Broken Howls and Tattered Leaves

Chapter: (VOTF) Hello Darkness, My Old Friend

I sat in the silence that permeated the forest around me, setting a haunted ambience that would have once sent a chill down my spine long ago. Now it was wrapped around me tight like a cold blanket. The only sounds and lights came from the various faeries that flitted about me on their tiny, glowing wings that sounded like millions of crystal bells chiming intermittedly. These things eventually faded, giving way to the modern world, a world of engineering and science. Each of the cities were lit with various lights that never went out, eternal and unyeilding light that outshined even the stars themselves. It reminded me of an old place I once knew. So long ago...

If it bothers you so much, why don't you just... Get rid of it? a voice chimed in my head. It brought to mind images of rotting and death. Of screams and tourture. We both know you have the power. Just one or two... Cities. It would be just like old times!

No... I told the voice, no, I told myself. What the peoples of Equis do is not our buisness... Not anymore.

Oh? The way they tear through the forests, killing the land, is not our buisness? it questioned. If that isn't our buisness, then what is? Nursing sick, little bunnies back to health? No. We were great once, and we could be once again! Think how pleased Terra would be to see the green of the forests again...

No.  I told him once again.  We had our time. We helped the great heroes usher in this golden age. Just look at any city. Every race is living in harmony. To break that would be the greatest sin.

Yes, and you would know about sin, wouldn't you, Murderer. A shadow formed in front of me, a form I have grown used to these long years. Myself, shrouded in shadows with red eyes that pierced the dark with malicious thoughts dancing behind them. Behind this shadow me stood a veritable army of shades of various races, even a few humans that stood tall over the heads of the natives of Equis. Each one's face was twisted in a visage of agony and horror, they each howled their curses at me with their voices shrouded in the sounds of silence.

Yes... I do. I said solemnly. I remember each of their deaths, especially the three closest ponies. One of each of the three, all clad on dark armor befitting them. Earth in heavy plate, skulls adorning his armor. Pliable leather hugging the form of the Pegasus, his dark gaze picking out even the tiniest details 300 yards away. Shadowy robes flowed about the Unicorn, dark flames eating at it's hem.

Release us once more to reign havoc upon those who would harm us. Let loose us upon the land of the light and drag it back into the dark waters. Let me create a world for us to live in peace. No longer will you have to worry about being hurt, for those who even thought about it would be struck down with the all consuming hellfire.

We both know I will not. The last time you were free, it took the efforts of many to seal you away again. So many lives were lost in vain, never to find rest after you twisted them to your will. I snapped at my shadowed form.

Oh, give it up. You both are giving me a headache... Another me groaned. This one was was bathed in a holy glow. I mean seriously, this has to be the 3000th time you've tried this millenia alone. I'm starting to get sick of your 'Ohh, I'm so eeeeviiiillll, look at how evil I am.' You are this close to being on Sombra's level of bad guy with your crappy monolouges. Graah, eeviiil, slaaavveesss Graaah! I laughed aloud, the sharp bark cutting through the silence that had fell in the realm of reality.

So what? A good villain needs a bit of drama and flair...

And you are just taking it too far. Geez, I could be a better villain than you and I'm the good side!

All right you two, put a cork in it, we got a job to do. Both forms frowned and vanished, taking with them the army of shadows. I padded along an obscure, ancient path towards my destination. Sometimes, being crazy was annoying, but it was kinda nice having someone to talk to. Even if it was the fragments of my shattered psyche.