Chapter Six

Mortis

After everyone had eaten Manehattan’s finest boxed dinners, I managed to scrounge up enough blankets to keep my friends warm for the night.

My friends. Applejack asked me if I had any friends outside the job or the Mane Six. It was a question that I never really gave much thought to. Living with a hermit my whole life conditioned me to a solitary existence.

Yet there was an entry in dad’s last journal that suggested he tried to break out of his shell. Now that I was the only one awake in the apartment, I could soak my aching limbs in the bathtub. The steam cleared my sinuses, and the hot water helped me relax.

I could now be alone with all that remained of my father. Flipping to the back of his journal, I began to read.

2/1/995 ANM

Cherry Flower seems to really like me. Perhaps it’s because my shyness is a challenge to her. I have always been painfully shy. When I told her that my wife Marrow died giving birth to my son Equus, she almost cried. It’s strange how one can contribute feeling to somepony you don’t know. (I have seldom been able to do that.)

My son had left for his own apartment a month ago. Now that my home was mercifully quiet, my thoughts turned even more to Marrow.

But my beloved wife hasn’t occupied my time as much lately. Marrow was never far from my heart, but Cherry seemed closer to me every day.

I’ll have to think about this. The Mortis family keeps itself to itself unto death.

But death does not frighten me. An inadequate life does.

* * *

2/4/995 ANM

She’s my morgue assistant now. Cherry is very skilled in cutting the flesh and bones of our subjects. Her lovely green eyes are sharp, catching evidence in wounds before even I do.

Marrow was once in this line of work. I still recall what she said the day before my son ended her life,“I hope Equus will join you in your career.”

My son doesn’t even work in the same district that I do anymore. He didn’t even apply to be my assistant. But Cherry did.

What would Nightmare Moon think of Cherry?

* * *

2/7/995 ANM

We talked so much, we lost track of time during our lunch-break.

“I have never been so late for work,” I scolded myself.

She nuzzled me and said, “I doubt it makes much difference to the dead.”

My father would have swatted my ear if I talked to him that way. Cherry never seems wanting for words. She says what she thinks. That’s so unlike me, as I was raised to never raise a fuss, to keep my beliefs hidden.

Is it her boldness that attracts me?

Would Marrow understand this mare better than I can?

* * *

2/14/995

She wanted to come back to my apartment. I had to refuse her as certain paraphernalia might arouse suspicion. A Nightmare Moon statuette here, the family history book there.

I need to seek counsel before I let anypony get this close to me again. I want her. But family comes first.

It will be five years before the goddess of the night is strong enough to reclaim the throne of Equestria. Nightmare Moon might have enough power to heed my plea for an audience with her.

May I see her in my dreams tonight.

* * *

2/15/995

May the faithful be ever as rewarded as I have been! Nightmare Moon deemed me worthy of her attention! She actually let me enter her dream-world, which looked as glorious as the castle she once shared with her sister.

I bowed before her and asked, “Is Cherry Flower the right mare for me?”

She looked me over with curious eyes. Finally, she replied, “Would she understand your connection with me the way your wife Marrow does?”

“I don’t dare ask her. If I do, she might report my affiliation with you to the authorities.”

“The dead will always know the secrets the living keep. When I return to Equestria, bringing with me all of my followers, do you think Marrow will let you near her again if your heart belongs to someone else?”

I was struck silent. I had never considered that, lonely fool that I was.

A moment later, I asked,“Why do I have to choose between the living or the dead? Shouldn’t I let the dead rest in peace?”

She laughed, but it was without merriment. She flashed her fangs at me as she asked, “Are you so foolish as to believe the dead are ever at peace? Marrow misses you as much as you miss her. When my sister takes my place on the moon, you will be by your wife’s side forever in the eternal night.”

“But what about Cherry?”

She looked away from me as she pondered. Her eyes gleamed as she smiled. “Bring her to your apartment. I will teach you how to bring both of you before me. If I deem her worthy, I will permit you to be with her.”

I was so happy to hear this. Until I thought of Marrow’s heart breaking because of me, choosing her over someone new.

My heart cannot belong to two mares. It isn’t natural.

I hope Nightmare Moon can find a way to help me.

* * *

2/16/995

Nightmare Moon told me what I needed to know, so I was confident that tonight would put an end to my problems.

I had everything I needed laid out before me: a nice three-course dinner and a special brew of Nightmare Moon’s own design. This date was going to be perfect.

All the more obvious goddess decorations were hidden in my son’s empty room. I couldn’t afford to scare Cherry Flower off before I had a chance to explain my true self to her.

I made sure that my glass of what I called wine was diluted with water. As she ate, drank her wine and made small talk, I could tell that I had made the mixture right. Within five minutes, she collapsed.

Now that she was asleep, I could join her.

After I finished what remained in her glass, I grabbed what I needed from the table and laid down beside Cherry.

A few moments later, I found her screaming as Nightmare Moon held her up like a new doll.

I cried out to her, “Cherry! It’s all right! She just wants to see if you are suitable!”

She stared at me. “For who? You or her?”

“Both, actually,” said Nightmare Moon as she studied Cherry.

“Ivory, how could you do this to me?” Cherry sobbed. “Why would you have anything to do with this… this monster!”

I held up a hoof. “Don’t insult her. You don’t understand what she might be able to do for us.”

She squirmed in Nightmare’s grip. “She fought Princess Celestia! Nightmare Moon killed thousands of ponies during the war! Don’t you know that?”

“Just give her a chance. She has always known what’s best for me and my family.”

“Are you insane? Can’t you make up your own mind about that?”

Nightmare Moon snorted and frowned. Dropping her to the floor, she shook her head and said, “She isn’t worthy. If you are truly devoted to me, you know what you must do.”

I winced. “Are you certain? Perhaps if I talked to her for a while, I can...”

She slammed her front hooves, making her domain shiver. Her slitted eyes dilated as she stared at me. “Do you want Marrow to know what you just said? Cherry will never accept me as her goddess, and Marrow will leave you for your betrayal! You will be forever alone! Is that what you want?”

My ears were pinned back as I hugged the floor in submission. I had never been so ashamed. My own desires were never more important than Nightmare Moon’s. In my selfish lapse, I had forgotten that.

I wouldn’t make that mistake again.

“No, I do not.”

She grinned at Cherry, who cowered and shivered in fear. “Then I shall send you back so that you can perform your sacred duty, as your ancestors once did for me.”

As I faded from Nightmare’s world, I saw Cherry chase after me as she screamed, “No! Don’t leave me with her! What did she mean, sacred duty?”

I woke with the knife in my hoof. It was wise for Nightmare Moon to keep Cherry in her realm of dreams. Nightmare needed my help to keep her there, however.

I dragged Cherry to the bathroom.

The bathtub made a fine sacrificial altar. Her spilt blood gave my goddess just enough strength to hold her close until Cherry’s heart stopped beating.

Marrow will eventually know what I had done. She’ll understand that no sacrifice is too great for Nightmare Moon. It’s only natural for my heart to belong to my first love. That undying love made the rest of the night so much easier to soldier through.

It was times like this that it was good to be a coroner. I knew just how to properly cut up a body into easily disposable bags.

I had never carved up such a cadaver so fresh before. It was surprisingly easy. But then again, the flesh always gives way if the blade is sharp enough. It’s too bad that I couldn’t savor her body in any other way.

This experience reminded me that my life may seem inadequate, but my goddess will provide all that I need soon enough.

I just need to have faith.

Whatever Nightmare Moon decides what I should do next, it will be for her greater glory.

I can’t wait to see what happens next.

* * *

I couldn’t climb out of the tub fast enough. As I toweled myself dry, I tried to not even look at where Cherry Flower died. As soon as Discord was sent home, I’d show this journal to the Manehattan police.

It’s truly frightening how much evil can be committed in the name of love.

Dad.

Oh, dad.

You unbelievably stupid, jelly-spined fool.

I hope that I fell real far from your tree.

Author's Note

Latin Lesson #6 Mortis (cute, sweet, deserves ear-scritches and tummy-rubs)
Ahem. (death)
Soundtrack for this chapter: "Prologue and Tumor" by Christopher Young (The Dark Half soundtrack)