UNDERWORLD

Underworld

Chapter 2

If my mind was on overload before, it was pretty much exploding now.

Did she just say that we were in the Underworld? The place where evil, lost spirits go. The world where fire burns and eternal torment lay to all that fell down there.

And why was I here? As a foal I was taught to respect Celestia and help those who are needy so that I would rise up to an eternal happiness with the Princesses. My parents rambled on about wise words that the sisters have said, and I was told to give a prayer or two every day to show my respect.

But I was also told that spending your life doing sinful things will end in tragedy. My parents would say that to me every time I sneaked a cookie before dinner. And I can’t tell you how many times I thought about that whenever I stared at a girl’s flank in High School. But the moral was the same; Spend your life away from good, and you end up where Sombra, Discord, and Tirek spend their holidays.

After a good two minutes, my mind was beginning to turn again. Thoughts, as well as questions, began to pile up in my noggin, threatening to blow out my horn. Knowing I had to get to all of them meant that Rosemary was about to do a lot to talking. I still didn’t know if this was some big prank or not, but right now I had to play along.

Speaking of Rosemary, she hadn’t moved since she told me where I was. She had turned her head around, so she wasn’t looking at me. But she remained firmly rooted on the spot, and didn’t show any signs of moving. Only the stead rise and fall of her chest gave any indication that she was still conscious.

Now that she didn’t have her cloak on, I could get a better picture of her. Seeing the lack of a Horn or a pair of wings, it was easy to tell she was an earth pony. But even if she was one, she didn’t have the build. Earth ponies are usually buff and have big strong bones. These are essential to their work, since they have to do everything by hand.

But Rosemary had the build of a pegasus. Her body was slick and her legs where skinny. Not too skinny that she looked like a skeleton with skin on it, but enough to where she looked somewhere between a malnourished earth pony and an average pegasus.

Her mane was a dark brown color, with streaks of red flowing down it in precisely the right spots. It looked clean and could have easily shinned if enough light was present. It reached down to just above the top of her front legs.

She was easily one of the prettiest mares I’ve ever seen. Sure I’d seen a lot of them in my lifetime, but she was defiantly in the top ten.

“Hey, eyes away from the backside pervert” said Rosemary.

It was only when she spoke that I realized I had been staring right at her flank. Her smooth, gorgeous…wait, what was I thinking!!! Now wasn’t the time to think about pretty mares, now was the time to find out just what the hay is going on.

Giving my head a good shake, I looked up at Rosemary. “Uh, sorry about that” I said. Even if I couldn’t see, I could tell my face was turning red, or redder.

The green mare smirked once again. “Well I can’t blame you, most stallions can’t seem to take their eyes off this luscious flank” she said, wigging her backside to give it more emphasis.

Turing my head to the side, I tried not to look back. “Ye…Yeah, I…I…I can see why stallions would like to stare at it”. Wait a minute, did I just say that! I turned my head toward her “No, I didn’t mean it like that! I just meant that, uh, well…” great, I was at a loss for words.

But once again, instead of punching my lights out, Rosemary started laughing. It wasn’t as loud or annoying as it had been the first time. Now, it was a slight giggle, the same kind that teenage mares give when they see a stallion do something embarrassing or funny.

“Relax; I was just messing with you. Don’t you even have a sense of humor” she asked.

“Uh, yeah I do. I just don’t do well with that kind of humor. Anyway, I have a few questions to ask you” I said, turning serious again.

Rosemary smiled “Alright, but you’ll have to ask them on the way” she said, turning around so she was once again facing away from me.

Now I was confused again “What do you mean on the way” I asked.

“It’s dangerous out here in the woods, and I’m not planning on staying here anymore than I have to. There’s a safe place not too far from here, so it’s best we get going” said Rosemary, and she began walking towards the edge of the clearing. But then she stopped “Or, you can stay here and another Niwole can have you for dinner” she said, with her voice sounding smug, and continued walking.

Now I had to weigh my options, which wasn’t much. On the one hoof, I could stay here and try to find my own way out. But if I came across one of those Niwoles, I wouldn’t be able to defend myself. On the other hoof, I could fallow the one pony who might be able to get me out of here alive. But she could be some kind of psycho who was leading me into a trap.

So, which one would it be?

“Hey, wait up” I said, and began running after the dark green mare.

************

Being once again enclosed by darkness with strange shapes all around you wasn’t very comforting. And considering the day I was having, comfort would probably be really good right now.

My horn glowed so that I could at least see somewhat in front of me. But the radius of its glow only reached so far, meaning I could only see Rosemary and the trees that were right next to me. Though at this moment, any light was good light.

I fallowed at a brisk pace, making sure that I could always see Rosemary’s back. Since I had decided to go with her, she was going to be my guide through this madhouse they call a forest.

“Hey, didn’t you say you had some questions for me” asked Rosemary, not even looking back.

“Hu, what” I asked, taking a second to realize what she had said.

“Before we walked in here, you said you had some questions for me. Well I’m ready to answer as many as I can, if you’re ready that is” she said, still keeping her head forward.

“Oh, yeah I do. Okay, so you said we’re in the Underworld. But then how am I here” I asked.

“Simple; your dead” she said, not even sounding remotely sad or compassionate. She said it like she was explaining what color the sky was.

My mind stopped for a quick second, and I almost fell face first into the dirt. Luckily I was able to steady myself, but what she had said still hung in the air.

But then, I began to chuckle. It wasn’t one does when they hear/see something funny, it was the one that someone gives when they hear something too shocking.

“Funny…really funny. Me being dead, that’s a good one” I said, still chuckling none stop.

“No joke. Didn’t they tell you that the Underworld is inhabited by dead ponies” she asked, still not looking back.

I was quiet of a few minutes; my mind slowly took in what she said. I actually had been told that only dead ponies lived in the Underworld. So…that means I’m dead!

“But…but…HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE! I DON’T REMEMBER DYING” I screamed, not even intending to do that.

“Short term Amnesia is common when you come here. Don’t worry; you’ll get your memories back sooner or later. When I first came here, I didn’t have a clue who I was. But after a few weeks, I started remembering. It happens to everyone, so don’t feel too down” said Rosemary.

I really didn’t want to believe what she was saying. No pony wants to admit that their dead; and I was one of them. But the evidence that was all around me was staggering. I needed more answers.

“Okay, say I really am dead, why am I here. I’m not a sinful person; I fallowed the law. I gave respect to the Princesses every week, I said my daily prayer. I made sure to turn away from evil” I said, trying to remember everything good that I have done.

“Well then you must have done something REALLY bad before you died. If you ever remember what it was, tell me. For all we know you could have killed a member of the royal family” said Rosemary, who seemed to be almost laughing about the whole thing.

“I HOPE NOT, and why do you sound happy” I asked, now more annoyed than curious. Not once had I come across somepony who flipped back and forth between nice and just plain annoying.

“It’s just your reaction to things is hilarious. I mean, you still thinking this is some kind of trick don’t you” she asked, still not looking back at me.

I looked down at the ground “…a little bit” I said.

“Well get it out of your head horny. This is the real deal, and you’d better get used to it. Everypony has to eventually, or your time here will be full of pain and suffering” said Rosemary. The tone of her voice had changed. Now she sounded serious, which was a welcome departure from more annoying side.

“But I can’t just accept this; I have a life! I have friends and family, a job, and a great mare” I said.

Immediately my mind filled with the sorrowful faces of my family. They were always there for me, even in times when it had an effect on them.

Now, I would probably never see them again. They practiced their teachings daily, and unless they did something terrible, they wouldn’t end up here.

Mom, Dad, Mike…I never even got to say goodbye.

Then there was Sea Swirl, my marefriend. Never again would I see her gorgeous dark blue mane, her lovely pink coat, or her adorable dolphin cutie-mark.

She was the only mare in my life that really understood me. Every other mare turned away, but she kept her eyes firmly on me. It wasn’t too long before I asked her out, and we soon began dating.

But now the sight of her would never reach my eyes again. She was a very good pony, so as with my family; the likely hood of her ending up here was less than zero.

It wasn’t until now that I realized that I had stopped moving. My legs were locked firmly in place, and refused to move. Not only that, but I soon became aware that I was crying. Tears streamed down my face, and dropped like rain onto the ground below.

“Alone…I’m all alone down here” I said quietly. My mouth seemed dry, and the words only came out in whispers. “I’m stuck in this torture pit forever. Why…why me” I asked, the words still coming out in a whisper.

Suddenly, I felt a warm hoof on my shoulder. Looking up, I saw Rosemary standing in front of me, with a comforting smile on her face.

“Hey, chin up buddy. I’m here, and I’ll help you out. This is a rough place, and you’re going to experience some tough times. But you just have to soldier on through them, because when you get to the good times, you’ll enjoy them even more” she said.

Wiping my eyes and giving a good sniff, I began to crack a smile as well. Rosemary, from a certain perspective, looked like a pony who would cut you up if you so much as talked to her. But now, she was comforting me and showing kindness. She was definitely a strange pony, but she knew just what to say, and at the right time.

Before I even knew what I was doing, I had flung my front legs around her neck and had brought her in for a deep hug. Immediately she tensed up, but she didn’t struggle or try to pull away.

“He…Hey, wha…what’s this for” she asked, her voice shaking. The fact she hadn’t punched me was a good sign.

“For being so nice to me that’s why. This is supposed to be the land where all evil spirits go, and yet you’re not one of them. Your appearance says otherwise, but your personality, at some points, is just like Sea Swirl’s. And…I just want to say thank you” I said, bringing her in closer.

Rosemary was silent for a moment, but then I felt her shake her head and pull away from me. And surprisingly, the mare who makes others nervous was now blushing. The green and red mixed into her cheeks as she looked away from me. I couldn’t help but grin smugly at this.

“Embarrassed are we” I asked. The laughter that was drifting into my voice was very noticeable.

Rosemary’s cheeks turned even redder “N…no, I was just getting hot is all. May I remind you that we’re pretty much in the center of the world right now? Also, we need to get moving, we’ve wasted enough time. The longer we stay out here, the more likely chance we’ll get attacked” she said. Then she turned away from me and started walking through the trees again.

Giving a quick chuckle, I soon followed her through the trees.

************

So the next two hours were spent in silence. Rosemary kept a steady pace, making sure she was a good distance from me. But not so much that I couldn’t see her.

I had wisely kept my mouth shut and stopped asking questions. She didn’t seem in the mood to talk, and that’s an obvious sign to back off.

But after being quiet and not getting any answers for the past two hours, it was time to break my silence.

“So, how long have you been down here” I asked. My questions needed to be answered, but first I had to get her in a more talkative mood.

It took her a minute to respond “…I’ve been down her for five years” she said.

“Oh, that’s not that long” I said. Wrong choice of words.

“You think so, but it seems like ages for me. Every day feels like a whole week, every week a month, and so on. This place isn’t like Equestria newbie, it’s a place where if you don’t change, your time here will be full of pain” she said. The anger was very noticeable in her voice, and I had the suspicion that she was gritting her teeth.

Not for the first time since I came here, I didn’t know what to say. Now she seemed even angrier. Why was I doing this to her? She was the one leading me through all this, and I was causing her to get angry.

“I’m sorry” I said.

Rosemary’s head lifted up, and her pace slowed slightly, allowing me to catch up. “What are you sorry for” she asked.

“For making you angry. You’ve been doing all of this for me, and I haven’t been very thankful. You could have just left me there and let me find my own way out of here. But instead you told me to fallow you, so again…I’m sorry” I said, keeping my head down low.

A familiar silence filled the air once again. Rosemary continued to walk on, but she was now walking slow enough that I didn’t have a problem keeping up with her.

“Listen, I want to say sorry to” said Rosemary. “You’re right, I have been angry. But it’s just because…well…I made a promise to myself to look out for me and only me. And by helping somepony like you out, it feels like I’m breaking that promise”.

I took a minute to really think about what she had said. Although something did confuse me, so it was time to ask more questions. “But why would you not want to help others, especially somepony like me” I asked.

Again, Rosemary didn’t answer for a few moments. Finally she found her voice. “Let’s just say that I helped another stallion once, and he was like you in some ways. He didn’t know that much about this place, and I showed him the basics. Later on I asked him to help me out with a job, and he agreed. But he wanted me to do something that I was not comfortable with as payment. As soon as I found out what was going on, I beat him to a pulp, and headed out. There’s not many people out here who don’t want something from you that is much more than what you want from them” she said, her tone dropping more and more quieter.

Now I was beginning to understand the mare that was in front of me. She had gone through some hard situations, and had to do things that other ponies wouldn’t think of doing. And yet her she was, doing what she wants to, with nopony to tell her what to do. Guess that’s more proof that she’s not like other mares.

“Well don’t worry; I’m not going to be like that stallion. I owe you big time for this, and I’ll do whatever you want me to do. And if it ever comes to a time when you owe ME something, I won’t make you do things you don’t want to do. Even if I am in the sin hole, I can still try to be the nicest pony I can” I said. My voice had turned serious, and I kept my eyes on Rosemary the whole time I said that.

Rosemary didn’t say anything for a good five minutes. I was begging to think she was ignoring me… but then I heard her chuckle.

“…Thanks, I’ll make you keep your word on that. I’m already thinking of ways you can pay me back. And let me tell you, I don’t go cheap” she said, with a hint of glee in her voice. “But seriously, thanks. You know, I didn’t even get your name” she said.

Now that she mentioned it, I never did get around to telling her my name. Guess finding out I’m in the Underworld and getting attacked by a Niwole distracted me.

“Well my name is Martin Shimmer. But please, just call me Martin” I said, with a smile on my face.

“Martin, that’s a really strange name. Who ever heard of a pony with a name like that” said Rosemary, who was chuckling again.

I frowned at her reaction “right, so how far are we from this safe place you mentioned” I asked. We had been walking for a good four hours, and we still hadn’t reached the edge of the forest.

“Shouldn’t be too far away, I’ve walked this trail hundreds of times. We should be coming up on the edge soon” said Rosemary.

“And what exactly is this safe place like? Just telling me it’s safe doesn’t make me trust it entirely” I said.

Truthfully any place would probably be safer than the forest I was in. But for all I knew there could be pits filled with hydras or caves that housed dragons all over this world. So right now, safe place was the only thing I could trust.

“You’ll see what I’m talking about when we get there” she paused “which shouldn’t be much longer. Look up ahead”.

Looking around Rosemary, I scanned the area in front of her. And just up ahead, I could see light punching through the trees, casting shadows on the plants near it.

“Is that the edge of the forest” I asked. My excitement about getting out of this place was evident in my voice.

“Yep, and the “Safe Place” is just ahead of that” said Rosemary.

And not another word was spoken as we reached the edge of the forest, leaving the dark and dangerous nightmare behind us.