The Catacombs of Zalgo

Chapter 8: The Room of Rage

The ambiance was dead quiet and the temperature began to rise, as they ventured further down the hallway. It was a mystery to the ponies. Usually, the temperature was very cold everywhere else. But in this hallway, the temperature felt like they’re heading inside a regular temperature house. While Jack quietly lead the ponies to the uncertain challenge up ahead, Applejack and Fluttershy had a quiet conversation with one another.

“So that’s basically the whole deal. I don’t know much about him yet.” Fluttershy informed Applejack.

“Ah see… but… do you ever get the feelin’ we shouldn’t be trustin’ him?” Asks the cowpony. Fluttershy looks at her in a contemplative way.

“What makes you think that?” Fluttershy asked.

“Well… it’s not like I’m doubtin’ him or anythin’. But, what if he’s workin’ for them secretly? Like, when we finally get the group back together and stuff… he’ll strike us down like a hungry predator. The point is sugarcube… I don’t trust him.” Applejack eyed at the back of Jack’s head as she furrowed her eyes.

“I’m tellin’ ya, darlin’. Somethin’ ain’t right with this human. I just know it.” She added. Fluttershy blinked her eyes as she had a notion of Applejack’s misgiving statement.

“Well… I-I… I trust him. Sure he can be grouchy sometimes… but I just can’t help it but feel… sorry for him.” Fluttershy mumbled her last words. Applejack shot a puzzle stare at her.

“What in tarnation made ya’ll think about that?” Just before Fluttershy could respond, Jack stopped walking and turned to his companions.

“We’re here.” He announced. Fluttershy leaned her head over to Applejack for a quick reply.

“I’ll tell you later.” She whispered. With everyone quiet, Jack eyed at the door behind him.

“This is it… The Room of Rage. Here, your greatest fury you’ve ever experienced will appear. However, this room is different from the other two rooms we passed. Not only the fog will just sense and manifest the illusions, it will also deplete your rage gauge. By doing so will drain your vigor until you're nothing but a hollowed shell. The trick… is to not let your anger overrule you. All the rage energy that’s been gathered and collected will be divided into two different energies: Fear and Desire. Then those two energies are separated and transported to the two previous rooms. Why those two energies spawn is beyond me. Anyways, you’ll all notice why the temperature has changed so dramatically. It’s not heat… it’s the energy of rage leaking from a cracked wall up in that right corner.” Jack cracked his neck and continued.

“Oh. I almost forgot. It’s no use trying to avoid the fog. Once you step in the fog it’s a race against time. And when I meant that… I mean we need to get the key fragment quickly before… my illusion will appear.” He said looking stern. Rarity noticed that Jack’s fists were shaking with frustration. Out of curiosity, Rarity spoke up.

“Illusion? You mean… you hate someone?” She asked and Jack nodded back slowly.

“I do. And my rage is too great for your minds to comprehend. That’s why we need to get that key as fast as possible. Once we grab that key, we need to escape the illusion quarter quickly. Because… my rage… will kill us all. So be strong and face your challenges head on when they’re present it to you. Or regret everything with your life.” Turning around, he faced the door as he was determined to get this done. He let out a deep sigh and looked over his shoulder towards the ponies.

“You all ready?” He asked every pony. All the ponies nodded their heads in determination. Jack placed his hand on the handle and began the countdown. At that point, everyone was ready to sprint inside the doorway. They lowered their necks and prepared themselves for Jack’s command.

“One… two…” At that moment, Jack pulled down the handle and swiftly swung the door open.

“THREE!” He yelled and dashed inside the room. Following along, the ponies also charged inside the pitched dark room. Down they went on the metal staircases, the temperature rose dramatically. The room was similar to the Room of Horror, but the only difference was the pathway. On the pathway has a series of huge scratched letters that were bolded in red while going horizontally. Each letter lead to the next one until it spelled out a word. One of them spelled, ‘Anger’. Then the next spelled, ‘is’. And the last one was, ‘death!’. Not knowing what that meant, the ponies ignored the words and continued to run. Suddenly, a red thread of semisolid energy beam appeared on Fluttershy’s forehead. Its other end lead to an unknown force within the pitch-black. She gasped unexpectedly as she looked upon her forehead. Fluttershy tried to ignore it, but then she tripped. She found herself ensnared by metal shackles that appeared unexpectedly on each of her legs. Fluttershy screamed in terror from the state she was in.

“GIRLS! HELP ME!!” Cried the gentle pegasus. The other ponies swerved their heads back and spotted Fluttershy in a trap. Rainbow Dash quickly gasped.

“Fluttershy! Hold on!” She cried out. But just before she could act, Jack halted her.

“Leave her! She’ll be alright as long as she doesn’t give in to her anger! Just keep running!” He yelled. But the ponies came to a complete stop after Jack said that. They couldn’t abandon Fluttershy alone in the dark. Applejack gaped in distraught from the command.

“Whah! Now why ya’ll say somethin’ like that! If yer not gonna help Fluttershy darlin’ here, then I will!” Rarity and Rainbow Dash agreed with AJ, as they got her back while they stood firm in defiance.

“Yeah! What gives you the right to say something like tha-“ Rainbow Dash was suddenly interrupted by Jack’s quarrel.

“THEN ALL OF YOU JUST WAIT THERE UNTIL I RETURN!!” He yelled back and kept running. In just a few seconds, Jack had disappeared into the darkness. All they can hear from him was his panting and footsteps. As the ponies looked at Fluttershy forehead, they trailed their eyes along the threaded red beam to the end. But the trail ended within the pitch black that was presented to them. At that sudden moment, the thread began to move. As it moved, a familiar hearty chuckle echoed within the room.

“Ooooh how delightful! And here I thought my time of fun had just ran out!” The mysterious voice spoke. Realizing whose voice that belonged to, the ponies heaved their breaths dramatically. Fluttershy’s pupils shrink in terror, as she knew who it belonged to.

“Oh no…” Murmured Fluttershy. At that moment, a figure emerged from the pitch-blackness. Connected on the other side of the thread was none other than the previous villain they’ve encountered not too long ago… Discord. The other end of the thread was connected to his chest.

“Hello ladies!” Greeted the devious villain. Everyone’s jaw dropped from the unexpected appearance.

“Discord!” All the ponies said in unison. Upon hearing his own name, Discord levitated into the air and laid back in relaxation, crossing his legs with both hands behind his head.

“It’s so wonderful to see all of you back in harmony once more! Oh! I’m sorry… there are four of you! It’s such a misfortune too! Was hoping I could share some… laughter right now. Oh! And of course… a bit of ‘Friendship Magic’ along with it too!” Discord laughed vigorously. But the ponies weren’t amused by his sense of humor. All of them glared at him like the enemy he was. Discord looked at them while he displayed a smirk.

“Oh come now. You don’t really think they’ve been… well you know… pushing up daisies.” He spoke deviously with a few deep chortles at the end. Fluttershy furrowed her eyes at him while she tried to contain her rage.

“Go away. You’re not even real. So why don’t you just leave us alone?” She snarled. Holding back her rage against her greatest enemy proved to be a challenge to her. The red beam thread connected to Fluttershy and Discord slowly lit up a bit. Streams of microscopic cells were transferring from Fluttershy’s head to Discord’s body. Fluttershy suddenly felt a little woozy for a second from the energy that was depleting from her head. While this was occurring, Discord made another chortle.

“Not even real? Hmhmhmhm… do you honestly believe that? I’m a spirit… not an embodiment entity. You think you ponies have defeated me that easily? Tisk tisk tisk… I guess you all need another lesson about chaos and disharmony… wouldn’t you agree? Hmhmhmhm… of course… being in this place for a while has done my job already! But it wouldn’t be fun if I didn’t get to join in!” Discord lifted his eagle claw up in the air and struck it forward towards the group. His eagle claw created a powerful gust that tossed Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack back deep into the darkness. Fluttershy swerved her head around and gasped.

“Girls!” She cried out. But it was no use; her friends were nowhere to be seen. It’s just her and Discord now. With her friends out of the picture, Discord cracked his fingers while chortling.

“Now then Fluttershy, why don’t we start boiling up that little head of yours? We’re gonna cook up some chaos stew with a bit of disharmony for the seasoning!” Discord laughed at his own humor. Not far away, Rainbow Dash got back up to her hooves looking around aimlessly.

“Ooooh! That dopy Discord is gonna get it! I… whah?” She suddenly paused herself as she noticed she had a similar red beam thread that is connected to her forehead. She placed her hoof on the thread and nudged it a bit.

“What the hay is this thing on my head?” She pondered. Trailing down the line from her forehead to the pitch-blackness in front of her, Dash’s heart pressure started to rise. She wondered who was on the other side of the line. Dash has a lot of enemies and bullies she hated in her lifetime. Not knowing who will appear, Dash prepares herself for the worst. Suddenly, there were little trotting steps heading towards her. Sweats trailed down her head from the heavy tension. Dash lowered her head and spoke in an uncomfortable tone.

“W-Who’s there?!” She tried to back up a few steps but found that metal shackles were now ensnared to her four legs. She darted her eyes down and withered her forearms. In her best attempts of escaping, the shackles remained tightly firmed. No use of trying to run away, she eyed back at the sound coming towards Dash and prepared herself. When the trotting steps were close enough, a small orange pegasus filly emerged from the blackness. Dash was relieved and surprised at the same time when she saw the filly.

“Sc-Scootaloo?!” Stuttered Dash. She never thought of hating the little squirt ever. Dash said nothing as the young filly sprung her little wings up while her face beamed.

“Rainbow Dash!” The filly exclaimed excitedly. “I finally found you! I was sooo worried about you!”

“Scoots… h-how did you… n-no… this cannot be real… I…” Dash paused herself right away as she discovered something unusual. She noticed that Scootaloo wasn’t connected to the red beam thread anywhere on her body. The other end of the thread hasn’t presented itself yet.

“What…?! H-How…?” She stuttered in confusion, as she gawked at Scootaloo.

“Where were you?!” Scootaloo replied. “Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and I were looking for you guys! How did you all end up in here?!” Just before Dash could respond to her question, another figure suddenly emerged from the pitch black. The end of the thread finally met Dash.

“Hey flip flop! It’s been awhile…” Spoke a spunky character. Out came a punk griffon with a mean look on her face. Dash noticed right away that the red beam thread was connected to her forehead Right away, Dash gasped dramatically.

“Oh no… Gilda?!” Gilda shot a death stare at Dash.

“That’s right! I’m back! And you’re gonna pay for humiliating me in front of your pathetic friends! I was totally wrong about you… you're not a loser… YOU'RE MUCH LOWER THAN THAT!!” She thundered while strutting over to her. But just as she could go any closer, Scootaloo slid right in front of her pathway.

“Hey! Don’t talk like that to Rainbow Dash! You better leave her alone you big jerk or else!” She threatened Gilda. Standing firmly against the bully, Scootaloo’s eyes were deadlocked on to Gilda’s. Rainbow Dash’s heart started to beat anxiously, because she didn’t want Scootaloo to get involved into this.

“Scoots! D-Don’t do this!” Called out the frantic pegasus. But it was too late, as the enraged Gilda immediately shot a death stare at the little filly. Without warning, Gilda snatched Scootaloo by the throat and brought her up close face to face. She stared into Scootaloo’s frightened eyes with boiling anger.

“What the fuck did you just called me?! I SAID… WHAT THE FUCK… DID YOU JUST CALLED ME?!?!” Screamed the enraged griffon, as she strangled the helpless filly. Squeezing her grip harder, Scootaloo started to gag for air. Her eyes were already upwelling in tears.

“H-Hey… stop that! It hurts! Please, let me go!” She whimpered. Her little legs started swerving around to break free from her grip. But to no avail, it only pleased Gilda’s fuming rage. At that moment, Gilda lifted Scootaloo up even higher and slammed her whole body to the ground. The wind was knocked out of Scootaloo from the pounding force. Rainbow Dash gasped in horror from Gilda’s action.

“Gilda! Leave her alone! She didn’t do anything to y-“ Suddenly, Dash was cut off by Gilda.

“Shut the hell up, you flip flop! It’s bad enough that you made me look bad… but THIS?! Oh no… I’m going to take all my anger on this pathetic loser!” Gilda growled. Resting her fuming rage aside, she eyed at Scootaloo’s watery eyes and smirked sinisterly.

“Scootaloo, huh? Well… let’s see if your name really stands up!” Chortled Gilda. Slowly, her mouth opened as her neck rose up. Something about this gave bad vibes to Dash and Scootaloo. Then, the unthinkable happened. Gilda lunged her head straight down and gripped her sharp teeth into Scootaloo’s right forearm. At that moment, Scootaloo screamed in agony as blood immediately squirted out from her forearm. While her teeth were gripped on the forearm, Gilda savagely shook her head from side to side like a dog would. Almost immediately, the fragile bones on Scootaloo’s right forearm began echoing pops and shattering noises. Hearing her bones cracking, Gilda tugged her head hard as her grip held firmly on the forearm.

One or two jagged bones tore through her forearm, as the orange pony’s skin held. But just as the bones were completely disconnected from her socket, the skin tore away. Scootaloo screamed twice as loud when the pain shot through her whole body. She can feel an overwhelming warm release from her left forearm. Fresh batch of tears were trailing down her cheeks rapidly. Loads of blood flushed out of the torn off forearm socket. Rainbow Dash’s eyes widen with horror as she saw one of her friends being brutally punished.

“SCOOOOTALOOOO!!” She screamed from the top of her lungs. She tried to struggle free from the metal shackles, but to no avail. Gilda took Scootaloo’s ripped off forearm and started to grind her teeth into the skin. Then, she yanked off a piece of flesh and chewed the morsel. She contemplates on the taste of the young filly’s flesh for a moment. Then she nodded in delight.

“Looks like I am right! You do taste like chicken… hehe… how ironic. Want a bite, Dash?” Taunted the malicious griffon. Scootaloo’s eyes were coated in tears as the pain overwhelmed her. She looked at Dash helplessly.

“RAINBOW DASH!! PLEASE!! HELP ME!! IT HURTS!!” Cried out Scootaloo. Dash couldn’t bear to witness anymore of the horrific acts Gilda made. Her head was boiling up in rage, her muscles were tensing up, and her teeth were grinding together. Dash shotted a death stare at Gilda while she struggled to break free.

“GILDA!! I SWEAR, ONCE I’M FREE FROM THIS, YOU’RE GOING TO PAY!!” Thundered the enraged pegasus. The red beam thread on Dash’s forehead glows very brightly. She ignored the waning strength and pressed on her aimless rage. Gilda just sat there looking mischievously.

“Stings, doesn’t it flip flop? You made me do this, Dash. You’re going to experience my hatred I’ve kept bottled up inside of me!” Gilda said and continued to devour the rest of Scootaloo’s arm. On the other side of the room, Applejack encountered a familiar and yet obnoxious unicorn. The unicorn had a blue fur coat with a light blue mane. The unicorn wore a purple magician robe and hat. And the mare had a magic wand for a cutie mark. It was none other than…

“The Great and Powerful Trixie demands vengeance! You and your little band of ruffians are nothing more than irksome gadflies!” Trixie exploded in anger. Her hoof pointed at Applejack, who couldn’t move as metal bracers were shackled to her legs.

“But Trixie guesses that this is a fitting punishment for you. Hehehehe… just like a simple-minded peasant would!” Taunted the magician unicorn. When Applejack heard the phrase, ‘simple-minded peasant’ she tapped into her competitive side. Like pushing a button, Applejack became enraged.

“Oh that does it! Ya’ll gonna get some serious whoppin’ from me!” Yelled Applejack. She tried yanking the chains that bound her hooves, but it wouldn’t break. The red beam thread on her forehead glowed brightly. It was sapping every ounce of energy per second. With Trixie being nourished by the energy, her body size slowly grew. Static of electricity swarmed all over Trixie’s body, as the energy overflowed her body.

“Oh yes! Keep at it, peasant! Trixie demands more punishment for Applejack! Soon, I’ll be more powerful than ever before!” Trixie boasted in a joyful way. Meanwhile, on the darkest side of the room, Rarity pulled herself up from the blast Discord made. Checking to see nothing was wrong with her mane, her heart was back into panic mode. She darted her eyes everywhere to see any faint of light. But the darkness was too heavy.

“Oh my stars! Not this again! I just hope that the girls are alright.” She whispered to herself. She was about to trot off, when suddenly, a red beam thread struck out on her forehead. Metal shackles also appeared under her as it snares Rarity. She gasped and looks down to her hooves.

“What the?! Oh dear…” Shutters Rarity. “Not me too!” Suddenly, a handful of mud flew straight towards Rarity. The mud splattered all over her face. She flinched from the incoming surprise. Rarity gasped in disgust.

“Eeewww! Gross! Gross! GROOOSS! W-Who’s there?! Who threw this dreadful muck at me?!” She cried out in demand. At that moment, she heard a hearty chuckle coming towards her. The red thread slowly reeled itself.

“What’s the matter, Rarity dear? Afraid to get… dirty?” The familiar voice mocked Rarity. Right in front of her, a figure emerged from the darkness. A white unicorn stallion with a well-groomed yellow mane presents itself. Carrying with him was a white saddlebag filled with wet soil. He made a menacing chortle at Rarity.

“We meet again…”

“B-Blueblood?! I-I… No! Not you!” Rarity shudders in anger. Her temper rose from the sight of her greatest antagonism. Blueblood eyed at her with a sly smirk on his face.

“Hmhmhmmyes. Forgive me for throwing this repulsive material at you. I didn’t threw it hard enough.” At that moment, he reached into his saddlebag and flung another chunk of mud at Rarity. It splattered on her neck and chest. Rarity grunted a small pain from the impact, as it nearly damaged her windpipe. Blueblood chortled in delight from the sight of Rarity’s pitiful state.

“Hohoho my! This is entertaining!” He said. Rarity’s anger rose from Blueblood’s actions, as she was forced to relive the horrific events that transpired at the Grand Galloping Galla. Her beautiful mane and coat were now ruined. She looked as though she was homeless. Her face lit up in red with her teeth clenched. Ignoring the red beam thread that was sapping her energy, Rarity shot a death stare at Blueblood.

“Rrruuuuugh!! STOP IT!!” Roared Rarity. But Blueblood kept laughing joyfully and continued to throw wet mud at her. With all four ponies now facing their greatest antagonist, how long will they last until their vigor fully depletes?