Escape From This Afterlife

Escape From This Afterlife

Act One: Oh Sorry, Did I Wake Your Dream?

Chapter 4: Enter Sandman

"Now I lay you down to sleep, pray the Lord my soul to keep..."

*   *   *   *   *

It was pure and utter chaos. Ponies screaming, shouting, shoving, running, and rioting. Guards shot at the fleeing figure, the one that was supposed to be executed, the one with many names.

An axe flew through the air, passing by Princess Celestia's and into the crowd. The poor victim to be hit by the weapon was none other than her brother, Shining Armor.

The axe was lodged into his side, and he was lying on the ground, blood gushing out of the wound. Twilight had tears flowing down her cheeks as her parents picked her brother up and ushered her along.

"Twilight, we need to go! Keep close and follow us, okay?" Her mother, Twilight Velvet ordered, and the filly nodded, sniffling sadly. She glanced over to her brother, his eyes gazing into her's.

"I-It's fine, T-Twily... I-I'll be fine." He muttered to her, reassuring his younger sister. She smiled a little as they began pushing through the crowd. Shooting a glance to the left, she noticed the thing hopping onto the train, the guards halting at the train station.

Little Twilight stayed close to her parents and never ventured far away, as they made their way through the rioting and uncontrollable crowd, her brother levitating in the air in her father's magical grasp.

She more often than not was shoved and pushed by the other ponies, same going with the rest of her own family. But they kept moving towards the hospital, Shining Armor already passed out, worrying Twilight beyond belief.

The guards eventually landed near them, keeping the crowd away from them as they started to gallop to the hospital, the Royal Guard accompanying them by their side.

"Make way! Move!" Night Light screamed as they finally made it to the hospital, which was now taking Shining Armor into the emergency room, doctors and nurses rushing around.

Twilight stood there, watching her brother was wheeled off, deeper into the building to hopefully be saved. She prayed to Princess Celestia that they save him, she couldn't live without him.

"Twilight, why... Why don't you take a seat in the waiting area." Velvet said lowly, pointing to the chairs in the corner. The little filly nodded, wiping her nose and eyes, approaching the chairs.

She hopped onto them, and glanced to the books on the little table, which were kid books. And she didn't want to read the adult books, they were too boring. Instead, she vied to close her eyes and let sleep embrace her.

*   *   *   *   *

I used to be able to say I was a decent Human Being. I gave to the needy, helped my friends and family out in situations they were trapped in. Now, I can't say that.

You can't say you're a good person when you've murdered three people, even if they hurt you, and then kill another just to spite someone, and I realize that now.

Maybe I should have let my neck snap. It could have sent me to Hell to atone for my sins, or it could have given more questions that needed answers. God knows I have too many of those.

The questions being the most obvious, you could see them a mile away. Why I am here? What purpose do I serve in being here? And how do I get out of here? Only time will tell if I want these answered or not.

Eventually, I will find these answers. Whether if it will be in some kind of ancient or hidden book I have to search years for, or maybe I have to rip it out of Celestia's mouth, or all the answers could be in my mind.

Speaking of Celestia, she fucked up my head doing that shit. I can't remember my own fucking name! Not to mention all the memories and names I've forgotten now. And I can't even prevent it.

Scrounging around the library in my spare time, I've managed to educate myself on Equestria, and especially on ponies. I mean, until I can find out how to get my memories and name back, this is the next best thing.

Surprise said she would ask around for any books on how to restore my mind, and on how to stop it. But, I don't know about the latter, because by the sound of that small snippet, you have to be a Unicorn to learn how to stop it.

Since I don't want to be a fucking horse, I have daily little mental visits by Celestia and I'm afraid it's starting to get worse. Everyday, I lose a little more of myself. By this rate, in two months, I will forget everything about myself.

It's already been a week since I escaped, and I've been doing decent in keeping quiet and hidden. Well, that's to be expected when you don't leave the fucking library, but still, I'm surprised she hasn't found me.

Unless, she knows I'm here, and is just fucking with me. Which sounds like the more reasonable and logical side. I mean, I didn't really make a silent and clean escape.

Yeah, someone got hurt from that axe. A little white colt. Well, I use the term colt loosely, he was fifteen. Apparently, he got drafted into the Royal Guard now and is doing well. I'm fucking glad, too. I'm not completely evil.

But, to Canterlot, and the rest of Equestria is concerned, I'm the living embodiment of evil and chaos. Well, there is one pony that doesn't think that way, and she's insane.

Surprise is very nice, don't get me wrong, she just seems a little wrong in the head... Okay, no, I'm not going to sugar coat it, she is a fucking happy, safe psycho.

She's been helping me, though. A lot. Feeding me, letting me live here, and hasn't told anyone I'm here. I appreciate it so much, I wish I could pay her back somehow, but I can't when I have a giant target painted on my back.

I've tried to tell her that she shouldn't waste her food and water on me considering I don't need it, but she won't listen to me and continues to anyway. Whatever floats her boat.

I found out more about her, though. She's sixteen, so I'm well seven years older than her. And she used to work in a hospital for sick kids, to try and cheer them up, as well as just regular parties. Hence the name Surprise.

I contemplated telling her my real name, not this fucking bullshit name I've been using my whole life. It's only been a week since I met her... But she's helped me more than anyone on Earth ever did.

I can't now. Celestia took that right away from me, I'm stuck with Crimson as my name for now... Until I can recover it from her, somehow. I don't know how, or when, but I will get my fucking memories and name back.

"Crim Reaper!" Surprise's cheery voice called out, reaching all the way from the bedroom upstairs. After she found me in the closet, she insisted I stay in that room while she slept in the bottom room.

"I'm here!" I yelled back, my eyes glued to a book detailing ways on deflecting mind control and turning it around. It also tells you how to do it yourself, so you fucking bet I'm trying to learn this shit.

Considering I haven't left the library at all, I'm still just in that sheet I stole from the train, albeit this time I don't smell like shit. She was kind enough to let me shower, too.

Although, Surprise doesn't know about the sword... I've hidden that somewhere in case Celestia or the Guard breaks in here or I need to escape... I shouldn't have thrown that axe, for several reasons.

Glancing to my reflection on the glass cup, I took notice of my thick and unkempt beard and increasingly long hair. Shaking my head, I returned to reading. It's not like I have my electric razor with me, and I'm not letting anyone with scissors near me.

Closing the book, I picked up a different one with the title 'Princess Celestia: Our Beautiful and Kind Ruler'. I smirked at the name and flipped the book open, hoping to gain some insight on the bitch.

"What you doing?!" Surprise suddenly asked, her face popping up in front of me, out of nowhere. The glass cup spilled as I calmly lost my shit. Closing the book, I glared into the mare's eyes.

"You know, I wonder if giving me a heart attack would kill me so I can get the fuck out of here. So please, try harder next time." I said, standing up. She just smiled and shook her head.

"Well, guess what? There's royal guards looking for you in town, so I told them you were here!" My eyes bulges out of their sockets as I picked up the pony by the wing tips, absolutely furious.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?! To think, I thought you-" I was cut off by her laughing in my grasp, pissing me off even more. This fucking pony has the nerve to laugh in my goddamned face.

"Calm down, Crim, it's a joke! I told them I saw you leave town yesterday, heading north." She explained in between laughs. I promptly dropped her and walked over to where my sword was. Snatching it, I placed the tip at my forehead and sighed heavily.

"I'm sorry, Crim Reaper, why don't we go and get you some real clothes! Because you look like a bum." Placing the blade back into it's original, secret spot, I stood back up and walked back to Surprise.

"Fine." I replied, walking past her. Taking careful steps to make sure I didn't trip and fall on the sheet, I made it to the front door and lifted the sheet over my head, covering my face.

"Don't worry, Crimson, we'll get you looking decent!" Surprise exclaimed as we made it out the front door, the sun bearing down on us, frightfully so. Why is it so hot all of a sudden?

Before I could react, a giant beam of sunlight shot down from the Sun itself and surrounded me, covering my whole body and I felt it surrounding my mind. As soon as it ended, I found myself in Canterlot Castle.

"Crimson, welcome back." Oh ho ho, you fucking bitch. I turned around and found myself staring at Celestia on her throne, two Royal Guards by her side, spears nestled safely under their wings.

"What the fuck? What the hell did you do?" I asked, my fists clenching tightly against my will. I took a step forward and four more guards behind me stepped towards me.

"I saved us both time and brought you here. To test you. To mold you. It's been too long." She said, her horn glowing. Suddenly, my sword appeared in front of me. I quickly snatched it and glanced back to the princess.

"You want me to fight you? If so, you're in for a fucking fight." She doesn't know... I can't feel shit. I grinned under the mask of the sheet, readying myself for a one-sided fight.

Do not become cocky. I can practically taste it in your mind.

"Stay out of my fucking mind." I said dangerously low, gripping the sword and starting to walk to the throne. The guards stepped in front of the princess, and the ones behind me flew over me to join them.

"Well, I believe my guards very much want to duel with you. They've been anticipating this for awhile." She said, her voice flickering to a different sound and tone. What the hell...?

Before I could dwell on that thought, I was immediately attacked by the two spear guards, although I just jumped back. Fuck, it's going to be hard trying to fight them in this sheet. Time to ditch it.

Ripping the sheet off quickly, I felt the cold air hit my skin like a brick wall as I tried to block the spear lunges they were doing, but it just ended up in gashes and cuts. I didn't feel it, but the feeling of the blood running down my skin sent a shiver down my spine.

Suddenly, one of them lunged and I sidestepped, giving me an opportunity to strike. Not wasting anytime, I shoved the blade deep into the Guard's throat, killing him. I then kicked him towards the other one as I sighed.

Blinding light entered my eyes as the dead guard's body started levitating in an orange and purple magical grasp, an ethereal essence floating from his body and towards mine. It dived into my chest and I felt a pinch of my cuts and wounds, not to mention the sleep deprivation, hunger, and dehydration.

She's using their souls to damage me...

Then a giant explosion erupted from the body, sending me and the remaining guards flying around the room. The windows cracked and I saw a blue colored realm full of glowing dots and dust. What the fuck is going on?!

I dropped to the ground and saw a pile of ash on the ground, golden armor and a spear around it. Quickly standing up, I dodged a spear to chest as I hopped away, landing a counter attack on the pony's side.

He thrusted his spear forward and I yanked it away from him, shoving my sword into his eye socket, his eye becoming nothing more than mush as blood leaked out in between the tip of the blade.

Retracting my weapon from his head, his eye wrapped around the tip of the sword, brain matter clashing with the various gore of the mangled eye. Blood cascaded down the side of the blade, leaking onto my hand.

As I went to attack another one, another explosion went off that sent us flying, the pain of my body's aches becoming more apparent as I slammed against the floor. This time a hole formed in the ceiling, and moon light rained down through it.

A spear sliced through my hand, severing my fingers. I grunted as I made it to my feet, the bone sticking out of my hand. They were completely cut off, and blood gushed out of the holes where they used to be.

I chucked the spear I stole from the last guard at one of them, and as it was about to strike him, one of them ran in front of it. It went through his head and into the one behind him, pinning his dismembered head to the wall. Holy shit!

Anticipating it this time, I prepared myself for the impact as the explosion rang out again. I hit the wall and I wheezed as more rays of light, both sunlight and moonlight, rained down through the various cracks in the walls, windows, ceiling, and even now the floor, revealing that same blue nothingness.

Forcing myself up to face the last two guards, I was surprised when they vanished into thin air, their armor and weapons dropping to the ground, clanking loudly against it. Glancing around, I fell to the floor and was surprised when a voice other than Celestia's echoed throughout the broken throne room.

Thou hast lasted longer than we expected, although we believe we hath forgotten the survival capabilities of one that is fighting for thine life.

"Who are you?" I managed to ask, looking up at a pony that looked similar to Celestia... Yet, different. For one, she was black with blue eye and cat-like pupils, and her mane was flowing like Celestia's, but was colored like the night sky. She also had fangs, ones that looked extremely sharp.

Who we are is irrelevant. However, the identity of thyself is a more pressing matter. Do thou even know thine own name anymore?

"No... I don't... What is happening, where are we and why?" I breathed out, pushing myself off the ground so I could look the pony in the eyes. Well, she was taller than me, but I was close.

Thou fell to slumber researching on mind control, and we are currently in the dreamscape. As for why... We are here to assist thee.

"You don't know me. Why would you help me?" I was weary of this pony because she looks like a walking fucking nightmare, but she hasn't attacked me yet, so maybe I can trust her. Although, only time will tell.

Thou are very dear to somepony and we art aware of thine problem with mine sister. Thy memories she has taken hostage, for whatever reason.

"Dear to someone... Wait, sister? You're Celestia's sister?" I inquired in disbelief, stepping forward a little bit. Why would she help me against her own sister? Something's not fucking right here, and I don't like it.

Yes, we art sisters. But... That's not important. We know how thou can re-acquire thine memories and identity, but it requires getting Celestia to give them to thee.

"Celestia won't do shit for me. She's currently trying to erase my entire fucking being." I snapped, leaning forward a bit. Sighing, I glanced down and then back to her.

Not all is lost, Crimson. The only way to Celestia is patience and time. Somepony will pave the way to mine sister, and from there, the rest will come to thee.

"What do you mean? Are you fucking talking about the future?" I asked, not believing what I'm hearing. Time is the last thing I fucking have, and you're asking me to have patience?

If thou truly want thine memories back, then listen to our instructions: Thou art to wait in Ponyville until the Summer Sun Celebration in ten years. In that time, thou art to defend thyself against Shining Armor's attack, Celestia, and avoid contact with Twilight Sparkle. On that night, meet us here, in the dreamscape.

"Wait, what? Ten years? What are you talking about?" I asked, stepping forward, my mind overwhelmed with so many questions, and not many answers. It was insanity, all of this was.

We art sorry, Crimson, but thy slumber ends soon and we art afraid we can't remain in contact during the day. But, we will be here later tonight, and we will answer thine questions. Farewell, Crimson... And of good fortune.

"No! Wait, I have so many questions!" I quickly said, approaching the pony. But, she vanished into air and I was left alone. Staring at the spot where she was, I felt myself stirring as the whole entire palace began to shake. Then, it became white.

*   *   *   *   *

My head jerked upwards, my eyes darting to my fingers. Glad they were still intact, I noticed that I was resting on top of a book. The title was 'Mind Control: How to Master It'. Closing it, I stood up and rubbed my eyes.

Glancing to the bed upstairs, I noticed there was a white wing hanging off the side, giving me the assumption that Surprise was here and didn't even bother waking me.

Past her was the window, sunlight raining down on the bed and onto her sleeping form. She looked peaceful, although there was obvious bags under her eyes. Worked too hard, I guess.

Entering the bathroom, I locked the door and gazed into my own eyes in the mirror. They jumped from my hair to my beard, and eventually to my naked body, save the cloth on my waist.

After rummaging around the library, I managed to find a pair of scissors, and if I'm going to be living in this fucking hellhole for ten years, I might as well be classy.

Snipping the excess hair off my beard, I started shaving with the razor I searched twenty minutes for. Being careful not to knick my face, I cleaned up my face to the best of my ability.

Now for the hair. Grabbing the scissors, I sliced the hair around my forehead, ears, and the back of my neck, trimming it. Of course, I fucked up a few times, but I made myself look half decent with just scissors, so bite me.

Jumping into the shower quickly, I washed my body and now cut face and hair. Drying myself after a few minute shower, I ditched the cloth and just wrapped myself in the sheet.

Walking back into the main lobby, I sat down in front of the sewing kit I found, I ripped off some of the sheet covering me so I could try and make some clothes out of it.

I don't believe I ever mentioned this, but my mother taught me and my father how to sew. Unlike my Dad, I used this skill very often. Most of the things I used were sewn. Thanks Mom.

You have yet to reveal your location to me. How do you hide so easily from me?

Fuck off Celestia, I'm sewing.

And she did fuck off. As well as some of my memories, because Celestia is a fucking cunt! With that visit done, more of my memories and myself are stolen by Celestia.

That fucking bitch wants me to wait ten years? I will already be lost in a few months, and she wants me to wait that long? Does she not realize that I will probably forget what she told me?

It's bad enough I already lost my name, now stuck with my shitty, edgy fake name. But, will I forget what I've done? To Amber? To that guard pony? Will I forget my sins?

I know the answer to that question, that's the problem. That's the fucking problem. All these thoughts about what I'll lose, they all lead to the same fucking answer: Yes.

Yes, I will forget Amber. Yes, I will forget my Parents. Yes, I will forget M. Yes, I will forget myself. Yes, yes, yes! The answer is fucking yes, okay?! It's God fucking damned yes!

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and attempted to calm myself down. After a minute of just breathing, I continued sewing. Too bad it was in silence, because I would have loved to have some company.

Surprise is nice and lively, don't get me wrong, but... I would prefer another Human. One I could relate to, one that I know. I'm a fucking black sheep here, and I hate it.

Sure, I differ from the ponies a lot. It's something I could never get on Earth. I would just live the same tired life of someone else for the millionth time, and yet nobody questions it.

Here... I could try and do something. Do something for myself and be proud of it. Of course, it'd be a pain in the ads considering the fucking white horse chasing me, but I could try.

Trying is what I've been doing all my life. I've been trying to succeed at life, have something to look back at and feel pride. But when you're beaten down constantly, it's a little hard to do that.

I'm twenty three years old. I'm young. And yet... I'm dead. It's something so surreal and it's fucking crazy. Not to mention it was by suicide. Something that's looked down upon.

And yet I did it, and I'm here now. With these ponies. With this target painted on my back... With Celestia. With Surprise. And with that other pony, Celestia's sister. I'm here and can't change it.

But, I can certainly fucking try.