me in Michael’s hands if you were just going to hold me here? What good could I possibly do from a cell? Is this supposed to make me want to accept your new offer?”

“No, I’ve seen the truth your kind. Sacrificing one of your own for the good of the whole is standard practice.”

“You do know that the only thing standing between me and my freedom right now is you?”

“Yeah, what of it?”

“What’s to stop me from killing you and just taking it?”

“You tell me.” Pale responded narrowing his eyes

I tried to manipulate some of the blood that was running down my back but I failed. There was no drain of energy, no mental strain, no change at all. Either I’m imagining the blood or-

“I’ve disabled your magic.”

“You can read minds?”

“No, but I could read or face just fine.”

“How could you do that? As far as I know I am the first magical human this world has ever seen.”

“To be honest I had no idea that a little Poison Joke mixed with some extra enchantments would have any effect on you at all.”

“To be honest? Why would you even use such a phrase? I already know you as the liar you are.”

Pale’s eyes started to water “What could I possibly do to change your opinion of me?”

“Give Colgate a new body and her freedom, then I might be able to see you in a different light.”

“O Come on! You can’t expect him to do anything like that. I say we waste this fucker.”

You want me to try and kill this overly athletic knife wielding pony with my bare hands and a knife in my back?

“Is that the best test you can come up with?”

“Yes. Here you’ll need this.” I said as my hand came across my chest to rest over my heart only to find bare skin “What have you done with her!?”

“I did nothing; the guards cut her from your chest while you slept.”

“Do they understand what will happen when my blood can no longer hold the magic that binds her to the stone?”

“Yes. She will be judged by The Reaper.”

“Fuck you Pale.”

“I can take you to her to say goodbye.”

“Shit bro this guy is as crazy as you”

So you admit I’m crazy?

“Why don’t you take this knife out of my back, and give me the cure to the poison so I can give her this body?”

“You would take her place?”

“Yes, she has never done anything to me but care for me.”

“Interesting. Follow me.” Pale said trotting down the hallway

I ran after him

“What exactly did you learn about humans that you didn’t know before?”

“I saw the report from the first time Celestia made contact with your kind.”

“It couldn’t have been that bad, no one on Earth remembers her visit.”

“That’s because they all died.”

“I’m confused; tell the story from the beginning.”

“It all started when Celestia kept on having dreams of two legged creatures bowing down to her, chanting in a strange language, in and around giant square stone temples deep in a jungle. She searched all over Equestria and the surrounding countries but could find no sign of the two legged animals. Then one day a small portal opened in her chambers and for the first time she saw the creatures when she was awake; all her advisors told her not to go but she couldn’t get the dreams out of her head. Those dreams compelled her to jump through the portal and meet the strangers. When she did this the portal closed behind her locking her in their strange world. She spent ten of your years living with humans. When the harvest was good they would lead her to the altar on top of the temple and kill one of their own bathing her in the sacrifice’s blood. When the harvest was bad they would kill several people and feast on their flesh, at the end of the meal they would force the sacrifice’s heart down Celestia’s throat. Celestia tried every single day to make a portal back to Equestria but the human’s savagery, and the effort she took to try and prevent the advances of the stallions they housed her with blocked every magic she could think of. On the tenth year Celestia gave up hope until the humans started to fight each other, Celestia didn’t even try to convince them to stop and even started encouraging them by shouting the names of the humans that she knew along with all the other words she had worked out. The humans fought over every word she spoke and what they thought she meant. After months of fighting there were only ten humans left in the entire jungle. They had reconciled their differences and identified her as the root of the evil that had felled their nation. One night they came into her stables as she was sleeping with her stallions to kill her. She had to kill them with her hooves to survive! And after the last human lay dead she was finally able to create a portal back. Now do you understand what your people have done to our Princess?”

Mayans holding a sun goddess and worshiping her, trying to understand English, feeding her meat because that’s what they believed gods ate, this all makes sense

“Of course it does! He wants something from you.”

How could they want me so badly that Celestia would look past that and why not simply bind my soul like Dygon claims they did to him?

“I don’t know but I bet we can find out.”

“If she was there for ten years what happened here?”

“It was only a few hours here.”

“That must have been quite a shock.”

“Shh patrol.”

We both pushed ourselves flat against the wall as two armored Pegasus guards ran by
“Clear.”

Let us see what we can get out of him, not everything can be lies
“Weren’t you just saying that everything was I lie?”

So? I’m not allowed to change my mind anymore?

“There is the Rico I know.”

Rico?

“Well we have to name you something.”

I guess you’re right

“Are you done yet?” Pale whispered his breath tickling my face

“Yeah, sorry.”

“Come on the door is this way.” Pale said as he jumped up into the ceiling causing a small ripple in the illusion

Fake stonework? These ponies may be onto something

I jumped up in the same spot he did but the knife caught on a corner and cut deeper into my chest

“Sonofabitch!” I yelled as I pulled myself the rest of the way up

Pale trotted over to me “What’s wrong?”

I pointed to the now gaping wound on my back

“Get it out of me. Now.”

“Just one second.” He ran off into the back of the room leaving me with nothing better to do but examine my surroundings

I was in a room roughly twice as big as my cell with shelves built into the walls and tables scattered about seemingly willy-nilly

All this place needs is some chairs and better lighting to be the perfect model of a mad scientist lab

“Agreed.”

And here comes our number one pony

“I got some alcohol for the pain and a dressing for the wound but we are out of the Poison Joke antidote.”

“Well fuck you. What is the point of coming here if I can’t even do anything but say goodbye to a pony I met a few days ago while all the other ponies conspire against me?”

He pulled out the stiletto and wrapped the alcohol soaked rags around my chest

“I don’t know. Why don’t we find out?” he said as he pulled me to my feet and put the almost empty bottle of alcohol in my hand

I drank all that was left in one swig; it barely even burned my mouth but did a lot to warm my belly and followed him across the room

I haven’t eaten anything since Earth have I?

“You ate that hand and leg from the vampire”

Fuck! You think that thing is what’s making me trip balls?

“That would make sense James.”

James? Why James?

“Is now really the time to argue?”

James it is until we find something better, IF we find something better

“Here she is.” he said pointing his hoof at a table that had only two things on it, a clear gem in a gold setting and the dead body of a white suited unicorn

“What happened to the Stone? It looks so different.”

“Dawn Spreader thought she could take it out of its setting and use her own body to sustain the magic.”

“And that resulted in her death?”

“Yes, as soon as she touched the gold she fell to the ground dead and Celestia forbade any more interaction.”

I brushed my hand across the smooth surface of the gem

“I’m so sorry Colgate. I can’t do anything right.”

The gem clouded over with blue and the scent of mint filled the air

“I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have been afraid of you.” came Colgate’s response from the gem
“Colgate! You are still alive!”

“It’s not just me”

“Hello Love”

“Lust?”

“I was keeping watch over her when the ponies came to cut her out.”

“She saved me.”

“And not just from the void, I was able to changer her mind about you with the help of the copy of your memories i brought with me.”

“How does that even work?”

“you organized your memories into that giant book and I took it with me. I LOVE being slowly pulled apart by the strain of keeping Colgate sealed in this hunk of amber but you’d better get us back together soon, I’m running out of magic fast.”

“Well I don’t know what I can do about that. This asshole poisoned me shortly after I woke up.”

“There has to be something you can do!”

“That gold stuff is the same stuff we found in Michael right?”

Yeah

“It seemed to have its own magic; why don’t we try to use it to put them in Dawn’s body?”

You think she would be ok with that?

“Pale said she died trying to save them, so why not fulfill her last wish.”

“Pale! Can you get me some water and a clean knife?”

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m making sure that Dawn Spreader doesn’t die in vain.”

Pale ran off and I placed the gem over Dawn’s heart

This better work

Pale came back with a bucket of water and a razor blade

“Here goes nothing.”

I cut below the ribcage and inserted the gem into the thoracic cavity

No blood?

“Lust! If you can hear me push out of the gem with all your strength!”

“Are you sure? If this fails it will only speed up the decay.”

“Yes I’m sure!”

I poured the bucket over the wound and tried to extend my mind to help but the poison held firm

Damn you Pale

“It feels like something is missing.”

I slammed my fist into the table

What am I supposed to do about that? I don’t know the smallest thing about magic!

“For someone who doesn’t know very much you sure have achieved a lot using it. Think! What is the first thing that comes to mind!”

A link to something living?

“Good! How about we try that?”

I put my hand in Dawn’s chest and grabbed the gem. I could feel the magic trying to come up my arm, but it was still stopped by the Poison Joke.

“Pale! Come here and help me!”

No response

“Pale where are you?” I asked as I frantically looked around the room

“What about the hair we took from his tail yesterday?”

Do we still have that? I remember putting it in my own hair back when I was a pony.
“We don’t have time for questions!”

I ran my free hand through my hair and two clear strands of hair came away with it

Clear hair? So Pale has white skin and polar bear hair?

“I said no questions!”

I placed one of the hairs on the gem so that it connected the gold to both the gem and Dawn’s heart

A red light flashed and the skin of my hand started to burn. Then everything stopped

“Lust!”

“Lust!”

“This isn’t working! We need a stronger connection!”

”Polar bear hair is hollow right?”

Yeah

“Fill it with your blood and try again.”

I picked up the blade from the table and wrapped my fist around it forcing it deep into my hand.Then I took the other hair and put it next to the burnt remnants of the first one.

The red light returns and pulses throwing me to the ground.

Did I get it?

Yes you did

Thank Celestia

She's not safe yet, that body is dangerously low on blood

Then why are you here!

To help you finish the job

A steady stream of blood linked my hand to Dawn’s glowing body

How are you doing that?

I wasn’t with you when you got poisoned

Oh yeah, so how much blood does she need?

All of it

Can you make sure she lives a happy life for me?

Of course love

A smile makes its way across my face as my heart slows, forty beats per minute, thirty, twenty, ten-

“Are humans always this exposed? I can see his ribs and he doesn't appear to have a sheath.”

“Goodbye Colgate.”

“Goodbye James.”

"Goodbye? Where is he going?"

"Home"

The Broken Rise

A sorrowful roar tore through the normal silence of the castle, but Colgate didn’t notice as she cleaned up James’s body.

__________________________________________________________________

[Point of view change: Lust’s POV]

At least she has something to do to keep her mind off of things. “Make sure she’s happy” how am I going to do that? What am I now that James is gone? Some sort of ghost?

Did you ask this many questions when you were with James? Colgate asked wiping a tear from her eye

No. He was the one with all the questions.

Oh.

Are you going to be alright?

Yeah, I just wish I had more material for the memorial

What’s it like being the person who has to stare death in the face and bury everypony?

It never bothers me until the end of the service. Then I usually go home and drink myself to sleep.

There’s alcohol here?

Yeah but you have to go to Canterlot to get it

You take trips to Canterlot for every funeral?

No ponies don’t die that often so I go once a year to refill my stash. I even found a great club built into the outer wall with thumping music and an always lively crowd.

*Sob* you and James would’ve been a great couple

How can you be sure? I’ve read almost all his memories but none of them are clear on how he felt about me.
Could you tell me ?

The memories! They’re perfect!

No they are completely random and full of errors

For the memorial! We could rework his memories into a smaller, better written, book and put them next to a few paintings of him.

That’s a great idea! You can start working on that while I find a coffin big enough for him and rent out a space.

If we are going to do this you need to see these last few memories; if they are correct then we know why the ponies locked him up and treated him so bad.

What’s the point in knowing why? They killed him! I was just fine in that that whatever that was! Colgate thought as her eyes flared in anger

All he ever wanted was to fit in and be useful. We can at least let these ponies know that he wasn’t as bad as the humans who kidnapped their princess.

What? Kidnapped? Humans? How could they possibly kidnap the most powerful magical being in Equestria?

While the distracted Colgate sat next to the now clean and properly posed body of James, Pale Stiletto was off trying to make other plans for the corpse

_________________________________________________________________________________

Luna’s Bedroom [3rd Person]

“But Princess Luna! We need him for the ceremony!” Pale yelled

“We might have saved him from that terrible place but that doesn't give us the right to mess with the laws of nature.” Luna said trying to keep her anger in check

“One reanimation won’t unbalance the world any more than your dabbling with these Elements of Darkness!”

“AND YOU KNOW SO MUCH! YOU INSOLENT MALE! THE REAPER WAS SO INFURIATED WITH CELESTIA AND ME WHEN WE MADE THOSE ACCURSED THINGS THAT SHE ALMOST TOOK OUR LIVES AS PAYMENT!”

“But without him Celestia will use her own body to power the Element of Suffering! You know what that means!”

“IT MEANS THAT SHE WILL PAY FOR YOUR MISTAKES! AND WHEN SHE DOES I’LL MAKE SURE YOU DON’T LIVE TO SEE THE PAIN ON HER FACE!”

“You wouldn't! There hasn't been an execution in a thousand years! Ponies will think you've turned back to Nightmare Moon!”

“Do you think I care about that? You just signed your death warrant Pale.” Luna said waving her hoof to dismiss the intrusive pony

“You can’t do this! I’m a part of the Shadow!”

“Believe me they won’t care.”

“But… But”

“Guards take him to death row!” Luna shouted as lightning flashed behind her

_____________________________________________________________________________

Secret Lab

Why would they do all that to Celestia? What happened to all the cars and technology? Colgate asked completely oblivious to her surroundings

Those must’ve been Mayans; they worshiped the sun hundreds of years before James was even born.

Everypony who heard that story would’ve believed that humans were crazed killers

“We did.” Interrupted a feminine voice from the doorway

“P-Princess Celestia!” Colgate stammered

“Sorry for interrupting your little conversation like that but we need to get rid of 'this' before anypony else sees it.” Celestia proclaimed signaling her guard to take the body.

“You can’t! He deserves a proper burial after what happened to him!” Colgate said jumping in front of James’s body.

“He may deserve it but can we afford to give it to him? What if other ponies find out that humans are real?”

“What does it matter? All the humans are dead! YOU made sure of that!”

“I made a mistake pure and simple and it pains me a great deal, but do you want to deal with all the questions this will raise? Do other worlds really exist? How can we get there? Do you want to deal with all the ponies that disappear traveling to these other worlds? Search for days just to find their mangled corpses or shattered minds?” Celestia said moving slowly toward the body as her horn lit up with magical energy

“You stay away from him!” Colgate said gathering her own magical energy in an attempt to block the Princess

“I can see my mistake in front of me; can you not let me get rid of my guilt by taking care of the innocent creature I killed and getting him as far away from him as possible?”

The words struck a chord with Colgate’s own sentiments but she didn't move

Come on Colgate. We can still give him a memorial without the body, or bury an empty coffin.

“Get out!” Colgate yelled stepping forward her horn beaming with blue magic

Let’s go Colgate. He wouldn’t want you to get hurt on his account!

Green flames engulfed the body and pulled it toward the ground

“Stop!” Colgate screamed tears flowing freely down her face

“It’s not me.” Celestia responded looking up towards the ceiling

A single gold chain slammed down from the ceiling and erased all traces of James

“Can’t we all just get along? Why must everything be so difficult?” Lust screamed causing all the guards to look frantically for the source of the third voice

The strain of holding so much unformed magic took its toll on Colgate and the resulting loss of consciousness gave her sweet relief from her grief.

Lust however began to gain power and even managed to create a simple red cloud above Colgate’s unconscious form in which she could anchor her voice

“I’m not going to say that what you were trying to do was wrong, but can we at least give James a simple memorial service? It's more than he would've wanted.”

“James didn’t know anypony here. Why would he need a memorial?” Celestia said calmly narrowing her eyes at the floating red voice.

“Memorials are for those left behind and being charged with Colgate’s happiness I believe it will give her more closure than a burn mark on the floor.”

“I’m sure we can set something up; a mere illusion for Colgate's own eyes perhaps. But we have a more pressing problem.”

“And what would that be?”

“Colgate doesn’t exist in this world.”

“What?”

“The mare you brought back from that strange world named Colgate closely resembles a mare in Ponyville named Minuette.”

“So she is called something else. What of it?”

“Minuette lives with the local mailmare and sells clocks out of a small stand in the market. The mare you know as Colgate has no friends or family here.”

“Then she’ll make some! I have no idea as to why this is a problem.”

“You may have your memorial but I’m warning you. If you want to keep her happy, keep her away from ponyville.”

“Deal. I’m going to need a blank book and lots of watercolors if I’m going to get all the preparations done before she wakes up.”

Celestia walked up to the floating mist and whispered “Lust, I am truly sorry that this happened. I hope you can forgive me.”

“It’s not my forgiveness you have to worry about Princess as I am just a simple spirit of a dead man.” Lust whispered back as the guards shifted about nervously.

Celestia turned and left the room with all but one of her guards

I just hope that Colgate and I’s friendship will be enough to keep us both sane,Lust thought as she began to sort through James’s memories, if only James were still here… he’d know what to do.

Settling in

Castle Throne Room

Lust had expanded her cloud several meters since the day before and even had enough power to levitate the memorial and Colgate at the same time.

Right behind Celestia’s throne; it’s not perfect but it does send a message. Lust thought as she set the memorial down and laid Colgate behind it.

Colgate looks so different now, though the tan color really suits this body. She hasn't even seen herself yet! How am I supposed to tell her that she looks completely different?

Lust’s gaze went around the room for inspiration; from extravagant wall hangings depicting ponies at their happiest moments to the stones of the walls and floor fitted together so neatly that nary a seam was to be had.

This is pointless! I should be thinking not sightseeing! At least nopony can see the memorial behind the throne. I wonder how long they'll keep it up?

Lust floated over to one of the paintings she’d done during the night; it was a simple painting of a ponified James leaning against a pole. She surrounded the entire painting with her makeshift body.

If I can rearrange the colors I can make this one a little more personal. Lust thought as she replaced the pole with a painting of Colgate’s new body, a light tan unicorn with shining yellow hair and the cutie mark of a sunrise.

What was she called again? Dawn Spreader? I wonder if she should start using that name or continue to be Colgate? I’ll ask her when she wakes up.

But Colgate was already awake and was rearranging the pieces of the memorial.

“Is that you Lust?” Colgate asked the floating red cloud obstructing her view of the last few pieces

“Of course it is; you know I wouldn’t just leave you” Lust said back with a purr

“These candles, the paintings, the nameplate, I couldn’t have done a better job myself.”

“Beginner’s luck.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Permission to come aboard captain?", Lust said tiredly, "Dragging this cloud around is really tiring.”

“Come on back In i'm interested in how you managed to put all this together Lust”

Lust wrapped herself around Colgate and slowly filtered into her body through her horn

Much better

Colgate’s eyes went wide as she was finally able to see the last painting with the memory book right underneath it.

Who are those ponies??

That’s you and James

I knew I was put into another body, but why one so attractive?

You were more attractive before.

The flattery is appreciated but I respectfully disagree

Looks like we might need another opinion

And where would we get that?

Well we have no money or clothes and you did say you knew a club around here

So we seduce a few stallions into giving us some free drinks and money?

Sounds better than my plan

“That human is going to make us rich.” said a deep voice from the other side of the throne

“Four thousand bits for a single drop of blood! That Zebra is crazy!” answered another voice

“Keep your voice down! We’re still on duty and anyone could be listening!”

“Nopony seemed to care when we took the sample from the dungeon. Come on man this is our big break! Show some emotion!”

We can’t let them get away with this! Stealing then selling someone else's blood!

I have a plan; do you think you can distract them for a little bit?

I can do better than that! Lust responded separating herself from Colgate once again

“Just think, in a few more trades we’ll have enough money for a palace of our own!”

“Oh boys.” Lust said playfully as she floated over to a position over the two guardsponies’ heads

“What in Celestia’s name is that!”

“I told you to keep your voice down!”

“Oh don’t worry; I’m not anything in Celestia’s name.” Lust said as she covered the two of them and lifted them into the air

“We give up! Take us to Jail!” they both yelled in unison

“Jail?” Lust laughed, “You think it’s as simple as jail!”

One of the guards caught a glimpse of Colgate and thinking he’d found a way out shouted “Dawn Spreader! Something got out of your lab! Stop it!”

“That’s odd. I don’t remember making some sort of thief catching cloud.” Colgate responded walking in front of them

“Please help us!” shouted the other one

“I’ll tell you what I can do.” Colgate said levitating a knife up to neck level “I can make sure you never steal again.”

“P-Please don’t hurt us!”

“And why not? Are you not Guardsponies? Do you not know that any theft even that of biological material is wrong?”

“We’ll tell you where the blood and the buyer are if you set us free; you can even keep all of the money! You’ll be richer than your wildest dreams.”

“I don’t need money! Where is the quickest way to the dungeon?”

“Right behind that tapestry of the miners escaping the cave in.”

“Good. Now be a big stallion for me and don’t cry too much while I do this” Colgate said quietly as she carved the word THEIF in all capitals across each of their necks. Little drops of blood fell to the ground with each stroke of the knife and the thieves could do nothing but watch and hope she didn’t accidentally cut anything important.
“You ponies need to exercise more. Your blood is light and thin.” Colgate said with a laugh as her eyes turned dark

“Isn’t this a little much?”

“Who cares.” Colgate said flatly

“What if I do?”

“Why would you? after all the death and destruction we've seen in just the last three days they’re lucky I don’t take their heads.”

Lust was taken back by the sudden savagery in Colgate's voice

“W-Well what are we going to do with the blood they mentioned?”

“We’ll take it with us.”

“Where?” asked Lust as she placed the two terrified ponies back on their feet

"We’ll head out to Cloudsdale.”

“Cloudsdale? Isn’t that a pegisai city?”

“It’s the last pace they’d look.”

“Well we’d better get moving then.” Lust said as she slowly rejoined Colgate

Why didn't I kill those ponies?

What?

Well it’s nothing to worry about now

You’re right

And with her inner struggles contained Colgate pushed aside the tapestry and made her way into the darkness of the dungeon and its many rows of empty cells

Which cell was James’s again?

The last one on the left without any torches next to it

As Colgate approached her destination she could see a soft orange glow slowly encompass the entire hallway

Shit have we been found out already?

I don’t think so

A voice reverberated off the walls “Not that I approve with how you got here but if it’s James’s blood you want I packed it up for you. Oh and I wouldn't suggest messing with it too much, mixing it with my own was a terrible idea.”

“Why don’t you show yourself and we discuss this like normal ponies?” Colgate asked quietly not wanting to attract any unnecessary attention.

“Normal ponies? You really don’t know who you’re dealing with.” Responded the voice as a long-legged black cat sprinted out of the cell

I don’t like this. We should turn back.

Come on Lust he took the trouble of packing it up for us we should at least look at it

I’m more than a little tired of these random people and voices interrupting us all the time

Don’t be such a baby

Colgate strode confidently into the cell only to be greeted by a small hourglass filled with red liquid in the middle of a large burn mark on the floor

See nothing to be afraid of

Yet

Colgate lifted the hourglass with her magic and secured it to her back with some small chains from the wall

Now all we need is money to be on our way

Agreed

Colgate continued to walk as confidently as she could out of the dungeon and through the throne room until she came to the courtyard. Then she sat down and cried.

What’s wrong? We got the blood like you wanted.

Colgate’s tears dried up immediately as she realized what she must do

We’re going back

Back!

I have to apologize to those guards and put this where it belongs

That would be the right thing to do, but is it really what you want?

Yes, whats the point of escaping that hell if I bring its problems with me?

You didn’t do anything like what happened to you.

But what if I were to continue doing things like this? Would it not escalate?

Colgate walked right up to the nearest guard “Excuse me sir”

“yes”

“Can you escort me to the medical wing?” Colgate asked fluttering her eyelashes

“Why of course miss Dawn! Have you burned your hooves again?”

“Just a little” Colgate lied

“Right this way.”

The guard led them into a side entrance to the castle and up a few spiral staircases until they ended up in a large room covered in windows and beds the last few being occupied by the two thieving guards, a guard with a cast on his leg and a shining green Pegasus who promptly got up and started walking toward the new arrivals
“Here you are.” Said the guardspony

“Thank you.”

“Anytime.” replied the guard with a salute as he turned and left to go back to his post

“Dawn! They told me you were dead!” Yelled the green Pegasus as he ran up and planted a kiss on Colgate’s cheek

Oh no! It looks like we found Dawn’s special somepony.

Colgate slowly pushed the Pegasus away “Dawn Spreader is dead.” she said coldly

“What are you talking about? You’re right in front of me.”

“That’s because I’m not her.”

The stallion’s head shot up rattling a shrunken skull necklace around his neck as his eyes narrowed with suspicion “Then who are you and why do you look so much like her? If this is one of Mason’s tricks tell him I hate him, and he can go fornicate himself with an iron stick sideways.”
“It’s kinda a long story.”

“Well I’ll finish up here and then you can explain it to me on your way out.” he said making his way back to the occupied beds and motioning for Colgate to follow

What are the odds?

I have no idea but at least he seems nice

We’ll see how nice he is when he finds out you cut up those two guards

“My name is Pestilence, What’s yours?”

“Colgate.”

Pestilence? Is he one of the elements they wanted James to become?

Only one way to find out

“Excuse me sir Pestilence, but is that skull necklace your Element of Darkness?”

Pestilence turned his head a little but didn’t slow down “Oh so you know already? Then this demonstration shouldn’t be anything new.”

“Demonstration?”

“You see that Guard with the cast?”

“Yeah.”

“His leg is being eaten away by a very particular kind of flesh eating disease that can only be found in a human’s blood.”

“That sounds terrible.” Colgate said as she adjusted the blood filled hourglass on her back

“It sounds like somepony should warn me before bringing something as exotic as a human here.” Pestilence said with obvious anger

“So what are you going to do about it?”

“This.”

Pestilence tore the cast from the pony’s leg and as the stench of rotting flesh filled the air he placed the largest skull on his necklace against the exposed bone

“That doesn’t seem like much.”

“Just wait.”

A soft glow started at Pestilence’s tail and moved into the wound instantly healing it with a loud snap the guard screamed in pain then fell back asleep

“That’s some really good healing magic. How’d a Pegasus like you learn something like that?”

“It’s not healing magic, it’s the Element of Pestilence, and Pestilence doesn’t heal. It spreads.”

“What do you mean?”

“It means that I transferred the infection into myself.”

“But you’re not rotting.”

“No I’m not, because I formulated an antidote and injected myself before coming here.”

“That must’ve taken some time.”

“It did and normally Deep Wound would’ve been here to lessen the pain while I was working on it but he died continuing Celestia’s damn order to make ponies never bleed.”

“Celestia orders you guys around?”

“Yes, and the more things we do the faster we die, for instance if I were to cure the common featherflu I’d be sick for years simply because the Elements seem to work on some kind of strange conservation of energy law, the more common and benign the ailment the more energy it takes from me to manipulate.”

“You are just full of information aren't you? Do you always spout out state secrets to everyone who walks in here?”

“Well you look just like the love of my life and she’s the one who explained it to me.”

Colgate stared into his eyes silently awaiting an explanation

Pestilence’s eyes unfocused as he delved deep into his memories “It was the first time I’d absorbed a serious disease, a rather large outbreak of a virus that ate away the nerves of pony’s eyes. My cure failed and I was in the hospital for weeks trying to regain my sight when I heard that there was a scientist working on a way to clone and replace eyes. I demanded to see this pony at once no matter what the cost and after months of testing and her looking after me the day finally came for my new eyes. After the pain of the surgery subsided I was able to stare at the flank of the mare that had saved me from the life of a cripple and three slaps later and we were dating. It took thirty years of bliss before I’d finally built the courage to ask her to become my wife and yesterday she died trying to save some sort of traveler pony.”

Pestilence turned and looked straight into Colgate’s eyes “I should’ve known you weren’t her, you’re much too young.”

“Honest mistake.” Colgate responded

Pestilence pushed her away from the bed “Now that I’ve shared my story how about we talk about you.”

“Well It’s a little bit more complicated than your story.”

“I have time; the Renewal Ceremony isn’t for another two days”

Colgate took the lead and started walking back to the throne room “Well if you have the time I’ll explain who both of us are.”

“Both of you? Who else is there?”

“A rather interesting character named Lust, a gift from the person who died bringing me here.”

“Oh this does sound exiting.”

I’m a big fan of people talking about me and all but we don't have time for this, wouldn’t it be better to just have him read James’s memory book?

An excellent idea. We really should be leaving

So we're back to that plan again?

“Well I’ve just been reminded that my story has already been put to words and bound for your convenience.”

“I see and I presume Lust was the pony who told you?”

“This pony learns fast.” said Lust as she puffed out a little red cloud out of Colgate’s ears to carry her voice outside of Colgate’s head
.
“Well hello there Lust.”

“Hello”

“So how is it that two consciousness can coexist inside a pony’s body? I’d love the chance to examine this more.”

“Play your cards right and you just might.”

“Can you enter into other ponies or just Colgate?”

“Hmm, never tried other ponies.”

“We’re here.” Declared Colgate as she stepped behind the still empty throne

Pestilence looked at the memorial with awe and taking out some incense from behind his ear he lit it next to the painting of Colgate and James.

“May the reaper judge your soul with mercy.”

“That’s an interesting prayer, other ponies used to talk about this reaper person to James. Who or What is it?”

“It’s the creature in charge of sorting the souls of dead ponies; I met her close to a hundred years ago just after I took up the responsibilities of the Element of Pestilence.”

“What is she like?”

“I’m not sure. I only caught a glimpse of her but Princess Luna had a long conversation with her after the ceremony.”

“This Renewal Ceremony you mentioned?”

“Yes, it turns out she is attracted to strong acts of magic.”

“Why?”

“I believe it is to stop ponies from creating an immortal existence. If you were in charge of all the souls coming from this world wouldn’t you be afraid of someone achieving eternal life? All of the records I found in the archives indicate that ponies who have attempted such magic have all died horrible deaths, which only strengthens by opinions on the matter.”

Colgate levitated the hourglass off of her back and placed it next to Pestilence’s incense

“Well Mr. Pestilence the book you’ll want to read is right in front of you.” Lust said being more than a little bored with the conversation at hand

“Thank you lust.” Pestilence said as he lifted the book revealing a letter that was hidden underneath

“What is this?”

“I haven’t seen it before.” Colgate answered levitating it to her face “It says ‘TO JAMES: FROM LUNA’”

“Oo a letter from the Princess! Can I read it?”

“No this isn’t for you.”

“Wasn’t I a part of James?”

“Just leave it alone. It would be a great disrespect not only to James but to the Princess”

“An excellent point but when did you start caring about the Princess's feelings?”

“I-I don't know”

Lust considered the situation for a moment as they arrived at the memorial then decided it was time for action and the club Colgate mentioned earlier would be a great place for her to forget about her troubles for a while

“We need to go down to the club and make some money for our travels”

Pestilence dropped a bag of bits to the floor as he opened the leather-bound book of memories “Consider it rent for the book.”

“It was nice meeting you.” Colgate said waving goodbye

“I just wish it was under different circumstances, oh and by the way don’t feel so sorry about cutting
up those two guards.”

“I-I.”

“They were the cause of that terrible flesh eating disease being spread around and I’ll take full responsibility when Celestia asks me about it.”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Don’t say anything just go have your fun.” Pestilence said with a dismissive wave

And so Colgate left the castle and wandered the streets of Canterlot getting all kinds of dirty looks and rude comments for not wearing even a simple sundress when out in public but she didn’t care she was on a mission to find the hidden away dance club that she knew existed somewhere.

This thing can't be too hard to find right?

Not exactly; Every time they get cited for disorderly conduct or a noise complaint the manager moves it to one of his other houses.

She came to a mansion on the edge of town with towering statues of changelings and ponies made of lava.

Here is the first house.

Can’t say I enjoy his sense of style

You get used to it

Colgate walked straight up to the front door and knocked three times

“And what might you be here for young miss?” came the voice from the door

“I’m here to have my heart beat for me and to turn the world onto its side” Colgate responded

“That’s a rather old password but go on inside and have fun.” And with that statement the doors swung open revealing a ballroom filled with colorful flashing lights and a dark grey unicorn DJ starting up his turntables, but Colgate wasn’t as interested in that as she was in the semicircular bar that spanned half of an enormous wall. Most of the seats were occupied by young ponies sporting their vibrant coats and manes, it seemed nopony in here wore clothes. Colgate went straight for a seat by the end of the bar closest to the bars ludicrously large selection of hard liquors. And in no time two apple martinis were pushed her way from an eggshell colored stallion behind the counter.

“On the house.”

“Thanks Charles.” Colgate said sipping at the first one

“I’m sorry I don’t believe we’ve met. Who are you mare that already knows my name?”

“Just a customer who loves the way you mix the cheap stuff in with the really expensive.”

“Not likely; I remember everypony I’ve served since I started working here.” Charles responded dismissing her accusation

Colgate flipped her mane across her face and gave Charles a big smile “Then I’m sure you’ll remember me next time

“I’m sure I will.” he said narrowing his eyes

Charles came around the bar once Colgate had finished the martinis and placed a soda with a double shot of whisky in front of her “From the gentleman at the other end of the bar”

Colgate turned to see an off duty guard smiling back at her and waved to him with a nod

target number one

IThe DJ hasn’t even set up yet

“It seems you are quite popular this evening Miss… I'm sorry you still haven't introduced yourself” the bartender said offhandedly

“Colgate.”

“Ahh Colgate.” Charles said putting down a cheap bottle of beer

“Oh and Charles while you’re here I’d like to reserve the back suite for the night.” said Colgate pushing twenty bits across the table

“How’d you even know about that?” Charles asked whisking away the bits into his apron

“I used to go to school with the owner.”

“You went to school with Fruit Punch?”

“Yes I knew Fruity when he didn’t even have two bits to rub together.”

“Amazing. You might just have to prove that later, but any friend of Master Punch is a friend of mine anything you need just tell me.” he responded completely changing his tone

“Well… I am feeling rather hungry; can you get me the biggest apple pie you have?” Colgate asked putting another ten bits on the table

“Right away Miss” Charles said disappearing into the kitchen and reappearing shortly afterward with an apple pie the size of his head

“Oh that looks lovely!” Colgate said enthusiastically

“Do you want me to slice that for you?”

“No thank you Charles this will do just fine.” Colgate said taking a huge bite of the pie and chewing very slowly.

“There is no way she can finish that whole thing.” said the newest addition to the bar, a one eyed stallion wearing a large fruit hat.

Hearing this Colgate lifted her face and looked him right in the eye and said “I’ll bet you the rest of the bits in this bag that I can.”

“You’re on!” replied the stallion placing a notefor five hundred bits on the bar

“I don’t think I have that much on me right now.” Colgate said slowly licking her top lip

“Oh don’t worry I wouldn't take money from such a lovely mare, consider it a challenge instead.” Replied the stallion

“Much appreciated.” Colgate somehow managed to respond through a mouthful of pie

“Charles would you be a dear and bring me two Canterlot Burners?”

“Of course sir.” Charles said as he mixed two parts hot sauce three parts vodka and one part water into a large pitcher and placed it next to the stallion with a glass

“I said two.”

“The rest is on me. Consider it your consolation prize.”

“Consolation pri-“ The stallion looked over at Colgate’s clean pie pan and Charles handing over his bank note

“Well done! Give the lady another drink!”

“Sure thing boss. What’ll you have Miss?”

“I’ll have a Canterlot Burner but leave the water out and make it a double.” Colgate said glancing over to the one eyed pony as he stood up on his chair and yelled up at the DJ “You Otto Tune! You gonna get started anytime soon?”

“Why Mr. Fruit Punch! I didn’t see you there. I would start but it seems my mixer isn’t getting any power.” Replied Otto over the crowd’s collective groan

Colgate put her drink to her lips and tilted it straight down her throat “Don’t worry I got it.” she said as she walked over to the wall and flipped a red switch next to the outlet and then plugged in the cord lying next to it.

“You my dear are an excellent example of a good customer! Have you heard about the back suites?” Fruit asked leaning toward Colgate his breath smelling distinctly of expensive brandy overpowering his hot sauce mixer

“She has already rented one for the night.” Replied Charles as he poured two more apple martinis in front of Colgate

“Has she run a tab yet?” Fruit asked

“Hasn’t paid for a single drink.”

“Well I’ll cover that for you!” Fruit said excitedly reaching for his saddlebag

“She doesn’t owe anything either, all her drinks have been gifts.” Charles said admiration shining through his voice

“Clever girl. YO OTTO! PUT ON SHAKE THAT PLOT!” and at Fruit’s shouted command the music started with a huge bass drop that shook the chandeliers

Lust you’ve been quiet

Not much to say… I’m used to just observing other people having fun.

Well that’s sad but I reckon you don’t want to try and possess somepony here it’ll make a scene

Don’t worry about me, or yourself for that matter, I’ll be here to protect you in your drunken stupor

Oh I don’t plan on getting drunk

____________________________________________________________________

Twenty-three drinks later….

Colgate was balanced on her horn in the middle of the dance floor slowly spinning clockwise

Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey, Lust

What?

Ever wonder if you are a collection of random thoughts that formed into a cohesive whole or just a person made of pure magical energy?

I don’t know what I am dear

I think it’s time to go to bed, Thought Colgate as she collapsed onto the ground

“Oh you.” said Lust as she separated from Colgate to carry her to bed ignoring the gasps of everypony in the room

“Oh Shit I don’t know where it is! Can somepony help me?”

Fruit Punch threw off his completely eaten hat and saluted the floating cloud “At your service.”

“Thank you gentlecolt.”

“Anything for the ladies.” He responded leading Lust behind a large statue of a troll where a mini fridge full of water bottles and a hammock were tucked away in a corner “Here you are the best back suite we have.”

“It’s perfect! Thank you.”

“Anytime, just you remember it’s not a Pinkie Pie party but the next best thing! Trademark of Fruit Punch Clubs Limited”

“Ha Ha! Enjoy your party.”

“Oh I intend to.”

As soon as he left lust pushed the statue over to block the entrance and opened the ceiling’s vents all the wayLust you are the nicest porcupine I know

That’s cool, go to bed.

Why was it me?

Why was what you?

Why did I stay alive while that monster tore through the rest of the town?

Are you sure you want an answer to that?

I guess not but now every time I get a moment to myself I can’t stop thinking about how much more James could’ve had if I had just died.

It’s time to stop thinking about him so much. He died so you could have a normal life; so why don’t we just go find somewhere for you to live and work then worry more about what happened in the past

But I already have a job and house in Ponyville.

Yeah about that-, Lust started but abruptly stopped the thought as Colgate drifted into a contented slumber.

Abomination

That same night

One thousand nine hundred and eighty-five

One thousand nine hundred and eighty-six seconds floating unfeelingly in a dark void

One thousand nine hundred and eighty-seven divided by sixty is about thirty three

I’ve been dead for thirty-three minutes and nothing has happened, no judgment, no pain, looks like nobody was telling the truth. Pride has been gone the whole time, maybe I have been judged and my punishment is eternal loneliness?

I pushed my glassesup my nose. Glasses? I wasn’t wearing glasses.

“No you weren’t judged.”

“Who are you?” At least I’m not alone

“Why don’t you open your eyes and find out?”

My eyes?

“Yes your eyes.”

I opened my eyes to a bright light suspended about three feet from my face

“See that’s better.”

My eyes adjusted to the change of scenery, myself lying down on a half bed like psychologists use wearing a three piece suit and still being unable to feel my body even though it was completely intact.

“Where am I?”

“In my home.”

I turned my head to the source of the voice, an elderly black man with the longest white beard I’ve ever seen, and asked a simple question “Who are you?”

“Oh humans, so delightfully free and unpredictable.” The black man said affectionately

I sat up and took a good look at my hands “Can you at least tell me why I am here?”

The black man laughed “Because you are mine and I can’t stand to see you be fought over like that.”

Who is this guy?

“So I’m not dead?”

“You are most definitely dead. “

I pressed my fingers across my eyes “This can’t be real. When I open my eyes I’ll find somepony leaning over me on a hospital bed or something.”

The man laughed again

“Despite everything that happened you truly enjoyed your time with those ponies didn’t you?” the black man said stroking his beard.

I thought about all the pain and death I’d seen, did I really? Then I thought about seeing Colgate for the first time and holding my own against the vampire, he’s right I did.

“I thought bringing you here would end your need for acceptance but you don’t belong here either.”

Need for acceptance? “I don’t even know where I am! How can you be so sure I don’t belong?”
“Look at your hands again son.”

“I don’t see how-“I cut my own sentence short as the sight of my rotting hands assaulted my eyes, the skin had already fallen from the muscle and I could see the tendons snapping away from the bone.

“What’s happening to me?”

“You are being called back to Equestria.”

“Called back? How is that possible?”

“It’s not possible without my permission, however I feel as if this decision is best left to you.”

“What?”

“Stop acting so dull. Do you want to go back or not?”

My fingers were barely holding on by small strips of rapidly tearing skin “What happens to me if I stay?”

“You continue to rot until all that’s left is your mind floating around like a ghost.”

“How is that even a choice?”

“Here there are no worldly needs or pains, and if you go back and die again I cannot guarantee you’ll be able to pass on a second time.”

“Whatever happened to rest in peace?”

*Clink* half of my right ulna hit the ground

“I’d hurry up before whoever is calling gets bored.”

A thought hit me like a ton of bricks

“Earlier you said that I was yours; WHY THE HELL DID YOU LET THEM TAKE ME IN THE FIRST PLACE!”

“Well there was a charming yellow dragon that said he was only borrowing you for a few thousand years and with how many souls there were to sort through I figured I was saving myself some work.”

“Laziness runs in the family I guess.” It might not be so bad here; I might not know anything about this place but if he is going to let me leave I doubt it is some sort of trap. “Do you know what will happen to me if I go back?”

“Well I would no longer have any power over you so you would be at the complete mercy of the first magic user to put their hooks in you.”

Hooks “So like what happened between Dygon and Michael when I left earth?”

“Yes, and from what I’ve read that wasn’t exactly a pleasant experience.” The man said closing a book I never saw him pick up

“Well” I scratched my head with my shattered arm

The man leaned closer to me “Well what?”

“I-I“I stammered what the hell am I even thinking about? I couldn’t stand people when I was alive what would I do here?

“I see you’ve made up your mind”

“What the fuck? How long have you been reading my mind?”

“Oh I wouldn’t worry about that.”

“Whatever can we just get this over with please?”

“I’d love to but it looks like we’ve got some eavesdroppers who might want to say goodbye first.”

“You just keep making less and less sense.”

“You shut up.” He said reaching down and opening a freshly materialized trap door.

“Hello James!” two familiar voices ran out in unison

Of course! No delusion is complete without the two biggest failures in my life: my dead girlfriend and roommate

And sure enough a man and a woman climbed out of the hole.

“It’s me, Elisa! Don’t you remember me? Why won’t you stay?”

I couldn’t stand looking into her dead blue eyes so I turned around and looked down at my skin falling off my ribs

“We looked for you for ages after everyone else showed up! What took you so long?”
I watched my heart beat twenty times

“We had a good run, but I got over you a long time ago.” I said with a tear in my eye “And what is the point in staying somewhere that I can’t even talk to people?”

“Then stay with me. I know I can make whatever you’re feeling go away.” she said calmly touching my shoulder “It’ll be just like old times.”

“Those times are over.”

“Will you at least say goodbye properly?”

“No.”

I heard Elisa leave. Am I really over her? It doesn’t matter does it? I’d rather be in the Void than in a place where the only thing I would be able to do is stare longingly at people living normal lives.

*Silence*

“Are you going to ask me to stay too?” I asked

“I just wanted to say thank you.” my roommate said calmly

“For what? I ended your life.”

“No you saved it.”

“I gave you a knife and walked away. I don’t see how that could possibly have helped you.” I said angrily

“And I held on to that knife until the paramedics got there.”

“I’m also the reason you were out shopping in the first place.”

“Who cares why I was there? I overheard the EMTs talking about how screwed I was and how I wasn’t going to make it to the hospital, but you let me get out on my own terms, you gave me the strength to act amidst the chaos, to change my fate.”

I am definitely imagining this. I must be still in the void and I’m just imagining all this to pass the time. His views of suicide match my own word for word.

“Well your delusion is about to become reality.” The black man said as he stood up in a cloud of dust “I hereby banish you from this realm until your heart knows true peace!”

I braced myself for the worst, but nothing happened

“I knew this was nothing more than an illusion! What will my imagination cook up next? A torture chamber? A harem? A morally questionable squirrel who speaks only in haiku?”

“Oh it isn’t anything that serious I just missed my cue.” The man said as darkness engulfed my vision

Hey that rym-

____________________________________________________________________________

The darkness was quickly replaced by a soft green glow coupled with a soft conversation between two faint voices

“Infinite cosmic power and I can’t save one life.”

“It wasn’t your job.”

“As soon as we led him into this world he became one of my subjects and what is the use of a monarchy if they can’t protect their subjects?”

“You shouldn’t put so many shooting stars out at once; somepony will realize something is wrong.” The second voice responded trying to change the subject

“Is this what it felt like when we killed your wife?” the first voice asked unfazed

“I seem to remember the death of my wife as a punishment for some sort of mass murder I committed and not simple negligence.”

“We had to do something! You wiped out two settlements in less than a week!”

“And you killed thousands with your ‘eternal darkness’”

“I was insane! Possessed by my own power! A slave to the whims of the moon! How can you compare that to your glee filled rampages?”

“I was the king of the dragons! I deserved respect! Those ponies did nothing but laugh at me and my riches! They deserved what they got! Just like the pony you put on death row!”

“If I’d let Celestia deal with him he would have gotten nothing more than a slap on the hoof. What I did I did for the betterment of Equestria.”

“No Luna, you did that for revenge.”

“What are you even doing on the roof Dygon? Aren’t you supposed to be back in your cell by now?”

“I’m simply doing a little bug collecting, nothing to worry your pretty little head over.”

“If you are not back in the dungeon I’ll scoop those new eyes of yours into your specimen jars and send them into the sun.”

So it seems I’m back in Equestria and Dygon has me but isn’t telling anyone.

“James?”

Pride?

“MY NAME IS JOHN!”

Yeap, I’m definitely back. Do you know what’s going on?

“Dygon snatched me right before you died. Then he trapped your spirit in a jar and went to the roof to blast it with cosmic energy from a super nova.”

That is oddly specific information, are you sur-

“That’s enough talking both of you.” Dygon said interrupting my thoughts

So Dygon what is the point of dragging me back here if I’m just a spirit in a jar? Didn’t you need me for some sort of ceremony?

“Oh Lust can take your place, I need you to be the first general of my new army.”

I find it hard to believe that you’ve regained the right to have your own army in the time I’ve been gone.

“You’ll see, by this time tomorrow I’ll be wearing the skulls of a hundred ponies as a bathrobe.” A scraping sound assaulted my ears as my vision cleared from a field of green to the inside of Dygon’s cell, except this time instead of bear walls and cobwebs it was covered in circles of blood and discarded royal armor

I like what you’ve done with the place

Dygon turned my jar to face the wall opposite the door. It had a human skeleton nailed to it in the middle of a golden pentagram

That wouldn’t happen to be for me would it?

“Indeed.”, Dygon said as nerves grew around the bones, “and it seems to like you.”

I should have known that I’d end up being a boring human

Dygon laughed “Oh you’ll be a lot more interesting than just human.” A circulatory system began to form on the wall as Dygon picked up my jar and dumped me into the newly formed heart “This might hurt a bit.”

Fuck, I would have screamed if I had any lungs however the only part of me that worked were the nerves sitting out in the open air and the sheer amount of pain coming from them made me feel like I was burning alive. WHY WOULD YOU PUT ME IN NOW? I asked but Dygon was too busy removing premade body parts from some jars to notice.

When I get off this wall I’m going to kill you.

“You most certainly are not.” Dygon said calmly walking over to place eyes in my skull “You are going to be bound to me in the same way I’m bound to Celestia.”

How is that even possible? You said that required a soul.

“You seem to have picked one up in the brief time you were dead, how unfortunate for you” he said laughing heartily at my apparent misfortune. He then leaned in close and started spiting a yellow liquid onto my face. “Do you know what this is?” he asked when he had finished coating my entire head.

No, the pain spread from the hanging nerves to their newly attached organs

“Concentrated yellow dragon flame, the most powerful magical component in all of Equestria, it can only be produced by a dragon of the royal family by their own free will and I’m going to use it to make you my slave.”

Muscle began to form and pull against the nails holding me to the wall

And what if I kill you before you finish the binding?

“Why fight it? What have these ponies ever done for you?”

What have they done? One poisoned me and caused my death. No I chose death to save Colgate.

”Ah yes Colgate! The one pony you have any emotional ties to. Have you ever thought as to why that is? Why was Colgate the only pony in Michael’s fake Equestria who was completely made up? Why is it that she was the last one alive?”

I have no Idea but at least she isn’t trying to take away my freedom!

“Foolish boy! She was put there so you would have the will to live through that hell! Michael wanted us to come and save you, so that means he wanted you two to be together in this world!”

And why is that a bad thing? I never knew Michael and I don’t think you did either.

The pain faded to a dull throb as the only thing missing from my new body was skin and fluids

“I don’t give a shit about him or what his plan was; I only argued with you so that you’d be too distracted to try and stop me from finishing what I’ve started.”

Shit, I pulled against the nails but it was no use; I couldn’t get any leverage against the wall with my arms and legs completely immobilized.

“By the power of my blood as king of the dragons I claim complete dominion over this soul!”
Dygon said biting off his wings and laying them in front of my body. He then pushed his claws into my shoulders and pried me off the wall. The pain was negligible compared to before as many of the nails in the larger bones stayed in while the nails in the smaller bones, like the ribs and hands, tore all the tissue as they remained deep in the wall.

I gotta get out of here. I thought frantically but it was too late Dygon’s wings had wrapped themselves around by body and I was trapped once again.

“You know ever since I found you I thought you were crazy. Let’s hope what’s left of your sanity lasts through the war.” Dygon said with a smile

As if responding to his words the wing’s membranes tore themselves free and slowly formed an armored skill around my exposed flesh.

“Now that you are complete I need your left eye.”

“Fuck off.” I responded my voice hollow and week

[Give me your left eye] the command echoed as I raised my broken hand up to my face. “What the hell are you doing?” I asked unable to stop myself as I pulled my own eye out.

Dygon pulled out his own eye and switched it for the one in my hand. “Oh I’m just keeping an eye on you. Now [put my eye in your socket].”

As soon as his eye touched my head my vision was filled with floating red glyphs. “Whoa! What are those?” I asked temporarily forgetting my situation.

“Those are the spells currently active in this room. Did you not know that dragons can see magic?”

“No.” I reached out to touch one of the glyphs but it evaded my hand easily

“That is only the beginning of your new powers.” Dygon said pointing to a pile of bones “Now eat. I need you at full strength for tomorrow.”

I looked at the bones and shrugged. How am I going to eat those?

[Eat] Dygon’s voice once again assaulted my mind forcing me to start walking toward the pile.

Wait if the command is simply to eat why not eat Dygon?

“So you did retain some cleverness then” Dygon said laughing “[Eat the bones]”

I picked up the first bone tentatively eyeing it for a second before placing it in my mouth. Then I bit down and much to my surprise my teeth cut through the bone without any resistance slamming together painfully. The taste was not unlike that of clay but I couldn’t stop myself from eating the whole thing. I reached for the next one but something was different this time. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. That’s it! I looked down at my hand and quickly discovered that my broken bones had fixed themselves. It’s just like what the vampire did when I beat him the first time.

“To be fair it is a skill that many creatures have.” Dygon said walking up to me “Now [come] I have a present for you.”

Maybe this won’t be so bad. I thought as I followed him to the corner of the room and down a grate into a small holding cell whose only occupant was a well fed sheep. “Is this it?”

“Yes, [get rid of it for me]”

An odd choice of words I looked down at the terrified sheep I guess I could eat it too…

[get rid of it for me]
My hand raced down toward the sheep’s neck and straight through it killing the sheep so fast it didn’t even have time to make a noise. I then placed my mouth over its neck and started to eat its delicious muscle. A strange sensation overcame me not unlike the buzz of magic.

“Yes [leave nothing behind]”

I began eating with a fervor tearing through tendon and bone indiscriminately enjoying every bite as the sensation grew stronger. I didn’t even flinch as I swallowed the hooves whole and the buzz withdrew to my veins as if they had suddenly been filled with raw power. If this is what a sheep feels like then what does a dragon? I jumped at Dygon aiming my teeth at his neck

[Stop]

My body tensed up and I fell to the ground

“You might as well give up trying to attack me; I hear all your thoughts now.”

I wonder how that works and why is it that my body is first to respond if he claims to have dominion over my soul? Shouldn’t my mind be affected as well?

“We don’t have time for all your incessant questions! [Sleep] for you have much to do tomorrow!”

“But-“ I couldn’t finish my sentence as my eyelids closed but I did get a glimpse of something familiar. On Dygon’s left ear there was a glass earing with five simple black letters floating above it

PRIDE

______________________________________________________________________________

What is Done in the Dark

A royal guard wearing Princess Luna’s guard armor walks in to Celestia’s room in the middle of the night

“Princess I bear terrible news.”

Princess Celestia rose slowly from her bed

“I’m awake, speak your piece.”

“Deep Wound has breathed his last.”

“The Element of Suffering! But the ceremony is only one week away! Who was chosen to replace him? We must bring them here at once!”

“That’s just it your highness, the dragon Dygon has not chosen a replacement.”

“Why not.”

“He says that there is nopony in Equestria who can bear the burden of suffering. He claims that we need to find something called a “Human”

“Take me to him at once!”

The guard led Celestia into the depths of the dungeon. Deeper and deeper they went until they came upon a large metal gate.

“This is as far as I go.” said the guard his voice a soft whisper

“Thank you I can handle it from here.”

Celestia entered a large chamber with three stone walls, a large nest and a mirror of gold, disturbing the large yellow dragon within from his sleep.

“You expect me to rob another world of one of their inhabitants to sacrifice for the good of my realm!”

The dragon turned is mutilated face toward the angry princess

“Yes, I have used my considerable talents to handle the Elements of Darkness ever since you tore the eyes from my sockets and burned half my scales off. I swear on my life that a human is the only being that can save you now.”

“Surely there has to be another unicorn with enough magical potential to maintain the spell on the Element of Suffering.”

“Only you. Why are you so opposed to taking a human?”

“Humans are dangerous and unpredictable.
”
“Even to one with the power of true sight?”

“Yes I believe even you would have trouble reading a human’s intentions.”

“Let us cut a deal then, If I bring you a human that wants nothing more but to help you and your kind will you release me from my burden?

“This human you speak of, how long do you foresee it bearing the pain of sacrifice?”

“longer than even you could my lady.”

“Very well then. Bring this human here and induct him before the end of the ceremony and I will release you. If you fail I will bear the element myself leaving you with nopony to release you from your duty.”

The dragon turned to his mirror and opened a portal to earth

I Just Don't Know What Went Wrong

Back in Equestria

Dygon's Chambers

“Princess my magic cannot reach him!” shouted Dygon

“How did Micheal learn of our intentions for this human!” Celestia yelled back

“I did not foresee this. What reason could he possibly have for bringing him into that fake Equesria?”

Celestia leans toward the mirror

“So we can hear and see all that goes on in his mind while still viewing his body by using this mirror. What else do you use it for?”

“You didn’t expect me to control the Element’s personally did you?”

“Can you still retrieve him?”

“Yes but it may take some time; Micheal has wrapped him in his own magical energy.”

“Contact me when you do.”

Celestia stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. “Guards!”

“Yes you majesty.”

“Start the preparations for Luna to take the throne; I fear I might have to carry the Element of Suffering and I want the change in power to go over smoothly.”

The guards started to cry “But Princess that would kill you.”

“Fear not my little ponies, if everything goes according to plan I won’t be needed.”

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Dygon struggled with the seal around the human

“I can’t fail; my freedom depends on it.”

Manipulation

Dygon’s chambers

“WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?” Luna screamed throwing open the doors to Dygon’s cell

“Meaning of what?”Dygon responded from his nest

“THIS!” exclaimed Luna summoning a letter from her sister detailing the deal she made with the dragon

“Oh for a second there I thought you were here about the guards.”

“What guards?” Luna quieted down suddenly deep in thought

“These.” Dygon gestured at the small pile of unicorns at his feet.

“What did you do that for?”

“I need more power to crush Michael and bring the human here without killing him; so if you’ll excuse me.” Dygon said with a dismissive tone

“Let me help you.”

“You will not like the things I’ll have to do.”

“I don’t care I can’t lose my sister again.”

Dygon placed his claw on Luna’s horn adding her power to the spell he had in place.

Dygon opened the portal to Michael’s world

“First to be rid of his constructs”

“But these are ponies!”

“Yes shameful copies to cause that very reaction.”

Dygon planted the spell in everypony he could find tearing each one apart at the molecular level
“What is the point of this?”

“To acquire atoms for splitting.”

“You plan on using that to destroy it!”

“Did you notice where it is?”

Luna calmed down and followed her stream of magic

“Michael couldn’t have done that!”

“O but he did! He made his world in the one place he thought I wouldn’t look, his own head.”

“His talent for creation is unbelievable!”

“I think he found some leftover creation magic in his travels.”

“You mean like the magic that created The Elements of Harmony?”

“Exactly! The very same magic you used to create The Elements of Darkness to complement them, trapping me in this position.”

“But that is ancient magic! It was so unstable that we almost destroyed Canterlot when we made them!”

“Indeed. That is why we need to use as much destructive force as we can muster.”

“You handle that. I’ll take care of the human’s safe passage.”

“And if I end up killing Michael?”

“As long as this works I don’t care what happens to Michael.”

Dygon was trying to place his magic in a mountain when Michael appeared before him

“I know you hate me, but why try so hard to help your captors?”

“FREEDOM!” Dygon roared

“I could bring you here and restore your eyes.”

“What of the magic that keeps me here?”

“I would create you an entirely new body.”

“You still wield such magic?”

___________________________________________________________________

Luna heard all of this from her link to Dygon

No he can’t take Dygon from us! I must find a way to end this quickly or my sister is doomed!

Luna began infiltrating Dygon’s mind, leaving the teleportation spell she was working on unfinished

I must warn Celstia