Secret of the Stallion (Otherwise known as Devious Intent)

TiCk ToCk, TiCk ToCk

ThE tImE iS dRaWiNg NeAr

Do NoT tRy To UnDeRsTaNd

FoR aLl WiLl SoOn Be ExPlaInEd

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Chapter Two

Mind Games

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Meanwhile back in Ponyville

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Aeron and Star exited the bookshop, their saddlebags full of groceries, some treats, and now books. They then decided to go relax at the town square, and headed that way, meeting a couple of friends of theirs and stopping to chat with them quickly. Once they entered the town square, they found a nice spot under a tree and set their saddlebags down, and sat on a nearby bench.

“Such a nice day, it’s nice that everything is a little back to normal.” Star said, resting her head on Aerons shoulder. He looked down at her, noticing that she had changed her mane-style, which she hardly ever did.

“Ok, what’d you want,” Aeron said, chuckling a little, as Star looked up at him “you only change your mane when you want something...so what is it?”

Star shook her head in denial. “I don’t want anything,” She said, taking her head off of Aerons shoulder “I just wanted to change it up...is that so bad.”

Shaking his head, Aeron put his head on top of Stars and smiled. Ever since she had gotten permission from Aloe and Lotus, to be a mane stylist there, Star was always looking for new styles to try out. ‘I guess that what comes with having a cutie mark like hers, after all she is the best at what she does’ Aeron thought to himself. He snapped back into reality when he heard Star talking to someone.

“Oh hey there Twilight,” She said, as Twilight sat next to her on the bench “How has the Library been holding up?”

Twilight shrugged, letting out a giggle as she noticed Aaron's head on top of Stars. He smiled dreamily, as he moved back from Star. “It’s been ok I guess, got a couple of new books in from Canterlot, so Spikes been organizing those,” She paused for a second “I had a question for you Star...would you mind if i set up an appointment to get my mane done?”

Aeron and Star looked at each other surprised, Twilight was usually so toned down, plain, and strict. ‘I wonder what she wants her mane done for...no matter I guess...maybe she just wants to change things up’ Star thought, turning back to Twilight, who looked a little embarrassed to be asking such a thing.

“Sure thing Twilight, I have a pretty open schedule this week,” Star said, trying to hide the shock in her voice “I believe all I have set up is  Rarity, and Diamond Tiara on Thursday, so maybe i can get you in tomorrow?”

Twilight’s eyes lit up at the answer, then quickly disappeared as she caught herself. ‘Don’t get too worked up you idiot...just because you’re falling for somepony doesn’t mean get your hopes up’ she thought, nodding in agreement when Star had told her she could see her Wednesday.

“Thanks again Star,” Twilight said, starting off towards the library “I’ll see you then!”

Aeron and Star watched as she trotted off, as Aeron watched Twilight he suddenly saw her walk through, not past, but THROUGH, that same pony he had seen in his dream. Slendermane just stood there, watching, and waiting. He didn’t move a muscle, just stared directly at Aeron.

“ThE tImE iS AlMoSt HeRe…” Slendermane said inside Aeron’s head. Then he turned to leave, several ponies walking through the suited pony.

“What do you mean…” Aeron said “I won’t help you, I ALREADY SAID THAT!” several nearby ponies and fillies jumped when Aeron yelled.

Regaining his composure, Aeron blinked and looked at where the faceless pony had been, and saw that he was gone. ‘What’s going on...he was there!’ he thought to himself, looking around for Slendermane, only to find him nowhere in sight.

Star and Twilight in the meantime were looking at Aeron, confusion showing on their face. “Umm Aeron,” Twilight began to say, nervously “what exactly is wrong, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Star nodded in agreement, and walked over to comfort Aeron. He sat on the bench, confused and slightly scared. When Twilight asked if he was ok, he replied. “You mean you did-didn’t see it...that faceless pony in the business suit?”

He felt Star sit next to him and place her head on his shoulder. He looked from Twilight to Star as they both shook their head. He nodded, completely aware of how crazy he must sound, then he let out a sigh and leaned back against the bench.

“I know it sounds crazy, but I saw something or someone...I don’t know what to call it, but it wants something from me.” He groaned, looking down at the ground.

Twilight looked at Aeron, and simply replied. “Just know that you're not crazy, and even if everypony thinks you are, just remind yourself that even the most intelligent people are.”

Aeron looked at Twilight, confusion and wonder on his face. It took him a few seconds to realize what she meant, but as he went to reply, he saw that she had trotted off. Star poked him in the side, making him jump and giggle a little. She smiled when he reacted like that, and poked him again. ‘I love how easily distracted he gets, it makes cheering him up so much easier...but still...if he’s seeing things...I hope he can manage to figure out what’s going on...I’ll try my best to help!’ she thought as she poked him a third time, and causing him to hop off the bench, trying to escape the poking that she was giving him.

“We better drop off the groceries and whatnot at the house, because we still need to get to Canterlot to see your parents,” Said Aeron, giggling as he trotted over to the packs they left by the tree. He put his on his back easily, and carried Stars over to her, and he placed it on her back.

As they made their way back to their house, Aeron kept an eye out for the slendermane. Star noticed that he was cautiously looking from side to side, and she poked him again. “What are you looking for you goofball...you were just seeing things, it doesn’t mean they were bad.”

Aeron just continued to check the surroundings, and gave up a few seconds later. “Maybe you're right Star,” Sighed Aeron, as he walked up the porch and opened the door. “It’s probably nothing but my mind playing tricks on me.”

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Slendermane walked into the room, noticing he was the first one there. ‘ThEy ShOuLd Be HeRe By NoW...FiGuReS tHaT ThEy WoUlD bE lAtE.’. He thought to himself, standing in his usual spot at the table, and waiting for the others to arrive.

Ten or so minutes later Krueger, Killer, and Lucifer arrived quietly taking their respective places at the table. Looking from one another, Slendermane looked from left to right, at all three of his accomplices.

“It’S AbOuT tImE,” He sighed “He DoEsN’t BeLiEvE sTiLl...We MuSt BeGiN tHe PlAn.”

Killer cocked his head, an idea forming in his head, and after a few seconds, his ears perked up. “I’vE gOt It, To GeT hIm To UnDeRsTaNd...LeT’s StRiKe ThOse WhO hE hOlDs DeAr!”

Slendermane, Krueger, and Lucifer all looked at Killer, amazement on their face. Killer looked at all three of them, noticing the amazement on their face. ‘I kNeW iT...tHeY tHiNk It’S a StUpId PlAn.’. He thought to himself, shrugging a little as realization struck him.

Then suddenly Krueger spoke up. “WhO dO yOu HaVe In MiNd?” nodding his head approving of Killers plan.

“YeS, WhO?” Both Slendermane and Lucifer said, also nodding in agreement.

Killer grinned a little, his ego slightly inflating due to all the acceptance of his idea. “WeLl...ThIs Is WhAt I hAd In MiNd.” He replied, then he pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill, and began filling his cohorts in on his plan.

~~~~~To Be Continued~~~~~