Pony:Kinder

{The scene is the hospital. Nurse Redheart had been in the operating room for the past hour trying her best with no aides to save a filly. The scene in the waiting room is tense as one would rightfully expect for this kind of situation. Nopony in their right mind would be dancing or throwing parties for this kind of hell}

Diamond: {Muttering to herself} Please recover Dinky. I don't know what I will do if you leave me.

Sweetie: She'll be alright T, I know she will pull through. Dinky probably gave the attacker a hard time before what happened, happened. Dinky is a tough filly.

Diamond: I know that, believe me Sweetie, I know. The Dinky I know, won't take shit from anypony without a fight. It's part of why I love her. She didn't give up on me even when I was a right bitch to her. She really doesn't take shit from anypony and for those she really doesn't, she ends up getting them to fall in love with her. I owe a lot to her and her family. Scootaloo took a long time to open up to me, but it is really Ditzy and her marefriend Trixie to really open their hearts to me.

{Diamond was rambling and Sweetie knew it. She had a good reason to after all, but Sweetie said nothing and allowed her friend to ramble to break the tight stronghold of silence over them all}

{Nearby, Twilight was pacing up a storm. All the nervous energy that Diamond probably wanted to bleed from her system was transferred over the Princess. Twilight had never had somepony look up to her that wasn't Spike. When Dinky was able to demonstrate an unusually high level of magic for a filly her age, Twilight knew that she had to kindle that talent and help it along.

It wasn't easy for at first Dinky proved to be reluctant for somepony else to teach her. It hadn't been easy for Twilight, already a quite gifted young unicorn (now alicorn) to ignore such obvious talent. Ditzy and Scootaloo mentioned where the young filly came from, how she wasn't popular at the orphanage and bullied on a regular basis for being pretty much the only unicorn there.

But after awhile, Dinky's faith in Twilight began to grow. Twilight, unlike thousands of other "teachers" didn't leave, didn't rush, or get upset at her. After awhile, a different relationship began to grow. One that reminded the elder of herself, and she now understood why Celestia did what she did. It was a need to see her friend flourish and become the greatest she could be. While Dinky wasn't nearly as isolated as Twilight had been, she wasn't quick to trust ponies. After years of being left to the sidelines, Dinky had stopped trusting ponies.

Adoption had been a start at warming the unicorn up. Twilight had no idea what to do. No spell on Equestria soil could fix this. She could fix injuries so that they didn't bleed, but magical recovery of everything was impossible. Celestia wasn't responding to her. Spike {Twilight was nearly in tears when Spike was alright} had been called down so that she could send a letter to her beloved mentor, but nothing had been written back. This added a whole new level of agony for Twilight as now her protege and teacher were both down for the count}

{As Twilight was left to her frantic pacing, Diamond left to cry quietly to herself, the time seemed to drag on forever}

{Finally, after what felt like three hours, something different happened. Nurse Redheart stepped out of the operating room covered in blood. Twilight, Diamond, and Scootaloo rushed forward to crowd the exausted nurse while the others simply perked up. They were exhausted at the nervous energy crowded the room and that was all they were able to manage}

Twilight: How is she doc?

Diamond: Is she going to live? {She practically crowds the exhausted nurse in her frantic enthusiasm for news}

{Apple Bloom, realizing that Diamond is practically smothering Redheart gently grabbed hold of the bouncing frantic Diamond to pull her back. Redheart smiles thankfully towards Apple Bloom and turns so she is facing the crowd of surviving ponies anxiously waiting for her to declare her verdict}

Redheard: Well, since everypony is practically smothering me right now, I will go on and say that Dinky will make a full recovery. Twilight, you brought her just in time for if you waiting just a few seconds to hike over to the hospital, she might not have made it.

{The collective sigh of relief is so strong that Redheart can feel herself leaning backward. Diamond collapses with relief and her worried sobs turn to ones of relief}

Redheart: However, the point still stands that she lost a lot of blood and if the fact that Ponyville is deserted considering that nopony showed up for work and I couldn't even yell at them. What happened to cause such a young filly to lose so much blood in the first places.

{Twilight looks at Scootaloo, the only pony in the room to witness what had happened to the filly. Scootaloo, after realizing that Twilight was looking at her, looked up towards Redheart}

Scootaloo: I didn't see what happened other than a mysterious pony in the room. I was focused on Dinky and her scream and signs of fighting, but when I got there I was able to catch a glimpse of a masked pony.

Rumble: In other words she was stabbed by the killer. It is a staple in every horror movie and it is what happened now.

Featherweight: You idiot! {Smacks Rumble} How can you be so fucking insensitive. Try to learn some tact, dumbass.

Rumble: Well, it's true. I don't mean to be the insensitive prick, but with the town being deserted, Dinky's injury, and the mysterious vines outside, it all adds up. All we need is to identify the killer. Too bad, that this one is masked! It will take awhile. At least with the others, we have a basis on who they are and this doesn't sound like Michael or Jason.

Featherweight: Dummy, they don't exist! They are part of cheesy horror movies! This is real life! Some sick fuck just stabbed Dinky and all you can do is focus on some fantasy bull shit. For shame dude, for shame.

{Despite just being reprimanded by Feather, Rumble has a wide grin on his face despite the circumstances}

Redheart: Did you happen to see who this pony looked like?

Twilight: Please Scootaloo, I need to know!

Scootaloo: All I saw was a glimpse. Dinky had more exposure to the sick fuck. When can we see her?

Redheart: Losing blood is exhausting, so Dinky is of course unconscious. She will wake, but it could be a few hours from now. At least she is stable.

Diamond: Can we at least see her?

{Redheart shakes her head}

Redheart: Sorry dear, but regulations require me to keep her isolated for right now. When she wakes up, you will be the first to be notified.

{So began another anxiety laden wait for Dinky to recover from her ordeal. Diamond, unlike the first time had strength enough to pace. Knowing how on edge she was no pony really gave her a hard time about it. Twilight was right up there with her, both wearing the floor thin with their frantic pacing}

{Silver Spoon and Snips were huddled together in a small corner of the room. To keep her mind of her friend's plight, she listened to her music. Snips, of course, decided to join her and had one of the ear buds. If it were any other situation, somepony might have thrown an amused glance their way}

{Rumble had fallen asleep on Featherweight's back and his friend stayed awake to keep watch. A fond smile appeared on Featherweight's face as his sleeping companion traveled to sleepy town. Soon, three hours passed since Redheart delivered the good news of Dinky's eventual recovery and Redheart came out of where ever she was during this whole time and said that they were now free to visit with the recovering unicorn}

{Diamond and Twilight were among the first ponies to follow Redheart while a slower, more organized procession followed in their excited hoofsteps}

Redheart: Her room is Room 8 on the left... not that it really matters. She is the only one there. If you will excuse me, I am going to the break room so I can get a drink.

{Nopony heard her, but Redheart decided that she really didn't care. She was pleased in the long run that she was able to heal Dinky. This was especially palpable as she was the only one who showed up to work that day and had no extra help}

{Dinky was awake and smiling at them when Diamond and Twilight entered the room followed closely by the others}

Dinky: Yeah, what took you so long? I was waiting here for quite awhile!

Twilight: We had to wait for you to recover! The nurse insisted that we wait a little bit for you to awaken and recover enough for visitors.

Dinky: Figures!

Diamond: DINKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh thank Celestia you're okay!

{She galomps Dinky and cries happy, relief stricken tears as she buries her head into her mate's fur}

Dinky: Easy, I am not going anywhere. Plus, you are getting snot on my fur. That's like a huge bitch to get out.

{Despite her words, she is clearly relieved to feel her beloved on her. She gives a weak pat on the back of Diamond's head}

Dinky: And the rest of you? How's it going?

Dash: I can't complain given the circumstances. You have been through a hell of a lot though kid! You must be made of tough stuff!

Dinky: Hah, getting stabbed isn't the worst thing that has happened to me.

Diamond: It was so scary! I thought I lost you!

Dinky: {blushing} Well, there was the thought I wouldn't see you again! That sucked. But I would do it again if it meant you were safe..

Rumble: You too are like so sickening sometimes {fakes a dry heave} Stop being so lovey dovey.

Featherweight: {Shit eating smirk} Hypocrite!

Scootaloo: Yeah, you are like the biggest softy imaginable.

Rumble: S-S Shut it!

Scootaloo: I also hear you give lots of cuddles and nuzzle all the time.

Featherweight: It's true dude! You can get so affectionate and clingy. It's a wonder we can separate you at all!

Rumble: {Violently red} You all suck!

{This outburst causes Rainbow, Scootaloo, and Featherweight to break out in raucous laughter. This causes the poor colt to get more and more red the longer the three laugh}

{Sweetie shakes her head at the outburst. Trying her best to ignore the joking, she went over to declare her own relief}

Sweetie: Seriously though Dinky, its great to have you back. It wasn't the same without another smart pony at the party.

Scootaloo: Hey, I'm smart!

{Sweetie giggles at Scootaloo, while the latter sulks}

Fluttershy: Are you okay Dinky? I bet it was really scary!

Applejack: Course it was! I bet my right leg that nothing will ever be scarier than that!

Dinky: It wasn't truly bad till that crazy pony actually became a threat. It was mostly stupid cliche shit that everypony knows. Once she actually stabbed me when I was otherwise distracted, things became serious.

Twilight: I hate to put you on the spot dear, but do you remember what this pony looked like? Did you recognize the pony at all?

Dinky: {Visibly struggles to recall what happened} All I remember was the pony had a mask on from that movie.

Rumble: Oh no, it was a Jason mask wasn't it? Can't some ponies be original?

Dinky: It was from that V for Vendetta movie actually! Bit odd considering..

Rumble: Seriously!?

Dinky: Yep

Rumble: Why?! That mask isn't even scary in the first place. The fucking movie wasn't even a fucking horror movie!

Dinky: According to the pony, it was the only thing they could find in the costume store.

Featherweight: I would rather it have been a Jason mask. He is ten times more iconic.

Rumble: He didn't even appear until the second movie! And the mask wasn't even fucking worn until the third movie! I would say Michael Myers is ten times more iconic then Jason.

Dinky: {Annoyed} They're both iconic numbnuts. My point is, she, (it was definitely a female pony) said that she wanted revenge. That was the gist of our entire confrontation.

Diamond: Why would anypony attack you?

Dinky: {Awkwardly pauses} Diamond, I am not blaming you by any means, but apperently that pony hates me for associating with you.

Diamond: {Dejected} Really? But.... I have been with you for a few years now. I made up to everypony.

Dinky: I know, but they seem to think that... {hesitates} you never changed.

Apple Bloom: I can say that I was probably one of the worst off from Diamond's bullying and I forgave her..... eventually

Sweetie: Ponies have the ability to change. To fully believe somepony is unable to grow up or change is silly.

Scootaloo: Yeah, I probably hated you the most...

{Sweetie glares at Scootaloo from behind Diamond}

Scootaloo: Well I mean, I knew you were pretty serious when you apologized to me. If me and Apple Bloom can forgive you, then why can't anypony else.

Diamond: It's Apple Bloom and I, Scoots..

Scootaloo: Dammit, not you too! I already have Sweetie correcting my grammar, I don't need you as well doing it!

Diamond: But in all seriousness, not everypony can find it in their hearts to forgive their tormentors. It takes a huge amount of kindness to forgive your abuser if they should apologize. In some cases it just makes it worse. I cheated though. I went to an alternate Equestria where I was hated and bullied. That would traumatize anypony to the point of changing their way of life.

Dinky: We've been over this!

Diamond: I know, I am just saying that not everypony can forgive years of psychological abuse at the drop of a hat. This pony sounds like the grudge carrying kind.

Twilight: But you're okay otherwise, right?

Dinky: Yeah, thanks to you and the nurse! You probably did an excellent job patching me up!

Twilight: I would do the same for anypony! But this was the first time I had a protege and something in me snapped.

Dinky: It's okay, Twilight. I'm safe!

Twilight: I know that now of course, but there was just too much blood! I had to do something.

{It is around this point that Redheart pops in and makes the following announcement}

Redheart: I know you all want to spend time with Dinky, but she needs her rest.

Scootaloo: Seriously, your kicking us out? The whole place is a ghost town and for all we know, we can be killed if we leave. On the way to Dinky's house, I was attacked by something. There is no fucking way we are moving! It had so many eyes.... {shudders}

Redheart: {Annoyed sigh} Don't you think I know that? All I meant was to give Dinky some space.

Dinky: I would feel a little safer if they were with me to be honest

Redheart: Are you sure? You did have a pretty heavy ordeal?

Dinky: It's the little things like that, that make a huge difference! I doubt them being in the same room with me will open up or aggravate any of my wounds or bandages.

Redheart: All of you know not to jump on Dinky or roughhouse with her, right!

Scootaloo: Course I fucking do!

Diamond: ..... {Blushes}

Sweetie: Yeah, we can have a hospital sleepover!

Apple Bloom: I can't believe you said that with a straight face!

Sweetie: Neither do I!

Redheart: If whatever passes for the morning now occurs and Dinky has some aggravated bandages, I will know something was up. So NO FUNNY BUSINESS!

Diamond: Yeah yeah! No funny business! But upon her recovery...

Redheart: So now that you all know not to upset or aggravate Dinky, I will go back to the break room. There is a biiiiiigg bottle with my name on it. I think I can pay myself in that for my services. If there is anything that you need during the night, please don't hesitate to let me know. Take care Dinky!

{Dinky waves slowly as the nurse lets herself out of the room}

Twilight: Take care Dinky! Goodnight everypony!

Dinky: Where are you going?

Twilight: I am going to search the rest of Ponyville and see if I can find any other ponies.

Dash: I'm coming with you Twi! There is no fucking way I'm letting you do this on your own!

Applejack: Count on me too!

Pinkie: This sounds like so much fun! A wonderful epic adventure tracking down some giant, faceless meanie pants! Coming Flutterbutter?

Fluttershy: Oh no!

Pinkie: Come on Shy! I'll be there every step of the way!

Fluttershy: Well, alright! But no scary monsters please!

Dash: Hah, bring them on!!!!

Rarity: I might as well join you. If only to keep an eye on Applejack!

Applejack: Hah, I will be keeping an eye on Rainbow! But you can watch my rear!

Rarity: {Wide eyed} What?

Applejack: {Breaks out into laughter} I mean, watching Rainbow is a full time job. I might need some backup!

Rainbow: Let's just go already!

Dinky: No, you can't! I might never see you guys again!

Rumble: Everypony knows what happens if you say you will be back! We are reasonably safe in the hospital. No pony is outside and all that this will lead to is heart break and madness.

Twilight: Somepony has been watching too many movies! We will be fine!

Rainbow: Plus, I will be there with her! With me on the team, nothing will get through!

Rumble: That just makes it worse!

Rainbow: {Frustrated} What's that supposed to mean?

Rumble: Nothing against your character or anything! It's just, if you leave, you leave yourselves open to whatever is out there. Nothing ever attacks from inside buildings unless it has design weaknesses, or it was specifically called to happen. We would have been attacked already if something did want to attack the hospital.

Rainbow: Still, we will be with Twilight! That only works if you are solo and none of us are stupid enough to go out alone.

Rumble: I guess that's a good point. Stick to the buddy system and you should be fine. It may be a pain in the ass, but nopony dies in public or around other people.

Rainbow: Exactly kid! We will stick to Twilight like glue!

Twilight: We should be alright! If we see anypony, unlikely as it is, we will send them this way, so make sure to stay at this location.

Sweetie: Okay! Stay safe!

Dinky: If you see my mom, can you please send her this way! I'm worried about her! She would have been the first one here if she had heard I had been attacked by a psycho and the absense is worryingly. Trixie also should have been here but she too is gone.

Twilight: Of course, but you shouldn't worry about Ditzy.

Dash: That mare is tough!

Rumble: Dash!!! That's jinxing it!!!

Dash: Yeah, ordinarily that's true I guess, but Ditzy is ridiculously hard to injure!

Scootaloo: Yeah, that piano fell on her and she once stabbed herself on a tree branch!

Dinky: I remember that! She barely had a scratch and all that happened was an unwavering fear of trees for a while. It seems that mare is hard to kill even by pointy objects!

Scootaloo: So, yeah, ordinarily that jinxes it, but Ditzy is fucking hard to kill.... not that I tried or anything, but she doesn't get anything worse than broken bones. Still, the fact that she isn't here is worrying, but she isn't dead.

Rumble: Careful though anyway!

Dash: You have no reason to fear for us kid! We are just going on a rescue mission to look for survivors! We will send them this way if we find anypony!!

{After an additional pause as hugs are passed around, the six mares finally depart the hospital leaving the fillies and three colts behind. The atmosphere is rather tense as a weighty silence falls on them}

Dinky: So what's the plan guys?

Sweetie: Sleep, I guess!

Snips: Snails is also missing! He hasn't shown up either.

Scootaloo: Why the hell haven't you brought that up when we were discussing ponies we were concerned about earlier?

Snips: Forgot

Silver: We had a lot on our minds! From worry about Dinky to all the other happenings!

Scootaloo: Whatever!

Dinky: Sleep does sound good though! We should all try to get some sleep. Maybe we can head out tomorrow, to look for Snails.

Rumble: Is that wise though?

Featherweight: Probably not

Dinky: Yeah, but we can't in good conscious leave anypony to the town. Whatever is out there is dangerous.

Scootaloo: Sleep first, rescue later!

{So the foals decide to sleep! Soon midnight strikes, though nopony has any real way of knowing that. Silver Spoon has holed up near the foot of the bed with Snips nearby. In her sleep she has grabbed hold of him. Dinky and Diamond are cuddled together with relived smiled on their faces at being reunited}

{A small indistinct sound startles Sweetie awake. Scootaloo is using her stomach as a pillow and they had fallen asleep in each other's hooves}

Sweetie: It is probably nothing!

{A moan and a small groan shatters that notion}

Sweetie: Redheart?

{Ignoring common sense, the filly disentangles herself from Scootaloo's hooves and tiphooves out the small room}

Sweetie: I probably should ignore this, but who in their right mind would ignore a pony in trouble.

{Voices whisper in her ear, taunting her that she can't save whoever she heard. They ensnare the young pony and whisper dark thoughts into her ears}

Sweetie: Shut up! I know this is a bad idea! But I can't just ignore this!

???: Bad idea little foal! Monsters have a way of trapping those that wonder into their midst!

{That wasn't a voice from her head}

???: Try the door on the left! *giggle*

{Listen}

{The foal stops dead in her tracks at the voice that was most definitely not a mental torment of her consciousness}

Sweetie: Did you attack Dinky?

???: Wow, we are smart cookies! Very good! Don't even think about preparing a spell little one! I can't be struck by such mediocre spells.

Sweetie: What do you want?

???: I want many things! You can't provide them! But, if you want to play hero, try the door on the left!

Sweetie: Why? Its going to kill me, whatever it is!

???: You aren't on my list! Why would I want to kill somepony who didn't do anything? No, you are merely going to get things started.

Sweetie: What?

???: Knock knock little filly!

{The door on the left swings open terrifying Sweetie. A spell is quickly shot off due to the filly's surprise}

Redheart: Please help me!

Sweetie: Nurse?! What happened!?

Redheart: Please help me!

{Without thinking of the cliched nature of the situation, she gallops frantically through the door! She is so preoccupied at playing noble hero, she doesn't hear the door slam shut or the high pitched giggle}

{The room is pitch black and Sweetie is completely and totally blind. Ordinarily the light of the moon would light up the room}

Scritch, Scritch, Scritch

{Sweetie's whole body tenses at the noise}

{Listen}

Drip, Drip, Drip

Sweetie: Redheart? Are you okay?

{The screen slows down with two buttons on screen. Press X and B}

{Sweetie tenses her entire body. Something is seriously wrong in this room and her body screams at her to dodge right. A sliding noise echos across the room and Sweetie feels something slide across the room toward her. The darkness around her vision increases her sense of hearing ten fold, and she weakly jump rolls out of the way of whatever is attacking her}

Sweetie: Redheart, please snap out of it! It's me, Sweetie!

???: Do you honestly believe that to work?

Sweetie: Let her go you bitch!

???: You can't even see! How do you expect to fight with your lousy magic?

{Sweetie feels something wrap around her hooves, preventing her from moving!}

{Mash the LT and RT as fast as you can!!!!}

{Pain cuts through Sweetie's back as something starts chomping on her causing her to scream. Her horn lights, frantically trying to summon a spell. The young filly struggles frantically. Something wet slides down her face and the smell of metallic enters her nostrils}

{Press X}

{Sweetie's horn finally manages to light her horn with a knock back spell that all unicorn's possess. At dire moments, even an unskilled unicorn can pull off this basic of all spells. Something roars in her ears, and Sweetie's frantic struggles mange to free her hooves}

???: Very good! But can you truly free yourself from your fate?

Sweetie: Shut it!

???: Rude much?

{Something flies drastically through the darkness clouding Sweetie's vision}

{Press B and Y}

{Sweetie, in a blind panic attempts to use her magic to grab the unknown object out of the air. She is partly successful. A blinding flash of pain explodes and Sweetie groans as her magic catches the mysterious item thrown at her. Her magic can't grasp it safely without Sweetie getting hurt it seems. So as soon as she can, she expels it from her, hearing a far off clatter to the floor and a watery, guttural moan as her reward}

???: Meanie! But you really can't save yourself in the end. In the end, you will all die, and I will get my revenge!

Sweetie: What did I do?

???: You should know! You did it!

{As Sweetie recovers from whatever injured her, she feels a pressure on her throat and her blinded vision blurs}

???: Game Over Sweetie Belle!

{MASH THE FUCK OUT OF THE A BUTTON!!!}

{Sweetie can smell something rotten against her face and a giggle echo in the tiny room. The tiny unicorn struggles to knock off an attacker she couldn't see. She struggles valiantly to draw breathe, but whatever has hold over her, is too strong}

???: Nobody to help the poor little unicorn. Your friends are asleep, and there will be no one to come to your aide. Too bad really, but you deserve it! You all deserve to die! Even me come to think of it. How ironic is that!!! But I am long dead already and all I can do is bring eternal damnation upon you all for the misery you have caused me!

{Sweetie can find herself unable to see. But as she continues to struggle valiantly to whoever is trying to choke her, she can faintly hear a voice off in the distance}

Sweetie: hh-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-hh-h-heeellllllpp

???: It won't do you any good! It's just your imagination!

???: No it isn't! Get your fucking hooves off my friend, bitch!

{From seemingly nowhere a new comer enters the dark room. Because of the darkness, Sweetie can't see who it is, but she recognizes the voice}

Diamond: Snap out of it Sweetie! Use your magic to break free of Redheart's grip! Can't you see that she isn't the nurse we know!

{The pressure on Sweetie's throat is gone at Diamond's words. The unicorn falls to the floor and violently coughs her lungs out. The lights then turn on a few moments later. There's Diamond Tiara looking concerned and drenched in blood alongside her}

Sweetie: Hey, *cough* the lights came back on! When did you show up here Tiara?

Diamond: {Concerned} The lights were on this whole time! The door was wide open and you were being choked to death by Redheart! That doesn't make sense. Why would she do that?

{Sweetie, confused, turns to look at where Diamond Tiara was pointing and felt herself get sick}

{Listen}

Sweetie: Oh Luna! What happened to her!

{Shocked, Sweetie falls to the ground in terror! The nurse's body was perhaps cruelly broken, and covered in stab wounds. Her eyes were wide with shock and horror at whatever happened or attacked her. A blood puddle was forming underneath the obviously dead nurse}

Sweetie: {Crying} I heard her crying out to me! She was alive before that bitch attacked me.

Diamond: Who?

Sweetie: {Grabs Diamond roughly} I heard the killer! I think she did something to my perception. It was dark and I think something was controlling her. She was alive, Diamond!

Diamond: No Sweetie, when I came into this room, the body had the stab wounds already. She was already long dead. I will agree with the controlling part of your story though.

{Sweetie breaks down further in shock. Diamond comfortingly lays a hoof on the sobbing unicorn's back}

Sweetie: Thank Celestia you were here Diamond! I think I could have died here tonight and you saved my life! Thank you so much! Thank you so much.

Diamond: I couldn't sleep and when you went out of the room so suddenly, I followed you. I would have been here sooner, but it was a bitch trying to navigate the hallways. This room isn't that far from where we were staying, but it took so long trying to find it. I wasn't that far from you anyway. Several doors I tried on the way led to dead ends. Something was fucking with me!

Sweetie: Let's go back to the others! I don't think we are as safe here as we thought.

{Tired, the two fillies tentatively exit the room. For a long while, the body in the room is still, but soon a violently red light covers the Nurse's body.

???: {Voice over} My revenge against you, nurse has ended! Thanks for your cooperation!

{The scene shifts over to the foals. By now, Sweetie and Tiara have made it back to Dinky's hospital room and after waking up everypony, they were informed of the news that Redheart was killed. Needless to say, the news isn't taking very well}

Rumble: I fucking told you! We aren't safe anywhere! Why, Sweetie, did you feel a need to investigate? Don't you know that is the quickest way to the grave?

Featherweight: Hush, Rumble. How was Sweetie just going to ignore a potential cry for help. How could anypony ignore that?

Scootaloo: Dammit Rumble, you should know by now that even if Sweetie ignored the cry for help, something else would have arrived to get Sweetie to investigate. It would have persisted until whoever the fuck did this, got Sweetie out of bed and on her own. Don't you know anything?

Rumble: That may be true, but it is still a trap.

Scootaloo: Yeah, it may very well be a trap, and all of us will die off one by fucking one. The point still stands, that it is impossible to actively ignore any random noises or distractions. It's rigged against us.

Dinky: All of you, quit discussing cliches. It's annoying!

Snips: So what are we going to do now?

Silver: Redheart had just healed Dinky and some sick fuck kills her? What the hell did Nurse Redheart do to anypony?

???: What indeed little ponies!!

{Listen}

{The voice laughs in an echo around them}

???: She deserved her death. But look around at all the gathered little ponies! I can crush each and every one of you right now! But what fun would that be?

{The voice is soon revealed to be a pony standing silently in the corner. The pony is once again wearing the Guy Fawkes mask. One corner of the mask is covered in blood while the rest is clean. The kind of clean that has no blemishes or otherwise marks of any kind}

Scootaloo: You attacked my little sister! I will fucking kill you!

Diamond: Wait, Scootaloo!!!

{But Scootaloo ignores the warning! Vengeance is on her mind and she takes off in blind rage toward her imagined tormentor}

???: Ah, Scootaloo! You were always quick to anger. But, I am not going to fall so easily. There is nothing that you can do to me!

Scootaloo: {Charging} We'll see about that fucker!!

{The mysterious pony giggles in amusement}

???: Clearly, you believe you can injure me with pitiful attacks! How juvenile and sad!

{Before Scootaloo can lay one hoof on the mysterious attacker. Her hoof violently stops in midair directly in front of the pony}

Scootaloo: What the fuck!?

???: Are you done?

Scootaloo: What are you?

???: I said, are you done?

Scootaloo: First tell me what you did? I should have beaten you by now!

???: *Sigh* How disappointing! Scootaloo, can you punch through air?

Scootaloo: No?

???: Is that a question or are you really clueless?

Scootaloo: You can't punch through air. But what does that....

???: There is nothing you can do to harm me because I am already dead.

{Silence echoes around the room as everypony is stunned}

???: But... I can hurt you! Want a demonstration?

{But the mysterious pony doesn't allow an answer, Scootaloo's hoof shakes in the air before a resounding crack echoes and Scootaloo screams in violent agony}

???: Now shut up and let me talk!

{Scootaloo falls back to the floor cradling her seemingly fine hoof to her chest. After awhile she feels the hoof in confusion and stares in wonderment at the mysterious pony in front of her. The pain is gone as quick as the pain started}

Scootaloo: What ...

???: Never mind all that! We are going to play a game! I am going to kill you all! Every last one of you. you are going to die. But what fun is murder without first playing a little game. Sweetie?

Sweetie: {Scared} W-W-what?

???: You will be the player tasked to save your friends! I will give you one chance and one chance only to save them. Save them properly before they die on their own blood, and I will let you keep them. I don't think I need to tell you what happens if you fail, do I?

Sweetie: No mam!

???: Good! I like the sound of this game! We shall call it the Friendship Game. Friendship after all is about saving your loved ones and those you care about, right?

Sweetie: Ye-yeah

???: But in the end, it's all meaningless! I will have them and they will be so happy with me. We will laugh, and sing, and be together forever! But that's not important. Do you think you can save your friends, Sweetie? Do you love your friends enough to save them?

Sweetie: Ye-Ye-Yeah, I do! They mean the world to me!

???: No, I don't think you do. No one really cares about anypony! Let alone you! Not in the long run anyway! But anyway, I will catch you later! I have an old friend to see about a bear! It will be so exciting!!! Toodles!

{The mysterious mare vanishes from sight with only the faint sound of her laughter giving away the sign that she was there at all}

Dinky: What a fucking bitch!

Scootaloo: She isn't what I pictured though.

Diamond: What do you mean?

Scootaloo: I thought she was somepony I knew. When Dinky described her, I thought that would make it easy to track down. She is a bigger threat then I was imagining. I felt my hoof break by some powerful force, and then once I realized that my hoof looked fine, I tested it. The pain quickly vanished after that. But it felt so real. It was so realistic, I felt short of breathe and it was just an illusion.

Sweetie: But we are fine for right now! We are all here, safe, for now anyway!

Dinky: Even still... Let's call out our names! You know, role call! I don't feel so good all of a sudden!

Sweetie: Here

Snips: Here

Silver: Here

Diamond: Here

Rumble: Present

Feather: Yeah

Scootaloo: I know I'm here!

Dinky: I'm here too

{Silence}

Sweetie: Apple Bloom?

Scootaloo: Oh shit!

Dinky: AB please for the love of fucking equinity, be hiding

{Apple Bloom, not being present in the room, could not answer the desperate pleas of her traumatized friends}

Dinky: Shit!

Sweetie: Maybe she left a clue of her whereabouts somewhere. She is a smart filly, she wouldn't leave on her own like this without first warning about it.

Diamond: Well we're in luck cause when I looked around the area, I found a note.

Scootaloo: {Semi-jokenly} It isn't a ransom note is it?

Diamond: Relax! It isn't even remotely close, but it still gives me an ill feeling!

Guys,

Appleajack came back to the hospital and decided to take me with her. I only had enough time to write this note to tell you where I was. It was pretty late at night, but she insisted. We were going back to the farm to check on Winona and then we were going to look for survivors.

Sorry I couldn't wait up,

Apple Bloom

My List of Friends:

Redheart (Winner)

Apple Bloom

Dinky

Silver Spoon

Scootaloo

Featherweight

Diamond Tiara

Such good friends. I can't wait to play with them. Even though they hurt me and made me feel sad and lonely, I forgive them. The dead can't hurt anypony anymore. We will have so much fun together; I can't wait. One by one I will make them all my friends, forever together. With this list, I will keep track of everybody. They will all be winners of the Friendship game

End of Chapter Three