The Perilous Quest to Save Vinyl From Certain Demise

Chapters

Begin Your Adventure!
The Smoky Mountain Peaks
The Amazon Jungle
The Crystal Empire
Canterlot Castle
Search The Ruins
The Highest Tower
"She's Coming with Me!"
The Long-winded, Dramatic Option
Buck It In The Face!
Checking the Newspaper
You're Screwed (Manicore)
Prince Blueblood Rumors
The Eastern Approach
An Audience With The Prince
Doubling Back
Enter by Force!
Going To Bed Early
Forcing The Maid To Cooperate
Ear Against The Door
The Vent
Finding Princess Twilight
"I need to see Twilight."
The Spa
Double Stealth Takedown!
Dodge the Manticore!
Scream And Panic
The Dungeon
The Taboo
Magic Surge!
The Tomb of Yarantak IV
Tomb Entrance
Tomb Interior
Tomb Interior
Blueblood's Conquest
The Everfree Forest
Entering The Forest
The Tallest Mountain
Asking The Zebras
Peek Through The Door
Baiting The Beast
The Jungle Entrance
Tomb Interior
The Shelf

Begin Your Adventure!

Vinyl has been missing for weeks.

While this isn’t very abnormal, since that crazy unicorn has left for extended periods before, and not returned for days, you are still somewhat concerned for her well-being. She didn’t tell you where she might have been going, nor what she planned to do there. She hadn’t even bothered to write a letter explaining where she went! The nerve!

By now, you were especially worried. This was very unlike Vinyl, and your mind could only move to the most horrid fantasies of her finding an early demise in a back alley, or being kidnapped and sold into slavery, or worse yet, roped into one of those “adventures” the insane ponies from Ponyville kept on about.

What bothered you the most however, was your marefriend's temperment. Whenever Vinyl left you for more than a day, she always seemed to return with huge amounts of built-up libido. You can still remember last month, when she returned from her tour in Manehatten, slamming open the door, throwing your afternoon tea aside, and then ravaging you right in the middle of the dining room. You must have done it seven times that day… Your loins still ached from just thinking about it.

Even if Vinyl in't in mortal peril right now, you know she won't come home in a calm and collected manner...

You supposed you should go out to look for her, but having no idea what might have happened, you don’t know where to start searching.

But then again, you might as well check out the “den.”

Descending down the stairs from the ground floor of the apartment you and Vinyl shared in Ponyville, you flick on the light switch to the basement, which you always referred to as the “den.” Here, Vinyl would perform her unholy rituals of “wubs” and “dropping the bass,” which you were glad enough to leave her enough space for. It was much better than letting her blast away upstairs, where you practiced your cello playing.

In the center of the room, electronic equipment was layered to form a structure of metal, with a platform at the center. You couldn’t imagine what purpose any of this could have, since you weren’t very knowledgeable about this newer technology everypony seemed to use nowadays.

All you did know is that the ones stacked against the back wall, lining the entire surface, were the parts that played the sound. “Speakers,” Vinyl called them. You didn’t care what they were called, as long as none of them set foot anywhere near the rest of the house, lest they sound their fury on innocent ears.

The rest of the room was an absolute pigsty, littered with half-empty energy drink cans, mane dye, dirty clothes, sticky notes with reminders of future “gigs,” and that one box of Vinyl’s private toys. The smell was enough to make one gag, some scents a complete mystery to you, though not one you wish to solve. You try not to breathe through your nose, so the rancid odor of the room wouldn’t befoul your senses too much

As you look about, your first conclusion is that the entire room needs to be condemned.

However, focusing only on the bad points won't find anything useful, so you decide to step behind the music setup to see if Vinyl left any clues on her desk.

Almost immediately, a small scrap of paper stuck onto the corner of the computer's monitor catches your eye.

Deciding this looks like the best clue you’re likely to find, you snatch it, and quickly head back upstairs, away from the horrid stench of… Vinylness.

Finally arriving back in the orderly portion of the house, you look at the new clue you’ve found, and read the scribbled, almost childlike penmanship.

BucKet YOLO LisT

PlaCes I nEed tO go See beforE I Die

Following this title was a list of seemingly random places around the world.

Great Celestia, you think to yourself, what in Equestria have you gotten yourself into, Vinyl.

Quickly skimming over the rest of the rest of the list, you find a tiny note at the very bottom of the note.

“First trip 7/12”

Strange. July twelfth was the day that Vinyl disappeared.

Grinding your teeth in frustration, you realize the predicament. Vinyl must have left home to go on some journey to see some place in the world on this list without even bothering to tell you! The nerve!

However, your anger quickly subsides as you think it through a bit more, replacing itself with yet more worry and fear for your friend.

Wherever she went, she hasn’t written back, and you hardly think that a voluntary trip could take this long to return from… Vinyl might be stuck somewhere, unable to return for whatever reason, just waiting for somepony like you to find her and help her.

You sigh in annoyance. You might as well pack up some things and follow Vinyl to whatever place she had gone to. Even if she was actually fine and didn’t need your help, you feel like you need a vacation anyway. You pack up a saddlebag of necessities, don your usual bow-tie ensemble, and get ready to catch a train ride to…

Where did you want to go? The note didn’t seem to specify anywhere specific on the list… you can only imagine that Vinyl wouldn’t go down the list in order, so she could be at any one of these places…

Where should you go to look for Vinyl?

The Everfree Forest

The Smoky Mountain Peaks

The Amazon Jungle

The Crystal Empire

Canterlot Castle

The Griffin Kingdom

Author's Note

For those who don't know how "choose-your-own-adventure" stories work, each chapter will end with a choice. If you try to read all the chapters in a row, you'll get nowhere, so use the links at the bottom of each chapter to make your choice on how to proceed.

If a choice option is not a link, it means that the chapter has not yet been written. If you'd like a certain chapter to be written sooner rather than later, let me know in a comment, and I'll take your opinion into account.

If you'd like to propose an option that isn't listed, feel free to! I'll consider other ideas if they are popular or just plain strike my fancy.

Now go on, click one of the above links to start your journey!

The Smoky Mountain Peaks

Far in the distance, you can see the summit of Smoky Mountain and the other peaks surrounding it, forming a mountain range that crosses the eastern horizon.

Not many ponies dare to climb the steep face of the mountain, and for good reason. The mountains, especially the tallest, are known for treacherous rockslides, unstable surfaces, and plenty of other dangers. Some ponies even claim to have seen dragons use caves near the peaks for shelter.

And of course, Vinyl had chosen it as one of the places she wanted to visit.

You aren't very surprised, as Vinyl certainly isn't meek or timid, but that only makes you worry even more, knowing she might have jumped head-first into the worst possible danger. If only she realized all of the pressure and stress she gave you sometimes.

The Mountains seemed like they might be a good place to start looking, so you buy a ticket at the ponyville train station, and set off towards the base.

The journey takes you most of the morning, but before noon, you find yourself at the bottom of the huge masterpiece of nature. The peak towers above you threateningly, looking much larger up close than it did from Ponyville.

It's almost impossible for anypony to live anywhere near the mountain, due to the high chances of rockslides, so the train is forced to leave you off at a small town nearby, though it hardly seems like a town. As you pass through, heading for the mountains themselves, you hardly see any ponies at all.

But yet, you still manage to catch a few of them just long enough to ask if they had seen a white unicorn with a blue mane and a cutie mark of two music notes. The first few you encounter end with no success, but one mare you find listens to you silently, then points at the mountains with a hoof, before trotting away.

Was Vinyl really here? There's only one way to find out.

Climb the tallest mountain.

Try climbing some smaller mountains first.

Climb the one with the giant cave near the peak.

The Amazon Jungle

The jungle seems like just the kind of strange, dangerous place Vinyl would go. Briefly, you wonder what specifically caught her eye about the jungle, but you can't decide whether she wanted to meet some lions, tigers and bears, if she wants to search for the lost ruins of ancient civilization, which are written about fairly extensively in the popular Daring Do series, or if she just wanted to get herself killed.

Sighing, you stop trying to figure out Vinyl's mind and leave for the Train station, hoping you've chosen to look in the right place.

It takes a good, long time before you arrive. The train lets you off at a small town on the outskirts of the vast foliage that makes up the jungle. You can hear plenty of strange birdsong, and other animal calls coming from within, and wonder how on earth you are going to deal with the noise once you enter…

As you look about the town, you see a number of strange ponies with striped black and white coats instead of the normal colors of the rainbow. There were zebras here? Maybe that was what attracted Vinyl here... Maybe she was getting to know some of them here in town?

But then again, zebras aren't known to be much like ponies. Their society worked in strange ways that few besides their own kind knew about. Were they really trustworthy?

Ask the zebras about Vinyl.

Enter the jungle and search for her there.

The Crystal Empire

Ever since it’s return to Equestria, the Crystal Empire was a very popular travel location for ponies, given it’s unique magical nature, and that of the ponies who lived there. Crystal ponies had not been seen for centuries, after all! Besides that, the crystal architecture was a glorious sight to behold for all the ponies who visited.

It also seemed like it was definitely the safest option for you to begin looking for Vinyl at.

While many of the other options seem unsafe, this was a well-inhabited place with a princess to look after it. Vinyl would almost certainly be safe if that was where she was!

Choosing it as you first destination, you leave home, and find a place on a train to the Crystal Empire.

The train ride was filled with tourists, and you are glad to leave it behind. Stepping out onto the crystal platform with the other ponies, you hear them scatter, admiring the crystal buildings, ponies, and other parts of the city.

You, however, have little time to gawk. You need to find Vinyl, and in such a large place, you have no idea where to begin.

Ask the crystal guards if they’ve seen Vinyl.

See if you can get an audience with Princess Cadence and Shining Armor.

Explore the city aimlessly, looking for any trace of Vinyl.

Canterlot Castle

Seeing Canterlot Castle on the list surprises you. You've always thought she had had performed in Canterlot at least once in her DJ career. In fact, you're almost certain you recall her talking about how she had gone there for a wedding party of some kind. You're not sure if Vinyl just wanted to meet Celestia, or if she wanted to go back and see it again, but it was curious enough to warrant your attention.

You remember calling Canterlot home once, before that disgraceful event at the Grand Galloping Gala, and before ever meeting your marefriend. The city was beautiful, and had good, refined ponies to live inside, so most of your memories of the city are happy ones. Eagerly, you choose Canterlot as the first place to search.

After a long, calming train ride across the country, you find yourself stepping into Canterlot’s town square. The bustling city life moves around you, as ponies chat with each other, going about their business.

It feels refreshing to be back in the city, and you look around for someplace to begin your search for Vinyl.

Go to the castle, and see if she’s there.

Try to find a nightclub, or some place where Vinyl might find work.

Check the newspaper to see if Vinyl’s caused any huge scandals.

Search The Ruins

Driven by your curiosity, you turn towards the ancient castle, sizing up the structure as you approach. It looms high above the nearby trees, high towers with crenelations raised high into the heavens. As Octavia looked on, some clouds above decide to let forth their fury in the form of a lone thunder crash, brightening the scene for but a moment. Then, the world plunged back to the regular dark atmosphere, as unnatural clouds covered the horizon where trees did not.

A huge set of iron doors adorns the front of the castle, each one of them almost three times as tall as you. Carvings of mythical creatures were carved to decorate the surface, giving it an all-too-unwelcome dramatic flair.

You knew you probably weren't prepared for whatever lay behind these doors, but you can only imagine the dangers of the forest around you being far greater, so you lift up a hoof, and cautiously push open one of the massive doors, and look inside.

"Hello?" you say, eyes flickering about the interior. Devoid of any furnishings at all, nor any living souls to greet you, the entry hall hardly makes you feel welcome. Stone slabs formed large building blocks around you, together forming a thick wall to last the decay of time. The floor was made of quite the same material, roughly forming a flat surface.

Banners from an unknown age layer hang above a stairway in the center of the hall, leading to upper levels of the castle. You can only barely make out what the images made in the stained glass windows beyond, but you can tell that they weren't dedicated to the majesty of the celestial princess sisters, but some darker story that had been lost from time.

Hesitant to call out again, you quietly close the giant door behind you, wondering how to proceed.

Call out louder, to make sure anypony here can hear you.

Don't waste your energy, and begin searching the interior for signs of Vinyl.

Find your way to the highest tower, and see if it gives you a better view over the forest.

The Highest Tower

After gawking at the entrance hall for a while, you figure that while you're here in this strange castle, you might as well try to find the highest point in this castle, and use it to get your bearings. You weren't quite sure where in the forest you are, nor where anything interesting within might be, so at the very least, you hoped you could get a good look at the area, if this castle had a high watchtower of sorts.

looking around the entrance hall, you spot a small doorway on one side which leads to a spiraling staircase. Supposing it might be a tower, you decide it would be as good a place to start your search for Vinyl as any.

As you climb the stone stairway, you can't help but feel as if you're being watched....

Quickly, you shake off the feeling. There was nopony on the staircase with you, and if there were somepony else nearby, you'd be able to hear them. The only lighting here comes from odd sets of candles, adorning the walls of the passage like torches, but you have no lack of visibility...

Finally, after climbing so many steps that your legs ached from exertion, you arrive at the top of a tower. Strangely enough, there was no balcony here, nor even a hint of a window. Instead, you're greeted by a dark room with a single hole in the ceiling, where a small beam of light falls to the hard stone floor. Barred cells, likely made for prisoners, take up all of the space in the dreary place.

Realizing that there's no way you can take advantage of the height, you let out a long sigh of exasperation.

Almost immediately after you finish voicing your frustration, you hear a voice you never expected to hear.

"Tavi?"

It was Vinyl's voice! You rush into the room, suddenly spotting her white figure in one of the cells.

"Vinyl! What happened here?" You cry out, running to her, though the bars of the cell separate you. Vinyl looks absolutely horrible, dirt clinging to patches of her fur, and her mane looking like it hadn't been washed in weeks. looking closely, you notice that her hind legs are chained to the wall behind her, making sure she couldn't escape. A strange magical ring was placed on her horn as well, likely working to nullify her magic.

Vinyl's eyes widen upon seeing you, surprised you found her here, but behind that, you sense a panic uncharacteristic of your marefriend.

No matter how you look at this, it doesn't look good.

"Wait here, I'll see if I can find a way to get you out of here." You say, trying to show Vinyl a calm face.

"No, Tavi! You have to get out of here!" She says back to you.

"Why? What happened?" You ask, only more curious now.

"There's no time!" Vinyl practically shouts at you. "Run! Don't come back!"

"Not without you, Vinyl!"

Before you can respond, you suddenly hear a loud noise behind you, as a low, rough voice speaks.

"Another one? What are you doing here?"

You turn about, and see that a dark figure standing at the top of the staircase you had just ascended. A tattered cloak is all you can make out in the dark, but you can tell that the new arrival isn't even close to equine. The small amount of light filtering about the room reflects lightly off long, sharp claws, and you begin to realize that neither you nor Vinyl should truly be here.

"Who's there?" you ask in a meek voice. "What are you?"

"I'm the master of this castle. You shouldn't be here!"

Gathering up your courage, you narrow your eyes at this "master." Was he the one who put Vinyl here?

"I'm here for my friend." you say, despite Vinyl's protests from behind the bars of her cell. "I need to take her back home."

The figure before you lets out a growl, and the white form of many fangs enters your vision.

"She trespassed in my castle, and tried to ruin my possessions," the menacing voice comes again. "I can't let you take her when she still has a price to pay for her insolence!"

A lump forms in your throat as the monstrous shadow roars, sending a shiver down your spine and coating your thoughts with layers of terror.

"She's coming with me, and I won't take no for an answer!"

"Please! You can have me instead, but let Vinyl go!"

Scream like a little filly and panic!

"She's Coming with Me!"

Returning the creature's growl with one of your own, you brace yourself for it's anger. You're not sure if you can take on any creature with claws like those, but if you must for Vinyl's sake, so be it!

With a roar of frustration, the beast lounges at you, it's powerful muscles rippling under the tattered cloth it wore.

"You're even more stubborn than the white one! If you want a fight, you'll get one!"

As the creature rushes, the monstrous figure passes through the skylight, revealing a fearsome manticore! Poking through small holes in it's cloak are a pair of magnificent wings, much bigger than that of any pegasus, but still not enough to lift the rest of the creature into the air. Instead of a regular lions tail, a strange appendage raised from it's hindquarters, a sharp, likely poisonous stinger on the end. This creature has death written all over it, as natural weapons of all kinds cover it's body.

For a brief moment, you catch sight of it's ferocious expression as it leaps for you, claws extended. Are you truly going to be able to defeat this strange, monstrous beast?

Glancing to the side, you can just see Vinyl cover her eyes with a hoof, unable to watch as you face off against the nightmarish creature.

Determined, you glare at your foe, shrugging off your saddlebags to be rid of the extra weight. For Vinyl's sake, you must fight now!

As the roaring manticore approaches, you prepare to make your move.

Duck under it's claws, then buck it in the face!

Keep your distance, and dodge its attacks until you have a better plan.

Jump gracefully over it's swiping paws, swing yourself around onto it's back like an acrobat, then strike it on the back of the head with a hoof, knocking the beast out with one deciding blow, and leaving you without even a hair out of place.

The Long-winded, Dramatic Option

Plotting your course of action, you feel yourself grin in anticipation of the epic battle yet to come. Your breathing grows quicker, and you feel like the energy of a thousand ponies courses through your legs.

Determined, you stand your ground as a gigantic clawed limb slashes through the air towards you.

With a quick motion, you leap into the air, moving from your spot just as it is slammed by the manticore, it's claws just barely managing to cut through the last inch of your expertly styled mane.

With a quick jab of your forehoof, you send a quick jab at the monster's face, making a highly satisfying slap sound as you punch its cheek, eliciting a grunt of pain from the beast.

Laughing like a filly, you grab onto a patch of neck fur, and pull yourself up and around, towards the manticore's back, where you would have him at an advantage. You can't believe this is working! It's just like those dramatic fights from the old adventure novels! Steeling yourself to swing gracefully around your prey, you swoop up and around the gaping, toothy maw that you were so frightened of just moments before.

Suddenly, you feel a painful tightening sensation around your neck.

Your body suddenly stops in midair, as your body tried to push onward, only to be pulled back. An indescribably pain jolts to your brain as you turn your head, wondering just what had gone wrong in your perfect maneuver.

As you look down, you realize that your bow-tie had gotten caught on one of the manticore's long fangs.

You curse to yourself as you dangle from the manticore's jaw, now helplessly vulnerable, and all because you were so overconfident. You probably shouldn't have just rushed into battle, considering your inexperience and ineptitude.

You also realize now too late, that it was probably also bad judgement that lead you to provoke a powerful manticore into attacking. Perhaps there could have been a better, more diplomatic solution, but now, it was too late.

Stupid bow-tie.

You shoot the manticore a sheepish, blushing smile as you hang from it's jaw.

Unamused, it roars at you once again, grabbing you by the neck, and forcing your body against a stone wall, now trapped and at it's mercy.

You're defeated.

You're screwed.

You're dead.

Buck It In The Face!

Quick as a flash, the claws arrive, slashing through the air towards your neck, the beast attacking you lashing out with hunger in it's eyes.

Unfortunately for the manticore, you are much quicker. Your smaller body nimbly ducks under the first paw swipe, narrowly avoiding the blade-like claws. Quickly, you turn around to prepare a blow of your own, and kick your hind legs back with all the force you can muster.

As your hooves connect with a mighty impact, you feel your heartbeat racing with suspense. Did you hit it? Did you do any damage?

You aren't given much time to think however, as you quickly realize that your attack was a fatal mistake.

While you had hoped to strike the manticore in the face, knocking it away, the powerful creature had instead opened it's mouth wide, allowing your back legs right into it's open mouth.

Clamping down its teeth, you suddenly feel intense pain shoot through your back legs. You begin to panic, but the jaws hold tight, keeping you from pulling back from your failed attack.

Flailing about it a futile struggle to get away from the creature, you can't manage to make it release your hind legs, which only reduces your balance significantly. After a few failed attempts, you find yourself falling to the floor, your front hooves no longer able to support you on their own. A powerful lion's paw grabs you around your neck, and you feel yourself pressed against a wall, with an angry manticore eyeing your defeated figure with rage.

"This will teach you never to defy me!" Came the gruff voice, as you let your body fall limp with defeat.

With no way to escape the beast's grasp, nor any way to talk your way to a truce now, you can only let the monster decide your fate.

You're defeated.

You're screwed.

You're dead.

Checking the Newspaper

While it might be somewhat cliche, a newspaper might be a good place to start. If Vinyl had caused some sort of scandal in Canterlot, it would surely be all across the news by now. She was, in fact, quite popular in the form of her alias, "DJ Pon-3."

Quickly, you trot to one of the newspaper stalls, and purchase a copy of the most recent issue of the "Canterlot Times." You remember this newspaper from the many times you'd visited Canterlot for high-class concert events, and recalled it was fairly truthful, and the writers could be trusted not to make undue gossip.

You look at the cover, seeing a number of articles that looked interesting. Canterlot sure was a lively city! Now you just have to decide which article to read first, thinking of which might be the most relevant to your search for your marefriend.

Prince Blueblood - screams heard from mansion! All rumors unconfirmed.

Popular new manestyle - The Dubstepper! Learn the history of the fabulous new look!

Strange Alicorn seen at nightly concert events - Princess Luna in disguise?

Sherlock Hooves discovers serial killer! Culprit in custody.

You're Screwed (Manicore)

Trapped, and with no way to escape the manticore's grasp, you can feel your hope fading. Though you grunt with effort, trying hard to make it release you, the powerful muscles hold strong, restraining you better than the hardest steel ever could.

Held by your neck, your legs dangle against the wall. You kick out with your hooves, but you can only strike empty air. Grinding your teeth in effort, you glare at the manticore, angry at how helpless you are. if only you had wings to fly with, or a horn to cast spells, you feel like you could somehow get out of this. Unfortunately enough, you are just an earth pony, with nothing to fight with besides your own hooves.

With a roar, the monster brings up it's other front paw, and punches you in the face. With a grunt of pain, your face is suddenly filled with pain and forced to the side. Your anger drowns in a sea of new emotions now, the most prominent being fear, as you realize that this manticore is simply too powerful for you to handle. Turning your head back to face your assailant, your glare is much weaker now, merely a facade to hide your true feelings, which are slowly beginning to drive you insane.

The beast continues to hold you against the wall, growling at you, the mare who dared to say his prisoner had to be released. Within his animalistic, wild eyes, you can see his frustration and anger, but yet, also a strange sparkle of satisfaction from seeing you in his grasp, fallen to his mighty claws and fangs.

"Still think you can stand against me?" the manticore roared. "Still think you can make me let your friend go?"

As you continue to flail your legs about, trying to escape, but all in vain, his furious scowl slowly morphs into an evil grin, gloating in victory.

"Your friend is mine now, and I will do as I wish with her... and now, because of your insolence, you shall belong to me as well!"

A cry of despair sounds from nearby, and out of the corner of your vision, you see vinyl pushing against her own bindings, sparks flickering from her suppressed horn.

"No!" she shouts at the beast, "Don't do this! Not to Tavi!"

The manticore only laughs off her pleas, choosing instead to focus on you. Tightening his grip around your neck, he pulls his head in close to yours, his eyes glaring into your soul.

"You look like you'll be much more fun to keep anyway..."

Squinting your eyes in confusion, you wonder just what kind of torture he had planned for you, and why he hadn't yet tried to do anything worse than a single punch. Now that you think about it, you don't think he even gave you a black eye with that blow... was he holding back? Why?

The creature's eyes dance about, looking over your features again, now that he had you as a prisoner to his will. He raises his other paw up to your face again now, but this time, not to assault your figure. Instead you can only watch as he extends a single claw, and runs it though your mane, tracing it's flowing pattern. You can do nothing but look back, trying to hide your confusion behind the mask of a glare, as the claw moves back, tracing through the same pattern again, almost as if it were admiring it's beauty...

Vinyl looks at you with sheer panic in her eyes, though you can't tell just what she is so fearful of yet. She calls out your name, as if she knew that your life was about to end in a cruel, dramatic fashion.

Breathing out a long, putrid puff of air, the manticore grows tired of your mane rather quickly, and grabs onto the bottom of your muzzle, turning your head and forcing it to face him.

"Now, I shall claim you. Cease your struggling, or this day will be your last."

Every fiber of your being screams at you to continue your protests, to never give in, no matter what his beast might say. You didn't want to accept that you were beaten, that you could not escape.Vinyl was right before your eyes, and you were so close to saving her... until all this happened to you. You couldn't be beaten now, not when your marefriend lay watching...

But yet, the more rational side of your brain crushed your hopes. You knew that you couldn't accomplish anything by resisting anymore, nor could you deny this manticore whatever he wanted. You knew it would probably be much better for you to go along with him, to take whatever punishment he deemed appropriate. It was so hard for you to accept your defeat, but you knew you must, or else face the worse option to torture.

Slowly, you stopped your legs from kicking about, letting them rest, even as your speeding heartbeat never slowed for a minute, nor your fearful, frantic breathing.

You can see those sharpened fangs gleam in the dimmed light as they curve up into a smile, though not one to inspire joy and laughter.

"No! Not her!" Vinyl screams from behind bars, though she is even less in control of the situation than you are.

Laughing, the manticore flings you against the floor, placing you face to face with Vinyl as she struggled to reach through the bars of her cell, to offer her allegiance. It isn't long, however, before the manticore hovers above you, still grasping at your throat with a paw, threatening to crush it at any sign of resistance.

"Tavi, run! Don't let him..."

"Silence!" bellows the manticore, "Or you shall find yourself with no tongue to speak with!"

Reluctantly, Vinyl falls silent, gulping at the image of such torture befalling herself.

Vinyl... why are you acting so submissive? you think to yourself. It usually takes me screaming at you five times before I can get you to quiet down... and even then, not immediately. Just what has this beast done to you to make you so scared?

...And just what does he plan to do with me?

Unfortunately for you, it isn't long before you find the answer.

Pouncing on your vulnerable position, you feel the manticore's powerful legs force your front legs to buckle as he pushes down on your shoulders. Snarling into your ear, he places himself above you, ensuring there is no way for you to get away, nor any way to protect yourself from his oncoming assault.

Forced onto the hard, stone floor, you can see very little except the grey of the floor, and the barred cell in front of you, with Vinyl looking back at you, her expression showing you all the sympathy she could muster.

And then, you feel him pushing your hind legs apart, then lifting your tail...

Instantly, the doubts you felt in the back of your mind snap into clarity as you realize just what was about to happen.

Even after hearing the manticore's threats, and what fate should await if you frustrate him, you push against the ground with your front legs, and try with all your might to stand, hoping beyond all rationality that struggling might save you, but you manage to make no progress, and if anything, the manticore only pushes down on you harder to counter you.

If there was to be any punishment for your newfound protest, the beast did not deal it. In fact, it seemed as if your sudden realization and subsequent struggles only gave him more satisfaction with his power.

"You cannot escape your fate, my little pony..." he whispered, his massive jaws placing his fangs uncomfortably close to your fragile ears. "nor can you stop me from taking what is now mine!"

You feel one of his cold, sharp claws trace a path up the inside of your thighs, working it's way delicately through your fur. You shiver, feeling such an intimate gesture from something that isn't your loving marefriend. It feels so wrong, despite how much the simple touch affects your mind.

Slowly, lovingly even, the claw finds it's way upwards, before lifting off only inches away from your nether regions, which you knew were the ultimate goal to this teasing. Just as soon as it lifted away, you feel the same claw touch the inside of your other leg, rising just as painstakingly slow.

This time, however, the claw didn't fall away, but continued to work it's way towards your defenseless folds, which quivers slightly while the cold appendage suddenly makes it's way over the sensitive skin, eliciting strange, arousing thoughts in your head.

"You look so lovely when you're uncomfortable..." he whispers, a hint of a feline purr sounding in his throat while he draws his claw across your cunt, feeling you react to every touch by pushing harder against him, trying again and again to free yourself from his clutches. Your efforts, however, are all in vain, and you can do nothing to stop him, nor prevent him from making his next move.

Feeling him shift his weight you feel a heavy paw hold you down as he moves his head directly behind you, and you hear him sniff loudly, inhaling your scent. Obviously enjoying whatever he smelled, he then let the breath in a pleasured sigh.

"Absolutely delectable..." he whispers.

Unable to put off his desires, he then promptly moves in closer, extending his tongue for a slow, passionate lick over your private areas. His moist tongue is warm against your skin, drawing an ever so slight arousal from you, despite your protests.

Your struggles grow weaker and weaker as he goes in for another lick, the sensation making you gasp, with the occasional grunt sounding your dislike of the situation, though you cannot deny that your body is growing warmer, the gentle caresses of your delicate loins forcing arousal upon you.

And all the while, Vinyl watches your expression with a mixture of disgust, fear, and morbid understanding. Tears stream down her cheeks as she watches you writhe under the manticore, unable to do anything to prevent it, and forbidden from even speaking. You look up to her fro a moment, meeting her eyes with a pleading, desperate expression as your face is pushed into the stone floor, and your mind is a haze of unwanted feelings and terror.

Vinyl can only look back for a single moment, before she can't bring herself to continue, and she pointedly looks away, ashamed that she was the reason you came here, the reason you decided to fight the manticore, and the reason you were now being put through this torturous experience.

As you feel the tongue slide over your folds once more, you wail in despair, lamenting your cruel fate.

"P-please! S-stop it! I... I can't... agh!"

You stutter out your plea, the words broken as you struggle to both express your dislike of the situation and bear the assault on your sensitive nethers. You aren't sure if you can truly persuade this monster, or if such outbursts would only arouse him, but you would resort to anything, even begging, if it could stop these feelings from piercing your sanity and cease the passionate tongue from ravishing you.

It isn't long before you feel the intense heat between your legs grow, until it burned at you, bringing horrible thoughts into your mind, making your weak voice lose it's reason, falling into more guttural groans of mixed pleasure and distaste.

Just when your humility seemed like it couldn't grow any worse, you felt your slit grow moist with not only the manticore's saliva, but your own love juices. Ashamed that you could be brought to such arousal in such a horrible situation, you let your head hang low, your face blushing a deep red.

"Ah," The manticore sighed, giving one final lick before pulling back, giving you some much-needed rest from the stimulation. "Such delicious nectar from so lovely a flower... You are an extraordinary mare. I thank the gods above for bringing you to me, for giving me such a perfect new mate..."

You wish you could have cursed whatever gods this beast thanked, but you could do little more than pant for air as you felt your arousal, heat, and desire flashed through your body, not giving you any respite in the temporary absence of the pleasurable, warm tongue on your mound. You try to control your breathing, but you can't seem to calm yourself, especially since you knew this wasn't the end of your torment.

The manticore moved his body over yours once again, but in this awkward, vulnerable position, you could only see him in the dark patterns on the walls, as his large shadow joined with yours, becoming one large black shape. You felt his breath on the back of your neck, his golden lion's mane falling over your shoulders.

And as he fitted himself into his position atop your body, you felt his large, hardened member slide along your hindquarters, slipping between your legs so that it dangled just between your thighs.

The panic returned through the haze in your kind, emerging with new fervor as you feel the physical incarnation of his desire for you, the rod he planned to impale you with, his ultimate tool of torture that had no equal.

"P-please no!" You plead, squirming beneath the firm, muscular torso of a beast you could never defeat. "By Celestia, have mercy! Y-you can't d-do this! I'm b-begging you!"

Your only response is a sharp slap on your flank, the sound echoing through the tower as you cry out in pain a moment later.

"You no longer have a say in the matter!" The manticore snarls from behind you. "You belong to me now, and your defiance only earns you more punishment!"

Without another word, you feel his paws grab onto your midsection, pulling you back to his hips, letting his twitching, horrid erection slide along your underbelly, only adding emphasis to his words, and displaying the power he held over your tiny frame.

Pulling back, he allows his gruesome member to grind against your slit, covering the length with the moisture it still emanated. You let out a long, involuntary moan as your panting picks up again, the movement pushing you to an unforeseen dented state of terror.

Seconds later, you feel the giant rod finally fell far enough back that only the head still touched your aching lips, perfectly positioned so that the slightest movement of his hips could sent it plunging into the depths

For a long moment, he lets himself remain there, your heavy breathing the only audible sound in the tower. Vinyl sheds more tears and sniffles as she averts her gaze.

The manticore grunts, his own arousal now driving him to act on his unfulfilled desire. He leans down to whisper to you one last time.

"Now then, prepare yourself to feel my wrath, you impudent pony!"

With a guttural cry of animalistic fury, he pushes forward with all of his strength, his thick, hard length forcing it's way into your cunt, tearing apart any and all resistance in it's path.

As you feel the impact through your entire body, you scream in agony, feeling the hot meat enter your passage with such brutal force, you can't imagine how your hips withstood the blow. An avalanche of pain storms your brain, the pleasure from the gentle licks long gone. Your inner muscles tighten, struggling to contain the monster invading your abused pussy, though unable to rid you of the intrusion.

In a single moment, the entire length is shoved inside you, the dangling balls slapping hard against your rear as it firmly plants itself all the way in. Even when the motion ends, and the hot, throbbing rod is hilted into you, you continue your scream, unable to restrain your emotions.

"Nnnnngh..." The manticore moans in pleasure as he feels your walls squeeze his length, and coat it with juices. "So... Perfect... You truly must be... the one..."

However, his muttering is the least of your concerns. Through the haze setting over your thoughts, you pant and whimper as the member embedded in your snatch stretches you to your limits, forcing you to feel every inch of his passion.

For a long moment, he just holds himself inside, feeling your tight grip around his pride and joy. The only sounds in the tower are your frantic gasps for air, his low, animalistic grunts, and the sound of Vinyl sobbing from within her cell, crying as she witnesses your torture.

As you close your eyes tightly, wishing you were anywhere but here at this moment, you can't help but shed tears of your own.

Slowly, agonizingly, the thick member begins it's first retraction, sliding out of your inner folds with an obscene sloshing sound. You hold back a pained moan as you feel less and less full, though your insides still ache from the forced entry earlier.

"N-no... Please..." You whimper as you feel the tip of his member retreat to your entrance, but not leave. Staying lined up with your cunt, you can feel the purr in his throat grow into another pleasures roar as his muscles grow tense against yours.

A second later, another powerful thrust hits your frame from behind as he sinks back into your vice grip, forcing your insides to make room for him a second time.

"Aaaaagh!" You scream, the pain returning along with his phallus, stretching your vulnerable snatch more than you could imagine.

When his hips meet yours the second time, and he reaches the fullest extent of your depths, he stays for a much shorter time, only a moment passing before he pulls back for another thrust. The friction as he moves makes your hind legs shake, unable to support you for much longer as your pussy is strained and abused.

"Unngh..." He groans, too far lost in his own ecstasy to notice your flimsy protests when he pushes in again. "So good... So tight... Ahh... This is... so much better than... the white one..."

Pounding into you at a slow pace, he savors every moment of your defeat, taking great pride in his dominance over you.

And all the while, you feel your sensitive, moist cunt pushed to it's very limits. With every entry, your eyes roll back in your head, your mind reeling in the mixed feelings. With each hasty retreat, you groan hopelessly, knowing that the next motion would only make the pain begin anew.

As the motions grow quicker and quicker, the pain of each thrust blurs together with each retraction, your mind blurring the two into a single motion, bringing to you an endless feeling of agony.

Through the fog lacing your thoughts, you feel one of his paws grab the base of your tail, pulling on it to add even more force to each impact, when his flesh would slap against yours, making obscene noises when your wetness accepts his rod. As he tugs on your flowing, once beautiful hair, you feel yet another source of hurt in the sea of pain.

"Aagh! N-no! Ugh!" You wail as he continues his pounding, beyond any rational sense. "Kyaaah! N-not my... my... Nnnnngh... L-let me- Aaaah! Let m-me goooo~!"

All the while, his pace grows faster and faster, until he is wildly slamming his hips against your backside, grunting as he puts every effort into the motion. Your body shakes back and forth with him, unable to resist the sheer power he is using.

"Ooooh... yes..." he mutters, still caught up in his desire for satisfaction at your expense. "Scream for me... ugh... your cries cannot save you now..."

To your great shame, you cannot help but oblige, your throat growing dry as you vocalize your sorrow with pained shrieks.

If he keeps up at this pace, you'll...

You can't bear the thought for long before you realize it is already happening.

Despite the force, despite his anger, and despite your absolute loathing for this beast...

You can't help but feel the warmth in your loins, the moisture in your cunt, and the strange sensations from within your core, the undeniable proof that your body was enjoying this, that some primal instinct was bringing out your own desire for pleasure at the hands of this monster.

You hated yourself for it, but even as your face reddens in embarrassment, you hear yourself begin to moan out ever more with each thrust as your own body betrays you.

These moans only seem to encourage the beast ever more.

"Yes... Mmmmm..." He manages to speak between his own pleasured outbursts. "It can't be... denied..."

"You... are the one... that I shall take... as my mate..."

The mere thought of belonging to this manticore disgusts and terrifies you, but it isn't long before the thought leaves, interrupted by a particularly hard slam of his hips, embedding himself deep inside you.

The beast breathes roughly against the back of your neck, pausing the movement of his lower body for one moment. Close to his finish, he leans over your back, as if waiting for you to speak.

"P-please no..." you manage to whimper, your voice weak after so much screaming, the plea as empty and hopeless as you felt while you lay on the cold stone floor, gasping for air.

Between his deep breaths, the manticore above you lets out a light chuckle.

"You know not what blessing you are about to receive." He whispers, his voice tense with his pleasure. "If you had only come to me willingly, we could have shared this castle together... living in comfort for the rest of our lives..."

"But even if you choose to push me away..." he continues, "I shall make you mine..."

You glance up to see Vinyl looking back at you, her eyes wet with tears. She looks at you with pity, but can do nothing besides watch as you are broken in front of her, made into the slave of this horrid creature.

"Tavi..." she whispers under her breath.

"And now, with the same magic that my ancestors used to create a mixed child of lion and scorpion..." The beast whispers as he pulls out of you, the tip of his member already twitching, so close to it's climax.

"I give unto you my child!"

With that, The manticore rams back into you, and resumes his frantic pace, driving both himself and you towards your approaching climax. You cry out in pain and pleasure as you are pounded rapidly, the sensations growing stronger and stronger.

A voice in the back of your mind screams out for you to stop this, to escape by any means necessary, but unable to act on it, the echoing chorus screaming for your release dominates your thoughts, the heated feeling in between your legs growing stronger and stronger...

Just as you fel like you ar on the very edge of your finish, the waves of pleasure so close to wracking your body, you hear the manticore let out a fearsome roar.

"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" The monster bellows, slamming into your pussy one last time as he pulls you against him, forcing himself as deep as possible.

The rod of meat inside you twitches and quivers, and then you feel the hot, warm sensation of his sperm flood into you, filling your insides. The first few spurts flood directly into your deepest crevices, but they fill quickly, and it isn't long before there it spills back along the length, and drips from your stretched entrance, thick white droplets streaming down your thighs.

As you feel the virile substance flow about inside you, you cry out, one moment in anguish, but the next, in ecstasy, as your own orgasm pulses through your body. You know you should hate the feeling of his semen inside of you, a sensation you never hoped to feel with any stallion you didn't love and trust. You know this moment should embody your despair and defeat at the hands of this manticore, and you know that you were betraying your marefriend by letting this brute bring you to a climax...

However, the amazing sensations you feel are driving your deeper, carnal desires wild, satisfying your body's need for the loving touch of another.

Your body spasms, your own juices joining with those of the beast inside you. Your mind hits the peak of it's emotional buildup, leaving you with nothing but a mountain of pleasurable feelings forcing their way to your unwilling thoughts.

And then, just as quickly as your orgasm comes, it fades away, leaving you exhausted, your body sore and weakened.

You lay underneath the manticore for some time, feeling him press against you while he deposits the last bits of his load into you. He groans out the last of his pleasure as his own peak leaves him, your overfilled, dripping cunt a testament to his purpose fulfilled.

As you lay there, his thick member still embedded deep inside your snatch, your vision goes fuzzy, and your head light. Your weak body falls limply away as he pulls out, making a small splash as your lower body lands in a puddle of mixed juices.

As your eyes shut, your entire wold fading to black, the last thing you can see is Vinyl, openly sobbing now that she had borne witness to such a twisted, vile act of love and hate.

I'm sorry, Vinyl... I couldn't save you... or even myself.

Forgive me...

When you awaken, you find yourself chained in one of the tower's cells, with Vinyl nowhere to be found. You remain there for hours, until the manticore returns, giving you stale bread and water for a meal.

Upon asking where Vinyl was, he laughs, telling you "Now that I've found the perfect mare to give birth to my heir, I had no more need for her. Under a magical oath, I made her swear to never tell any pony what she saw here, nor to ever return, then let her go back to her home. She is safe, but she will not be coming back for you."

You can only imagine how hard it is on Vinyl, knowing of your fate, but unable to do anything to change it. At least you know she's safe, however.

Weeks pass in you small cell, your only knowledge of the passing of time derived from the tiny skylight in the stone ceiling, and the beam of light it cast moving across the room. The manticore visits you bearing your meals twice a day, at morning and afternoon. While this might seem considerate, you still feared him, especially on nights where he chose to make a third visit to satisfy his base desires...

As time goes on, you can feel your belly beginning to swell, as your body begins to act strangely. Noticing this, you find your living quarters and food to improve at least somewhat, showing that he at least wanted you healthy enough to give birth to his child.

You know nothing about what manner of horrible creature grows inside of you, but as time passes, you can feel it's day to emerge grow closer and closer...

Though the manticore clearly loves you for who you are, and slowly, he gives you ever more freedom and trust, you are still his slave, and you know you will never be able to leave his side. You belong to him, and slowly, your will to resist fades and dissipates. Someday, you might even love your master back, and bear him a line of children willingly, raising a wild and happy family. Perhaps, in that life, you will find happiness...

But you will never see Vinyl or any part of pony society again.

Bad Ending

Start over

Prince Blueblood Rumors

Curious about an article of Prince Blueblood’s recent activities, you flip through the newspaper to the full article, and begin to read.

Screaming in mansion - Prince Blueblood suspected!

Over the past few weeks, Prince Blueblood, the somewhat infamous nephew of Princess Celestia, has become subject to much speculation, as there have been a number of ponies who claim to have heard strange noises from his mansion home in Canterlot.

An anonymous witness reports their account: “I was passing by the front of the mansion, when I heard a large ruckus within, as if a struggle was going on. Then, as if in response, I heard a female voice crying out in pain. Who it belonged to wasn’t clear, but there could be no doubt that it wasn’t the prince, nor any of his hired guards, who are all male.”

Similar stories have been reported by other witnesses, to the point where it seems unlikely that this is a mere coincidence. While the full story has yet to be uncovered, nopony has been able to confirm or deny any rumors.

When asked for his opinion on the matter, The Prince simply stated that anything one might hear from his residence “is not the concern of any commoners,” and refused to make any further comments.

While little else is known about the current situation, or whether there is any danger involved for the citizens of Canterlot, the local police force claim to be investigating the issue, and ask that no bystanders become involved until this issue is resolved.

As a result of this strange occurrence, a number of businesses and institutions have begun to sever their association with the Prince, fearing it might negatively affect their relationship with customers. These businesses include…

You skim the rest of the article, looking over various accounts that suspect Blueblood to be performing various illegal activities, or other scandalous things. While you personally don’t care much about the prince, you saw how he behaved at the Grand Galloping Gala well enough to know he wasn’t the kind of stallion you would ever want to spend time with.

This is clearly huge news for Canterlot, signifying a coming change in the way the royal family is seen by the public. You aren’t sure exactly what is happening, but the situation seems very delicate for every party involved…

Just the sort of thing Vinyl would love to mess about in…

Knowing that your marefriend, you can guess she might be involved in this colossal mess somehow. You knew she disliked the prince more than you do, and you hope she didn’t do anything criminal to make this scandal even bigger…

Better safe than sorry, though, you think to yourself. I should investigate this.

Ask for an audience with Prince Blueblood.

One of the witnesses from the paper is a high-class patron for your music. Ask for their opinion on the matter.

Sneak into his mansion under the cover of the night, and investigate for yourself.

The Eastern Approach

You take the path to the eastern side of the mountain, deciding to risk running into some strange wild creature rather than the sheer force of the mountain. This path may be a bit longer, but it's not nearly as steep, nor as dangerously unstable as the other side. Satisfied with your reasoning, you trot along the second pathway when the road forks, leading you to the mountain's eastern side.

You might as well start now, as you have a long way to go.

The pathway winds upwards slowly, and for the longest time, the going is pleasant and uneventful. You smile, taking in the serenity of the mountainside, the gentle breeze making the only sound from the world about you besides the steady clip-clop of your hooves.

As you pass by another bend on your way upwards, however, you notice something strange on the path ahead. Slowly, you creep behind a nearby boulder, and peek over the top, in case whatever lay ahead was hostile.

The creature you see horrifies you with it's gruesome form. It's pink, bare skin is hairless, save for a single patch, messily grown about the top of what she could only assume was a head. With no muzzle, but rather, a flatter facial shape, it's features were unlike those of any other beast in all of Equestria. And oh, how deformed and horrible were it's limbs, so much that it was forced to only use it's hind legs for support, the others dangling from it's sides. As if to make it all worse still, each leg ended by splitting into smaller parts, as if they were once hooves, but had been sliced by knives into almost equal parts.

At least it had the decency to cover most of it's body with a strange kind of fabric. You can hardly imagine what it's midsection might be like beneath, or worse yet, whatever strange organ it might use to reproduce.

The very sight of this creature disgusts you, as you watch this creature stand, slowly using it's hind legs to move in a strange kind of trot, swinging it's forelegs at it's sides. You barely look at the creature for long enough to realize that the tiny slits in it's head were eyes...

But by the time you do realize, those eyes stare back at you, widening as they focus in on your hiding place.

You duck behind the boulder, attempting to hide, but too late, for the creature has noticed you, and you hear it hobbling towards you on it's deformed hind legs.

"Holy crap.." You hear it vocalize, though you have no idea what strange method it used to speak. "Octavia? So this really is Equestria! I made it!"

This creature knows your name! Though you know you are decently famed for your cello playing, it still unsettles you that such an abhorrent thing should know of you. No matter how you looked at it, this was suspicious.

The creature approaches, and if you want to proceed to the mountain's top, you realize you'd have to either face this monster, or find some way around it. Perhaps you could also make peace, since it seems to understand speech, but one look at its gruesome body makes you absolutely sure that it could only be hostile. The speech might be just one of the ways it lures ponies to be its victims...

What should you do?

Ambush the creature when it gets close, and try to overpower it.

Avoid it, and try to find another way up the mountain!

Attempt to communicate with it, and reach some form of understanding.

An Audience With The Prince

While you are completely unsure if it will work or not, you decide that it might be a good idea to ask Blueblood directly about the situation. If anyone, he seemed to be the one who would know where Vinyl was, should she be involved. Even if he could tell you nothing else, he can certainly tell you if she's involved or not without compromising his position.

At least, you hope this is true. You don't want to spend more time with him than you have to, knowing his personality, especially since this might be completely unrelated, and you have no proof of Vinyl's involvement.

Putting the newspaper away in your saddlebags, you trot down the street towards the more wealthy area of the city, where Blueblood lived.

As you walk, you think long and hard about what you are going to say, so that Blueblood wouldn't have a chance to kill more of your brain cells with any distracting conversation about whatever he wanted. This is much harder than you first think, and you are still thinking when you reach the elaborate iron gates in front of the estate.

You aren't surprised to see two unicorn guards at the entrance, watching as you approach. Since Blueblood's come under the suspecting eye of the city, it logically follows that he'd want to be sure nopony could just waltz into his manor and search the premises for anything that might confirm rumors.

As you approach the guards, you nod to them politely, and quickly clear your throat before speaking.

"I'm here to see Blueblood. I'd like to ask him about a friend of mine who disappeared a while ago."

The guard's reply comes surprisingly quickly.

"I can't let you enter," One says bluntly. "Blueblood refuses any audience with non-unicorns."

Your eyes widen as you look at the guard and raise your eyebrow, almost unable to believe what you're hearing. This is blatant racism! It goes against the very message that was told to foals about the founding of Equestria, and the joining of earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi! The prince must be even worse than you thought after seeing his behavior at the gala...

"So I can't enter, no matter what my purpose is?" You ask again.

"Unfortunately not. The prince has no time or patience to deal with commoners, especially those without the gift of magic."

This is an outrage! You feel your blood boil with rage at that response, not knowing quite how to respond.

Storm off in a huff like the prissy pony you are.

Calmly ask the guards if they've seen Vinyl themselves, or have heard of her.

Lecture these guards about the blatant racism of their orders, and what foul corruption it brings to society!

You won't be denied! Enter by force!

Doubling Back

The forest makes strange noises around you as the light dims lower with every step you take into it's depths. You aren't sure what possessed you to decide it was a good idea to just rush in here without a plan. Not knowing what else to do, you realize that if you work your way farther into the undergrowth, it will become ever more likely that you'll get lost in this strange, dangerous place.

Before you lose your sense of direction, you promptly turn about and begin to retrace your steps so you can find the pathway out of here again.

This proves to be more difficult than you thought, and despite turning back sooner rather than later, the landscape about you seems to be unfamiliar already. Did you take the right turn at the last clearing? You certainly don't remember that oddly-shaped rock to your left...

You press onwards, however, hoping beyond hope that you were at least moving in the right direction. These trees can't go on forever, and you have to emerge from them eventually. Even then, you'll still have to find your way back to Ponyville. Slowly, your determination breeds anxiety, as you continue to walk onwards.

Just as you think you'll be stuck in this forest forever, you catch a glimpse of a small dirt pathway across a meadow of blue flowers.

Aha! You think to yourself. I was going in the right direction!

Happily, you gallop through the field, feeling the enchanted petals gently stroke against your weary hooves as you pass. Overjoyed that you had found your escape route, you kick up a few of the petals, letting them fly into the air and move with the light breeze.

Once you reach the dirt pathway, the way becomes clear, the forest around you grows thinner and thinner, and you see light ahead...

Soon enough, you find yourself back at Ponyville. You thank Celestia's divine providence for keeping you safe from harm in the devil's den, and walk through town, trot back through your front door into the comfort of home.

With a quick glance at the grandfather clock in the first room, you realize you spent the entire day out and about in the Everfree. You curse yourself for wasting so much time without making any progress towards finding Vinyl. She could still be anywhere, and you've hardly explored the Everfree, even. It'll be a nightmare to search all of these places on her list systematically.

For now, though, you feel tired. You most certainly won't be returning to the forest today, but you have enough time to do a few more things before night, perhaps...

You're exhausted! Have a small supper before going to bed early.

You're don't feel like cooking. Find a nice restaurant to eat at.

Enter by Force!

Suddenly, your mind clicks into focus, and you realize what you must do. This oppression of your people cannot stand! If they will refuse you because of who you are, that is their fault, not yours!

Besides, even if they wound you know, you won't cry in defeat. You are Octavia! You've earned the respect of many with your music, your beauty, and your inner strength. Even if these unicorn elitists want to hold you back, you won't be held back by their powerless words.

You glare at the guards, quickly sizing them up and studying their features. As unicorns come, these look somewhat weak when it came to muscles, though you suppose that unicorns had other skills that were more valuable than a strong body, unlike any earth pony. You and your people used your muscles for everything, and thus focused on your strength and flexibility. Even a musician like you was much stronger than these magical weaklings.

After a moment, you turn yourself about, throwing your nose in the air as if to storm away in anger and distaste, though in truth, you were only lining yourself up to buck both of them in the face.

When the moment came, you quickly lifted your hid legs, and kicked backwards with as much force as you could muster. As your legs impacted the two guards with a loud slam, you know your aim had been true. As you settled yourself back onto all fours and faced your victims, whom you found splayed out, both unconscious from the massive blow you dealt.

Smiling, you grabbed a key from the belt of the guard who had spoken, satisfied with your performance.

That'll teach them not to insult earth pony "commoners."

As you put the key to the iron gate's lock, and turn it, the latches keeping it closed release, allowing it to swing inwards and allow you entry. While you have to respect the majesty of Blueblood's home, you can't help but notice how useless his line of defense was, despite it's strong appearance. To think that a single earth pony could force their way in all by themselves...

While you're sure the guards will wake up eventually, and some passerby will likely find their bodies before such happens,you know this is your one chance to explore the mansion. Once the situation has resolved, you aren't likely to get another chance.

You walk up the path to the front door of the mansion, which allows you easy entry. The well-kept hinges don't even make a noise as you step inside.

The inside of the place certainly is larger than you expect, the main hall easily of a comparable size to those in the royal castle. Every corner was just about spotless, with pillars of marble and other shining surfaces everywhere.

You sigh. If you had the money to build a place like this, you'd probably have made it a public space, where common ponies could enjoy the calm scene, perhaps listening to music or eating a lovely meal. What a pity it should all be reserved for a snobby prince.

Across the hall, you notice a petite, light blue unicorn mare walking about in a maid outfit. lighting up her horn, she polishes a large statue dedicated to the majesty of the prince, his face infinitely more beautiful set in stone than in flesh.

While you'd like to just avoid her, letting her continue her work as you secretly explore, you wonder if she might be able to help you somehow. This place is very large, and she might know better where to look if you wanted to find something...

Sneak up on the maid, tackle her, and force her to cooperate with you.

Pretend you are a guest, and politely request her assistance.

Sneak around her in hopes of finding what you need without her help.

Going To Bed Early

You make a quick salad out of the greens in the fridge, have a light supper before you make your way into your room upstairs, and settle into bed.

Your dreams this night are filled with the Everfree Forest. The mangles and dark branches of trees hang around you, forming monstrous shapes, while shadowy figures moved between them, showing you that you are not alone. In dream-induced fear, you run through the forest, feeling the unknown follow your every step, getting closer and closer to catching you...

When you awaken, you feel like you've gotten hardly any rest at all. When the morning sun filters through your window and into the room, you know you should get up, but still find it hard, even though you left the waking world early the day before.

Your mane is a mess from your tossing and turning in the night, and you can practically feel it bunching up in places, stray hairs pointing out from the tangled mess. drearily, you make your way out of the bedroom, towards the bathroom where a warm, refreshing shower awaited.

Absent-minded, you pick up a brush and run it through your mane a few times, before you turn to the mirror.

The sight of your reflection makes you freeze, shocked by the sight.

As you expected, your mane is a disaster area all on it's own, but your attention is immediately drawn to the floppy long ears extending from the sides, sticking up into the air as they perk up in response ot your surprise. The grey fur covering them is most definitely not that of a pony, though it matches your own coat perfectly. In addition, they are much longer, and skinnier than those of your average pony, making them stick out like a sore thumb.

As you look over your expression, you notice some other small changes to your appearance as well. You can feel your muzzle extend an inch or two longer than usual, your front teeth suddenly miraculously larger than the others.

As you stare back at the almost unfamiliar Octavia in the mirror, your mind reels, thinking just what this might mean.

And then it hits you.

These new ears and features belong to a donkey.

You stare at the mirror, just letting the revelation that you have just woken up as a half-donkey. Or are you now a mule? Your mind reels, and you feel like you could scream...

So you you do. But what comes out of your mouth instead only scares you even more.

"Hee-Haw!"

Scream and run around the house, lost in your distress.

You need to get help! Hide your ears with a hat, and find Princess Twilight to see if she can fix this!

Go out. Stranger things have happened in Ponyville, and nopony will think twice about it. Besides, you need a drink right now.

Forcing The Maid To Cooperate

Dropping low to the ground, and sneaking your way across the room, you hide behind the many objects in the main hall, approaching your unsuspecting target. As you do so, you watch her go about her work, running the polishing cloth against the smooth surface of the statue, making sure it was in pristine condition.

As she used her magic to clean off the stone stallion's horn, she scowled, clearly frustrated by her work.You weren't sure if she disliked cleaning, this specific statue, or Blueblood himself, but the latter seemed most likely. Muttering to herself as she moved on to the muzzle, she remains unaware as you creep closer, hiding behind first a flowerbed, then a statue of the Prince, then a marble column... slowly moving closer...

Then, when you find yourself close enough, you cease your lurking, and leap from your hiding spot, running at the mare from behind. She barely hears the clip-clop of your hoofsteps behind her before you tackle her, knocking her small frame over with sheer force. While this mare might be dexterous with her magic, she clearly doesn't have much strength in her body to fight you, and she falls over effortlessly, a sudden cry of panic leaving her lips as you land on top of her, holding her face down with a hoof to prevent her from seeing you, and using her magic to throw you off.

As you stand over her, she struggles madly, stammering as she tries in vain to throw you away.

"N-no my prince! Not n-now! I c-can't..." she says, her face turning a deep red as she blushes behind her sky blue mane.

Confused, you remain there, holding her down until it dawns on you what she might mean. Soon enough, you find yourself blushing along with the young mare, embarrassed by what you've just discovered.

So that's why he's making her wear that embarrassing outfit...

Soon enough, however, the mare begins to realize that her assailant isn't taking advantage of her position, and thinks a bit more clearly.

"W-wait..." she says, "Y-you're not Blueblood... I-I don't know what you want, but please don't hurt me! I just w-work here!"

Of course... You "work" here...

"If you cooperate, I won't have to hurt you," you say, trying your best to sound intimidating. "I want you to tell me where I can find Blueblood. I have something I need to discuss with him."

"Third door on the left, take a left at the end of the hallway, door on the left, and then down the stairs..." she rattles off quickly.

That took less convincing than you thought. Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, however, you're just happy to get a straight answer.

"Okay then. Last question," you mutter, still holding the mare down, though you notice she's stopped struggling so much. "Do you know anything about one 'Vinyl Scratch', or where she might be?"

The blue mare thinks for a moment, before answering.

"Most ponies around her know her as DJ Pon-3, her stage name. I hear she's performed at clubs in Canterlot, but I've never been able to make enough money to see her... last time she was at Club Canterlot was maybe... a week ago?"

So Vinyl had come to Canterlot! You don't know why Vinyl couldn't have told you she had come here, but now, at least, you knew that she has spent at least some time in the city.

And that just made you begin to suspect Prince Blueblood more. If he liked unicorn mares like this one, maybe he had gone to one of Vinyl's performances and... desired her company.

Just the thought of Blueblood laying a hoof on your marefriend was enough to drive you into a focused anger. If you found just one piece of incriminating evidence, Celestia herself won't be able to hold you back from making his life a living nightmare.

"Thank you," you say, stepping off the unicorn and letting her stand up. "Return to your work, and I'm going to speak with the good prince."

You walk towards the doorway, ready to leave the room and confront Blueblood, but you find yourself interrupted by a hoof on your shoulder.

"Wait..." you hear, and turn to see the mare facing you back again, blushing a hot red in her maid's outfit.

"I... don't know if I can trust you with this..." she says, looking at the floor in shame, "but... could you not tell anypony you saw me here, or what you... heard... when you jumped me... I don't know what I'll do if my friends find out..."

As she you look back at her, you ponder your options, and then smile in understanding.

"I won't say anything to anyone, as long as you do the same."

"Thanks..." she says with a small curtsey. "Make sure you give Blueblood an extra smack for me!"

You chuckle a bit as you proceed through the doorway, letting the blue mare get back to her cleaning, now with a slightly more cheerful expression. Whatever her motives, you feel lucky to have met this mare, for she's shown you both where you can find Blueblood, and given you a rough idea of why pedestrians might have heard "screams" from this mansion.

You just hope that Vinyl isn't one of the ones screaming.

You follow the directions that the maid gave you, finding your way down a hallway, turning a corner, entering a doorway, and then finding yourself descending a long, stone stairway to a basement level beneath the rest of the mansion. The lights dim as the sunlight no longer shines in through windows, and the passage becomes ever darker as you descend.

At the very bottom, you find another door. As a small bit of light flickers through the crack on the bottom of its frame, you hear some strange, muffled voices from the other side...

Strange... you can swear one of the voices sounds exactly like Vinyl's...

What should you do?

Put your ear up against the door, and see if you can hear the voices more clearly.

Open the door just a crack, and peek at the other side.

There's a cooling vent near the ceiling... maybe you can climb into it and sneak above whatever's happening in the next room.

Ear Against The Door

Carefully, making sure you don't lean on the wood and make it creak, or possibly swing open, you place an ear agains the crack leading to the next room, trying to make out the muffled voices so you can understand what's going on.

One of the voices is definitely male, letting out strange, low grunts and groans, leaving little to the imagination as to what activity he was performing.

The second voice is more feminine, also giving out sounds of extortion, though much more high-pitched and frantic than those of the male. Even through the wall, you can hear a coarseness in the voice, one that you instantly recognize.

As loathe as you are to admit it, you cannot deny that you're hearing Vinyl's voice, shrieking in protest to something. You've never heard her this scared or panicked before, and it pains you to hear her play the hopeless victim of the scenario.

Listening closer, you're able to make out some words of the conversation...

"Graah... are you ready... ungh... to admit it yet?"

"Aaaagh! N-never!" came Vinyl's reply. "I-I'll never- Nnnnnngh! l-love you back... Aaagh!"

The male voice, which you can only presume is Prince Blueblood, responds with hearty, scornful laughter.

"Maybe not yet..." he says mockingly, "But soon enough, you shall realize how much you desire my regal presence... how handsome and dashing you find me... and how much you yearn for my company..."

You've heard enough. If hearing Vinyl in pain was too much for you, hearing her taunted and taken advantage of by this spoiled, royal pig makes you grind your teeth in anger, unable to listen any longer.

You have to save Vinyl from this! if only she can hold out just a bit longer...

Open the door just a crack, and peek at the other side.

Barge through the door in a rage, and attack anyone who dares to allow Vinyl to be used in such a foul way!

There's a cooling vent near the ceiling... maybe you can climb into it and sneak above whatever's happening in the next room.

The Vent

Looking above you, you see a grate, which you can only assume leads into a ventilation system for these lower levels of the mansion. It seems about the right size for a pony to be able to crawl through. You reach up to the grate, and pull on the cover, which falls away from the entrance after only a bit of pressure.

Man, this guy has security flaws all over the mansion. It's like it's just waiting to be broken into.

Hoisting yourself up to the small, metal shaft, you pull yourself in, and make your way above the doorway and into the next room.

Looking down through a grate below you, you see a small hallway, the walls breaking every few paces to form barred doors, which looked like they might open to isolated cells. Blueblood had a dungeon? You aren't sure who gave the prince legal permission to have this place constructed, if he ever needed it, but it's definitely not allaying your distaste for him.

The voices you heard are coming from one of the cells on the left, and you see two guards standing watch on either side of the doorway. cautiously, you keep moving forward, trying to keep any noise to a minimum so you aren't detected. When you find yourself almost directly above the guards, you notice the door they are guarding is slightly ajar, and if you adjust your head just a bit, you might be able to see what's on the other side...

You are instantly repulsed by the sight of the cell's contents.

Laying on a small, stone bench in the cell is Prince Blueblood himself, happily lighting his horn up, and levitating a clearly distressed Vinyl Scratch above his groin, bouncing her up and down on his huge, erect penis.

Your breath catches in your throat as you witness this violent assault on your marefriend, suppressing a gasp of shock and disgust.

As Blueblood grunts and moans in pleasure, his face the very picture of ecstasy, his partner cries out in pain, horror, and sorrow. You can see Vinyl's front legs tied together at her hooves, her back ones spread wide by her captor's magical aura. A golden, bejeweled ring clings to her horn, which only emits small sparks, clearly a device for making her magic useless.

By Celestia, you want to do something to stop this so badly right now. As Vinyl's cutie mark bounces up and down, the rod of meat entering her with each downward push, you can only image what horror she's had to endure here for however long she's been captured.

Forcing yourself to look away, you think about what you could possibly do to stop all this...

Jump down on the two guards through the grating for a double stealth takedown, then attack Blueblood to save Vinyl!

As much as it pains you, you can't take on Blueblood and two guards. Wait in the vents for Blueblood to finish and leave with his escort, so you can make a more stealthy getaway.

Finding Princess Twilight

Terrified out of your mind, you cannot take your eyes off the alien reflection in the mirror. This is absolute madness! Whatever magic has taken hold of you, it can't be good.

You, as an earth pony, know very little about magic. Something like this falls far beyond your area of expertise. you need somepony to take a look at this who's familiar with magical workings, who might be able to cast a spell to fix your strange appearance...

Princess Twilight will know the answer, you think. She was a prodigy of magic even before she rose to her current status, and I don't know many ponies who haven't seen her about some issue or another...

Nodding to yourself, you decide quickly. To Twilight's library it is, then!

Now you just need to find a way to disguise yourself. You're fairly well-known around Ponyville, so it could be extremely awkward to cross town with these horrible ears...

Of course! You can hide them with a hat! Brilliant! You quickly run upstairs to look through your belongings, and lo and behold, you find yourself a lovely black top hat, just large enough to contain your long, unnatural ears. You put it on along with your bow tie and hastily run out the door, so you can trot over to the library.

As much as you try to avoid the other residents of Ponyville on your way through town, you can't help but hear suppressed giggles as you pass by, ears tucked into your top hat. Only now do you realize that your fashion statement, while it manages to hide your ears, still isn't normal for you to be seen in, much less any of the other ponies in this town. You can practically hear the whispering, the rumors spreading, and the town mocking you behind your back.

Finally, you reach the large tree in the center of Ponyville, where Twilight Sparkle lived. You knock on the door, hoping you don't have to stand around in public for much longer.

A small voice makes it's way past the door, saying, "Yes! I'm coming! Just give me one minute!"

That minute, standing in front of the library door, is particularly embarrassing for you, as ponies pass by, openly staring at your strange appearance. You feel your cheeks flush red, and eagerly welcome the door's opening.

Standing in front of you now, holding the door slightly ajar is Spike, the baby dragon who acted as Princess Twilight's personal assistant. You sheepishly greet him with a small "hello," as he tilts his head sideways, obviously baffled by your choice of headwear.

"Um... can I help you?

"I need to see Twilight. A magical curse of some kind has befallen me, and I wish her opinion on how it might be removed."

Lose your nerve and run away, blushing up a storm.

"I need to see Twilight."

"I need to see Twilight," You say, tipping your head in a respectful nod. "A magical curse of some kind has befallen me, and I wish her opinion on how it might be removed."

The baby dragon raises an eyebrow, a little suspicious of your behavior and appearance,but after a moment, he shrugs nonchalantly and motions for you to enter.

The first thought that enters your mind as you step inside of the hollowed-out tree is how decidedly unlike a normal library the interior is. While you've spent plenty of times in archives in Canterlot when you began your studies of classical music, and know the shelves full of well-organized books well enough, the books here seem to be scattered about the entire surface of the floor, thrown there in a random fashion, so one would have no way to find anything without searching the entire literary content of the library.

As you eye a particularly large stack of books while you follow Spike towards the center of the mountain of pages, ink, and bindings, you can't help but wonder why Princess Twilight was so well-known for her organizational skills during Winter Wrap-up.

"One minute!" comes a cry while a purple blur of wings, magic, and hooves passes through the library, picking up book after book and reading the titles, in search of some obscure text you aren't sure you want to know about.

This continues for decidedly longer than a single minute, as the crowned princess of friendship becomes more and more irritated by the lack of results in her sweep of the library, until finally, she gasps, laughing happily when she finds what she was looking for.

"Aha! Here it is!" She says, dropping everything her magic had been holding except a single book, with strange markings and symbols all around it's cover. It was clearly a book about some form of magic, which you don't feel very surprised about.

When you clear your throat, hoping to get her attention once more, she jumps, once again dropping the book into the disorganized mess.

"Oh! Sorry to keep you waiting!" She says, blushing lightly as she turns to you. "Did you need something?"

"Yes," you say, trying to stop yourself from rolling your eyes in exasperation. So this was a princess? You've seen fillies with more self-awareness.

"My name is Octavia Melody, and I'm looking for-"

"Oh!" Twilight jumps again at this revelation, her eyes sparkling. "I heard you moved into town a while ago! I've heard your cello playing often in Canterlot, before I came here. I'm so glad to meet you!" She says, grabbing an shaking your hoof excitedly with hers.

Of course... a loving fan of the classical genre. I should've guessed.

This time, you do find yourself rolling your eyes, and Twilight blushes a deeper red as she releases your hoof.

"So, what do you need? We have plenty of books on music, if you need those." She eyes the piles of disorganized tomes scattering the room for a moment before adding, "It might take me a minute to find them, though..."

You wave off her comment, returning her attention to you.

"Actually, I find myself with a bit more... personal issue."

You reach up and remove your top hat. As you do so, you feel your ears, standing high and proud above your head, emerge.

Twilight suddenly hunches over, quickly moving a hoof over her mouth to muffle her outburst. Despite this, you still hear her snort loudly, as she giggles madly at your preposterous new assets. As she does, you pout in part shame, part annoyance. Noticing how put-off you are, Twilight tries to regain her composure quickly, her restrained laughter falling back into a light giggle.

"Hee hee... Well... I have to ask, have you been into the Everfree forest lately? That looks an awful lot like the effects of poison joke."

Still a bit embarrassed and annoyed, you look away, and nod your head once, confirming her theory.

"Don't worry! The effect is harmless, and the remedy is a simple mixture, which you put into bathwater and wash with. Those ears should go away in no time!"

"Hmph!" you grunt, still looking away, trying to show a respectable face while with holding your embarrassment.

"Here," Twilight says, spreading her wings and beginning another search of the library. "I think I have some of the mixture around here somewhere from last time me and my friends got pranked by that funny little plant. Let me give it to you as an apology! Just let me... find it..."

Levitating all of the books and other furniture of the library in search, you sigh. So this is how the library got into such a state... You aren't sure whether you admire Twilight's determination and energy she uses in her searches, or disappointing in her carelessness.

However, only a few minutes later, you find yourself at the door, a small vial of powder in a saddlebag.

"Thank you for your help, Twilight," you say, bowing in appreciation as you step out.

Twilight smiles back and waves. "You're welcome! Feel free to come back if you need anything else!"

As the door closes, Twilight looks back into the library. "Now where did I put that book on Trans-mechanical spell morphing... Spike?"

"Yeah, Twi?"

"Where was that book I was looking for?... and why are you wearing a top hat?"

"I dunno. I found it lying around, and thought it would go well with my mustache, next time you want to try out that spell."

"Hmph. It still looks kind of silly by itself. Now help me find my book."

"Sure thing."

It isn't long after you leave the library when you realize you accidentally left behind your hat! Walking in the public eye with such strange ears perking off the top of your head... it's humiliating! Ponies left and right laugh as you pass by, seeing a well-known classical cellist with such a wacky transformation.

Embarrassed, you just hope you can get home before you become the laughingstock of Ponyville, though you have no doubt rumors are already spreading...

Rush home as quickly as possible, hoping only a few ponies notice!

Take a slightly longer way back home, passing through some less populated shady alleys to avoid being seen.

The spa is closer than home... maybe you can ask them to just pour the solution in a bath for you? You can also fix up your mane in the process!

The Spa

In a small epiphany, you remember that there is a spa nearby, where you like to retire to on particularly stressful days. You know that relaxing baths are something that they offer there, and you can't it would be too much of a stretch to ask if they'd allow you to add the cure for the poison joke to a small, private tub.

The spa is also a good deal closer than your home, so hopefully you could make itthere without letting as many passers-by see your embarrassing state...

Making a last-minute decision, you change your path, galloping towards the spa while your large ears draw the attention of everypony watching. You hear gasps, snorts and giggles as you run, hoping your reputation won't take too much of a hit from this misadventure. If the upper class learned of this, you can imagine your cello career falling flat, nopony willing to hire a pony with such a strange history.

By the time you reach the the spa, you 're trying to hide your embarrassed, blushing face behind your tangled mane, as your shameful ears stick out, refusing to be hidden.

In a hurried mess, you open the front door, rush inside, and close it loudly behind you. Panting for breath, you're glad you managed to make it here, where you aren't so exposed to the the public.

Then, you look around the entrance hall you just burst into.

Sitting on benches, waiting about for their turn to be serviced, are a number of wealthy, well-known ponies from Ponyville's elite. All of them are staring at you in confusion, and in some cases, amusement.

Or rather, they stared at the long, undignified donkey ears protruding from the top of your head.

One of the mares recognizes you, and lets out a giggle, breaking the awkward silence as you walk to the counter, your face bright red.

The mare at the counter looks at you with sympathy as you approach.

"Poison Joke?" she asks, which you reluctantly nod at. You fish through your saddlebag and place the small vial of powder on the counter. The mare takes it, smiling as she motions for you to follow her to another room. You look back at the room of clients one last time before you follow her.

At that last moment, when you look back, a flash of light from a camera shines from the bench, catching a perfect image of your face, and the ears you so want to be rid of.

Huffing, you quickly close the door behind you, not wanting any more attention drawn to yourself while you're still plagued by whatever magic dared to ruin your appearance.

As you are lead into a small, private room with a tub in the center, the spa employee turns on the water, and prepares everything for you. After a while, when the water reaches a certain level, she pours in the powder you had given her, and she motions for you to step in.

The water begins to emit bubbles, almost as if she had poured in shampoo instead of a deterrent for the poison joke. When you step into the water, it feels warm against your skin, inviting you to slip deeper inside, which you gladly take the chance to do. As your entire body descend into the frothy bath, you feel yourself relax for the first time today.

The mare running the bath for you continues her work.

"This'll be on the house, dear," she says. "Poison Joke is much more serious than the name implies. Perchance, how did you find yourself running into that nasty little plant? It only grows in the Everfree, and i don't know anypony who'd go so far as to risk afflicting themselves just to prank somepony..."

As she wonders aloud, you think in the comforting bathwater, considering just how much you want to tell this mare, and if you can trust her to keep it confidential...

Tell her the truth, that you were looking for Vinyl, decided to look in the forest, and didn't know well enough to avoid it.

Make up some story about Vinyl pranking you with the flowers, so you don't look as incompetent.

Refuse to tell her anything. If gossip is going to spread of this event, you'd rather not encourage it, or give everypony the full story.

Double Stealth Takedown!

Your mind filled with pure, unbridled rage, you look down at Blueblood as he sits back, relaxing as he torments your marefriend. Even if it hadn't been Vinyl, you would have still been angered enough to swear revenge on this sad excuse of a stallion, but this made things personal, and you find yourself unable to watch from the sidelines. You must put an end to this now!

Strangely, in your fury, you find your thoughts run cold, the icy hatred making all your senses focus, working at levels you hardly knew they could. Your face tenses in a violent, determined expression, as you slowly, silently work yourself into the right position, calculating your first move to be sure not to fail.

Your hind legs meet the top of the vent above you, while your forehooves meet on the grating below. For a moment, you take a deep breath, praying your aim is true.

Then, in a single motion, you kick out with all your legs, hard. With a loud, metallic screech, the grating below you falls away, and you launch yourself downwards, plummeting at high velocity to the gawking guards below, who have only a millisecond before you reach them, your front hooves bashing into their skulls, knocking them against each other.

As the two unicorns groan in pain, they both fall limp beneath you, as you quickly turn towards Blueblood, your legs already tensing as you prepare another, much stronger blow for the prince himself.

"What? No! Tavi!"

When Vinyl's voice rings out, you stiffen, freezing in the middle of the room as you look at your target, which only confirms your worst fears.

Making a split-second decision, Blueblood was holding a sharp metal edge against Vinyl's throat, facing you as he threatens to kill the one you love.

Though you can see the fear in his expression after seeing his loyal guards dispatched so quickly, you dare not make a move.

Vinyl...

Your eyes narrow in pure hate as you glare back at the prince, cursing his cowardly move.

You both stand there for a few seconds, just looking at each others expression, trying to gauge what the next play in this deadly game would be...

Blueblood's fearful expression fades quickly, as he soon realizes he has the ultimate leverage on his side, a valuable you would not bear to lose after going this far. When the grin forms and he holds Vinyl tighter in his grasp, the fire burning in your heart yearns to attack, though you know the move would end the life of the mare you value most in your life. But still, you stay in place, waiting for him to make his move.

And then he does.

As he lights up his horn, you feel a tug from behind just before you are hoisted into the air, dangling from a patch of your tail surrounded by his magic. You panic, knowing that without control over yourself, you can't hope to prevail. You see a small, metal object rising beside you as you flail your hooves, desperate to get back to the ground, where you can still fight...

Thwack!

The entire world around you fades to black as you lose your hold on this world, your final thoughts cursing your impatience, which had only lead to your defeat.

Then, you fall to the ground, as unconscious as the guards who lie next to you.

Wake up...

Dodge the Manticore!

As huge mass of muscle, claw, and fury strikes out at you, you jump back, carefully avoiding the attack, and keeping yourself at a good distance from this creature. Should you fall into a close-range situation, your chances of victory would be very slim, considering the strength of this monster's blows even without the sharpened edges that came with them.

With each lounge the beast makes, you make a jump to the side, narrowly avoiding being hit each time by mere inches. With each failure, the beast grows angrier and angrier, roaring loudly as it swipes at your figure, leaping about the room.

Though you manage to avoid taking any serious damage, you quickly realize that you can't keep this up for long. You need some kind of strategy, some advantage to press, before you can make a move that has even the slightest chance at victory.

But how might you plan to stop a monstrous, hulking brute like this?

As you hear Vinyl cry out in fear for your life, you work your brain as hard as possible, trying to think of something that might help you...

Grab a candlestick from the wall, and try to use fire as a weapon against the beast!

Use the beast's blind rage to your advantage! Try to make him unintentionally smash Vinyl's cell open and let her free!

Scream And Panic

As the dark figure stands dramatically by the stairway, you feel a cold dread fill your mind, realizing that you cannot hope to win a battle here, nor can you escape, for whatever creature it might be, it is standing guard over your only possible route out of the prison tower. The hostile growl that it lets out strikes fearful chords in the back of your mind.

Terrified, you let out an intense scream, and panic.

Running to the opposite wall and backing into the stone surface, you cannot escape, but this unknown figure scares you so much, your rational mind fails you completely.

The figure slowly advances on you, letting the light fall over it's features to reveal a monster from only your worst nightmares, with a huge, hulking mound of muscle beneath it's cloak. Powerful legs of feline nature extend from the massive body, under a glorious golden mane, and the face of an angry lion. Your mind hardly processes the rest of it, from the tattered black cloak to the menacing bat wings, and the threatening, barbed tail.

This is a manticore, but much larger than the books might describe one being.

As it advances, it's glowing, red eyes remain fixated on you, driving your mind into frantic turmoil, as your body freezes, unable to obey your commands to run, and get away from this vile creature.

"So, you merely trespass like your friend..."The beast says, it's deep, masculine voice working it's way into your weakened psyche.

"If you have nothing else to say in your defense, then your punishment is clear."

Something snaps in the back of your mind, finally connecting with your desire to escape, and gives you back control of your legs. You spring into motion, trying to work your way around this beast and back to the stairway that lead back down to your freedom...

But even before you feel the manticore's muscular torso crash into yours, pinning you down against the stone floor, you know that the effort is futile.

"Release me!" you cry out, as you feel sharpened claws against your throat, a massive paw grabbing at your neck while the beast lifts you into the air. "I swear, I've done nothing to deserve your punishment!"

The manticore only sneers back at you angrily as he thrusts your limp figure against a wall, asserting his newfound dominance.

"No," he says. "You no longer have a say in the matter."

As he speaks, you struggle weakly, but some part of you knows it is useless. You hear Vinyl screaming something out from her cell, but the only thing you truly hear is the voice of the beast, as he claims you for his own.

"You are mine now."

He claims your freedom.

He claims your body.

The Dungeon

When you awaken, your mind is hazy, your senses glazed over and foggy as they gradually return to you, and your mind becomes aware of your new predicament.

You try to move your legs, but find yourself unable to. Though you are not very strong for an earth pony, whomever is imprisoning you here does not trust that, and has bound your legs apart, your hind legs chained firmly to the wall behind you to prevent any attempt at escape.

When you look up, you can see little except the stone walls around you, and the iron bars fencing you into a dungeon cell. It doesn't take you long to figure who had decided to throw you here, or why, as you recall your misadventures in Blueblood's mansion.

You don't know if Vinyl is here, or what her state is, but you find your own predicament a bit more concerning for now.

Letting out a groan of frustration, it doesn't take you long to realize you have no way out now, and since you've told nopony that you've come here, in your hurry to locate Vinyl, it is unlikely anypony is coming to rescue you.

Hearing your vocalisation, you see a guard poke his head into view, confirming your status, before shouting to another guard that you have awakened, and to fetch the prince.

The prince...

You are humiliated, knowing that you were caught by such an incompetent noble. You feel a deep hatred for him form in your mind, though you hadn't felt much love for him in the past anyway.Knowing that he had caught you in such a delicate situation is embarrassing and shameful. You cannot help but dread the coming audience with the royal brat.

However, you can already hear the clip-clop of hooves against the stone floor, making their way to your cell. The guard standing at the entrance calmly produces a key, turns it in some kind of locking mechanism, and opens the door to your cell, then bows as the hoofsteps grow louder, announcing the prince's arrival.

"Thank you," you hear a pompous voice say, addressing your captor. "You are temporarily dismissed. I'd like to talk with our prisoner in private."

Taking another bow, the guard then passes out of your view, trotting off to another part of this prison as you hear his hoofsteps dissipate into silence.

Then, Prince Blueblood walks into your cell, a confident smile on his pretentious and what some might call "handsome" face.

"So, you are finally awake, Octavia Melody."

You grimace, glaring back at his calm expression with unbridled animosity.

"What have you done with Vinyl?" you say, trying to sound determined.

"She is no longer your concern!" Blueblood shouts, his expression immediately darkening upon the mention of your marefriend.

Keeping up your angry expression, you eyes don't leave his for a second.

Slowly, his frown relaxes once more into the smirk her had first worn.

"Though you are merely an earth pony, I still respect you, Octavia." Blueblood continued, as he began casually pacing in the small cell.

"Of all the professions for a pony of your class, you chose the refined art of classical music. A very respectable art, especially for one without the magical abilities to play certain instruments. Despite that, you chose the cello, a very difficult instrument for one like yourself."

Pausing, Blueblood looks off into open space as he paced, speaking casually as you wait for him to reach his point.

"Focusing exclusively on your craft, you've become a strong figure in your field, surpassing all your peers to become the very face of classical music in Equestria."

Stopping to chuckle for a moment, Blueblood looks at you once more, his expression one of calm amusement.

"I must admit, even I, royal nephew to Celestia herself, have heard plenty of your playing. In recordings, the glorious sound of your cello has resonated with many hearts, including my own. I even have a complete collection of your works. Then, on the night of the gala, I heard you play in the flesh, and without the barrier of the studio, your glorious music shone amongst the chaos caused by those six impudent mares who thought they could defile the name of Canterlot's elite."

You aren't sure where the prince is going with this, but despite the prince's flattery and praise, you hardly feel flattered. In fact, his compliments only anger you more as you let him recite your accomplishments.

"Despite the great insult you have made to my home with your trespassing, attacking my guards and corrupting my home with your low-class, earth pony presence," he says, wincing as he speaks of your heritage, "You are far beyond the status of other peasants. I respect you, Octavia, for what you have done, and for your efforts in making Canterlot more beautiful with the sound of your cello. This is why I give you the honor of my presence, despite your race."

He raises a hoof up to your face, running it down your cheek as he examines your features. His breath makes your mane move behind you, the flowing hair still elegantly styled, despite your current situation.

Smiling and looking into your eyes, Blueblood sighs.

"It truly is a great shame for Equestia that you were not born as a unicorn. You could have won the hearts of everypony with music even greater than that you make today, should you have been granted a horn, and the magical prowess to move your bow with true precision, and elevate the culture of classical music with angelic performances..."

"But yet, it was never to be. Here you are now, at my mercy, only awaiting your punishment for your rash, unwise actions."

You look back at Blueblood furiously, though silently, the fire in your glare speaking all you needed. You can't believe this arrogant stallion ever ascended to his current status by any merit of his own, if he had such disgusting standards. As if you needed magic to make your music, anyway!

"Yes, it is a great shame you aren't a unicorn," he says, finally reaching his conclusion. "However, as you are not one, there is only one thing I can do, and only one way I can make you repent for your crimes as royal justice dictates..."

"I must change you into one."

"Since I can't simply punish you myself, due to your racial status, I must leave it to my underlings."

"For meddling in affairs unfit for your kind, I regretfully sentence you to death."

The Taboo

"I must change you into one."

As soon as you hear those words leave the prince's lip, your blood freezes in terror.

He was going to... make you into a unicorn? This went far beyond just racism, which was still known in modern society, though it was greatly discouraged by any pony who had any bit of decency. To alter the species of a pony from one to another... it was a great taboo, a sin beyond forgiving, unspoken values condemning even the thought of such a twisted experiment.

Even before the founding of Equestria, and the joining of the three races to form a single society, ponies had never desired the assets of others. Pegasi would rather die than give up their wings, and their ability to fly. Unicorns prided themselves with their magical skills, grated by their horns. Earth ponies had their independant pride, knowing they did not need the gifts of other species to be strong.

You cannot deny that you have envied unicorns for their magical horns, especially at moments where you were the lone earth pony in a musical ensemble, but never would you actually consider changing who you are, taking the easy way into your craft. Your hooves were your strength, the movement of your emotions, and the tools of your trade. If anything could bring a beautiful melody from a bow and strings, straight from the heart, it would never be an external force like magic, so disconnected from the core of your being.

Now, despite your choices, and despite the acceptance you had felt since your birth, this selfish, unlikable prince wanted to alter your body to fit his purpose.

Disgusted by the notion, you spit at Blueblood's hooves, set dead against his plan.

The unicorn before you only scoffs at your action, his confident smirk still boring into your vision as he lets you protest, as if it were all just fro his amusement.

"You would decline such a wonderful gift?" he asks, raising his eyebrow to mock you. "You could become truly great, a pivotal figure in the world of music, and be remembered for centuries to come, if you only accepted your calling, and let me grant you the magic you need, you would be unmatched in all of Equestria, or even in the entire world besides."

"Are you really so sure you wouldn't make a fine unicorn?"

You maintain your glare, pouring all your negative emotions into one, powerful word in response.

"Never."

Meeting your gaze, Blueblood does nothing but laugh at your response.

"How ironic, that the first pony I offer this gift to would be so resistant!" He chuckles, before making his way to leave.

"I have preparations to make before we are ready for your ascension, but mark my words, Octavia Melody..." He says, trailing off as he steps out of your cell, closing the barred doorway behind him and locking it.

"You will accept my gift, whether you wish it or not."

Letting your head fall low, you sigh in relief, knowing that the prince was gone now. You aren't sure how long you could have remained sane in his presence.

His final promise, however, still lingers in your head, leaving you with no doubt in your mind that he truly wished to carry out this strange, twisted plan. Now, as the guard pony from earlier steps back to the entrance of your cell, you are left in silence, left to think about your future, and fear what could possibly await you in the near future.

For hours, you are left alone, unable to move, unable to remove your bindings, and uncertain what in the world could be happening outside this secluded place below the mansion. What time of day was it? The only light here is from a single, dim candle that casts long shadows from between the bars of the cell. It could be either day or night, and any kind of weather, but you know nothing about what lay beyond these walls of stone.

After a long time of waiting, the guard briefly glances to you, before lighting up his horn, sending a small piece of bread through the bars. Lifted with magic so it was within reach of your mouth, you reluctantly let him feed you, feeling helpless as a young foal in these bindings. It is humiliating, to be fed by another, and the bread tastes horrible, but it fills your stomach at least a small bit, enough to sustain you for a bit longer.

After feeding you, The guard brings to your lips a small cup, and makes you drink it's contents. While the water you taste from it is hardly the finest quality, you cannot taste anything besides the clear liquid that might intoxicate you, so you drink, the cool water still welcome as it wets your dry throat, parching a thirst you didn't realize you had.

Then, after the meager sustenance, you are left alone once more, to wait for your fate to arrive, and think of what you might have possibly done to avoid this situation.

After what feels like an eternity, you finally hear hoofsteps making their way down the hall once more.

Blueblood returns to the entrance of your cell, with another, unfamiliar pony at his side. His grin is wide, and fills you with dread.

"It is time..."

Unlocking the cell door again, Blueblood's companion enters, and immediately moves you, looking your body up and down. His fur, a dark blue color, is covered with a white lab coat, which tells you most of what you need to know about him. This transformation that Blueblood had planned for you was clearly still in an experimental phase, and as the unicorn looked over your body, checking your pulse, breathing, and other movements, you couldn't help bet feel scared of what events were yet to come. While you hardly wished for the operation to succeed, it's failure couldn't be a good thing either.

"She appears to be ready, Blueblood." The stallion mutters, his face showing just as much insane excitement as the prince. "She's such a lovely specimen... I can't wait to get the experiment underway!"

The prince nods, acknowledging his companion's opinion. Turning back to the guard at the entrance of your cell, he yells out an order.

"Bring in the second subject."

As you watch the guard leave view once again, off to fetch another pony, likely, your mind wanders. Second subject? Was there another who would be sharing your fate tonight?

As you hear Blueblood and his scientist discuss complicated magical terms you would never understand, you silently glance about the cell in fear. You didn't want to become a unicorn! Why in the world would somepony want to do this? Why you? You can only imagine what Vinyl would think if she knew you were about to undergo this forbidden, awful procedure.

When the guard returns, he pushes along with him another pony, whose hooves were chained to each other, and weighted down so he could barely walk. The second prisoner's dirty green fur had obviously not been cleaned in some time, showing that he was likely a prisoner for much longer than you had been. Somehow you pitied this newcomer, who was here to become a part of this strange event just like you. You knew nothing about how he came to be here, but given his captors were also yours, you could sympathise with his plight.

"Let go of me!" The prisoner shouted. "I don't know what you're doing, but I do not approve! As soon as I get out of here, the press will hear of this!"

As he struggled, shouting at the guard pushing him into your cell, you suddenly realize something.

The newcomer was a prisoner like you, but unlike you, he was a unicorn.

Strange... you think, Why would he need to be a part of this? He already has a horn, so he shouldn't be a part of this... unless...

"Bold Headline..." Said Blueblood, addressing the other prisoner by name. "You have trespassed on the grounds of the prince, interfered in business that is not for you, and been a thorn in my side for years, never once writing my name in favorable view."

"I find you unfit for your status, and with this procedure, I shall remove it from you."

The stallion shakes his head in confusion.

"You have taken everything from me! You have taken my freedom, my family, and all that I own for your own purposes! What more do you think you can take from me, you monster!"

You let your head fall lower as you hear his protest, realizing exactly why this stallion was here, and what he would contribute to your transformation.

"It is simple," Blueblood states calmly. "I shall take your pride as a unicorn, the very source of your magic, and every right it gives you in my household, as you no longer deserve it."

"I am going to relieve you of your horn."

The stallion begins to panic, struggling madly enough that the guard has to hold him down as he screams incomprehensible insults at the prince, stumbling over words in his emotional dismay.

The prince however, only looks on calmly, and turns to the unicorn scientist at his side.

"You may begin."

A smile filled with madness spreads across the scientist's face.

"With pleasure, my prince."

Lighting up his horn, you can feel his arcane power begin it's work, as the guard forces the other prisoner towards you, so that the two of you are face to face, both terrified of what is about to happen.

"I'm sorry..." you whisper to him, as he looks up in panic, his eyes meeting yours and pleading for help.

Meanwhile, the scientist unicorn's horn begins to glow brighter and brighter, his magical aura forming strands of energy that reach out to both you and the stallion in front of you. As they reach you, the magic drills it's way into your forehead, causing a massive tremor in your brain that leaves you dazed and in pain.

As the same happens to the stallion in front of you, the magic gathering around his prized horn, the tendrils of energy change color, shifting to a much darker hue. While you may not be an expert on the subject, you can tell this is no longer the kind of magic unicorns might use everyday, but something more base, vile, and evil.

As the pain coursing through your brain grow larger and larger, you feel yourself cry out in pain, though your body is no longer under your control. The stallion writhes before you, in just as much pain, as your vision grows fuzzy, the world around you fading into the distance as the only focus is on the agonizing feeling in your head, the mental turmoil leaving your thoughts empty and meaningless.

Then, like a crack of lightning, the entire room grows bright with a sudden flash, magical forces filling the room with light...

You head feels like it has split in two, your skull shattered by an unknown force...

Just as you feel you can take now more of this, the pain begins to fade, along with the light filling the room. Your exhausted body is limp in your bindings as you breath heavily, looking back into the curious faces of the prince, and his magical companion, as they study your features, wondering if their work might have succeeded...

And then, you see both of them beam with pride. Both laughing in satisfaction.

And as the pain from your forehead begins to subside, you feel a new part of yourself there, a strange protrusion from your skull now extending from between locks of your hair.

You look down, seeing the stallion who had once had a horn, his forehead now flattened as he falls to the ground, unable to keep himself conscious.

"It is done." you hear the scientist say. "We have created a new unicorn."

"Excellent," Blueblood responds. "Your magic is most impressive."

"I am only glad to serve, my prince."

As you close your eyes, tears now streaming from your eyes, you cannot help but feel your new horn, the hardened surface tingling as your nerves become used to the new feeling.

They had just stolen a stallion's horn, and given it to you. You don't know why they did it, but you feel horrible for having been a part of it. Not only did you never desire magic of your own, nor did you need it, but they had taken it by force from another, driving him to the deepest part of depression, just to give you this "gift."

As the guard begins to drag the stallion's limp body away, you glance on in sympathy. You don't know if you'll ever see him again, but you will never forget his face, and his horrified expression as he was forced to pay the ultimate price, all for this stupid horn that now adorned your forehead.

As all your emotions convulse, and you break into involuntary sobs, you can feel the magical energy there, building up in your new appendage. While you might have envied the feeling in the past, while learning your craft, it feels alien and strange to you now. What is more, you cannot control the energy as it builds, drawing strength from your body to build up a pool of magic.

A hoof presses against the bottom of your chin, lifting your head back upwards. You open your eyes partway to see the prince looking at you, studying your new horn with a wide grin.

"You feel it now, don't you..." he says. "You can feel the magical power of your new, unicorn body, flowing through that horn, granting you untold arcane strength... You understand just how far you have risen, becoming a more perfect being..."

You listen in disgust, as he tells you of the new sensations you feel as if they were truly glorious. To you, however, it feels more like a curse.

"However," he continues, "This is not the end. You've broken into my mansion, and attacked my guards. Though I have given you this gift so I might allow you to bask in my presence, you must still face the punishment for your actions. You must give me what I desire from you, and repent for your mistakes."

"Now, you have a body fit for a prince, and I shall claim it's pleasures for myself!"

"Using magic, I shall make you into my servant, my maid, my slave, and you shall play your beautiful music for my ears alone."

Attempt to escape using unrefined primal magic, even though you have no idea what you're doing!

Magic Surge!

Through teary eyes, you look back at the prince, his companion,and the cell around you, as you feel the unnatural new horn adorning the crest of your forehead. You cannot believe this has happened, nor do you understand just why the prince would go so far, only to humiliate and destroy his enemies. He certainly seems to have crushed your resolve, at the very least.

Now, as you remain chained to the wall, the subject of a twisted experiment, you can do nothing to escape now, nor even save the stallion who had given up his magic for you. In this place, watched over by ponies who have such power over you, you are truly helpless...

No...

From the very depths of your mind, a voice suddenly calls out in the midst of your inner turmoil, silencing all other thoughts as it fills the very core of your being, resonating through your head, your heart, and your expression.

This cannot be how this ends... the voice calls, as the tears cease, your eyes narrowing in a deathly focus. If they think they can just mold me to their own desires like a filly's toy doll, they think wrong! I am more than just a plaything! I am Octavia! They will not hold me down!

As the voice calls out, louder and louder in your head, you can feel a strange breeze pass through the cell, the air shifting as some base, wild force begins to emanate from your horn. The magic channeling through it grows exponentially, as your emotions fuel the force of the arcane energy, and rapidly growing to an uncontrollable strength.

The tears in your eyes no longer block your vision, for they have been forced to dry as your eyes glow with newfound energy, and your horn glows, preparing to unleash your wrath upon the world around you.

"What?!" Bluelood stammers as he sees you begin to cast spells with the primal magic force within you. "This isn't... You said she wouldn't be able to use magic yet!"

The unicorn in the lab coat panics besides him, thinking frantically.

"She shouldn't! Unless..."

Even now, they think to belittle and control me... the voice whispers, the one stream of thought your still cling to, controlling ever fiber of your being.

I shall show them just how wrong they are!

With a burst of magical energy, your body surrounds itself with a brilliant white aura, breaking your restraints with such overbearing force, they seem like a mere afterthought. Your body floats off the ground, swirling emotions and arcane forces flowing from your new horn, with a strength you never believed possible.

"Run! She's entering a primal magic surge!" screams the scientist, pushing a hoof into Blueblood's side, and signaling for him to exit the cell.

His voice is so pitiful and weak before mine... He does not deserve it! let it never ring through my ears again!

The magic comes to you so easily, as you fire a beam of white light, to quickly to avoid, and in a single moment, the body of the scientist becomes encased in stone, frozen in an eternal expression of shock and horror.

A guard enters the cell, using his magic to lift some kind of syringe, lounging for your body. He never makes it further than a few feet before your power stops him in his tracks, his body replaced with a bronze figure.

Standing before you, and watching your body slowly rise, Blueblood seems unable to move, as he witnesses your power, and his companions are easily dispatched. His expression is suddenly filled with fear, a look nopony had ever seen from the pompous stallion. For the first time, you can tell that he fears for his life, seeing you stare back at him with cold eyes, shining with brilliance and magic.

"I... I... Just what have we created?..."

The panic he shows... the voice calls, It suits him well. Let it be the last thing he ever feels, knowing that he is not so wonderful, nor as grand as he thinks!

With a single beam of brilliant light, his silhouette becomes engulfed in light, and the prince lets out a single scream of agony before his body relents to your power, crumbling into dust as he forever leaves this world.

Now, finally left alone, you float in the center of your cell, giving off more and more of the light and power. You cannot even feel your body anymore, as it is lost in the pulsating surge of your power.

And still, the voice continues on, raging in your head as the magic about you only grows stronger.

These ponies... they deserve this fate. The crimes they committed were far too great for them to be allowed to live. No longer shall they interfere with the lives of the innocent!

But yet... they are not the only ones. There are others who would commit the same grave error that the prince did in his hubris... I cannot allow that! Yes! All of Canterlot must pay for their crimes, and be forced to answer for themselves!

As if it were a flimsy sheet of paper, the stone ceiling above you crumbles before the force of your magic, the stones making way for your figure as your rise through the next floor, and then through the next, and another, until...

Breaking through the final roof, you rise into the sky above canterlot. Above you, the full moon greets your emergence, showering your body with it's gentle glow.

The brilliance of your magic outshines the night sky, and your brilliant presence glows like a star, rising high above canterlot.

This corrupt city is the height of the unicorn arrogance. May it fall before my might, and never again shall the other ponies be outdone by this conceited, worthless minority! By my power, may Canterlot be forever purged of its-

Suddenly, the voice is interrupted, as you feel something touch your body, softly calming the rage with you.

...A hoof?

You turn, preparing to make whomever might interrupt your rampage pay for their insolence!

Before you is the princess of the night, Luna, flying beside you with powerful alicorn wings, her expression calming and majestic.

"Cease thy misgiven rage," the princess says, her voice quiet and serious.

"No matter the crime committed against thee, nopony is undeserving of forgiveness."

The voice in your head silenced by that of the alicorn goddess, you can feel your power quickly fading.

In it's place, your own thoughts begin to work their way back into your head.

She is right... You think, the voice now your own. If I am to pass judgement on all of Canterlot on my own, then I have become just as vain as those I crush beneath me.

This must end...

Suddenly, the magic keeping you aloft dissipates, as the boundless energy from your new horn retracts back inwards, until all that is left is your own mind, and your own body.

You fall, the ground rapidly approaching...

And then, you feel the princess catch you, grasping your body lightly with her hooves as her wings support both your weight and her own with powerful thrusts against the air.

I... I am sorry...

"Very well. I understand your motivation, and though you have committed a grave crime, you were removed from your own senses. I cannot blame you for the death of Blueblood."

In the royal palace, you bow your head low, as you receive judgement from the royal alicorns of sun and moon, after recounting your experiences leading to your newly found unicorn status, and the magical surge of power that had followed.

"Unfortunately, we have yet to find your companion, Vinyl Scratch, amongst the wreckage."

Your head hangs low. All this happened because of your desire to find and save Vinyl... you knew that she had been there, that she had needed your help... but yet, events had gone far out of your control. If only you could have acted differently, perhaps this could have been prevented somehow...

"As this is an unprecedented case, where an earth pony is given the horn of a unicorn," Celestia continues, "I cannot say just how it will affect your life. Because of your inherent magic as an earth pony still remains within you, amplifying the new power from the horn, it is uncertain whether you might break into another magical surge, or what internal forces may control you. As a result, for the safety of our subjects, we must ask that you remain in Canterlot for the time being, so my sister and I might watch over you, and prevent more accidents."

You nod sadly. After all that I've done, they are right to be cautious. It is no more than I deserve...

"We will also need to give you instruction in the ways of magic, to help you control your power, if you ever wish to return into pony society."

You look up again, surprised. That would mean...

"From this moment forth, I make you student of Luna, as she was the one to bring you back to your senses."

"Is this alright, sister?" Celestia adds, turning to the second throne beside her.

Luna looks deep into your eyes, never once looking back at Celestia. you aren't sure what she searches for in your expression, but after a few moments, she nods, signalling her approval.

"It would be an honor."

You can hardly believe this! You, a student to the princess of night? Such an honor for a common pony like yourself...

But then again, you aren't so much a common pony anymore.

The princesses nod in agreement, and then stand, Celestia retiring back to her chambers, as it is still night, the realm of her sister. Luna steps towards you, looking down with a calm smile.

"Do not fear, newly appointed student of mine!" she says, her voice loud and unrestrained. "We shall have such delightful times together, and thou shall acquire much knowledge from us!"

You aren't sure why she is speaking so loudly to you, but it is at least slightly comforting to know that she is to look over you. You don't trust the horn on your head after all of the devastation it caused, but with such a powerful alicorn to keep watch, you feel much safer.

Regardless of your unsure feelings, you put a smile on your face, hoping to placate the royal presence that demands your attention.

"Yes... I'm truly overjoyed to be your student! I think..."

Satisfied with your answer, Luna quickly turns away, and skips towards her chambers in a decidedly un-regal fashion.

"Thy enthusiasm is much contagious! Come, Octavia! Let us commence the shattering of frozen introductions! We are so eager to begin! 'Tia hath suspected that we are ill prepared for such a personal task as instruction of single apprentices, but thus, her doubting words are invalidated by our actions! Look down on us no longer, sister, for verily, we are now..."

As you trot alongside the princess, walking forward to an unknown fate, you cannot help but look back with regret. If Vinyl hasn't been found yet... then she likely hadn't survived the onslaught of your new power. You suspect that the princesses might be hiding her death from you, if only to prevent you from becoming emotional, and flaring up again...

But regardless, you aren't likely to ever see her again.

This hits you hard, knowing that you've done something horrible to a pony you loved. While you might be able to stomach the death of Blueblood, that also weighs heavily on you, for you realize that despite his crimes, he still was not worthy of such a heavy sentence.

Determined to ensure that such events would never occur again, you walk after Luna, and into the new life you had been thrust into. For Vinyl, and for everypony you have hurt on this night, you will try your hardest to learn to control your new powers, and adjust to this new horn you find yourself with.

Filled with a new vigor, you enter the Princess' chambers, ready to begin your first lesson.

Bad Ending?

Start over

The Tomb of Yarantak IV

Certainly being the most interesting sounding place here, you suppose if Vinyl is anywhere near here, it would likely be at this "ancient tomb" the sign mentioned.

Slowly, cautiously, you trod town the first pathway, letting ferns, tree trunks, and other plants surround you as the narrow path cuts deeper into the Jungle. The sounds you had been hearing earlier only intensify, as strange birds fly about the trees above, calling out in oddly pitched whistles. Besides such, there were other noises, some much lower to the ground and more frightening than birdsong.

Feeling a restless desire to move onwards, you quickly make your way along the path, praying that nothing might jump out at you from within the depths of the surrounding foliage. As you continue, the noises only seem to become louder, and perhaps even more violent...

At the height of your fear, the path finally widens, and you look up, astonished.

Before you lies the Tomb of Yarantak IV.

In the midst of the wild, untamed greenery rises a gigantic stone structure, formed from stone bricks that had to be at least ten feet tall. Moss covers parts a great deal of the surface, and some aged parts of the exterior seem to have crumbled, a testament to how long this structure has existed, and just how amazing it was that it could still be standing today.

A stairway is carved into the rock, leading up to a single, ornately carved entrance. The stones above the arching doorway form the faces of ancient ponies, regal animal deities from their time, along with countless symbols, the only remaining pieces of a long-gone civilization.

You look up in awe, never having seen such ruins. They were fascinating, as if there were some kind of otherworldly power to it's formation, a magic completely unlike that which unicorns used today.

Regardless, you place a hoof on the first step, and make your way up the side of the structure, looking out to the surrounding areas you climb above the ferns, above the smaller trees, and then, the canopy...

Finally, you reach the entrance to the tomb, about halfway up the side of the great stone face of the structure. Hastily, you trot inside, determined to figure out what this strange, ancient place might hold, and what mysteries might be solved here.

Absent-mindedly, you pass by a large sign on the entrance, not even bothering to read it's contents, since you so wanted to find vinyl. All you remember is that it was something about danger inside, and warning ponies to stay away.

Knowing Vinyl, that would only encourage her.

As you step inside, the interior is just as strange as you might have expected. Like the outside, the walls were made of thick stone, strange carvings etched into them, though their meaning had been just about lost to time. Support pillars line the entry hall, strangely resembling a totem pole with all of the beastly figures they formed.

Another doorway lies ahead of you. Oddly enough, you're able to see a strange, ancient form of a metal portcullis, ominously hanging above the doorway...

Are you truly certain you want to pass through it? This tomb could contain any number of deadly traps, and you aren't sure what will happen once you enter...

Boldly enter the Tomb! You are not afraid!

Maybe this isn't such a good idea...

Tomb Entrance

No ancient tomb is going to scare you with it's stone walls, strange carvings, and general air of mystery! You have a marefriend to find!

Boldly, you trot through the doorway, looking left and right as you walk past.

Suddenly, on of the stones that you step on falls a short distance as you step on it, letting out a loud click sound. A pressure pad?

The iron gate crashes down into the stone floor behind you, cutting off your exit.

Meh. Looks like you'll just need to find another. Nothing seriously disappointing.

As you grin, your adventurous side stroked and ready for action, you turn to the tomb's labyrinthian interior, knowing not what treasures or curses await you. The only way left to go now is onward into the tomb, to explore its depths!

"Bring it on," you mutter.

Tomb Interior

You are in the inner area of the entrance hall.

Torches on the wall light the room, revealing the metal gate to the south, covering the lost escape route which had once been the arching doorway into the tomb.

Three open doors await you, to the north, east, and west.

In the center of the room, part of the stone has been crushed into dust, and you can vaguely see prints indented there, as if some pony or thing had trodden over it.

What will you do?

Examine the prints.

Go north.

Go east.

Go west.

Tomb Interior

Picking the western doorway, you trot through the stone arch and into the next room.

...This room is empty. Suspiciously empty, even. You almost can't believe how empty this room is.

The only actual interesting thing about the room is that unlike the others you passed through, there is a small hole in the roof for lighting, instead of the usual torches. But then again... the absence of those only makes the walls seem even more empty.

You're pretty surprised, actually. This room feels like it's missing something. Did ponies come her before you, and loot a treasure from this place? You aren't sure, but no matter how you look at this room, it would be useless to stay here wasting time.

There are doorways to the north and west, but that's pretty much all the room has to offer. The door to the north seems a bit strange though... It's a fair bit bigger than the others you've seen, and has carvings surrounding it's frame...

What will you do?

Go north

Go West

Bo back to the east.

Blueblood's Conquest

The prince grins wildly, his eyes looking up and down your figure, clearly desiring something from you.

"Now, you are truly one of the best mares in canterlot, far beyond any Earth pony or pegasus. Your musical talent, natural beauty, and refined nature went to waste before, but now that you have the magic within, a horn to call your own, these qualities truly shine. Your face seems more beautiful with it's new ornament, your music shall grow more beautiful with magic to help it along, and everything about you is new and improved. No flaws remain to tarnish your image..."

Spouting more insults to your race, and your heritage, the prince acts like this is a genuine compliment, like you should be thanking him for the horn you now have. Tears flood your eyes, fueled by your sadness and anger as your immobilized body allows you to do nothing but continue to listen, and wait for whatever the prince will do to you.

Pacing in front of you like an excited child, the prince looks at you with satisfaction gleaming in his eyes, leaving no doubt that he prefers your new form, and regrets nothing of his decision. You glare back, trying to hold a straight face...

But what he says next is something that makes you shiver in terror and defeat.

"With so many good qualities in a mare, and no more earth pony blood to corrupt it, I must admit that I now find you very... enticing."

No, you think. After all he's done to me, he can't possibly think he can...

Blueblood moves his face close to yours, showing just how interested he is. Being this close to a prince, what some mares might dream of in their wildest fantasies, only repulses you, as you lean as far back as your bindings will allow, eyeing the prince with an expression you hope cones across as disapproving. You don't want the prince to have the satisfaction of seeing you panic, even after all of this...

The prince only smiles back at you, seeming to see through your facade.

"Yes... By making you a unicorn, I have truly made something beautiful. The world is all the better, now that I have made right the error of your birth race. For such noble actions, and for giving you such a splendid gift, I think I deserve a reward. Am I right, my dear?"

"Like Tartarus you do!" You answer, your voice dry and ungraceful as your head still throbs, still not used to the new appendage.

"What you have done is steal a pony's horn and ruin his life forever, all so you can humiliate a prisoner. Being a unicorn means nothing when it comes to beauty, and your 'gift' is most certainly not welcome!"

Blueblood's smile never falters as you speak, his eyes continuing to examine your features approvingly.

"Oh how misguided you are, miss Octavia! You may not understand my virtues, nor what I have given you, but never fear. I can show you what you're missing... What you really desire..."

Struggling against your bindings, you listen to the prince's words, hardly believing what is happening. He pulls his face close to yours, and all you can do is close your eyes, trying to block out what is yet to come.

As you shudder in disgust, Blueblood takes advantage of your bound position, licking his tongue across your cheek, leaving a trail of his saliva across the side of your face. His tongue feels rough against your skin, hardly a desirable feeling, but you cannot shy away from it, as much as you might want to.

Slowly, he works his way upwards, past your eyes, and towards your forehead, leaving his target easy to imagine. Daring to open your eyes for a moment, all you can see is the prince's exposed neck, as he presses himself against you. His body is warm, unlike the cold stone of the wall behind you, but you don't think you could ever get used to this. Being this close to him, so exposed and helpless, makes you very uncomfortable.

"Ah... I can't wait to begin..." Blueblood sighs, letting his desire control his actions. You try to shrink away from him, but so much is impossible now.

In the next moment, you feel the rough texture of the prince's tongue meet the hard surface of your new horn.

Your mind explodes with new sensations, as the magic appendage, more sensitive than you could have imagined, is stimulated. The collected magic energy within sends jolts of electricity to your brain, attacking your senses.

"S-stop this..." you mutter through gritted teeth. "I-I don't want..."

But Blueblood ignores your pleas. Another lick caresses the surface of your horn, then another and another, until it all blurs together in a single wave of pressure against your mind, constantly pushing you towards he edge of sanity.

Each stroke, each tiny movement of the prince's tongue makes your voice softly cry out, involuntarily betraying your reactions to Blueblood, who only quickened his pace in response. Be it a whimper, grunt, or moan, you just can't stop yourself. This alien feeling, deriving from an instrument of pleasure you were never meant to have, disgusts and humiliates you, but you cannot deny that is having a dramatic effect on your mindset.

"Do you feel it now?" Blueblood asks, pausing his assault briefly. "This horn... it is just as glorious as that of Canterlot's most elite. You should be proud of it, and embrace it as a part of yourself, a new improvement to your lovely figure."

No, you think, I can't believe him. This horn isn't mine, and certainly hasn't made me better in any way! If only I can escape from here, the princesses must know of some way to make this right again!

You feel his lips touch your horn, as he kisses it tenderly. The thought crosses your mind that the prince must truly be corrupt if he'd rather kiss this unfeeling new part of you than actually try to win you over, and perhaps someday earn a kiss in return. But whatever love the prince might want from you is now lost forever, as your heart fills with hate for this disgusting stallion.

Between gasps and whimpers, you curse his name under your breath, as he claims victory over you.

Then, you feel something new.

While the prince assaults your new horn with his unwanted love, and you squeal in the unwanted feelings, Blueblood himself has now begun to get excited.

You can feel his penis grow erect, as it presses against your stomach, heat radiating from it as it expands.

To be honest, you first expected it to be small, but as if to encourage the Prince's vanity, the phallus you feel against your skin is almost grotesquely large, despite not even reaching it's full size. Your coat of grey fur tickles the fleshy surface as it hardens, your breaths making it rise and fall with your chest.

His body, pressed up so close to yours, forces you to feel the touch of the ever-growing phallus, and know firsthand just how excited you were making the prince.

"Well, my dear? Have you been enlightened to your new status? Do you finally understand the gift that I, the most generous and noble prince of Equestria, have given you?"

You return Blueblood's smiling gaze with a glare, full of contempt and rage, though you are unable to hide the signs of just how terrified you are now.

"N-never!" you reply. "I'll never thank you for this torture, and you'll never be more to me than the twisted monster you truly are beneath that pampered facade!"

At this, Blueblood only laughs, dismissing your insult with a wave of his hoof.

"I see!" she chortles, "You aren't going to bend you will to me so easily, then. I suppose I might have been optimistic, thinking that horn might convince you so soon..."

His laughter fading away, you still feel the prince's engorged crotch rubbing against your belly, now at full length. It throbs with his heated desire, grinding against you as he moves his hips, anxious for attention.

"Well, I suppose this wouldn't be as much fun if I had your consent, anyway."

Looking back at the prince in terror, you feel the rod of meat pull back, as the prince moves it lower along your exposed body, down your stomach and towards the spot between your legs, impatient and ready to begin already.

"Wait!" You cry out, "Y-you can't do this! When th-the public finds out about this, they'll never forgive you! Think of what you're doing!"

The prince presses the tip of his phallus up against your entrance, your sensitive skin shivering in panic, as you feel him prepare to ravage you, despite the fact that you are far from aroused enough to make any natural lubricant for his engorged member.

"And what peasant would dare to oppose a prince?" Blueblood retorts, " What filthy worm could ever have the courage to face me, nephew to a goddess? What could anypony do to keep me from taking what I need from you?"

Tears form from your eyes as you realize just how hopeless you now were. You couldn't save Vinyl, wherever she may be. You couldn't stop Blueblood from implanting this horn in your forehead, and now that he truly wanted you fro his own, to force you to accept him, you still cannot do anything to stop it. You are but a mere mortal besides the prince, who commanded his own legion, and could do whatever he wished.

"My dear, I have thought for a long time about what I am about to do, just as I thought about how I would make you what you are now, a unicorn worthy of my desires. All that I have done to you was leading up to this moment, so I will not stop now, not for you, nor any pony who would stand in my way!"

Issuing his final words, Blueblood thrust forward with his hips, parting your walls with his thick rod and forcing it deep inside of you. His balls slap against your rump, as your insides are torn and stretched in order to make way for the intruding length, not an inch left outside.

You wail out in a high-pitched scream as your lower body is engulfed in pain, as if you had been split in two around the prince's spear of meat. Your muscles tighten, constricting around Blueblood's Penis, but this only serves to make it grow harder, more blood flowing to the mighty phallus to make it even more difficult to take.

The prince laughs, making light of your agony.

"Ah... Your cries are just as lovely as your cello playing..."

You cannot believe this is happening to you now. The prince was inside of you, filling you with his length as your legs shuddered in their bindings. Was this really how your life should be? Was this truly what fate had decided for you? A pony as corrupt as the prince couldn't win in the end... could he?

Unable to speak, as you can only manage to utter more cries of pain, you can do little more than send silent prayers to Celestia that this would not last too long.

Unable to take the sight of the prince's face any longer, you clench your eyes shut, and grind your teeth, trying to make the sensations go away, to block out the harshness of reality...

But you are only thrust right back into the moment, as you feel the Prince pull back, letting his erect member slide out of your slit in an agonizingly slow gesture. You feel every inch of his length against your sensitive inner walls, each touch a jolt of electricity through your mind.

Then, after taking his sweet time in his retreat, he slams back with another push of his powerful legs. The giant horsecock plunges into the depths, sending more waves of pain through your body. With no remorse or mercy, the prince forces you to accept him again, right down to the base.

Blueblood takes great pleasure in your scream.

As you writhe and struggle in your bindings, you feel the phallus inside you, deeper inside than you could ever expect a stallion to reach. It makes you sick, knowing that the prince had planned this all along, and that he was so willing to even change your species, just so he could feel comfortable with this violation of everything you know is right.

Pulling back again, you feel Blueblood steady his legs, getting them into a comfortable position to make his invasion easier, and prepare for the faster speed you mind knew was coming, but dreaded thinking about.

Then, another powerful shove, and he is back into the depths. Hardly wasting time, the prince lets out his own impatient moans, unable to hide the pleasure he found in giving you such pain.

"Nnngh... How lovely... you grip my glorious shaft so tightly..." he mutters, as he pounds in and out of you. "I could get used to your loving caress..."

But you cannot bring yourself to share the prince's enjoyment. Despite how handsome the prince might have been, and despite how much any mare might enjoy the pleasures of his love, you feel nothing in your heart for him. Your love was always for another mare, one whom you would risk your life for, and whom you would never force into copulation.

Your sensitive walls close in on the shaft as it moves back and forth rapidly, filling you one second, and leaving only emptiness in another. As the pain hits your mind again and again, you let out a stream of curses, gasps, and moans. You feel the natural pleasure of your body, as your weak spots are hit, and your mind reacts accordingly, but you still can't feel any happiness from it.

Even if Vinyl may never have a member so large or pleasing, The prince never for a second compares to her.

But you can do nothing to stop him, your only option to let Blueblood satisfy his craving for your body.

The room around you becomes a blur, the colors becoming hard to distinguish, and your own voice seeming to combine with the princes into a single stream of cries that echoes in your head, the words meaning nothing. The thrusts into your abused pussy fuse together into a single, constant ache in your loins. You begin to lose track of time and space, knowing that you can do nothing but endure, and hopefully live to see another day.

Before long the prince loses his own rationale, and pumps into you faster and faster, until finally, after a time you couldn't hope to measure, he makes a final thrust into your depths, and lets out a long shout of pleasure. In a daze, you feel a new warmth inside of you, and return the Princes cry of victory with your own call of despair.

"No... Nooooooo!"

The prince laughs, and you feel the warmth expand, moving with fluidity inside of your depths into every hidden crevice, flowing back along the prince's rod and towards your entrance...

And still you feel it pumping into you, never ceasing in a desperation to defile you, to plant the vile seed of the prince within. As the prince's cum leaks out of your entrance, filling you far too much to be held, it makes a small pool on the stone floor below. Though you can't move your head to see just how much the prince has deposited, you can feel the warmth of the fluids inside of you, and know it was enough to satisfy any mare in heat, and more still.

"Ah... You are mine now, Octavia," the prince whispers as he lets the last bits of his ejaculate flow into you. "I have given you a new body of magical power, a new home to live in, and now, I give you my love. May you cherish it, take it into you, and bear a strong heir to my name."

Sobbing, you can do nothing to fight back, and nothing to protest as the prince stands above you, his member still throbbing with your depths, as you feel his sperm flow within. You never wanted a child, especially not with such a brutish stallion as Blueblood, but you have no choice in the matter now.

He is the prince, and you are merely a peasant, even with your new horn.

He has claimed you as his own, and you can do nothing but accept him and his depraved gifts.

Accepting your defeat, and knowing your new place in the Prince's court, you let the world fade away into nothingness, and your vision turns to black.

Time Passes...

The Everfree Forest

Well, considering the Everfree Forest seems to be the closest to Ponyville, and is also the first item on the list, you quickly decide that it would make a good starting place. Why in the world would Vinyl go to any of these other places without first doing the one that was only a short trot away from Ponyville?

There is a little problem, however. The Everfree Forest is known to be dangerous, filled with all sorts of wild and terrifying animals. Even some of the plant life was magical,'and enough to make a pony seriously reconsider entering the dark trees that made up the Everfree.

Walking out of your apartment, you trot through Ponyville while mulling this over in your head. You can't feel any more unprepared, walking off into danger with only a saddlebag of necessities. Perhaps you should consider trying to find something you can defend yourself with, or asking somepony who knows the forest better than you to tag along and help you...

Then again, it's morning now. You don't want to waste too much time if Vinyl might be in danger, and the Everfree is certainly much more dangerous at night...

Investigate the cottage near the Everfree. Maybe somepony there can help you find your way around the Everfree.

Go to the town marketplace and see if you can buy some useful supplies.

There's no time to lose! Enter the forest!

Entering The Forest

You decide not to waste any time and just march down the path into the deadly forest! Good job!

In retrospect, you aren't properly trained to use any self-defense weapons or anything, so picking up more useless junk was probably a good call. Now, it's just you, your brains, and the hooves you walk on against whatever the forest decides to throw at you. It is a bit creepy to see the darkened trees up close though, and you feel slightly vulnerable going in without another pony at your side...

Regardless, you made the decision to enter, and you can't go back on that now. The path that lead you into the forest grows thinner and thinner as you venture deeper inside, and soon enough, it ends, leaving you to with only one option.

You continue onwards, now forging your own path through thick ferns and other plants. You can't imagine what it would be like to live in this place, as you've heard some ponies do.

You can't help but wonder how in the world you'd be able to find Vinyl here, if she even is anywhere nearby...

As you continue to tort onwards, you begin to see flashes of grey to your left, forming a large structure in the midst of the greenery. Taking a closer look, you realize that this must be the ruins of a long-lost palace! You've never seen such ancient architecture, and it intrigues you. Would Vinyl have wanted to see this? Was that why the Everfree forest was on her list?

You ponder your options.

Delve further into the forest.

Search the ruins.

You need a better plan! Double back and try to find the pathway out again!

The Tallest Mountain

Might as well start big, right? Vinyl probably would have shared the sentiment.

Looking up at the long journey you have ahead of you, you take your first steps along a twisting, steep road that leads up the side of the mountain. Every few steps you take brings you higher above the village behind you, the sparse foliage below thinning out, until left with just the bare cliffs made of rock.

As the horizon around you grows wider and wider, you're able to make out silhouettes of distant places across Equestria from the new height. You swear you can see Ponyville from here, though it is merely a speck against the rest of the landscape. And you've barely started your climb! The view's only going to get better from here.

Striding powerfully onwards, you can't help but imagine how epic this moment would be with a panning birds-eye view, accompanied by an epic soundtrack's powerful brass fanfare.

The pathway up the mountainside divides into two parts before you now, leaving you to decide how you want to approach the summit.

The western approach. A steep, craggy area known for it's dangerous rockslides and deep crevices.

The eastern approach, a steadier, flatter route, though it is inhabited by strange and wild creatures.

Asking The Zebras

While the zebra may act strangely, and look much different than the ponies that you are used to, you know it would be wrong to judge them because of their difference. You have to treat them just like regular ponies, and that means you should trust them enough to ask if they had seen Vinyl. Though they had a different upbringing, you can only hope they are as open and honest as your friends from Ponyville.

You approach one of the zebras who looks to be the least occupied with work, interrupting him with the quick sound of clearing your throat. He turns to face you, seeming a bit disinterested.

"Forgive my intrusion," you ask politely, "but have you seen a white unicorn around here with blue hair and a cutie mark of two music notes? She disappeared from home a while ago, and I think she may have passed through here."

The zebra listens to you intently, saying nothing as you speak. When you finish, he remains silent for a time, before turning to one of his striped companions nearby. Getting the attention of yet another muscular tribesman, he speaks to the other in a strange language you can't make heads or tails of.

Relax, you think, trying to remain calm as the two zebras talk back and forth, passing glances at you between phrases. He's probably just asking his friend if he's seen Vinyl. I'm sure these two are both trustworthy...

The two zebras talk for a minute longer, and you begin to wonder what they are speaking about. You look around the area, and none of the other ponies seem to be paying attention to you, having tasks to complete. Why are these two here then? As you turn your head back to the zebra you spoke to, you just barely catch him glancing at your figure, his eyes too low to have been looking at your face...

After a few more brief words, the zebra turns back to you, and finally speaks in an equestrian language you can understand.

"I am Adisa, and this is my friend, Masozi" He says with a strange lilt in his voice, as if he rarely spoke your language. "Masozi knows this unicorn you speak of. You follow him, and he will show you."

Without saying a word, the other zebra extends a hoof to beckon you with a smile, and begins walking deeper into the village.

You're not sure what is going on, and where they plan to take you, but these zebra seem to know about Vinyl. Even if it seems a bit suspicious, you don't have any other lead on her location...

Should you trust them?

It's worth the risk if you can find Vinyl! Go along with them for now.

You don't trust them one bit. Ask them more questions before you follow them who-knows-where.

Peek Through The Door

Taking a deep breath, you cautiously hold the door handle between two hooves and turn it, hoping not to make too much noise as you peek into the next room. Pulling gently, you open the door just enough that you can turn your head, and see through the crack.

The next room is a long hallway, with barred doorways on each side. It looks like a prison down here...

That's when you notice that there are two guards at one of the doors, each with their horn lit to illuminate the area th y stood at.

They are both looking directly at the door you just opened, staring back as you peek in.

Gasping in surprise, you pull back from the crack, leaving the door only slightly ajar. Did they just see you open the door?

When you hear the guards yelling out curses and clamoring towards the doorway in their armored apparel, you realize that you just made a grave mistake, for the guards have seen you, and are now after you!

Giving up your curiosity as to what might be so important to warrant guards down here, you choose to flee the doorway, and gallop back up the stairs you had just descended, almost to the top when the door slams open, the two unicorn stallions in hot pursuit. Stepping up to the top of the stone steps, you reach out to open the door back into the mansion proper...
But then, you feel a strange tug on your tail, holding you back.

You look back to see the Unicorn guards, horns lit, pulling on the last few hairs of your tail with their magic as they ran up the stairs.

Panicking, you try to release their hold on you, and escape the arcane grasp, but you quickly find it just about impossible. It isn't long before you find yourself pressed against the floor under an armored hoof, the guards now resorting to physical restraints now that they have caught you.

You protest wildly, crying out in frustration, angry that you were subdued so easily, when you knew you were so close to the bottom of this mystery.

You feel a quick, accurate blow hit the back of your head, and then, your vision fades away to nothingness...

Wake up...

Baiting The Beast

As a sudden inspiration comes into mind, you freeze for a moment.

...Is this your only option? this plan your mind is forming seems a bit far-fetched, and you feel as if it could go wrong in too many ways, but it is the only strategy you have, so a moment later, you snap back into the moment, jumping quickly to your left under a swinging paw.

As the manticore thrashes about, trying to grab you, you gallop across the room, and position yourself right in front of Vinyl's cell. As the beast turns to face you, you smirk, and make a taunting gesture with your hooves, holding out part of your mane with a hoof to imitate a matador.

Fuming with rage, the manticore bellows, before charging towards you in a unrestrained rush.

"You cannot win, you smug little pony!" he yells, his jaw wide, fangs gleaming in the torchlight.

At the last moment before he reaches you, you duck to the side, letting the manticore smash into the cell bars with massive force.

Through the titanic, resounding screech of the metal bending and giving way, you can hear Vinyl scream out in panic as her figure becomes obscured by a mess of feline muscle.

"Vinyl!" You call out, fearing your plan may have not worked as well as you had hoped.

Please let her still be alive...

As you ready your nerves, and strain your neck to try and catch a glimpse of Vinyl's white fur, you find yourself held back suddenly, as a clawed paw finds your hind leg, and latches onto it.

You cry out out in surprise as the beast lets out a roar of triumph, finally catching you. Your hind leg is lifted up into the air, and you find the rest of your body following suit, until you are helplessly dangling in front of the terrifying, angry face of the manticore.

"No! Tavi!" you hear through your terrified mindset. While you find yourself at least somewhat relieved at the sound of Vinyl's voice, your problems have just gotten much larger.

You feel its grasp tighten around your neck, and another paw grabs your neck, ensuring you could no longer run. You struggle, but it is no use.

The manticore has caught you.

You're defeated.

You're screwed.

You're dead.

The Jungle Entrance

While you think that it might be wise to find an ally if you want to travel in this foreign land, you aren't sure if you can trust zebras, so you steer clear of their settlement.

The huge treeline stands in front of you, greenery covering every part of the interior. You aren't sure what kind of insanity it might take to live anywhere near this place, or worse yet, within, but then again, ponies are resourceful. You have no doubt that there might be some kind of settlement amongst the trees of the amazon, hidden from the ordinary tourist.

As you walk closer, you notice two dirt pathways which both lead into the forest, just enough undergrowth cleared so that a pony might be able to walk along them and not lose their way. A small, wooden sign is placed in the ground between the two paths, each labeled by where they supposedly lead.

Which path will you follow?

The first path, labeled as "To the ancient tomb of Yarantak IV."

The second path, labeled as "To Observation Tower"

Who needs pathways? Blaze your own trail through the forest!

Tomb Interior

You enter the doorway to the east, revealing a long, narrow hall. The walls are lined with symbols and characters that look a bit similar to the language you know and understand, but you can't make out a bit of what it might mean. Then again, you haven't been able to translate any of the script you've already seen, so this isn't really much new.

The entire hallway seems to be safe and free of traps as far as you know, so you walk along it until you reach a room on the other side.

The room is about the same size as the entrance that you just came from, and there is another doorway to the north. Solid walls block off the southern and eastern sides of the room.

Against the eastern wall, there is a small shelf jutting out from the wall, too high for you to see what might be on it.

What will you do?

Investigate the shelf.

Go north.

Go back to the west.

The Shelf

You look up at the shelf. It looks to be almost out of reach, but when you stand on your hind legs, you manage to get a hoof up and over the edge, and feel around to see if there is anything on it.

You feel... a small scrap of paper?

Curious, you pull it down from the shelf, and inspect your findings.

...

What is this?

...

You look over the markings on the page, taking especially into account the words written in what seems to be dried blood.

"Leave now," the words say, and you feel a part of you instinctually desire to do just that. But yet, it also piques your interest. Just what happened here, and who wrote this? Is this part of the note... a map of sorts? What are these circled symbols? Is it some kind of puzzle?

Even more confused than you were before, you take the paper and try to decide if you want to take it with you, or just put it back. Perhaps it will be useful later? Or maybe... was there a reason it was up there?

Baffled, you look around the room with new eyes, now acting more cautiously, for now you know there is real danger here.

What will you do?

Go north.

Go west.

Author's Note

This will be the only page where this paper is visible, so if you want to keep it for later, save the url for this chapter somewhere, like in a text document, so you can easily return here. Otherwise, you will be unable to see this again.