Chapter 1: Welcome To Equinox
Tamuro awoke with a groan, his head throbbed with pain, looking around, everything was pitch black except for a few candles on their sticks. He could hear voices as if they were having a conversation about him. His eyes couldn't pierce the darkness, but could make out silhouettes that twisted in the shadows around him.
A mare came into the light and spoke to the boy, "Hello, Human, I'm Dimmed Star, It's good to see you're still alive... I was afraid Sloth had bucked you too hard. It seems I was worried over nothing," she said with a slight tone of mockery, acting relieved to see him unharmed.
Observing her, Tamuro could see this was a pony, but frightening in appearance. From what he could see from what the candle light illuminated, she had a pale purple coat, dark purple mane, black eyes with three irises. She was facing him, anything else was obscured by the darkness around him.
"Stay away from me!" cried Tamuro.
Dimmed Star slowly walked towards him, a familiar scent of iron that came from the black substance increasingly overpowered him. Tamuro heard a slight splash with each step the mare took as if she was walking on something wet.
Tamuro clenched his teeth as he forced himself to tear his gaze away from her eyes and down to her hooves. His heart began to slam against his chest, his breathing doubled and it took all of his being not to scream when he saw the black blood dripping from the bottom of her hooves.
His chest rising and falling rapidly, his mouth opened and closed as he tried to scream, and her favorite part: his whole body trembled and convulsed with fear. She began to step towards him again, she couldn't hold back the twisted smile that spread across her face, and revealed her gnarled teeth that were filed to fangs.
She saw how weak this human was, and thought maybe all of them were the same. Dimmed Star seemed to laugh when the boy's face somehow pulled back even further.
Fear filled Tamuro's mind and found himself unable to form a single sentence. Dimmed Star noticed this and tilted her head slightly, "What's the matter, boy? Cat got your tongue?" said the mare as she came close to his face. His instincts told him to run, but he felt frozen in place, unable to move. "Oh, where are my manners, welcome to Equinox," said Dimmed Star, moving away to give him space.
Now that she had backed away, his fear seemed to have lifted a bit. Now able to speak, Tamuro asked, "Equinox? B-but... How did I get here?" If this wasn't his home, then... Maybe this was a dream or a nightmare.
Dimmed Star stopped and looked over her shoulder, "That, I do not know, it seems you came here somehow. It's quite an intriguing mystery to me as to how you got here and how you found this castle." explained Dimmed Star.
The very idea of it made her think, there shouldn't have been any way for humans to travel here... unless... An idea popped into her mind, "Tell me, boy, what's the last thing you remember? Anything at all will help." asked Dimmed Star, trying to weed out the possibilities.
He thought about it, but nothing came, except him waking up here. "I'm sorry, but I can't remember," said Tamuro, holding his head still in pain. Seeing him suffering, Dimmed Star levitated a potion into his hand. "What's this?", he asked with a puzzled, yet cautious tone in his voice, unsure if it was a trick.
With an annoyed sigh, she turned and replied in anger, "It's to help with your pain, to numb it! Now drink it!" frightened, he did so quickly. The aftertaste was horrible, and made him want to vomit, but kept it down. "Now, I will go inform our queen about these events. So don't move and try not to make too much noise," said Dimmed Star as she left the room.
Now that he was alone, Tamuro stood up and proceeded to look around. It's then that he remembered his lighter, he never smoked, but just kept it around for an emergency.
Since this counted as one, he tried to light it, sparks flew out from it; kind of illuminating where he stood in quick flashes. "Damn it! Useless piece of junk," said Tamuro as he threw it across the room and hit the stone wall.
It was then that he heard a sound, almost like the hooves of a horse. Looking around, he saw nothing but darkness. Turning back, he shrugged it off as his own imagination playing tricks on his mind. Tamuro again felt something in his presence, but can't see it.
A cheerful laugh seemed to have come out of nowhere and startled him, the only option was to look for a candle; as these were the only means of light. Running blindly for the nearest source of light, a silhouette moved instantly in front of his path and stopped him.
"Ooh! You look like fun to play with!" said the shadowy figure. As it moved slowly towards him, Tamuro felt a sense of dread, almost a killer instinct. Time was running out and Tamuro needed to think fast, the nearest object was his lighter. Flicking the flint wheel in panic, he tried to get it to work. But as the shadow drew closer, it lit up and gave him a good view of his attacker.
The mare seemed to stop and just stared at the lighter, almost as if it was new to her. The Mare had a red coat, puffy mane and tail, black eyes with red irises, and a mouth which didn't seem to open or close.
Tamuro was just as confused as she was and just watched as she moved her hoof over the flame.
"Ouch!" cried the mare as she pulled her hoof away quickly.
This may have been the chance he needed to get away quickly, but it was too late. The mare had tried to attack him but missed as her hoof hit the floor, and set off the pain in it. Crying in pain, she rolled on her side, clutching her hoof. Amusing as this was, even for him, it was time to move.
Moving over to the door, Tamuro slowly and quietly passed by the archway and into the next room.
Now clear of that creature, Tamuro was free to explore. But he had to be cautious as the mare could easily come back for him and possibly kill him. As he walked the halls, the castle seemed devoid of life; nothing remained but webs and some old furniture. The stone walls felt cold to the touch, this place hadn't seen proper care in centuries. As he Moved towards the next hallway, he came to a three-way intersection of the castle.
Here he had to make a choice, the direction he would choose could lead to safety or death. "Okay, three ways to go, but only one choice. Great..." said Tamuro with a sigh.
He decided on the left path, and made his way down the dark hallway, only lit by the torches every few yards. Maybe one of these would help? Taking one down, Tamuro held it tightly in his grip.
The torch seemed to illuminate much further than his lighter could, which was a relief as he would see if anything was coming. But as Tamuro approached the next door he could hear somepony talking
"Damn it, Dimmed Star! You should never have brought him here in the first place," shouted a voice from the inside, almost sounded furious.
Dimmed Star seemed to be a little agitated in her response, "Oh be quiet, Sloth! If I needed your opinion, I'll ask for it!" the argument seemed to go on, but went silent. This seemed ominous, it was too quiet; Not a good sign.
Looking through the keyhole, Tamuro could only see Dimmed Star, but the other figure was hidden in the shadows, except for the red irises glowing in the dark. "Now promise me you will not touch this one, he's special to me," commanded Dimmed Star, serious and in a threatening tone.
Growling in frustration, she agrees, "Fine! You can have your little lab rat, Dimmed Star. But remember, you owe me!" as quickly as the argument began, it was over.
The door opened and Dimmed Star came out, but before she closed the door, she replied, "Of course I will, no need to get in a tizzy over it, Sloth." finally she closed the door behind her, and noticed Tamuro sitting there behind her. "Count yourself lucky, boy, I just saved your life. Be grateful and do as you're told," said Dimmed Star as she walked away.
Tamuro was grateful but terrified at the same time. Who was this Sloth she was talking to? He shook his head of the thought and continued down to the main lobby.
The banners were tattered and ripped, but a picture of a familiar black hole was on them. Another set must have been here because they seemed to be scorched beyond recognition. A thought came into mind as he looked at the scorched banner, maybe there was something more to this then Dimmed Star was telling him.
A familiar voice seemed to come from behind him, "Curiosity killed the cat you know. I'd be careful if I were you." turning around, he saw Dimmed Star standing before him.
Her expression turned from neutral to a smirk as she warned him, "Some secrets are best kept buried. You'd do well to remember that." Tamuro never said a word, which is how she liked it. No questions meant fewer problems down the line for them.
Dimmed Star gestured for Tamuro to follow her, but hesitated as he remembered the attacker earlier. Curious, he asked, "Dimmed Star, who was that red pony who attacked me?" This human's curious nature started to annoy her, but she ignored it, hoping it would die. "Was she your friend or something?" asked Tamuro.
Dimmed Star stopped in her tracks and seemed upset, but spoke to the boy, "Yes, very much so. Her name is Zalgy, a very close friend of mine as are the others."
Moving towards the hallway, she turned left and stopped at a set of two huge steel doors. "This will take us to the queen, but one last piece of advice, show respect or this will be your last time you see yourself alive," warned Dimmed Star as they enter through the large doors and into the throne room.
Inside the throne room, the queen watched their approach and kept a watchful eye on Tamuro as Dimmed Star lead him to the foot of her throne.
"Oh, and who might this young man be?" asked the Queen.
Dimmed Star bowed before her queen, and introduced him, "This Is the human that came into our world by unknown means, your majesty. I have yet to determine how it was done" Tamuro could see the queen clearly in the light of the moon.
She appeared to be a gray color, a mane and tail that moved like a cloud of smoke, and crimson eyes that almost seemed to peer deep into his soul.
Queen Black Hole raised a brow, interested in those events, "This is interesting... Tell me, boy, what's your name?" asked the queen as she waited for the boy's answer.
Tamuro swallowed hard, feeling the aura around the queens, it felt sick and twisted, almost the same as Dimmed Star's. The queen was getting impatient, but kept herself calm, and then Tamuro spoke, "M-My name is Tamuro Uchida, your majesty."
Tamuro forgot his place and Dimmed Star made him kneel before her majesty. Queen Black Hole could see this was the boy's first transgression, and waved it off since he was a guest.
Having heard this man's name, the queen introduced herself, "I am the eternal queen of Equinox, Black Hole, it is a pleasure to meet you, Tamuro." A black orb levitated in front of the queen and seemed to glow with a pulsing dark aura.
Elevating the orb around Tamuro, she explained, "This orb, it allows me to see your thoughts and intentions. Do please hold still, and Dimmed Star, make sure he does." Dimmed Star nodded and kept Tamuro in place as orb's light moved over him, and what she saw was quite intriguing. "It seems this one is indeed special as you claim, See to it that he has a place to sleep", said Queen Black Hole as the orb was sat back down on its pedestal.
Before they could leave, Queen Black Hole has some final words of warning, "Oh, and Tamuro, don't go anywhere you're not allowed to venture. If you do, you'll die on the spot", said Queen Black Hole as they both left the throne room together.
Once they had left her presence, Queen Black Hole thought about what she had just seen. This human has accessed a power nopony knew existed, better yet, used it subconsciously. "A special guest indeed, and soon that world shall be mine," said Black Hole with a grin and chuckling to herself.
Outside the throne room, Sloth awaited them, her coat seemed to be yellow, eyes black with glowing red irises, an orange and yellow mane and tail, her cutie mark resembled a familiar Egyptian symbol called a Udjat. As they passed by, Sloth spoke to them, "I told you once and I'll say it again, Dimmer Star, what you're doing is pointless. Just let me kill him and be done with it." Tamuro was confused, why kill him when the queen had said to make him feel at home?
Dimmed Star seemed annoyed but calm in her demeanor. Her eyes glanced over to Sloth and she replied, "Her majesty's orders are law, Dull Sloth, touch him and I'll end you myself.." Sloth backed off knowing full well what that meant. The way these two acted would suggest they were friends, but now at odds with each other. Moving along, Dimmed Star made sure to watch Sloth as they went around the next corner.
Out of her reach, Dimmed star seemed agitated, almost angry. Tamuro felt afraid to even speak to her at that moment, fearing she may lash out. "Sloth is ignorant, I will succeed, I must", said Dimmed Star eager to move things along.
Having heard this, Tamuro could only wonder what she meant by that. He kept quiet as they approached a door, opening it revealed it to be sleeping quarters. But It seemed to have one occupant.
"And who might you be? Never seen you before." a mare was lying on the bed across from the other one, she looked as if she had been already dead. It reminded Tamuro of a zombie-like appearance, her midsection looked like it had been sewn back together, her mane and tail white with a hint of gray. Her eyes black as well with what looked to be V-shaped pupils.
Dimmed Star stood to the side as the mare approached Tamuro, getting a good look at him. "Yep, haven't seen you. But anyway, you can call me Rotten Bunch, I have no intention of harming you. I'm not going to lose my head again disobeying an order." said Rotten Bunch.
Seeing as everything was fine, Dimmed Star left, but not before giving Rotten Bunch a task she could handle, "Rotten, I leave this human to you, make sure nopony touches him." Rotten Bunch nodded in response and Dimmed Star left the room and shut the door behind her. Now alone with this pony, Tamuro couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Tamuro kept his eyes on her and hoped she wouldn't bother him. Having seen that, Rotten Bunch just glared at him and said, "Boy, you either say something or look away. It's rude to stare." Tamuro looked away from her, uncomfortable with the idea of sleeping in the same room with her.
Seeing Tamuro over on the bed as he looked away was making her feel she needed to say something, make him feel at ease, "Tamuro, you have to remember that we are not all happy and friendly. We never wanted to be this way." Rotten Bunch seemed to look down at the floor as those words came out, unsure if Tamuro would listen, "But since Dimmed Star won't say it, I will." said Rotten Bunch as she began her story.
It was about one hundred years ago...
Everypony was living their daily lives, under the bright sun and moon, each day was a chance to meet new ponies and friends. But not everypony was happy, especially not Princess Celestia, even though her sister, Luna, tried to make her happy, nothing ever worked.
But one day, Princess Luna found Celestia down in the crystal cave, where she had always gone to think. But Princess Luna didn't find what she was expecting, she found her sister had hidden away a secret for so many years.
Princess Celestia had sealed away a part of herself that she felt would be harmful to all who lived in Equestria. Shocked that Celestia had kept this from her, Luna upset and tried to destroy it. But she only helped it escape as it possessed Celestia, and turned her into a dark pony called Black Hole.
And as for Luna, she never stood a chance, she fought back as best she could but was defeated. Black Hole had changed Luna into a monster like herself, to which she was then called Eclipse.
But Eclipse tried to defy Queen Black Hole, but was killed before she even got the chance, it was tragic. Queen Black Hole then proclaimed herself queen and eternal ruler of Equestria, no...of Equinox. Everypony was changed by what Queen Black Hole called the divine smoke, which Dimmed Star had invented as a harmless experiment, and it had turned everypony exposed to it into twisted versions of themselves.
I and my friends tried to fight back, but we were no better off than Eclipse was. We turned into monsters ourselves, and not for the better; each of us, at first, hated our appearance. Eventually, we accepted our fate and had no choice but to serve our queen.
"Now you know the story, there are times I wish we could go back to the way things used to be. But Dimmed Star seems to have grown distant, that blood magic she has affected her mind. I fear she may be lost to the rest of us, heck, she threatened Sloth several times and said she'd kill her if she ever spoke badly of the Queen again," said Rotten Bunch, concerned for her friend. "If you're curious, I had died years ago, Dimmed Star had revived me in one of her experiments to give life to the dead ponies, but I proved I was too smart to be a zombie so Dimmed Star stopped her living dead experiments, I now live alone in a dead farm, " explained Rotten Bunch as she looked up at the ceiling.
Tamuro noticed how she seemed to be alone when he and Dimmed Star entered. "Are you always alone like this, I mean, your friends, right?" asked Tamuro.
Nodding, Rotten Bunch got off the bed and walked over to Tamuro's side, she looked curious. "Tamuro, tell me, you have a family, right? Back in your world?" asked Rotten Bunch.
Tamuro hesitated to answer her question, but patience was one of her best qualities. "Yes...I have a wife and two kids, one of them is very sick. I worry about her every day. Those kids mean the world to me, I'd be devastated if something happened to them," answered Tamuro, the thought alone seemed to have made him sad.
Of course, it's not like he could just go back whenever he wanted to. But now it's time for bed and Tamuro feels exhausted as he yawns and lays back on the firm mattress, not the best of comforts, but it'll do. Rotten Bunch walked back to her bed, and blows out the candle, eyes open in case a certain somepony decided to walk in uninvited.
