The Burn Pit
The boiling sun hung lazily in the sky and poured it's rays down onto the Everfree Forest. The odd stench of rotting, cooking meat floated through the air and wrapped around the tall twisting spires of a dark citadel nestled comfortably in a valley. Loud shouts could be hear echoing through the valley, a deep raspy voice barked out orders as grunting and muffled snarls responded. Through a clearing of trees a great hulking beast shuffled, dragging an unidentifiable pile of rotten flesh behind it on a rickety cart. The beast, with the face of a timberwolf and a neck that had the length and appearance of three stitched together, hefted itself towards a deep pit in the ground. With it's taloned front feet it clawed its way carefully down into the pit and quickly dropped the pile of meat into it.
"Hey you great fool get your ass out of there i'm about to light it up!" A spark flew through the air and quickly caught the pit on fire, the great beast struggled to climbed it's way from the fire, his cloven back legs lifting him quickly onto the solid ground above. It looked back and gave the pony behind him a dirty look.
The pony grinned, her spiked teeth shinning in the fire light. The stitches holding her multi colored fur together stretched as her wild two toned eyes shone with a slight madness.
Not far away, a soldier, disillusioned with the war he was fighting to the point of apathy towards blood and death, stood fighting as if possessed, tearing through others and rendering them into unrecognizable pieces. His face was blank, his breathing easy and his body was relaxed. He fought off his opponents one by one, sad that none of them seemed to be properly trained. A half trained foal fresh from it's mother's womb could take these guys for Celestia's sake.
Heh, for Celestia's sake.. a funny thought if he ever heard one. This whole damn war was her fault. Why did he continue to serve her? She had nothing to offer him that he wanted. Not money, his family was quite well off already. Not power, he wasn't interested in that. Blood? He could just as easily become a freelancer and see just as many fights, maybe even see some better opponents. He sighed as another nameless opponent pleaded for his life before he beheaded him with a quick swipe of his blade. Someday.. someday he would find his reasons.
He looked around,scanning the forest line, he could have sworn he saw movement deep in the trees. He raced over to get a closer look, dodging sword swings and ducking from grunting soldiers, and as he peered into the darkness of the forest he saw the most hideous beast he had ever seen. "Hmm.. what the hell is that?" He decided to get a closer look. It was better than staying around the lost cause of a battle.
The large beast snorted as it swished it's singed tail, a low growl erupting from it's chest and it swung it's massive bearded head around, looking through the clearing, far off in the distance the sounds of the fighting grew ever closer. The female pony he accompanied walked over as her lazily stretched out wing folded back to her side. A grin still on her face, the sounds of fighting and carnage in the distance pleasing to her ears.
"Yes, this war has been good for our work, plenty of bodies to keep trying with..." Her eyes grew somber for a moment as she stared off into the distance, her gaze broken by the gleam of a sword flashing not so far away. "Hngh..we must go Fluff, i'm afraid we've been spotted..." She swiftly turned and flicked her tail, the behemoth next to her grumbled as it trailed closely along side her.
Ratchet was very quick on his feet while doing his best to remain silent, though he wasn't sure how well that was working. Still, judging that the beast seemed to be slower than him, he assumed that he could catch up to it and the one winged, multi-colored Pegasus he could have sworn he saw. He wasn't sure if it was just the lights playing tricks on him or not, but it looked slightly feminine, though it was hard to tell from this distance. Perhaps though, it would stay with the beast? The two seemed to be together, seeing as it was following directly behind the pony.
A short while later, he was close enough to call out to her, as well as obviously see that the pony was a mare. "Wait up! I just want to see that creature you are with miss.. I have never seen one like it before."
Her ears pricked back as she froze in place. The beast beside her whipped it's long neck around, a snarl on it's face as it reached out to the intruder. The mare chuckled as she turned slowly around.
"You're interested in MY beast? this lump of a thing?", her voice was smooth yet raspy and it dripped with killer intent for the stallion. She patted the monsters side hard with her hoof as it let out a slight huff, as if exasperated with her insults, and rolled it's eyes. She playfully rubbed her head under it's bearded chin, much as a cat would it's master, and fixated her red and purple eyes on the new comer.
His only response was a sly grin. Some ponies might have called him insane at that moment, as neither of those that stood across from him were natural, but he had seen much worse and gruesome things in the war. This strange mares, and her stranger pet, he could handle easily and without fear.
"What can I say? I like interesting and new things." His grin was almost creepy in that it was so wide and yet his eyes spoke of a lethal coldness un-matched, should they try anything untoward. With a calm gesture he pointed toward the beast. "That thing is both to me. I'd like to see it." He sheathed his sword and held his arms wide in an almost bowing manner. "I mean neither of you harm."
Her expression softened as she ruffled her singular wing, and with the slightest perk of her ears she smiled. "Hm, it's is rare for someone be interested in my creations for the sake of pure interest. What are your motives young stallion?" She stepped toward him, the beast by her side growling as it began to lay its massive body onto the ground With a snort it laid it's elongated neck flat on the ground, stretching almost to the stallion's feet. The mare was looking over the new comer with an expected skepticism, but finally spoke after doing a full circle around his person.
"You may take a look if you wish, he will cooperate with you, until I give him orders otherwise of course. Don't give me a reason to do such and we shall not have any problems." She stood silently after that, allowing the male to investigate her creation.
A deep genuine chuckled escaped the light blue stallion's throat as the mare sat near him.
"So suspicious you are..." He stepped forwards, approaching the beast with one hand out towards it and the other on his sword, just in case it didn't cooperate. As he examined it, he finally let go of his sword and ran a hoof over the beast, rubbing it behind the ears as if it was a puppy and not something that could kill him with one talon. With his hands deep in the creatures mane he turned to the mare. "I'm Ratchet by the way.. I assume that this beast was made by you?"
She smiled slightly, not so much a friendly smile as more of a cocky proud smile. "Yes dear Cupcake is of my work, he is one of only a few that lived. Which is surprising due to his hodge podge appearance." She walked delicately over, her hoof steps rather gentle and delicate for one appearing so rough, and with a quick gesture the beast let out a small deep howl as if to show off itself for the admirer.
The beast dipped it's head as it's master bowed in a gaily, showy fashion exaggerating her movement in a mocking way. She smiled softly as she spoke,
"You may call me Frankie, It is but a nickname really I have long since forgotten my real name, so don't bother asking it..."
Ratchet just nodded with a smile. "So.. Frankie and her Cupcake. A pleasure." He gave a true bow to her to dhow respect for her and her work. "I'm fascinated by... hang on.."
With lightning speed, he drew a dagger and threw it, missing Frankie's head by inches her eyes widening slightly for a split second. A very wet 'schlick was heard right behind her, followed by something that roughly sounded like a bag of meat and metal falling to the ground.
Ratchet continued to speak as if he had not just killed the Pegasus that was sneaking up on her, sword raised to strike her down. "Fascinated by your craft. Would you mind if I observed you while you work?" He gestured to the dead Pegasus. "I believe I just got you a willing subject."
Frankie's expression quickly changed from surprise, to contentment as she heard the familiar gurgles of death behind her. "You are an interesting one yourself..." She paused to turn around and admire the mangled pony behind her. Her smile was wide, and toothy, as the last breath drained from the intruders body.
There was a time this sort of thing would have been far from her mind, when all she would think about would be, no she couldn't go back to those days, she had to finish her work if she could even recall what it was? After what felt like a lifetime of being lost in her own swirling vortex of self crisis, Frankie adjusted her wing and turned to her large companion.
"Oh Cupcake, would you be a dear and drag this home for me. Be careful not to break him, he is very large and I see a new leg in it for you dear..." She grinned and began a brisk walk towards the not so far away citadel silhouetting against the mountains. The pit fire she started began to died down as they left, and the sickening smell of rotted flesh died away.
Ratchet followed along behind her, whistling a merry tune as he watched Cupcake drag the dead pony along with it's metal claw. He noted that they also seemed to be going back the way they came and asked about it.
"Do you live close to the battlefields Frankie?"
She laughed lightly as she walked with calm strides through the forest, the subtle rustle of the dead colts armor chiming and breaking any silence the forest in these parts would otherwise provide.
"Hm? Oh yes though we aren't too close that the sights and sounds of my home may be heard or seen with easy. My home is built in the valley just ahead and the mountain helps to conceal it and preserve my privacy. Though the bodies left behind are excellent fodder for my experimenting." A sad look crossed her face, if only for a moment as she recalled some of her least successful attempts. As quickly as it came, the look of sadness vanished and was replaced by one of neutrality. Her line of work had left her numb to most things, or in the best case she could pretend it did.
"We are almost there, do not be alarmed by my...house guests." She shuddered for a moment "There is one in particular you may find particularly exasperating." She sighed and stopped to stand in front of the dark looming citadel. The metal roofing creaked slightly in the wind giving off an eerie moan. Frankie held her arms out with pride as Ratchet walked up to the yard. "Here it is, home sweet home.."
"I'm sure they will behave if you remind them that I could easily kill them for you to experiment on again." exclaimed Ratchet as he stood admiring the foreboding place before him. It seemed that he was genuinely offering to do so, like one would offer a neighbor a cup of sugar should they ask.
Ratchet could only smile as he took the first steps toward the large front doors. "Looks.. cozy probably." He examined the doors and siding as he came upon them. "How did you come to have such a place though?" He heard a scream from inside, once it trailed off he gave Frankie a grin. "One of your guests?"
"Yes," She grimaced and shook her head as if trying to shake away a bad memory. "That is the one I was referring to she is a horror. You will soon find out."
After another quick shudder she took the several hastened steps toward the front door. A quick rasping knock on the door and a howl echoed through the inner halls. Cupcake hefted his way around the building snorting and snuffling as he made the familiar trip to the storage area.
A shuffling could be heard from behind the doors along with unintelligible yelling, and as the door creaked open a small red figured with an irritated look on his face emerged. His small wings buzzed as his round fat body hovered above the ground. The tiny suit and top hat did nothing for his utterly unenthusiastic attitude. "Hello mistress and..guest" the imp glanced at the new comer with an equally neutral expression.
"Good afternoon Terry this is Ratchet he will be a living guest..so no funny business." She stepped lively into the house and flicked her tail as she breathed in the oddly flowery scent of the castle. "Oh dear Ratchet I almost forgot, as for how I acquired this place, honestly I just stumbled upon it one day. I was lost and quite sick and injured and it was a very nice place to settle into. At the time though it was just a large house with a tower looking over the valley, it had a large basement area I took shelter in until I could fix up the outer parts. It has taken years to get to this point though...
at least, that's what my poor memory tells me"
"Looks like you've done well with it then." he said with a short nod. The burning feeling of someone eyes on him, caused him to turn and glance at Terry as he stared him down, Ratchet returned the glare until the imp wisely decided to leave the area. That done, he started to look around the house, or at least what he could see so far. It was dark and a bit depressing for sure, but the odd flowery scent remind him of simpler times back home. He decided that he liked the place, despite its oddities.
He turned to Frankie and with a small smile he noted "Not bad Frankie. Not bad at all." He glanced around and spotted a portrait of a family, probably the previous owners, and couldn't help but to notice that one of the ponies in it, the mother he thought, had purple eyes and a red coat.. could it be? He stepped closer to examine the portrait more closely.
Frankie's eyes followed Ratchet to the portrait and she rushed to his side.
"I see you've found that old thing. It was uh...here when I found the place. It reminded me of old times, before I was...this" she held up her right hoof where the colors met, the stitching masterful and solid with a bit of a gleam to it. " I find the ponies in it somber and familiar almost as if I'm looking into a mirror. She noticed Ratchet looking directly at the mother figure in the portrait. She too looked toward her and smiled.
"She is my favorite, she reminds me most of myself, her fur, and her eyes so soft and loving. As if they are holding onto a promise long forgotten by everyone else..." Her thoughts were interrupted by a rustling and shifting in the rafters. Her mood instantly changed from awe stricken to annoyed.
Ratchet was about to voice his suspicions about the mare in the portrait when he noticed a placard under the portrait. On it, it listed the names of those in the portrait. He turned to ask her if she recognized the names and saw her looking up into the rafters.
Turning his head further, he heard the soft rustling and the rafters creaking as something moved through them, though unseen by his eyes. Judging by the annoyed look on Frankie's face, he assumed whatever it was, it was annoying and therefore okay to threaten a bit.
He pulled his dagger and shouted to the rafters. "Alright you! Get down here or go away and stop bothering us! Just because I can't see you doesn't mean I can't put this blade into you from down here." He pointed to Frankie. "Ask her if you don't think I could do it. She's seen what I can do!"
A soft giggle could be heard as Ratchet yelled his threats into the air. "There is no use threatening her, she doesn't understand the concept." With an exaggerated sigh she looked up and called out. "Get your ass down here you waste of space!" She stomped her hoof and glared up.
A wet sloping sound echoed through the halls as a long translucent, teal figure dripped from the ceiling. It congealed and oozed until it formed the rough shape of a pony. in her gelatinous body floated a singular organ, a heart that beat and pumped ooze through it. Her orange curling locks of goo wiggled and writhed as she smiled and stretched around. She tilted her head and giggled as she slid closer to the pair.
Ratchet sheathed his dagger as the creature approached and subtly moved closer to Frankie, seeing as she seemed to have some control over the thing. "What is that??", he whispered into her ear. "And by that I mean both what it is now, and what it used to be.."
The creature slinked it's way over to the two and formed a snake like body, wrapping itself around Frankie's legs and body and resting her head on top of hers. Its pony face seemed more reptilian now, with aspects to go along with it's snake body.
"This being is Medusa. She is what I guess I refer to as a slime. She is amorphous, but prefers to take the shape of a pony, because it is the first thing she saw when she was created. She associates with the female gender but when you get down to it she is really just ooze. In fact i'm not actually sure if the heart that is in there actually does anything for her at all." Frankie shook slightly and stretched her wing, encouraging the slime creature to remove herself.
"She can speak but chooses not to most of the time, she is very good company for long nights alone, but at times she can be overbearing." The slime morphed and changed, shrinking down and wrapping it's still snake like body around Frankie's neck, much like a medallion. It hung there and stared at Ratchet with it's unblinking slit eyes. "Her creation was a mere fluke and I have never been able to replicate it. I have tried a few times but after a while I realized, why would I want another one of these hanging around? It may not be as friendly as this one nor as easy to control." She gently rubbed her small companions chin and smiled. "Her body is the result of high voltage electricity striking a mound of half rotted carcasses, It was hard to get bodies before the war as you can imagine" She nodded slightly and went back to looking at the portrait. "But Medusa is nothing to worry about if anything she will annoy you to the brink of wanting to kill her, then you will try and it will not work. I have tried, several times." Her eyes scanned over the bleak faces of the ponies in the portrait as she pondered just how old the piece could be. "You know, I never really have spent much time looking at this, it has it's charms"
"I can imagine how hard it was to get bodies, yeah.. as for the painting, it certainly does have its charms." He nodded as he pointed to the placard. "Do any of these names ring a bell for you? I only ask because the mother in the portrait looks strikingly similar to you." In fact, the resemblance was almost eerie.. another odd thing about said portrait was the faces in it. While all of them were smiling, it seemed that only the stallion was truly smiling, the rest held a hint of fear in their eyes and they all were turned slightly towards the smiling stallion. It seemed as if they were afraid to fully turn their backs to him. The stallion himself, his posture was that of one who was in control of everyone and everything around him. Ratchet wouldn't be surprised if the stallion used to get a kick out of seeing the painting with the expertly captured fear on his family's faces.
"The names are unfamiliar to me, at least the core of me. Though one of my parts may remember this place, deep down maybe that's what drew me here. My eye was the first thing to go, this red one here." She pointed a hoof at her eye covering it then pulling her hoof down across her cheek. Could be that it was the mad eye of the older stallion, or perhaps the frightened filly here." She gestured to each pointing out the fact that they had similar eyes. "Or maybe this place is so old that my great ancestors lived here. Anything is possible. But as for direct names I do not recall."
Ratchet nodded and gently moved her so that he could compare her to the painting. Looking between it and the painting, he could definitely see resemblances between her and the members of the family. Well, at least the female ones.
"Of course, what does it matter? You are your own being now Frankie and I think I like who you are." He shrugged and moved slightly closer to the patchwork mare.
She smiled widely, it had been a long time since she had ever not been sarcastic or rude toward someone. It was a nice change, but not one she wanted all the time. But for now it was nice. She took a slight bow before speaking."Thank you, some days I doubt if I made the right decision turning myself into this/ Your words are reassuring to me though" her smile was weak as she turned from the painting. "Now would you like to see me reattach hind quarters?"
He perked right up. "I'm glad you can find reassurance in my company. And yes! Yes please! I would love to see you do that. May I please do the cutting up for you? I do so love to use my blade you know." He took her by the hand and made to lead her off, only to realize he had no idea where he was going. "Heh.. why don't you lead Miss Frankie?"
Frankie took his arm in hers and nodded as she lead the way to her laboratory. She could never remember feeling this way toward another pony, but she liked the way this stallion carried himself. She would entertain the thought of keeping him around, at least for a little while.
