Deliver Us From Evil

Chapters

Voices
Turmoil
Conflict
Awaken

Voices

The Mane Six sat around the Conference Chambers table that contained the Cutie Map. Spike, now far too big to fit in his crystal chair, simply sat behind his chair, still being able to see over it, and wrapping his long tail around the perimeter of the chairs. All of them except Twilight and Spike rubbed their burning eyes as they tried to rid the sleep from them. Dash huffed and crossed her forelegs,

“Twilight…it’s four o’clock in the morning…what is so important to wake us up…”

“This is what I called you for.” Twilight stated, as her horn lit up and she summoned the Cutie Map to rise from the table. Her confident demeanor morphed into that of confusion, as the map shined with its usual pristine glow.

“I-I don’t understand…” Twilight stuttered. “There was black fire, an-and it covered the whole thing. And there was a mare, she spoke in a strange language-”

“Sugarcube, are ya sure yer feelin’ alright?” Applejack questioned with concern in her tone. “Ah remember ya tellin’ us that ya hadn’t been getting’ any sleep lately…maybe ya just had a bad nightmare…”

“No…” Twilight lightly shook her head, “No, I know what was there. It was real! Spike was with me. He saw the map in blazes. He attacked the mare that was talking to us!”

All eyes turned to Spike.

“Well, is that true?” Rarity questioned. “Were you successful in your attack?”

‘Who does she think she is, asking you questions. She that damned plaything’s mouth!’

Spike ignored the voice in his head, “No. Whoever she was, she got away.” He crossed his arms, “I can’t explain why the fire is no longer engulfing the map, nor do I understand the strange language of the mare…but Twilight is telling the truth.” He tapped his chin thoughtfully before looking over at Twilight, “The problem has resolved itself for now. If it happens again, we will let Princess Celestia and Princess Luna know.”

“A-are you sure that’s a good idea, Spike?” Fluttershy questioned softly. “This sounds like something they should know about right away…”

“We don’t have any proof of this happening. The only thing that we have is my word and Twilight's. While I’m sure Princess Celestia and Princess Luna would take our word, there’s just no point in causing them any uneasiness if we can’t show anything for it.”

‘Why are you lying to your playthings? Just tell them the truth!’

‘Shut the fuck up!’

The mares looked around at each other, mumbling a few words of agreement. Dash stretched her wings out,

“Welp, if we’re done here, I’m heading back home. Let me know when you want to wake us up with another one of your wacky dreams.” She gave her wings a few flaps before hopping out of her chair. “I got work in a couple of hours, so I’m gotta go…”

Twilight scratched the back of her neck, “Sorry girls, I just…I didn’t know what else to do.”

“Hey, we’re your friends…you can call us for anything, even if it’s cutting into our sleep time.” Dash gave her a crooked grin. “I’m just jokin’ with you. Seriously, if you need us, don’t hesitate to send a message.”

With that, she pushed open the windows and shot into the sky, her trademark rainbow trailing behind her amongst the stars. Soon, after the others said their goodnight’s before heading home, and the castle fell silent once more.

“Well, I’m wide awake now…” Spike grumbled. “I think I’ll go and do some gem hunting in the castle mines.” He looked down at her, “You gonna be alright, Twi?”

Twilight nodded, “I’ll be fine…” she let out a yawn, “I’m going back to bed…try to get some sleep before I have to go to that meeting in Griffinstone…”

“I’ll sleep in one of the guest bedrooms so that I don’t wake you up.”

Twilight nodded before stifling another yawn and heading back to her room, “I’ll see you in the morning…”

Spike grunted in response before heading off in his own direction. Twilight slowly trudged up to her bedroom and entered. As she passed through the doors, the hairs down her back raised up with instinctive fear and alertness. The room was darker, blacker than Luna ever made her Night. The door gently shut on it’s own.

“Take a seat dear…”

Twilight recognized the voice instantly. It was the same voice that spoke to her and Spike earlier in the night. Her horn illuminated with magic, but no matter how much she tried to light up the room, she couldn’t pierce the blackness that surrounded her.

“Go to your bed…after all, it looks very comfortable…”

She took rigid, mechanical steps to her bed. She knew this was wrong. Something in her told her to scream. To call out for Spike, for her friends, for the guards, anypony. And yet she could not resist the gentle command that was given to her. The touch of the cool silken sheets made her shiver as she nestled into them.

“Relax…nothing will happen to you so long as you do what I ask of you…and you will do as I ask…”

Twilight still had her mind, and the willpower to question the voice,

“What makes you think I’ll just do what you want?”

The darkness that surrounded her started to edge closer to her bed. Twilight felt herself go mind numbingly cold. A hoof emerged from the darkness, and a set of piercing, icy-blue eyes peered out at her,

“Because…you do not have as much willpower as you think you do.” There was a shuffling sound, “You’ve allowed me to lay beside you without even realizing it.”

Twilight blinked. There was a Unicorn mare that was laying in the massive bed beside her. Her coat was a shade of glittering ebony, and her mane and tail were a rich, dark shade of crimson, and her cutie mark was a reddish pink ring with a slanted ‘s’ symbol within, that reached from one side of the ring to the other. She looked up at Twilight with hypnotic gaze,

“My, my…you are quite a beautiful mare, Princess.” She smiled, sporting a set of particularly sharp canines. “Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship and Magic…it must be quite a burdening task for you to be that.”

Twilight dumbly shook her head. The mare chuckled lightly, her laugh sounding like silver bells to Twilight’s ears.

“Is something wrong, Twilight Sparkle?”

Twilight opened her mouth to think of the words to say, but none would come to her. Who was this mare, and why did she leave her so dumbfounded?

“W-who are you?”

Her silvery laugh softly echoed through the bedroom, “I am called…Silken Touch. For you though, my Princess, you may just call me ‘Silk’.” The mare leaned forward, resting her cheek in one of her hooves, “You know, I have come from a great distance to get here, Princess…”

“T-thank you...” Twilight slowly responded. Why did she just say that? Why in the gods name was she thanking her?!

“You must be a very busy mare, Princess. Do you...have time for any fun?”

“Sometimes…” Twilight answered. “I always try to make time for my friends…”

Silk’s smile disappeared, “Oh, no no no, Princess. I did not mean for friends. I meant…” she gently tapped her chin, “Time for more…pleasurable fun…”

Twilight instantly felt her face flush with heat. Silk put a hoof to her lips,

“You’re not…a virgin, are you?”

“No!” Twilight snapped, embarrassed by the question. Silk’s gentle smile returned to her features. She was very beautiful, Twilight had to admit that much. And she seemed to be friendly, for the most part. Why was Twilight worried about her again?

She snapped back to the present when she felt a hoof on her chest. She followed the foreleg it was attached to, and locking eyes with Silk.

“You haven’t had any real fun in a while…” Silk’s eyelids drooped a little and her smile changed into one that had an underlying meaning. “So much pent up tension and energy…” she licked her lips, “Perhaps I could help relieve you of some of that tension…”

Twilight didn’t want this. She knew this was wrong. She wanted this mare out of her room. She had managed to get into the castle and bypass security without anypony seeing her. She may have been the reason that the map was on fire. She managed to dodge Spike’s attack, and there was a possibility that her magic rivaled that of an Alicorn. She was dangerous, and while Twilight still had some fear in her heart, she knew she had to do something. She opened her mouth, ready to tell Silk to get out, or she would be forced out.

“I’d like that…”

DAMMIT NO!!! That’s not what she meant to say!!

Silk leaned in closer. Her breath smelled of fruit scented wine and her coat smelled of lavender and…new leather? There was also a tinge of stationary and the sharp scent of ink. She smelled like lavender…and a freshly printed book. How did she smell like that?

“What desires do you have, Princess?” she pressed herself up against Twilight. Now the princess knew why she was named Silken Touch. “Let me look into your eyes, so that I may do as you wish…”

She tilted Twilight’s chin up so that their eyes locked. Twilight felt her lids go heavy. Her eyes were light colored like the vast, clear blue sky, and somehow dark with the intense depth of all the oceans on their planet. Her body was swallowed up with a warm, tingly sensation, and her mind drowned in sudden intoxication. Silk wasn’t dangerous…she was just a fierce mare that Twilight needed to tame. This mare was brave, to think she could waltz up into Twilight’s castle and just act like she owned the place!

“I’ve been a bad filly…Princess…” Silk whispered, sex practically dripping her lips. Twilight couldn’t control herself any longer. She smiled the smile that she would only give to a somepony she had planned to make her mate. It had been a while since she had been intimate with another. She gently pressed Silk down into the lush mattress. Even though it had been a while since she had been with another pony, she would prove that she was by no means rusty.

“Yes…you have been a naughty filly…it’s time somepony taught you some discipline…

-MLP-

“Get the fuck up, you lazy sack of shit!”

Vinyl’s eyes snapped open, yet she could see nothing. Darkness stretched on into eternity, so thick that she couldn’t even see her hoof in front of her muzzle.

“Ugh…not this place again…”

A pillar of amber colored light shined in front of her, and within the pillar, a mirror appeared. A shadowy figure appeared in it, until it shaped and formed itself to look like Vinyl, the only difference being that the irses were a pumpkin orange. The DJ rolled her eyes and stared at her reflection,

“What do you want, Madd?”

The creature’s eyes flared with an angry orange light, “You’re running out of time, and you don’t even care.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

Madd banged on the mirror. It cracked beneath her hooves, “He’s coming, dammit! You have to let me out!”

Vinyl shook her head and crossed her hooves, “Nope. The last time I let you out…” she shuddered, holding herself tighter. “I’m not letting you out again.”

Madd snorted angrily, “My powers are too great for you, so long as you fight me. Embrace it. Embrace the anger, the rage, the mighty strength that makes your blood boil and your vision go red.” She smiled a wicked grin and slammed on the glass again. A couple pieces broke off and crumbled into dust “You can try to ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ for as long as you want, but you’ll have to use my powers again eventually. You think that little attack on you was just a coincidence? You’d be a fucking idiot to think it was.”

“It’s been so long since any monsters had even came to Ponyville…why did that thing attack me?"

“Because something big is coming, you idiot. And, they’re going to try and stop us before you stop being stupid and accept my power.” Madd slammed through the mirror, shrapnel digging deeply into her flesh. Her body pushed out the shards with ease, gripped the white Unicorn, and pulled her close,

“You’re starting to piss me out, disk jockey.” She snarled. “Instead of turning tables, how ‘bout you turn some heads. They would be far more useful than to be using them to create those stupid vibrations you call ‘beats’-”

“HEY!!”

“Oh, what, are you getting angry?” Madd questioned in a snarky tone. “You gonna do something about it?!”

Vinyl let out a few sharp snorts, then took a couple deep breaths. She gave Madd a cool smile,

“Nope. I’m not angry. You are, since you’re pent up in my mind.”

Madd let out a slew of curses, “Of course I’m angry, you shit head! I’m fucking-” she stopped, unable to get the rest of her sentence out. Vinyl raised a brow,

“Uh…you good?”

Madd didn’t respond. Instead, she shoved Vinyl back, and pulled her foreleg back into the glass.

“You’re going to embrace what you really are…eventually.” She started to turn away from her. “Or everything you’ve ever cared about, is going to be taken away from you.”

Vinyl felt herself getting angry, “Are you threatening me?!”

“I’m saying that shit as a promise. The others are starting to wake up, Vinyl Scratch.” She glanced over her shoulder, “You better do the same, before he comes.”

“Who the hell is ‘he’?!”

Madd didn’t respond. Instead, she walked off into the distance of the mirror, until she was nothing but a speck of white in a sea of darkness. Vinyl reached out, only to suddenly have the air snatched out of her lungs. Her eyes shut and she calmed herself to regain control of her breathing. She opened her eyes, and found herself reaching up at the ceiling. She let out a defeated sigh before dropping her foreleg onto her forehead. Madd hadn’t been so active in years, and with this most recent act on her, along with a string of a few other attacks as well, they had made her uneasy. Perhaps it was time to tell somepony about the things she sees, but who? It had to be somepony who wouldn’t think of her as a madpony. She could tell Octavia…and she knew she would listen, but that didn’t mean she still wouldn’t look at her funny after she told her. She sat and ponder of others to tell, until a name popped into her head.

“Duh, of course!” she grabbed her cell phone with her magic and punched in a number. It rang a few times before a mare’s voice answered on the other side of the line,

“Uh…hello??”

“Hey, I gotta talk to you, ASAP. Are you busy?”

“Nope!”

“Then I’m coming over!!”

-MLP-

Pinkie sat up in her bed. So tired, yet so wide awake. Today had been a very, very long day. Twisted screamed and whined at her to do bad things. Then, her voice was calm and soothing, telling her that it was okay for her to have those thoughts. That it was okay for her to want eat other ponies and not just candies. It was okay for her to want to spread pain, and not joy. The fact that those thoughts were becoming more and more dominant in her mindset was frightening to her. She rubbed her temples with her hooves, and let out a tired sigh. She just wanted to get a good night’s rest. She would need it for the massive party she had to coordinate tomorrow.

‘You know…if you just ate the birthday colt himself, you wouldn’t have to worry about this stupid little party.’

“Please…stop talking…” Pinkie softly begged. A throbbing began in her temples, causing her to rub harder. She suddenly froze when she heard the slight shuffling on the carpet in front of her bed. She squinted, though the moonlight shining through her window didn’t help as much as she hoped it would. There was a sharp hiss that came from the dark, yet nothing about the sound frightened Pinkie. No instincts screamed at her to get away from whatever was just beyond her sight, and Twisted was finally quiet. A pair of shining violet irises finally revealed themselves.

“Geez, you sure are taking your sweet ass time aren’t ya?” a charcoal shaded talon stepped out from the shadows. The voice was dark and smooth like chocolate. “When are you going to step your game up?”

Pinkie tilted her head in confusion, “I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

Another talon soon followed, “Don’t play dumb with me, fat ass. You know what the fuck I’m talking about.”

Pinkie winced at the insult. She knew she didn’t have a slimming figure like Rarity’s, but she didn’t think she was fat. Her hurt, combined with the confusion in her gaze made the eyes widen in surprise,

“Wow…are you serious?” the voice let out a rich chuckle, “Oh, this is too perfect…” the source of the voice stepped out into the pillar of moonlight. It was a griffin, who stood taller than the steeds of Saddle Arabia. The feathers that surrounded his squared jaw, and thick neck were tinged with a periwinkle sheen, and his lion coat was a rich, bold shade of bossanova violet. His snow colored ears had violet tufts on the tips that billowed at the slightest breeze. His leered down at her, sneering as she pulled the sheets up higher,

“You’re fucking pathetic. You always have been, with your barbaric, boorish personality.” The griffin stated.

‘Shut that fucker up now, Pinkamina!’

“Hey, we’ve never even met before! Who are you to talk?!”

The griffin scoffed, “Never even met? Did you really just say that to me?! I am the greatest thing to have ever walked the planet, much less your presence. My glory surpasses that of those ‘things’ that the ponies worship.” He slinked up to the bed, “You’re lucky that I need you for a bigger purpose, or I’d slit your throat.”

‘Pinkamina, KILL HIM!!’

Pinkie felt something in her snap. She ground her teeth, and lunged at the chimera. They hit the wall with a loud thud, and the griffin slashed at her face. She staggered backwards, but her Earth Pony endurance, on top of her strange healing abilities, had made her barely even flinch. He leapt onto her, piercing his talons into her chest.

“You may not die from this…” he hissed as he gripped his talons around her heart, “But that doesn’t mean I can’t cause you a world of hurt!”

He squeezed, and Pinkie’s eyes went wide, as she felt pain unlike anything she had ever experienced in her life. She gasped, and every fiber in her body screamed at her to make the pain stop…

No matter the cost.

Pinkie let out a growl, and clamped down on the griffin’s arm. The warm blood filling her mouth brought a smile to her face.

‘Atta girl! Rip him to shreds!’

He slashed at her again, ripping the skin and a few chunks of muscle off of her face. She glared at him, black steam rising from her gashes. He let out an angry screech, and Pinkie’s eyes went wide as something dawned on her.

How had nopony heard them?

As if on cue, lights from neighboring houses started to come on, and residents stepped out into the chilly night. It wasn’t long before the string of lights reached the Carousel Boutique. The chimera pinned her against a wall and peeked outside. A stallion was talking to Rarity, pointing at Sugarcube Corner as he did. The griffin sneered and licked his beak,

“Maybe it’s a good thing you are an Element Bearer now…” his grin got wider. “I love it when dinner comes to me…”

Pinkie followed his gaze and saw Rarity bolting down the road. She would damned before she let anything happen to her! She raised her hoof, and brought it down on his arm with enough force to break it. She then coiled her legs and kicked him, sending him sprawling backwards, and her heart being ripped out and going with him. She slid to the floor, a trail of blood being smeared on the wall behind her. He gripped his chest. Ribs had been shattered, and one of them had speared his own heart. He hacked up blood.

“You fucking fat bitch! How dare you do this to me!”

Pinkie grinned at him, “You should’ve kept your eyes on me, bird brain…” her irises flashed pink for but a moment. “You have always been too full of yourself, Gasconade….”

Twisted had spoken out loud on her own. Pinkie would've been mortified, had the current situation she was in not taken place. The griffin’s eyes went wide, “You knew who I was…all this time?!” he rose to his feet, “Why you fat fuck!-”

Before he could attack her, a black mass tackled him back into the shadows. There was no sound of impact though. Nothing to show that her protector was successful. The world was silent for a few seconds, before a Unicorn stepped forward,

“Oh no, no, this wont do…” she reached out for Pinkie, but the Earth Pony shirked away from her.

“I do not intend to cause you harm.” The Unicorn gently spoke. Her sultry, light blue orbs spotted Pinkie. She knew she had seen those eyes before, though it was a very distant memory. Yet her name sat on her tongue, and Pinkie, being the lovable socialite she was, never forgot names.

“Silk?”

Silk smiled as she sized Pinkie up, “You must forgive Brother. He gets far too ahead of himself sometimes…” her horn glowed with a red light, “The black magic is healing you, but let’s help it along, shall we?”

Pinkie felt her body get warm and tingly. Her steaming wounds closed up almost instantly, though the blood spatters remained. The door downstairs opened with a bang, and there was a rush of muffled hoof steps before the bedroom door swung open. Rarity was in a fighting stance, chest heaving as she gasped for air, and her mane a frazzled mess. Her wild, sapphire orbs honed in on Silk, and her horn blazed with magic,

“Get away from her NOW!!”

Pinkie threw a hoof up, “Wait, she’s not hurting me!”

Silk smiled and slunk up to Rarity. “Bearer of Generosity…” she locked eyes with her, “I would love to see what you have to give…”

Rarity found herself stunned into silence, her face reddened by an all too obvious blush. The mare turned away from her, making sure she got a good look at her voluptuous curves and ample flank. She raised her tail just a bit, allowing Rarity a peak at her glistening slit,

“I’d be more than happy to give you something in return…”

She sauntered away from a frozen Rarity, and leaned back into Pinkie’s personal bubble,

“My little pony…I know that deep down, you are very hungry. But do not worry…your time to feed will come soon…”

Her voice made Pinkie’s previous terrors melt away, and she felt an explosion of warmth when their lips locked in a passionate kiss. Silk pulled away, and glanced over her shoulder at Rarity,

“And I’ll be seeing more of you later…”

She looked away, walked into the shadows, her hoof steps fading into silence. Pinkie struggled to her hooves, and stumbled over to Rarity, who was still too love struck to notice her.

“Rarity…snap out of it…”

Rarity blinked a few times, and her blush faded away. She looked down to see a collapsed Pinkie, who was quickly slipping into unconsciousness. She scooped up Pinkie into her hooves as the Ponyville Police stormed up the steps.

“Put your hooves where we can see them!” one of the officers boomed out.

Rarity rolled her eyes, and carefully placed Pinkie in her lap. She raised her hooves in the air, and the police swarmed her, yanking her up and letting Pinkie’s rag doll body crumple to the floor.

“Please, be careful! She’s injured and needs medical attention!!”

Her pleas did not go unheard, as they scooped her up and carried her off. The police started yanking and tugging at her to get her outside, and thoroughly pissing her off.

“Officers, you need not worry. I can escort myself to wherever you need me to go without either of you getting physical.” She said as more of a warning than a statement.

The officers looked at one another, then rolled their eyes. They were far too tired to bicker with her, and shoved her outside of the room. She let out a tired and annoyed sigh.

This was going to be a long night.

-MLP-

Celestia shot up from her bed, beads of sweat streaming down her face and neck. Her stomach gurgled with little warning, before she spilled the contents of her dinner from earlier onto the white marble tiles. She dry heaved a few times in an attempt to regain her breathing, and quell the waves of nausea rolling through her. It wasn’t long before Luna burst into the room, and was at her side.

“Sister, are you injured?!”

Celestia covered her hoof with her mouth as she felt vomit tickle the back of her throat. Once she calmed the sea of sickness within her, she spoke up.

“I’ll be fine…I’m-” she burped. “-ill…but I’m not injured…”

Luna rubbed Celestia’s back soothingly, “Such horrific nightmares…” she shuddered. “Anypony else would be wrought with madness after seeing such things in their sleep…” she crawled into the bed beside Celestia. “I hath never seen such things before in my life...hath thou?”

Celestia shook her head, “No, I haven’t. I couldn’t understand what language the voice was speaking. Yet…I feared it. It was as if my very soul was being devoured. Ponies wouldn’t have suffered from any mental illnesses. They would’ve died before they even awoke.”

“Those eyes…” Luna softly stated. “Such evil…All of our enemies pale in comparison to the thing that walked amongst thine dreams.”

“We must locate that evil, then deal with it. Swiftly and silently.”

“Agreed.” She rose from the bed, and nuzzled her sister’s cheek. “I must return to the Night Court. I will see if I can find that monster while walking the realm of the sleepi-”

She was cut off by the frantic beating of hooves on the doors.

“Princess! Please, we need to come in!” a stallion’s voice cried out.

“Enter!” Luna boomed out. A moment later, the doors burst open. Three guards rushed inside.

“My apologies, Princesses,” one of the guards wheezed out. “B-but there is somepony here who has made an urgent request for your audience.”

They both felt a sinking feeling within their stomach. They hoped that the pony downstairs was not who they thought it was.

“We will be down there in a moment, Commander Brass. Thank you.” Celestia finally replied.

Brass nodded and bowed. The other two mirrored his movements, before following him out the door. Celestia slipped out of bed.

“Let us not worry ourselves. Perhaps it’s not her.” Celestia said with faux reassurance.

With that, she teleported out of the room. Luna let out a soft sigh before teleporting to where she knew her sister would be. She appeared before the grand entrance doors into in the castle and magicked the doors open. Their eyes fell upon a grey Pegasus mare with a blonde mane and tail, and their greatest fear had been confirmed. The mare stared up at them, her expression holding an eerie calmness.

“I pray that you are not here to give us unwanted news, Ditzy Do.” Celestia stated with hope, though feeble as it may be. Ditzy’s frown deepened, and her wheat gold orbs were flawlessly focusing on her,

“I’m afraid I’ve brought grave news indeed, Celestia.” Her voice was somber. Quiet. Yet, her tone spoke volumes. “The Holy Alliance requires your presence, immediately.”

“At this hour?” Luna protested. “Surely thoust jest.”

“I do not. And it would be unwise to not attend.”

It wasn’t a suggestion, but a direct order. Celstia and Luna knew that. They glanced at each other, worry flashing through their eyes. They focused back on Ditzy, giving her a plastic and polite smile,

“Thank you Ditzy. We will be there momentarily.”

Ditzy gave a silent nod, before shooting off into the night. It still amazed them how she used such an extremely alter ego to blend in amongst the mortals. Then again, Ditzy had been alive longer than either of them had been, and she would more than likely outlive them if she kept up the guise. The Alliance held ancient secrets, that could bring the modern world to it’s knees. For that reason alone, they didn’t want to have too many members, and would keep it’s precious few alive for as long as their loyalty lasted.

“This will never get any easier…” Luna stated softly. Celestia nodded in agreement. A twinge of fear chilled their blood, and they swallowed their throat lumps before teleported to answer the call of a power that was far greater than their own.

Turmoil

Twilight sat at her massive Maplewood dining table, enjoying lunch with Spike, who was currently enthralled in his own rant about an argument he’d gotten into with a drinking pal of his. Twilight slightly shivered with pleasure as she recalled the memories of bedding Silken Touch. It had been a day and a half since that night, and she could still feel the soreness and other love aches from their encounter. The mare had proven herself to have quite a stamina. The disgust followed soon after though, as she recalled the fact that the mare had broken in, and hypnotized her into being seduced.

"Did you like that, Princess? Please, allow me to show you more."

The heat built up again, and Twilight downed the rest of her OJ smoothie to cool herself off.

"Ah! F-fuck, it feels so good!"

“And I told him that not every Zebrican dies first in the movies!!”

Silk pulled Twilight closer to her, before reaching a hoof between them. Twilight let out a sharp groan as Silk rubbed an extremely sensitive spot.

“Although El El Cool Hay survived all of ‘Wide Blue Ocean’. But I think it’s because he’s incredibly famous.”

Their hind legs were intertwined, locking them together as they rode and ground into each other’s core. Twilight threw up a dome of sound muting magic around them. She didn’t know which of them would shout in sexual ecstasy, but she knew one of them would.

“And the bastard had the nerve to tell me that that movie didn’t count!”

“FUCK! I-I-I think I’m g-going to-” a moan cut her off mid-sentence. “T-Twi-”

“TWILIGHT!!”

Twilight jumped as she was snatched back into reality. Her name hadn’t been called out in a passionate love cry, but in a draconian fueled rage. She sheepishly stared up at Spike, while he leered down at her. Little angry streams of black smoke billowed from his nostrils, “Seriously, Twilight? Can I get at least ten damn minutes of your time?”

Twilight tried to change the direction of where she knew this conversation was going, “Uh…Spike, you’re going to set off the smoke detectors…”

“We barely hang out as just family nowadays. When are you going to actually invest spending some time with your friends?”

“Well Spike, there’s just so much stuff going on right now-”

“When are you going to spend time with me?!”

Twilight caught the flash of green light in his already emerald eyes. “We’re hanging out right now-”

“WE’RE NOT AND YOU FUCKING KNOW IT!!! I WANT MY TIME TWILIGHT!!”

Twilight recoiled in shock, and a couple of the cooks dropped pots and pans on the ground. Nopony, nor dragon, dared talked to the Princess like that. Spike’s eyes went wide as he realized the severity of his mistake. It didn’t matter that he was Twilight’s right hoof dragon. It didn’t matter that they’ve grown up together like siblings. He had just snapped at his Princess, at his ruler, and if she was to continue being that without anypony questioning her authority, she would have to punish him for his insolence. Her eyes narrowed at him, but Spike could see the hurt and displeasure in what she was about to do.

This was going to be painful.

He felt the rope of magic tighten around his throat. He gasped out in pain as he was yanked to the floor. Twilight’s pupils vanished, replaced by the angry magic. Spike had his face pressed against the floor, claws outstretched and him in a humbling position. Her wings snapped open, “You have made a most terrible mistake, dragon.” Her voice echoed. She teleported them to an empty room. It consisted of bricks and chains and terrifying tools. Tools that, from this angle, he could tell why they could so easily instill fear into anyone. He never thought he would be in this situation, in this room.

This was the interrogation room.

“What in Equuis has gotten into you, Spike?” Twilight softly questioned. Her wings were still splayed, and her eyes were still white with magic. Spike lowered his eyes to the floor,

“Your Majesty… I do not know what came over me.”

“You need to figure out what it was, Spike. I care about you, and I will always love you, but this is not the first time you have lashed out at me. And it’s worse that you did it in front of other ponies.”

“I know…” Spike replied softly. “I know you don’t want to punish me, but…I feel like you need to this time.”

‘What the fuck is wrong with you, you fool?! Why would you let her put your hooves on you?!’

Twilight took a couple steps back, “I couldn’t hurt you…you know that.”

‘Hmm…looks like one of your play things isn’t as stupid as I thought she could be.’

“Then get one of your guards to do it!” Spike clenched his hands into fists, “Please…by the gods, I beg of you to…”

‘WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!’

Twilight stared down at the drake, hoping to see something that would show he wasn’t serious. When she found none, she let out a defeated sigh,

“A-are you sure?”

Spike nodded eagerly, “Please...Your Majesty.”

Twilight tapped her hoof with a rhythmic pattern, and it echoed throughout the castle. Within a few seconds, an electric blue Unicorn stood beside her, her violet clad armor clinking as she appeared out of thin air. Another half minute later, an orange Pegasus bolted down the stairs, and was soon followed by a massive chocolate shaded Earth Pony, both of them wearing the same violet armor. They stood before Twilight and bowed,

“Yes, Your Majesty?” they asked in perfect unison.

Twilight nodded in acknowledgement, the calm gracefulness of a Princess returning to her features, “Spike, I’m sure you remember my Commanders.”

“Yes, Your Majesty….”

Twilight looked over at the Unicorn, “Absolute Zero, you are the most familiar with punishment techniques, correct?”

Zero nodded, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

The Alicorn looked over at the Earth Pony, “And you, Jasper, I know you’ve come up with some creative techniques when it comes to interrogation, correct?”

Jasper stood taller, his gruff voice echoing in the room, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

She then turned to the Pegasus, “Flash Sentry…I’ve heard of the things that you do to the recruits up with Cumulus Platoons. Things that will toughen up any colts into a big strong stallion very quickly….”

Flash’s ears slightly folded before he caught himself, “I’m not sure of what you speak of, Your Majesty.”

Twilight slightly shook her head, “No need to act stupid. I recommend you stop treating the recruits like that though, or I will have to step in.” she walked past him and up to Spike. “However, I know that those techniques are… painful enough to where even a dragon could feel it….”

Spike looked up into Twilight’s eyes. If he didn’t know any better, he would’ve thought she truly didn’t care for what was about to happen.

“I want you to three to show Spike what happens when he lashes out at his Princess….”

The armor clad ponies looked at each other with slight confusion, then at their princess in disbelief. “Is that what you wish for, Your Majesty?” Flash questioned.

Twilight gave him a sharp look, “Did I say anything in a way that left any doubt?”

“No Your Majesty-”

“Then do as I say, and do not question me again.”

Flash nodded then took a couple steps back. Twilight glanced down at Spike, and he caught the glint of sorrow in her eyes. He stared back her, speaking with her eyes, telling her that it was going to be okay, and that he wanted this. She turned away from him and trotted up the stone steps. Absolute’s horn lit up with magic, while Flash and Jasper grabbed various torture weapons from that were hanging on the walls around them. Spike closed his eyes, ready to endure the pain of whatever they’d have to deliver.

-MLP-

Twilight was curled up in her room, tears streaming her face. Spike, had never lashed out like that. Not with such anger, and certainly not when there were others around to see it. Why did he want to be punished so badly? And why did she even go along with that? What kind of Princess of Friendship was she, having somepony she considered a brother to her, put through the pain that she knew her commanders were doing? She buried her face into one of her lush pillows, and let out a frustrated scream. She couldn’t let herself mourn for long, as a voice filled with distress yelled out for her.

“Princess! Something has occurred that requires your attention!”

“What could it possibly be?!”

“L-Lady Rarity! She’s been arrested!”

Twilight jumped up, “WHAT?!?!”

-MLP-

Rarity sat behind bars, clanking her hooves against the poles. She looked up lazily as Twilight, with two assistants, rounded the corner. “Step aside please!” She screamed at the officers as she stormed up to Rarity’s cell. “What happened? How did you get arrested?!”

“Darling, this has been a long day… and the night was even longer, so please… tell me, do you have bail money?”

Twilight quickly nodded, “Yes, of course….” She summoned a small but heavy bag of bits out of a null space and passed it to one of her assistants. “This should be more than enough to cover Rarity’s bail. Give it to the bondspony, and have her released immediately.” The assistant nodded before hurrying to go and get Rarity’s bail paid for. Twilight looked back at Rarity. “Are you gonna tell me what’s going on here?”

“Okay, what has the Police Department told you?”

“They said you were at a crime scene, covered in blood and the last pony seen with Pinkie Pie….” she reached for Rarity through the bars. “What happened, Rarity?”

Rarity sighed, rubbing her tired eyes, “Somepony said there was loud crashing coming from Sugarcube Corner, so I went to investigate. When I got there, there was… blood… everywhere. It… it stained the walls, and soaked the carpet.” She grabbed Twilight’s hoof within her own. “And Pinkie…she was red. Her whole coat… just dripping with blood.” her eyes went wide, “And there was a mare with her. She had a black coat, w-with a red mane and tail, and the iciest blue eyes I’ve ever seen in my life….” Twilight gulped. She knew a mare who fit that description perfectly. A certain mare who had proven herself quite well in bed. “She came onto me! She did it in such a crude and unruly behavior, as if she were nothing more than a common callmare! I don’t know how on Equis Pinkie could even be associated with a mare like her!”

“Wait, Pinkie knows who the mare was?”

“Well… one can only assume so since she insisted I didn’t attack her.”

Twilight rubbed her chin thoughtfully, “Strange… that’s real weird. Do you know what hospital they took her to?”

Rarity shook her head, “I’m afraid not… the police didn’t tell me anything, and I used my one free scroll message to tell you I was here….” She slumped back into her chair. “I swear, this magic dampening horn ring is a pain in my derriere….”

“Don’t worry; one of my assistants is already getting the paperwork done to get you out of here.” She looked over at another one of her traveling assistants. “Dust Dancer, go find out which hospital Pinkie is in.”

“Y-yes Your Majesty.” The jumpy young stallion replied before scrambling off in another direction.

Rarity let out a soft chuckle, “It must be nice having a group of hooves to do all the things you try to have only Spike do.” She raised a brow, “Speaking of, where is the fiery little darling? I miss his grumpy, hot headed antics.”

Twilight gave her a look of shame before dropping her gaze to the floor. “He hasn’t been himself lately. It’s not something I want to talk about here… or really right now period.” She looked back up at Rarity. “I’m going to get the other girls. When you get out, teleport straight to the castle please.”

“B-but I haven’t had a proper shower, or done any of my beautification rituals that get me through the day!” Rarity whined. “Couldn’t we just meet up at my place?”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “Fine, we’ll just head over to the Boutique.” She rose to her hooves and turned away from the cell. She shared a glare between the two stallions standing as security within the cell. “I am a firm believer of equality. No titles or traits or talents, makes anypony special to me.” she raised her head and straightened her shoulders. Her growing Alicorn body allowed her to easily look the two stallions in the eyes. “But believe me when I say this… that mare that you’ve got locked up, has helped save Ponyville a dozen times over, and Equestria more than a few times as well. She at least deserves to be treated as somepony who is innocent until proven otherwise.” She used her magic to pull them closer to her. “So if I hear that she has been treated like a criminal, or that you’ve hurt so much as ONE HAIR on her coat… I will not use my title to have you two locked away for attacking an Element Bearer, and I will not do anything that involves some crazy Alicorn magic. But, I can promise you that I will bring down the wrath of a very angry and very powerful mare. I’m sure that’s something you two don’t want.” The guards, now trembling, wildly shook their heads. “Good! I’m glad we understand each other. I bid you two a good day, and I thank you for keeping Ponyville safe, one day at a time.”

With that, she trotted out, leaving Rarity with the two guards. They looked at each other with wild eyes, before focusing on the attention cough that came from Rarity. They turned to her, and she gave them a small smile, “Could one of you be a darling and fetch me my things and have them prepared for me upon my release? I don’t want to stay here a moment longer than necessary.”

They looked at her with fear in their eyes, then one of them scrambled to go get her things ready. She smiled and folded her legs before leaning back in her chair, thinking of the things she was going to do when she got home. She was going to soak in the finest, most expensive bath salts and bubbling concoctions she was able to afford. Then, she would primp and pamper her perfect purple coiffure. She was so lost in her thoughts, that she almost didn’t hear the light thud of something that sounded too close for it to be coming outside of her cell room. She opened her eyes, and found herself surrounded by darkness, save for a small glint of blue light. She was still sitting in her uncomfortable metal chair, and she could make out the metal bars that contained her. She couldn’t see the guard, but could hear the sounds of him choking and wheezing, fighting for air. There was suddenly the sickening crunch of bones breaking, followed by a thud. A long, heavy silence that was so quiet it was almost deafening to Rarity’s ears. Suddenly, she felt the moist heat of something breathing on her face. She swung her hoof out in defense, and felt it collide into a heavy matted coat. She could feel her hoof sinking into the crust and grime of its coat. A set of glazed, pupil-less sky blue eyes stared down at her.

“Ouuuuch… that hurt….” A voice spoke, deep and incredibly slow. The eyes rose up, and something thumped the ceiling. Rarity felt a couple bits of debris fall into her mane. “You’re very mean, Rarity….”

Rarity took a couple steps back, “Who are you, and how do you know my name?”

The thing shifted a bit, letting out a heavy sigh as he did, “You are wanted… and if I found you… I can be left alone to sleep….” The eyes leaned back down towards her. “Now I can tell her you’re here… and I’ll be left alone until he comes….”

“Who’s ‘her’? Who’s ‘he’? Who in the world are you talking about?”

He didn’t answer her, rising back up and turning away from her. His heavy steps quickly faded into silence, and the lights flickered back on. Rarity’s eyes widened in horror, as she saw the caved-in, bloodied skull of the security guard, one of his eyes hanging out by a thin, muscly thread. She began to shake violently, and cried out for somepony to hear her. The door opened, and five Unicorn guards rushed into the room. They looked over the horrific scene of the mutilated pony, three of them looking in Rarity’s direction. One of them bolted up to Rarity’s enclosure, “What happened here?!” the stallion questioned, his tone sharp and demanding. Rarity didn’t answer, though. She couldn’t. She had witnessed the brutal end of somepony’s life. Who was he? What was his name? Was he somepony’s brother? Somepony’s husband? Could he have been a father? And if so, how many children did he have? How many ponies would get the heart breaking news that somepony they cared about had died? “Hey! Do you hear me talking to you?!” the stallion repeated.

“Back away from her right now!” The guards turned away from her, as yellow coated Unicorn mare stormed into the room. She looked down at the corpse. “Are you idiots going to just leave this poor stallion lying here?” she snapped. “Prepare him for a proper funeral and let his family know.” She pointed to the stallion that was harassing Rarity, “And you! Open the door, you little shit! This mare has nothing to do with what’s going on here. Or, would you like me to let your boss know how you’re mistreating this poor, innocent mare?”

Rarity’s eyes went wide as she recognized her liberator, “Moon Dancer?”

The mare gave her a friendly smile, further solidifying Rarity’s guess, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, Rarity…” she looked towards the door, “Twilight needs some new assistants. That mare she’s got trying to get you out is so damn passive. I wonder how she gets anything done for her….” her smile disappeared. “We’re heading to your place when you get released. I’ll explain everything when we get there.

-MLP-

It was nice, to be able to enjoy a simple meal of burgers and hay fries with her friend. Between their two music careers, Vinyl and Octavia never had much free time to barely spend on themselves, let alone each other. They chatted idly, and sipping their drinks and eating their meal.

“I do not have a crush on Lyra!” Octavia stated in a playfully angry tone. “Besides, even if I, for some odd reason, did, she’s happily dating that mare who owns the candy shop. Oh, what’s her name… Pinkie Pie?”

Vinyl snorted, “Oh no way, Pinkie’s too silly to even consider relationships right now. Besides, she helps run the bakery that the Cakes own. You’re talking about Bon Bon.”

Octavia corrected herself, “Oh, my apologies. Bon Bon.” She nibbled on her burger. “Point being, she’s with her.”

“So…if she wasn’t, you’d totally get with her.”

Octavia rolled her eyebrows, while Vinyl waggled her eyebrows. The taunting continued on for a while longer, and Vinyl milked it. She wasn’t sure when she would get to have this opportunity again. She heard the thump of something landing behind her. There was an overpowering smell of death surrounding her, and it took everything in her to not visibly gag. Something leaned in, and she could hear something between a gurgle and growl next to her ear. She flashed Octavia a grin,

“Hey, could you be a doll, and grab me a milkshake please?”

Octavia arched a brow, “I’m not your mare.”

“But you ARE my friend.” She popped her lip out a little bit. “Pleaaaase?”

Octavia let out a defeated sign. She rose from her chair and headed into the café to order a shake. Vinyl’s smile vanished as the thing next to her started to chuckle.

“What’s wrong? You didn’t want to look like a weirdo by acknowledging my presence?” It was gruff, but Vinyl could tell it was a female’s voice.

“Who are you, and what do you want?” She whispered sharply.

“Relax. By no means do I wish to anger somepony of your… caliber.” She could hear the thing shift and started to see it in her peripheral. It was some type of reptilian, but that was all she could tell. It flicked its tongue as it grinned at her. “I am simply a pleasure slave, who is serving my harem master. They have use for you. They need you alive, and if you get caught by them, then you’re as good as dead.”

Vinyl arched a brow, keeping her eyes on the doors to the café, “What you are talking about. Who’s ‘them’?”

“You don’t know who’s after you?” the lizard thing chuckled. “Wow… guess you have lost your memory.” She slithered forward into Vinyl’s view. She was huge, one of the biggest monsters Vinyl had ever seen. Yet, she had barely made a sound. This monster was probably in a different league than the spider-pony freak she fought about a week ago. It pulled out the chair and sat down, the chair slightly creaking under her weight, but not enough for anypony to notice. She folded her scaly arms and flicked her tongue out once more, “There’s a group of self-righteous fuckwads called the Holy Alliance. They want you dead, and in your current situation, they’ll get just that.” She craned her neck up and sniffed the air. She quickly rose from her scaly feet, “I can smell ‘em in the air. I suggest you seek help from somepony soon, until you get your shit together.” She backed away from the table as Octavia came stepped out. Her ethereal body slithered right through the Earth Pony’s body, and Vinyl frowned as she watched the mare’s face go pale. Her trot slowed considerably, and her ears drooped a bit. She slouched into the chair as she passed Vinyl her milkshake.

“I don’t feel so good all of the sudden….” She grumbled. Her stomach gurgled and she grabbed it.

Vinyl hopped out of her chair and rubbed [Octavia’s] back. “Let’s get you home. You look like you’re gonna barf.” She helped Octavia to her hooves and started to take them back to their apartment. It had taken them longer [than normal], but after about an hour, they had made it home. Vinyl magically gripped the keys out of Octavia’s thigh pack and opened the door. “Do you need anything? Maybe some sparkling ginger soda or peppermint tea?”

Octavia shook her head, “I’m sure I’ll be fine if I just lay down….” She lazily waved her hoof. “Thanks for getting me home….” With that, she walked to her bedroom and shut the door. Vinyl trotted over to the couch, and plopped onto it. She didn’t even get to rest for more than five minutes before [she] heard something was banging on her door. She let out an annoyed sigh before getting up to go and opened the door. She got the door open a smidge before a pink hoof shot through the crack. Soon, a head squeezed through, followed by a body. Vinyl’s eyes went wide, “P-Pinkie??” Pinkie was gasping for air, and covered in bandages and gauze. Her muzzle was soaked in blood, and had IV tubes hanging from her legs. “Pinkie, what the fuck? What happened to you? What are you doing here?”

Pinkie looked up at her with wild eyes. “Vinyl, you’ve got to get out of here. You’re in danger.”

“Why, what’s wrong?”

Pinkie grabbed her hoof. “Let’s go!” She started to drag her. “Twilight can help you!” She was soon dragged out of the house and down the street, as they made it to the bottom step, a couple of golden-armor cladded Pegasi rounded the corner, gunning for them.

“STOP! YOU WILL COME WITH US!!”

Pinkie and Vinyl’s eyes went wide. Their legs went wild as they scrambled in the opposite direction. Despite the fact that Pinkie was bandaged up, she still managed to keep ahead of Vinyl’s speed.

‘Why are we running? I could pummel them into mush in a heartbeat!’

Vinyl ignored Madd’s voice as they kept running. Suddenly, an armored Unicorn popped up from an alley and tackled Pinkie. Vinyl looked on in shock as she saw Pinkie and the guard crash through the wall of a nearby building. The beating of wings sounded louder than they were a few moments ago. The other guards were closing in on them.

‘Stop running and FIGHT!’

Vinyl ignored her, and bolted for Pinkie. The mare was already emerging from the ruins of the wall, fresh splashes of blood and dusty debris covering her coat. Where did that blood come from? And… why was there just so fucking much of it?? Vinyl felt a mass hit her with an audible clang. She was immediately sent to the floor, and hooves were pressing into her neck and ribs.

“By order of Princess Celestia, you are under arrest!!” One of the guards shouted.

Vinyl hacked and looked up at the guards from her peripheral, “WHAT?! What for?!”

Neither of them had time to answer, before Pinkie tackled both of them. They went flying, and Pinkie snatched Vinyl to her hooves. “W-we… we have to keep going!” She shouted between ragged breaths. She broke off into another furious gallop, and Vinyl soon followed. The rush of adrenaline made her head pound, and her muscles were beginning to burn. Bits and pieces of the environment around her made it through her tunnel vision.

Horrified expressions.

Ponies running or backing away from them.

Little colts and fillies crying.

What were they doing? Where were they going? Why did they have to run? Why were the guards attacking them? Did Pinkie kill that guard back there? Question after question flooded her mind as she focused on the racing Earth Pony in front of her. One of her questions got answered as they rounded a corner and headed for Twilight’s castle.

“OPEN THE DOORS!!” Pinkie screamed at the top of her lungs. The guards looked at her in shock at confusion. “I SAID OPEN THE DOORS!!!”

The guards scrambled to get the doors open and let the two mares rush inside. The servants within gasped, and backed away. Six guards cautiously walked up to Pinkie and Vinyl. “Lady Pinkamena… we cannot ignore the fact that you are drenched with blood… what happened to you.”

Pinkie didn’t answer. She simply stood up straighter and looked the guard dead in the eyes, “Go and get Twilight… NOW.”

One of the guards immediately galloped away to go get Twilight. Vinyl looked over at Pinkie, and noticed that her normally gravity defying mane and tail were incredibly flat and straight. Maybe it was all the blood that soaked it. She couldn’t be too sure. It wasn’t long before Twilight rounded the corner with absolutely no princess-like grace whatsoever. Nonetheless, she was still their ruler, and it was Vinyl’s duty to bow when in the presence of one of them.

Vinyl barely began to kneel before Twilight spoke up. “Please, don’t worry about that. It’s not important.” She looked over at Pinkie with worried eyes. “You look horrible. Let me help you get cleaned up….” Twilight surrounded the three of them in a sphere of lavender aura. There was a sharp sucking sound, and in the blink of an eye, they were in a bathroom as big as Vinyl and Octavia’s apartment. Twilight guided Pinkie into one of the massive tubs before looking over at Vinyl, “You uh… you got blood on you too.” She magically activated the showerhead. Almost instantly, steam poured from the stall. “Make yourself comfortable.”

“T-thank you, Princess.” The DJ stammered, before hastily stepping into the shower. The warm water felt good on her coat, and she didn’t realize how tense she was until it did. As she let the water pelt her skin, she eavesdropped on Twilight and Pinkie’s conversation,

“Pinkie, what happened to you?” Twilight asked again. “Rarity told me you were in the hospital.”

“I was, until Celestia’s personal goons barged into my room.”

'The Solar Soldiers? That explains the bronze and gold inlayed armor. But what were they even doing all the way here in Ponyville?' Vinyl thought to herself.

“Were they there to ask you about what happened to you?”

“No. The police had already come and did that….” Vinyl heard Pinkie shifting in the tub. “They just told me that I was under arrest. They didn’t tell me why or anything.”

“I know that you’re an Earth Pony and everything… and that you guys are physically stronger than Unicorns or Pegasi… but I don’t think that even Applejack could’ve fought off Celestia’s personal guards. So… how did you??”

The bathroom was silent for a few moments before Pinkie spoke up again. “I don’t know. All I remember was that they were about to jump on me, and then I blacked out. When I came to…they were all dead.”

Twilight gasped, “Pinkie Pie!”

“I don’t know what happened, and I didn’t know what else to do! How would look if I was laying in my hospital bed, surrounded by bloody corpses? And the police were already looking at me all funny because of what happened at home! So… I ran….”

“And your friend? Why is she here?”

Vinyl wanted to know the same thing. Why did the Solar Soldiers want her, and how did Pinkie know they were coming for her? She tapped the tiny thunderhead to turn it off, and stepped out of the stall. She looked over at Pinkie, waiting for an answer.

“I heard somepony mention her name out in the hallway, just before the guards came in.” Pinkie replied in a soft tone. “They said they needed to split up, and that three of them would come into my room, while the other three went after her. She’s my friend, Twilight. I couldn’t let anything happen to her….”

Twilight stared thoughtfully into her eyes for a few moments, before turning away from her. “Okay… follow me. I’ll go and handle the Solar Soldiers.” She turned and trotted out of the bathroom. Pinkie and Vinyl followed after her as they headed down to the Main Hall. As they approached the entrance, they could make out the sounds of a verbal conflict.

“You don’t belong here!” Absolute screamed. “Get out of here before I make you leave!”

“Bring me Pinkamena and Vinyl Scratch, and we won’t have any problems!”

*THWACK!!*

As the trio rounded the corner, one of the guards was sprawled out on the floor. The other three guards were helping him up as she stomped angrily.

“What is going on in here?” Twilight demanded. She faced the Solar Soldiers. “Why are you here?”

The guard rubbed his chin before giving Twilight a curt bow, “Good afternoon, Princess Twilight. We are here to detain Pinkamena Diane Pie and Vinyl Scratch.”

“As in ‘arrest’ them? Did Celestia actually send you here?”

“Yes Princess. This order was by our Majesty herself.”

“Very well then, under what charges?”

At this, none of the guards answered. Twilight narrowed her eyes at them. “I will not ask again.”

One of the other guards stepped forward, “I am terribly sorry to say this Princess, but what we were instructed only to capture Pinkamena and Vinyl Scratch, and bring them back to Canterlot. We were told not to tell you why.”

“So… what I am hearing; is that you know the reason why you must bring them in, but you will not tell me.”

None of the guards answered her. Twilight flared her wings out and displayed them as a sign of anger. “You dare to step hoof onto my land, causing chaos within it, and striking fear into my citizens. Then, you have the sheer audacity to come into my home, and make demands as if you rule this place?!” she stomped towards them. “If you want these two, then you will tell me what the charges are! After that, they will be tried within a court of law, where, if they are guilty of whatever it is they could have possibly done, will be placed within jail as they would deserve. But if you will not tell me the charges, then you will have to fight me to get them!” The guards backed away from her. Elite fighters or not, she was still an Alicorn, and could strike them down with a single spell. She waited for any of them to challenge her. “You all will remain silent? If that is the case, then leave my castle! Go back home, and tell Celestia that if she has a problem with me turning you away, then she can address me herself! And if you step into my kingdom again, I will personally come track you down, and take care of you myself!!”

The guards hurried out of the entrance. Absolute started to follow them, but stopped and looked back at Twilight, “Your Majesty, if it’s alright with you, I would like to make sure that they leave the city walls without harassing anypony else.”

“It’s alright, Commander Zero. They were being followed as soon as they stepped hoof outside.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

She trotted off, leaving the trio to themselves. Twilight folded her wings and turned to Pinkie and Vinyl, “Sorry you girls had to see me like that.” She walked between them, “Well… I doubt they’ll come back here again on their own, but just to be safe, I’ll have two of the guest suites set up for you. Are either of you hungry or anything?”

Pinkie shook her head, “No… but I do want to let the Cakes know that I won’t be back there for a while….”

“I would like to do the same thing, Your Majesty. I would also like to grab some things from home.” Vinyl said.

Twilight nodded, “I understand. Stay right here. I’m going to send some guards out to make sure you two get home.”

She trotted around the corner, leaving them to themselves. Now that Vinyl was left alone with Pinkie, she felt that this was the perfect opportunity to ask her what was going on. “Pinkie, how did you really know they were coming for me?”

Pinkie looked up at her, “I know you were listening from the shower….”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean you were telling the truth.”

“I lied to keep Twilight safe!” Pinkie whispered harshly. “Twilight isn’t just my Princess, she’s one of my closest friends! And I’ll do whatever I need to do to keep one of my closest friends safe, even if I have to lie, cheat, steal, or kill to do it!”

Vinyl was taken aback by the statement. She had never seen Pinkie act like this before. Such ferocity… where did this all come from?

Pinkie pawed at the ground softly, “I’m sorry… I just….” her gaze wandered. “I don’t know how to really explain this….” She looked over to see if Twilight was coming back. When there was no sound of her, she turned back to her, “Can I ask you something? Maybe it’d be easier to explain if I started it this way.”

Vinyl arched a brow, “Um… sure… shoot, I guess.”

“I need you to be completely honest with me when you answer this, okay?”

“Pinkie, I’ve never lied to you, you know this. And you’re starting to freak me out, so please, just spit it out.”

Pinkie swallowed, and stared her straight in the eyes, “Does it feel like, there is somepony-no… something, talking to you? Like it’s something that’s living inside of you?”

Vinyl nodded slowly, her jaw slacking more and more as she did, “And… it’s telling you to do terrible, horrible things….”

“And you fight it, as hard as you can, but no matter what you do-”

“You know you can’t fight it forever….” Vinyl finished. She stepped closer to Pinkie, “You… you have something inside of you too?”

Pinkie nodded at her, “Yeah… I named the thing ‘Twisted’.”

“I call mine ‘Madd’.”

Both of their ears flicked as they heard wings beating from down the hall. Twilight flew back around the corner. “You two can start heading home. You’ll have safe passage through the city.”

“I thought you said you were getting guards?” Pinkie questioned.

Twilight smirked. “The Sunset Squad will be taking care of you.”

Pinkie’s eyes went wide. “Wow… you really think we’re in that much danger?”

Twilight’s smirk disappeared, “Yes… now go, please. I don’t want anything to happen to you or your friend. I don’t want anything to happen to anypony within my kingdom.”

“Okay… well, we’ll try to be quick.” Pinkie responded, before heading towards the doors and pushing them open. Vinyl wordlessly bowed before Twilight, then turned to follow Pinkie outside. Alone again, now they could finish their conversation.

“Pinkie… how long have you had this thing-”

Pinkie threw a hoof over Vinyl’s mouth, “Shush! They can hear!”

Vinyl pulled Pinkie’s hoof down and looked around. “Who are you talking about?”

“The Sunset Squad…” she looked around at the tops of buildings and alleyways, “They’re Twilight’s eyes and ears around the whole kingdom. Twilight doesn’t tell us the names of any of them, but I know one of the fighters. However, I was Pinkie Promised to keep their identity a secret.” Vinyl nodded in understanding. They continued in silence until they reached Sugarcube Corner. “I don’t know how long I’ll be here. So you go ahead to your own place. I’ll wait for you here.”

“Are you sure it’s safe for us to split up, Pinkie?”

Pinkie nodded. “The Sunset Squad is all around us right now. Trust me, you’re more than safe.”

“If you say so….” Vinyl trotted off, leaving herself to her thoughts. Had Pinkie been keeping that dark secret all of her life? How did she get that monster inside of her? Was the thing sharing her body as evil as Madd? They had been close friends ever since Pinkie moved to Ponyville… why hadn’t she ever told her monster?

‘Why didn’t you ever tell her about me?’

She was at a loss for words. She couldn’t be mad at Pinkie for not telling her, when she had only just told Ditzy recently. At least Pinkie had said something first. And as horrible as it was… it was nice to have this in common with somepony. Now she could share her dark and disgusting little secrets with her friend.

‘Oh wow, you’re ditching one Earth Pony mare for another. You must be soooo proud.’

Vinyl’s face scrunched up a bit, ‘Shut up, you idiot. Octavia is still somepony I consider dear to me.’

‘Yeah yeah… I can’t wait until you stop caring though. Then I’ll get my hooves on that mare and pummel her face into nothing.’

‘I would take us both out before I ever gave you that opportunity!’

Madd chuckled in the back of her mind, ‘Please… if the black magic was going to let you die, then you would have already been successful with your last pathetic attempt to end your life.’

Vinyl shut her eyes in an attempt to block out the horrific memory that drove her to want to commit suicide in the first place. The image of her terror-stricken parents crossed her mind’s eye before she could completely shut it out.

“Vinyl?” Vinyl’s ears perked up at the sound of her name. She looked up to see Ditzy trotting up to her. “How are you?” Ditzy chirped. “What are you doing here? You’re pretty far from home.”

“I got attacked by some of Princess Celestia’s personal body guards.”

Ditzy’s eyes went wide, “Oh no! Really? Why?”

“I think it has to do with that thing we talked about….”

“You mean about that mons-”

Vinyl threw a hoof over Ditzy’s mouth. “Don’t talk about it so loudly! We’re being watched by the Sunset Squad….”

Ditzy pulled her muzzle away, “Wow… you’ve got the Sunset Squad keeping an eye on you? They must think you’re real bad news.”

“No, not at all. Princess Twilight sent them out to protect me until I get home and then back.”

“Back to where?”

“Princess Twilight’s castle. I’m going to be staying there for a little while, until she can find out why Princess Celestia sent them here in the first place.”

“Well if that’s the case, you’re definitely safe. Nopony messes with the Sunset Squad.”

“Am I the only pony who doesn’t know who the Sunset Squad is?”

Ditzy gasped and stared at her in shock, “Y-you don’t know who the Sunset Squad is?”

“No… that’s what I just said….”

“Okay, you know how the Solar Soldiers are Princess Celestia’s personal bodyguards? Well, the Sunset Squad is Princess Twilight’s version of that.” She looked around in hopes of seeing one of them. “Except everypony believes that they’re tougher than any of the other Princess’ personal bodyguards combined. You’ve never heard any of the things anypony say about them?”

Vinyl shook her head, “I told you, I hadn’t even heard of them until Princess Twilight said their name.”

“They are Princess Twilight’s shadowy hooves that reach over the city.” Ditzy replied in a scary, albeit goofy tone. “Their strength is unsurpassed by any normal pony, and they could even go hoof-to-hoof with the other Princesses!!”

Vinyl scoffed, “Yeah, right. I’m sure they’re tough. They’d have to be to be able to protect the Princess, but there’s no way they could successfully fight and win against an Alicorn.”

“Well maybe not one, but two or three of them, and the Princesses would find their hooves more than full.”

“No way. Strong or not, there’s just no way two or three ponies could beat up an Alicorn.”

“Who says that they’re just ponies?”

Vinyl looked over at her, “Well, super secretive or not, it’d be really frickin’ hard for something other than a pony to blend in into the city.”

“Well, yeah, that’s true. Sorry, what I meant was, what makes you think they’re normal ponies?”

“Uhm….”

“Exactly! They’re NOT normal ponies. Or… at least… that’s what everypony believes….”

Vinyl chuckled, “What other rumors have been said about the Sunset Squad?”

“That Princess Twilight experimented on them.”

Vinyl gave her a blank stare, before bursting out into a fit of laughter.

“It’s not funny!!”

“No way! No frickin’ way!”

“It’s totally true!”

“What makes you say that?”

“Look around you. How many members of the Sunset Squad are here protecting you right now?”

“I don’t know. Princess Twilight disappeared around a corner, and then she was back within a couple minutes. Pinkie asked her about the body guards, and she said the Sunset Squad would be taking care of us, and that was it.”

“That’s my point. You never saw them. Not even once. Nopony has, because Princess Twilight doesn’t allow it.” Ditzy scratched her chin, “Well…nopony that has seen any of them has lived to talk about it.”

“So, wait, are they like, mutated assassins or something?”

“They have sworn their lives to Princess Twilight. They’ll be whatever she wants them to be. If she wants them to be scouts, then they’ll be scouts. If she wants them to be escorts, they’ll be escorts. And if she wants them to be assassins… well… then that’s what they’ll be.”

Vinyl checked her surroundings once more. She didn’t see even the tiniest tell-tale sign that the Sunset Squad was around. She only knew they were there because she was told they were out there. If Princess Twilight saw her as a threat to her kingdom, she could have the Sunset Squad take her out before she even had the opportunity to process what was going on. And that….

That terrified her.

“Ooh! I need to head to Market Square! I need to grab some vegetables for dinner tonight!” Ditzy patted Vinyl’s shoulder, “If you ever need me for anything, don’t hesitate to talk to me, alright?”

Vinyl nodded, “Thank you Ditzy. Thanks for being my ear. Someday… I’ll be able to tell Octi.”

“Don’t rush it, okay? It’ll be a lot or her to take in, friend or not. I know it was for me!” Ditzy giggled, “I’ll talk to you later okay? Bye!”

She fluttered off, waving to Vinyl as she did. Vinyl waved back, then trotted up the steps to her apartment. She let out a sad sigh before unlocking the door to her apartment.

Octavia was trotting around the kitchen, throwing vegetable into a pan. They sizzled as soon as they hit the pan, and she immediately went to grab some butter and seasonings to spice up her meal. She looked over at Vinyl, “Good evening, Vi! I’m glad you made it home so early, I’m making pan seared mixed veggie stir-fry! Can you grab some plates and set the table?”

Vinyl gave her a crooked, sad smile. Octavia, far too busy cooking, didn’t pay it much attention. “Sure thing Octi.”

She walked into the kitchen and proceeded to grab a plate and glass for her friend. She set them on the table, and then grabbed the paper towel roll within her magical grasp. She sat at the table and waited for Octi to finish cooking. How would she tell her? Should she? Octavia was one of the longest running friendships she had, with only her bond with Pinkie predating that. What should she do? She rubbed her temples with her hooves and sat in brooding silence until she heard Octavia getting closer to the table.

“I hope you’re hungry-” Octavia frowned when she saw only one plate, “Vinyl, you’re not eating out of the pan again just so there aren’t as many dishes to wash. You’re going to start working on your etiquette! You promised me that, remember?”

Vinyl felt her heart tighten at the nagging. She would miss it. She would miss her. But with Princess Celestia wanting her captured, she would have to leave so that she didn’t put Octavia in harm’s way.

“Octavia….” She magicked the pan and spoon from Octavia’s hooves and scooped the contents of it onto the plate. The pan hovered back over to the stove, before it landed with a soft clank on one of the cold isles. “Please, sit down.”

Worry crossed Octavia’s features, but she listened. Vinyl took off her shades and placed them on the table. She looked up at her, “Octavia, I’m… not here to eat. I just came here to grab some of my things.”

“W-what? Wait, why?” Octavia questioned.

“Something happened earlier today, and Princess Twilight is having me stay with her until the whole thing blows over.”

“What thing? What happened?” Octavia narrowed her eyes. “What did you do?”

Vinyl couldn’t help but chuckle at the last question. Typical Octavia. “I didn’t do anything, Tavi. It’s just… dangerous, for me to be here….”

“Is somepony out to hurt you?” Octavia scooted her chair closer to Vinyl, “Listen to me… you know I don’t like to, but I will resort to violence if need be, if it means protecting you.”

Vinyl looked up at her, “It’s the Solar Soldiers.”

Octavia arched a brow, “Princess Celestia’s personal guards?”

“Yeah. Pinkie showed up here and told me to go with her ASAP. I followed her, only to find out the Solar Soldiers were after both of us. “

“Do you know why they’re after you?”

‘Because you’re a fucking monster who could kill damn near everypony on the planet.’

“No…and that’s why I’ll be staying with Princess Twilight. She said she’ll keep me safe until she can figure out what’s going on.”

There were a few moments of silence that hung in the air. Octavia rubbed her chin thoughtfully before she spoke up. “Well…I may not be able to beat all of the Solar Soldiers, but I can most certainly take one or two down.”

Vinyl smiled and shook her head, “Nah, I don’t wanna get a call from the police department telling me you’re in jail. Besides, you’d be in there for attacking the Solar Soldiers. Your bail would probably be so damn high that you’d probably clean out my bank accounts.”

Octavia giggled. “That’s if they would even let somepony bail me out.”

Vinyl joined in on the laughter. It was weird how they just…worked. Nights of playful banter, watching movies, and the occasional rough housing (If they had consumed enough alcohol that night) had helped them form a bond. Vinyl’s smile disappeared when she realized that she wouldn’t get to have moments like these for a while, if ever again.

“I… I need to start packing my suitcase.”

Octavia’s smile vanished as well, “Okay. I’ll help you.”

They trudged into Vinyl’s room. There were various cables mapped out on the floor, connecting different pieces of equipment to one another. A turntable with dozens of CDs stacked on it was in the corner of the room. On her mattress, lay a laptop, with a few empty bottle of energy boosters surrounding it. She thought of all the times she laid there, and Octavia would join her to drone on about how rough things were up at the concert hall. She missed those nights. The nights were she would teeter into Octavia’s room at 4am to tell her how awesome her beats were, and then how Octavia would stagger in the next time around. She wanted to tell her everything. To tell her that it was too dangerous for Octavia to be there, because Vinyl was the danger. But she was scared. Too scared of the rejection of one of her closest friends. She grabbed her suitcase, and began to grab some of her things. The time passed by all too quickly, and it wasn’t long before she had all of her suitcase full and ready to go. They both trudged out of the room and to the living room. They stopped in front of the door and Vinyl looked over at Octavia, who she caught trying to brush away a tear. “Hey… thanks for putting up with me all these years….”

Octavia let out a tiny chuckle, “What are friends for, if not for putting up with each other’s little escapades?”

Vinyl trotted over to her, and nuzzled her cheek. Octavia sniffled a few times and threw her forelegs around Vinyl’s neck. Sophisticated cellist or not, Vinyl could feel the Earth Pony strength that was ingrained into her muscles.

“Promise me you’ll stay safe….” Octavia said.

Vinyl nodded. “I promise….” She pulled away from Octavia, and raised her hoof up. Octavia wiped her eyes one more time and hoof bumped her friend. Vinyl turned away from her and opened the door, and stepped outside. With a tiny click from the door’s lock, she realized that she would never be able to return to that part of her life, so long as this thing was inside of her.

‘It’s a good thing you told her goodbye. I don’t plan on leaving, for as long as you live.’

With a defeated sigh, Vinyl began a slow trek back to the castle.

-MLP-

There were very few times in the vast expanse of her life, were Silk felt even the slightest tinge of fear.

However, this was a situation where she did.

It was dark, and the moisture in the air was thick and hot. The room smelled foul, heavy with decay and death. There was a steady breathing that filled the room. Gasconade was beside her,

“Calm yourself, Sister. You reek of fear.”

Silk gave a small nod. The breathing got louder as something slumbered towards them. Silk absorbed her fear, as the thing in the dark stopped. Something was in front of her. Something large. Something evil, and something that she feared and respected only to its face. A set of milky, pupil-less eyes appeared before them.

“You called for us, Father?”

The blackness in front of her let out a loud snort, “What have you been doing, child?”

“Enjoying the ways of the world, and the sins of ponykind.” Silk coolly replied.

“Did you do as I have asked of you?”

Gasconade puffed out his chest proudly. “But of course, Father. We have never let you down be-”

Something large slammed into the ground beside them. Silk barely saw any movement in Gasconade’s body, save for one. One tiny flinch of muscle that was a dead giveaway to her.

He was just as scared as she was.

“Don’t you dare finish that, you disgraceful little shit.” The voice spoke. It was very calm, but they knew the power and rage that swam behind it. “If you had done as I said the first time, we wouldn’t be here now, slithering around underneath the hooves of those pathetic mortals.”

Silk swallowed, thinking of the right words to say. “Yes Father. You’re right, and we will spend our eternities serving you, and to put you on the Throne of the World.”

A row of teeth, each tooth as long as a stallion was tall, glimmered with a source of unknown light.

“Daughter…you know your silky lies fall upon death ears.” The teeth edged a bit closer, “You are the fruit of my loins, the seeds of my influence that I have unleashed upon the world. I know that you won’t serve me for eternity. You will lash out as soon as you think you have found an opportunity. I will make sure you never get that chance. When you have served your purpose, I will take my essence that flows within you, and recreate new forms when I feel like you will need to be used again.” Silk inwardly cringed as his hot, rotten breath hit her full force. “It will be…a fresh start, so to speak.”

Gasconade’s feathers ruffled with irritation. The milky orbs focused on him,

“Do you have a problem, child? I suggest you deal with it in a manner that keeps you from suffering permanently.”

Gasconade’s anger was barely contained, and it showed. Silk watched as his body twitched with a rage-induced tremble. Silk dissipated the situation as quickly as she could. She thumped his shoulder with a hoof, and he looked over at her as if she had stabbed him. She gave him a stern look, before facing the eyes and teeth.

“Worry not, Father. I will be sure to correct him later.”

“Do so. I don’t want to waste the energy ending his life sooner than necessary.”

“Of course, Father.”

“Remove yourself from this domain, and spread my influence upon the mortals.”

Silk bowed a bit before him, while Gasconade remained rigid. She rose up, and put on a sultry look, “I love you, Father.”

The beast in the dark chuckled. The stench of his breath rolled onto them in waves, “Once again you spin your lies. You are a whore, Daughter. You were created to bring out the sexual desires of mortals. To corrupt their morals and cloud their judgement. Continue doing that, and do not waste your words on me.”

Silk’s smile turned into a tiny smirk, “Of course, Father.”

They turned and left, leaving their father in the darkness. They faded into shadows, and emerged in the shadows that outlined Twilight’s kingdom.

“Torpor is somewhere within the kingdom’s wall.” Gasconade stated. “We should go find the little shit before he gets too lazy and starts bullshitting around.”

Silk nodded. “Agreed. Besides… I would like to pay another visit to Princess Twilight… I cannot simply have just one night with a beautiful princess.”

“We don’t have time for you to be fucking some princess.” Gasconade hissed. “If you’re going to go to the castle, why don’t you go and speak with our little dragon. I heard he’s starting to wake up. Maybe he is more useful now.”

Silk started to slink into the night, “Very well… but after that, I shall have another night to have a taste of royalty….”

Conflict

Spike groaned as he opened his swollen eyes to look around his dimly lit confinement. He had been here for about a week now, so his time here was drawing to a close. He adjusted himself to sit up, and was once again aware of the heavy iron braces and chains that were on his neck, wrist, and ankles. Each spot had been rubbed raw, and there was a quiet hiss as black magic seeped from the wounds in a repetitive cycle to heal them. He let out a tired sigh through his nostrils. Twilight’s Commanders had done quite a number on him, and he knew that they had gone easy on him. He looked down at the small puddle of blood that had formed from his bleeding wrists. His reflection stared back at him, his eyes blazing a shade of lime green,

“Are you happy with the way your toys are treating you? They are acting as if you belong to them, when you know damn well they belong to you!”

“They don’t belong to me…” Spike replied. He realized that he hadn’t spoken in a few days. His voice sounded tired, and his throat hurt. “Nor I to them. This is my punishment for speaking out of turn.”

“She’s yours! What are you apologizing for?!”

“She’s not mine! She’s a princess!” Spike roared. He stopped to hack up some saliva to lubricate his tired, parched throat. “I…I will take the punishment for what YOU said.”

“What I said? I am you, you stupid sack of shit! And all I said… was the truth.”

“You are something evil… unnatural. You wouldn’t know how to speak the truth if your life depended on it.”

Other Spike chuckled. “Well…it’s a good thing that I’m immortal, huh?” He leaned closer to the edge of the surface. “But believe it or not, I’m not lying. After all, that would just be you lying to yourself.”

“SHUT UP!!”

“Are you done arguing with yourself?”

Spike looked away from the puddle and up at the source of the voice. His eyes narrowed when he saw Silk standing before him,

“Why are you here?” He hissed.

“I just came to check up on you. See how you’re doing. No need to be so hostile, my love.” Silk trotted closer to him. She placed a hoof on his chin. “So once again…are you done arguing with yourself?” Spike didn’t respond, only continuing to glare at Silk. “I’ll take that as a ‘yes’.” She looked around at the dungeon. “Cozy little place you got here. Are you ready to get out of here?”

“My time will come soon enough…” he looked away from her, focusing on the cracks in the stone flooring. “Twilight will be releasing me soon.”

Silk raised a brow, “Is that so? Is she the one that put you here? I can only assume so. I doubt anypony else would be able to put such a mighty dragon of your caliber in confinement like this.”

“I am here because I am being punished. I asked for this. Perhaps…perhaps then I can-”

“You can what?” Silk cut him off. “Quiet the voice inside of your head? Stop the thing that lies within the deepest parts of your soul?” she plopped down in front of him, “I’m not here to rush you…. But I do want to know; how long do you plan on fighting this? Fighting what you really are?”

“Until the thing inside of me shuts up and leaves me alone.”

“It will leave you alone when you accept what you are…who you are.” She lowered her head so that their eyes met. “Father is coming, dragon. I’ve heard whispers within the city walls that the Holy Alliance is starting to show itself again. It’s not going to be good if either of them rise, and you know it. So if you could be a dear, I would like to try and find out just how much time is left before the Holy Alliance fully shows itself.

Spike averted his gaze elsewhere. He knew she was right; this was a completely different situation now. But he couldn’t just break out of here to stop it. That would defeat the purpose of him being here. He didn’t want to help the mare, but he knew he didn’t have a choice. Spike relented with a sigh. “Twilight’s commanders have been keeping me updated about things going on within the castle walls. Princess Celestia’s personal guards came here a few days ago. They wanted Pinkie and a DJ named Vinyl Scratch that lives in the second ring of the kingdom. Twilight’s having them kept here within the castle walls to deter anypony from attacking or kidnapping them. They might be your best bet at a clue.”

Silk gave him a sultry smile. “You’re as smart as you are handsome.” She rose to her hooves, “I will check up on you another time, my little dragon.”

“Where are you going?”

“Well, I haven’t seen Pinkie in quite a while, and I want to meet this DJ. Let’s see if she is good with her hooves with things outside of her occupation.” She walked into the shadows, her hoof steps fading into the darkness, and left Spike alone in the dungeon once more.

-MLP-

“I miss Octi already….” Vinyl stated in a soft tone. “I hate being stuck here.”

“It’s safer for us to be here, as well as for the ponies we care about.” Pinkie replied. “They’ll stop looking for us soon enough. There will be other things more important than us that will need to be taken care of.”

“Princess Twilight still hasn’t talked to Princess Celesta either. What’s taking her so long? I wanna know what they wanted with us.”

“Hey, stop stressing! Think of this as a break from all of your gigs. Gods knows you need one. I haven’t seen you take a break in the last four months!”

“Wait, how do you know that?”

“Well, I’ve gone to all of your major performances….”

“Wait… all of them?”

“Well… yeah. We haven’t kept in touch so I went to the shows to at least see you.”

“But… I live in Middle Ponyville. That’s so far….”

Pinkie shrugged. “Meh, not really! Anything for a friend!!”

Vinyl broke out into a huge grin, “Wow… thanks, Pinkie… I don’t know what to say….”

“You don’t have to say anything. I told you, anything for a friend.”

“Well… that is very touching….”

Both mares looked over at the bathroom. Silk stepped out from the shadows. Vinyl jumped to her hooves. “Who the hell are you, and how did you get in here?!”

Silk sauntered over to her, locking eyes with the DJ. Vinyl felt her heart start to thunder in her chest. “I promise, I am not your enemy, Vinyl Scratch….” She looked over at Pinkie. “It’s nice to see you again, Pinkamena.”

“It… it’s nice t-to see you again, too….” Pinkie stammered. “W-what are you d-d-doing here?”

“I heard that somepony attacked you. I’m sorry that happened to you….”

“I’m… okay. I barely got out of there alive….”

Silk leaned in. “I know that is a lie…your body can take quite a beating. We know this, don’t we?” She whispered. “Now… did you feast upon your attackers?”

Pinkie went pale, and didn’t answer her. Vinyl stormed up to her. “Hey, leave her alone-”

Silk turned her gaze to her, and she froze again. Something about her eyes stunned her into silence. She felt her heart thunder in her chest with a vengeance, and her legs turned to jelly. Silk gave her a sultry smile. “I’m sorry if I didn’t get my point across the first time. Is there a way I can show you that I am not an enemy here?”

‘Hey, snap the fuck out of it you loser!’ Madd snapped. ‘She’s just a whore! Don’t listen to her lies!’

‘How do you know what she is?’

‘Just don’t listen to her, dumbfuck!’

Vinyl shook her head, “Uh… no thanks. I’m fine.”

Silk’s smile didn’t falter in the slightest, but one of her perfectly tweezed eyebrows raised a bit. “If you say so….” She turned back to Pinkie, “You never answered my question, love.”

“Yes.” Pinkie replied as if the word left a disgusting taste in her mouth. “Yes, I did.”

“I see…” her smile got bigger. “Did you enjoy it?”

Pinkie swallowed the lump in her throat, “Kind of….”

“Good…” Silk nodded in approval. “That’s very good….”

“Hey, what are you doing to her?” Vinyl questioned.

“I’m only talking to her, love. Please calm yourself.”

“I’m fine, Vinyl… it’ll be okay.” Pinkie stated. She looked over at Silk, “Seriously… why are you here?”

Silk’s smile disappeared, “You are in grave danger….”

“I know that. Vinyl and I just got jumped by Celestia’s personal guards. That’s why we’re here.”

“It’s not just you two… but all of us.”

Vinyl raised a brow. “What are you talking about?”

Silk opened her mouth to answer, but stopped when the door opened and Twilight trotted in. “Are either of you hungry? The cooks are making a delicious-” She froze mid step and her eyes went wide. “You….”

Silk smiled. “Princess Twilight… this is such a delightful surprise.”

Twilight’s horn whined with burning hot magic. “I should kill you where you stand!”

Silk giggled, the sound as soft as velvet to Twilight’s ears. “No need for such hostility, my love… we are among friends here. Besides… you do not have the intestinal fortitude to cause suffering by your own hooves….” Twilight felt a pit form in her stomach. Did she know about Spike? That would mean she would have had to have been snooping around and gotten past security… again. “Now…where was I…” Silk tapped her chin thoughtfully, “Ah yes, I remember now. Terribly sorry, but a stunningly beautiful mare such as yourself can be absolutely distracting at times.” She winked and caught the barely noticeable flustering in Twilight’s cheeks. “Anyway, as I was telling these two…you are all in danger, and there is nothing you can do to stop it.”

“Then why are you telling me?” Twilight questioned. “What are you expecting me to do if you’re already stating that nothing can be done?”

Silk smirked. “Your fellow Princesses, while they are… somewhat powerful, are no match for the monster that is coming for you all.” She stepped closer to Twilight, “However, they are not all that they seem to be.”

“Wha-… what do you mean?”

“The monster…he is a master…a teacher of lies and deceit. Your Princesses, through their longevity, have learned well from his teachings.” In a flash, she was back in front of Pinkie. She licked her lips and pulled the pink pony into a sensual kiss, “Take care of yourself, love… we need you alive.” She then appeared beside Vinyl, and gave her a soft peck on the cheek, “Till next time, my precious DJ….”

Twilight felt a twinge of jealousy as Silk disappeared without a word to her. Why did she give them kisses? Wait, why should she even care?

“Twilight.”

She was just a bed mate. Nothing more.

“Twilight!!”

Twilight jumped and looked at Pinkie, who was now in her face. “What?” She asked.

“Geez, spacey much? When are you going to go talk to Celestia?”

“Um… I’ll send her a letter of my arrival, and head out as soon as she gives me a response.”

“Can me and the others come with you??”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea… Things could get blown out of proportion. I don’t really know since Celestia isn’t acting like herself.”

“All the more reason you should have us there for you. We can deal with her together.”

Twilight let out a small sigh. “Fine…okay, just…let me call the others and make preparations.”

Pinkie smiled, and Vinyl couldn’t help but smile when she saw the old Pinkie for a moment. “Awesome! Then go take care of it!!” Pinkie head-butted Twilight in the shoulder and began to shove her out the door. “Gogogogogo!!!”

Twilight stammered as she was shoved out the door. Pinkie slammed it shut, then let out a tired sigh. Vinyl slowly walked up to her. “Are you okay?”

Pinkie looked up at her with a worn expression on her face. “Twisted wanted me to do bad things to her….” She looked down at the floor, “I don’t want Twilight to see me like that….”

Vinyl rubbed her shoulder soothingly, “We’ll figure this out, Pinkie. Twilight’s going to have this whole thing squashed real soon, and we can go back to the way things used to be.”

“Well, I don’t want that…” Pinkie replied. “Because that means we wouldn’t hang out again….”

Vinyl chuckled. “Okay, except for that. The first thing we’ll do, is have lunch together, and it’ll be my treat.”

-MLP-

Luna stood out on her balcony, observing the streets of Canterlot. She had raised her Moon up a few hours ago, but the metropolitan was still bustling with activity. The downtown area was lit up with neon signs, and she heard the faint thumps of base-filled night clubs. She tapped her hooves to the beats, wishing she could go to the club with her subjects.

“Enjoying yourself, Luna?”

Luna looked over her shoulder as Celestia walked up to her. “Thou should be resting, Sister.” She calmly replied. “Thy schedule has been a busy one, and thoust deserve it.”

“And miss out on you dancing?” Celestia teased. “I think not.”

Celestia stood beside her little sister and enjoyed the view with a faint smile on her face. Luna glanced up at Celestia. “Sister?”

“Yes Luna?”

“Are thou upset with Twilight Sparkle?”

The smile was replaced with a frown for a few seconds before Celestia composed herself. There were a few moments of thoughtful silence before she spoke up. “Yes and no.” Celestia replied. “Her telling me no is not a surprise to me. However, I did not expect her to tell me no in that way. She has been in control of her kingdom for almost 15 years and I know that she knows the way she went about that was wrong. Had it been the Griffin King, or the Diamond Dog Chief, she would’ve been met with raised paws and extended talons. Retaliation that would’ve started wars. However, I cannot be angry. She is the Princess of Friendship, and her friend’s safety was on the line. To give them up to us without knowing why would have gone against everything she stands for.”

“Well then…are thou going to confront her about it?”

“Knowing her, I won’t have to. She is a seeker of knowledge, and she will come to me looking for answers.”

“Then what are thoust going to tell her when she does?”

“I’ll tell her the truth.”

Luna’s eyes went wide. “Thou are a fool if I ever did see one! It is not your place, Sister!”

There was a beating of wings on the night air. Celestia and Luna looked up to see Ditzy sliding down the spire. She jumped off of the edge and landed on the balcony railing. Her golden eyes glowed in the moonlight as she stared Celestia down. “Your sister remembers her place amongst the Alliance, Celestia. Why does your memory seem so spotty all of the sudden?”

“She’s going to have to know. The Alliance is in dire need of more powerful members.” Celestia replied.

“That is not for you to decide!” Ditzy snapped, a warm wave of power radiated off of her. Her eyes glowed even brighter. “We are in need of loyal members, not powerful ones.” She looked back and forth between them. “I don’t know why you sent guards out instead of doing it yourself. There was a higher chance of their capture if you had.”

“We have one of the largest kingdoms on the planet. We have other matters to attend to-”

“Anything pertaining to the Alliance takes priority and you know that.” Ditzy scolded. “Look what happened with you not doing this. They are both still walking free, you got ponies killed for no reason, and now Twilight has them heavily guarded.”

“By whom?” Luna questioned. “I can capture them without ending anypony’s life.”

“The Sunset Squad.”

Luna and Celestia fell into silence. Celestia let out a sigh. “Do you know where she’s hiding them?”

“Within the castle walls. Everypony was talking about how they were tearing through the city to get there.”

“There is now no doubt that Twilight is going to come here to find out why I did what I did. The Sunset Squad is going to escort her. They’ll have to, and that means Pinkamena and Vinyl Scratch will be left unprotected.”

“That’s not true.” Luna corrected. “It is still her castle. The place will be secured from the floor to the roof with guards.”

“I would rather deal with a castle full of guards than the Sunset Squad.” Celestia replied. Celestia turned to Luna. “I’m going to need one of your guards to infiltrate the castle walls and let us know when Twilight leaves to come here.”

“That will never work. If she’s there, then so will the Sunset Squad. Whomever I send would be captured and destroyed before they got anywhere near it.”

“Then get them to at least make it within the inner city’s walls to see her mode of transportation.”

“Almost all of my guards are Vamponies. They won’t be able to handle the sunlight.”

“What about the Lunar Knights? Surely you have Unicorns on your personal security force.”

“True…” Luna rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “It will be a most difficult mission, but I shall see to it that it is carried out.” She looked over at Ditzy. “Is that all you came to us for?”

“I also came to warn you.” Ditzy replied. “We want those ponies. They are the key to bringing the others out of hiding. Two have already revealed themselves, all we need is the other five.” She snapped her wings open, “Twilight is interfering with important matters. I don’t care if she is their friend, and I don’t care if she was your pupil, you will settle this matter, and you will bring them to us.”

With that, she stepped back off of the railing and fell into the darkness. Luna and Celestia looked over the railing and found no trace of the Pegasus.

“Thou hast angered her greatly, Sister.” Luna pointed out.

“I know…but Twilight is going to find out, one way or another. I wish Ditzy would understand that.”

“So are thou going to tell her? I advise against it, but I know how thine mind works….”

“I don’t know… for now, I will do what we planned, since I cannot be outright with her.”

“And having me have my guards wandering around Twilight’s kingdom in secret is alright with thou?”

“No… no, not at all….” Celestia draped her hooves on the railing. “Lying and sneaking behind her back pains me. But the fate of our world depends on their capture.”

“This would not be so tedious if the Alliance removed their heads from their posteriors.”

Celestia giggled. “What a bold statement to make.”

“I am only speaking the truth.”

There was a knock from Luna’s bed chambers that rang out. “Your Highness, may I enter? I’m trying to find Princess Celestia.”

“Enter.” Luna commanded. A moment later, a guard pushed the massive door open and trotted in. “Good evening, Your Highnesses.” The guard gave a curt bow and rose again. “Princess Celestia, I have a letter from Princess Twilight Sparkle for you.”

Celestia took the letter within her magical grasp. “Thank you.”

The guard gave another bow, and hurried out of the room. Celestia opened it and scanned over it.

“What did she say?” Luna asked.

“Exactly what I knew she would say.” Celestia replied. “She will be departing Ponyville tomorrow morning.”

“I’ll send out some of the Lunar Knights now. They can surround the castle until they leave. That’s when they’ll strike.”

“Then I shall leave it to you….”

Celestia turned away from her and started to walk.

“Sleep well, Sister. I guard you beneath the Moon’s glow.”

“And I guard you beneath the Sun’s blaze.” Celestia replied. “Goodnight Luna.”

Luna nodded and turned back to the view of the city, with a tiny smirk on her lips. Tonight was going to be busy for her.

And she was enjoying that.

-MLP-

The train ride to Canterlot was a long one, and the girls took this opportunity to catch up, and properly introduce themselves to Vinyl.

“I still can’t believe I’m in a train car with the DJ PON-3!!” Dash exclaimed. “This is so awesome!!”

“And still I can’t believe I’m in the same train car as the multi-time saviors of Equestria! It’s truly an honor indeed!”

They bumped hooves, before Dash glared at Pinkie,

“Yo, Pinks, why didn’t you tell us you knew her?!”

“You never asked me!”

Dash rolled her eyes and pinched the bridge of her snout. Rarity scooted closer,

“I can’t help but notice your mane and tail color. Tell me, is that the actual color?”

Vinyl nodded, “Yes ma’am-”

“Oh my goodness, no!” Rarity batted her hoof on Vinyl’s shoulder, “We are almost the same age. ‘Ma’am’ isn’t necessary! Rarity works just fine, darling.”

Vinyl chuckled. “Sorry. It’s just, what do you call Equestria’s legendary heroines besides ‘Ma’am’?”

The alabaster mare giggled, “I just told you, dear. ‘Rarity’.”

Vinyl laughed and continued to chat between the other mares while Twilight rested her hoof on her chin, her eyes set on the scenery that raced by her. Pinkie looked over and noticed the far off look in her eyes. The Earth Pony leaned over to her. “Are you okay, Twi?”

Twilight sighed. “Kind of. Something bad is going to come from this, I just know it.”

Pinkie chuckled. “Twilight, don’t be such a worry wart! I’m sure there’s just… a misunderstanding or something.”

Twilight snapped her head in Pinkie’s direction and narrowed her eyes. “I have every right to be a worry wart right now.” Her voice had dropped down to a whisper. “You don’t get it, do you? There were lives involved. There were ponies who had been brutally murdered, and you were tearing through the streets while you were soaked in their blood!” She leaned even closer. “I believe you don’t know what happened, Pinkie. Really, I do. But to the rest of the city, and soon all of Equestria once the word spreads, I brought a murderer into my home.” She dropped her face into her hooves. “This isn’t a typical friendship problem, Pinkie… I could have started a war….”

Pinkie’s ears flattened against her head in shame. Just how much damage had she done?

‘You did enough damage to possible throw Equestria into chaos! I’m so proud of you!!’

Pinkie felt her heart drop to her stomach. She got up and left Twilight to sit alone, before joining Vinyl. The DJ looked over at her as she plopped down into the seat. “What’s up?”

“I messed up. Big time.” Pinkie whispered. “I killed the guards.”

“You told her that you didn’t!” Vinyl hissed. “Are you kidding me? That was a lie?”

“Yes and no….”

Vinyl pinched the bridge of her snout, “Pinkie….”

“What are you two whispering about over there?” Rarity chimed in. “Oooh, is it gossip about your intriguing night life?”

Vinyl waved her hoof dismissively. “Oh no, just… making a few plans, and we don’t want anypony to hear the details until we have everything together.” She rose to her hooves. “Hey, Pinkie, can I talk to you in the other cart? This next part is a major top quality secret.”

Pinkie nodded. “Yeah, sure!”

Vinyl turned and started to walk to the other cart. Pinkie looked back at her friends. “Can one of you come and grab us when we get there? Don’t know how long we’re going to be in here!”

Applejack raised a hoof. “Ah gotcha.”

Pinkie grinned at her, before following Vinyl to the other car. As soon as she shut the door, she turned to see an angry Vinyl mere inches from her face. “Pinkie, did you kill the guards?”

Pinkie rubbed her leg, “I… I think I did.”

“Pinkie!”

“But it wasn’t me! Twisted made me do it. She made me do horrible things to them….”

“What did she make you do?”

Pinkie opened her mouth to speak, but no words would come out. She had already shared her secret with Vinyl. And it turned out that she had something living inside of her, too. But, there was just no way that the thing that lived in Vinyl was as bad as the thing that lived inside of her.

“Pinkie… Pinkie, you have to trust me.”

Pinkie looked into Vinyl’s eyes, and saw the concern in them. It felt good just telling her about Twisted. Now, it was time to take another risk and tell her the truth. “She made me eat them.”

Vinyl’s eyes went wide, and her jaw went slack. Pinkie started to back away from her but Vinyl shot a foreleg out and wrapped it around Pinkie’s neck. “Where are you going?”

“Away from you!” Pinkie snapped. “I’m a monster… and I shouldn’t be here. I’m a danger to everypony around me….”

“Pinkie…” Vinyl spoke in a soft tone. “You forget… I’m a monster too….”

Pinkie bit her bottom lip, and she felt tears stinging at her eyes. She pulled Vinyl into a hug, and once again, the Unicorn felt the bone-crushing strength of an Earth Pony.

“Thank you… thank you for not judging me….”

“Pinkie, stop being a dope.” She pulled away from her. “Now… look. Twilight doesn’t know what really happened. You’re her friend, and she’s going to look out for you.” She looked her in the eyes. “And if you did it, it’s because Princess Celestia had them ready to attack you without a reason.”

“But Twilight is freaking out because of me!”

“Let her.” Vinyl calmly replied. “She’s one of the princesses. She’s got a lot on her plate with Ponyville growing into a full blown city.” She turned her head to one of the windows, noticing how the scenery had changed from rolling fields into decorated stone houses and small towers. “How long have we been on the tracks now?”

“A few hours.” Pinkie replied in a worried tone. “We’re probably close to Central Canterlot….”

As if on cue, there was a knocking on the cart door, before it was slid open and Applejack trotted inside. “We’re rollin’ up to the station, sugarcubes. Let’s go.”

Vinyl looked over at Pinkie with a small smile, “You’re going to be okay.” She whispered softly, before trotting past Applejack and joining the others in the other cart.

Applejack looked over at Pinkie. “Ya alright?”

Pinkie nodded. “Yeah, just a little nervous about what Princess Celestia is going to do to me and Vinyl.”

“Twilight’s gonna take care of ya.” Applejack stated reassuringly. “Let her do her thing, alright?”

Pinkie nodded slowly, before following Applejack and the others out of their cart. Central Canterlot was a bustling metropolis, with hundreds of ponies going about their busy schedules. The group’s gaze wandered up to the twin, towering spires of the Princess’ castle. Pinkie gulped, and Rarity placed a reassuring hoof on her shoulder. “Everything’s going to be alright, darling. We’re going to get this situation figured out soon enough.”

“Alright girls, put on your game faces.” Twilight stated. “We’re not here for cake and tea.”

The others nodded in agreement. With locked jaws and stoned faces, they walked up to the main entrance doors. Each side of the sidewalk was lined with armed guards, each who angled their staff in salutations to the princess and her council. Vinyl’s ear twitched as she listened in on a conversation between two guards they had passed.

“Who’s that white pony with the crazy mane?”

“She’s one of the ponies Princess Celestia wanted captured….”

“She’s still not as scary as Lady Pinkamena….”

“Yeah, I saw the pictures…how horrifying for somepony to do that.”

Vinyl frowned at the whispers. This wasn’t Pinkie’s fault, and they shouldn’t be talking about her like this. For her sake, she hoped that Princess Twilight knew what she was doing. The gates slowly opened and welcomed them in. Applejack and Dash herded Pinkie and Vinyl between them, so that they were protected within their circle. Pinkie looked around her. All of the guards were eyeballing her and Vinyl. Some with hatred, and some with fear. Her ears folded a bit as they were circled by guards. A particular large smoky Unicorn stallion stood in between them and the door.

“Good afternoon, Princess Twilight and her Council.”

“Good afternoon, General Mist. Could you please step aside?”

“I’m sorry, but I cannot let you past these doors with Miss Pinkamena and Vinyl Scratch.”

Twilight arched a brow. “Why not? Pinkie is part of the Council, and Vinyl Scratch is one of her guests.”

“With all due respect, they are under investigation for murder of the Sun Princess’ personal guards. Until they are proven innocent, they will not be allowed into the Princesses’ main chamber. I am already being lenient by allowing them to step within the castle walls.”

Dash snorted angrily, “Excuse me? Who do you think you are?”

“I think I am one of Princess Celestia’s generals. My job is to protect her from everypony, including you, and your princess.”

Twilight took a couple steps forward, “I’m not leaving until I speak with Celestia, and I’m not going in there without Pinkie and Vinyl.”

“I’m sorry to hear you say that, Princess. You’re going to be here a while then.”

“General Mist, stand down.” Celestia’s gentle voice commanded as the main chamber doors opened. She slowly walked between them, and the guards parted to let her through. She stopped in front of the group. “Good afternoon, girls. It’s a pleasure to see you.” She smiled at them softly, “Come in… I’m sure you have many questions.”

Twilight’s eyes narrowed a bit, “You’re absolutely correct about that, Princess.”

Celestia turned away from her. “General, have your stallions line all the doors leading into the main chamber and don’t let anypony in. I don’t want to have anypony interrupting us, please.”

Mist saluted her. “Yes, Your Highness.” There was a muffled sound of hooves landing as Luna appeared. The guards snapped to attention as she walked down the lavish carpet that cut floor in two. “Good afternoon, Princess.” Mist greeted. “It’s very late for you to be awake. Shouldn’t you be resting?”

“Sleep can be very helpful, but in this case, it is a debilitating crutch.” Luna stated in a curt tone. “Now, stand aside. I will not let Celestia hold this meeting alone.”

She walked past him, remaining stone-faced as she did so. Twilight studied the expression, and her body language, as the princess of the night walked past all of them, including her own sister, without saying anything. Celestia magicked the doors shut and promptly made her way over to the lone table that stood in the middle of the vast room. She sat down and gave the group a friendly smile. “Please join me.”

The others wordlessly pulled out their chairs and sat down. For a few minutes, they sat in awkward silence, with the occasional nervous cough to break it. Twilight finally let out a tired sigh. “Why’d you do it?”

Celestia turned her gaze to her, “I’m sorry?”

“Why did you send your guards to arrest Pinkie and Vinyl?” Twilight asked with a trace of anger lacing her voice.

“Pinkamena and Vinyl Scratch are dangerous.” Luna interjected. “They have killed security guards within Ponyville. Murder, a crime that is nearly unheard of happening in these times, must be dealt with swiftly, and thou were doing nothing about it.”

“I hadn’t even been aware of what happened until Pinkie showed up at the castle. Ponyville has a judicial system, that while it is still evolving every day, is capable of handling most of the crimes within the city. Besides, you had guards already within my borders before the murders. And not just any guards,” she pointed a hoof at Celestia. “Your personal guards.” She leaned in. “No, something else is going on here, so why don’t you just tell me the truth.”

“Luna and I are telling you the truth. Pinkie Pie and Vinyl are incredibly dangerous.”

“But how? Why? What makes them so dangerous?” Pinkamina

Luna pointed an accusing hoof at Pinkie, “Why don’t you ask her? She’s the one who ripped my sister’s personal guards to shreds!”

Pinkie cringed, “I didn’t do anything to them, I swear!”

“Lies!” Luna snapped. “Nopony could create the horrors thoust had made and continue existing with that weight on their shoulders!”

Applejack tilted her hat up and leaned forward, “Princess, with all due respect, I don’t appreciate you slanderin’ Pinkie’s innocence! It ain’t right!”

“Pinkie Pie,” Celestia started. “You and Vinyl are dangerous ponies. Your friends do not believe that. But my sister and I; we know the truth. We know you know what you two are as well.” She rose from her seat. “Do I blame you for being afraid? Of course not. With such… horrifying power flowing through you, who wouldn’t be? Please, turn yourselves over to the Canterlotian government and we will help you.”

“Forgive my intrusion, Your Majesty, but I never did anything, and your guards still came for me.” Vinyl spoke up. “I’m no monster… and I’m not dangerous.”

“Yeah, the only thing that makes Vinyl dangerous, is that you pass out from dancing too hard to her sick beats.” Dash pointed out. Vinyl couldn’t help but smile at the compliment.

“As I stated before, you’re dangerous, and you know it. I wanted you here, within our castle walls, where we could help you, before you hurt somepony.”

“You still broke international law, Princess Celestia.” Rarity stated. “Twilight’s response may not have been as uh… civil, as it could have been, but you had your troops within her land, without her permission, or her knowing. In fact, none of us had this brought to our attention, and we’re her council.”

“What we’re doing is bigger than what you can even comprehend.” Celestia replied cryptically.

“Is it?” Twilight leaned forward, “Try me. I would like to believe that my friends and I are more than capable of understanding a situation if you would actually take the time to explain it to us.”

Celestia looked over at her sister and was met with a hardened gaze. Luna slowly shook her head. “Don’t.” She warned. “Don’t say anything. It is not your place.”

“What’s not her place?” Dash asked. “What’s going on?”

“Look, this is bigger than all of us.” Celestia calmly stated. She pointed at Pinkie and Vinyl. “Their capture; could save millions of lives.”

“Or we could be sending them to their graves, and a bunch of ponies die either way.” Dash retorted.

“You didn’t answer Dash’s question. Or mine, for that matter.” Twilight pointed out.

“It’s because they’re lyin’.” Applejack snapped. “Ah don’t what part of that was truth. Shit, they’re might not have been a lick of truth in it. All ah know, is that mah Element is screamin’ at me.”

The others looked at her, before turning back to Celestia and Luna,

“I think…I think that I’m speaking for the others, when I say that it’s best that we discuss this on our own.” Fluttershy stated. “Such a matter can’t be solved within a few minutes.”

The others nodded in agreement before rising from the table. They turned and headed for the doors but stopped once they noticed the golden glow that covered the door handles as they neared them. They all looked back at the princesses.

“I hope you aren’t planning to try and keep us here against our will.” Twilight stated in an eerily calm tone. “False imprisonment of Royalty and any Council members is more than enough for my Head Ambassador to warrant an extremely thorough investigation by the Sunset Squad.”

There were a few moments of tense silence, before Celestia gave her a gentle smile. “You forgot to say goodbye. It’s very rude of a Princess to not do so.”

Twilight gave her a plastic smile, “Of course, my apologies. I can’t believe it slipped my mind.” She gave the princesses a curt nod. “You ladies have a good afternoon. I will send you another letter of arrival, after we have discussed what we will do with Pinkie and Vinyl Scratch.”

The door handles lost their golden hue, and were replaced with a lavender one, as Twilight opened the doors to let herself and her friends out. Luna looked over at Celestia. “The Sunset Squad wouldn’t be able to make it here before we had them deep below the castle.”

Celestia let out a sigh before resting her chin in her hooves. “That would be true, if they weren’t already right outside the castle walls.”

Luna rose to her hooves, “What?! Thou knew of this and said nothing? How could this be? I didn’t feel their magic at all.”

“How do you even know what their magical aura looks like? We’ve never seen them.” She pushed back from the table and rose to her hooves. “No, I didn’t feel their magic per say. But… I felt, a distortion of magic. Something that just didn’t sit right.”

“I had only assumed that Discord was somewhere near the castle. Perhaps keeping an eye out if Fluttershy were to come under harm. Thoust know he has a tender spot somewhere deep within the stony confounds of his heart when it comes to that mare.”

“I wish it had been him. Sadly, it was not.” She started a slow walk towards the doors, “Come, sister. We have to report back to the Alliance.”

“They shall not be happy with the results of our meeting.” Luna spoke with dread in her voice. “And their patience with our realm is already wavering greatly…"

-MLP-

“Silk… what the fuck are we doing?”

Silk’s ears perked up. She tilted her head in the Gasconade’s direction. “What are you talking about? We are waiting for Vinyl and Pinkie to awaken.”

Gasconade scoffed, “They’re taking way too long. It could be years before they wake up. Shit, they may never actually awaken.”

Silk let out a chuckle, “Oh, dear brother… you’re so negative.” She leaned her head against his feathery shoulder, “They’ll wake up soon. They just need a little… motivation.”

Gasconade raised a brow. “Do you have any ideas in mind?”

“Of course I do. Such a problem will be dealt with for us. For now, you and I will simply observe this situation, and wait for Father’s next command.” She backed away further into the shadows, before bumping into something large. It gave off sinister magic, though that did nothing to deter the smile appearing on Silk’s face. “Torpor, my loving, sleepy brother. How do you do?”

“You called for me…” he leaned down, and his eyes leveled themselves with hers, “What is it?...”

Silk reached up and caressed the hidden monster’s face, “I need you to go and acquire our dearest Pinkie or Vinyl. I don’t care which one you bring back, but if you’re able to grab both, that would be lovely. I can’t get through to our dragon with them wandering around all confused.” She patted his cheek. “Be a dear, and take care of that immediately.”

“Okay….” Torpor grumbled before rising back up. He lumbered back into the shadows, his thudding fading as he got further away from them. Gasconade looked back at Silk. “You really trust that bumbling fool to take care of your task?”

“You really do not give our dear brother credit where credit is due.” Silk replied. “After all… he’s probably the strongest one out of all of us.”

-MLP-

“We can’t give Pinkie or Vinyl up.” Dash stated. “I don’t care if she was the Princess of the whole freakin’ planet, she can’t just storm in here on our turf, and try to kidnap ponies!”

“Why are we even havin’ this talk?” Applejack questioned. “We ain’t givin’ neither of ‘em up.”

“Then… we need to be ready for war….” Fluttershy stated softly. “Are we prepared for such a course of action?”

“We will have to be.” Rarity replied before looking over at Twilight, “Should I get with Spike to start adding extra guard posts along the rings? Perhaps more security detail around the castle as well-”

“That won’t be necessary.” Twilight cut her off. “For me at least. I will give the order for more security detail to be posted at your homes. As before, Pinkie and Vinyl will be staying here, where I can protect them.”

“You…cannot...protect…them….”

They all froze as a chill raced up their spines from the source of the voice.

“Th-that voice….” Rarity stammered out. “I’ve heard it… before. That’s the one…that killed the guard at the prison…”

The air grew deathly still. A gentle, rhythmic thud began, and all eyes focused on a massive manticore that stepped from the shadows. For a moment, none of them moved. Twilight slowly rose out of her chair. “Who…are you?”

“I am Torpor….” The manticore slowly responded.

Dash rose to her hooves. “I couldn’t give a damn what your name is. Why are you here?!”

“I come for…Pinkie and Vinyl….”

Awaken

*THUNK!!*

It came from the living room. She was sure about that. She knew her roommate was home, but the sound was far too loud, and far too heavy to have come from her. She let out an annoyed sigh before pushing back her chair and sliding out of it. She had just gotten to the good part of the new song she was writing. Oh well…it would just have to wait. She trudged down the hallway, towards the living room. She heard dishes and pans clanking against each other from the kitchen. She also heard something else coming from there, driving her to trot at a faster pace. She rounded the corner with a fake, plastic smile upon her face,

“Yo, ‘sup Tavi? Whatcha plan on cooking tonight?”

The cellist was busy breaking dry pasta into halves so that it would fit properly into the pot, “Just making us some spaghetti. Somepony has to do the cooking around here if they don’t want to be eating pizza and Chinese food every single night…”

Vinyl’s ears drooped as she rubbed the back of her head, “Hey, I’m sorry about that…I’m just not as good of a cook as you…”

Vinyl wasn’t lying. She really was a terrible cook. But she wasn’t telling her the full truth either. She didn’t know how to cook, because she didn’t have time to learn. Octavia knew that her shows at various clubs all over Canterlot kept her working well past the time of Celestia raising the Sun, so she grabbed sleep whenever it decided to grace her with it’s presence. But that still wasn’t…completely true either. But she didn’t have the heart to tell her everything. Besides…she knew that Octavia would never believe her if she told her that she could see terrifying beasts from another realm. And speaking of that…

One was in the kitchen right now.

Vinyl couldn’t see what it was yet. It clung to the ceiling in hopes of remaining hidden. But, it’s predator like hunger had made it careless, and the DJ caught sight of the tar like drool appearing from above. She inwardly cringed as she watched a fat drop of drool splat onto the counter right by the pasta. Quite frankly, she was glad that her roommate could not see this disgusting symptom of hunger, and even more pleased that the ethereal saliva could not interact with the things from the world around them.

“You’re not even listening to me!”

Vinyl snapped back to reality and focused on her friend, who was at the moment, extremely displeased with her,

“I was offering to take some of your chores, but you couldn’t even take the time to pay attention!” Tavi snapped at her. She placed the pot full of pasta and water on the stove to boil, “Look, just watch the damn stove. I’ve given you plenty of time to work on your music, so it’s time you let me work on mine.” She stormed past Vinyl and exited the living room. The Unicorn waited for a while longer, until she heard the deep thrums of the cello coming from Octavia’s room. She would make sure to apologize later, but right now she was grateful that her temper had kicked in. She summoned a noise cancelling wall of aura over the door that led to Octavia’s room, and the walls that surrounded it. It would allow her to hear Octavia making new sheet music, and leave the other mare in peace and quiet. She would rather face this abomination than the wrath of the cellist when she was pulled away from her music. She carefully stepped into the kitchen, keeping her eyes focused on the ceiling. She let out another annoyed sigh, as she stared up at a monster that was akin to a creature blended from a pony and a spider. It focused its five eyes on her and began to let out an angry gurgled screech, a fine mist of black spit spewing from it’s mouth.

“What are you angry for? You’re the one that’s in my apartment!”

With that, it leapt from the ceiling and lunged for her, mandibles snapping, and snarling at her. She dodged it with a few light steps, before spinning around and bucking it in the face. Hardened hooves snapped one of the mandibles, and a few of it’s teeth broke off and sunk deep into it’s throat. It let out a pained shriek and lashed out at her with one of it’s legs. She barely dodged it this time, wincing as the leg still managed to tear open the flesh on her shoulder and expose tender muscle. She focused on the legs, noticing that what she thought was hair on it’s legs, was actually thin strands of shrapnel metal. Who did this pathetic little shit think it was, attacking her for no reason? Violet-black steam rose from the wound and it slowly closed as it spat at her, a thick glob of the saliva streaming towards her face. She fired a beam of red magic at it, causing it to vaporize, yet it still left a foul smell in the air that left a horrid taste on Vinyl’s tongue. The creature lunged for her again, and she stumbled over the couch before leaping away to avoid it. It’s otherworldly body slammed into the couch, yet it only moved the comfy furniture a few inches. It used it’s arachnid legs to flip it’s body back over, and rose up, legs flailing as if it were a normal pony that was rearing up. Vinyl pushed her shades up against her nose, her pupils dilating as she focused on it. She layered her body in a weight-alteration spell, her rising mass putting a strain on the floor beneath her. She heard the wood groaning and cracking under her weight, and she took a mental note to make sure she fixed it before Octavia was done practicing for the night. She glanced over at the pot on the stove. It was bubbling with a starchy foam. The pasta would be done soon. She looked back at her enemy, who was crawling over the table and charging at her. She smirked at it, before meeting it in the middle of the living room. They collided with a room trembling thud, throwing their weight against each other in an attempt to overpower each other. Even through the grunts of combat and pain, Vinyl still managed to hear a tiny sound that made her heart bottom out into her stomach.

The click of a doorknob turning.

Her attention was directed to the sound for a second, and a second was all the creature needed. It tackled her with another room shaking blow and sending her onto her back. Her shades flew across the floor as Octavia rounded the corner.

“Did you feel that shake? What was that?”

Vinyl attempted to shrug her shoulders, “Yeah, it was probably an earthquake or something.”

“…Why are you on the ground?”

Vinyl let out a quiet squeak. She couldn’t see the thing anymore, but she could still feel one of it’s shrapnel legs burying into her chest, “Um, just, y’know…chillin’.”

“Are you keeping an eye on the pasta like I asked you to?”

Vinyl could feel the wetness of ethereal slobber on her cheek, near her mouth. She snapped her lips shut and gave a quick nod,

“Mhmm!!”

Octavia’s brow rose up. She shook her head and picked up Vinyl’s shades.

“I’m not going to ask how in Equuis they got over here, considering they almost never leave your face…” she gave the alabaster mare a soft smile, “You should keep them off more often though…you have very unique eyes.”

Vinyl allowed a bit of the invisible spit slide against her teeth, as she bared a quick smile towards Octavia

“You’re so kind, Tavi.”

Octavia’s gentle smile turned into a crooked playful one, “And you’re so weird, Vinyl.” She placed the shades back on Vinyl’s face before turning around to head back into her room,

“Don’t forget to take the pasta off the isle in about 10 minutes.”

The beast came back into full view, still hissing and spitting on her, though it was much calmer than before. Vinyl still had her attention diverted to the sound of her friend’s voice,

“Yeah, I won’t. I promise.”

The creature’s sounds of combat and rage died down into soft chittering and clicks. Vinyl looked up at it in confusion, and disgust at the fact that some of it’s spit was in her mouth.

“Dude…you got your nastiness all up in my mouth. Sick…”

The chittering morphed into flawless Equinsh, “This cannot be.” It’s voice was rough and deep, and it’s breath smelled of decay. “You…you bare a trait…a mark of the Darkest Beast…”

Vinyl raised a brow, “Uh…what?”

It got off of her and backed away, “Please, forgive me for my attempt to cause you harm. I…I did not know they would have the gall to send me to come and slay one of you!”

“Yo, what are you talking about?”

It clawed at the floor, tearing open a portal in the fabric of space and time, “No amount of wealth is worth an attempt to assassinate one of the children!”

Vinyl bounded up to the portal and gripped the creature tightly, “What are you talking about?!”

“It is said that the Darkest Beast sent his spawn into the world of the mortals, showing the Gods that he was so powerful, that even the fruit of his loins could spread more chaos than they could peace.” The thing started to rant. “To be graced by a child of the Darkest Beast, I cannot believe I have defiled such a moment of vile pleasure by even trying to kill one of you. Nothing is as strong as his bloodline…”

Vinyl felt herself trembling with anger. This thing was taking way too long to answer her question.

“You better tell me EXACTLY what’s going on, or I’m going to make sure the Darkest Beast does things to you so horrible, and so painful, that you will wish death upon yourself every single waking moment of your miserable, pathetic, parasitic life!”

A little dark…and a bit too mean, but it got her somewhere. And she had to admit, she liked the look of terror on the thing’s face.

“I was sent to assassinate you…but I was not given full knowledge of exactly who you were exactly…” it’s eyes became wide and pleading, “Please…all I ask is that you spare me my pathetic life…I know it is nothing to you, and I know you deem me foolish to make a request from the likes of you…but please, I wish to live…”

“I will…but on one condition…” she pull the monstrosity towards her, “I want the name of whoever sent you to kill me.”

“I do not even know the gender of my employer, much less their true identity….” The spider hybrid chittered. "All that I know, is that their pseudonym is 'Seven'...”

“Seven…” Vinyl repeated thoughtfully. She looked down at the creature with angry eyes. What if this thing came back for her again? She should slay the beast before it came to hurt her or cause harm to her friend.

‘You should stomp it’s face in. You haven’t let loose in a long time.’

Vinyl shook her head to rid herself of the thought, “Thanks for the info.” She shoved it away from her. “Go back into whatever hole you crawled out of. If you show your face around here again, I’ll kill you. Do you understand?”

It nodded feverishly, before scampering into the tear it had created. It closed with a sharp, sucking sound, and Vinyl waited until all was quiet before letting down the sound proof wall. She let out a weary sigh before rubbing her temples, her letting herself before sprawling out back onto the floor. Her ears perked when she heard the sound of frothy pasta water hitting the isle with an angry hiss.

“Tavi!...the pasta’s ready…

-MLP-

“I’ve got an order of 10 Chunky Chocolate Cakes, four Pineapple Punch Pound Cakes, and a baker’s dozen of the Chimicherry Changas!!” Pinkie cried out as she pounded on the dinner bell with her usual energetic vigor. A customer quickly bounded up to the counter to pay the fee and take her delicious baked goods. Pinkie gave him her friendliest super-duper smile and waved at her,

“Thank you for stopping by, please come again!”

‘As fat as that whore is, she would make for a very filling meal.'

Pinkie’s ears folded against her head. She wouldn’t be able to stay behind the counter much longer. She rubbed the side of her head and looked over at Pound Cake,

“Hey Pound, can you watch the counter for a little while? I need to take a breather.”

Pound gave her a militaristic salute, “Okie Dokie Lokie!!”

Pinkie flashed him a smile, before she trotted away from the counter and headed out of the quaint little bakery. She trotted down the street, waving and smiling at all the friendly residents of ponies she encountered.

“Hey, Bon Bon!”

‘Come here you little candy coated cunt! I’ll fuckin’ slit your throat and drink your sugary blood!’

“Good afternoon, Lily!”

‘Isn’t that the little twat who screams every time something happens? Let’s kill her!’

“Hey Cranky, turn that frown upside down!”

‘If you want him to smile so much, you should just carve a smile into his face.’

Pinkie trotted faster to get down the road she had taken that led a bit of ways out of town.

‘Watching him give you a big ol’ grin while you lick the blood from your knife.’

Pinkie was galloping now.

‘Fuck it. We could just tear a smile into him with our teeth!!’

She could feel the drool of hunger pooling in her mouth. She quickly swallowed it as she broke the tree line into Whitetail Woods.

‘It has been a while since we ha-’

“Shut up, Twisted!!!”

The voice was silenced as Pinkie stared down into a lake that was within the forest. Her reflection was shown back at her, and yet, it was not her own. Something darker was lurking on the other side of the liquid glass. Something that owned a body just like hers, but with eyes that shone with an unyielding hunger. The entity named Twisted sneered at her, mouth gleaming with long hooked fangs.

“You seem upset…did I strike a nerve?”

“Shut up!” Pinkie repeated. “Stop saying all of those horrible things!!”

“They’re not horrible! They’re wonderful, delightful things!”

“No they aren’t. They’re cruel and terrible!”

Twisted leaned forward, “You’re always so focused and making everypony else happy…but when was the last time YOU’VE been happy?”

“I’m always happy!” Pinkie answered. Her response was light and airy, as if she weren’t conversing with a monster that was identical to her. “My happiness comes from spreading joy to others!”

“You lie…” Twisted hissed through her sneer. “Why do you lie to me?”

Pinkie shook her head, “I’m not lying…”

“Pinkamina…” her reflection pressed a hoof to the lake’s surface, causing it to ripple under her touch, “I am your friend…you don’t have to me.”

“You’re no friend of mine!” Pinkie snapped angrily. “You’re evil, and vicious, and insane! Why do you think I named you ‘Twisted’?!”

“You named me that because you choose to black out my real name. OUR real name. But if you don’t know want to consider me your friend, then fine. Don’t.” her lips pulled back to bare her serrated fangs in anger, “I will continue to do what I need to do until you stop trying to fight who you are.”

“I know who I am!! I’m Pinkie Pie, a friend to everypony, and a Bearer of an Element of Harmony!!”

She was going to continue, but was cut off by the sound of her stomach rumbling. Her face paled with horror, while Twisted arched a brow and clicked her tongue in disappointment.

“Uh oh…somepony’s hungry!” Twisted’s shook her head, “Looks like I’ll have to feed you…”

Pinkie felt the muscles in her left foreleg contract and flex, as it started to bring itself up to her face. She struggled to keep her mouth closed and turn her head away, but Twisted’s will was stronger than her own. Tears quickly build up at the corners of her eyes as she felt the fuzzy short hairs that made up her coat prick at her lips. Pinkie’s mouth opened, and she let out a sharp sob before her foreleg was jammed into it and her teeth clamped down. Twisted’s teeth were serrated and incredibly sharp, designed to shred and tear. They were the teeth of a predator. They dug into flesh, and did so with great ease. Pinkie’s teeth however, were not designed for such a violent lifestyle, but that didn’t stop them from sinking into her skin. She screamed, a muffled one, as she felt her teeth dig deeper and deeper and break the skin. The bottom row soon followed, and she had a chunk of flesh ready to be torn from her leg. Twisted bit harder into her foreleg, and so did Pinkie. The reflection yanked her head back, causing the skin to tear with the same consistency and sound of a thick, wet cloth. Pinkie’s head soon followed, and pain flared through her limb, as she ripped the skin from her muscle. Twisted slurped up the skin into her mouth and chewed on it. Pinkie pulled her piece into her mouth, her herbivore teeth gnashing down the skin in an attempt to chew on it. The metallic zing from the bloodied chunk sunk onto her taste buds, and she was filled with a mixed sense of sheer delight and utter digust.

She tasted pretty good.

“See, this is what makes you happy.” Twisted spoke in between chews. “You fill your belly with unsavory candies and baked goods, when you should be enjoying the delicious taste of pony flesh. Why have taffy when you could have tendons? Instead of licorice, you could eat liver. Or brains instead of bubblegum.” Twisted tapped her chin, “Perhaps you should make some cupcakes out of pony flesh…”

With that, she swallowed her piece with satisfaction and glee. Pinkie struggled greatly through the ordeal. Between her herbivorous teeth, and disgust, she had not been able to properly chew her piece. It went down her throat, slowly and painfully, coating her esophagus with the taste of her own blood. Bile tickled at the back of her throat.

“Swallow it. Don’t you dare waste it.”

Pinkie swallowed with a hard gulp, before letting out a weak whimper of defeat and sorrow.

“Look down at your leg.” Twisted commanded.

Pinkie knew what would be there, but did as she was told. She looked down at her self-inflicted wound, and saw the black steam rising up in a thick torrent. She could make out the veins interlacing across her muscle, before disappearing underneath the strands of skin that was knitting itself together.

“You’re not a normal pony, Pinkamina. You’re not even sure if you’re a pony. It’s not cannibalism…it’s making yourself truly happy for once. Why do you think it makes you for happy? It’s because you get to be yourself for once.” Twisted licked her lips, “You’re going to realize what you are, whether you want to or not. But when that moment of realization dawns on you…you’re going to embrace everything about it.” She banged on the pond’s surface, causing herself to warp,

“And I can’t wait until that day comes…”

Twisted disappeared amongst the ripples of the water, while Pinkie wrapped her limp tail around her body in a pathetic attempt of self-comfort. She had had to deal with the monster inside of her before…but this time it was different. Twisted was far more active than usual, and it was getting harder and harder to keep the bad thoughts away. She needed something to distract her, somepony to make her feel normal. A true friend that wouldn’t judge her no matter what. Somepony like-

“Pinkie Pie?”

Pinkie recognized the gentle voice that called out to her, but it was in that moment that she realized her wound had not completely healed yet. So she did what she thought was the most reasonable thing to do at the moment.

She jumped into the lake.

The cool water felt great, save for the part of her leg where her skin hadn’t healed yet. She quickly washed the blood from her muzzle, before breaking the surface of the lake. She climbed out of the lake, shaking like a wet dog to get rid of the water, and then greeted the pony who found her with a big grin,

“Hey Fluttershy!” she wiped the remaining water droplets from her eyes, “What are you doing out here?”

“Oh! Um…I was going to see the newest member of the deer family that lives out here.” She brushed some of her flowing mane from her face. “What are you doing out here? You're pretty deep in the woods...”

“Uh...swimming! Just for swimming! Nothing else!” she chuckled nervously. “Hey, you know what, we’ve been so busy lately, that we haven’t seen each other in forever! Or the others, as a matter of fact!”

“It’s only been two days, Pinkie…”

“And two days is too long!” she nudged Fluttershy, “C’mon, let’s go see Rarity or something!”

Fluttershy started to protest, but couldn’t fight off the strength of an Earth Pony. She gave up and trotted to avoid the persistent bumping. When she got a bit in front of her, Pinkie’s eyes immediately honed in on her flank. The shimmering coat, the supple curves…

The succulent flesh.

Pinkie’s eyes pinpricked, and there was a sinking feeling deep in the pit of her stomach as a sickening thought dug its way into her mind.

Fluttershy was looking good enough to eat.

-MLP-

Twilight let out a sigh of blissful content, as she lay comfortably snugged in her bed with a copy of “Dragonian Magic Theories’ opened in her hooves. Her victory over Tirek was legendary, and drew citizens from all over the planet to live near her and be under her protection. Ponyville was no longer a tiny little village, and while it didn’t rival in size with Canterlot, or even with metropolises like Trottingham or Manehattan, it was large enough to draw the attention of the other kingdoms. Due to the sudden surge of the population, it required more things to be done. Building permits for new locations and the expansion of old ones, making various changes to the tax laws in order to accommodate the massive fluctuation of the economy, taking care of situations that the still growing court system could not. Not to mention that she had dealings with other kingdoms, and she had to be more careful while she had such a diverse variety of creatures living under her rule. Yes conducting all of her princess duties required her to work throughout the day, and well into the night, and it was times like these when she enjoyed the ability to turn in early for once and have a moment to herself. Her bed felt even comfier than before, and even enjoyed the slight tremble that accompanied Spike’s snoring. She looked over at the slumbering dragon, who was sprawled out on a mountain of blankets and comforters he had thrown on the floor next to her bed, despite the fact that he had his own chambers to sleep in. Adolescence had hit him, and hard. He had grown quite a bit, towering over all ponies he knew, standing as tall as four stallions. He had also become quite a bit of a hot head, with a temper as firey as the flames he spewed. And even though this wasn’t greed-driven growth, he still showed some traits of selfishness and pack-rat mentality here or there. Deep down though, beneath the intimidating build and a personality that rubbed some ponies the wrong way, he was still the sweet, lovable dragon that Twilight was proud to call her Number One Assistant. She let out a tiny giggle as another snore tore through the room. He was getting a well-deserved rest from not only being her assistant, but being the Head Ambassador of her kingdom. She turned back to her book and began to magically flip the pages until she got to where she had last left off. She was in a few pages deep into her book, before she felt a pulsating warmth on her thighs. She let out an annoyed huff, knowing what it meant. She pulled off the sheets, and looked down at her thigh. Sure enough, her cutie mark was glowing with a warm light, and Twilight’s expression went sour. She started to slide out of bed, but froze when Spike let out a sharp snort. She glanced over, noticing that Spike’s spinal plates were glowing with a soft, lime colored hue. He let out another snort, before rubbing his eyes,

“Is something wrong, Twilight?” he grumbled out, his rugged and growly voice still thick with sleep. He glanced at his plates, then did a double take when he noticed the glow.

“They…uh…they’ve never done that before.”

“As much as I want to study that, The Cutie Map calls out to me.” Twilight replied. “It’s going to have to wait for a little while until I figure out what it wants with me…” she trotted past him, “Meet me in the Conference Chamber.”

He snorted, letting out a small puff of blackened smoke, before rising to his feet. He lumbered out of the bed chambers and down the stairs, the crystalline floors clinking and clanking with each step he took. He finally landed on the first step and looked around. Twilight was nowhere to be found, so he could only assume that she had teleported to the Conference Chamber already. He began to walk down the hallway, his heavy feet sinking into the long, lush rug. As he finally came up on the Conference Chamber, he saw Twilight standing at the door frame with a look of utter horror on her face. He slunk over to stand by her side, rounding the corner and mimicking the look on her face,

“What is this?!”

The Cutie Map was glowing with a strange blaze engulfing it. Black flames outlined with a reddish hue swallowed everything. The black flames ate away at Griffinstone, tore through Canterlot, and annihilated the Crystal Empire. The flames destroyed most of the holographic topography that lay on the table. Twilight galloped up to the table and swiped at the flames, attempting to stamp them out with her hooves. Her efforts proved fruitless, though she soon discovered that the fire didn’t hurt her. They should have at least singed the hair on her legs, yet they did no such thing. It was as if the flames themselves were a hologram, only interacting with the Cutie Map.

“S-Spike, I can’t do anything to stop this!”

Spike darted towards the table, his claws enveloped in a glowing hue. He slapped his hand on the table,

“That’s ENOUGH!!”

The fire vanished, as did the map, but not before the two of them saw the hologram of their world turning to ashes. Spike wrapped his tail and arms protectively around Twilight,

“It’s okay…it’s just a map…None of that was real.”

There was the soft clop of hoof steps, they stopped just beyond the edge of the darkness that took over the room. Spike shielded Twilight and fired a stream of emerald lava at the source of the sound. It hit the crystalline walls and floor with a loud thwack, and caused them to glow from the temperature. There was nothing to be seen, though Spike was alert and listening. There was the sound of hoof steps again, though they sounded as if they were coming from all around them. Twilight horn blazed with bright, hot magic, as she illuminated the room. As much magic as she was pouring into the illumination spell, she still couldn’t seem to light up the entire room. It was as if something else was fighting her magic.

“Certamen esse tenebras lucem…” a mare’s voice replied with a sensual tone. “Et quid futurum map…”

“What did you say?” Twilight questioned the voice. “I don’t understand you!”

There was no answer, but only the sounds of hoof steps fading into silence. Spike said nothing, and studied the edges of the darkness for the source of the voice. His spinal plates were glowing angrily with an emerald light. Twilight tapped him,

“You’re kind of crushing me…”

Spike immediately dropped the young Princess, “Sorry…”

“It’s okay…” she looked over at the table, unable to unsee their world burning. She looked at him with uncertainty in her eyes, “Have the guards search the premises for anypony that doesn’t belong. After that, I need you to send a letter to the girls. I need them here immediately.”

Spike nodded in understanding, “I’m on it.”

He stepped out of the room, his steps thundering down the hall to go and wake up the castle guards. He got further down the hall, searching for guards to task out. It was in these few minutes that another round of hoofsteps sounded off in the darkness.

“Celerius venerit, puer dracone.” The same sultry voice from before spoke out to him.

Spike looked at a particular spot in the darkness. Even though he could not see her, he knew the source of the voice was standing there.

“Do not speak to me in that foul tongue." he hissed. "And, it is all the more reason for me to go and get the guards.”

“You know that fetching the guards will do you no good.” the voice responded, this time in Enquish.

“I still must do so, as it is what my Princess has asked of me.”

“She will not be able to do anything to stop him on her own, and you know this.”

His eyes narrowed at the particular point of darkness,

“Then I will find her the help that she needs when the time comes...”