Stupid fucking creepypasta, Rarity thought to herself. She didn't show her disapproval when Twilight Sparkle asked what she thought of it.
'Oh, Honey, it was quite interesting! Thank you for sharing that little tidbit.'
'Wow, Rarity, I didn't think you usually like these kinds of stories, whenever I show them to you, you're usually more negative.'
Why do you show them to me?
Rarity was on her way to the town of Kingsmane, in Amareca. Though not a very big town, it was fairly famous for being home to several prestige designers.
The scenery from the plane was great. She scored a far right aisle seat, out of the middle row of seats, with 80%access to a window and the aisle to stretch in when she got cramped. I fucking love those seats.
As the plane descended for landing, it hit a patch of turbulence and was thrown around. The passengers were clearly worried, though they landed with only a few extra skips and jumps.
As Rarity left the airport she looked around at the differences in culture. She was in Manehattan presently, and the metropolis was very busy. Huge skyscrapers blocked the sun from much of the city. A specialized squad of Pegasus ponies could be seen working the weather. Cars were everywhere, many were European imports, a rare sight on the North Pacific country of Equestria.
She hailed a taxi, and asked the driver if he could take her to Kingsmane. The grease-ball behind the wheel said, 'I can, but do you have any idea what the fuckin' fare would be?'
Distracted by the free use of profanity, Rarity said, 'Sure, I'd still like to go.'
He opened the back door, and she got in.
After paying the fare (the driver hadn't been kidding) Rarity looked around at the beauty Kingsmane had to offer while still in downtown. The well-maintained family-owned shops had hanging basket planters, there were lush trees growing everywhere, the air even tasted clean.
She checked into the hotel she was staying at, then left to tour the shops.
The local shops had interesting items, but not as many as Rarity had initially hoped there would be. There were at least as many shops as the brochure claimed, they just didn't have a large stock. Most the the dresses were too pricey anyway, Rarity only picked up a few.
The cigarettes were the same too, but pricier. She had run out outside the airport, and needed to pick up more, no matter what they may be sold at.
Rarity tried the new dresses on again in her hotel room. She strangely felt distant and unwilling to care much about the dresses. None caught her attention too well, they all seemed the same. She wondered why her head was so boggled up, and decided to go out for a late-night stroll.
It was after midnight,but Rarity figured there wouldn't be much scum in such a rich town. Then, she considered the fact that the residents would make popular targets. She tried to forget about that thought.
In a dark old alleyway, Rarity happened to notice a hooded colt. Rarity paused, remembering that copypasta she had seen those couple of weeks ago. She wasn't one to believe those, but the coincidence was enough for her to give it a try.
She walked into the alleyway. The colt looked to her. She could see in the dim streetlight he was very old. As she approached him, he asked,'Stranger, d'you mind sparing a cigarette?'
Rarity pulled a cigarette from her saddlebag. The old colt stuck it behind his ear, saying,'Marlboro, eh? I prefer Rothman, but any will do.'
The uncanny coincidence was getting to Rarity.
They stood for a second, then he said,'So how about this weather, eh? Been pretty interesting lately.'
Rarity unconsciously replied,'Too dark to tell.'
He looked her in the eye. 'You afraid of the dark, miss?'
'Petrified.'
'Well, how would you feel about an aid in life? A helping hand to guide you through the darkness? A Friend, who will answer any question, no matter what nature, with the truth?'
Rarity, her heart racing, considered. She remembered something about a price, but eventually she simply said, 'Sure.'
'Okay,' he cautioned,'but there is a price.'
'And what would that be?'
He told her. At first she was simply shocked, then her mind reeled. Should she go along, or would it be too much? Soon, too soon, she decided,'Yes.'
He stomped a hoof, and pulled the cigarette out. As he lit it, he turned away. So did Rarity. But soon, he turned back around, and called,'Thanks for the cigarette!'
Rarity awoke in her bed at home.
She had no memory of getting here, not even the plane trip home. But when she looked at the new outfits and saddlebags she had bought, there were more than she remembered.
She didn't really care, regardless. The clothes didn't have much meaning, and besides, there was something else she had interest in.
The mirror had no abnormalities. No warping. Her reflection was completely normal. She knocked on the glass, saying 'Hello?'
She felt stupid talking to her reflection. But then she remembered something the old colt had mentioned, as well as the copypasta.
Rarity looked at the mirror, and asked it, 'Friend?'
She went to knock on the mirror again, but her reflection stayed in the same position, then backed away slightly from the mirror.
Rarity was confused and shocked, even though she knew what to expect. She stumbled back and tried to make words, while the pony in the mirror watched her with something that was almost amusement.
'Something wrong, Rarity?'
Rarity tripped over her words, trying to come up with something that made fuck-all sense.
'I-uh-I-I gue-guess you're the Friend, then?'
Immediately her reflection answered 'Yes.'
They looked at each other for a minute or two, and when Rarity had calmed down enough she asked, 'So, what are you?'
The reflection replied, 'I'm your omniscient Friend, I have to answer every question you ask me with the truth.'
Rarity sat on the bed, thinking this over.
'So,' she began, 'You're like the projections in Inception? You're not actually real, you're just put out in my vision by some force?'
'No. Not at all.'
'So, you're real, then?'
'I was once. I may be still.'
'Okay. Then who are you?'
The reflection hesitated, then said thoughtfully, 'I don't know.'
In the province of Amareca, a small town has a secret. In this town, a dim alleyway becomes home to a hooded figure after midnight. Many partygoers and clubbers pass this alleyway and see him (we assume the pony is male) during their drunken rambles, he acknowledges them with a simple nod.
Should you wish to greet this man, take these steps. if you mess up and do not follow the instructions, you will not be faced with serious or even fatal consequences like some Internet fairy tales. You will simply be dismissed, though you may never try again.
Walk into the alleyway with purpose. You must not be hesitant, otherwise he will assume you are not ready. It is safe but not necessary to call to him, regardless of whether he seems to recognize your presence he knows what you seek.
He will ask for a cigarette. He prefers Rothmans, but other brands will do, though it may lessen your chances of success. Give him a cigarette. He will remark about the weather. Say,'Too dark to tell.' If you do not say these words exactly, no more no less, he will not respond, maybe a thank-you for the cigarette and leave.
If you are successful he will turn to you and ask if you are afraid of the dark. Tell him you are very much so. He will offer a guiding hand through the darkness of life. Accept this.
He will caution you that there is a price. Feel free to guess at what the price is or simply ask. From now on no matter what you say you cannot fail, unless you outright say you want out.
The pony will tell you the price. You can accept or decline. If you accept he will thank you for the cigarette, and you will wake up.
Look in the mirror. You already know what the pony in the mirror is, though you don't know why.
Ask your friend in the bedroom mirror a question whenever you please. There is no limit. But, mind the price.
Always mind the price.