darkness of the soul

by Derec mc coy

Rating: teen
Tags: Dark, Sad
Length: 6431

Pinkie trew a huge party, but then, she and Flutters got kidnapped. are the others able to save them?

at a late-evening-party, Pinkie and Flutters got kidnapped. nopony knows who did this. after they figured it out, it seems that this goes much deeper then just a kidnap.

special thanks to Russell Dickson for editing.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2014-05-28 09:10:02 UTC

party at night

Bonk-Bonk-Bonk-Bonk

Pinkie Pie bounced across the street form Sugar Cube Corner, with a basket somehow balanced upon the very top of her head.  She made her way to the Golden Oak library.  Home to her friend Twilight Sparkle.

“Hey Twi!”  Pinkie yelled out.  “Are you go’na come to my party?”

Twilight came outside when she hear the voice of her friend.  “A party?”  giggling “What for?  There is no birthday, special event or holiday this week.  At lest not that I know of.”

“I Know!” exclaimed Pinkie.  “Isn’t just awful?  We’ve got nothing to celebrate.  So!  I thought we should celibate a random pointless useless party just for fun?  Bit that the joke, isn’t not a random pointless useless cause it has a the purpose of having FUN!”

*

Once more Twilight found herself taking a few steps back form Pinkie, as the need for personal space grew with word that came out of Pinkie Pie’s mouth.  At times, Pinkie could simple become way to intense.  Once Twilight felt a little more comfortable she said.  “Okay then.  When is this ‘pointless/not pointless party?”

“Oh! Oh! Tomorrow night.”  Replied Pinkie, while she was hopping around, overly excited at the mere thought of having the party.

“At night?”  asked Twilight.  “Why not in the afternoon?”

Still hopping around, Pinkie said.  “Cause Mrs. Cup Cake took a big order for tomorrow.  She and Mr. Carrot Cake have to bake off a lot more cakes and pies to get the order together.  So, I have to baby sit little Pumpkin and Pound almost all day.”

Twilight was about to say something when she yawned.  “Sorry, Pinkie, it was a long night of studying.  Did you know that there is a small patron in the starry sky’s movement so you can calculate how the night sky will look in the future?”

Pinkie pie’s went wide and she stopped hopping.  Once more she went hoof to hoof  in a dead stare into Twilights eyes.   “YOU DIDN’T KNOW THAT!?”  Then, as quickly as Pinkie Pie stopped, she restarted her hopping.  “Twili, you should really get out more.  Take in the world around you.”  With that Pinkie turned around and started hopping away to the next pony she planed to invite to her party.

Bonk-Bonk-Bonk-Bonk

Twilight Sparkle stood in amazed wonder of what her friend just told her.  “Oh Pinkie---”  She said to herself.  Then with another little yawn, Twilight turned to go back inside her home.  “I needed to get some sleep.” Said Twilight as she closed the  library.

*

Bonk-Bonk-Bonk-Bonk

“Okay-e-doke-e”  Said Pinkie Pie to herself but out loud . “Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy along with Twilight Sparkle have all received their invitations.  Now to invite Rainbow Dash and I will be set and ready.”  Pinkie looked around Ponyville city hall and in the market square, but could not find Dash.  At last Pinkie asked the pony at the florist stand.  “Hay.  Rose!”  Yelled Pinkie thou Pinkie Pie was less that two feet away form Rose.

A beige collared pony with two tone colored mane looked up from her flowers and looked at Pinkie Pie.  Smiling Roseluck said.  “Oh hello Pinkie.  Beautiful day isn’t it?”

Bubbling with energy, Pinkie Pie replied.  “Yes, very nice.  But, do you know where Rainbow Dash is?”

Roseluck though for a moment. “Euh? -- Yes. I think I saw her flying toward Ghastly Gorge not to long ago.  Probably on her way there to work on some new stunt flying tricks.”

With the answer she wanted Pinkie Pie started to hop away.  “Thanks Rose!  Hopefully she’s will still be there.”

Rarity took a sip of the sparking apple cider form her cup that the spa pony gave her.  Turning to Fluttershy, Rarity asked.  “Did you receive an invitation from Pinkie Pie, my dear?”

The two friends were, like most weeks, at the spa.  It was kind of a tradition for both Rarity and Fluttershy to take in a spa treatment.

Fluttershy all but whispered her reply.  “Well --- yes  --- But, I do not understand why we are having a party, or the parties theme.”

Rarity just lay back in her chair as the spa pony applied the mud pack to Rarity’s face.  Rarity letting out a slow breath said.  “Nor do I.  But, it is Pinkie Pie were are talking about.  You are never able to fully understand her ideas.”

Fluttershy try to relax in her chair.  “Yah, but I’m afraid something spooky is about to happen.”

“How so, Fluttershy?”

“A party at night?  --  A party at night, planed by the biggest jokester in Ponyville?  A jokester who maybe board because there been no parties to plan.   I think Pinkie Pie may be playing some sort of joke.  I think I may stay home.  With all my animals, were it is nice and safe.”

Rarity try not to laugh because it would brake the mud pack.  “Darling, Fluttershy.  I am sure there is nothing to be afraid of.  I am sure it is just a party like all, Pinkie Pie’s, totally random party’s.   Believe me, there is no reason to stay home.

Fluttershy nodded as the spa pony laid two cucumber slices over Fluttershy’s eyes.  “You never know--”  She mumbled.

Bonk - Bonk - Bonk - Bonk - Bonk

“RAINBOW DASH!”  Pinky Pie yelled out as she came near Ghastly Gorge.  “Where are you?  Are you around?”

From behind Pinky Pie, Rainbow Dash drop out of the sky. “Pinkie?  What are you doing here?”

“Oh!  HI Dash!  I am so glad you are here.  By the way, what are you doing here?”

Dash pointed.  “I am here wit Tank.  Were here for our daily training.  I have been teaching him how to fly with his magic helicopter thing that Derpy and Time Turner gave him.  I have been running him thou his flying skills and how to maneuver through a hard circuits.”

Pinky Pie followed Rainbow Dash hoof, over to her pet tortoise crashing over and over into a piles of rocks.  Dash smile with a squeak. “He still needs some more training.”  The two of them turned back to Tank who was now picking himself up, after the last crash, and taking off once more.

To get off the subject of the magic of flying pet and poor training.  Rainbow Dash once more asked.  “But, what about you Pinkie?  What you doing in these parts?”

Pinkie Pie smile grew.  “Oh!  I’m here with a invitation to a party I am having tomorrow night.”  She said.

Dash did a back flip.  “A Party! Ho yea!  And, a night?  Awesome!  Kind of ---Spooky.”  adding a comic ghost sound at the word spooky.  “Easy to trick ponies that way.  This is goanna be hilarious for sure.  I like it already!”

Glowing with pride. “Yup!”  Then Pinkie stop to think about what Dash had said.  “But, it will be a little bit more on the --- well -- nice side.  We don’t want to give Fluttershy a heart attack or something.

Rainbow Dash became deflated at the name Fluttershy.  “Yah---I forgot about that.”

“Well, my work hear is done!”  As Pinkie Pie set out.

Bonk-Bonk-Bonk-Bonk-

“See you tomorrow!  And with that Pinkie Pie left Rainbow Dash and Tank alone to their exercises

***

“Oh, Gummy, this is going to be great!  Everything is ready.  The cake is perfect and our guests will start arriving at any minute.”

The toothless alligator just blinked with his eyes as the only response.

Pinkie Pie looked outside.  The night fell about an hour ago, and the stars were crystal clear in the sky.  “I sure hope this will be the best late -evening/night random pointless useless party ever in pony history.”

‘Knock - knock - knock.’  Hooves knock up the door.

Pinkie heard them and started form the window.  “They’re here!  They’re here!”  Bouncing all the way to the door.

Opening it wide, Pinkie said  “WELCOME!”  She saw that almost every pony had made it, but one.  “But? Where is Fluttershy?”  Pinkie asked in a deflated tone of voice.

Applejack and Rarity parted, as they stepped to one side, Pinkie saw that Flutteshy was laying on the ground.  Her hooves covering her eyes.  The little pony was shaking.

Pinkie Pie looked on.  “What happen to Fluttershy?”

Applejack shook her head.  “I went to pick Fluttershy over at her place.  And along the way, we saw something weird.  All shiny and misty.”

Rainbow Dash asked.  “Why did you do that for?”

Applejack gave Rainbow Dash a cold glare.  “Cause, I know how scarred can be at night, it’s just creeping me out even now.”

Rarity thought about what Applejack said.  True, Fluttershy was scarred of most every thing around her, but if Applejack was worried or even scarred of the night, then there must be something wrong.  Rarity try to get some more information. “What do you mean, Applejack, what is creeping you out?”

“Never mind.”  Applejack said as she shook her head.  “Let’s just go on inside and lighten the mood.  Have are self lot of fun with friends.”

The hours passed and the six ponies danced and had fun with games and cake.  They even started to talk about a few stallions that had looked nice and strong.

Even Fluttershy seem to be calming down.  She went over to the juice bar to get a drink, so Pinkie Pie decided to try and talk to her a little and see how she was doing.  “Hay! Fluttershy?  You seem to be doing better.”

At first Fluttershy squeaked, but recovered.  “Oh -- ummm --- Well,  I’m not sure, but yes I feel better.”

Pinkie Pie jump in place.  “That good!  That good!  That Good!”  Fluttershy’s eye keep followed Pinkie’s movements.  Not sure what to do next.

Pinkie Pie then looked Fluttershy deep in the eyes.  “So, tell me.  What was so creepy thing you saw at the edge of the forest?”

Fluttershy gulped, she started to quiver in fear.  Sweat started to form on her fore head.  “umm?”  her voice shook.

At that moment the door to the outside was smashed open, the wind blow in and all the lights went out.  Screams were hear and the sound of breaking glass filled the room with sound of alarm.

Applejack shouted out the order.  “Quick, get on some light!”

Twilight tried to cast a glowing sell form her horn.  But, just as soon as there was even the lowest shine around her horn, she was stuck from behind by blunt weapon.

Applejack stomped her hoof.  “What in tarnations is going on!?”

“Relax every pony.  I got this.” Said Rainbow Dash.  Who had found a candle and was lighting it.  He flew up to center of the room to let the light fill in all the space.

Once every pony could see, the tension in the room dropped.  It was then that Rarity found Twilight on the floor, rubbing the back of her head.  “”Are you  alright, darling!”  Rarity asked, as she helped Twilight back up.

Once Twilight was standing on her feet once more, she check herself over.  “I think so.”  Still rubbing her head that hurt a lot.  Near by way a cut piece of two by four, that had been use against Twilight.

Applejack all but ran next to Twilight and Rarity.  “What just happened?”  She asked.

Looking around the room Rainbow Dash asked an uneasy question.  “Um?  Every pony.  Where is Flutters and Pinkie?”

The other turn there hears to look around the room, only to find they were the only one in eye shot.  At last Twilight said in a scared voice.  “I don’t -- I don’t know.”  Twilight shook her head to think more clearly.  “I hope, Fluttershy is probably hiding somewhere ---”  She then scratched her head again.  “She maybe in a closet or under the ---- auw --- that was a hard hit ---”  Twilight felt dizzy and her legs started to fail her.

Rarity grabbed Twilight to hold her up.  “Who did this?”

Twilight felt a little sick.  “I don’t know---” she answered.

As she started looking around to find her missing friends, Applejack’s eyes went wide, as she found something disturbing.   “Uh --- Hay y’all -- I think you want to take a look at this.”

A trail of blood started form the back door, lead out toward the nearest group of dark shadows .  Applejack repeated herself. “What in tarnation is going on here?”

Trying to steady herself, Twilight said.  “I have no idea.  Could be a monster, or a crazy pony.  Looks like the villain kidnapped Pinkie Pie.”

Rainbow Dash added.  “And they got Fluttershy!  I looked all over the place and I can’t find ether of them.”   She landed next to Applejack and looked over the only clue they had to what had happen.  A sick feeling over came Rainbow Dash.  She gulped and said.  “That looks like a lot of blood.”

Her head still hurting, but growing more angry.  “Yah, and that means that Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy were hurt by the attacker and are wounded badly.”

Applejack was enraged.  “So what are we waiting for?  Let’s go get’m back!”  With out thinking the four friends ran out into the dark night following the blood trail, eager to save Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie.

With Twilight still badly hurt, Rarity cast the horn glow spell to light the way.  Each step show more and more blood.  Rarity then pointed out.  “It’s seems that the trail led into the Everfree Forest.”

Twilight’s head started to clear up a little.  She turn to Applejack. “Maybe this has something to do with that shiny fog thing, Fluttershy and you saw this evening?”

Applejack shook her head.  “That’s very doubtful.” Said Applejack. “It was just fog, or smoke or something.”

Rainbow Dash say near Rarity, ready to fight what ever jump out at her or her friends.  “Any other ideas on who or what could have done this?  Said Rainbow Dash.

Twilight started to try and think a bit harder and deeper.  “No.  Not at all.  What about you Rarity?  What do you think?”

Rarity pondered the question.  “Well -- as a sick misplaced joke, I have a whole list of ponies and other creatures.  Discord jumps to mind.  But, he just wants to play mean tricks on ponies, not hurt them to the point of making them bleed.  No, not Discord.  This must be one disturbed pony who would hurt others and let them bleed on purpose like this.  No. I have no idea.”

Applejack was getting more frustrated, and it could be hear in her voice.  “Well!  I think we’re gonna have to figure this out real soon.”  As she stopped her friends at the edge of the Everfee forest.  They could see Fluttershy’s home in the distance, but what they found at there feet worried every pony.  A pool of fresh blood at the end of the trail.

Now almost in tears, but somehow holding her calm demander together, Applejack asked.  “What are we gonna do now?  We’ve got nothing to follow?”

The fear was that the pony who had been hurt had lost to much blood and had die.  The thought of one of there friends being killed sent fear though the souls of the others.  But, it also sent wave of anger though them.  Twilight then said. “The best thing is to stick together and move fast.  They can’t be that far ahead.  Keep your eyes and ear open.”

A little farther into the forest, the trees stood so close together that moon light could brake though.  It was completely dark.  Twilight cast her own spell to give the ponies a little bit more light.  But, she asked Rarity tone her light down.  “I don’t want to make to much light, that way the villain who has our friends will not see us coming to soon.  Twilight explained.  “Just come a little closer and be very quiet --- WHA?!”

The ground open up on the ponies and they all fell into a deep abyss.  The pit stop and the friends lay one on top the other for several seconds before they slowly started to stand up.

Applejack asked.  “Every pony okay?”  Her voice filled with alarm.

Some how Rainbow Dash landed at the bottom of the pile and was mumbling about a pain in her flank.

Twilight who had use Rainbow Dash as a cushion  by accident said.  “I think so --- Were IS RARITY!”

Dash checked her wings to make sure they were unharmed.  With a few flaps she said.  “I’ll fly back up and check to see if Rarity miss the hole.”

With in a second Rainbow Dash was though the opening and reported.  “Nothing up here!”  The a loud scream came from all around the ponies.

“Rarity!”  Twilight called out.  But, there was no reply.

Applejack snorted.  “Damned!  They got Rarity too!”

Dash went back down into the trap, and pick her friends up one at a time.  Once at the top Rainbow Dash asked.  “What do we do now?”

Twilight, in her best commanding voice said.  “Find our friends before some sick pony hurts them more, or we become victims ourselves.”

Then Twilight let her horn glow very bright.  “We are not going to sneak up on them.  So we may as well see what clues we can find.”

“Look!” Shouted Rainbow Dash as she flew over to ha near by bush.  Twilight and A.J. ran right behind her.

The bush had something pink hanging off it.  Hair from a mane.  But, there was more.  Twilight looked and then asked.  “What’s that?”

Applejack looker closer. “It seems like --- ERW! -- It’s blood and hide.”

Rainbow Dash did not hide her anger. “That is from Fluttershy!  That damned bustard has hurt Flutters!  That creep is gona pay for this!”  She snapped the only clue the ponies had and took off, heading even deep into the forest.

Twilight commanded “Rainbow Dash!  Wait!  Wait for us! - Come on A.J. We have to show Dash down before she get caught, like the others.”  The two mares ran as fast they could though the thick woods.

Applejack then looked hard a little ways.  “Finally!  Dash stopped.”  A.J. and Twilight slow down as they came closer to Rainbow Dash.  Applejack then scolded the crayon pony.  “Never do that again!  Dash,  you could have gotten yourself killed.”  Dash just stood where she was at.

“Dash?  Sugar cube?  Are you okay?  What wrong?”  Asked Applejack.

Rainbow Dash  stood like a statue, focused at something just out of sight of her two friends.

Twilight was exhausted, her head still pounding form being hit and then falling into the pit.  Twilight took note that Rainbow Dash seem to be afraid, like she had seen a ghost.  Twilight asked “Rainbow?  Everything okay?”  Twilight looked over to Applejack who was now also looking at something on the round.  Twilight turned and saw a large pool of blood coming from a pile of leaves.

Twilight order.  “Rainbow Dash.  Use your wings.  Bold the leaves away.”   Rainbow Dash did as she was told.  A few leaves moved away to reveal something the ponies never expected to see.

Zacora the zebra.  She was laid on her back.  Her two front legs and one hear cut away and missing.  Blood was also coming from her nose and mouth.  She had been badly beaten before being violated, and defiled.

Running to her said, Twilight yelled. “Oh my gosh!  Zacore!”  Twilight check her friend, the damage was to grate, she was dieing.  Tears started streaming down Twilights face, as Applejack and Rainbow Dash drew near.

Zacore smile softly.  Turning her head to look at Twilight.  The expression of pain upon Zacore’s face was cover by her bravery.

“Do not waste your efforts on me.

I am as good as dead as you can see.”

Twilight wanted to save her friend but knew that moving her would only bring more pain and she would never make it out of the forest.

“I need you to go and stop this new foe.

Before he goes and lay you all low.”

“But  be award and remember this.

Nothing is what you think… amiss.”

With that the world of the living had seen the last of the Everfee forest zebra.  Twilight put a hoof on Zacora’s shoulder and shook it.  “ZACORA!  Zacora?  Who did this to you?”  A death rattle came form the zebras  body.  Twilight dropped the corps from her magic.  Her eyes well up with tears as Twilight started to cry.

Then Twilight felt a hoof on her shoulder.  It was Applejack.  “We can’t help her any more, Twi. She’s gone.”

Rainbow Dash fought back her own tears.  “We can’t stay here for long.  If that monster is able to do something like this, the we got to hope that the others are still -- alive.”

Twilight put her hooves on Zacoras face.  “You’re right, Dash.  We have to go on to save the others.”

The three friends once more started looking for clues.  At last Twilight call for the others.  “Look!  Over there.  I think there is fresh blood trail leading to the entrance of that cave.”  She then pointed a cave mouth that was hidden by vines and leaves.

Rainbow Dash started to become angry once more. “I hope the others are alright and that the bastard who did this to us is in there.  Because  I want to kick his flank, real hard.”

Applejack started to walk to the cave mouth.  “Well - I don’t doubt for one moment that they are in there.  Seem to me that bad guys prefer dark hade outs.”

The three ponies went into the cave.  The air inside was wet and cool.  The walls were covered in slime.  Along the floor of the cave was blood mixed with in with the mud.  The blood lead the ponies deeper and deeper into the cave.  Twilight horn gave out the only light and it was getting weak as her magic started to tried out.  Twilight then said.  “Watch your hoofs here.  I think I see something, it could be a trap.  Stay close.  There could be danger in each corner.”

Twilight made her way around the first trap, but then Rainbow Dash cried out.  “Twilight!  Watch out!”  But it was to late.  Twilight did not see the second think wire.  The breaking of the line activated a mechanism.  The whole rock gallery room started to shake and fall in on top of its self.  The ceiling started to cave in.

Applejack started to retreat.  As she looked back, she called out.  “Watch out!”

Twilight was just in time to evade a big rock.  Her magic was to low to teleport her self or her friends to safety.   “There!  The end of the passage!  There is safe!”  Twilight shouted.

Applejack and Dash got out first, but Twilight was just to weak to use magic, or run to fast.  In a panic she starched out her wings and took to the air.  Even thou Twilight was going faster, she was getting hit by more falling rocks.  The pain form the rocks and other wounds form the evening were taking a total.  Twilight started to pass out.

“Twilight!” Screamed Rainbow Dash, as she turned back into the cave in.  Applejack screamed  “Dashy! It’s to dangerous!”

Dash flew to save her friend.  “I don’t care!  I have to go, or Twilight dies.” Dash flapped as hard as she could and as fast as she could in the tight space.  Stones cut and bruised her body and wings.  Rainbow Dash shouted to her self.  “Come on! -- a little more --  AUW!”  A group of heavy rock hit her wings.  “NO!  Not now ---”  Rainbow Dash started to fall form the air, her wings were injured, probably broken.  Still Dash pushed herself to go on.  Not to give up.  She had to save Twilight.

But, at last, all she could do was land and run the last few feet to Twilight’s side.  “Twilight! Wake up.”  Twilight gave no response.  At last with no time to think.  Rainbow Dash put Twilight up on her broken wings and started to run for the cave opening.

Almost at once Dash started to see stars and flashes of light come form the corner of her eyes.  She knew that was her body telling her that she was ready to pass out from pain.  Twilight was setting on one of Dash’s broken wings and her weight was coursing the bone to cut into Rainbow Dash’s flesh.  Dash had to deal with the pain, and watch out for falling rocks.  Jumping form side to side Rainbow Dash wished she was as strong a runner as she was a flyer.  All of a sudden a huge bolder fell in front for Rainbow Dash and Twilight.  There was no other way than to jump over.   Rainbow Dash pick Twilight up and leaped over the rock throwing Twilight at the same time.  Applejack saw Twilight’s body fly out of the cave, and then Rainbow Dash just coming over the top of the last bolder when the last of the cave ceiling dropped down on her is a cloud of dust.

Applejack first ran to Twilight to check to see if she was still alive.  Finding that Twilight was just knocked out, Applejack started calling out.  “Dash?  Rainbow Dash! Where are you!  DASH!”

Applejack ran onto the rocks and removed a few of them as she keep shouting out in fear.  “DASH!  Can you hear me?  Are you here?”  Tears ran down A.J.’s face as she pawed at the rocks.  But she stop cold when she hear a soft groan.  “DASH!” cried out Applejack as restarted digging at rocks.  Removing rocks as fast as she could, Applejack found a blue hoof and then started to dig deep into the lose rocks.  At last Applejack saw Rainbow Dash’s mane and then her face.

“--Applejack--?”  Dash slowly open her eyes.  Her breathing was labored.  “--- is that you?”  Dash’s face was cover in deep scratches and blood.   Applejack put her hoof on top of Rainbow Dash’s hoof.   Applejack did not have the courage to dig deeper into the rock to try and free Rainbow Dash.  The stones seemed to become a mass of larger rocks and Applejack would need tools to go deeper.  Tools that would only hurt Rainbow Dash more.  And as hard as it was for Rainbow Dash to breath, they both knew the end was coming soon.

Fighting for air, Rainbow Dash said.  “Tell -- tell every pony that they were good friends.”

Tears ran down Applejack’s face. “No -- please Dash -- don’t leave us -- we need you.”

Dash spit out both a tooth and lots of blood.  “Make sure Tank finds a good home.”

Sobbing Applejack could only say  “DASH!”

Rainbow Dash closed her eyes in pain for a second.  “Promise me -- Please AJ.”

Trying to fight back her own pain Applejack said. “I promise.”

“And I want you to have my diary.”  Said Dash.

Tears mixed with a smile.  “What?  Wait - You of all ponies keep a dairy?”

“Yup.”

“Seems like every pony has a soft side, then.” Said Applejack.

Rainbow Dash breathing became slower.  “Please -- Read my diary and read it to every pony we know.”

“Even the biggest secrets?”  Asked Applejack with a strange glowing smile.

Rainbow nodded.  “Even the secret that I have --- I have feeling for -- for --.  Darn! Even now, I don’t have the courage to ---To tell.”  Dash sighted but then started to hyperventilate.

“Dash! What Dash?”  Said Applejack.

Fighting between breaths Rainbow Dash asked. “Please - Forgive-me-everything-I-ever-did-wrong-.”

“I forgive you.  We all forgive you.”  Said Applejack.

Rainbow Dash nodded one last time and then closed her eyes.  Soon the death rattle came form her lips and she was gone.  Teardrops felt into her nose form Applejack’s eyes.

Applejack made her way back down to Twilight Sparkle.  Applejack lay down next to Twilight and held her tightly.  Until, Twilight started to wake up.  “What -- what happened?  This what the three times tonight something has hurt my head..

Twilight try to rub her head only to find that it hurt even more to do that.  Twilight saw Applejack slowly getting up form beside her.  Tear streaming down her face.  Twilight asked.  “Applejack?  Where is Rainbow Dash?”

“She dead, Twi.  The cave in got her.”  reported Applejack.

“No!” Said Twilight.  “What kind of monster is doing this?”

“The same one that does that.”  Applejack pointed into the darkness.  There just with in sight of the two friends were the start of a ponies intestines.  The monster had disemboweled another pony.

Twilight and Applejack started to follow the intestines and soon found bit of curly purple hair mane.  Soon they found Rarity, but not in the state they wished for.  Her front hooves had been stretched  out form side to side, and bound to a spit rod.  In order for the rod to work, the monster would have broken Rarity’s front legs in a number of places.  To make sure she did not scream, her tough had been cut out.  Then her face was place over a low burning fire.  Her horn was burned off and the top of her head was still smoldering.  The place where her sexy purple eyes should have been were now nothing but two big gaping holes.  It seem that Rarity had been taken though the cave, had her legs broken.  Then her gut was cut open to make the clue to where the others could find the body.   To add to the gore seen, was the fact that somepony had even gone so far as to play with Rarity’s stomach contents.

At once Twilight became sick and vomited.  After lifting her head back up once more Twilight could only say.  “This is disgusting.”

With out thinking Applejack said.  “Well -- The good thing is, now we know were on the right track.”  Only after the words came out of her mouth did she realize she had just said the torches death of three of her friends was a good thing.

The two friends walk in quite as they looked for clues to where Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy could be.  At last they come upon a strange look hacksaw laying on the ground.  It was a unique piece, bigger in size and make totally by hoof.  Twilight asked.  “Do you think this is the weapon the murder use to cut off  Zacora’s legs?”

Applejack eyes went wide.  “No -- It can’t be --.” She stammered, frozen to her standing place.

“What’s wrong AJ?”  Asked Twilight

“I seen this hacksaw before.”  explained Applejack.  But before Applejack could go on the two ponies hear giggling coming from behind a boulder out cropping.  Slowly a head could be seen coming over the top of the rocks.  It was Pinkie Pie.

“Pinkie Pie?”  Said Twilight.  “Is that you?  I’m so glad we found you.  We’ve been looking for you all this time.  Do you know ---”  Twilight stopped dead in her tracks.  Pinkie Pie was not moving.  Pinkie Pie never stop moving.  “Pinkie?”  Asked Twilight his a sad tone of voice.

Applejack looked on as Twilight once more vomited.

“Damned!”  Said Applejack as she was able to find a patch of light that show Pinkie Pie face.  Her eyes and smile had been sewing open.  And her head had been stuck on a wooden stake.  The body laid a bit farther pass the rocks, broken and covered in drying blood.

Twilight broke down.  “In the name of sweet Celestia.  Who could do this?”

“I did.”  A voice came from the dark.  A soft vice with an strange edge added to it.

Twilight try to power up her horn but was just to weak.  “Who’s There!?”  However Applejack asked.  “Fluttershy?”

“You’re smarter than you look, blonde one.”  The mare said.  “How did you know?”

Twilight try to think, but her head hurt to much.  She had to ask. “I don’t get it.  How can you know and even believe that Flutters could do this.  I mean.  This is not her voice.”

Applejack explained.  “The hacksaw!  Do you remember that I picked up Fluttershy?  Well, She had a blanket with her at the time. I saw a handle of some sort coming from underneath her blanket. When I asked her about it, Fluttershy said it was a cudgel, cause she’s gets ‘scared’ of the dark.  But I’m sure it’s the same handle as the one on the hacksaw over there on the ground.”

Fluttershy appeared out to the darkness.  “All right.  You got me.”

Twilight immediately recognized the hair stile and body shape of Fluttershy.  But the closer the mare came to her and Applejack, she started to see some strange unnatural things.  Fluttershy’s eye were blood red and sort of glowing.  Not the normal aquamarine color.  A large part of Fluttershy tail was missing.  Twilight then said.  “Smart.  You cut off part of part of your own tail to misled us.”

Applejack stood and confronted the Fluttershy pony.  “You killed every pony!  Zacora, Rarity, Pinky Pie and Rainbow Dash!  You set traps and torched them all to death!”

“Oh!  That is news to me.”  Said the Fluttershy pony.  “I did not know that Rainbow Dash was dead.  I can confirm that my plan was to murder as many ponies as I could.  But, I thought you, my dear Applejack,  would die so much sooner. “

The Fluttershy pony sashes around Twilight and Applejack.  “You know, I never had a problem with you, Applejack.  But, now that Rainbow Dash is dead, it seems that my plans must change a little.”

Applejack took on a defiant tone of voice. “How do you mean that?”

Just then a rock shifted under Twilight hoof.  The Fluttershy pony look over to see that she was powering up her horn, and working with a casting circle to heal her wounds.  Taking to the air the Fluttershy pony dove down upon the back of Twilight’s head with both her front hooves.  Knocking Twilight out once more.

The Fluttershy pony then said.  “Twily - you have had a hard night.”  Then Fluttershy pony return her attention back to Applejack.

“So, ---”  Said the Fluttershy pony  “Where were we?  Oh yah -- My plan.  Well in truth, it more of a test, or maybe a game.”

“What?”  asked the confused Applejack.

Smiling an evil grin, the Fluttershy pony mocked.  “See, Rainbow Dash would have understood.  This was all for Dashy.  But she had to be a grater hero then you.  You were the one who was meant to die in the cave in, not her.  Now I have ---.”

“You need to go and buck yourself.”  Said Applejack.

Once more the Fluttershy pony flew and hit Applejack in the jaw.  Applejack hit the ground hard.  Rubbing her lower jaw, Applejack said.  “Painfully and rude!  That was a nasty left hoof you got.”

The Fluttershy pony got anger.  “Do not interrupt me when I am talking!”  She yelled in an unearthly voice.  Applejack just spat out some blood from her mouth.

Regaining her composer, the Fluttershy pony started to speak once more.  “As I was saying.  This pare of my plan was for Dashy, but  now you will have to take her place, and I will have to explain it you all to you.  You are the dumb blond of the group.   Now let’s see I need to ---”

Applejack slowly started to get up and asked “Why are you doing this?  Tell me more about this game plan.”

Once more the Fluttershy pony slapped Applejack to the ground. “I was thinking out loud and you interrupted me.  You dumb blond!  You simply can not work with some ponies. “  Flipping her wings and taking off the ground, the Fluttershy pony then said.  “Now stand up and follow me.  Bring your little alicorn princess with you.  Or, do I have to dumb it down for you more?”  Pointed to Twilight limp body.

Applejack went over and put Princess Twilight on her back whispering to her friends as she worked.  “I don’t know what going on, Twi, but I think something has Fluttershy by the soul.”

The Fluttershy pony lead Applejack and the hurt Twilight deeper into the Everfree forest.  Soon they came to a strange stone circle with a hole in the center.  That lead down into a mined out cave.  There were giant statues of griffons.  Oddly shaped candleholders, that looked like claws.  Torches gave off most of the light.  But the cave strangest part was that is was built to look like a temple.  With fine art work hanging form the walls.  Applejack was sure she had seen something like this room before.  Then it came to her.  It was a sick copy of the thorn room of Canterlot palace.  The Fluttershy pony took a set upon the thorn.  “Dump that body in the cage just to the left.  I’ll figure out what to do with it latter.”

Applejack did as she was told, as gently as she could.  She said to Twilight.  “Don’t worry.  I sure I can get away and find help.  I just got to play along for now.”  However Twilight was still out cold.

Once Applejack was done, the Fluttershy pony walk down form the thorn.  As she walked to Applejack, she said.  “Do you know the story called ‘the mare or the tiger’?  Well the important part is this.”

The Fluttershy pony pointed to two sets of curtains.  “There is only one safe way out of this place.  You must chose between the two curtains.  The right chose saves you and maybe your last friend.  The other way leads to a very bad death.  You must chose what to do, witch way to go.”

Applejacks heart started to pound.  “Euh--- Okay.  If I pick the right way.  I can save Twilight. Right.”

The Fluttershy pony smile.  “It is a work in progress.  There should only be a few sharp edges in the tunnel.  I am so sorry about that.”

Cocking her eye brows Applejack said. “Thanks a lot.”  In a sarcastic voice.  “I pick this one!”  Applejack leaped into a full gallop, running for the curtain on the left.  The curtain tore open and Applejack fell into a deep pit filled with spear at the bottom.  At once she was impaled on a grate number of spicks.

The Fluttershy pony pulled back the other curtain.  Showing that the two portals lead to the same pit.  “Dumb blond pony.  I said there was only one safe way out of this room.  The way we came in.  All you had to do was turn around and go back.  However it was a good thing I place those spicks on the floor of the pit as well as the walls.  I was thinking that Rainbow Dash would just crash into the wall at full speed and then drop down into the pit.  But this worked just as well.”

Princess Twilight slowly started to wake up.  “I must be cursed or something.  My head again?”  This time it was not just the back but the front as well.  But some pony started to talk before Twilight could check more closely.

“Oh?  Great. You’re awake at last. I was getting board.”  Said the Fluttershy pony.

The fog around Twilights hurting head started to clear a little.  “What happened?  Where is Applejack?”

A sick smile started to form upon the face of the Fluttershy pony.  “Let’s just say---She’s getting some air.  I pointed some things out of her?  I sure there a good pun to be had someplace.”

“You killed her?  That what your trying to say in a claver sick way.”  Cried Twilight.  “Damn you!  You sick monster.”

The Fluttershy pony thought and then said.  “You got a point.  I should have come up with something a little more claver to say about the death of Applejack.  But, as it is, I just wanted to hang around just to let you know that I was blowing up this cave with  you in it.”

With that the Fluttershy pony got up from her resting place and walked over to a bunch of boxes.  Each marked with the word “DANGER”.

“I have played with you long enough.  It is time to fulfill my duties.  I must take over Equestria now.”  The Fluttershy pony then let a fuse that lead to one of the boxes.  “Now I do want to thank you all for coming and have fun with me.  And, I do hope you enjoy the last few minutes of your live my dear Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

With that the Fluttershy pony started making her way to the exit.

Twilights eye wend wide.  “What!?  Wait!”

The Fluttershy pony keep walking away.  “Sorry but I am not sticking around.  I waited a long time for you to wake up.”

Twilight shouted. “I want to know something!  Why are you doing this?  What happen to  you Fluttershy?  Why are you acting this way?  This is not the Fluttershy I know!”

The voice of the Fluttershy pony became faint as it went up the stare way out into the forest.  “Twilight! You never knew me!  Goodbye Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight tried to break the bars with her hooves, but the cage was to strong.  “Wait, my magic!”  She then tried to teleport but failed.  Then Twilight felt something wet on her forehead.  It was blood.  It was then that Twilight figured out that the Fluttershy pony had cut off her horn.

Tears started to race down Twilights face as she fount with the iron bars of the cage.  Screaming “NOT FLUTTERSHY!  YOU ARE NOT FLUTTERSHY! LET GO OF HER BODY!”

The fist box exploded.  With in seconds the presser wave hit Twilight thronging her body upon the side of the cage.  The air started to get supper heated.  The last thoughts Twilight had were of Zacora’s last words.

“But  be award and remember this.

Nothing is what you think… amiss.”