Stories Better Left Unwrittennby Sparkle_PenChaptersThe BeginningThe SettingThe PlotThe BeginningChapter 1 Beginning The early night was dark, the moon waning into a crescent in the sky, it's color lightening with the dawn approaching. In Ponyville, all was silent and unmoving. Or at least within the small town. On the edge of the town though, in a small red brick house, a black pegasus struggled to sleep. She tossed and turned, her form going in many poses, wings outstretched then tight against her body as she struggled to sleep soundly. Hmm... At this rate, you'll never get your beauty sleep. Though I don't see that helping... You could always take the big sleep. Should clear things up. The dark, eerie laugh that followed chilled her spine but she rolled her eyes sitting up in bed. "Would you leave me the buck alone so I can get some sleep? I have a novel that's due next week and I'm nearly done. Just one night of peaceful sleep is all I need," she groaned, slipping out of bed and dragging her hooves towards the night stand. Sweat held her bright red hair in place against her face, the white stripe stuck dilapidated in the mess. Her tail was frizzed and dragged behind her as she picked up the glass of water and drank. It felt so hot in her room that she opened the window, welcoming the cool fresh air that went in. What a beautiful night. Princess Luna had worked extra hard to make the stars shine their brightest. Sparkle Pen smiled, turning to look at the plush doll she had gotten as a child. It resembled the princess very much and it was her most prized possession. It allowed her to write such riveting tales. And afford actual food for a while. Using her wing, she lightly scooped it up from it's place on the bed and held it between her hoofs as she watched the quiet night pass by. Unfortunately she no longer felt tired which meant she wouldn't be getting to sleep anytime soon. It must be truly frustrating trying to sleep when the voices in your head won't shut up isn't it? You know, you really should probably talk to someone about these voices. But probably not yourself for once. The black pegasus sighed irritably, grabbing her bag and putting her usual pen, paper and plushie in before going back to the window. “Maybe I can drown you out with the wind howling in my ears,” she said, before stretching out her wings and jumping from the window. A warm current of air caught her feathers and lifted her higher as she flapped to gain altitude before starting off. The dawn was fast approaching and such a quiet and peaceful place; perfect for some early morning writing. She wasn't sure if Fluttershy was up at this time but being the pony she was, she would go find out anyway, most likely waking the poor mare from her sleep. Small clouds hung around Ponyville soon to be cleared as the Ponyville Cloud patrol got up to do their job. Today was suppose to be a beautiful sunny day. Sparkle Pen sighed happily as the wind went through her mane and attempted a small loop in the air. She looped, without slowing down this time. Her eyes looked down towards the ground and she spotted a familiar pink pony with a bubbly mane and tail. “Pinkie Pie? What's she doing up at this hour?” she asked herself; her wings curled in towards her body as she descended to meet up with the most popular pony in Ponyville. She landed softly a couple feet away as Pinkie Pie came up, carrying a tray with a single cupcake on it. The cupcake was dark with red frosting and a white stripe, similar to Sparkle Pen herself. “Hey! I was just coming over to see you!” Pinkie Pie said, mysteriously being able to speak though the tray was in her mouth. But strange things like that always happened around Pinkie Pie. The black pegasus enjoyed those moments. “Wow, so early? That's so nice of you Pinkie,” she said and took a bite of the cupcake. As soon as she did, she tasted not sweetness but salty bitterness. It didn't taste right at all. This wasn't Pinkie. Her cupcakes were always so sweet and sugary, not at all like this. Pinkie's eyes were on her, a smile wide on her face as she waited for her friend to tell her how good it was. Sparkle Pen wasn't sure whether to spit it out or swallow it. And she really didn't want to swallow. “I made this cupcake special for you Sparkle. It's made of only the best ingredient that could compliment you. You of course.” A dark look went around Pinkie's face and Sparkle Pen suddenly spat up the cupcake. The cupcake fell to the ground, showing up as bloody meat and she tripped backwards feeling like she wanted to puke. Pinkie started to laugh, not her usual giggle snort but an insane maniacal laugh; a crazy look went into her eyes. From nowhere, she pulled out a bloody knife. “Your number came up Sparkle Pen. It's time for you to play the game. Just like everypony else.” Sparkle Pen looked up in horror at the monster that was her friend as she scooted back. In Sugarcube Corner, she makes her home. Ponyville is hers to roam. Greeting ponies with a happy grin, less they know what lurks within. The voice in her head rhymed as her heart accelerated, Pinkie walking slowly nearer and nearer. For under her house is where peacefulness dies. Where she'll cook you into a rainbow surprise. As Pinkie's new victim, you won't see sunrise..... She snapped out of it as Pinkie rose the sharp knife into the air and flapped her wings, flying above and out of reach. She flew out of Ponyville, towards Fluttershy's cottage. With all the little animals around, she'd be safe there. That and Fluttershy knew martial arts. Why don't you dare run to Miss Butchershy, for in doing so you will surely die..... She'll laugh and smile and be your friend but turn your back and the facade ends. She's always been quiet, shy they said, but even somepony like her has skeletons in her shed. Sparkle Pen stopped in mid-flight as the voice spoke again in rhyme. At the same time she heard maniacal laughter, and an engine roar. Not wanting to know, she turned. Rarity. Rarity was level headed and always generous. She'd let Sparkle hide out in her boutique. That and she too knew martial arts. Little Miss Rarity's? Surely you are mistaken. Whips and Chains is all she's been makin. She'll tie you down and punish you. Shall be weak in the knees when she is through. Again she stopped almost before she even started in that direction. Fine, Rainbowdash then. The most loyal, dependable, athletic pony in Ponyville. She'd hear her out and help her. Rainbow never let down a friend. The black pegasus hurried towards the direction of Rainbowdash's cloud home, landing on the sidewalk to her house. She got to the door, raised a hoof to knock.... The broken loyalty is who you seek? I'm afraid what you'll find will make you meek. Stitched together and twice as hostile, her love for anyone has become quite fragile. Revenge is all she's ever wanted. It's made her all quite haunted. The sound of a blade being sharpened perked Sparkle's ears and she backed away, heart hammering out of her chest before starting off again. Applejack. Applejack would help her. Another dependable pony, not to mention honest. She hurried to Sweet Apple Acres as fast as her wings could take her. She could just see the orchard when the voice piped up again. That hammered ole' mare couldn't help a fly. Depressed she let her best friend die. Leave her be unless you wish to get plastered. It's been so long only the drink she's mastered. Applejack couldn't help her. That only left one other pony who could. She turned and headed for the library tree, racing as fast as she could push herself. The most magical, the most knowledgeable unicorn in Ponyville. Twilight Sparkle. Sparkle Pen rushed to the door, opening and closing it. It was dark and cold inside, so cold she could see her breath. The voice called this time, not from her head but from outside. Poor paranoid Twilight is the one you seek? I warn you, she is not for the weak. Spending her day and nights shut in, using for parchment old dried skin! Her sanity left because she was tardy. What remains is only for the hardy..... Sparkle looked around the cold, not daring to move, much less to breath too much. There were hoofsteps, coming towards her. She froze watching a faint purple glow as something came into focus. It looked like Twilight, something like Twilight. Except it wasn't; there was something dark and unpure about it. “W...What are you?!” the black pegasus cried out, her fear escalating. The Twilight creature's eyes glowed as did it's horn. “I am.... Grimdark....” It spoke before opening it's mouth and swallowing Sparkle Pen whole. The SettingChapter 2 The Setting Sparkle jumped awake, taking big gulps of air. She was sweating all over, her body stuck to the sheets. She fought shortly to get free, the thought of being tied down was too much for her to bear. She kicked free in seconds, rushing to a small corner to curl up and shake. What kind of nightmare had that been? All of her friends, they had become monsters. Killers. It couldn't be so, it just couldn't. Where had something like that come from? She clutched her Luna plushie to her body and held it tightly with her wings to her chest. It gave her some comfort. As it always did. Ha! You make Fluttershy look like a knight in armor! What's got you so whimpified? The black pegasus gave a light irritated growl but continued to shake. The whole experience, it had felt so real. She could still taste the residue of the cupcake..... The bloody meat tasting salty and metallic. Her stomach lurched at the thought, making her stand and rush to the bathroom; she stayed there for minutes, unloading the contents of last night into her toilet. No bloody meat, no frosting. Sitting back and wiping her mouth with her hoof, she took in shaky breaths, exhaling and inhaling to calm down her frayed nerves and beating heart. “It was just a dream,” she told herself over and over, “It didn't really happen. It would never happen. None of it.” Pinkie Pie was the sweetest, kindest most fun pony. She could never do that to anyone, not even the griffin Gilda. With these thoughts to calm her, Sparkle sat up and began her morning routine. As she went through it, the memories of the nightmare withered away and she didn't think of it anymore. Her notebook was on her desk as she came back into her room; it sat there seemingly waiting for her. She didn't leave it to wait long, grabbing a quill and starting to write. The words flowed from her hoof effortlessly, telling the tale of a romance between two ponies and the hardships they faced throughout their lives. She had worked very hard on the plot though it was something that wasn't quite unique. One was of noble birth, the other no more than a lowly subject. And each lived their own miseries before finding strength in each other. She was near the end of her tale and continued to let the words flow like water onto the parchment before her; her mind was all but in her fantasies, not paying attention the world outside. To say that she was surprised when she heard a knock on the door was an understatement. Sparkle Pen flew out of her chair and hid behind the bed. A yellow pegasus with a silky curled pink mane and tail walked in quietly, looking very worried. “Oh... I'm so sorry Sparkle Pen,” Fluttershy muttered quietly, “I didn't mean to frighten you at all. I just came over to say Good Morning and to ask if you would still be helping me..... I mean if it's okay with you.....” Sparkle Pen peaked out from behind the bed, seeing it was only the shy softspoken mare then sighed and smiled, sitting up. “It's no problem Flutters,” she said, “And of course I'm still coming to help you with the pets. I got a bit caught up in my story is all. I'm almost done.” Sparkle Pen went back over to the desk, closing the notebook and storing it in her saddlebag, along with her quill, ink and her Luna plushie. “I could wait until you're done.... I don't mind....” Fluttershy said, softly. “No, it's fine. I promised I'd help you and I will,” the black pegasus said with a smile, “Shall we go?” “Actually I'd like to stop at Sugarcube corner first. Pinkie Pie said she had my order of cupcakes ready. I got one for each of my friends and ordered them special.” In the back of her mind, the nightmare stirred but she shook it away and stayed focused nodding. After all it was only a dream. And that was all it'd ever be. They arrived at Sugarcube corner, finding it stocked with pony customers. Mr. And Mrs. Cake looked so busy, running around and getting orders for ponies. The line was so long and had it just been Fluttershy there, she probably would've just waited in line. But Sparkle Pen was with her and she urged Fluttershy to come with her so that they could see Pinkie themselves and get her order quickly. Ponies gave them annoyed looks as they flew over the others; to this the yellow pegasus apologized profusely. Sparkle ignored them, landing inside the building and taking in the fresh smell of baked sugary sweets. It was always such a nice smell; this was a great place to think. Sometimes she came here to eat a sugar cookie and think of an idea for her novels. “Fluttershy! Sparkle Pen! Hi!” Pinkie Pie said, holding a box on her head. The two ponies greeted her the same and Pinkie began to rant about how packed Sugarcube corner was and how the new cupcakes they were making were selling like crazy. “What kind of cupcakes are they Pinkie?” the black pegasus inquired. To answer, Pinkie Pie set the box down and opened it. The cupcakes were all vanilla but that wasn't what was special about them. Each cupcake was decorated so that it mimicked it's soon to be eater. A rainbow colored cupcake with red lightening bolts shaped candies was one. On another was orange frosting with a little candy hat and apples. “I decided that it would be a great idea if ponies could customize their own cupcakes so that it's exactly like the pony who will be eating it,” Pinkie explained hopping up and clapping her hooves together, “That and now ponies know which cupcake is theirs.” Fluttershy nodded, “They're perfect Pinkie Pie. Thank you very much. It's just what I wanted.” Sparkle Pen was frozen in place seeing the cupcakes; the world around her flashed, becoming the nightmare that she had had last night. The friendly Pinkie Pie became the Crazy Pinkie Pie she had seen, the sugary cupcakes becoming bloody meaty chunks with melting frosting. She felt her stomach jump up to her throat and she struggled not to gag. “Oh and Sparkle Pen, I know how much you love Pinkie Pie's cupcakes so I had one specially made for you,” Fluttershy said, picking out the one that looked just as it had in her dream. It was beautiful, with little candy quills on it and a Luna plushie candy on top. The frosting was red like her hair with the white streak and her cupcake was chocolate instead of vanilla. “Thank you Fluttershy,” she said but didn't move to eat it. She couldn't; when she looked at it, all she saw was bloody meat. “Oh.... You don't want it do you? I'm sorry for assuming.....” “But Sparkly loves my cupcakes! You're always over here asking if I have extras or new recipes you can try.....” Pinkie said, looking a bit sad. Sparkle Pen took a deep breath in and out and smiled before biting into the cupcake. She could almost taste the disgusting meat through the sugar and spices. She carefully chew, making sure not to gag and to look like she enjoyed it. After a little, she forced herself to forget the nightmare and to enjoy it and soon the bile went away and she could taste the delicious chocolate and frosting. She licked her lips and took another bite, eating more vigorously. She could now taste the sweetness; the melty chocolate of the cupcake with the light vanilla frosting played together so perfectly. Pinkie Pie smiled happily, “Do you really like it?!” “I think this is your best cupcake idea yet,” she answered raising a hoof, “It's a great recipe.” “I'm glad you liked it Sparkle,” Fluttershy piped up, “I was worried that you wouldn't.” They talked a little while longer with Pinkie Pie as Sparkle finished it and then they bid her farewell and left Sugarcube corner heading for Fluttershy's cottage. The small animals greeted them as they came and as they opened the door, Angel Bunny came up and thumped his foot to the ground. “I know Angel Bunny. I'll get to making your breakfast now,” the yellow pegasus said setting the cupcake box down. Sparkle Pen gave Angel a disapproving look; she didn't like how Fluttershy let this small creature boss her around all the time. She had been trying to get Fluttershy to be more assertive but It wasn't helping at all. I guess you couldn't teach an old pony new tricks. Or something like that....... Angel Bunny hopped after Fluttershy as she went to the kitchen to prepare things for Angel to eat. Sparkle Pen waited in the living room for Fluttershy to finish. Then suddenly she heard an 'rrring' sound, familiar. Very familiar to the one in her dream. Her nightmare flared up, the walls covered in blood, the floor in corpses. She was no longer in the house but outside, near the shed that Fluttershy usually kept locked with a key. Slowly she crept up to the window seeing nothing but a silhouette of Fluttershy and Angel Bunny. The sound came again and the silhouette of the yellow pegasus holding something above her head. She swung it and Angel Bunny went to pieces; the pieces themselves flew around, blood splattering against the windows. Sparkle Pen screamed, falling back. The silhouette looked her way and slowly came to the door. The black pegasus couldn't move as it came to the door. The door bust open and darkness swallowed her. She awoke suddenly on the floor, Fluttershy above her, shaking her. “Sparkle...... Sparkle...... Wake up.....: she said softly; the black pegasus looked up at the yellow one, tears in her eyes. The nightmarish images played again in her mind and she felt like crying. Why would she dream that the kindest pegasus in Ponyville would harm her most beloved bunny rabbit? Why would she think this? “Are you okay Sparkle?” Fluttershy asked, getting off of her. Sparkle Pen got up and shook herself, trying to again bury the nightmares. “I.... I'm fine Flutters.....” she said shakily. Fluttershy only looked more concerned as she watched her friend get up wobbly. Angel Bunny however continued to thump his foot, as Sparkle Pen's collapse had distracted his caretaker. “I'm coming Angel Bunny,” she said and the mare made her way back to the kitchen to look through the cabinets and drawers to continue making food for her beloved bunny rabbit. Sparkle Pen sat down on a chair, trying to stop her rapid beating heart. It hurt as it banged against her ribs and she swallowed the bile in her throat. I swear, you are nerved by the littlest things..... I'd love to see how you'd do if someone were to throw a surprise party for you. You'd drop dead. Sparkle groaned; the voice had returned. And here she thought she'd be left alone..... Of all the things she needed, it wasn't this..... “Sparkle? I'm ready for the help with the baby bunnies.... If you're ready of course......” Fluttershy said, Angel Bunny eating his breakfast behind her. The black pegasus nodded, putting down her saddle bag and leaving the cottage with the pegasus. Playing and watching the baby bunnies always helped her relax and be calm. Afterall the bunnies could feel tension and as long as you were calm, so were they. A couple of bunnies curled up in her tail and a few more on her hooves as she sat there and tickled them, playing with them. She and Fluttershy talked about animals and how her novel was going. The yellow pegasus read some, giving small pointers and apologizing for her criticism. They talked until lunch and then Sparkle left, going to the library to finish her novel in peace. The images of Twilight Sparkle had her avoid the purple unicorn while she was there besides a “Hello” and “Goodbye” when she left. At home, she sighed setting her saddlebag down and throwing herself on the bed. She was exhausted. I'm bored. Go play king of the hoard. Sparkle groaned, “I'm tired. I've been busy all day. Leave me be.” Fine. I'll leave for the night then. Go haunt Pinkie Pie. She talks to me now, through the mirror. “Pinkie does a lot of strange things so I believe you. Have a good time. Stay out of trouble,” she said, uncaring. You don't have to worry about any deaths here. You look like hell by the way. Get some rest before the neighbors call the pound. Sparkle Pen groaned and sighed, having hardly any energy to process what he was saying. The mare was too tired, her nightmare had been terrorizing her all day. She wanted just to sleep, her eyes drooped and she went off to sleep. The PlotChapter 3 The Plot Sparkle Pen heard a faint scratch of a quill that night on paper. It had to be late because it was still dark. But she was too tired to move, too weary to open her eyes even. She stayed sleeping but able to hear that quill write, weave a story together using words and sentences. It was a beautiful sound to behold. Much later, the black pegasus awoke and stretched, eyes widening to the great glow of the Equestrian sun. That is, if it were up. She blinked and opened her eyes, looking towards her window. The sun wasn't up...... That was...... strange....... So very strange...... Slowly she rose, sliding from her bed to go the the window and open it. The panes separated as she pushed them open, looking up at the dark moonless sky. It was at least eight o'clock, the sun should have been up by now. Certainly Celestia wasn't late..... Who knows? Maybe miss Sun has decided to take a day off? The voice was there again, but much closer than before. Much closer to her then ever before. As if someone were standing right next to her. Her heartbeat quickened, a cold chill going down her spine. Her eyes went to her left and she saw with her eyes, a stack of neat papers. Quill in the ink as if it had been used just prior to this. Walking over, she looked at the first page. "Grimdark: The Dark Journey By Sparkle Pen", she read then shook her head rubbed her eyes and looked again. The words read the same as before. She had....... No....... The black pegasus ran down the stairs in a frenzy and opened the door. Fog covered all of Ponyville, a thick blanket settling down and blocking the sight of everything ground level. She could hardly see her hoof in front of her face. The silence was deafening, instilling fear into the heart of any pony who heard it. She took a step back, closing the door and breaking the chain of fear. At least for a little while. "It's happened again....." she groaned, climbing the stairs again. And what would that be? Being left behind by all the inhabitants of Ponyville because no one really likes you? "No. I wrote in my sleep again....." she said, gritting her teeth at the voice's sarcasm, "This happened before when I was a filly. Usually a pony's cutie mark talent is something that's active all the time. Mine however, my power to make stories reality is only done when I'm asleep." "The last time this happened, I almost destroyed Equestria in it's entirety. It was saved because I didn't finish the story. It was open ended, giving time to correct what I did. Afterwards though, everyone forgot about what had happened. Everyone except me....” Ponies had walked and talked, anyone that was missing or had died, their existence had just been erased. It was a terrifying power, one she hadn't told anypony about. No pony knew but her. “I have to get those pages! If I can figure out what happens, I might be able to change the story....” she said, coming to the room. Her heart stopped, the desk was empty of everything. No stack of papers. No ink or pen. Nothing. It had all been there not seconds ago! Her crimson eyes went to the bed and she saw her saddle bag sitting there with a piece of paper on top of it. It looked like a page out of the story. Slowly the black pegasus went over to the bed and picked up the paper. Chapter One The world had become dark and dangerous. She'd done it again, wrote a story of malice and violence, a story that would change the fate of Equestria. There was no mistake this time. It was finished in it's entirety, from beginning to end. Ensuring the fate of this peaceful world would soon become dark. Darker than the attack by Nightmare Moon. More twisted than the attack by Discord. However there was one way to stop the onslaught. There was one way to save her peaceful, virgin dimension. To do this, she had to go through the story she had made. She had to find the truth to why she had made it. She had to fight her darkest fears, had to pass many obstacles to get what she needed. And to do this, she had to read the first page of the first chapter, placed on her saddle bag. Inside the saddle bag would be her quill and ink, her Luna plushie to give her strength when she felt she could not go on and the first piece of the puzzle. Only then could she make her decision wheither to go on or wait for fate. What will our heroine choose? Sparkle Pen stared at the paper, reading it again and then a third time. So she had made another loop hole for herself. Only she could save the populates of her country from the monstrous creation she had written up. It was her choice, the story had said. But of course, if she said no there would be no story at all. All those pages wouldn't exist. “Like I have a choice,” she said, peeking in the saddle bag to make sure everything was there. You know the saying. Finish what you started right? After all, this is all your fault. And it will be all your fault if the virgin dimension perishes before I get a crack at it first. There was another thing that piped her interest. Why was Equestria called the virgin dimension? Both in her story and by the voice in her head. It only added to the mystery of the whole ordeal. “Hey voice,” she said, “When you say dimension, are you implying that there are different Equestria's? Now aren't you clever? How long did it take for you to figure that one out all by yourself? Shall I throw you a sugar cube for being the clever little mare? God, talking to yourself was getting harder to do these days huh? Creepier when the voice kept throwing insults at you. This dimesion is the original, unpolished, uncorrupted state of Equestria and all neighboring states. However there are other dimension in which many different things have happened. I came here, I think it was after your first attempt to destory the world. After all, it was an impressive show. Beautifully written for a filly, a bit sloppy in places. Like letting everypony else save the day. It made since. The mysterious voice came a couple nights later, whispering in her ear and frightening her up until she got use to how obnoxious it became. I do wonder though, since this world has been corrupted by your hoof..... Wonder? Wonder what? Before she could ask though, it was silent. Not the normal silence she was use to but the dead silence experienced by the characters in a horror film. “Voice?” she called. There was no answer. Either it was ignoring her..... or it was gone. She truly felt alone now but shook it off. Who needed that voice anyway? Some silence would help her think. Sparkle Pen walked down the steps of her house and to the door. With a deep breath in, she opened the door. And screamed.
The BeginningChapter 1 Beginning The early night was dark, the moon waning into a crescent in the sky, it's color lightening with the dawn approaching. In Ponyville, all was silent and unmoving. Or at least within the small town. On the edge of the town though, in a small red brick house, a black pegasus struggled to sleep. She tossed and turned, her form going in many poses, wings outstretched then tight against her body as she struggled to sleep soundly. Hmm... At this rate, you'll never get your beauty sleep. Though I don't see that helping... You could always take the big sleep. Should clear things up. The dark, eerie laugh that followed chilled her spine but she rolled her eyes sitting up in bed. "Would you leave me the buck alone so I can get some sleep? I have a novel that's due next week and I'm nearly done. Just one night of peaceful sleep is all I need," she groaned, slipping out of bed and dragging her hooves towards the night stand. Sweat held her bright red hair in place against her face, the white stripe stuck dilapidated in the mess. Her tail was frizzed and dragged behind her as she picked up the glass of water and drank. It felt so hot in her room that she opened the window, welcoming the cool fresh air that went in. What a beautiful night. Princess Luna had worked extra hard to make the stars shine their brightest. Sparkle Pen smiled, turning to look at the plush doll she had gotten as a child. It resembled the princess very much and it was her most prized possession. It allowed her to write such riveting tales. And afford actual food for a while. Using her wing, she lightly scooped it up from it's place on the bed and held it between her hoofs as she watched the quiet night pass by. Unfortunately she no longer felt tired which meant she wouldn't be getting to sleep anytime soon. It must be truly frustrating trying to sleep when the voices in your head won't shut up isn't it? You know, you really should probably talk to someone about these voices. But probably not yourself for once. The black pegasus sighed irritably, grabbing her bag and putting her usual pen, paper and plushie in before going back to the window. “Maybe I can drown you out with the wind howling in my ears,” she said, before stretching out her wings and jumping from the window. A warm current of air caught her feathers and lifted her higher as she flapped to gain altitude before starting off. The dawn was fast approaching and such a quiet and peaceful place; perfect for some early morning writing. She wasn't sure if Fluttershy was up at this time but being the pony she was, she would go find out anyway, most likely waking the poor mare from her sleep. Small clouds hung around Ponyville soon to be cleared as the Ponyville Cloud patrol got up to do their job. Today was suppose to be a beautiful sunny day. Sparkle Pen sighed happily as the wind went through her mane and attempted a small loop in the air. She looped, without slowing down this time. Her eyes looked down towards the ground and she spotted a familiar pink pony with a bubbly mane and tail. “Pinkie Pie? What's she doing up at this hour?” she asked herself; her wings curled in towards her body as she descended to meet up with the most popular pony in Ponyville. She landed softly a couple feet away as Pinkie Pie came up, carrying a tray with a single cupcake on it. The cupcake was dark with red frosting and a white stripe, similar to Sparkle Pen herself. “Hey! I was just coming over to see you!” Pinkie Pie said, mysteriously being able to speak though the tray was in her mouth. But strange things like that always happened around Pinkie Pie. The black pegasus enjoyed those moments. “Wow, so early? That's so nice of you Pinkie,” she said and took a bite of the cupcake. As soon as she did, she tasted not sweetness but salty bitterness. It didn't taste right at all. This wasn't Pinkie. Her cupcakes were always so sweet and sugary, not at all like this. Pinkie's eyes were on her, a smile wide on her face as she waited for her friend to tell her how good it was. Sparkle Pen wasn't sure whether to spit it out or swallow it. And she really didn't want to swallow. “I made this cupcake special for you Sparkle. It's made of only the best ingredient that could compliment you. You of course.” A dark look went around Pinkie's face and Sparkle Pen suddenly spat up the cupcake. The cupcake fell to the ground, showing up as bloody meat and she tripped backwards feeling like she wanted to puke. Pinkie started to laugh, not her usual giggle snort but an insane maniacal laugh; a crazy look went into her eyes. From nowhere, she pulled out a bloody knife. “Your number came up Sparkle Pen. It's time for you to play the game. Just like everypony else.” Sparkle Pen looked up in horror at the monster that was her friend as she scooted back. In Sugarcube Corner, she makes her home. Ponyville is hers to roam. Greeting ponies with a happy grin, less they know what lurks within. The voice in her head rhymed as her heart accelerated, Pinkie walking slowly nearer and nearer. For under her house is where peacefulness dies. Where she'll cook you into a rainbow surprise. As Pinkie's new victim, you won't see sunrise..... She snapped out of it as Pinkie rose the sharp knife into the air and flapped her wings, flying above and out of reach. She flew out of Ponyville, towards Fluttershy's cottage. With all the little animals around, she'd be safe there. That and Fluttershy knew martial arts. Why don't you dare run to Miss Butchershy, for in doing so you will surely die..... She'll laugh and smile and be your friend but turn your back and the facade ends. She's always been quiet, shy they said, but even somepony like her has skeletons in her shed. Sparkle Pen stopped in mid-flight as the voice spoke again in rhyme. At the same time she heard maniacal laughter, and an engine roar. Not wanting to know, she turned. Rarity. Rarity was level headed and always generous. She'd let Sparkle hide out in her boutique. That and she too knew martial arts. Little Miss Rarity's? Surely you are mistaken. Whips and Chains is all she's been makin. She'll tie you down and punish you. Shall be weak in the knees when she is through. Again she stopped almost before she even started in that direction. Fine, Rainbowdash then. The most loyal, dependable, athletic pony in Ponyville. She'd hear her out and help her. Rainbow never let down a friend. The black pegasus hurried towards the direction of Rainbowdash's cloud home, landing on the sidewalk to her house. She got to the door, raised a hoof to knock.... The broken loyalty is who you seek? I'm afraid what you'll find will make you meek. Stitched together and twice as hostile, her love for anyone has become quite fragile. Revenge is all she's ever wanted. It's made her all quite haunted. The sound of a blade being sharpened perked Sparkle's ears and she backed away, heart hammering out of her chest before starting off again. Applejack. Applejack would help her. Another dependable pony, not to mention honest. She hurried to Sweet Apple Acres as fast as her wings could take her. She could just see the orchard when the voice piped up again. That hammered ole' mare couldn't help a fly. Depressed she let her best friend die. Leave her be unless you wish to get plastered. It's been so long only the drink she's mastered. Applejack couldn't help her. That only left one other pony who could. She turned and headed for the library tree, racing as fast as she could push herself. The most magical, the most knowledgeable unicorn in Ponyville. Twilight Sparkle. Sparkle Pen rushed to the door, opening and closing it. It was dark and cold inside, so cold she could see her breath. The voice called this time, not from her head but from outside. Poor paranoid Twilight is the one you seek? I warn you, she is not for the weak. Spending her day and nights shut in, using for parchment old dried skin! Her sanity left because she was tardy. What remains is only for the hardy..... Sparkle looked around the cold, not daring to move, much less to breath too much. There were hoofsteps, coming towards her. She froze watching a faint purple glow as something came into focus. It looked like Twilight, something like Twilight. Except it wasn't; there was something dark and unpure about it. “W...What are you?!” the black pegasus cried out, her fear escalating. The Twilight creature's eyes glowed as did it's horn. “I am.... Grimdark....” It spoke before opening it's mouth and swallowing Sparkle Pen whole.
The SettingChapter 2 The Setting Sparkle jumped awake, taking big gulps of air. She was sweating all over, her body stuck to the sheets. She fought shortly to get free, the thought of being tied down was too much for her to bear. She kicked free in seconds, rushing to a small corner to curl up and shake. What kind of nightmare had that been? All of her friends, they had become monsters. Killers. It couldn't be so, it just couldn't. Where had something like that come from? She clutched her Luna plushie to her body and held it tightly with her wings to her chest. It gave her some comfort. As it always did. Ha! You make Fluttershy look like a knight in armor! What's got you so whimpified? The black pegasus gave a light irritated growl but continued to shake. The whole experience, it had felt so real. She could still taste the residue of the cupcake..... The bloody meat tasting salty and metallic. Her stomach lurched at the thought, making her stand and rush to the bathroom; she stayed there for minutes, unloading the contents of last night into her toilet. No bloody meat, no frosting. Sitting back and wiping her mouth with her hoof, she took in shaky breaths, exhaling and inhaling to calm down her frayed nerves and beating heart. “It was just a dream,” she told herself over and over, “It didn't really happen. It would never happen. None of it.” Pinkie Pie was the sweetest, kindest most fun pony. She could never do that to anyone, not even the griffin Gilda. With these thoughts to calm her, Sparkle sat up and began her morning routine. As she went through it, the memories of the nightmare withered away and she didn't think of it anymore. Her notebook was on her desk as she came back into her room; it sat there seemingly waiting for her. She didn't leave it to wait long, grabbing a quill and starting to write. The words flowed from her hoof effortlessly, telling the tale of a romance between two ponies and the hardships they faced throughout their lives. She had worked very hard on the plot though it was something that wasn't quite unique. One was of noble birth, the other no more than a lowly subject. And each lived their own miseries before finding strength in each other. She was near the end of her tale and continued to let the words flow like water onto the parchment before her; her mind was all but in her fantasies, not paying attention the world outside. To say that she was surprised when she heard a knock on the door was an understatement. Sparkle Pen flew out of her chair and hid behind the bed. A yellow pegasus with a silky curled pink mane and tail walked in quietly, looking very worried. “Oh... I'm so sorry Sparkle Pen,” Fluttershy muttered quietly, “I didn't mean to frighten you at all. I just came over to say Good Morning and to ask if you would still be helping me..... I mean if it's okay with you.....” Sparkle Pen peaked out from behind the bed, seeing it was only the shy softspoken mare then sighed and smiled, sitting up. “It's no problem Flutters,” she said, “And of course I'm still coming to help you with the pets. I got a bit caught up in my story is all. I'm almost done.” Sparkle Pen went back over to the desk, closing the notebook and storing it in her saddlebag, along with her quill, ink and her Luna plushie. “I could wait until you're done.... I don't mind....” Fluttershy said, softly. “No, it's fine. I promised I'd help you and I will,” the black pegasus said with a smile, “Shall we go?” “Actually I'd like to stop at Sugarcube corner first. Pinkie Pie said she had my order of cupcakes ready. I got one for each of my friends and ordered them special.” In the back of her mind, the nightmare stirred but she shook it away and stayed focused nodding. After all it was only a dream. And that was all it'd ever be. They arrived at Sugarcube corner, finding it stocked with pony customers. Mr. And Mrs. Cake looked so busy, running around and getting orders for ponies. The line was so long and had it just been Fluttershy there, she probably would've just waited in line. But Sparkle Pen was with her and she urged Fluttershy to come with her so that they could see Pinkie themselves and get her order quickly. Ponies gave them annoyed looks as they flew over the others; to this the yellow pegasus apologized profusely. Sparkle ignored them, landing inside the building and taking in the fresh smell of baked sugary sweets. It was always such a nice smell; this was a great place to think. Sometimes she came here to eat a sugar cookie and think of an idea for her novels. “Fluttershy! Sparkle Pen! Hi!” Pinkie Pie said, holding a box on her head. The two ponies greeted her the same and Pinkie began to rant about how packed Sugarcube corner was and how the new cupcakes they were making were selling like crazy. “What kind of cupcakes are they Pinkie?” the black pegasus inquired. To answer, Pinkie Pie set the box down and opened it. The cupcakes were all vanilla but that wasn't what was special about them. Each cupcake was decorated so that it mimicked it's soon to be eater. A rainbow colored cupcake with red lightening bolts shaped candies was one. On another was orange frosting with a little candy hat and apples. “I decided that it would be a great idea if ponies could customize their own cupcakes so that it's exactly like the pony who will be eating it,” Pinkie explained hopping up and clapping her hooves together, “That and now ponies know which cupcake is theirs.” Fluttershy nodded, “They're perfect Pinkie Pie. Thank you very much. It's just what I wanted.” Sparkle Pen was frozen in place seeing the cupcakes; the world around her flashed, becoming the nightmare that she had had last night. The friendly Pinkie Pie became the Crazy Pinkie Pie she had seen, the sugary cupcakes becoming bloody meaty chunks with melting frosting. She felt her stomach jump up to her throat and she struggled not to gag. “Oh and Sparkle Pen, I know how much you love Pinkie Pie's cupcakes so I had one specially made for you,” Fluttershy said, picking out the one that looked just as it had in her dream. It was beautiful, with little candy quills on it and a Luna plushie candy on top. The frosting was red like her hair with the white streak and her cupcake was chocolate instead of vanilla. “Thank you Fluttershy,” she said but didn't move to eat it. She couldn't; when she looked at it, all she saw was bloody meat. “Oh.... You don't want it do you? I'm sorry for assuming.....” “But Sparkly loves my cupcakes! You're always over here asking if I have extras or new recipes you can try.....” Pinkie said, looking a bit sad. Sparkle Pen took a deep breath in and out and smiled before biting into the cupcake. She could almost taste the disgusting meat through the sugar and spices. She carefully chew, making sure not to gag and to look like she enjoyed it. After a little, she forced herself to forget the nightmare and to enjoy it and soon the bile went away and she could taste the delicious chocolate and frosting. She licked her lips and took another bite, eating more vigorously. She could now taste the sweetness; the melty chocolate of the cupcake with the light vanilla frosting played together so perfectly. Pinkie Pie smiled happily, “Do you really like it?!” “I think this is your best cupcake idea yet,” she answered raising a hoof, “It's a great recipe.” “I'm glad you liked it Sparkle,” Fluttershy piped up, “I was worried that you wouldn't.” They talked a little while longer with Pinkie Pie as Sparkle finished it and then they bid her farewell and left Sugarcube corner heading for Fluttershy's cottage. The small animals greeted them as they came and as they opened the door, Angel Bunny came up and thumped his foot to the ground. “I know Angel Bunny. I'll get to making your breakfast now,” the yellow pegasus said setting the cupcake box down. Sparkle Pen gave Angel a disapproving look; she didn't like how Fluttershy let this small creature boss her around all the time. She had been trying to get Fluttershy to be more assertive but It wasn't helping at all. I guess you couldn't teach an old pony new tricks. Or something like that....... Angel Bunny hopped after Fluttershy as she went to the kitchen to prepare things for Angel to eat. Sparkle Pen waited in the living room for Fluttershy to finish. Then suddenly she heard an 'rrring' sound, familiar. Very familiar to the one in her dream. Her nightmare flared up, the walls covered in blood, the floor in corpses. She was no longer in the house but outside, near the shed that Fluttershy usually kept locked with a key. Slowly she crept up to the window seeing nothing but a silhouette of Fluttershy and Angel Bunny. The sound came again and the silhouette of the yellow pegasus holding something above her head. She swung it and Angel Bunny went to pieces; the pieces themselves flew around, blood splattering against the windows. Sparkle Pen screamed, falling back. The silhouette looked her way and slowly came to the door. The black pegasus couldn't move as it came to the door. The door bust open and darkness swallowed her. She awoke suddenly on the floor, Fluttershy above her, shaking her. “Sparkle...... Sparkle...... Wake up.....: she said softly; the black pegasus looked up at the yellow one, tears in her eyes. The nightmarish images played again in her mind and she felt like crying. Why would she dream that the kindest pegasus in Ponyville would harm her most beloved bunny rabbit? Why would she think this? “Are you okay Sparkle?” Fluttershy asked, getting off of her. Sparkle Pen got up and shook herself, trying to again bury the nightmares. “I.... I'm fine Flutters.....” she said shakily. Fluttershy only looked more concerned as she watched her friend get up wobbly. Angel Bunny however continued to thump his foot, as Sparkle Pen's collapse had distracted his caretaker. “I'm coming Angel Bunny,” she said and the mare made her way back to the kitchen to look through the cabinets and drawers to continue making food for her beloved bunny rabbit. Sparkle Pen sat down on a chair, trying to stop her rapid beating heart. It hurt as it banged against her ribs and she swallowed the bile in her throat. I swear, you are nerved by the littlest things..... I'd love to see how you'd do if someone were to throw a surprise party for you. You'd drop dead. Sparkle groaned; the voice had returned. And here she thought she'd be left alone..... Of all the things she needed, it wasn't this..... “Sparkle? I'm ready for the help with the baby bunnies.... If you're ready of course......” Fluttershy said, Angel Bunny eating his breakfast behind her. The black pegasus nodded, putting down her saddle bag and leaving the cottage with the pegasus. Playing and watching the baby bunnies always helped her relax and be calm. Afterall the bunnies could feel tension and as long as you were calm, so were they. A couple of bunnies curled up in her tail and a few more on her hooves as she sat there and tickled them, playing with them. She and Fluttershy talked about animals and how her novel was going. The yellow pegasus read some, giving small pointers and apologizing for her criticism. They talked until lunch and then Sparkle left, going to the library to finish her novel in peace. The images of Twilight Sparkle had her avoid the purple unicorn while she was there besides a “Hello” and “Goodbye” when she left. At home, she sighed setting her saddlebag down and throwing herself on the bed. She was exhausted. I'm bored. Go play king of the hoard. Sparkle groaned, “I'm tired. I've been busy all day. Leave me be.” Fine. I'll leave for the night then. Go haunt Pinkie Pie. She talks to me now, through the mirror. “Pinkie does a lot of strange things so I believe you. Have a good time. Stay out of trouble,” she said, uncaring. You don't have to worry about any deaths here. You look like hell by the way. Get some rest before the neighbors call the pound. Sparkle Pen groaned and sighed, having hardly any energy to process what he was saying. The mare was too tired, her nightmare had been terrorizing her all day. She wanted just to sleep, her eyes drooped and she went off to sleep.
The PlotChapter 3 The Plot Sparkle Pen heard a faint scratch of a quill that night on paper. It had to be late because it was still dark. But she was too tired to move, too weary to open her eyes even. She stayed sleeping but able to hear that quill write, weave a story together using words and sentences. It was a beautiful sound to behold. Much later, the black pegasus awoke and stretched, eyes widening to the great glow of the Equestrian sun. That is, if it were up. She blinked and opened her eyes, looking towards her window. The sun wasn't up...... That was...... strange....... So very strange...... Slowly she rose, sliding from her bed to go the the window and open it. The panes separated as she pushed them open, looking up at the dark moonless sky. It was at least eight o'clock, the sun should have been up by now. Certainly Celestia wasn't late..... Who knows? Maybe miss Sun has decided to take a day off? The voice was there again, but much closer than before. Much closer to her then ever before. As if someone were standing right next to her. Her heartbeat quickened, a cold chill going down her spine. Her eyes went to her left and she saw with her eyes, a stack of neat papers. Quill in the ink as if it had been used just prior to this. Walking over, she looked at the first page. "Grimdark: The Dark Journey By Sparkle Pen", she read then shook her head rubbed her eyes and looked again. The words read the same as before. She had....... No....... The black pegasus ran down the stairs in a frenzy and opened the door. Fog covered all of Ponyville, a thick blanket settling down and blocking the sight of everything ground level. She could hardly see her hoof in front of her face. The silence was deafening, instilling fear into the heart of any pony who heard it. She took a step back, closing the door and breaking the chain of fear. At least for a little while. "It's happened again....." she groaned, climbing the stairs again. And what would that be? Being left behind by all the inhabitants of Ponyville because no one really likes you? "No. I wrote in my sleep again....." she said, gritting her teeth at the voice's sarcasm, "This happened before when I was a filly. Usually a pony's cutie mark talent is something that's active all the time. Mine however, my power to make stories reality is only done when I'm asleep." "The last time this happened, I almost destroyed Equestria in it's entirety. It was saved because I didn't finish the story. It was open ended, giving time to correct what I did. Afterwards though, everyone forgot about what had happened. Everyone except me....” Ponies had walked and talked, anyone that was missing or had died, their existence had just been erased. It was a terrifying power, one she hadn't told anypony about. No pony knew but her. “I have to get those pages! If I can figure out what happens, I might be able to change the story....” she said, coming to the room. Her heart stopped, the desk was empty of everything. No stack of papers. No ink or pen. Nothing. It had all been there not seconds ago! Her crimson eyes went to the bed and she saw her saddle bag sitting there with a piece of paper on top of it. It looked like a page out of the story. Slowly the black pegasus went over to the bed and picked up the paper. Chapter One The world had become dark and dangerous. She'd done it again, wrote a story of malice and violence, a story that would change the fate of Equestria. There was no mistake this time. It was finished in it's entirety, from beginning to end. Ensuring the fate of this peaceful world would soon become dark. Darker than the attack by Nightmare Moon. More twisted than the attack by Discord. However there was one way to stop the onslaught. There was one way to save her peaceful, virgin dimension. To do this, she had to go through the story she had made. She had to find the truth to why she had made it. She had to fight her darkest fears, had to pass many obstacles to get what she needed. And to do this, she had to read the first page of the first chapter, placed on her saddle bag. Inside the saddle bag would be her quill and ink, her Luna plushie to give her strength when she felt she could not go on and the first piece of the puzzle. Only then could she make her decision wheither to go on or wait for fate. What will our heroine choose? Sparkle Pen stared at the paper, reading it again and then a third time. So she had made another loop hole for herself. Only she could save the populates of her country from the monstrous creation she had written up. It was her choice, the story had said. But of course, if she said no there would be no story at all. All those pages wouldn't exist. “Like I have a choice,” she said, peeking in the saddle bag to make sure everything was there. You know the saying. Finish what you started right? After all, this is all your fault. And it will be all your fault if the virgin dimension perishes before I get a crack at it first. There was another thing that piped her interest. Why was Equestria called the virgin dimension? Both in her story and by the voice in her head. It only added to the mystery of the whole ordeal. “Hey voice,” she said, “When you say dimension, are you implying that there are different Equestria's? Now aren't you clever? How long did it take for you to figure that one out all by yourself? Shall I throw you a sugar cube for being the clever little mare? God, talking to yourself was getting harder to do these days huh? Creepier when the voice kept throwing insults at you. This dimesion is the original, unpolished, uncorrupted state of Equestria and all neighboring states. However there are other dimension in which many different things have happened. I came here, I think it was after your first attempt to destory the world. After all, it was an impressive show. Beautifully written for a filly, a bit sloppy in places. Like letting everypony else save the day. It made since. The mysterious voice came a couple nights later, whispering in her ear and frightening her up until she got use to how obnoxious it became. I do wonder though, since this world has been corrupted by your hoof..... Wonder? Wonder what? Before she could ask though, it was silent. Not the normal silence she was use to but the dead silence experienced by the characters in a horror film. “Voice?” she called. There was no answer. Either it was ignoring her..... or it was gone. She truly felt alone now but shook it off. Who needed that voice anyway? Some silence would help her think. Sparkle Pen walked down the steps of her house and to the door. With a deep breath in, she opened the door. And screamed.
