Not Afraid: 12:00 AM

Not Afraid: 12:00 AM.

Chapter One: Nothing Left To Say, Part One

Written and Edited by Doctor Elite

June 21, 3:46

Nothing exciting happened today, kind of laid back today. Weve been getting more reports of some "tall, skinny pony" stalking around the Everfree Forest recently. Oh, spooky. Besides that, just more murders and the like. From the evidence we recovered from the crime scenes, it seems our murderer likes to stab. Applejack keeps complaining about thefts occurring around her orchard and barn. Missing animals and tools. When It comes to the missing animals, probably a griffon. The tools? I dont know, could be anyone. Celestia knows that this shit doesn`t happen in snooty town, or country ville. It seems like that ever since the elements found wielders, Ponyville has had a streak of bad luck.

June 27, 7:23

More murders and the same marks. Its something sharp, thats for sure. Around the office, ponies started calling him "Jeff". Weird ass name. Reports about abduction around the Everfree Forest. Again. Damn paranoid ponies wasting time about this non-existent tall pony! Everythings going to hell, and Im siting on my ass, writing in a damn journal! Sorry, got ahead of myself. Boss is sending me to investigate the Everfree later tonight. Wonderful. He assigned me the fresh meat, Glimmering Ribbon. Some parents she has. Anyway, I should prepare for the hunt. Wish me good luck.

June 27, 12:00

I loaded batteries into my camera and flashlight alike, slinging the strap attached to the camera around my neck. I stashed my flashlight in my saddlebags, clipping the button and the flap closing. I looked at the mirror, making sure I look half decent. My mane is cobalt blue, with streaks of white dividing the points from the bulk of my mane. My coat is a snow white, with a blue stain on my chest. Mother said it was a birth mark, but I think its just a defect. I straightened my name tag, my name plastered across it. "Snowy Skies", catchy right? I glanced behind me, the recruit struggling with her saddlebags. Sighing, I walked over to her. She sheepishly smiled, letting me set the saddlebags on correctly. "You ever put on a saddlebag?", I asked while strapping them. She shook her head, wiggling her hips, getting  a feel for them. "And... there, they shouldnt fall off. You ready to leave?", She nodded. I can tell she isn`t the talkative type. That automatically means she is amazing. Everypony in the office talks too much or either has an annoying voice.

We walked out into the scorching hot, the moon hovering above our heads. Despite it being night, it was still very hot out. I wiped my forehead, sweating clinging to my hoof. Glimmering Ribbon walked beside me, the clip-clop of hooves filling the summer air. I spotted a yellow filly, a red mane and pink bow. I trotted up to her, waving my hoof to get her attention. "Applebloom, what are you doing up so late?".

"Applejacks mad at me. Say, can ah come wityou?". Usually, I would say no, but who can ignore those eyes? I nodded and she jumped-and-down in excitement, giggling all the while. I warned her of the potential dangers of the forest and told her to stick to me at all times. She said yes and we continued on our way. I noticed Glimmering Ribbon staring up at the moon. I raised an eyebrow and she blushed, turning her eyes forward again. Applebloom stuck to me like bees on honey and occasionally ran into me, voicing her apologies. Cute filly, dont know why her sister fusses with her so much. I glanced over at Glimmering Ribbon, one again, looking up at the moon.

"So, Glimmering, where you from?" She looked back at me and hesitated for a second, than informed of her past.

"Im originally from Cloudsdale, my parents working up at the rainbow factory. Ponies say the place is haunted, but I dont know why. My dad used to be addicted to Dash, the effects always rendering him useless. My mother wasnt much better, frequently getting drunk and stumbling around the city without a care in the world. So, I had to get a job. I became a cook for a griffon restaurant, dishing out meat and other despicable atrocities. Eventually, I quit, my stomach couldnt hold the idea any longer. Now without a job, We were kicked out of our house and we split up.

"At the time I was thirteen, so that means I was old enough to be take into an orphanage. I grew up there, happiness sapped from me. After years of depressing sadness, I turned eighteen and was sent out into the world. I applied at a few odd jobs and left, well, because I felt useless. Than, one night I was encountered by Princess Luna in one of my dreams. She assured me of my usefulness and the opportunities that will open up to me. That was three years ago, and look at me. I have a nice home, mother to two handsome colts, and wife to a royal guard, and I work at a top notch job. She was right, and now, I look up at the moon with a newly found appreciation."

I was shocked, to say the least. And here I thought that this pony was a whelp, but no. Shes been through some shit. "Wow, I didnt know. Im sorry." She nodded and turned forward, not saying anything. The rest of the walk was silent, any chance at conversation shot down by awkward silence. All I know, is that the world is a sick place. Hopefully, we get out the forest unscathed, this mare doesnt need another life-changing traumatization...

June 28, 1:02

After arriving at the Everfree, it got darker and it prompted us to use our flashlights. I looked back at Applebloom and she was shaking, clearly frightened, so I picked up and placed her on my back. She grabbed ahold of my sides, a couple of feathers ruffling. Once making sure she was comfortable and safe, we continued. I noticed that the farther we entered the woods, the darker it got. At this rate, wed be tripping and bumping into each other every second! Glimmering was behind me, documenting any and everything we could find. So far, we havent really found or saw anything worth of studying, but every bit helps. "Say, Applebloom," Her ears perked up and she looked at me, "Grab the lantern in my saddlebags, should be on the left side."

After she rummaged through my saddlebags, she found my lantern and lit it up. Ah, much better. I looked over at Glimmering and my eyes widened. She was standing still, her legs shaking violently and was looking down at the bottom of a tree. Sitting there, was a mound of flesh and blood, half of it caked over the bark of the tree. My wings flapped up and I covered Appleblooms eyes before she could have seen it. I slowly walked closer to the gory display and snapped a few pictures with my camera. Glimmering was shaking horribly, and quickly dragged her away from the meat fest. Eventually, she could walk by herself and we continued. I dont know who would do such a horrific thing, but I don`t want to stick around to find out. "Alright, listen, we stick together at all costs. Understood?"

They nodded and I sighed. Here I thought just another search around the woods to find missing ponies or something, but no, this is much worse. Along the way, we discovered more bones and dead ponies. It sickened Glimmering and I to an extent, and we agreed to leave. I kept Appleblooms eyes covered, she doesnt need to lose her innocence anytime soon. When we saw the entrance, I breathed a breath of metaphorical fresh air. I summoned Glimmering and we started trotting towards the exit. That`s when we heard growling. Applebloom seemingly heard it and tightened her grip on my sides. We started hearing whispers, surrounding us and blocking out any sound. "Come out whoever you are!" The whispers stopped and a pony stepped up.

This pony was not normal. Red covered the bottom of all its hooves, dark enough to be considered blood. Its coat was jet black, almost camouflaging it in the dark. The eyes were the most unusual, both of them light red and no pupils. It smiled and revealed two rows of canine teeth. Yeah, this was definitely not a pony. More stepped out and circled us, growling and smiling. All of them were taking notice in Applebloom. My wings pinned her down onto my back, the primary feathers covering her eyes. After searching for my weapon, still staring down the 'creatures', I found my gun and cocked it, a bullet being forced into the chamber. "Applebloom. Cover your ears." Before you could check if she blocked out the sound, I opened fire.

They thrashed at me, tearing flesh and fur, blood gushing out. I kept firing, gunshots ringing in my ears. One was able to bite into my leg, ripping off a chunk of flesh. I screamed in agony, blood pouring out. Things started getting blurry and dizzy as more blood exited my body. Eventually, I collapsed, Applebloom clutching onto my back. The last thing I saw before I lost consciousness were the creatures storming off with Glimmering, one of her wings missing. I heard one thing before I blacked out:

"We forget our own sins not because we are ashamed of them, but because they remind us of the darkness lingering inside of us. Soon, you will wake up and be sent into a hell of your worst nightmares. For now, rest."