The Stone

by ChemIisan

Rating: mature
Tags: Spike, Tragedy, Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Rainbow Dash, Romance, Carrot Top, Original Character
Length: 5646

Sequel to The Book. Applejack doesn't know what to do with this meteor in her barn...

The Book never dies. It refuses to be defeated, and now it is up to Carrot Top to save Ponyville and the rest of Equestria from the terror that seeks them in the night. Each day, more and more victims are turning up; will our hero have enough time to defeat the monster that preys on the residents of Ponyville? Or will her past catch up with her and destroy the town?

The Stone is a sequel to The Book, which can be found here on FimFiction.net.

Don't believe me? Praise for The Book and The Stone include:

"... it's a pretty good read" - Kuran2010

"... I bet you'll be popular." - BlackSwanized

"OH_GOD.jpg this is dark as fuck" - Trill

I may have thrown a few lines out of context here. Just read the stories!

Published 2011-11-06 20:56:14 UTC
Last updated 2011-11-26 10:59:41 UTC

Thunder

This is a brief warning to the readers. Firstly, this is a sequel. I would not read even the rest of this warning without reading the original here. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, this is a mature fanfiction. Contained within you may find gore, frightening scenes, and even disturbing language. If you hated the fanfic Cupcakes, there's a damn good chance you'll want to avoid The Book and The Stone too. In fact, I honestly don't plan to hold back like I did before. In The Book, I only killed one character, and even that was an offscreen segment. You might just want to turn away now before your dreams become unpleasant and your every waking moment becomes that of worry for the main characters. Why are you still here? Did you not receive my warning?...

...well, I suppose it can't be helped. Fillies and Gentlecolts, I present to you... The Stone.

The Stone

A sequel to The Book, written by ChemIisan.

The rain poured heavy on Sweet Apple Acres. For Applejack, it was only a reminder of what happened on that fateful night. Twilight was probably still out there, flying even in this cold weather. This storm was natural, which is unusual for any settlement in Equestria. After all, there was no need to have a natural storm when you had pegasi that controlled the weather. Key word there being 'had'. When Twilight was defeated, she had already stolen the wings of many Ponyville pegasi. It was only a matter of time before it became impossible for the remainder to control all of the weather. As a result, any capable pegasi focused on the town rather than the countryside. It was only fair that the majority of the townsfolk should be protected at the cost of a couple outlying ponies.

She got inside and shook off the droplets covering her pelt. She had been careless and forgot about the approaching storm cloud until it was already too late. She tracked mud across the dirt floors of the barn, as she dropped off a wet bucket of apples. Applejack was startled as she heard another thunderclap in the distance. She walked into the home, meaning to take a shower, but was interrupted walking up the stairs.

"Applejack? B-big Mac?" a weak voice from behind asked. The voice was wobbly and laced with tears. "W-what's wrong with Granny Smith?"

"Oh no..." whispered Applejack under her breath. She practically galloped into the living room and looked at a lime green pony, sleeping without breath. Applejack teared up and hugged her little sister tight. Big Macintosh stood strong and upright as a single tear streamed down his cheek.

"It's okay now... It's alright little Apple Bloom... Granny's gone to a better place now..." Applejack didn't sound convinced over the sound of her own tears. "Hush... it'll be alright... it'll be alright..."

Big Mac moved over and shakily closed her eyelids. There was no pulse. There was no breath. Celestia had spoken.

Funeral

Funeral

Carrot Top was a simple farmer. She sold vegetables in the Ponyville market on Mondays and Tuesdays, and farmed with her friends and family the remainder. After Twilight got to her, her every moment was one of intense pain and suffering. Why would the mild-mannered student harm her in such a way? Carrot Top tried to make the intense aching stop. At first, she just wanted her organs stitched back together the way they were. Rarity set to work designing clothing that would hide her hideous scars, and the pain was mild. When she tried to resume farming, however, a few stitches came undone and she was screaming in agony once more. Her doctor labeled her as 'perfectly healthy, but unable to sustain stress'. The Doctor refused to believe that Carrot Top could not die.

"Everyone dies, my dear, and you are no exception." Doctor Whooves was checking things off of a list. "You are a perfectly healthy pony that had a little rip in her esophagus is all."

"But you weren't there! She did things to me. Terrible things! She even removed my organs, just to prove a point!" Carrot Top coughed up a little blood after this statement, and Doctor Whooves rushed to her side to steady her.

"Don't yell, my dear. Your lungs cannot take such stress." Doctor Whooves sighed once more. "When I said perfectly healthy, I neglected to mention that your lungs are unusually small for a farmer of your age and stature. You should act under the notion that you have asthma."

"You neglected to mention that I have a potentially fatal condition that requires me to carry an inhaler." Carrot Top was being very rude, she knew that, but at this point the doctor kind of deserved it.

"No, well... err, sort of-" Doctor Whooves was very embarrassed to say that he forgot a patient's illness.

"If you're going to be a terrible doctor, at least make sure to tell me what I have before you start claiming that I'm a perfectly healthy pony." Carrot Top was getting impatient and had to be somewhere at three. She left in a huff and barely wished the good Doctor goodbye. She didn't bother with the inhaler either. It was impossible for her to die, so why would she need to take precautions against it?

Carrot Top walked with Berry Punch to the Apple Family funeral. Granny Smith was very kind to them and their farm when they grew up, so the least Carrot Top could do is attend her burial. Berry Punch married into Carrot Top's family and worked on the farm with them, so she decided she owed old Granny her respect too. When they arrived, there was a loud crowd of ponies, but they weren't crying. Many of them were having a joyous time. Carrot Top had been at many funerals before, and she found this in stark contrast to her father Leafy Green's funeral. She was sure that funerals were a somber affair, and this... party, for lack of a better word, was in no way somber nor reverent. Many of the Apple Family were having a good time. A few were even singing a low and hearty song.

"Umm..." Berry Punch started, but Applejack approached them with a few apples. She set them in front of the two newcomers.

"Glad you could make it, Carrot Top!" Applejack shook hooves with the two of them before continuing. "Why, you look like you've never seen an Apple funeral before!" Applejack gave a hearty chuckle as the two guests finished the apples set before them.

"I thought everypony was supposed to be wearing black and weeping. This is... well, it feels out of place." Carrot Top had a puzzled look written on her face, and Applejack knew just how to break it to her.

"Why, th' thought've that makes me want to laugh for everypony t'hear. I would want my family t'be happy when I die, not mope around an' feel guilty 'bout themselves. Sure, I was sad fer a bit, but I knew Granny's just gone t'live with th' family in the sky. She led a good life, an' nopony would regret that." Applejack stopped at the buffet and grabbed a few cupcakes for herself. "Dig in!" she motioned.

"Alright..." Carrot Top said, starting to get used to the idea. But a thought stuck her as she reached for a slice of pie. I've lived a good life, Carrot Top started. But now... now I can't die. So when is my work complete? Will anypony even be able to mourn?

She thought about asking Berry Punch, but the thought was too depressing. She watched as Applejack and Berry Punch joined together in a rendition of 'When The Flowers All Turn Brown'. She smiled. She could worry about immortality another time. For now, she had only to live for the future.

Carrot Top woke up in an unusual position. Sleeping in a stranger's bed with a hangover is even less glamorous than it sounds. She moved off of the bed to discover who her bedfellows were, but she felt a sharp jab from her torso as she moved off the bed. She coughed up some blood before turning around to find an awkwardly positioned Rainbow Dash hanging off the foot of the bed. One of the extended Apple family was asleep with his wife, which made it even more awkward than before. She slowly and painfully inched her way out of the room and closed the door, trying not to make a sound.

She trotted down the stairs to find Applejack asleep in Granny Smith's chair. She considered making breakfast to thank Applejack, but she counted far too many bodies to prepare an unfamiliar dish for. Carrot Top found Berry Punch passed out drunk in the fridge, so she tried to sling Berry Punch over her shoulder. It was already too late before she remembered the 'no stress' rule, and she screamed out in pain. Applejack shot awake and rushed into the kitchen.

"Ohhhhh!" moaned Carrot Top as Applejack examined her for broken bones.

"You hafta obey th' doctors orders, Carrot Top! You can't just be fergettin' whenever you feel like it!" Carrot Top squealed once more as Applejack lifted her onto her back. "I'm takin' you back to the hospital, okay?"

A bleary Apple Bloom walked into the kitchen, yawning. "I heard screams an' came as soon as I could..."

"Apple Bloom, thank goodness! Can you hold th' fort while I take lil' Carrot here to a hospital?"

"Alrigh' sis... but only because I was goin' t'make breakfast anyway..." Applejack suppressed a grimace. She set off quickly, making sure to be as tender as possible with Carrot Top's fragile body. Apple Bloom watched until they were out of sight, then turned towards the limp Berry Punch on the floor. I sure hope Carrot Top will be alrigh'...

Suicide

Carrot Top hated everything right now. The pain was overwhelmingly the thing she hated the most. The pain wouldn't stop, and it made her grouchy from head to toe. Doctor Whooves finished talking with Applejack in the hall and grabbed his clipboard.

"So, I did some checking up on you while you were asleep..." Carrot Top grumbled at this, but made nothing vocal. "You may have been right. That is, about being unable to die. Your lungs were both punctured several times, and your heart was confused with your stomach. No, I'm serious. You had moonshine in your heart." He chuckled at this one before continuing. "Your regeneration speed is nonexistent. Your body has made no attempt to fix any problems caused by the terrible stitching, and you have no scars or blemishes. Your skin is flake-less, suggesting that you do not replace any of your skin cells. This is impossible, because this suggests that your cells do not die. Which brings me to my next point..."

"...your cells do not die. This sufficiently makes you the first recorded immortal in pony history. Of all the ponies to choose, Miss Sparkle made an excellent choice. Your memory skills were beyond believable, from what I've heard. You could probably memorize everything now. I can see it now; 'Carrot Top, the walking encyclopedia!'" Doctor Whooves chuckled once again.

"I've heard enough laughter for one day. I know when somepony is disrespecting me." Carrot Top tried to get up, and surprisingly enough did just that. Pain soared through her body, but she continued to trot away from the bed.

"Y-you can't do that! Your legs are broken in several places! Your hip, fractured!" Doctor Whooves pressed the 'Call Nurse' button repeatedly, but nopony was answering.

"Oh, really?" Carrot Top twisted her neck a full 180 degrees, wincing at the pain. "Watch me."

~=*=~

Rainbow Dash was lost without her wings. They were her life... but now they were gone. She knew they still existed, and they called for her eagerly. When I say call, I mean to say that they were speaking to her. This started back in Twilight's basement, almost directly after she became an alicorn. That is, if you counted the monster Twilight is as a pony.

Collect us. a tainted voice speaks.

Take back what was yours. another repeats for what seems like the ninth time.

The failure does not deserve them. This voice was new, and louder than before. Rainbow Dash looked around.

"H-hello?" Rainbow Dash wondered aloud, trying to locate the voice.

You were the fastest in Ponyville, perhaps even the fastest in Equestria. Now what are you? asked the deep, watery voice once more.

"Who are you? W-what are you doing in my head?" Rainbow Dash asked this regularly, and never received an answer. This time, however, was different.

Do you want the voices to stop, Miss Dash? The way this voice spoke, down to the way it said the word 'miss'... all of these made Rainbow Dash uneasy. Still, if the voice was suggesting a way to make the voices stop, Rainbow Dash would do anything.

"I would do anything to make them stop."

I'm making you an offer. However, the choice is always yours... you may turn around. All the voices became silent immediately. Rainbow Dash hesitated. What was this voice offering? Eventually, her curiosity got the better of her. She turned around to see a book. Gold was etched into the bindings. A wind could be felt behind Rainbow Dash, and the book's pages flipped open to reveal and illustration. An earth pony was seen growing wings from its scarred back. The pseudo-pegasi set off, and the page faded to form a contract.

Sign here, and you'll get your wings back. In fact, they'll be bigger than before.

"I... I don't have a pen..." Rainbow Dash wanted so eagerly to sign, but she was wary of the offer nonetheless.

No need. In my world, you sign in blood. A spinning wheel rose from the ground, its needle sharp.

What are you waiting for?

Murder

The scene was a mess. Blood streaks adorned the ground, and once-purple flesh was now a deep shade of crimson. Carrot Top was the first one notified. They had been very close, after all. When Carrot Top would arrive, not even she could be prepared for what Gumshoe was looking at right now. It was disgusting and sloppy work. The bear really did a number on that poor girl. She probably didn't even see it coming, if her face had anything to say about the whole ordeal. Gold Star pulled in as Gumshoe was examining Berry Punch's dismembered head. Gold Star was the pegasus sheriff of Ponyville, and his cutie mark was a bright gold star. It was rumored that Silverstar was Gold Star's brother, but Gold Star quickly dispelled that theory.

"By Celestia! What sick bastard did this number on her?" Gold Star had seen plenty of things in his life, but even this was overkill.

"Animal mauling. See the bite marks along the neck? The way it was torn apart with teeth?" Gumshoe pointed to

"Not really. Then again, I'm a police chief, not a detective. It's your job to figure out what happened, not mine." Gold Star spat into the bushes and licked his lips.

"This would seem like a typical animal killing... but something isn't right."

"You're telling me! No sane animal would go that far. But this does make me wonder; if it ain't an animal, then what is it?" Gold Star lifted up a bloody bone, examining the bite marks penetrating deep into the marrow.

"Ever heard of the Blut Flügeln, Gold Star?" Gumshoe levitated a few hairs into a bag. His normally grey hooves were lightly stained by the dried blood coating the dirt.

"What? That old mare's tale from when we were kids? Come on, we both know old 'Bloody Wings' ain't real. It was just a story to keep us on curfew." Gold Star scoffed at the very idea that a vampire could be in the midst of the town.

"Each year Equestrian scientists discover thousands of new species of bugs, birds, and fish. Every once in a while, we also find a mammal. What's to stop the Flügeln from being a real creature?" Gumshoe wasn't a big believer in faith and religion, but he was a true disciple of science.

"Even if they did exist, they just stole the blood of the victim. They didn't mutilate the body or anything of that sort."

"You've obviously only heard the Equestrian version. I remember distinctly that the original Flügeln tore their victims apart."

"What kind of sick childhood did you have? I just can't bring myself to believe stories for children involved mutilation."

"Do you even remember Strickmuster?"

"The one who stitched the skin of its victi-" Gold Star's face became very stern. "Well now I'm just troubled by the thought that a Bloody Wings could be right in our midst. You ever thought about writing horror, Gumshoe?"

"Quite often, as it happens." Gumshoe saw Peace Keeper walking with Carrot Top. Carrot Top was anxious, and seeing her dead friend was sure to make it even more difficult for her. "It's the girl. I'll talk to her first."

***

"I just don't understand why it had to be her! Oh Celestia..." Carrot Top was welling up in tears. This grey and white unicorn just didn't understand how hard this hit her.

"..." Gumshoes kept quiet. He knew how hard this must be for her. For a moment, he even saw himself in her. His minde went back several years, and he remembered his partner, Dioptre.

***

"Come on. I just got a call of a homicide on Sweet Street." Dioptre was a light blue mare with a white mane. She had a talent for discovering clues where Gumshoe had seen none. They were a perfect team, and they never once made a false arrest. This doesn't mean that they caught every criminal, but they did a pretty good job. On this particular day, however, the would never catch the criminal. The two made it to Sweet Street with fleet hooves, only to discover the crime never was. It was a trap, elaborately organized by Tom Diamond, a luxurious crime boss who was tired of their meddling. Dioptre never stood a chance; her head was blown off with little more than a click of the trigger. War-machines, they were called. The weapon used to kill her was a gun, long sealed away from the public. Why they couldn't have just killed himself, Gumshoe would never know. The blank-flanked detective felt like in that quick, powerful rush for Tom's throat, he could have died twice and still been running full force at him. It was the first and last time Gumshoe ever killed someone. He could still see the smug, satisfied look the dead stallion wore as Gumshoe lifted himself off of the bulky horse.

Gumshoe had cracked. Tom had won.

Rain

Carrot Top bawled until her tears ran dry. She chose a terrible day to wear makeup, and it dribbled along her yellow cheeks with a grim shine. Gumshoe merely looked on as she collapsed over the body of her good friend, crying and wailing. The police tried to pull Carrot Top away from Berry Punch, but she hung on for dear life. Her howls of sorrow became that of pain, and by the time the police had bagged Berry Punch, Carrot Top was screaming her lungs off.

"Miss Top. Miss Top. Miss Top." Gumshoe was starting to get impatient. He waited until Carrot Top was worn out. She was still sobbing, but she was far more subdued.

"Look, Miss, if you have anything I can go off of, we can find the killer..."

Carrot Top sniffed as she wobbled up to her hooves. "I might know s-something."

"Would you mind walking and talking, ma'am? I'd hate to be stuck in this cold." Carrot Top nodded slowly, running her hoof through her hair. This was going to be a long walk.

***

"So you believe that Twilight had something to do with this?" Gumshoe was at Carrot Top's home now. He was penning down what Carrot Top was saying as he sipped some coffee she had prepared for the both of them.

"I can only hope you've heard of her." Carrot Top moved the spoon in her cup around aimlessly. She really didn't want to be interviewed by Gumshoe. He was nice and all, but he was far too intrusive. All these detective types are exactly the same, aren't they?

"I heard something about Twilight butchering a metric fuckton of ponies back a few months ago. Why Princess Celestia won't just kill the bitch, I will never know." Carrot Top nearly giggled at this last comment, but remembered the torture she experienced in the Books and Branches basement. She quickly suppressed her laughter and returned to the task at hand.

"I wouldn't doubt the Witch's involvement." Carrot Top took a sip of her coffee. "We broke her jaw, though. I don't have any idea how she could have used her teeth to kill Berry."

"That might rule her out... did you say you broke her jaw?"

"Pinkie Pie broke her jaw and her horn. I watched her do it. She shouldn't be able to cast any magic, at least in theory. Doesn't stop her from killing the occasional moron, however." Carrot Top smirked when she thought of Pinkie Pie jumping up and down on the poor gal's face. Did I call her a poor gal? I meant horrific witch.

"The occasional moron?" Gumshoe looked up.

"Mostly kids. It took us an hour to get her to spit out Pipsqueak." His hooves never did recover from that gastrointestinal acid.

"That doesn't sound like a fun pony to interview. I could be hurt." Gumshoe didn't look like the rough-and-tumble type. Luckily for him, Carrot Top had no such qualms.

"Let me handle her. She couldn't kill me if she wanted to."

"How so? You got some sort of magic ward?"

"You could say that."

"I could say a lot of things about you, Miss." Carrot Top frowned at his sly pass. This unicorn was sneakier than he looked.

"I think it might be better if you continue this investigation on your own. I have... issues to attend to." Given Gumshoes expression, he clearly understood the message.

"So you're backing out on Twilight, then?"

"No. I'll do that much for you." She wasn't one to back out on promises. Gumshoe closed his notepad and put on his hat once more, trotting to the door. Carrot Top met him at the door, wishing him out.

"If you ever need me... well, you know where my house is." Gumshoe winked after this. He was clearly not finished seducing Carrot Top.

"And if you need me, I'll be giving a shit over here." Carrot Top slammed the wooden door on his face. A painful expletive made Carrot Top smirk. Served that pig right. She made sure to turn the porch light off before crawling to bed. She swore she heard Gumshoe say something as he slogged away.

"Good job, Sherlock. You've pissed off another beautiful dame."

***

Daisy was skipping along the dirt path to her home. There was nopony around on this path, and she liked it that way. She lived a small distance from the city with her adopted daughter, Scootaloo. She could not wait to get back to little Scootaloo. Today was tiring, and the cold weather wasn't doing any good for her flowers. She considered hiring her pegasi sister to keep it sunny around the garden, but she couldn't depend on her funds to hold out for the costs. Perhaps she could lobby with her neighborhood? She was sure they could all share the costs. A multicolored streak along the night sky brought her thoughts back to a familiar recluse.

Rainbow Dash? Daisy thought to herself, dropping the flowers she was carrying.

She never did finish that thought.

Fog

Carrot Top packed only the bare essentials; pepper spray and a flashlight. As she once told her mother, pepper spray is the one thing you cannot do without. Random criminal trying to mug you? Pepper spray. Hungry bear running your way? Pepper spray. Carnivorous witch with a thirst for killing and no value for life? Pepper spray. It was lightweight, portable, and extremely painful. The perfect combination. Carrot Top grabbed a flashlight because the Everfree Forest was probably dark 90% of the time. After she ensured that the two tools were secure around her waist, she set off for the Everfree Forest.

***

"Twilight... here, girl..." Carrot Top clicked her tongue a few times, as if she was calling for a cat. The wind in the willow trees would have freaked her out a few days ago, but she was starting to get desensitized to the whole thing. "Why can't you just be a good witch and come out from your bushes..."

"I truly would prefer 'Doctor'." Zecora stepped out of the bushes to greet Carrot Top.

"Zecora! I didn't see you there... if it's any help, I was looking for Twilight Sparkle. I didn't mean to offend you."

"Sparkle? I know the monster." Zecora was a bit off today. The demons in the forest must really be sapping her energy.

"Could you guide me there? I'm in a small rush. Ponies have been disappearing left and right." Carrot Top moved closer to Zecora.

"You are only now aware of the blight? Follow, and tell me your plight." Definitely trying too hard. Carrot Top followed Zecora and recounted everything in a brief manner. She started to break up when she got to Berry Punch, and she stopped where she was to cry for a little. Zecora gave her a hug and stayed by her side for what seemed like an eternity.

"How you feel I too have known, but we must hurry to my home." Zecora's face was extremely worried.

"What's wrong, Zecora?"

"No time for rhyme." Zecora slung Carrot Top over her mane and galloped off with amazing speed.

"Wh-what's going on, Zecora? Why are you going so fast?" Carrot Top takes back the thought about being desensitized.

"The Mist is arriving, the clues I have seen. To stay within my shelter is keen." Carrot Top tried to see the mist, but could not.

"What mist?" Zecora's hut was in sight now. A minute layer of fog could be seen in the distance, but it was getting bigger by the moment.

"Not just any mist... The Mist. We will be missed if we are caught in The Mist." Zecora put Carrot Top down and began sealing the windows with large lids. She turned and jumped when she saw Carrot Top was still outside

"I- I don't understand..."

"Get inside, I do not kid! Don't take your chances, Gods forbid!" The pair of them rushed inside as Zecora sealed the door. a small puff made it in, but evaporated.

"What's going on, Zecora?"

"I'm afraid that in my haste, I forgot about the haze." Barely a rhyme, but Zecora didn't care at this point.

"What I'm to recall is from when I was small. There once was Trees and once there was Breeze. They did not get along, so tells the old song. One day a Book tainted the Breeze, and The Mist did contract an evil disease."

"Did you just say... a book?" Carrot Top was wary of her volumes these days.

"You know yet of the beast I speak? I thought few knew of this ancient antique."

"When Twilight found The Book and tortured a few of us, I was on the guest list. When I close my eyes, I can still feel the cold of the metal table resting under my organs." Carrot Top gave a shiver.

Zecora sniffed in the air. "I thought I smelled a memory. Thought perhaps the smell was me. I can smell the death on you. What exactly did she do?"

Carrot Top was thrown off by this comment. Did Zecora say the smell of... death was on her? "She..." Carrot Top paused, carefully picking her choice of words. "She freed me from death."

"As I hoped, you are as they say. The one for who Death does not neigh. Some folk said this day would not come. Who knew that you would be the one?"

"I'm afraid I- I don't understand."

"You can try to hide behind a lie, but your face shows no such guise." It was true; Carrot Top understood every word. It was her job all along, wasn't it?

"I'm just not sure- not sure how to kill it, I mean."

"Did Zecora ever say you were alone? I have another visitor in my home." Zecora pushed a large cauldron from the center of the room. Carrot Top saw that there was a large, round trapdoor with an iron knocker. Zecora pulled it open, revealing a long spiral staircase.

"Do not think, for one hard minute, that Spike is also not on in it." Zecora led Carrot Top down the stone steps and into an underground clearing. There were various test dummies scattered about the room, most of them singed. A medium-sized bench press lay nearby. In the middle of the clearing, Spike was meditating on a tall bamboo pole.

"You have an important visitor, Spike."

"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time..."

END OF PART ONE

Cloudy

Carrot Top winced as Fluttershy stitched up her leg with uncanny accuracy. Carrot Top had swung by to check in on her fellow survivor, but Fluttershy wasn't in the mood for speaking. Hideous scars stretched across her back, her wings now property of the devious crackpot flying above the Everfree Forest. Why Princess Celestia wouldn't just kill the witch, Carrot Top would never know. Her attention was brought back to her leg as Fluttershy pulled tight and snapped the thread, sealing the stitch. Fluttershy was unceremonious in her methods, and Carrot Top was getting nervous. She looked around the room, still charred by magic, much of the furniture broken and never replaced. Carrot Top thought she saw a mouse skitter across the floor, but it could have been a rat, for all she knew.

"I came in to check on you, and I ended up getting checked up by the same... funny, isn't it?" Carrot Top smiled eagerly, trying to cheer Fluttershy up. Fluttershy just looked past Carrot Top. Her eyes were as cloudy as the night sky, her expression devoid of emotion.

"Nice weather, I guess?" tried Carrot Top once more, but her attempts fell on deaf ears. Fluttershy gazed onward, oblivious of her surroundings.

"I... I guess I'll be going, then..." As Carrot Top headed for the door, she overheard Fluttershy mumbling to herself.

Night falls... skies turn red...

"Excuse me?" Carrot Top approached Fluttershy, but she did not respond. She just gazed out the window, still as a statue and cold as snow. "Err... I'll be going, then." As Carrot Top closed the door, she swore she could hear one low, tearful note.

Angel.

***

Berry Punch walked along the moonlight path from Sweet Apple Acres, headed for home. She had far overstayed her welcome, and she felt she might drink Applejack out of house and home if she continued any further. At least that is what her functioning brain cells told her. She was slightly above tipsy and edging into drunk right now. Her thoughts wandered to Carrot Top, who was probably waiting for her at the gate. Berry Punch was much better off than Carrot Top, and yet she was so envious of her position. She wasn't jealous of the pain; she was not at all envious of the way Carrot Top had to avoid heavy lifting and stressful activities. Perhaps a little bit, actually. She was jealous because Carrot Top would be able to see everything. Carrot Top would be able to visit every monument, every museum Equestria had to offer, and there would be no shortage of things to do while she lived. She had no responsibilities, and if pain was the price to pay for an eternal life, Berry Punch would definitely take it. Berry Punch would have dwelled on this a bit longer, but her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of howling wings. The speed at which those wings must be moving... oh, how Berry Punch longed for wings. The moon became obscured by a cloud, and she heard a loud thud from behind her. A pebble clattered nearby her, and she heard shifting.

"Who- who's there?" Berry Bunch asked, frightened by the loud sound. She turned quickly to see Rainbow Dash close behind her. "Oh!" she paused, inches away from Rainbow Dash's face. "I- I didn't see you there, Rainbow Dash. How are you?"

Rainbow Dash responded by opening her new wings. They stretched beyond Berry Punch's vision, their wingspan comparable to a griffon's in size.

"They grew back, did they? That's a relief to hear! Fluttershy will be overjoyed!" Berry Punch was trying to suppress her nervousness, but it shone through regardless. "If- If you don't mind, I have a farm to get back to..." Berry Punch stepped to the right, but Rainbow Dash mirrored her step. She tried moving to the left, and Rainbow Dash followed again.

"I'm sorry, I don't think you understand..."

"I think it's you who doesn't understand." Berry Punch caught a final glimpse of those long, serrated teeth before they sunk deep into the flesh of her neck. There was a snap, and her vision slowly faded as one last thought crossed her mind.

Oh how I wish I had teeth so long as those...