Revenge of Jack

Chapter 7 - Lost Hopes

"What do you mean Fluttershy?" I was quite confused at that. I know i've scared these ponies, but i didnt expected them to act like that. All of them looked at me with concern in their eyes. Fluttershy looked away for a second, before turned her gaze back to me.

"...You need help." She quickly said, looking away after that.

"What? C'mon girls, it was just a song! I dont plan on doing any of these things!" Even if that sounded awesome, it was just insane.

"No darling, it doesnt work like that." Rarity said. "Magic of music makes you to sing about what you feel, it's something from inside of your soul. You cant lie in that song, all you say is always what you think... This is why we think you need a help, Jack." Well, i just fucked myself up.

"Rarity, this must wait. We're here on a mission, after that you can torture me." I'm sure they would all wrap me in a hug in that moment if not the fact that i'm in a doorstep.

"I'm afraid Jack is right, but dont think we're done here. After that, we will need to talk about that. Also, from now i'll keep an eye on you. Dont take this wrong Jack, but your song... gave us a few suspicions." Crap.

"Eh, whatever. Shall we go?" They all nodded as we walked in. We entered a huge hall, clearly empty inside, except from a huge dark crystal chandelier. At the middle of room were waiting for us Shinning Armor and Solseek.

"Alright, i can see you're here already. My friend, Solseek, decided to help us with that mission. I do believe you know Solseek already Jack?" At the mention of him i could feel my body ache.

"Yes, i remember Solseek." I could see him smirk at my expression. Asshole.

"Shinning Armor, you're working with... changelings?" Rarity seemed very disgusted by that, just like everyone else except - obviously - Pinkie Pie, though she still seemed to tense up a little bit at his sight.

"This 'changeling' here is one of my best students, miss Rarity. Meet Solseek - A commander, a friend of mine and a changeling that saved my life." I was a little bit surprised at that, but ponies jaws were on the floor.

"So, he saved your life?" Twilight asked, clearly interested.

"Yes, but that's a long story. I do believe we have a quest to accomplish." Solseek said, and with that we went on.

We've moved throu a lot of richly decorated halls, most of them looked like carved out of dark crystal. There were a few times where we could notice some of shards moving, but we didnt payed attention to that. After a while we were standing at the top of one of towers, where should be the owner of it. In front of us were a huge massive door leading into the last chamber. Shinning tried to push door, but it opened itself, and we walked in. Whole place looked like a throne room from Canterlot, but - of course - carved in dark crystal, which also obviously makes it a lot darker. When we entered, door closed behind us and an evil laugh began. Suddenly some kind of a dark chains entwine us. Me, around my wrists and ankles, and ponies at their hooves and - in case of Twilight, Shinning and Rarity - also at their hornes. Fluttershy, Solseek and Rainbow Dash wings were pined to them with the same kind of chains. After a while filled with dark laugh, owner of this castle came from a dark corner behind us. He was a grey pony with black mane and tail. He was wearing some kind of an armor at his chest and hooves, a black helmet with additionaly some kind of a crown on it and at his back i could see something what reminds me of a red king robe from middle ages. His eyes were red, and a purple fog was coming from them, he also had canines and a horn... well, what have left of it. It looks like something had to break it at the base of it. He as looking at us with rather angry gaze, but i think he didnt even noticed me standing there. He was glaring all the time at the ponies, including Shinnig Armor.

"Finally! After a long time i shall have my revenge!" He said as he move forward us, a victorious grin on his face.

"Your plan is over, Sombra! We're here to stop you!" Shinning yelled. They know eachother... Eh, i feel unnecessary.

"It's King Sombra for you, scum! And from this day, i will officialy become a king of Equestria! After Celestia have send her strongest part of defence straight into my trap, nothing will stop me from turning lifes of ponies in this land into a true disaster!" And yet again, evil laugh. A little bit cocky, are we?

"Oooh, bring it on, Sombra!" Rainbow Dash yelled as she tried to charge at him, only to be stoped by more of chains.

"Fool! Nobody can stop me now! My power is back, and it's stronger than before! But dont worry, i've planned to have some fun with you first. Sadly, i cant see this dragon here, i would kill him instantly." Everyone's gaze get more hatred at that point, and i was just standing there, confused as hell.

"So, we're supoused to get him and, i dont know, tie him up or something, or just kill?" I asked, as everyone looked at me like i wasnt supoused to be there at all.

"Oh, i didnt noticed you have a new pet, Twilight, though he is rather big... Is that an ape?" Alright, you asked for it. I tried to walk to him, only to be pinned to ground by more chains.

"Jack!" Ponies yelled as they watched me. These chains were tight around me. I couldnt move, and it was actualy quite painfull. I could only move my head at that point, so i looked up at Sombra, who was in front of me, a smirk on his face.

"What is that, ape? C'mon, hit me. Attack me. I'm waiting." I tried to move anyhow, but i couldnt. His smile only deepened as he kicked me in stomach. And again. And again. And about ten more times. I think i was about to spit my guts when Applejack yelled.

"Leave him alone, ya monster!" He looked in her way with rather unpleased expression.

"What did you called me?" He said as he approached her. "You called me monster?" He was now face to face with her.

"Ah did." At that point she get a rather strong smack in her face.

"Repeat."

"Ah did." Another smack.

"Repeat"

"Ah did!" This time it was a punch, strong enough to send her on the ground, bleeding.

"A dirty peasant like you isnt supoused to live. But dont worry, i'll take care of this soon. I'll end with all of you." I could see him smirk again.

"Let the game begin." And with that, i could see his horn suddenly grow back. It looks like it was burned, more red it gets with farther it gets. After it grew back, a dark fog started to flow from it's tip, slowly filling room. Once it reached our group, everyone instantly were asleep, me as well.

I've woke up at the middle of an arena, like from the ancient greece. I could see all of ponies and a changeling here as well, all of them looking dizzy. At the top of the audience - who were an ilusion of some kind of a black and grey ponies - was sitting Sombra, looking at us with an evil grin.

"In this place you shall fight against one of the most dangerous creatures this land ever knowed! If you will survive, i will send you to a new place, and each one will be harder than the last one! Bring creatures!" And with that, gates placed around arena opened.

After a while we could hear a snarling coming out of these gates. Everyone went at the middle of the arena and were looking around if something is coming.

"Twilight, what is going on?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I have two ideas of what is happening now. First one, Sombra moved us here while we were asleep, but that's unlikely. This place doesnt exist in our world, not that anyone have heard of. Second possibility is... that this is a dream. Sombra is controling us in a dream he created... If that's true, we're more than in trouble."

"What do you mean Twilight, dear?" Rarity was confused just like everyone... Of course except Pinkie, who was -

"Where is Pinke Pie?" Applejack asked. Now that i look around, i cant see her anywhere.

"I dont know... Oh Celestia, i hope she's fine."  Fluttershy was looking like she's about to faint, mostly because of snarling that now turned into a roars.

"Dont worry girls, as i said before, this is a dream. He cant kill us in a dream... though whenever we're killed in a dream that is under control of someone else, it mostly ends with a lot of pain in reality..." We could see already shadows of these beasts that were coming here. I could see something grab my leg, and when i looked behing me, i saw Fluttershy hugging me with closed eyes. That is the most adorable thing i've ever seen in my life!

"Dont worry everypony, whatever comes at us, we're prepared for it." Solseek said and Shinning nodded. I stepped forward with them and watched first monsters approaching us. It was a whole army of timberwolfes coming at us, and behind them another army of manticores.

"Fluttershy, please tell me ya can tell them to leave us alone..." Applejack said, looking at approaching army of animals with disbelieve.

"Umm... I think i c-can try..." She said as she came next to me. Animals stoped and one of timberwolfes came forward.

"...E-excuse me... could you please not a-attack my friends?" I think if this wolf would talk, he would say 'Are you fucking kidding me?' "...please?" He literaly rolled his eyes as he turned around and howled. Rest of animals made their noises as well and started to walk away. Holy shit, it worked! I've looked at Sombra, who was actualy looking rather happy at that point.

"What are you going to do now, Sombra? Wake us up so we can kick your flank in a true fight!" Rainbow Dash yelled, which made Sombra to laugh.

"Naive ponies! You think this will be so easy? It looks like you know already it's a dream, i do believe Twilight Sparkle discovered that, but let me tell you something. This isnt just a normal kind of a control over a created dream. This is something above the level of a casual magic!" His horn glowed again as suddenly all animals turned back at us and charged, a purple fog coming from their eyes. Twilight was looking at least horrified now. I could hear her mumble.

"A control over a dream dont allow you to control living creatures in it, from ponies to mindless animals..." After that she spoke loude. "But that would mean -"

"You're right, Sparkle. In this dream you can die, and you will die in reality as well!" He evilly laughed as horde of animals were charging at us.

"Jack! Combat stance!" Shinning yelled as he and Solseek get into their stances.

I could see the same timberwolf as Fluttershy was talking to charge straigth at me. So, my first enemy will be a Timberwolf. It's time for a results of my training. As the closest timberwolf jumped at me, i made a quick dash at left, grabbed his head and cracked his non-existing neck with one, swift move. Timberwolfes limbs are connected together by a thin line of magic, which is connected straight to it's brain. Breaking that line means a quick death for a wolf, and that lines it's really easy to break. Next three wolfes i've killed in the same way untill a huge wave of animals jumped straight at our group. I couldnt see anything throu a fight, but i know i've been killing everything that get in my arms, except ponies and Solseek. After a while i've get to fight against a Manticore. Manticores are strong, but really they have weak orientation and are quite slow. Additionaly, while their body is really tough, their front legs are weak and easy to break. I've grabbed a piece of wood that was probably before a leg of one of timberwolfes - Now it feels like holding a lollipop! Man, being strong is awesome - and dashed right in front of this manticore, avoiding every possible hit from it. When i was next to it, i made a swing and hit with my piece of wood it's leg, breaking it in half. I did the same with the second one and backed away. It falled on it's face, and quickly get a powerfull hit from me right in it's skull, almost smashing it into a bloody mess. At this moment i could feel something attacking me from behind. I feel on the ground and rolled away, looking in the eyes of an angry timberwolf. I tried to back away, but it quickly bite my arm and tried to lacerate it. I grabbed it's head with my second arm and broke it neck, making it die instantly. It's limbs collapsed around as i stood at the ground again. I had a huge bite mark at my arm and some scratches at my back. At this point something surprised me - There wasnt any animals around me anymore. Now that i looked around, there wasnt actualy any animals at all anymore. When i turned around, i could see ponies and Solseek in some kind of a barrier. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were looking exhausted, but they werent hurt. Shinning was the one who made this barrier, and he was looking like he's about to faint, if not Twilight helping him at his side, also looking quite exhausted. Fluttershy was actualy wounded, she had a small scratch at her back, but Rarity was helping her with that. Pinkie was still nowhere to be found, and whole barrier was surrounded by a dead bodies of animals, a lot of them looked burned. If she even was somewhere around, she probably ended like these animals. When i approached ponies, they all gasped.

"Jack! What happend to you!?" Twilight cried as Shinning opened barrier to let me in.

"What do you mean? It's not that bad as i expected."

"What are you talking about, darling? Look at yourself!" So i did.

I was covered in bruises and scratches. I had at least five bite marks all around me, my t-shirt was teared apart, and my chest was quite badly bleeding. When did i get all these? Now when we were after a fight, i could actualy feel that my whole body hurt like a bitch, and i was barely walking. Rainbow Dash quickly flied next to me so i could support myself on her while walking. Everyone were messy after a fight, and had at least a few bruises, some scratches and all that stuff on themself. Everyone were looking at me as i slowly approached to them, only to trip over something in halfway and fall on the ground. I couldnt stand up, i was watching how everyone walked to me and tried to help me while Sombra said loudly.

"Very well, it's time for a next challenge!"

At this moment the same purple fog surrounded us as we doze off again.

I've slowly opened my eyes only to quickly shut them again due to a cold wind hitting them. I could feel warm something at my back, but in front of me i could clearly feel a really cold wind blowing. ...Am i lying on a snow? I carefully opened my eyes and saw that i'm in some kind of a forest, in a middle of winter. When i looked at my back, i saw... Pinke Pie? I flinched in surprise, which woke her up.

"*Yawn* ...Oh hey Jack! You know, i had a really strange dream! I've been watching my friends and you fighting against animals on an arena, and at the other side i could see this meanie Sombra! I tried to sneak on him, but suddenly i went to sleep.  Do you have any idea where are we? Since i - Ohmygosh Jack you're wounded!" No shit Sherlock.

"Pinkie, this wasnt a dream, we were really fighting. I mean, this was a dream, but... Eh, it's complicated. Point is that even if that's a dream, everything is real." She looked confused.

"So, if that's a dream... i can create everything i want?" She happily asked.

"Of course you - Wait, actualy... i dont know."

"Well, it's sure cold here! I could use a blanket!" And of course by that a blanket appeared, as Pinkie happily covered herself with it.

"It works! Alright, i want my wounds to be gone, new warm clothes and something which will help me to get that scum Sombra!" Aaaaand nothing happend.

"C'mon Jack, you need to focus! Look at me! I want... a cupcake!" And a cupkace showed up, as she happily ate it. I tried to focus, but nothing happend.

"Alright Pinkie, i think it doesnt work for me. Can you create something that will help us get to the others?" She thought for a while, then created a sled. "Seriously?"

"C'mon Jack, we need to find the others!"

"Ehh... Can you fix my wounds? I think i'm not able to move." She looked at me for a second, and after a second all my wounds were gone.

Alright, thanks Pinkie." I said as i stood up.

And with that we went. Sled was somehow moving on it's own, so i do believe we were going in the right direction. After a while we could see others moving throu snowdrifts. When they saw us coming, they were stunned.

"Jack? Pinke Pie?!" Twilight asked, shocked. They looked like they had a hard time.

"Yup. Do you have any idea what are you doing here?" I asked as Pinkie went to do... things Pinkie Pie does when she's not listening.

"Sombra said we're supoused to survive a day at this snow. It's not a problem for Fluttershy or Rainbow Dash since they're pegazus, and Applejack is rather tough, but... me and Rarity have some problems. Sombra stole our magic for that challenge, so we cant cast any spells."

"Ah, that's no problem! Why dont you just create a blanket for yourself like the one i have?" Pinkie happily said as she bringed her blanket from her sled. Everyone were quite confused at that.

"I was about to ask darling, where did you happen to get a sled? And this blanket?" Rarity asked, and was retarded by 'are you nutz?' gaze from Pinkie.

"I just created it, of course! You know, we're in a dream, we can create everything!"

"No, Pinkie, it doesnt work like that. When someone controls a dream, others arent able to take control over any aspect of it. 'Where my own realm exists, your power is meaningless', as Starswirl the Bearded said." A pony philosopher perhaps?

"Yeah? Then how can i do that?" She said as she created eight blankets, each one with a cutie mark of seven ponies and a green one.

"How is that possible?" Solseek asked, looking at his blanket.

"I have no idea... Pinkie, you've broke one of the main rules of dreamology!" Dreamology?

"Dont be silly Twilight! I just created blankets!"

"But... I... Aghhh, nevermind! Can you create something to help us get out of this dream?" Pinkie thought for a second before she smiled, i think i could hear 'ding' somewhere in the background.

After a while her sled became at least three times bigger, big enough to keep us all in it. Pinkie nodded at it as we all get in. After a second sled went on itself, moving somewhere throu the forest. After half an hour of the ride we could see some kind of a wooden hut with a chimney. Seems legit. We all left Pinkie sled and went inside, where we saw Sombra sitting on a wooden chair next to the chimney and drinking hot cocoa. When he saw us, he spit out cocoa and looked at us shocked.

"H-how did you... What are you doing here?!"

"This is end, Sombra. Wake us up right now." Shinning Armor demanded as he stepped forward.

"Back off, fool! It's not over yet! I dont even want to know how did you find me, but next place you will get into will be-" That was all he could say before i dashed to him and grabbed his throat, lifting him up for at least half of meter.

"Game is over." I said with a grin as i kept strangling him, watching him suffer.

"Y-you cant... My master... After he revived m-me... I wont..." That was all he could say before he died in my hands. I throwed his body with fury at the chimney, watching it burn. When i turned around, i saw ponies and a changeling looking at me with shocked expression.

"What? He pissed me off." I think i could see Fluttershy back away a little bit at that.

"Jack..." Twilight said, but before she could say anything else, we suddenly woke up back at the castle, with a still burning body of Sombra in front of us. A smell was rather unpleasant, so we quickly left this room, and after that this castle. I've headed straight into ponyville, still thinking about what happend, but then realisation hit me.

"I did it... I'm going home..." Twilight looked at me rather surprised, but after a while i could see a concern at her face.

"Was it really worth, Jack? Worth risking your life for it? You could always stay here, with us." I looked at her like she was dumb, which made her to look away.

"Tell Spike to send a message that my quest is done, and that i expect my teleport back to home as soon as it's possible." She didnt said anything, though she was rather sad at that.

Rest of our trip was in silence. I've walked in library and to my room to pack myself up. After half an hour, i was ready, and Twilight came in at the same time as i closed my last valise. Where did i get valises at first place? She said that Celestia wants me to come to Canterlot castle, where she will send me back to home. I happily ran straight at the train station, bought a ticket to canterlot and before i noticed i was already standing in front of castle. I throwed a bag of bits behind me - I wont need them back at earth after all - and walked in. I went straight into a throne room, since i remember already how to get there. When i walked in, i could see already some kind of a white circle at the middle of room, Celestia and Luna next to it.

"I do believe you're ready. I only hope you had a good time in Equestria." Celestia said, a sad smile at her face. I looked at her with rather unhappy gaze.

"I've died almost three times, i was forced into a fight with some kind of a cocky dude who almost killed me as well, and i'm really happy to leave this place." Celestia's gaze saddened even more, but Luna's gaze didnt changed at all. She was looking... dissapointed?

"Perhaps you will visit us once if you will be able to..." Celestia said as her small smile came back at her face.

After a while a small teleport slowly appeared at the middle of the chamber. It was slowly growing, and after ten minutes it was at least 2 meters high and 1 meter wide. I could feel my grin getting even more wide as i slowly entered teleport. Everything went instantly bright as i could feel some kind of energy surrounding me. I felt like traveling throu void, i could see some kind of an energy orbs levitating around me, all in other colors. After a while, i could feel some kind of a pinch at my shoulder as suddenly everything stoped. I was throwed away from this portal, back into a throne room. I looked around shocked, and noticed that Luna and Celestia were shocked as well. I tried at least three more times, each time same thing happend.

"No... No, No!" What is happening?! Why i cant get throu? I took my shirt off and tried to look at my shoulder. Mark of Discord was glowing brightly, under it i could see a smile of Discord - could recognize it from a fang.

"W-what is that?" I asked myself quietly.

"It seems a mark of Discord dont allow you to leave this realm. In other way, you cant leave Equestria." Luna said as she and Celestia closed portal. I've been watching my last hope of coming home fade away, without any idea of what is happening around me. After a moment i could feel something on my back. When i looked behind me, i saw Celestia looking at me with a concern, her wing at my back.

"I'm really sorry Jack, but we cant do anything. Discord sealed you in this world, and only his defeat will help you." I could feel my eyes watering at this moment. I tried to hold crying, but i after few more seconds i failed. Tears ran down my checks as i sobbed. Celestia hugged, but i didnt cared now. After half an hour, i suddenly stoped crying. Even more, i could feel a smirk slowly forming on my face as Celestia looked at me, surprised. As i was now smiling, with some tears still on my check, i mumbled quietly.

"My revenge will be sweet and sour, as i approach you in your last hour..." I think Celestia heard that, cause she was now even more shocked than before. After a while, she shocked her head.

"I'm not bringing you into any trouble anymore, Jack. I want you to recover, to get better, psychicaly and mentaly. A lot of bad things happend to you, but i do believe we can help you. You will keep living with Twilight and her friends, but from now she will keep an eye for you and help you whenever she will see you need it. And dont even try to argue about that, i already send Twilight a letter about that, and from what she told me, she was thinking about it as well. If you want, you can stay in castle for the rest of this day, tommorow you're going back to Ponyville." She said as she came back to Luna, who was still looking at me with disappointed look. What does she wants from me?

"I... I think i will stay here for today..."

"Very well." Celestia called a guard that showed me my room. I sat on a bed and looked around room, thinking about everything.

My old life is ruined, but a new one is showing up.

Jack left our throne room as i sighed. Discord have ruined his life so bad, i wish i could help him more than that. I looked at Luna who was giving me rather unpleasant look.

"Thou do not feel it, sister?" She asked me as she walked back to her throne.

"Yes, i do. A dark energy is forming around him, same as you had before you turned into Nightmare Moon. Aura of pure hatred... This is why i want to help him. I want to prevent from what might come without doing something i might regret."

"You understand that thou plan is very dangerous? If that wont work, Ponyville will be in danger."

"I know my sister... I know..."