Interlude – Otherworldly wishes
„No, this place is like heaven and hell mashed together. Is this the kind of rest my unsettling heart desires? I might find a reason to be here, but until then, we ARE going to search for a way to break through all of this. Just wait for us, brother.”

The room was gloomy, cold, and the quiet echoing sound of dropping water nearby wasn’t making things any more hospitable. Every minute, a distant slam could be heard, resonating and lingering about for a few seconds. The unstable, fading fire of candles lit the room up just enough to recognize the circle of six chairs and the figures sitting on them. Each seemed to have a shadow hanging over their heads, and because of that, the chamber looked darker than it actually was. The tension, fear and lots of other negative emotions suffocated the air and permeated the close space between the participated, like little demons possessing the heads of their victims. None could offer full resistance to this unbearable situation.

Except Twilight Sparkle. She felt it around her, of course, but it didn't mean anything to her. Over the events of the past week, her heart went cold. She didn’t know whether it’s good or bad anymore. ‘How is it that my soul has survived? I should be down there, the same place Applejack went. How could I keep my calm like this, when my whole world shattered around me? Was I always like this? Were those mares nothing more to me than mere subjects for Princess’ friendship research? And the Elements, were they also a lie all along?’ She kept asking herself these questions as she stared across the room at the cowpony, whose mane and skin alike lost most of its colors and now wore a pale white instead. Twilight was unsure she could even see her cutie mark anymore, once shining trio of apples that was well known for saving Ponyville many times before.

It had been three days already and she hasn’t spoke a word ever since. She could only sit there, head tilted forward, her eyes covered and hiding behind her mane, while the shadow consumed her. Twilight thought that such a sight should probably be sad and depressive, so she continued to fight herself to bring at least a sign of some emotion. Instead, it only made her annoyed. Although not as bad, the same thing that has caught Applejack passed over to the ponies sitting close to her. Both Fluttershy and Rarity haven’t recovered from the insane ride and were apparently waiting to be woken up from this nightmare of nightmares. As long as they didn’t know what was happening, they could remain in this room, shocked, but no harm done.

Twilight really wanted to be like them, however she was fully conscious of everything and she’s been given a responsibility. At least she achieved to be a little sorry for the three mares. But not for those sitting a little farther than the rest. The weaves of straitjacket, metal chains and leather belts strapped to the chair prevented any kind of movement for Pinkie Pie, yet her muscles struggled as she did not lose her will to fight. Twilight, disgusted with the foul creature she used to call friend, took only a short glimpse and was about to turn away when she noticed a little curl forming at the back of Pinkie’s perfectly straight mane.

Walking slowly towards the imprisoned monster, a thought came rushing through unicorn’s head. ‘How many eyes have stolen their last look into these streams of magenta hair? How long could anypony drown in this pinkish hell before ceasing to exist?’ She threw the unwanted ideas away and steadily unbinded the leather restraint mask from Diane’s face, whilst trying not to give attention to the cyan pegasus sitting silently tied nearby.

“You have something to say, Pinkamena?” Twilight asked in a slightly indifferent tone. Little did she know that the wretched pony was giggling under her mask the whole time. Pinkamena took the chance and hurled herself forward in effort to tear off some of the noble unicorn meat, for she was very hungry. Nevertheless, Twilight evaded the attack and kicked the chair legs hard enough to overthrow it down. With a snap, the pink pony fell down right onto her face. Luckily no chain broke and leather belts held tight, too. A small flow of blood ran from Diane’s snout, following the crooked floor to darkness. A subdued groan blew Twilight’s worries out of her mind and the unicorn gave away a relieved sigh.

“Hey,” came an amused voice, “I believe Fluttershy is the expert in stupid animals here. You should leave this one to her.”

“YOU! YOU BITCH! IF ONLY YOU CAME THAT DAY, YOU’D GET WHAT YOU DESERVED!” Diane's eyes were burning with anger, the insane smile of her winged friend reflected in them. She calmed herself down a bit: “I’m ashamed to admit it, but I am sure you would make some delicious cupcakes.”

“Same goes for your smooth cotton candy and my rainbows,” Rainbow Dash was thrilled, “and don't favor yourself so much, you'd be dead before we’d enter your sad little basement.”

“Wanna test it out? I’m sure if I ask nice-“

“SHUT UP! Both of you!” Twilight interrupted the quarrel with the leather mask again. Rainbow let out a cough, turned her head away and her arrogant expression confirmed her silence. One set of chains was enough for Dash, gag being unnecessary with her superiority complex. Twilight walked back to her chair, but just as she was about to sit down, the old timber door at the end of the room bursted, letting three former royal guards in. The one in the middle, shelled beneath a massive golden armor, gave Twilight an important look. The newly-acquired scar under his right eye frightened her, but she knew his magnificently decorated longsword would remain sheathed.

“Commander,” spoke Twilight in a mildly confused manner, “what's the situation?”

“We've won.”

Author's Note

As you can read, this story contains Pinkamena from Cupcakes by Sergeant Sprinkles, as well as Rainbow Dash from Rainbow Factory by Aurora Dawn. Cupcakes obviously never happened (since Dash is still kicking) but Pinkamena is still the psycho bitch you know.

Each chapter starts with an Interlude - it's just something to connect the dots.
I'll be posting more chapters day by day, just need to read and edit them first. Hope that's okay.